Fun fact: I had to write this chapter twice because the first version was basically Valdis and Beorn having a philosophical debate.

I hope you like this version!

"Raene, come on." I called, letting out a few whistles. The tall grey hound ran to me from where she was sniffing a pine tree.

I sat on my mare borrowed by Beorn. She was a pony of a chestnut color with a black mane. Beorn had said her name was Asta. It had been only hours since I had departed from the home of the skin changer. My visit had been short, my shoulder had healed to the level that I could use it again and I was able to rest to a degree.

As I rode Asta through a meadow, watching the wind dance on the grass and Raene trotting along, I thought back to the last part of my stay at Beorn's cottage.

I did not think I would ever get used to sheep working in the kitchen. Or dogs helping me pack my food provisions. The food Beorn had allowed me to take looked delicious, if I hadn't already eaten a filling breakfast. He had honey cakes, cream, breads with raisins in them, fruits that I had never heard of, and crackers that tasted much better than cram. The only downside to Beorn's diet was that there was no meat, so I decided to hunt for some once I left his territory.

It was early morning, and I felt refreshed after the first night of full sleep that I had gotten in months. I wanted to sleep in more but I knew I needed to prepare to leave; also the rooster outside the window was being extremely loud. I slept in a spare room at the end of Beorn's cottage. It was decorated with wood carvings like the rest of the house, and at it's center, there was a massive bed. It took a few tries for me to climb up the previous night. I was thankful my brothers had not seen that, they would laugh.

The corners of my mouth sagged down of their own accord. I sighed, almost wishing I had not thought of Fili and Kili. They were in this very house recently. I was so close, yet I was not fast enough. My heart hurt as guilt swept through me. For the first time, I thought about how close behind them I was. I just wanted to touch them, make sure they were safe.

"None of us are safe." I whispered, both to myself and to the white sheep that was rubbing it's head comfortingly against my leg. At least, I guessed it was trying to be comforting.

I knew I needed to pull myself out of my current state of mind. A depression-like fog had hung over my mind my entire journey. I allowed myself to be worried and yet withdrawn at the same time. I did nto know how ot feel how to occupy my mind. I had been traveling alone for months, mostly talking to Enar. I did nto want to deal with my emotions and therefore let them consume me.

"Maaa," the sheep looked at me, trying to speak.

"Aye," I replied, running my fingers though its wooly head. "Everything about this place tells me to have hope."

I shook myself and stood. The ewe perked up and trotted to the door of the room I stayed in. I was ready to start the day, my belongings were packed neatly on the straw-mattress bed.

Beorn was sitting at his massive table, laden with food exactly like last night.

"Good morning!" He boomed.

I smiled brightly. "Good morning. Thank you for hosting me."

"The only creatures I can bear to leave wounded are orcs," he replied between mouth fulls of honey cakes.

I ate gratefully, tasting every sweet flavor. We had more hearty feasts at home, but these were irresistibly delicious.

"Hm," Beorn mused, "There is more life in your eyes today."

I stopped short. "It possibly is the food and warm bed." I managed to reply.

"I certainly hope those helped!" He snorted. Then, he leaned from across the table. "However, you smell like a person who lets their burdens fall too heavily on their shoulders."

Blinking, I tried to understand. Beorn returned to his previous position in his carven chair.

"Thorin Oakenshield is the same, no?"

Deciding not to question his sense of smell, I nodded. "I confess I have been letting my worries consume me."

"Ebha told me such," Beorn grinned, patting the head of the same ewe that had been in my room with me.

I tried to hide my surprise. "You can understand the animals?"

"I can do more than skin change, dwarf!" He laughed, bemused at my shock.

I smiled in spite of myself. "Aye, it makes sense."

Our conversation paused for only a moment. I almost thought Beorn was going to give me counsel but he simply watched me, which was slightly unnerving.

"I request a story."

Beorn's deep voice nearly made me jump. "H-hm?"

The skin changer poured milk from a large pitcher into his massive mug. "I have heard many boring tales from your kin during their stay. Mostly about treasures and cold gems. Although, the Wizard's narration of their journey was greatly entertaining." He added the last sentence as an afterthought, evidently reminiscing his pleasure.

I chewed on a heavenly tasting honey cake, thinking of stories I knew. I guessed he would not take delight in much dwarven folklore.

"What kind of story would you fancy?" I asked, relaxing myself into the conversation. I was starting to get used to the tall man's tendencies.

"A fond memory!" He boomed, a grin spreading across is face. "Family, maybe even a dwarf-man you wish to marry?"

I laughed. "Ah you want something like that."

"Well, I'm sure you are regarded as a fine lass by your men," he explained lightheartedly, "there must be something to tell of."

I brushed the golden crumbs off my fingers. "I have been of marrying age for a decade. Within that time there have been dwarrow who wished to court me."

Beorn raised a bushy eyebrow. "And?"

I smiled fondly. "It is simple enough, my brothers have scared most of them away."

The man laughed heartily. "Not to offend you but they are hardly intimidating."

"Of course they are not to you," I replied, "besides, all of the suitors simply wanted the position it could bring them if we ever reclaimed our throne in Erebor."

"Bah! I have never understood such things."

"In my position, I briefly considered marrying someone well to do so I could better keep food on my family's table." I commented. Beorn hummed.

"I did not consider that side before," he said, "yet I do not endorse it."

"Aye," I replied whole heartedly. Yet in my mind I knew if I needed to I would make the sacrifice. Even though marriges for benefit were not common in dwarven culture, since love was sought out, I was prepared to make the choice. Thankfully, my uncle and brothers forbid it, and we have managed on our own.

"Perhaps I will be unmarried all my days," I said, "it would not be unhappy. I have my family for companionship."

"Perhaps," he admitted, "but have you ever set your eyes on a lad?"

I laughed. "You are hounding me with love questions like an old maid with nothing better to do."

I was completely jesting, and tried to show it so he did not take offense. He did not, and only erupted in loud laughter, smacking his large thighs a few times. I enjoyed hearing laughter, even if it was nearly unbearable in volume.

"It must be because I never have a young maid to pester." His old eyes lost some of their glee, and I finally noticed iron cuffs around his wrist as he rubbed them slightly. I realized the history of those cuffs had something to do with why there were no others of his kind.

I thought quickly to keep the conversation moving, as so to not dampen his mood. "There was a special someone..."

Beorn leaned forwards eagerly. "Oh?"

"His name is Lothi," I started, "he introduced my youngest brother to his now favorite weapon, the bow. He kindly taught Kili how to use it."

I smiled. "I remember watching them practice every week. Gunnar taught Kili like I could not. They became fast friends, even though he was a few years older than me."

Beorn nodded, chuckling to himself. "Of course the man who showed love for your family would be the object of yours," he muttered to himself.

I sighed. "Sadly, Lothi had to leave. He lost business in Ered Luin but had found some in Ered Mithrin, far north of here and far from my home. I have not seen him in many a year."

"You did not voice your desire?"

I shook my head. "I was not entirely sure it was the right decision until it was too late."

The greyhound named Raene appeared from under the table and rested her head on my lap. Idly I stroked her wiry fur, smiling to myself.

"You are young, and have a long life ahead of you, spend it well," Beorn closed the conversation kindly. I nodded, looking at my empty plate.

A rooster crowed, calling out late morning. I needed to leave soon if I were to stay only two days behind my kin. I thanked Beorn for his hospitality, and he offered me a pony to take me to the forest edge, telling me the path to take through the wood.

"Be sure to let my mare loose before you enter Mirkwood. I do not wish her traveling through such a place," Beorn instructed sternly. "Asta is a sensitive lass."

I nodded. As I tied my packs onto Asta's leather saddle, Raene bumped my side with her head, whimpering slightly. We had become friends over my short stay. I was certainly sad to say goodbye to her. Her head reached my shoulders, her brown eyes looked into my blue ones.

Behind me, Beorn sighed heavily. At the sound I turned to him, having finished securing my things.

"You have made a bond with my hound," he began, "she wishes to come with you on your journey."

I blinked in surprise and looked back at the dog beside me. I had never longed for an animal companion, and hardly knew how to care for one. And yet, I knew I would enjoy Raene's company. It was lonely traveling for so long by oneself.

"Are you sure?" I asked tentatively.

Raene's ears folded back onto her head, a look of sadness flashed across her face.

"Do you not wish her to come with you?"

I shook my head. "I truly do, I am worried I can not care for her the way she deserves."

Beorn chuckled, his eyes soft. "She does not need much care, simply affection and shared meat. She is an intelligent dog, you will know what she needs.

My body relaxed. Anxiety washed away and was replaced by happiness. I knew in my gut I needed a companion. I usually was satisfied with solitary journeys as I reached adulthood. However, this one was different, and filled with emotional turnout and worry.

My hand ran along the sides of her head, feeling her skull and ears. "The only animals I have come to love have been my ponies," I told Beorn quietly, "I do think Raene is an exception."

Beorn chuckled, his strong shoulders bouncing slightly. "These creatures find a way if they choose you."

I smiled at his response, finding myself agreeing.

"And if you are open hearted to them."

I looked up to Beorn when he said this, not quite understanding his statement. He smiled and patted his hound on the top of her head.

"You and your kin have changed my view of dwarves," he explained, "if you ever pass back this way, I would request to have the pleasure of your company."

I smiled at him, my hands finding their way to Asta's saddle, feeling the brass buckles. "I am honored and would accept your invitation."

The mare beside me snorted and shifted on her feet, impatient to move. I lifted myself up and swung my leg over her back, gathering the reins into my hands.

"Farewell, and thank you for your hospitality. We will add you to our songs of this quest if we are successful."

The skin changer shrugged. "I do not care much for your songs, but I see it is important among you people. Farewell anyhow."

I ushered Asta into a trot, looking to see if Raene was following on foot. Obediently, she did.

"Remember," Beorn boomed from behind me, "stay on the path whatever the cost, else you die. And let my pony free to return to me!"

He had instructed me in these things before, emphasizing their importance. I had no intentions of doing others.

"Aye!" I called back before facing forwards, intent on making good time to Mirkwood.