A/N: In this chapter you'll meet Isidra - a character created by hollyhobbit101 from the giveaway! As always, I love to hear any and all feedback :) Cheers!

As the bees hummed and the sun rose, Beorn was told of what had transgressed in the aftermath of Erebor's battle. Gandalf did most of the talking, although he had been rather caught off guard when Bilbo had come back with their host in tow, and found a surprisingly informed listener in the quiet hermit. The wizard explained nearly everything from the spells to their stay at Siryamen, and nothing seemed to ruffle Beorn's feathers. Fili and Kili quickly made themselves at home with a plate of honey cakes, while Thorin and Bilbo occasionally corrected Gandalf's recollection; Tauriel had politely excused herself to wander around the gardens and fields.

"You may stay here," Beorn finally said, "if that is what you wish."
"It is, and we are grateful for your hospitality," Thorin replied.
"You are welcome, Thorin Oakenshield."
"I'm afraid there is one more thing you should know," Gandalf murmured. "We passed a settlement of sorts on our way down the Anduin, not even a village. Would they have been under your protection?"
"I believe so, there are several such places north of here. What of them?"
"Well, when we arrived it appeared to have been…attacked," Gandalf replied, twisting his mouth anxiously. Beorn stood very still, holding a pitcher of milk in both hands.
"Go on," he ground out.
"We found no bodies of Men, but the homes had been set aflame."
"You suspect orcs of this crime. Where there any corpses at the scene?"
"If by corpses you mean beheaded Blue Mountain dwarves, then yes," Thorin spat angrily.
"My people gone, yours slain…" Beorn mused quietly, "I agree this sounds like raiding activity. I will do what I can, although it will not be much."

At that moment Tauriel quietly slipped in and stood in the doorway for a few moments while Beorn and Gandalf spoke quietly. Kili beamed at her through his mouthful of biscuit, but his face fell at her stern expression.
"Tauriel, is something wrong?" he asked, drawing the room's attention.
"Lord Beorn, I think you may have more than just us for company tonight."

Soon all seven of them were standing around the gates, squinting towards the river. At the ford where they had tethered the boats, Tauriel's elvish eyes had spotted a flicker of movement – something she had learned long ago to make known to her superiors. From her perch in one of the enormous trees, she described what she saw; it was soon visible to those without elvish sight, and before long there was a very strange party pulling up to Beorn's gate. Host of large Men – battered but alive – was being escorted by a company of elves. Several carts were loaded with women, children, and supplies, and the whole party slowed to a halt as the leader barked out a few words in Elvish.

Willowy of limb and stern of look, the female elf was dressed much as her companions – Bilbo immediately recognized the mottled green tunics and dual daggers as Guard's materials from Mirkwood. Her sharp blue eyes were set above rounded cheekbones, marking her as young despite her firm brows and chin. Her hair, one of the many shades of brown found among the elves of Mirkwood, was pulled back with practicality and simplicity – there was no air of frivolity or romanticism about her as she bowed before Beorn.

"Lord Beorn, these Men claim to be under your protection," she stated coolly, nodding to the unloading carts. "We found them wandering through our wood, and so have brought them to you. They claimed there was no village for them, and insisted on being escorted here rather than Edoras or Siryamen."
"I thank you for aiding them," Beorn replied, stepping aside to let the Men pass.
"The order came from our King, my lord, not from myself," she replied with a sniff, frowning at the glowering Thorin standing beside Gandalf.
"Then pass on my thanks. I had no wish to inconvenience you – my grounds are yours for the night, if you wish."
"War inconveniences us all. We will be on our way shortly."

The last few of Beorn's folk shuffled through the gate, leaving the handful of elves surrounding empty carts. Tauriel, who had been watching from her lookout among the branches, dropped down as the last child darted into the house. In a few steps she was beside Beorn with a hesitant smile on her lips, and as soon as the elves saw her they snapped into salutes.

"You are looking well, Isidra," Tauriel greeted the leader, motioning for the elves to relax.
"Thank you, Captain," Isidra replied, trying not to lose her composure.
"And you have been promoted?"
"Yes, Captain, to lieutenant."
"The rank suits you. I have no doubt you will do well in such a position."

Tauriel was suddenly aware that their conversation had an audience, and felt a subconscious flush crawl up her neck. With a quick look at Bilbo, their little company was quickly herded away – a quiet word about the honey cakes and the three dwarves were easily moved. Gandalf and Beorn went to speak with the twenty refugees, and soon there were only elves hovering around the gate.

Each of Isidra's ten subordinates greeted Tauriel emphatically. Rumors had spread of her wartime bravery, both on and off the battlefield. She learned that Legolas had indeed left for Dunedain country, and that the King was currently in negotiation talks with Bard and Dain now that the battle was over. Once the pleasantries were had, Isidra sent them to work packing up the carts and getting the horses to water. She and Tauriel were soon left alone at the gates, but quickly found a comfortable bench in the garden.

"How do you like being in charge?" Tauriel asked with a grin as they sat.
"I like the responsibility, although the Guard is spread thin these days," Isidra replied, tapping her foot thoughtfully.
"I have no doubt you will keep everyone safe. The world is reeling at the moment, and people will need to find strength somewhere."
"Most of my patrols are within the forest – I can only do so much."
"You mean you are only willing to do so much," Tauriel chided gently. "But you were always very good at following orders."
"Not all of us are the adventurous type."
"Perhaps not, but there was once a time when you were."
"I have responsibility now. I obey the king's orders," Isidra stated crisply.
"There is more in the world than one unsocial king, my friend. One day I hope you find that."
"Is that what you did?" Isidra suddenly snapped, but Tauriel appeared unruffled. "You might have found the world, but you abandoned your people in the process. I was only promoted because you left – you created a vacuum, and threw the Guard off balance because of your absence. How can you justify throwing one world into chaos for the sake of another?"
"I act as I think right, and your judgement is unwelcome and unjust," Tauriel replied carefully. "You must learn to accept that there are some forces that are beyond your control, and some that are not. I am not in your control, just as you are no longer in mine. I am here because I made it so – I faced down our king for my right to fight for my beliefs, and only Eru can judge if I have done rightly."
"And yet I find you in the company of dwarves, hidden in this vale like a fugitive!"
"Those dwarves are more important to the world than myself-"
"How can you say that?" Isidra interrupted, wilting sadly. "How can you think that anyone, let alone a dwarf, is more important than you?"
"Because I could not bear seeing them in strife, not while I could help."
"It's not because you're in love with one of them? That's what the rumors are saying," Isidra scoffed, but instantly regretted the comment as a rare cloud gathered behind Tauriel's steely gaze.
"I will not ask how you dared such a statement. You are young, Isidra, even younger than I, and perhaps I am partly to blame for your anger - but for now this conversation is over."

Tauriel stood silently and Isidra quickly followed suit – there was a hearty mix of shame and anger still in her young face, and Tauriel's heart was softened. She put a gentle hand on the younger elf's shoulder, pursing her mouth for a moment before speaking.

"I hope you will stay the night here. Beorn is not as fearsome as our bed-stories would have us believe, and I should like to talk to my past pupil once I am not so tired and angry," Tauriel smiled lightly. "I think we have both had a trying day, and we will be able to better speak our minds in the morning."
"I agree," Isidra replied dutifully.

Tauriel bowed slightly, then removed her hand and strode towards the bustling house. Isidra watched her go silently, recalling time and time again she had watched her mentor walk away. Ever since the battle she had wondered why she walked away from her home, her role, her friends… With a sigh she rubbed her nose, thinking hard as she walked back to the gates. The fresh horses were just being hitched back to the carts, and her company was chattering amongst themselves as they readied to get back on the road. With a quick word she summoned her company about her.

"Take the horses to the field, the carts can be brought inside the gate. We'll be staying here tonight."

A/N: Just a heads up that there will be no chapter this Friday - I'll be out of town again. I'm sorry to keep postponing chapters, but once summer is in full swing I promise the schedule will be more regular. Cheers!