Riswynn race as fast as her short legs would allow, looking over her shoulder at her companions who unlike her did not possess unnatural speed for a dwarf. Her golden eyes landed on the hobbit, who was the very last of the party to emerge from the treeline and bolt toward the wooden cottage across the flat open grassland. She watched as his shorter stature meant he had to run twice as hard to keep up, she looked at the wizard who seemed to be in great haste, either ignoring or not noticing his failing companions behind him. Thorin ran next to her and gave her a narrowed eyed glare as she slowed and spun on her heel before he could object. With a great burst of speed she ran past her fellow Dwarrow and grabbed the hobbit around the waist hauling him over her shoulder, his complaints falling on def ears as she continued to run. Her chest expanding with each forced breath, her wound burning as her muscles clenched, she watched in mild fascination as Bombur as large and overweight as he was, outran everyone else.
"Riswynn put me down, this is outrageous" Bilbo complained, balling his hands into fists he had the urge to strike her back like a stubborn child. She grunted ignoring his words, her breath coming out in pants as she continued to run, he would admit she was remarkably strong and fast, easily catching up and keeping pace with the others even with the added weight.
A loud ear-splitting roar came from just behind them accompanied by the snapping of branches and the falling of trees, Riswynn refused to acknowledge the fact that the beast had found its prey and it was directly behind them. She could hear its breath, and the pounding of its massive paws, it did not sound like the running of a Warg but something far larger and heavier.
Bilbo looked up and squeaked out in terror, it was a bear like creature, only so much larger than he imagined. With a dark shaggy coat covered in scars and bright golden eyes, its massive maw was open revealing its long teeth as it roared out in rage. He pat the Dwarrowdam on the shoulder as if to spur her forward "RUN" he screamed out desperately wanting to be put down, kicking his legs in emphasis.
Riswynn grunted as Bilbo accidentally kneed her in the abdomen, the pain hitting her like a sledge hammer to the gut, she sucked in a breath and pumped her legs faster, approaching the wizard she hissed through clenched teeth "How much further"
Gandalf looked from the corner of his eye at the dwarrowdam, she was sweating profusely, her blond curls matted to her forehead, her eyes blow out a deep dark crimson color, through her gritted smile he could see the tiniest white fangs peeking through her full lips. She was changing and he was hopeful that it would remain for the better. The dam was strong and showed good character, clearly caring for her other companions, as Bilbo was currently thrown over her shoulder like a sack of flour. He cleared his throat and pointed forward with his staff to the small cottage, it was surrounded by a lovely fence covered with thick green moss "This way come on, not much further" he shouted behind him.
Riswynn looked up at the cottage, it looked quaint and if they weren't being chased by a bloody murderous bear she would have enjoyed the peace it would bring, a dry place to rest her tired head would be much appreciated. She ran through the gate with a pant approaching the large door to the cottage, being shoved not so gracefully to the side she stumbled dropping the hobbit as the Dwarrow slammed their bodies into the wooden door, fierce and terrified looks on their faces. She grunted in annoyance as she slowly stood up her legs shaking at the exhaustion overcoming her.
"Hurry get that door open" Thorin shouted, sword drawn as the bear neared ever closer, its furious snarls echoing across the open field.
Riswynn growled grabbing Dwalin by the shoulder and throwing him behind her to get to the door, she reached up and grabbed the metal handle keep the door at bay and threw it open with force, annoyed that the other lacked the foresight to actually look at the door instead of just slamming against it like a bunch of brutes. The door swung wide, and everyone tumbled in, pushing against her she was thrown to the floor, this time getting a mouth full of dirt and dried hay in the process. She didn't have time to roll over when she heard the panicked voice of Gandalf behind her shouting to close the door as the massive snout of the bear came through the door, its clawed foot trying to pry open the door as the others pushed against it. She stood up her anger simmering beneath her skin as she opened her mouth and roared back at the creature, her voice rumbling like a dragon full of ire. Everything was pine drop silent for a moment, all eyes fixed on her as she stalked toward the door and pushed it closed gently grabbing a large wooden plank and fixing it across the door leaning against it with a heaved breath.
"What was that?" Ori asked looking up with wide eyes at the flustered face of the dam then back to the wizard.
Gandalf sighed and closed his eyes "That was our host"
Thorin glared at the wizard "Is he friend or foe" he hissed angry to be constantly left in the dark about these things.
Gandalf opened his eyes and looked down at Thorin "Neither, he will either help us or he will kill us"
Riswynn chuckled without humor, moving away from the door, her hand wrapped around her middle, hissing as the movement burned through her "Wonderful, when is something not trying to kill us"
Thorin looked at her with concern, moving to her side he attempted to pull away the hand holding her side "Are you alright" he asked softly under his breath.
She looked up at him and gave him a soft smile, her eyes glowing a soft golden colour as the red bled away "I'll be fine, do not worry about me"
Thorin frowned as he successfully removed her smaller hand, the warmth of it making his skin tingle, her tunic was stained pink with blood, and he clenched his fist "You are bleeding" he grunted.
She sighed "Aye, Bilbo got me good in the stomach, should have heard his screaming was right funny" she winked playfully at Bilbo who blushed crimson and looked down at the dirt floor of the cottage.
Thorin pinched the bridge of his nose and blew out an angered breath "Why must you always put yourself in danger, Master Baggins is perfectly capable of running himself"
She shrugged not bothered by Thorin's anger "He is simply not as fast as me, no offence Bilbo, you haven't the dragons blood running through your veins"
"What was that thing" Ori asked again approaching the door to peek through the small cracks hoping to see the large bear roaming outside. Dori grabbed him by the arm and pulled him away "Get away from there" he hissed.
Gandalf looked around at the cottage his eyes settling on the female in the room, who had decided to sit down, her eyes closed in exhaustion "His name is Beorn and he is a skin changer, sometimes he is a great black bear, sometimes he is a huge strong man, the bear is unpredictable but the man can be reasoned with" he said walking through the cottage approaching some cattle grazing peacefully on large piles of soft dry hay.
Riswynn opened her honey eyes and stood up, following the wizard as he walked through the cabin, her eyes searching and taking in all the small wonders. In the wooden pillars supporting the house, great runes were carved their meanings unknown to her, bees the size of her hand buzzed by and several cattle grazed in small pens, it seemed the house itself was entuned with nature. It was warm and dry and homey she instantly loved it.
Gandalf looked down at her and sighed "However he is not overly fond of dwarves"
She snorted in amusement "No one is fond of dwarves Mr. Gandalf except dwarves"
He chuckled and nodded "Perhaps"
She turned and gazed at the door as she listened to the great beast retreating, his paws crunching across the grass as he moved further away from them "He is leaving" she said softly.
Dori grabbed his brothers and pulled them close uncomfortable with the house, and its owner "Its not natural none of it is, its obvious he is under some dark spell"
Gandalf grunted walking past the old Dwarrow "Don't be a fool he is under no enchantment but his own"
Riswynn frowned at Dori who looked away from her when their eyes connected "Is that what you think of me as well Dori" she said slowly walking up to him frowning when he took a steady step backwards, her glowing eyes unnerved him. He swallowed and shook his head, and she chewed her lip "am I also unnatural, under some dark spell, untrustworthy and dangerous perhaps"
Ori shook his head and stepped forward "Course not M'Lady, you are one of us"
She smiled happily at him and nodded her head in thanks "I pray to Mahal you are right Ori, this curse taints me but I shall be free of it soon" she said looking down at her palms.
"Come we can rest here for the night, we will be safe here" Gandalf said taking off his large hat, settling himself down in the soft hay.
"Would you like me to look at that my lady" Oin said softly as he approached her gesturing to her stomach.
She rose a brow and shook her head chuckling softly "No its alright Oin, get some sleep I shall be alright"
Oin looked uncomfortable, fiddling with his ear horn "Are you sure my lady its no trouble"
She sighed and crossed her arms over her chest "Why are you calling me that, I am no lady"
"Relax lass he is just addressing you properly based on your station" Balin said cracking his back and he sat down.
She grunted shaking her head "Pft hardly have a station Balin, I am a wandered banished from my house"
"Not anymore" Thorin said stepping up beside her, putting his arm on her shoulder gently and she swallowed cocking her head to the side "You are my one, and as such are my equal, everyone in this company understands that"
She laughed hard clutching her stomach and shook her head, reaching up she touched his cheek softly "Oh Thorin, I admire what you are trying to do but we both know I am nothing like you, you are a king and I am a binazhâr"
He frowned and touched her hand resting on his cheek leaning down he touched his forehead to hers "You are a zabdûna"
She smiled stepping back as someone cleared their throat "Hey now no funny business Uncle, I don't want to have to gouge out my own eyes" Kili joked playfully grabbing a handful of straw throwing it at them.
Riswynn smiled happily and rolled her eyes at the young Dwarrow "Worry not Kili, I shall not ravage Thorin in the straw bales"
Kili turned pink and she laughed harder, looking over her shoulder to wink playfully at her one who only smirked at her and walked toward the hobbit and flopped down with a sigh.
"How are you doing Bilbo" she asked lazily looking up at the ceiling playing absentmindedly with a long blade of straw, the golden shift crumbling in her hand.
Bilbo looked over at her from the corner of his eye the other shut firmly as he huddled down to get some sleep, she was playing with straw her eyes half mast as she tried to stay awake. "I am fine Riswynn thank you" he said politely.
She yawned stretching herself out, smirking with satisfaction as her back cracked and popped digging herself down into the hay she rolled onto her side and shut her eyes "Good" she said quietly loud enough that she knew he would hear.
Bilbo smiled and rolled his eyes at her, she was curled into a tight ball, her legs tucked into her chest, her golden hair blending in perfectly with the surrounding hay, she was asleep in moments, her chest rising and falling softly as she breathed. He got up and approached Gandalf who sat at the long wooden table in the middle of the room "Will we be alright tonight?" he asked quietly looking up into his face.
Gandalf smirked through his pipe, blowing out a breath a large smoke ship sailed past Bilbo's face "We are quiet safe for the evening Bilbo, I suggest you get some rest while you can"
Bilbo twitched his nose and nodded looking around at the home, "Have you been here before" he asked aloud watching in fascination as a large bee flew lazily above his head.
Gandalf sighed "Once long ago"
…..
Riswynn awoke to find a strong arm securely around her middle, her back pressed into a solid chest, soft breaths on the back of her head, the smell of pipeweed and smoke wafted toward her, and she smirked into the hay. She rolled around slowly trying not to disturb Thorin as he slept, he looked peaceful for once, the worried lines on his face smoothed out in slumber. She wiggled from his tight grasp biting her lip to stop the laugh that threatened to tumble out as he grumbled in his sleep as she moved. She finally managed to get away, smiling as he settled back to sleep. She stood up and approached the table surprised to see Gandalf conversing with an enormous man, with thick mane like hair that traveled down his shoulders and backside, it was dark brown and looked course and thick like the hide of the bear. He looked up at her, his golden eyes taking her by surprise, and she bowed her head in respect "I am Riswynn at your service" she said trying to sound polite.
He grunted "You are a female" he said.
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the obvious statement "Indeed, I am a female Dwarrow, I thank you for not killing us when you arrived this morning"
He rose a massive brow and looked at Gandalf who smirked "I told you her senses were remarkable"
Beorn looked more closely at the female before him, she was small typical for a dwarf, but she possessed golden eyes like himself, a powerful aura surrounded her "You heard me come in then?"
She nodded "Aye that I did, you are not quiet, understandable for someone as large as yourself" she chuckled sitting down at the table, smiling in gratitude as he poured her a tankard of fresh milk and slid it toward her.
"None of the others heard me, not even the wizard" he said in a gravely voice.
She nodded taking a sip, enjoying the flavor of such a rich beverage, licking her lips she looked over the top of the tankard at him and smiled "Not everyone has my abilities Master Shifter"
He grunted eyes flickering up to watch as the other dwarves got up, rolling about like newborn lambs from the hay bundles, brushing themselves off they had looks of shock and surprise on their faces as they noticed his imposing figure.
Thorin woke up frowning when he found Riswynn gone from his arms, he stood up and looked toward the table finding her already awake in conversation with Gandalf and a large, strange man. He glared openly at the man, his blue eyes boring into familiar golden ones. He approached them slowly standing behind Riswynn placing his hands on her shoulders she turned and looked over her shoulder smiling warmly at him she gestured to the man "Thorin this is Beorn, our host" she said happily.
Beorn looked the dwarf male up and down, noticing the calculating blue eyes and the frown on his face, he appeared hostile while his female appeared at ease and comfortable in his presence "So you are the one they called Oakenshield?" he said moving to fetch another pitcher of milk for the new dwarves "Tell me why is Azog the defiler hunting you?" he asked over his shoulder.
Thorin froze his grip on Riswynn's shoulder tightening "You know of Azog, how?" he said anger in his voice at the thought of that filth.
Beorn turned and began filling more tankards with milk, his voice grim his brows pulled down "My people were the first to live in these 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" he finished with a low growl.
Riswynn looked at him sympathy shining in her golden eyes "I am sorry" she said softly.
Bilbo looked surprised at his tale clearing his throat he spoke up "Are there others like you?" he asked curious.
Beorn clutched the pitcher tightly his knuckles turning white in anger "Once there were many, and now there is only one" he moved to sit at the head of the table turning his eyes toward Thorin he growled out "I don't like dwarves, they are greedy, finding no value in lives they deem lesser than their own, but orcs I hate what do you need?".