Chapter Five - Cause The Promise That We Made Each Other, Haunts Me To The End

The sight of the Lonely Mountain in the distance bolstered everyone's mood as the Company slowly moved down the mountain to the valley below. Since the Eagles had carried them a fair distance from Azog and his soldiers, the group could rest easy this night, relaxing by the river, regaining their strength. Tomorrow they would begin pushing forward toward Erebor. Gandalf knew it would be only a matter of time before the Pale Orc found them again. They would always need to be on guard, always watchful.

Bifur was glad for the pause as well as he had so many things he wanted to say to Jasmine. She had spoken of her love for him, but did she wish to spend her life with him? She was his one, his soulmate and he needed to try and explain what that meant to her. He also wanted to announce his intention to court her. Since she had no next of kin, he was unsure what his next step should be as normally he would get the blessing of a parent or immediate family member. He decided to discuss it with Bofur and find out if he had any insight on how this should go.

All that aside, he was just over the moon that she loved him. The thought of one day wedding this beautiful woman and then taking her to his bed, ignited a fire in him that was sometimes hard to control. He would never, ever disrespect her, but making love to her was always on his mind.

O – O – O – O – O – O

As night began to fall, the Company set up camp by the river and got a nice warming fire going. Everyone remained in high spirits so much so that even the usually taciturn Dwarf Prince managed a few smiles over dinner.

As each Dwarf set up their separate places to bed down for the night, Jasmine decided to put hers a wee bit closer to Bifur's bedroll for the night. He seemed pleased with the idea, but through Bofur said he had a few things he needed to say.

She was curious, but nodded and waited for him.

As the camp quieted down, Bifur sat down on his blanket as did Jasmine, with Bofur off to the side.

Taking a steadying breath, he gazed deeply into her bright blue eyes, "Jeg hef zekthi tho denthar jeg skljef tho, dokk jeg thorv ilv thurv burbur ar."

Bofur looked at Jasmine saying, "He said he loves you, but he has more to say."

"Okay." She replied

Bifur took her small hands into his larger ones, never breaking eye contact. "Jeg vrathi ilv tho, ilv inseg tho mot bondra."

Bofur grinned, "He wants to court you and eventually make you his wife."

"Court me? Become his wife?"

Bofur tried to explain. "When Dwarves fall in love, we first make our intentions known that we wish to court. Some courtships are short…some can go on for a while, but afterwards if all goes well the couple will wed. For Darrow folk, this is a very serious undertaking. After the courting is announced, there is an exchange of courting beads. A braid is created and a special bead is attached. The braid and bead show that the couple is courting and belong to each other. "

"I see. Sounds very ceremonial." She paused for a moment as if considering everything.

Bifur kept his eyes on Jasmine wondering what was going through her mind.

"So after the courting, we would get married?" she asked.

Bifur nodded. He then said, "Tho ur mot enth. Eth enth jeg've en ljef jemed ilv bevinja."

"He said, "You are my one. The one I've waited a life-time to find."

Jasmine felt tears well up into her eyes. "I've never been special to anyone, Bifur. I was never loved enough to even be adopted. Do you really mean what you just said?"

He got to his feet and helped her to stand. Pulling her close to him, he said, "Amrâlimê , menu tesso."

"That's the second time you've said that to me. I'm thinking what Fili told me you said wasn't right…"

Bofur had stretched out on his blanket, but propped himself up on one arm. Grinning, he said, "What he said lass is; My love, you mean everything to me."

Taking a breath and with tears streaming down her face, she kissed him, pressing her body against his. As she parted her lips and the kiss deepened, Bifur moaned. His groin felt like it was on fire. Mahal! How he wanted this woman.

Pulling away from her, he gently wiped the tears from her face. Taking a deep breath, he said, "Eom kjunkith eom jeg vrathi tho urgrith mju, voth vurthurkon tzjail till voth ur wed. Dath jr avok vior ilv hign nathr

Bofur eyes rolled a bit. "Um…what he said is – As much as I want you right now, we must wait till we are wed. It is our gift to each other."

Jasmine blushed profusely as she looked into Bifur's brown eyes. Leaning close to one of his ears, she whispered, "I want you too…more than you could possibly know. I long to feel our bodies intertwined. But I agree...we will wait."

His eyes widened as his face turned a dark red. Mahal! He hoped he could wait.

Bofur got to his feet and said he needed to take a walk and left quickly.

The three of them found it hard to sleep that night.

O – O – O – O – O – O – O – O

The next morning, the Company began their push to make it to Erebor before Durin's Day. A few days went by, and just as Gandalf had predicted, the Pale Orc and his minions picked up the Dwarves trail and a game of Cat and Mouse soon began.

After setting up camp one night not long after, Bofur said he wanted to talk to Jasmine…privately.

As he was setting up his bedroll for the night, he sat down and looked toward Jasmine. "Since Bifur has the watch tonight and we're alone, would ya mind if I ask ya a couple of questions, lass?"

Jasmine looked over at the Dwarf as she spread out her sleeping bag. "Not at all. Fire away."

Bofur licked his lips as if searching for the best way to begin. "I'm fairly protective of my cousin for obvious reasons. I've watched over him for some time now because of his injury. Because of it, he sometimes will lose his focus, at times he seems to not be all there. I'm sure you've noticed he's different. Before his injury happened he was quite the gentleman…now a days, he stares off into space, appears to not listen when spoken to. He can be feisty, aggressive…so I guess I'm curious, why Bifur? What made you fall in love with him?"

She sat down on her sleeping bag and gazed at Bofur. "Why do I love him? You know I've asked myself that same question a lot. Why was I so drawn to him?" She took a breath before continuing. "I think it's because he embodies everything I've ever wanted in a man. And yes, I know ya'll aren't men, you're Dwarves, but my feelings still apply. Bifur is sweet, kind, loving, gentle, protective…and yes a bit quirky. We can't even talk to each other without a go between and yet…he has the most expressive eyes I've ever seen. It didn't take long for me to catch on to what he is trying to say when he looks at me. Yes it is true, I wish we could speak to each other, maybe someday that will happen."

Bofur smiled, "Thank you for answering my questions. I care about my cousin and didn't want to see him hurt."

She nodded, "I would never do that…I hope you know that? He means too much to me."

Bofur grinned. "I do lass. I can tell you love him, I just needed to confirm it."

Jasmine got up and sat down next to Bofur hugging him. "I look forward to becoming a part of your family."

Bofur put his forehead against hers. "So do I lass…so do I. I think you should know since you've come into his life, he's more focused than he's ever been. I would say you have most definitely helped."

Jasmine smiled at Bofur before turning to look at Bifur. How she loved him.

O – O – O – O – O – O – O

The next morning as the group was packing up to continue their journey, Bifur, touched Jasmine's arm. He pointed to her hair and then to his hand. She looked at him waiting.

He sat down and she followed suit. Opening his hand, he produced what he held inside his palm… a beautiful silver bead with intricate scroll work on it.

Jasmine's eyes widened as she pointed to her hair and then the bead. "Is this the courting bead you told me about?"

He nodded.

"Are you wanting to braid my hair and put it on?"

He nodded again.

She gazed softly into his eyes. "Go ahead, my love. I want everyone to know about us."

Bifur took a section of her hair and began to slowly braid it. Once he finished, he fastened the beautiful bead at the end of it. He sighed, pleased with how it turned out.

Jasmine reached up feeling the braid, running her fingers over it before touching the silver bead at the end. She smiled at Bifur. "I love you so much."

Leaning over, he tenderly kissed her. Everyone would now know they were courting. He had never been so happy.

O – O – O – O – O – O - O

For a few weeks the group remained one step ahead of the Orcs, but never more than that. One morning the howls of several Wargs woke everyone. The yelps were so close that Bilbo went out to do some reconnaissance work before the Company got on the road. He crept up a small rocky hill trying his best to remain hidden. It was there he spotted Azog on a mountainside not far away. The Pale Orc paused sniffing the air, searching for his prey. He gave a hard stare in Bilbo's direction, but did not follow through. Instead, he and his Warg band continued across the mountains. As worrying as that was, something else grabbed his attention that was even closer. He turned toward the sound making sure he could not be seen.

On a nearby outcropping stood an enormous bear-like beast, growling and snarling as it too watched the Orcs ride across the hillside. He could not believe what he was seeing. Stunned, he slid down away from the creature, just as it emitted a tremendous roar.

Bilbo made his way back to Thorin and Company, running quickly down a small rocky corridor.

Thorin and Dwalin watched as the Hobbit approached them. Thorin stepped forward and asked, "How close is the pack?"

"Too close…couple of leagues, no more, but that's not the worse of it."

Dwalin said, "The Wargs picked up our scent?"

"Not yet, but they will soon. We have another problem."

Now Gandalf chimed in. "Did they see you? They saw you?"

"No, that's not it." Bilbo answered still breathless from his scramble back to the group.

Gandalf smiled reassuring the members of the group, "See, what did I tell, quiet as a mouse…excellent burglar material."

Everyone nodded and agreed with the Wizard…everyone except Jasmine. She had been looking at the Hobbit's face and could tell he was trying desperately to tell them something.

Finally frustrated, Bilbo shouted, "Will you listen…Will…You… Just…Listen! I'm trying to tell you there is something else out there."

Suddenly listening to his friend, Gandalf asked in a more serious tone, "What form did it take? Like a bear?"

Startled by the question, he replied, "Yeah…yes…yes, but bigger…much bigger!"

Incredulously, Bofur asked, "You knew about this beast? I say we double back!"

Thorin said, "And be run down by a pack of Orcs."

Gandalf had turned away from the group as if seeking an answer. "There is a house…" turning back to face them he continued "not far from here where we might take refuge."

Thorin asked with some skepticism, "Whose house? Are they friend or foe?"

The Wizard replied, "Neither. He will help us or he will kill us."

"What choice do we have?"

The loud rumbling roar of the creature shook their surroundings making everyone gasp loudly. Jasmine gripped Bifur's hand. He looked at her, sharing her apprehension.

"None!" said Gandalf.

As was their usual pattern, the Company was on the run again. Now they were running from Azog and this unknown beast. Nothing was ever easy on this quest.

They left the mountains and moved into the wide open fields, running for their lives. They soon entered a forested region with the Orc pack having found their trail. They closed in on the Company until the roar of the bear-beast stopped both hunter and hunted in their tracks.

Both groups turned in the direction of the bellow, stunned as it reverberated around them.

Gandalf broke the spell by yelling, "THIS WAY QUICKLY! To the house…RUN!"

The group began running flat-out for the dwelling in front of them with woods encircling it. Bombur was completely freaked out and moved faster than Jasmine has ever seen. The large Dwarf laid down tracks…passing every member of the group until he was in the lead.

Gandalf stopped at the entrance making sure that everyone made it into the enclosure. Jasmine turned briefly as she ran and saw a very large bear creature crash out of the forest…heading straight for them.

Bombur smashed into the door and fell backwards just as Kili and Fili hit it. They banged desperately on the entrance unable to get it open

Gandalf yelled, "OPEN THE DOOR!" as he raced toward it.

Thorin finally found the latch and threw it as everyone rushed inside. Jasmine didn't stop running until she was well into the room. She turned to see most of the Dwarves, including Bifur trying desperately to close the door just as the beast smashed into it.

Bilbo was so frightened he pulled his sword, pointing it in the direction of the creature. Finally the combined weight of those at the door slammed it shut. Once the bar was dropped into place, they turned to face the Wizard. Most were gasping for breath as they did so.

Ori stared up at Gandalf asking, "What is that?"

Not without a touch of irony, Gandalf replied, "That is our host…his name is Beorn. He's a skin-changer. Sometimes he's a huge black bear…sometimes he's a great strong man. The bear is unpredictable, but the man can be reasoned with. However, he is not overfond of Dwarves."

This made several of them mumble and gasp.

Ori had gone back to the door staring through a small crack, "He's leaving."

Grabbing his brother's arm, Dori yanked him away from the door. "Come away from there. It's not natural. None of it." Dori glared at Gandalf, "It's obvious he's under some dark spell."

Gandalf glared back at the Dwarf, "Don't be a fool. He's under no enchantment but his own." Walking further into the room, the Wizard continued, "All right now, get some sleep. All of you. You'll be safe here tonight." He paused to look back at the door with worried eyes, "I hope."

Bifur had been wandering around checking out different parts of the large room. He watched as Jasmine stroked and talked to one of the cows in the room. He came over to her and smiled.

She turned and said, "Aren't they beautiful creatures? I so love animals."

He put his arm around her and squeezed. She kissed his cheek. "I suppose we need to find our spot for the night."

Bifur nodded. Taking her hand, he led her to one corner near a large batch of hay. He wanted a place semi-private for them to sleep. Spreading out their bedrolls, he and Jasmine were soon wrapped in each other's arms for the night.

O – O – O- O – O- O – O

Bright sunshine poured through the open door of their lodgings as the sound of an axe splitting wood could be heard in the distance. The Dwarves all chatted amongst themselves, discussing the situation.

Nori offered his opinion to the group, "Well I say we should leg it. Slip out the back way."

Dwalin angrily disagreed. "I'm not running from anyone, beast or no."

Gandalf interrupted the two Dwarves before a fight broke out. "There is no point in arguing. We cannot pass through the Wilderland without Beorn's help. We'll be hunted down before we ever get to the forest."

Bifur and Jasmine stood next to the Wizard listening to what he said. Bifur seemed confused, whereas Jasmine nodded in agreement. She found that she tended to agree with most of his observations.

Bilbo suddenly appeared from behind Thorin and pushed through between him and Kili.

"Ah, Bilbo..there you are. Now this will require some delicate handling. We must tread very carefully. The last person to have startled him was torn to shreds."

Everyone seemed to have the same look on their faces…troubled.

"I will go first. Uh, Bilbo? You come with me."

Both Fili and Thorin indicated he should go.

Bilbo wasn't so sure. "Is…is this a good idea?"

The Wizard stood in the doorway nodding. "Yes. Now, the rest of you, just wait here and don't come out until I give the signal."

Bofur was perched up on a chair so he could see out the small window near him. "Right! Wait for the signal."

Gandalf started to leave then turned around, saying, "And no sudden moves or loud noises, and don't overcrowd him. Only come out in pairs. Right." Starting to leave again, he turned one last time and added, "No, actually, Bombur…um, you count as two so you should come out alone."

Bombur, who was already eating, nodded that he understood.

"Remember, wait for the signal."

Gandalf and Bilbo left, stepping out onto the porch when Bofur said, "The signal. Right." Confused, he looked at the other Dwarves. "What signal would that be?"

Gandalf and Bilbo made their way slowly toward Beorn as he chopped wood in front of them. The Wizard fidgeted with his hair then cleared his throat. "Ahem."

Bilbo looked up Gandalf, "You're nervous."

The Wizard was a little twitchy as he said, "Nervous? What nonsense." Turning back toward the skin-changer, he plastered a large smile on his face. "Good morning." He had to move back as Beorn raised his axe to continue chopping. "Good morning!"

Stopping his chores, he paused and looked over his shoulder. "Who are you?"

"I'm Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey."

Whirling around, he leaned on his axe. "Never heard of him."

"I'm a wizard. Perhaps you've heard of my colleague, Radagast the Brown. He resides in the southern borders of Mirkwood."

"What do you want?" he asked with some force.

Trying to stay pleasant, Gandalf continued, "Well, simply to thank you for your hospitality. You may have noticed that we took refuge in your lodgings here last night."

"Who is this little fellow?"

Gandalf looked down and said, "Well, this would be Mr. Baggins from the Shire." He put his arm around Bilbo.

"He's not a Dwarf is he?"

"Why no! No, he's a Hobbit. A good family and unimpeachable reputation."

"A Halfling and a Wizard. How come you here?"

Gandalf put his hand on his hip and said, "Oh, well, the fact is that we've had a bad time of it from Goblins in the mountains."

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

The Wizard agreed with him whole heartedly. "You are absolutely right."

Inside, Bofur waved at the first two to go outside. "There it is. Go! Go!"

Dwalin jumped a little as did Balin as the brothers walked outside to introduce themselves.

Beorn was not happy and raised his axe, already on alert.

"Dwalin and Balin."

Gandalf decide he needed to let the skin-changer know there were others with him. "And I must confess that several of our group are in fact, Dwarves."

He stared at the Dwarves saying, "Do you call two...'several'?"

Stuttering as he tried to continue speaking, Gandalf said, "Well, uh, now that you put it that way…yes, there could be more than two."

Bofur sent the next pair out. "Go! Go!"

"Wait, that's us." Gloin said. The brothers both bowed to Beorn.

Jasmine peeked around the door frame slightly then said, "Bofur, I don't think he was telling you to send anyone."

Plastering that smile again on his face, the Wizard said, "Oh and here are some more uh, of our happy troup?"

Not happy with more Dwarves appearing, Beorn said, "And do you call six a troop?"

Gandalf gave a nervous laugh.

"What are you, a traveling circus?"

Bofur waved Ori and Dori outside.

Beorn snarled as soon as they came out.

"Dori and Ori at your service." They both gave a skittish bow.

"I don't want your service."

Gandalf waved his arm saying, "Absolutely understandable."

"Go! Go!"

The skin-changer gave another low growl.

"Oh Fili and Kili. I'd quite forgotten. Yes."

Suddenly Nori, Bofur, Bifur and Bombur all came stumbling out onto the porch.

"Oh yes, and Nori, Bofur, Bifur and Bombur."

Bifur was shoved by his cousin Bombur almost making him lose his balance. He turned and almost smacked him. Bofur reached over and quickly jerked the napkin off of his brother. Bifur raised his hand and gave a slight wave at Beorn, while Nori and Bofur kind of curtseyed.

Beorn gave a steely-eyed glare at the entire group, before saying. "Is that it? Are there any more?"

With that, the last two members of the group exited to stand on the top step of the porch - Thorin and Jasmine.

Beorn seemed to recognize the Dwarf Prince as he uttered a low, "Ah."

O –O – O – O – O – O – O

All the Dwarves gathered around Beorn's large table, except Thorin, Balin and Gandalf. Jasmine sat between Fili and Bifur as he ate some of the food the skin-changer offered. Pouring milk into a large mug, he asked. "So you are the one they call Oakenshield. Tell me, why is Azog the Defiler hunting you?"

Thorin leaned against a decorative roof support, his arms crossed. He seemed surprised that Beorn knew of Azog. "You know of Azog? How?"

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

Bilbo looked up at him, sad with what he was saying. "There are others like you?"

"Once there were many."

"And now?"

"Now there is only one."

Jasmine shook her head as he relayed his story. Azog was a bastard. His evil was unrelenting.

Beorn walked over to a large chair and sat down. "You need to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn."

Gandalf nodded. "Before Durin's Day falls. Yes."

Bifur looked at Jasmine and then towards Thorin.

"You are running out of time."

The Wizard took another puff on his pipe. "Which is why we must go through Mirkwood."

The skin-changer wasn't happy with that answer. "A darkness lies upon that forest. Fell things creep beneath those trees. I would not venture there except in great need."

"We will take the Elven Road. That path is still safe."

A small mouse crawled across the table and then her arm. Jasmine picked up the tiny white creature and gave it a quick pet before putting it back down.

Beorn nodded at her before replying to Gandalf. "Safe? The Wood Elves of Mirkwood are not like their kin. They're less wise and more dangerous. But it matters not."

Thorin who had been listening to the discussion, but not saying anything finally replied. "What do you mean?"

Beorn looked at him and said, "These lands are crawling with Orcs. Their numbers are growing and you are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive." The skin-changer got to his feet and slowly walked towards Thorin. "I don't like Dwarves. They're greedy and blind. Blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own." He picked up the small white mouse that Jasmine had held earlier and brought it close to his face as if studying it. "But Orcs I hate more. What do you need?"

O – O – O – O – O – O

Beorn gave the Company the use of beautiful black and white ponies. Bifur helped Fili onto one while Jasmine held the reins of another. Once Fili was seated, he came over helping her onto the saddle before pulling himself up behind her.

Putting his arms around her waist, he gathered the reins in his hands before resting his chin on her. Jasmine couldn't help smiling as his beard cascaded over her right shoulder. Turning her face slightly, she kissed his nose.

"I love you."

Kissing her back, he replied, "Jeg skljef tho avervir.

As everyone waited on Gandalf, Jasmine could see that Thorin was becoming impatient. The Wizard was talking with Beorn, no doubt gathering more information.

Finally, unable to hold his tongue, Thorin said, "Gandalf! Time is wasting."

The Wizard continued his conversation until the sound of birds cawing nearby caused everyone to pause and look around them. It was soon followed by the howls of approaching Wargs. By the sound, they weren't too far away. Gandalf climbed onto his horse as the group made tracks for Mirkwood.

Beorn cast his eyes about him. "The hunters are not far behind."

Once again, Thorin and the Dwarves were on the run.

As Bifur guided their pony away, Jasmine reached up and touched the braid in her hair. They made a promise to each other, but she felt haunted by it…worried that it could come to a sudden end because of the Orcs.

O – O – O – O – O – O – O

Khuzdul - Jeg hef zekthi tho denthar jeg skljef tho, dokk jeg thorv ilv thurv burbur ar

English - I have told you that I love you, but I need to say something more.

Khuzdul - Jeg vrathi ilv tho, ilv inseg tho mot bondra

English - I want to court you, to make you my wife

Khuzdul - Tho ur mot enth. Eth enth jeg've en ljef jemed ilv bevinja

English - You are my one. The one I've waited a life-time to find

Khuzdul - Amralime

English - My Love

Khuzdul - Menu tessu

English - You mean everything to me

Khuzdul - Eom kjunkith eom jeg vrathi tho urgrith mju, voth vurthurkon tzjail till voth ur wed. Dath jr avok vior ilv hign nathr

English - As much as I want you right now, we must wait till we are wed. It is our gift to each other.

Khuzdul - Jeg skljef tho avervir

English - I love you too.