Dearest Readers,

Welcome back! Yes, I am alive. Yes, I am so sorry that I keep being so slow with updates. But at least I have not forgotten this story! If anything, it's only continuing to be more interesting to write... when I have time, that is.

Alas, tis life.

Enjoy!

XOXO Ally Layne

Into That Good Night

Chapter 14: The Quest Full of Naked Males

They all died-

That's what I dreamed about.

Thorin, Fili, Kili… even Varis.

When I shot up from the hay, a gasp escaped my lips as I tried to take in my surroundings. Riptide was in my hand and in sword form, and I realized I must've uncapped the pen when I was sleeping.

The oddest thing about the nightmare was I wasn't able to move, like I was paralyzed and unable to try and help them.

It was like sleep paralysis, but I was actually asleep and not watching events take place around me.

I ran a hand through my hair after capping riptide and making it travel-size once more. I grimaced when pulling out pieces of hay and some stray oats, but I figured that things could be worse.

I mean, I could've just woken up and found out that my dream had actually happened… even though that's usually the case.

Letting out a sigh, I looked around at the others that surrounded me, and noticed that Thorin was the only one awake out of them. He was smoking his pipe and looking out of the barn, to where the sun was rising through the trees.

I got up from where I had fallen asleep and made my way out of the barn and into the grassy area where already a few different animals were up and about. The horses, even though I'm used to listening in on their conversations, were extremely aware and present to their surroundings.

So were the dogs.

And the cats, and the chickens, and anything else that I seemed to come across.

Even the bees were larger than normal, and seemed to produce more than enough honey for whoever lived there- that skin-changer or whatever he was. All I know is that he can turn into a bear which is pretty cool. I would just rather he didn't try to kill me, but alas, what can one do?

A small smile crossed my lips as a dog rubbed up against my leg, twirling to let it's wagging tail start smacking my knee as it practically begged for butt scratches.

I let out a small laugh at the way it's tongue stuck out when I scratched where he was nudging me. He was letting out a low grunting noise and I did my best to keep my mind from going into the gutter but I guess I wasn't as mature as I thought I was.

"You're a good boy," I told him.

I had to keep myself from letting out a louder laugh and waking up the others when he turned around to look up at me with wide eyes as if to ask, "Really?"

"Don't look at me like that," I fondly scolded him. "You're a good boy and you know it."

If a dog could shrug, I'm pretty sure that's what this dog just did.

Acceptance of the knowledge of good boys. What a concept.

"The animals seem to enjoy your presence here," a low, thundering voice spoke from the tree line.

I nearly jumped at the sound of it, and felt my hand grab for riptide at the unfamiliar voice. "Who are you?"

A bout of low laughter was my only reply.

The snapping sound that came from its direction made me uncap my sword and move to stand in front of the dog in a defensive stance. "I asked you a question," I prompted. "Who are you?"

"I believe that it should be I who is asking that question," the voice spoke, just as a large, beastly form that was shadowed by the darkness under the trees came into view.

My grip on my sword tightened.

However, when the massive being came into view, I realized it was just a giant man, covered in hair. His hands looked like they were the size of my head, let alone my face.

This guy dwarfed Glorfindel.

I blinked.

It looks like this guy definitely dwarfed Glorfindel… in every way.

He was standing there in the light, cool as a cucumber, naked as the day he was born.

I sighed. What was it and this quest that equaled naked men?

He had long, dark hair and a large beard that added to the wild look he wore on his face and emulated in his eyes. The majority of his body was covered with hair, though I refused to allow myself to look below the waist.

Well, at least not too much.

He had a large, red bump on his forehead, which is probably from something that happened recently. I doubted someone like him had wounds for very long. There was a single cuff that was around his left wrist, which made my stomach churn at what that held a reminder to. I felt some of the color drain from my face.

"My name is Beorn, and this is my home which you have trespassed upon," He spoke. I had a hard time looking anywhere in his direction, but decided that if I looked really high up I might be safe for the moment.

"Well, Beorn, my name is Persephone Jackson, and I-uh…"

He paused for a second, sniffing the air. I watched curiously as his large pupils dilated and then went back to normal as he exhaled.

His dark eyes focused on me. "You are not human."

I shifted my feet, fighting the urge to rub my neck in awkwardness. "Yeah, I guess not."

Beorn's eyebrows furrowed. "I do not know why you are here," he said. "But I do know that you are not a threat from what the others tell me."

I looked around briefly. "Others?"

He smiled, though it did not reach his eyes. "Have you not noticed them?" Beorn gestured to the dog that was now sitting politely behind me. "They certainly have noticed you."

"Well, I hope that's a compliment."

Beorn's lips pursed. "I do believe it is rather a comment on how badly you smell."

I winced, looking down at the mud and grime that was sludged all over my skin. "Well, they're not wrong."

He let out a low hum, before looking on toward the barn where the rest of the company were. When his eyes looked back to my own, there was something darker that hadn't been present before. "They speak to me of others who are here with you. I would like to meet them first. I will then decide if you can stay."

I blinked, capping Riptide before I rubbed my neck awkwardly. "Maybe you should put some clothes on first."

He let out a scoff, but my lack of response seemed to make him sense the tension that emitted from my very being.

I like to think that I was pretty open minded about things, so I'd hate to see how the dwarves would react to seeing Beorn naked in front of a Lady.

And we weren't even courting!

Gasp.

Gerda probably would've smacked me by now.

"Humans are so trivial with their bodies," Beorn spoke, as he walked forward. I was definitely watching his two butt cheeks as he walked away, and was definitely admiring just how firm they looked. "It is a natural thing to be-"

As he walked into his house and the voice became muffled, I let out a breath.

Oh, wait-

The dwarves… and didn't Gandalf say that Beorn wasn't a big fan of dwarves?

Di Immortales.

Persephone's Translation: Oh shiiiiiiiiit.

.

.

.

.

.

I don't know what I expected when Beorn said he wanted to meet my travelling companions to "decide if we can stay." Odd, considering he already offered the creek for bathing, but I guess I probably did smell that bad.

However, it certainly was interesting to watch, that's for sure.

"I will go first, and… Bilbo, you come with me," Gandalf spoke, looking over the group with a keen eye.

Bilbo, for his part, didn't move.

Varis, who was looking a lot more refreshed with a fresh French-braid through her hair, noticed our friend's hesitation and her bravery seemed to kick in. "No, I'll go-"

"No!"

"No you don't-"

"Lassie, yer a dam-"

"Not gonna happen!"

I felt myself stiffen at the immediate and strong response that came from the dwarves. Everyone was speaking at once, though Thorin, Balin, and Bifur remained silent. Bifur was gesturing in the dwarven version of sign language, so I guess that didn't really count.

Blibo looked up at me with wide eyes, and I just offered him a weak smile in response.

I couldn't let poor Bilbo be stomped by that massive giant.

What kind of friend would I be?

I let out a loud cough, effectively shutting the rest of them up and getting their attention. Gandalf at this point was more than a little annoyed, so I hoped my assertion would be useful. "I'll go," I offered. "I already spoke to him before."

Varis frowned, and when her hands went right to her hips I knew I was in for it. "Why is it that whenever I try to lift a finger everyone starts to freak out and demand that I don't? I am more than willing to pull my weight and I will not have you lot stopping me!"

I sighed as some of the others started to try and explain that dwarrowdams must be protected, yadda, yadda, yadda, and that dwarrows are a dying race and they need females to be safe. Sounded rather sexist to me, but I doubted they'd care.

Varis wasn't too pleased.

"You will let me leave this place with Gandalf and Persephone, and you will do it now," she demanded. "None of you were there when my ama was slaughtered by orcs, so none of you should have any say over whether or not you should protect me now."

"Your amad was attacked by orcs?" Balin asked, his grandfatherly voice standing out in the middle of the disgruntled mutters and grumbles.

Varis took a deep breath before continuing. I noticed that Kili moved his hand to her back in a light caress as she spoke, "My ama was killed as our village was raided by orcs. The elves were able to save who was left, and Persephone was the one who saved me." Her eyes moved to mine. "And we have been close ever since."

Dwalin grimaced. "That's why you were so chummy with those tree shaggers."

I blinked, before looking over to Dwalin with a deliberate smirk. "I can tell you that trees aren't what these elves shag from personal experience, Master Dwarf."

The dwarves seemed shocked by the statement while Bilbo looked downright affronted. Gandalf probably facepalmed as Varis started to break up into laughter. "She's not wrong- I was forced to listen," she choked out between laughs.

I rolled my eyes. "Because you were hiding in my bathroom, which I told you not to do!"

Her eyes glinted. "Well you-"

"We need to go introduce ourselves to our host before he decides to kick us all out in his non-human form!" Gandalf exclaimed, immediately cutting through the shock and laughter with a single sentence. "Varis and Persephone are with me. The rest of you… figure yourselves out. Wait here until I give the signal."

Bofur nodded. "Right, wait for the signal."

"Wait, what signal?" I asked, hurrying over to where Gandalf had started to leave.

Varis seemed to copy my movements. "Yes, what signal do you speak of, Tharkun?"

Gandalf either didn't listen to us or simply didn't care. "No sudden moves, no loud noises, and don't overcrowd him," he ordered. "Only come out in pairs." He turned to step outside before turning back. "Oh, actually, Bombur… you could as two, so best come out alone."

I glared up at Gandalf and crossed my arms as a jet of water sprayed into the wizard's face, making many of the dwarves snort, and others started to laugh.

It was then that I discovered that a wet Gandalf was like a wet cat. Unhappy and out for blood.

"You best not do that again, Lady Persephone," he warned. "Or you will find out just how I have been able to stay alive all these years."

"What, it wasn't your good looks?" I mocked.

Varis's face went red as she did her best to hold in the laughter.

Gandalf's eyes narrowed. "No, it was not."

With that, he turned and stalked out toward Beorn, the giant bear man, who was currently cutting logs with an axe.

At least this time he had some clothes on.

"Good morning!" Gandalf called.

Beorn ignored them, not even bothering to look in their direction as he used his ax to chop two more pieces of wood. Varis and I shared a look.

"Good morning!" Gandalf tried again.

Beorn rested on his axe, before looking over to Gandalf with an accusatory gaze. "Who are you?" he growled.

"I'm Gandalf, Gandalf the Grey," the wizard responded, straightening slightly with his introduction, before giving a slight bow.

"Never heard of him."

Varis's eyes widened, and I noticed that she was about to say something so I reached over to clamp her mouth shut.

I was met with a nip on my palm, but it was better than letting my friend be axed.

"I am a Wizard," Gandalf spoke. "Perhaps you have heard of my colleague, Radagast the Brown. He resides… in the southern boarders of Mirkwood."

Beorn did not care to acknowledge this.

Good start.

"What do you want?" Beorn asked, eyeing Gandalf ferociously. However, as his eyes danced away from the wizard, they caught onto my own. "Miss Persephone. Hello again."

I bowed ridiculously, before looking up at the giant with my signature grin. "Nice to see you too, Master Beorn. You look a little different with clothes on, I almost didn't recognize you."

His eyebrows raised. "And you still smell."

I shrugged. "Well, I'm hoping you don't kick us out so I can take a bath or something," I admitted. At Gandalf's prodding glare, I continued, "And I guess I would like to thank you on behalf of all of us for allowing us to spend the night in your lodgings."

Gandalf cleared his throat. "Yes, exactly as my dear companion says."

Beorn stared down at Varis. "A dwarrowdam," he mused. "I have not seen your like in many years." He looked back over to me, curiosity clear on his stony features. "A not-human girl, a dwarrowdam, and a Wizard," he said. "How come you here?"

"Well, the truth is that we've had a bad time of it," Varis admitted, bashfully looking up at Beorn without a trace of fear. I had to admit that I was impressed with her as it was obvious she was trying to win him over. "Goblins in the Mountains."

Beorn looked appalled. "What did you go near Goblins for? Stupid thing to do."

I shrugged. "Well, we didn't exactly expect a storm to pass through the mountains so we didn't plan to end up in their cave and in their grips."

Beorn's nose wrinkled. "No wonder why you smell as you do." He looked over to Gandalf. "And why did you take the High Pass? The Gap of Rohan is less dangerous."

Gandalf cleared his throat, loudly. "Yes, well, we're all rather pressed for time. And the High Pass is the fastest route."

Beorn's face went malicious. "All? There are more of you?"

His growl sent shivers down my spine. Subconsciously, I grabbed Riptide, taking off the cap and showing my blade.

"Yes, there are more."

I grit my teeth at Gandalf's words as Beorn's grip on his axe became even tighter.

"How many?"

"A Halfling… and," Gandalf took a deep breath, "thirteen dwarves."

Beorn's growl made Varis jump in her place, something I saw from the corner of my eye. I immediately went on the defensive and pushed her behind me.

He swung his axe up into a battle position. I gripped Riptide and prepared to defend myself against the strike. "You sure you don't wanna meet the others, Master Beorn?" I asked, looking up at him with a daring gaze. "I don't think you'll want to meet my blade. I've faced far larger and older than you and it never ended well for them."

Varis hissed my name, but I remained poised and ready to defend my ground.

"I don't like dwarves," Beorn snarled.

I glared up at him. "And I don't like bullies."

His gaze turned into something different, as his axe remained in the air and his head tilted slightly. "What are you, girl?"

I sighed. "If I tell you, you give us food, deal?"

Beorn stood still.

Gandalf let out another cough. "Or, you could simply meet the rest-"

I pursed my lips at the wizard. "No, Beorn has kept us waiting cause he decided that he'd start chopping logs and took forever to get clothes," I said, before looking up at Beorn with a weak grin. "Not a complete offense to you, I lose patience as I get hungry."

Varis placed a hand on my shoulder. "She's not lying, I can vouch for that."

When his axe thumped back onto the ground, the three of us all jumped at the vibrations. His booming laugh filled the air.

"You, Miss Persephone, shall tell me your story," He said, as his large hand ruffled my hair. I glared up at him.

"Not cool with the hair, dude."

He looked down at me fondly. "You will need to wash it anyways, pup." He looked over to Gandalf once more. "I shall meet your little troupe."

I completely missed Gandalf's sign, as groups of dwarves came out to greet the master of the house. He seemed to get more and more disgruntled with each pair of dwarves that walked out, but was quite fond of Bilbo which wasn't a shocker.

Especially if he liked me, Beorn was bound to adore Bilbo.

"Is that it? Are there any more?" Beorn asked, looking down at Varis and I.

She was steering clear of Kili, who was looking like he wanted to pull her away from the giant and run. He was glaring at the hand that I used to wrap around her arm and keep her near me, and I seriously had to consider whether or not I wanted to act like a child and stick my tongue out at him, but I decided to take the high road.

"No, that is all of us," Varis answered with one of her charming smiles.

Beorn chuckled again. "Very well." He looked at me pointedly. "I suppose I owe you all breakfast."

I let out a cheer, followed by the majority of the company. I didn't know if they realized what they were cheering for, but sometimes a good cheer is good all by itself. And this one happened to be followed with food.

We quickly ate a delicious breakfast of honey cakes and sweet honey bread. I had downed a tankard of milk, which was Beorn sized and definitely not Persie-sized.

I let out a long burp as it settled into my stomach.

Beorn let out a chuckle, which was soon joined by others.

He looked over to Thorin. "You are the one they call Oakenshield," he said. "Tell me, why is Azog the Defiler hunting you?"

Thorin's face went white. "You know of Azog? How?"

I stuffed another honey cake into my mouth as Beorn spoke, "My people were the first to live in the mountains before the orcs came down from the north. The Defiler killed most of my family. But some he enslaved."

The cuff around his left wrist became the only thing my eyes would let me see.

"Not for work, you must understand, but for sport. Caging skin-changers and torturing them seemed to amuse him."

"There are others like you?" Bilbo asked.

He seemed to fail to notice the subtle shaking of Varis and my heads. Beorn, for his part, didn't even look at him as he refilled Ori's tankard.

"Once there were many."

"And now?" Bilbo prompted.

Too bad the seats were too high up so I couldn't kick his shin.

"Now, there is only one."

Bilbo, at least, looked ashamed.

Beorn looked over to Gandalf. "You need to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn," he commented, before sitting down.

Gandalf nodded. "Before Durin's Day falls, yes."

"You are running out of time."

"Duly noted," I commented, taking another bite out of my honey cake.

Beorn's eyes danced over to me, and I proudly watched as the corners of his mouth tilted upward.

"Which Is why we must go through Mirkwood," Gandalf said,

Beorn eyed him carefully. "A darkness lies upon that forest. Fell things creep beneath those trees. There is an alliance between the orcs of Moria and the Necromancer in Dol Goldur."

My lips pursed. That was what Radagast had spoken of.

"I would not venture there, except in great need."

Varis sighed. "We are truly desperate, it seems."

Kili tried to catch her eye, and I watched as she avoided looking in his direction completely. I rolled my eyes. Now she was just being stubborn.

"Besides, we will be taking the Elven Road. That path is still safe," Gandalf informed them.

"Safe?" Beorn asked in exasperation. "The Wood Elves of Mirkwood are not like their kin. They're less wise and more dangerous." He turned his gaze to Thorin, who had moved away from where he was at by the table and now stood looking out the window. "But it matters not."

Thorin turned around, looking at the skin changer. "What do you mean?"

"These lands are crawling with Orcs. Their numbers are growing. And you are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive." Thorin looked concerned, and Beorn stood. "I don't like dwarves. They're greedy and blind. Blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own."

As Bofur swiped at a mouse that was on his sleeve, Beorn reached out and took the mouse in his hand.

He looked back to Thorin. "But Orcs I hate more." he smiled slightly. "What do you need?"