Here we go, going to try for once a week (maybe twice) in posting a chapter for this story. I know, far cry from the once a day I had started with. Please enjoy. Also, a very Happy Birthday to my cohort, Calenithlon, to whom I wouldn't get very far with these stories.

Chapter 2 To the Misty Mountains

Beorn let them to stay two days at first, in which the first was rest and talking with the shifter about their lives and why either of them were there in the first place. The second, Maliah learned what it was like to perform real manual labor. As a young princess, there was only so much she had been allowed to do outside of learning a weapon; something her mother had insisted upon. Awaken early, both dwarf and Elf were escorted outside to different tasks. Hissaelon was pointed to the stables and went with only a moment's hesitation, knowing Beorn wouldn't hurt Maliah, and the princess was shown how to weed the vegetable garden; an exercise she had never done.

At midday, Maliah fell on her butt feeling near tears in her frustration. Every time she thought the task was complete, Beorn would looked it over and point out what she missed. Her knees, hands, and back was hurting her, a much different pain than her weapons training. A shadow fell over her and she looked up to see Hissaelon, dirty from his own chore.

"What?"

The elf almost smiled at the tired, petulant tone. He knew why the shifter was giving her chores other than his refusal to have freeloaders, Beorn wanted her to know what Hobbits did in their own lives besides eat and smoke. "Would you like to eat?" The grumble of her stomach answered his question and the young dwarf stood up slowly.

Together, they entered the hall and spied Beorn surrounded by his animals setting the table. Maliah had to be helped up by Hissaelon who gracefully hopped onto the large bench next to her. Plates were set upon the table with drinks and Beorn sat across from the two.

"Your mother could not eat much bread, do you share her ailment?"

She looked at him, tilting her head to the side. "I've seen her eat breads and pastries."

Beorn ignored her matter of fact tone. "I did not say she couldn't eat them, only not a lot. I will take your answer as a no." He set a small chunk of brown bread on Maliah's plate.

Staring at her food, she ignored the other two in embarrassment. How had she not known that about her mother? What he had said yesterday about the queen being a warrior didn't surprise her much, stories of her escapades with the company and after had been made into books by Ori. Her eyes moved to her hands and surveyed the dirt under her nails and little cuts along her fingers. Tears stung her eyes. What was she doing, running away from home without truly knowing why? A hand fell on her head and patted it gently. Maliah lifted her chin to see Beorn removing the hand and continuing with his own food, motivating her to start on her own plate.

"How do you plan to pass through the Misty Mountains?"

Hissaelon also looked to the princess at the question who was staring wide-eyed at Beorn. The range could be a treacherous route and he could go no further, having duties back in Mirkwood to attend. He had to withhold a laugh at her answer.

"The High Pass, the same way Mama took. I know the way through."

"You have never traveled past home though, how do you know the way?"

Silence. She didn't reply and was unsure of how. Yes, she had seen a map long ago but it didn't explain how in her mind she could see each route on every mountain. "I studied."

Both knew she was lying but said nothing. Once again it was Beorn who spoke on her adventure. "I cannot take you further than the Carrock as it sits on the edge of my land. I would feel very upset if you lost your life due to me leaving you there."

"I will find my way, don't worry."

Her words did nothing to satisfy their worry. But it wouldn't matter, Hissaelon would leave in the morning and Beorn would take her to the Carrock as a bear. Another matter that was curious about Maliah as it had been with her mother, the bear within Beorn did not attack either one and instead nuzzled them both. It was fortuitous since on the back of the bear, it wouldn't take the night to get to large rock. The plan was to leave the night after Hissaelon left, one more night to clear the path and to rest for the journey.

Beorn was just as weary about the little dwarrow traveling alone, the girl worming her way into his heart just as her family had done. He had wished to see the Wolf one last time before his death, to finally tell him why he had chosen that particular name for the man. But it wouldn't matter now. It was in the sister and now daughter Beorn saw the same tenacious spirit, the ability to overcome all obstacles placed in front of them. This was why he too believed Maliah would run away again if he tried to return her home. And why he was going to give her a gift before leaving her.

For the rest of the day, chores were completed until the sun was about to go down and both were ushered into the hall once more by the resident sheep. Beorn was already gone but the table was set with a small fare for the two. After eating and washing up, Maliah fell onto a small pile of hay with a blanket and fell asleep almost immediately. Hissaelon stayed up a while after, detailing his sword and bow and arrows for any damage. It was a sad awakening the next morning when she found her new friend had left already, leaving only a note with a small dagger he had with him before telling her to stay alive and be cautious. She had a feeling that she would meet him one day again, there was still plenty of years left in her life.

Maliah help Beorn inside the hall that day, straightening the hay and cleaning up after the animals. At meal time, he showed her how to prepare a plate for someone and afterwards how to make dough for bread. While it was messy and slightly exhausting for her, she was having a lot of fun with the flour flying into the air when she mixed the ingredients and kneaded the dough. Each day for the next few weeks remained the same, waking up with the sun and helping out with breakfast before doing chores until lunch. Afterwards, she would help with work inside the Hall which included learning to bake. Finally, the day came when Beorn announced he would take her to the Carrock to continue her journey.

Nearing sunset, Maliah began to gather her small pile of belongings she was traveling with. Beorn bestowed upon her a small belt, perfect in size for her, to wield her dagger. Where it had come from she didn't ask as she didn't want to upset the large man in case it held painful memories. As the sun was about to fall over the horizon, Beorn shifted into his alternate shape and fell forward onto four large paws before her. Like the time before, the wet snout sniffed Maliah's scent before pushing the large muzzle against her chest nearly making her fall over. The bear growled and turned to the side so she could climb onto his back, which she did with the help of the animals boosting her up. After checking if her bag was secured, Maliah leaned forward and grabbed the fur of his coat signaling she was ready. Beorn immediately set off at a run, making her laugh as she had when Hissaelon had done the same. She hadn't wanted to compare the elf to a steed, but like this she was reminded of riding her own pony at full gallop and having the wind trying to tug her off.

It was nearing morning when they reached the Carrock and Beorn stopped before the stairs he had carved so many years before. When she slid from his back, the bear turned and walked around the massive rock leaving Maliah dumbfound for a moment until his return. A soft whinny caught her ears and behind the returning bear was a tawny brown mare saddled with a bedroll and sidebag. Even in her few day with the man she knew he was attached to all of the animals in his care so for her to be given, even temporarily, a pony was a big deal.

"Thank you."

Whether Beorn was unable or unwilling to shift back Maliah didn't know, but the massive head bumped hers and rubbed against her clothes. After his odd goodbye, Beorn tromped back into the trees leaving her alone with the pony. She knew the name of this one, it had greeted her during her work in the garden and Beorn had told Maliah what to call her. Gently, she rubbed the long nose and sighed.

"I guess we are on our own now, Dama. Let's rest here for a couple of hours and travel the mountains when the sun is further up."

The next day brought a cloudless sky and cold air, signals of winter approaching. Drawing on the extra coat she had brought, Maliah dusted off Dama's coat free of dirt before hopping onto the saddle. The pony walked around the Carrock without direction and towards the mountain range. She had the feeling Beorn had given Dama instructions before leaving and it almost didn't surprise her. The first day of riding took them far as both pony and rider seemed to know what paths to take and stay away from. As night closed in, Maliah looked for a cave or crevice to camp down in for the night. Relieving Dama of her burdens, she laid food on the ground for her to eat that had been in the side bag Beorn had left. The night was quiet, hardly a sound to be heard and Maliah didn't dare to light a fire just in case. Both rider and steed slept together to ward off the chill of the night.

When the sun light hit Maliah's face as the shadows receded, she groaned at the aches presenting themselves in her body. Sleeping on ground or horse was not something she ever did in the past. Groaning again as she stood, Dama stood as well with her hoofs kicking loose rocks in her movements. After relieving herself, Maliah gave the pony a few apples and water from the skin and did the same herself. Packing everything up again and on Dama once more, they continued on their way. They only stopped once at midday when Maliah needed a break and fed her and Dama a large vegetable each. Maliah wasn't sure how long it would take to cross the mountains and she didn't want to run out. The day had warmed up to a reasonable temperature although the mist that the mountains were named after was ever present and made the day stay damp creating some humidity.

It was a few hours after stopping for a break a couple day into the journey when a shift in the rocks above her had Maliah stop Dama's walk and stare at the mountain high in front of her. There was someone there, she knew it and so did her pony. Suddenly from the mist, a long body dropped and landed in front of her without a sound and a second one behind the first. Maliah only stared, her hand on the dagger, as two identical elves stood side by side looking curiously at her.

"An orc doesn't sound like a dwarf brother, especially a female riding a pony."

"The sounds could be compared to a Warg."

"Ponies don't growl or howl."

One twin glared at the other and Maliah was slightly dumbfounded to come across more elves. "What are you doing here?"

Two sets of black eyes turned to her and one smiled. "Well, well, well. If I didn't know any better, I would say we had royalty on our hands. Do you see it Elrohir?"

"The facial resemblance or the manner of speaking, Elladan?"

"What are you talking about?" She was started to become uncomfortable being the focus of their attention.

"Would your mother be the Queen of Erebor?"

"Yes…"

The drawn-out word had the elf named Elrohir groaning in dismay and the other laughing. "We are the sons of Lord Elrond of Rivendell, we have known your mother a long time Princess."

"And only known in friendship, what a waste." Elrohir said solemnly and made Maliah more confused than before.

"How did you come to the Misty Mountains, Princess? No one of Erebor has come this far unless they are traders."

Maliah shifted at Elladan's question, not wanting to answer and wishing anyone she came upon would stop asking her. "I am on my way to the shire."

"Without an escort? Unusual for a Princess, and from our experience, someone the Queen holds dear." Both looked at her intently.

"I left without telling them."

The silence of the mountains seemed to become deeper when no one spoke and the two elves stared at the dwarrow. Elrohir and Elladan looked at each other and spoke without talking. They would have to take her to Rivendell, to their father before returning on their hunt. There was Orcs somewhere in the mountains nearby and there was no way they would be leaving a daughter of Râlia alone with such danger. What she was doing alone and had gotten this far was something they intended to find out.

"We shall escort you across the mountains, Milady. Can't have you falling off an edge after meeting you."

She eyed them suspiciously, not knowing in that moment she appeared more like her mother to them than before and instantly making them feel more protective over her. "Do I have a choice?"

"Not really. We will show you how to get to Rivendell where you can rest for a few days before going on your way."

Well, that was where her cousin had left for some years ago and it would be nice to see Mirari again. "If you insist."

"That we do! Now, do you know how to tell stories like your mother?" Elladan groaned at his brother as they took up rank in front and behind of the Princess.