Hey guys, I'm sorry this is out so late, I've had a busy weekend and couldn't update. But, I'm here now and hope you all enjoy this chapter.
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Child of Dreams – I wouldn't say they're jerks, they both have their moments, Thranduil even more so. xx
Beorn
Early the next morning, we are all startled awake by the cry of a Warg. We immediately clear up camp and Thorin sends Bilbo ahead to see how far the pack is. I stand beside Thorin, his arm around my waist to help steady me as we wait. We look up as he rushes back to us.
"How close is the pack?" Thorin asks.
"Too close. A couple of leagues, no more, but that is not the worst of it." Bilbo replies.
"Have the Wargs picked up our scent?" Dwalin pipes up.
"Not yet, but they will; we have another problem."
Gandalf steps forward. "Did they see you? They saw you!"
"No, that's not it."
Gandalf smiles and turns to us.
"What did I tell you? Quiet as a mouse. Excellent burglar material."
The dwarves chuckle loudly in appreciation of Bilbo. Bilbo looks exasperated that no one is hearing him out. I decide to take pity on him, feeling sorry that he is being ignored. I let out a loud whistle, causing everyone to stop and turn to me.
"Will you all be quiet! Bilbo is trying to say something!" I hiss at everyone.
Bilbo smiles appreciatively at me, "Thank you, Cal. I'm trying to tell you there is something else out there."
We all look worried.
"What form did it take? Like a bear?" Gandalf asks.
"Ye. . ." Bilbo pauses and looks curiously at Gandalf. "Y- yes. But bigger, much bigger."
"You knew about this beast?" Bofur asks Gandalf.
Gandalf turns and walks a few steps away. I stand and watch him.
"I say we double back."
"And be run down by a pack of Orcs." I point out.
"There is a house, it's not far from here, where we might take refuge." Gandalf explains.
Thorin turns to him. "Whose house? Are they friend or foe?"
"Neither. He will help us, or he will kill us."
The dwarves looks at each other in dismay.
"Well. That is not very comforting." I mutter.
"What choice do we have?" Thorin asks.
As if to answer his question, a roar splits the night behind us, that is definitely not from a Warg.
"None." I say simply.
We immediately start running through the trees, over plains and across rivers, with Gandalf leading the way.
As we run, we suddenly stop when we hear an ear-splitting roar, which sounds nearby to us.
"This way, quickly!"
As we run, Bombur looks on in shock until he is pulled along.
"Bombur, come on!" Thorin shouts, pulling the rotund dwarf along.
As we exit the forest, I see a house surrounded by a hedge in the middle of a clearing.
"To the house! Run!"
We across the plain, towards the house, and I am surprised to see Bombur, outrunning us all in his fear. The dwarves run through a gate in the hedge. I stand with Gandalf by the gate to make sure the dwarves are safely through, and in order to rest for a few moments as my side is burning.
"Come on, get inside!"
I watch them as they run to the front door of the house; which is closed. Bombur, who reaches the door first, throws himself against it but falls flat on his back when the door doesn't budge. The rest of the dwarves catch up and begin throwing themselves against the door, trying to open it. Looking back, I see a massive bear break out from the edge of the forest. I stare wide eyed in surprised before Gandalf gently pushes me forward, towards the house.
"Open the door!"
"Quickly!" Thorin yells as he pushes his way thought the dwarves and raises the exterior bolt, thankfully opening the doors. We all run into the house and the dwarves try slamming the door shut as Gandalf and I make it inside, but they are stopped by the bears huge head. As the bear roars and tries to push the door open, the dwarves yell and strain to close it. Bilbo pulls out his sword and points it unsteadily at the bear. The dwarves yell as they press against the door.
"Come on, lads!" Dwalin shouts.
With a final heave, the dwarves manage to close the door and drop the bolt across it. They sigh in shock, fear, and tiredness. I just breathe a sigh of relief.
"What is that?" Ori asks.
"That. . .is our host." Gandalf explains.
We all turn to Gandalf in bewilderment. Our host? He has got to be joking.
"His name is Beorn, and he is a skin-changer."
"The bear is unpredictable, but the man can be reasoned with. However, he is not overfond of dwarves."
The dwarves look at each other in dismay. Ori peaks out a crack in the door.
"Of course he isn't." I mutter as I walk away.
"He's leaving!"
Dori pulls him away from the door. "Come away from there! It's not natural, none of it. It's obvious: he's under some dark spell."
"Don't be a fool; he's under no enchantment but his own. Alright now, get some sleep, all of you. You'll be safe here tonight. I hope."
The last two words were spoken in a whisper, but I hear him clearly enough. Walking over to a wall, I sit against it, hissing in pain as I grip my side.
"Cal, are you alright?" Thorin asks as he kneels beside me.
"My side just hurts, that is all."
He calls Oin over who checks over my wound. Luckily none of the stitches have come apart during the run and it doesn't look as if it has become infected either. Oin gives it a quick clean and redresses it.
"You probably just strained it from all the running we did. Take it easy for now, lass." Oin says as he wraps it up.
I smile at him. "Thank you, Oin."
He nods as he walks away once he's done. Thorin sits next to me and takes me into his arms.
"Are you alright now?"
I smile as I lay my head on his shoulder. "I am fine. Do not worry about me."
He kisses my temple. "I will always worry about you."
I smile as I close my eyes, exhaustion of the day suddenly washing over me. Feeling Thorin gently lay me down, laying my head in his lap, I look up to see him smile down at me as he runs his fingers through my hair.
"Get some sleep."
I nod as I snuggle down, closing my eyes again and soon drift off to sleep in his warm arms.
The next morning, I am woken up by a loud thud. After hissing in pain when I jolt awake, I notice that apart from Bilbo laying not too far away, I am alone and the dwarves have gathered by a window on the other side of the house. I get up and walk over, noticing Bilbo just waking up as well. I take Thorin's hand as I stand next to him as the dwarves start arguing.
"What is going on?" I ask Thorin.
"The skin-changer is right outside." he explains to me.
"I say we should leg it and slip out the back way!" Nori says.
Dwalin grabs hold of him. "I'm not running from anyone, beast or no."
"There is no point in arguing, we cannot pass through the wilderland without Beorn's help. We'll be hunted down, before we even get to the forest."
I look to him at that. Forest? Surely he did not mean the forest of Greenwood. I certainly hope he does not mean that.
"Ah, Bilbo. There you are." I look to see him stepping beside Thorin and Kili. "Now, this will require some delicate handling; we must tread very carefully. The last person to have startled him was torn to shreds. I will go first, ah, Bilbo, you will come with me."
I look to the Hobbit to see him hesitating. With a nod of Thorin's head, he walks over to the Wizard.
"I-Is this a good idea?" he asks nervously.
"Yes. Now, the rest of you, you just wait here and don't come out, until I give the signal."
"Right, wait for the signal." Bofur confirms as he's stood by the window.
"And no sudden moves or loud noises and don't over crowd him. Only come out in pairs." he turns to leave but then turns back, "No, actually, Bombur, you count as two so you should come out alone."
Bombur gives a noise of agreement and nods, but I can tell what Gandalf said may have upset him a little, but he's holding his emotions back. I give a Gandalf a look of unaproval, but he doesn't notice.
"Remember, wait for the signal." he turns and leaves with Bilbo.
"What signal would that be?" Bofur asks, but Gandalf is gone.
I listen from where I am stood by Thorin.
"Good morning!. . .Good morning!" I hear Gandalf call out.
The thud stops and a moment later, I hear a voice I do not recognise. "Who are you?"
"I'm Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey."
"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."
Mirkwood? Is that what Greenwood is called now? Then Radagast was right. . .Greenwood is sick. . ."
"What do you want?"
"Well, simply to thank you for your hospitality. You may have noticed that we took refuge in your lodgins last night."
"Who is this little fellow?"
I look up as I hear a tint of agitation the Beorn's voice, my worry for Bilbo grows.
"Well, this would be Mr. Baggins, of the Shire."
"He's not a dwarf, is he?"
"No. He is a Hobbit. Good family. And an unimpeachable reputation."
"A Halfling. And a Wizard. How come you here?"
"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!"
I had to smile slightly at this. I was starting to like this Beorn character more and more.
"You are absolutely rig-"
That is all I hear from Gandalf as Bofur calls out he's seen the signal, causing Dwalin and Balin to walk out first.
"Dwalin. And Balin." Dwalin introduces him and his brother.
"I-I must confess, uh, several of our group, are infact. . .dwarves." I can tell, by the nervousness in Gandalf's voice, he had not given the signal.
"Do you call two, several?" I now know Beorn is getting extremely nervous and agitated.
After a moment of Gandalf babbling, Bofur sends out two more, Oin and Gloin.
"Ah, and here are some more of our happy troupe!"
"And do you call six, a troupe? What are you? A travelling circus?"
Bofur again sends out two more, this time I hear Beorn growling.
"Dori and Ori, at your service." Dori introduces.
"I don't want your service!"
"Absolutely understandable!" Gandalf tries to calm things down.
I put my head in my hand as Bofur sends out the next two, Fili and Kili. Leaning over to Thorin, I whisper to him;
"I do not thing Gandalf has given a single signal yet."
He gives a small grin ans nods in agreement.
"Oh! Fili and Kili, I'd quite forgotten."
Then, stupidly, Nori runs out, followed by Bofur, Bifur and Bombur.
"Is that it? Are there anymore?" Beorn asks.
Thorin walks out, followed by me. I stand behind Thorin, placing my hands on his shoulders as I take my first look at Beorn.
He looks just like Radagast had mentioned. He is tall, extremely tall, greyish brown hair which is like a mane flowing down his back. Hair covering the side of his face, forked beard which reveals his chin. Piercing brown eyes. Muscular chest which is bare and wearing brown pants. I can also see a shackle covering his left wrist, so I know he's been held prisoner by someone.
I see him look to Thorin and he seems to recognise him. He then turns to me and his eyes widen slightly.
"You have an elf with you?"
Everyone turns to look to me.
"Ah, yes. Come here, my dear." Gandalf says, waving me over.
Thorin puts his hand on my arm to stop me, but I just give him an assuring smile and squeeze his hand before stepping around him to stand beside Gandalf. Beorn peers at me for a moment.
"What is your name?"
"Caladwen, daughter of Thranduil." I reply, trying desperately to hold back any sound of resentment as I mention my father.
"Thranduil? King of Mirkwood?"
I close my eyes at the mention of Mirkwood. "Unfortunately."
He looks to me for a few moments. "All Mirkwood elves hate dwarves as much as I. I am surprised to see one of their own among them."
"All Mirkwood elves except I." I smile back to the dwarves, my eyes lingering on Thorin before I turn back to Beorn. "They are my family."
Beorn says nothing at first before inviting us inside his home.
There we are, we've now with Beorn and the company can rest a while before going to Mirkwood, the one place Caladwen is dreading on going to. Please keep your lovely reviews coming and stay tuned for the next chapter xx