Chapter Twenty-eight: Being Hunted

Bella woke to people talking above her.

"How long you going to lay like that?"

"Until she wakes up most likely. Maybe even a little longer." That was definitely Fili. But his voice was as muffled as the other. How did she manage to identify him but not the first voice?

The other chuckled. "You just enjoy watching her sleep."

She felt Fili shrug behind her. "Nothing wrong with that," he said.

"Or, he can't think of a way to reclaim his hand from her grip without waking her," a third voice said, laced with humor.

"Perfect excuse," Fili said, grinning.

Bella then became aware that her arm was draped over another's as her fingers entwined their own fingers. She slowly blinked her eyes open. The grey of pre-dawn was darker than usual and while her front was a little chilled, her back was pleasantly toasty. She looked to her hand. She recognized that sturdy hand and calloused fingers.

A breath and trailing hair against her ear was the only warning before a gentle kiss landed on her temple. "Good morning, Melethen," Fili murmured in her ear.

A squeak escaped before she could clap her hand over her mouth. Fili's chuckle was warm against the back of her neck as she curled into an embarrassed ball. It was one thing to claim him as an impromptu hot water bottle while suffering her curse of women. Or even wanting to make sure he was close after nearly losing him to the stone giants (though in her defense it could be argued that they hadn't slept that time). It was completely different to sleep curled into him when there was no good explanation. They weren't even properly engaged let alone married.

Fili hugged her, seemingly ignoring her mortification. "You are quite fetching with that deep blush," he said teasing, "though I personally prefer the more subtle pink shades."

"Stop it," she said, but it had none of the intended bite. Oh, she thanked Eru and every one of the Valar that they were nowhere near the Shire and thus a certain Sackville-Baggins. If traveling to Bree and back was bad enough in most eyes, this was the scandal of the Age, even if it was innocent.

"Dare I believe that my sister is imagining the gossips in the Shire if they heard?" Bilbo asked, but even he was teasing her. "I thought you didn't care what they said."

"Being placed in a scandal and being looked at strange for adventuring is completely different, Bilbo Baggins!" she retorted. She peeked up between her fingers to see her brother crouched before her, silently laughing. "I actually expected you to be even more scandalized or disgraced by this."

"Hm. Tempting," he said. "But I found out some interesting things concerning dwarven and hobbit Ones. Such as, it is not uncommon after life threatening situations for dwarven Ones to feel the need to keep their 'other half' close. And apparently Hobbits do have Ones, even if it is rare, and they seem to have a mild obsession with touching once they've found each other. So, I will tolerate such things as long as you both are in full sight of everyone."

"And what do the dwarven chaperones say?" Bella asked.

"They agreed," Fili answered.

She twisted so she could see his face. "Just how long have you been up?"

"Just long enough to catch the end of their discussion and the decision they made," Fili answered.

"Not even ten minutes before you woke up," Kili added.

"If Miss Baggins is awake," Thorin's voice interrupted from somewhere behind them, "we best get moving. We now have a full day ahead and it's best if we travel as far as we can."

Fili pushed himself up, allowing Bella room to get up herself. She stretched, wiggling her toes a little as she made herself wake up completely. "I'm guessing we nearly slept the clock 'round," she said.

"We needed it after the goblins and wargs," Bilbo said.

"Speaking of wargs," Balin said, "shouldn't we see if we have anything to worry about?"

"An excellent idea," Gandalf said. "Bilbo, Bella? Might you search from a secluded top and see if we are being pursued at present?"

"Certainly," Bilbo said as Bella nodded.

"Where's this little outpost?" Bella asked.

"I'll lead you to it while the rest clean up and prepare," Gandalf answered.

Bella followed the wizard alongside her brother to a ridge of rocky hills that weren't quite as tall as the Carrock but would no doubt give a decent view of their surroundings.

"There's a little ledge up there," Gandalf said. "Just see if our pursuers are close upon us or not."

"Right," Bella said as she and her brother nodded. Then the two of them started racing up the narrow path cut in-between two giant walls. She nearly slipped a couple times on some loose stones or wobbled on a tottering rock. But they finally reached the ledge Gandalf had mentioned. He had just failed to say that one had to scramble up some boulders.

"You look round for any dangers," Bilbo said quietly. "I'll pop up top."

Bella nodded, moving to peer in the south-east direction. The upper edge of the sun was just peeking from her mountainous bed, though it appeared that she would be swallowed up again by thick black clouds. If they weren't watching for danger, Bella would dare to say that there was a strange beauty to the area as it was cast in soft pinks and purples.

She went to check the more northern direction when Bilbo ducked his head down. She froze as she took in the fear on his face. "Azog?" she mouthed.

He barely nodded. A moment later, he turned back. When he remained that way, Bella took that as it was safe to continue forward.

"How far do you think?" she whispered.

"Two leagues at most," he answered back just as quiet. "I'd doubt much more."

Her heart leaped into her throat as she caught sight of something she'd forever wonder how they missed it when they first climbed up. "Well, we have a more immediate problem then," she said, just as a snarl rumbled through the air.

Bilbo slipped up beside her. He only stiffened as he took in the giant bear-like creature standing on another ridge opposite them. "Back to the rest," he urged. "Quick."

Bella scrambled back around and down barely pausing to make sure her brother was following. Not even five minutes later, they reached the bottom where Dwalin and Thorin were the first waiting for them.

"How close is the pack?" Dwalin asked.

"Too close," Bilbo answered as the two of them stumbled to a stop among the dwarves. "A couple leagues, no more."

"But we have another problem," Bella said.

"Have the wargs picked up our scent?" the bodyguard asked.

"Not yet, but they will," Bilbo said. "But that isn't the pressing issue right now."

"Did they see you?" Gandalf asked.

"No, they didn't see us," Bella half-shouted.

"What I'd tell you?" Gandalf asked the dwarves, pleased. "Quiet as mice. Excellent burglar material."

Bella growled before she grabbed Dwalin by the ear, eliciting a surprised yelp from the warrior. "What did I establish as the first rule of dealing with me, Master Dwarf?"

"Listen and not ignore," Dwalin answered.

"And that is needed now," Bella snapped. "There is another beast out there, much closer than Azog."

Some of the dwarves shifted uneasily. "Uh, lassie? The ear," Dwalin half-winced.

Half-sheepishly, Bella let go. "Sorry."

"What form did it take?" Gandalf asked. "Like a bear?"

"Yes, . . . ," Bilbo started before stopping abruptly in surprise.

"Yes," Bella agreed. "But much bigger than any bear I've ever seen before."

Bofur stepped in. "You knew about this beast?" he asked Gandalf.

Gandalf turned without an answer.

Bella massaged her temples. At least they'd all had some proper sleep before this.

Fili squeezed her shoulder as Bofur said, "I say we double back."

"And be run down by a pack of orcs?" Thorin asked.

This led to a low rumble of ideas being tossed about. But it wasn't even a half-minute when – "There is a house, not far from here, where we can find refuge," Gandalf said.

"Whose house?" Thorin asked, sounding weary of, or resigned to Gandalf's choice of lodgings. "Are they friend or foe?"

"Neither," Gandalf answered. "He will help us . . . or he will kill us."

Bella shivered as for the first time she saw the wizard look uncertain. She clutched at Fili's hand on her shoulder. She was not really looking forward to this. "Can he be reasoned with?" she asked.

"If kept in a good humor," Gandalf answered, "but he is prone to losing his temper easily."

"Doesn't sound too promising," Fili said. "Man, Dwarf, Elf, Wizard?"

"At times he is a great strong man, and other times he takes on the form of a large black bear. He's a skinchanger."

Bella found her jaw drop. "Might his name be Beorn? I recall Mama telling of a skinchanger that she met during one of her adventures."

Gandalf looked at her in surprise. "Yes, that is the man."

"It's not natural," Dori protested. "None of it. He's under some dark spell."

"He's under no enchantment but his own," Gandalf half-scolded. "And it would seem that we potentially have a slight advantage if Belladonna Baggins did indeed meet our potential host. Possibly even make him willing to tolerate some dwarves."

All the dwarves, save Fili and Thorin, shifted nervously. "What choice do we have?" Thorin asked.

The large bear, Beorn, roared mightily.

"None," Gandalf answered.

"Then we best set off," Thorin said. He and Gandalf took the lead as they headed out.

"So, how did your mother know this Beorn fellow?" Fili asked as they fell in step with their brothers.

"I think that she was traveling with Elrond's twin sons and they helped a fellow caught in an iron bear trap," Bella answered. "She had found it odd that a man would get his hand trapped, at least until that night when it was revealed that the man could change forms. She then got up at dawn to see him change back and see to his wounds."

"So, they parted on good terms?" Kili asked.

"She never said otherwise," Bilbo answered.

"Best save your breath for running," Gloin called. "Those up front are already picking up the pace."

The four nodded as they prepared themselves then started running. Bella had a bad feeling that most of today would be spent running.

Bella breathed heavily as they raced between trees. Her skirts were still slightly damp from splashing through a couple streams about midmorning. It was now roughly noon, and if the growls and baying was any indication, the orcs and wargs had caught their trail. She half-stumbled over a root.

Fili caught her arm, half-lifting her up, nearly dragging her until she regained her feet. Her One was currently enviable. He was running in this midday, summer heat and handling it wonderfully.

For herself however, she had a stitch in her side, sweat stinging her eyes, and her lungs felt empty. Her feet were scratched, stubbed, and poked. She didn't feel like an adventurer right now. She felt like an escaped convict running from her jailors.

She fell behind a little, until she was the last one. Some relief shot through her as she noticed the dwarves were starting down a slight incline. She could use that to her advantage and catch up. She raced a couple steps across a boulder then met emptiness. She didn't have any air left to cry out as she tumbled forward and hit the forest floor. The small amount of breath in her lungs was knocked out as she started rolling down the slight hill. Over the rush of air, cracks of twigs, and crunch of last year's leaves, she thought she heard a great roar echoing through the forest.

She silently cried out as her back collided with something rough and hard. Seconds before the back of her head cracked against a second object. Her vision swam as it darkened. The dwarves, Gandalf, and Bilbo were racing off in the opposite direction. She fought against the encroaching unconsciousness. Fought to fill her lungs enough to catch their attention. But it was in vain. She collapsed fully on the forest floor. The last she saw before she succumbed to darkness was a large black muzzle full of sharp teeth.

Author's Note: Am I evil? Maybe a little. We are officially within the events of the second film now. You'll probably hear more of this within the next one or two chapters, but when dealing with Beorn, I prefer the book to the films.

And in regards to this chapter, since Bella has recognized Fili as her One, just after the debacle with the stone giants, some of the dwarvish magic of Ones is starting to come through. Such as being able to instantly recognize Fili's voice. Another aspect will be further explored next chapter. And yes, next chapter. Please, have some faith that I would not create a character just to kill her before Part Two has even properly started. I'm not that cruel.

So. How do you think the meeting with Beorn will go? Who or what found Bella as she fell unconscious? Any thoughts about say even future Mirkwood chapters? I would love to hear your thoughts and theories. :-)

P.S. Oh, and of these posting, I am nearly to nineteen thousand words. Squee! Even better is my characters helped me figure out how to tie two seemingly separate plotlines together. This is why at most I provide myself with a rough idea and then just let the characters run and have fun. Well, time to "adult" and see about pounding out more words.