Chapter Twenty
What felt like only minutes, Bilbo found himself jerking awake. Blinking around in confusion, he brought the palm of his hands and rubbed his tired eyes, sleep clung to him either way. Green eyes sought out the figure beside him, a sleepy smile formed before he felt himself dragged away from Thorin's side.
The hobbit twisted his body, feet kicking out at the intruder.
"Watch it, those could actually hurt someone," the chuckle that left Nori made the hobbit stop his attack. He looked up at the dwarrow standing above him, and smirking down at him.
"Nori! What!" Bilbo glanced towards the sleeping Company, Dwalin the only one keeping watch huffed at them before going back to sharpening his weapons. "Why did you do that? There are several other ways to get my attention." Bilbo said in a whisper.
"Yes, I could. But where's the fun in that?" a smirk still in place, Nori shrugged at the hobbit.
Biting the comeback on his lips, the hobbit stood up. He dusted his body as best as he could, and noted how his wrists had improved since the troll ordeal as well as his leg. He was grateful. Seeing as it was still dark out, Bilbo figured it was time to train. Honestly, why couldn't Nori just tell him when they would start, first light would have been much better.
"First rule, always be aware of your surroundings, even if you're asleep. Stealth is about knowing everything that surrounds you, that way you move with it." with furrowed eyebrows, Bilbo mulled over the words, Nori was the best and the hobbit took every word to heart.
"There will be a lot of training, not only will I teach you stealth, you also need to regain your fighting skill once more. I saw what you did to Frerin, but it won't do much in the long run."
Nori produced two weapons; Silencer and the new blade that Gandalf had gifted him. The moonlight caressed each blade, illuminating their individual beauty. "My weapons." the hobbit said in awe. Bilbo found himself in front of Nori, his fingers reaching to touch Silencer. The tingle he got when his finger tips glided down the blade sent chills down Bilbo's back.
The itch was there, to grab the blade and start his training once again. His eyes then moved to the other smaller weapon. The same feeling erupted after repeating the same process. His ministrations came to an abrupt stop. He looked down at his wrist, the mangled flesh had been healed , a slight tint of red covered the scars but aside from that, Bilbo was sure he would be able to carry his sword once more. He managed to carry Frerin's weapon, he was sure he could do it with his own. Unconsciously he moved his once injured foot around the ground reminding him how he could not do what Nori wanted from him. Bilbo doubted himself.
"I. I don't think I could. My-"
"Your what? Injuries?" Nori scoffed.
He backed away but not before taking each handle of the blades and impaling them into the dirt in front of the hobbit. Leaving the hobbit to stare at him in confusion. In one swift move, Nori took out his own weapon of choice. "Pick up your weapon, Bilbo."
"Nori. I would not be able to." he showed his injuries.
"Pick it up.'' That was his one and only warning.
He ran, sword above his head, aiming it at Bilbo. The hobbit managed to move out of the way, but the dwarrow kept attacking. Anytime Bilbo would side step, Nori would be there ready for the next swipe of his sword.
Bilbo feigned to the left before stepping right, it seemed that Nori fell for it but the next moment Bilbo found himself tripping forward. His hands shot out stopping his fall. Lungs burning, Bilbo clenched the grass beneath him.
"Get up." Nori kept his voice low, but there was anger laced in them.
Bilbo wanted to lash out, scream at the annoyance he felt at the training they were having. L'vren, his trustworthy guard, came to mind. The time spent training with him seemed so long ago. His method of training differed greatly with Nori's. The hobbit looked over to his left, Silencer laid still, the other beside it. He eyed them both.
Above him, Nori positioned himself, he twirled the sword a few times before he attacked, the sword glided down until it made contact. A grand smile broke out on Nori's face.
Bilbo held the smaller of his two weapons, the blade had made contact with Nori's own. Using his feet, he hooked one behind Nori's foot and pulled. The dwarrow fell backwards. Using the advantage Bilbo shot to his feet, the sword aimed beneath Nori's chin. "So, your injuries?" Nori raised an eyebrow.
Bilbo staggered backwards, he looked down at himself, he held the sword like it was nothing. Lifting an eyebrow. He turned around and picked up Silencer. Twirling the blade this way and that, the hobbit looked on in amazement. He had done it. In his excitement, Bilbo did not notice the audience.
Applause erupted all about. Bilbo was momentarily taken aback at seeing the Company erupt in cheer.
"Uncle. That was great-"
"We knew you could do it!" Fili finished for his brother. Ori clapped as he tried to balance his inked feather and parchment. Dwalin nodded at the hobbit, a surge of pride ran through him.
"Bilbo, my, you have grown haven't you." the grey wizard sent him a gentle smile. He blew out a smoke before puffing once more.
"You defeated, Nori!"
"You must tell us your secrets!" The two princes surrounded the hobbit, excitement visible in their eyes. Bilbo backed away at their enthusiasm, his eyes sought out Nori.
"You did well, next time we train I won't go easy on you."
"I hope you don't. Thank you." Nori inclined his head. He retreated, going to lay beside Ori, who continued to furiously write away.
The first light burst through the horizon bringing them a fresh new start, the Company as well as Bilbo and the wizard sat together around the campfire. Bilbo would sneak several peaks at Thorin, who still slumbered. Oin had changed his bandages thirty minutes ago. Everything was healing as it should, but the dark purple blotches appearing all over his body was concerning.
Oin had said it was nothing to worry about, but something seemed off. Injuries like those were uncommon, at least to him. The bear had not touched Thorin in any other way besides the gashes on his shoulder and arm. No this was something else. Bilbo told himself he would keep a close eye.
"He will be fine, Uncle, don't worry about him." Kili nudged the hobbit. He went back to chewing, occasionally eyeing his brother's soup.
"I know. I just worry."
"No need for that lad. Our prince is a fighter. None other like him." Dwalin cleaned his mouth with the back of his hand. " We're close to the mountain, I can already sense her calling out." some of the Company agreed with him.
"You shouldn't worry your little head about him. He won't die if that is what you are thinking of."
Bilbo tensed as Frerin walked behind him, his finger sliding across Bilbo's back. His actions felt wrong upon his body. Bilbo went to get up, ready to show him why he shouldn't be touched. His movements stopped as the doors burst open. Everyone fell silent; a huge man entered the clearing, his eyes landed on the company, he bared his teeth at them before walking towards the field where his giant bees began their routine work.
Bilbo watched as the man moved around them all, he would occasionally stop and glare at them all before going back to work. No one dared move, even Gandalf stood rooted to the spot, eyeing the man, his staff resting beside him. After several more minutes the man finally began moving the front door of his home until he made a sharp turn to the right.
Heading right for him.
Bilbo's eyes widened in shock, he looked about wondering if he was somehow in his way, or wanted to get something in particular. The hobbit scrambled to get up, he almost tripped over Kili who also stood up. "What are you?" the man asked. Bending at his waist he got right in front of Bilbo's face, "You are different. You can come inside." The man straightened, turned and walked inside his home. Bilbo stood dumbstruck. The hobbit looked over at the Company, to Gandalf who only smiled as he reached for his satchel and pulled out his pipe. What was he supposed to do?
Thorin was still asleep, he wanted to check on his wounds but something told him to go inside and follow the giant. Kili and Fili incredulously stared at their Uncle, their eyes telling him to go inside. Bilbo got his answer. No one followed after him.
The house was bigger than he thought, to the hobbit everything around him had doubled in size, at least to him. The floor was surprisingly soft on his feet, the giant stood a few paces away from him, from his view, there was a huge window overlooking his enclosure, to the left was the living area and ahead awas what looked like a kitchen and to his right he assumed was the man's bedroom.
"Just going to stand there?" the giant's gruff voice startled the hobbit.
"No, no.'' Bilbo scrambled to join the man, he narrowed his eyes at the two stairs that lead up to the kitchen in worry. Biting his lower lip, Bilbo reached up to the tip of the first stair. Hoisting himself up he then repeated it with the second step. After successfully getting up. He duisted his knees and hands. He really needed to change his clothes, a long bath was something to look forward to.
Bilbo gazed up and the man. He sent him a smile, he broke eye contact as he spotted the platter of food adorning the table; apples, bananas, bread and cheese made his mouth water, stomach growled, the soup not enough to make him full. Remembering how much he's been consuming, the hobbit cringed. He could already hear his guard telling him to eat more. Well he couldn't, could he.
Remembering his manners, he tore his gaze away from the food and cleared his throat.
"What is your name?"
"Beorn." the man gruffed out.
"I'm Prince Bilbo Baggins, but you may call me Bilbo."
Upon closer inspection, Bilbo noticed the many scars the man had, face, arms all covered in them; several were faded while others recently made. Gulping, he moved his gaze away and focused on the man's hair, stringy and long, it was set up like a lion's mane, eyebrows long and swept upwards. Bilbo thought he looked the part of a wild man, or animal.
"What are you?"
Bilbo sent the man a smile, " I'm a hobbit, I live in the Shire, where the rolling hills are our home."
"The Shire, rolling hills?" Beorn gave a hearty laugh, "never heard of your kind."
"What about yourself?" Bilbo cocked his head to the side, curiosity shone in his eyes.
"Skin changer. The last of my kind."
Those last five words left a bad taste in Bilbo's mouth, he wondered what caused his kins extinction, he wanted to ask, but he dared not. It would be so informal of him.
"Thank you for the hospitality."
"You shouldnt. I hurt one of your own."
Beorn turned around, filling up a cup of water and drinking it. Bilbo then realized that the bear was no ordinary bear, it was Beorn. Skin changers, using his extensive knowledge, Bilbo remembered reading something about skin changers, he knew they could take the form of an animal. Beorn could change into bearskin. It was him that harmed Thorin, the reason he was in pain.
"You should not. The Company and myself included, we trespassed your home without an invitation or without your permission. You had every right to attack."
It was true. They had made themselves comfortable in Beorn's home and not to mention trespassed in his property. Although they might not have known, it was expected. He could not blame the skinchanger.
Beorn was silent.
"You, little one, are different. They may come in."
"Thank you, Beorn." Bilbo rushed out of the kitchen, jumping down the steps and out of the home. "He's invited everyone!" the happiness he felt turned sour. Kili and Fili ran to him.
"It's Uncle. Something happened." they said in unison.
Authors Note; That took forever. I'm trying to get my groove back, and get to updating more often. Can't promise when the next one will be. The writing style might be off...which I know why. But I hope you guys enjoyed it either way, I'm hoping to introduce Thranduil in the next one. As well as Frerin's partner. Thank you for sticking to it! Until next update, adios.
