Merwra almost forgot that she was on a dangerous mission,the weather was lovely-just a bit too hot for her-,the pain in her arm was almost gone and she had Kili,who was holding her hand secretly wondering why the name Gondor seemed so familiar. That was the adventure that she always wanted,Merwra was feeling heroic now,just like her favorite characters from the books of the palace where she lived-and hated-.
The palace;it seemed just a dream,a distant memory that she wished to forget. Merwra wondered if her parents missed her just like she missed them, they knew how she liked to explore and learn different things and never forbid her to do what she loved; that is what she most admired on them,how they could trust on her. She knew about some cousins that could never leave their parent's side,and even some that had tried to run away.
She got lost in her thoughts for some time,unsure if she missed the palace or not..."So,who is Beorn?" Merwra asked Gandalf .
"He is a very great person" he said emphasizing on the word 'person' ,"You must all be very polite when I introduce you." He said louder so everyone could hear him."I shall introduce you two by two,I think; and you must be careful not to annoy him, or heaven knows what will happen…" he said worried.
Merwra wasn't satisfied with the answer,and felt curious by the fact that the so called Beorn was a human. "But how is he like?" she insisted.
"Well…" the wizard said trying to find the right words "He is very strong ,and he is a skin-changer,very much like you Merwra"
"Skin-changer!?" she asked even more curious "He can change to what,exactly?"
"Sometimes he's a huge black bear,sometimes he is a great strong black-haired man. He lives in an oak-wood house and keeps bees and its hives,he also keeps cattle and horses which are nearly as marvelous as himself,they work for him and talk to him. As a bear he ranges far and wide.I once saw him standing all alone on the top of the Carrock at night…" Gandalf finished Beorn's description and wasn't willing to talk more about him,so Merwra and the others decided to stay quiet,they had plenty to think about.
It was the middle of the afternoon,they sometimes rested under the trees before continuing the journey,the hunger was a great motivator to keep them a while they passed a belt of tall and ancient oaks before finally stopping.
"You must wait here" Gandalf commanded; "and when I call or whistle begin to come after me,but only in pairs,about five minutes between each pair of you, expect for Bombur, that better come alone and last" he explained " Come on Mr Baggins! There is a gate somewhere near" He said taking the frightened hobbit with him to a wooden gate ,before anyone could question him or his plan.
They did as Gandalf said and watched the wizard and the hobbit disappear,getting closer to the house and drawing the attention of some horses...