Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit.

So as I am posting this chapter I have just returned from visiting Hobbiton myself (childhood dream completed), came away inspired to write. There is one point I would like to put to you the readers to help me with. In regards to the dwarf Kili and his 'crush' should I stay true to the movie and go with Tauriel or continue this somewhat triangle between him, Mar and the smexy king.

Review and choose.

Thanks :)

For the first time in a very long time, Marie did not feel rushed to rise from her sleep. There was sunlight on her face and at long last the hay pile felt just like her comfortable bed. She rolled onto her back a let her arms stretch out above her head, only to let them fall back to her sides. Her eyes did not wish to open no matter how much she willed them to, but it wasn't much of a fight. They cracked a little and Marie saw a beautiful golden light above her head.

'Just a few more minutes.' She told herself and rolled onto her other side, curling her arm under her head as she did. She was granted only a few seconds before a bee flew down and tickled at her nose. She twitched it to shake it off but it would not budge. She lazily lifted a hand to swat it away but missed as it buzzed around her face.

Marie groaned and sat up in a huff. She would have liked a nice long sleep in. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and patted around for her red coat. It had lost the soft texture she remembered and had taken on a far rougher feel to it thanks to the exposure to sun, hail and her lest favourite troll snot.

As she slipped her arms into the jacket she looked around and found that the dwarves were already up and sitting at the table. She made herself as presentable as she could given the circumstances and made her way over.

"Good morning." Marie said. The first ones to hear her were the inseparable pair of Fili and Kili at the head of the table. "Morning," Fili said, Kili just nodded. She heard another 'good morning' from Ori at the other end of the table and a general grumble from the older dwarves who were so rigid and quiet.

Marie could see Thorin engaged in a conversation with Balin, but his back was to her.

"You there." Said a voice that frightened her out of her wits. She craned her head around the table and saw the skin changer, in all his glory, rising up from a wooden chair with bear heads carved into its back. Marie had never seen anyone so tall in her life, even the farmers from Bree seemed small in comparison to this man. He appeared more beast than man, with wild coarse hair covering most of his face like a mane, his skin was blotted and dark all over and blended in with the thick woollen jerkin he wore. Marie could see scars across his face, but they looked to have faded over time though still had not fully vanish.

He drew closer to her, his feet hitting the floor like sledgehammers.

"You are no dwarf." His voice was deep and heavy in his chest, "What are you?"

Marie straightened herself up as tall as she could, "I'm Marie Baggins, of the Shire."

He examined her carefully, "I'm not one for titles 'Marie Baggins'. What are you?"

Marie wasn't sure if he was being rude or cautious with her, but she did not see any malice in his eyes. "I'm a Hobbit."

"One of the Halflings from the West. I've heard tales of your kind but never believed them to be true." Marie turned her gaze to her feet as Beorn passed her, "You are far from your home, but for what purposes?"

Thorin had moved closer to them during their exchange and came to her aid. "She is our burglar."

"A strange choice for one." Beorn picked up a bucket and poured fresh milk into a large wooden pitcher and said no more. Marie's attention was drawn to the broken shackle around his left wrist, the skin around it was pink with scabs.

Marie thought it best not to stare and quickly found a place at the table. Dwalin moved to accommodate her, and also to keep an eye on her. "I see that you are finally ready to join the land of living my dear Marie."

"And good morning to you too Gandalf."

Marie could hear his muffled chuckle behind her.

Thorin leant against a wooden pillar with his arms cross as he watched over the company. His eyes flittered to Marie, and she could see him speak to her through them. She wordlessly nodded to him in response to his silent greeting.

'I wonder if he got any sleep last night.'

Breakfast was no different to their meal the night before and Marie took only a slice of bread to satisfy her brewing hunger.

Other than Bifur hording most of it, the dwarves very diplomatic and peaceful in dealing with the food. It was no surprise why, considering the nature of their host. No one even dared bring up the fact a whole family of mice were running around the food.

Beorn returned to fill the tankards with milk. "So you the one they call Oakenshield." He said to Thorin, "Tell me, why is Azog the Defiler hunting you?"

"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 others he enslaved."

Marie's eyes once again were drawn to the shackle.

"Not for work you understand, but for sport." Beorn looked as though he would shatter the pitcher, "Caging skin changers and torturing them seemed to amuse him."

"So there are other like you?" Marie asked.

"Once there were many, now there is only one."

"I'm sorry, I didn't ..."

"You were not responsible, so there is no use in apologizing."

Marie wanted to finish speaking but saw the point in what Beorn had said, even if it had come off cold. Dwalin gave her sideways glance and shook his head, telling her to say no more.

Beorn returned to his seat once his had finished was his duties as, as Marie would put it a 'reluctant' host. "You need to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn." He said to the wizard.

"Before Durin's Day falls, yes."

"Then you are running out of time."

"Which is why we must go through Mirkwood."

Thorin started to pace at the mention of Mirkwood, and Marie remembered his response at Carrock to that plan.

"A darkness lies upon that forest, foul things creep beneath those trees. There is alliance between the orcs of Moria and the Necromancer in Dol Guldur."

Something in the pit of Marie's stomach churned, making her nails dig into the wooden surface.

"We will take the Elven Road, that path his still safe." Gandalf said, but Beorn scoffed. "Safe? The Wood Elves of Mirkwood are not like their kin. They are less wise and more dangerous, but it matters not."

"What do you mean?" Thorin stopped pacing and looked at the giant.

"These lands are crawling with orcs, their numbers are growing and you are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive." Beorn bluntly told him. There was a creak as Beorn stood once again, and an uncomfortable shuffle went down the line of dwarves as he passed them.

"I don't like dwarves." Marie flinched as his hand reached down between her and Dwalin and scooped up one of the mice. Marie held her breath and waited to see what the skin changer would do next. He brought the mouse close to his face, and some sick twisted voice in Marie's mind told her that he was crushing it. "They're greedy ... blind. Blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own." The tension only built and Marie couldn't stand being in the middle of it.

"But orcs I hate more." Beorn growled. "What do you need?"

Marie released her pent up breath, and from the looks of it the other dwarves did as well.

"We need provisions, only enough for each one of us to carry. And safe passage to the edge of forest." Thorin told the skin changer.

"Provisions I can give." Beorn walked away from the table, still staring at the mouse cradled in his hand. "But safe passage I can not guaranty."

xxxx

Beorn kept his word and allowed the dwarves to gather together enough food to sustain them and enough water canisters he could spare. But despite the protest from Thorin and the others, Beorn advised them to wait but one more day.

"The orcs are waiting still on the outskirts of the woods." Beorn had told them, "They will wait for the light to fade and for the storm to cloak them. Wait until the morn, when you have the light again."

"Wait for the light, bah." Oin grumbled as Marie passed him and his brother. They sat idling by the door with Bombur who nibble on a block of cheese, "Why there is naught but the smallest cloud in the sky."

"Must be his instincts," Marie shrugged, "He is part bear."

"He stinks of what?" The dwarf held up his broken ear trumpet towards her. It would have been useless to repeat herself, so Marie just shook her head and carried on, her hands awkwardly resting on the pommel of her sword.

"As strange as it is, a single day's rest may do us some good." Gloin mumbled as he counted up the remaining silver pieces in his purse. Marie had just in recent weeks picked up on Gloin's meticulous nature regarding money, or what little the company had of it.

The company had finished their assigned task in preparations for the remaining journey ahead of them and were spending their time sharpening to their weapons of fixing them inside and outside the large house. Marie herself had an idea in mind and was looking for a certain blonde dwarf.

Much of the land within Beorn's walls was over grown with plant life and served as good homes for his animals. It was not as frightening as it Marie once perceived it to be thanks to the daylight and it did have a wild though be it 'homely' feel to it. Bofur had even set himself up with a piece of wood and was whittling a new flute for himself whist watching over Bifur. There were a dozen or so beehives at the far end where Beorn himself stood, chopping fresh wood. It was clear to Marie now that the skin changer was just not fond of any company outside his animals.

She looked closer and saw that he wasn't alone as she thought. Gandalf stood not far from the skin changer and was talking to him quietly, regardless if Beorn was even listening.

She found Fili sharpening his knives but a well next to a blackberry grove.

"How many of those do you have?" She asked, bending down over his shoulder.

"As many as I need." Fili held up the dwarvish dagger proudly.

"Dare I ask where you kept them?"

Fili looked up with a sly grin on his face, "That is a topic for another time." He pocketed his small whetstone and shifted to face Marie. "What can I help you with love? If you're after Kili, he's inside."

"Actually, I was hoping for a favour."

"A favour? Ask away."

Marie straightened up and looked down at her sword. "I may not be the most skilled at sword play, but I would like to know how to use one properly. Would you be able to show me?"

Fili clicked his tongue and scratched his head. "The sword is both the easiest and hardest of weapons to master, there are ..."

"I don't need much, just enough to defend myself."

"Well ... how can I say no to a face like that." Fili picked himself up and walked away, leaving behind his sword, "Come on Marie."

Marie was a little confused as she followed along. Fili made for an open area wide enough for the pair of them and found two thick sticks. "Here." He tossed Marie one.

"But shouldn't we ..."

"You honestly don't think we'd go at it with actual swords do you?"

Marie flushed with a little embarrassment and shook her head.

"Alright, now leading foot forward."

"My what?"

"Like this."

Marie mirrored Fili posture, placing her right foot forward and her left back.

"Keep you 'sword' up."

"Right." Marie adjusted the stick in her hand. "I look silly now don't I?"

"Right now it is the one thing keeping you from getting killed."

"Point taken."

Fili chuckled and began instructing her on how to block. Marie was slow at first but soon built up a sense of rhythm. Marie knew she was by no means a fighter, nor would she ever by judging by her lesson, but she did not wish to give up so easily.

Fili was patient with her and explained things clearly to her, he was not at all like the tricky devil he was when with brother and acted like the responsible dwarf expected of him.

Marie was so focused on following Fili's instructions she was barely aware of the audience their little show had attracted, with Oin, Gloin, Bifur and Bofur slowly abandoning their separate task and conversations to watch their little burglar fumble with her stick as she attempted to strike Fili. Even Ori and Kili, who had heard the commotion from inside the house, watched on. The two youngest dwarves whispered frantically to one another while Kili's face was alive with mischief.

"Now quicker this time." Marie caught his stick with hers and hooked it around, sending the stick out of his hand. "Impressive Marie." Fili smiled and retrieved his stick.

"I can't believe I got it that time." She puffed and lent on her's. "How do you keep up your stamina?"

"Oh you know, many ... many years of tireless practice." The dwarf looked distracted by something behind Marie

"Is something wrong?"

"Oh, no not at all love ... just try that one again."

Marie hesitated for a moment before taking up her position again, not know what was unfolding behind her.

Kili was only a few feet behind Marie, carefully creeping up on her. He mimed to Fili not to reveal his plan, even shaking his hands before him like a beggar. Fili did not spoil his fun, if only to see what Marie would do when it unfolded. The other dwarves held back their laughter at the look of utmost concentration on Kili's face and his tongue sticking out as he inched closer.

"Alright now, remember to be aware of your surrounding Marie." Fili's eyes bounced back between Marie and his brother, who was right on top of the hobbit. "Never let your guard down. You never know just when the enemy will ..."

"BLAGH!" Kili harshly grabbed Marie's hips and shook her.

She did not scream like the dwarves had expected, but she did turn around and struck the stick right across Kili's stomach. He groaned and stumbled back in shock and pain.

"Oh my word, Kili!" Marie turned a shade of white as the garden erupted with laughter.

"I'm alright, 'm aril ... ugh!" Kiki clutched his stomach and fell back onto the ground, "That's quite a punch you have there."

Marie could not hold it in any longer and let out an undignified snort. "I'm .. sor ... hahahaaha! It's justHahahahyourhehe your face Kiliehehe. It's priceless!" She doubled over, unable to form complete sentences. Her body rocked with laughter until it hurt.

The dwarves froze and watched Marie. She had never laughed like that before in front of them. It wasn't a gentle lady's twitter or an airy chuckle, it was a proper laugh, loud and infectious. He cheeks turned red and she snorted again, but this time she covered her mouth.

"Hahahaha, oh that felt good." She said once caught her breath.

"Laughing or hitting Kili?" Fili asked.

"I think both."

"Hey!" Kili cried weakly from the ground.

"Oh don't act like you didn't deserve it." Marie pointed the end of her stick into the dwarf's chest. His face fell, "So you are still mad at me?"

"A little," Marie voice was stern, but she couldn't hold the facade for long, "But it was an accident, and I think compensation has been met." She tapped his head playfully, "Just don't do it again."

There was a pause before the trio was overcome with laughter again. Kili picked himself up and had regained his chippy attitude. He joined in on Maire's lessons, Fili even call Ori over, claiming that the lad needed to learn just as much as Marie.

Marie's outburst seemed to shift to mood of all the dwarves, or so Thorin thought. He and Balin had sitting in silent contemplation when the hobbit's laughter came pouring in through the window. There was a shared moment of Nori and Dori glancing up briefly, then looking away with smiles on their faces. The only one who didn't seem happy was Dwalin, as he had been woken from his slumber.

"Blazes," He grumbled as he stood up from his bed spread, "Those rascals are at it again."

"I believe that delightful sound was Miss Marie Brother." Balin said.

Dwalin walked towards the back door and he crossed his beefy arms, "Well that's a first."

Thorin slowly joined his friend at his side in watching the events outside.

It was a warm sight to see his company at peace, even if it would not last for much longer. Bofur had finished with his flute and began to test it while Fili tried to control his students. It was amusing to see Marie and Ori trying to engage in combat only to fail as Kili kept on interrupting.

"Something's off here." Dwalin said, "The lass usually keeps to herself, not uttering so much as a peep. What changed?"

Thorin agreed that she looked much different than before, like a bird unleashed from a gilded cage and into the open air for the first time. Thorin had an inkling as to why.

'Perhaps she was lonely after all.'

His nephew picked Marie up like she was nothing and swung her around. Thorin recognized the look Kili was giving Marie and Thorin did not like it one bit.

He felt Dwalin's eyes on him. "What was that face? You look like you're going to strangle someone"

Thorin did not answer him.

"Kili put me down! I'm too old for this!" Marie shrieked but kept Kili spinning until he lost his footing and tumbled over. Despite Kili's meddling and less than graceful fall, Marie did not stop grinning.

A rumble from the south herald the oncoming storm Beorn had spoken of, but even this did not deter her. She looked genuinely happy, years had fallen from her shoulders and she seemed to glow like the sun.

'No, not glow.' Thorin corrected himself. She was sunlight.