Chapter Twenty-nine: Entering Beorn's Home

Bilbo propped himself on his knees as Gandalf called a halt.

"We are safe now," Gandalf said. "I sensed a protective barrier a distance back. I just thought it best to make sure we were out of sight and hearing of our pursuers."

Kili half-collapsed against a nearby tree. "Not fair," he panted. "We already filled our 'running for our lives' quota for the week in the goblin tunnels."

Before Bilbo could comment he noticed Fili sunk to the ground, holding the back of his head in pain. "Fili, you alright? Should I get Oin?"

Fili shook his head, though he winced. "I'll be fine. Must have run into something back there or something. I've experienced worse. I'll be right as rain in a few minutes."

"Come," Thorin called. "We best keep moving if we wish to reach this place before dark."

"Fee," Kili said, "you can lean on me if you need to."

Fili didn't answer, just reached for his brother and allowed himself to be tugged to his feet as Kili wrapped Fili's arm over his shoulders. As they started walking, Kili also wrapped his other arm around Fili's back.

Bilbo followed close after them, keeping a close eye on the hurting dwarf as he tried to locate his sister. She had been falling behind when he last saw her. But he knew that she wouldn't have allowed herself to get left behind if only because she was that stubborn.

But as they left the forest and entered into a field of flowers, Bilbo realized that something was horribly wrong. Even if Bella didn't know that Fili had gotten hurt, she would have searched out the three of them, simply because of how close the four of them were. But, she hadn't appeared, immediately turning into a mother hen upon seeing her One hurt. She wasn't being supported by any of the other dwarves for some injury of her own.

"Wh-where's Bella?" Fili asked. The pain seemed to have lessened for he was no longer trying to protect his eyes from the sunlight and he was walking a little straighter.

"I don't know," Bilbo answered. "I haven't seen her. If it wasn't for the fact that we had just been running for our lives earlier, I would consider this as her possibly paying me back for worrying her so horribly when we escaped the goblins. But, she'd never be that insensitive as to do that." He absently ducked under an oversized honeybee.

"Maybe she's with Gandalf," Fili said, traces of panic in his voice. "She," he swallowed, "she couldn't have fallen back so far. She has to be alright." The last part was whispered so that Bilbo almost didn't catch it.

"I'll go ask him." Bilbo wove through the dwarves. He was confused as he noticed that they were wandering to a stop. Then he was at the front of the line where Gandalf was speaking to Thorin. "Gandalf," Bilbo said, for once not caring about manners, "we can't find Bella."

"What?" Thorin cried.

"When was she last seen?" Gandalf asked.

"I'm not sure," Bilbo answered. "I noticed her falling back a bit as we entered the forest, but I was somewhere in the middle until the end of our run."

"Where is Fili?" Gandalf asked. "We must speak with him."

Word was already passing through the dwarves as they pressed closer so Bilbo voiced his confusion. "How exactly does that help us?"

"Dwarven Ones have a unique trait," Gandalf answered. "Ah, Master Fili, are you alright?"

Fili now only braced himself on his brother's shoulder as he came forward. "Something hit the back of my head while we were running," he answered. "Is Bella–?"

"When did you last see your One?" Gandalf interrupted.

"Um, about halfway through the forest I think," Fili said, confused. "I caught her when she almost tripped."

"Do you recall how you hit your head? And when?" Gandalf asked.

Fili squinted, rubbing his brow as he thought back. "It wasn't a minute after we heard Beorn's roar. Come to think of it, I can't think of how something could have hit the back of my head with the way we were running."

"Have you felt anything else?" Gandalf asked.

"No. Gandalf, what does this have to do with finding my amralime?" Fili demanded.

"I am determining that she is currently safe," Gandalf answered with little patience.

"What?" Bilbo asked. "How can you do that before we find her?"

"Dwarven Ones can sense when the other is alarmed, hurt, or dead," Thorin answered. "Both have to be aware of their connection before it works correctly. Apparently, Bella hit her head and got left behind."

"I-I did momentarily feel as though I got the wind knocked out of me," Fili murmured, now rubbing his chest.

"And you haven't received any sensations that would indicate that Azog has found her," Gandalf said. "Neither have you experienced an abrupt 'healing' nor anything that would indicate that she is permanently lost to us."

"So what are we going to do now?" Kili asked. "Was that place within the protective barrier or is she still in danger of being found by the orcs?"

"The location you mentioned is very close to the barrier," Gandalf said. "So long as she waits for us or follows our trail, if she insists on moving, she should be safe.

"We shall ask our host for help in finding her. Now it is even more imperative that we don't upset him upon introduction. I'd say only one or two at a time. Start coming in once I whistle. Just two at a time, five minutes between each, aside from you, Bombur. He may mistake you for two. It'd be best if you came by yourself, near the end. Bilbo, come with me."

The turnabout in conversation left his head spinning so that he mutely followed after the wizard without protest. Only then did he notice that they were near an open wooden gate in a tall thorn hedge. Shortly after stepping inside, a herd of ponies caught sight of them. The black and white creatures studied them a moment before racing off to a house in the distance.

"They will be alerting him to our approach," Gandalf said.

"Do you honestly think that he'll be willing to help us?" Bilbo asked.

"Beorn may not like dwarves, but he hates orcs," Gandalf answered. "I'm sure that will at least give us opportunity to rest a couple nights and his aid in finding your sister."

Bilbo noted as they approached that there were actually a few smaller buildings in addition to the house. In front of the house stood a man taller than Gandalf in a sleeveless woolen tunic that fell to his knees. His arms and legs were solid muscle, causing Bilbo to tremble a little. The ponies they had seen earlier now pranced around the man.

"Ah, there they are," Beorn said. "They don't look dangerous. Go on." The ponies trotted off as the man took up an axe and chopped a couple logs as Bilbo and Gandalf came closer.

Bilbo glanced at Gandalf and was surprised to see the wizard a touch pale and slightly trembling. "Are you nervous?" he asked quietly.

"Nervous? Me?" Gandalf asked giving a shaky smile. "'Course not."

Bilbo was surprised to see that for all his tricks, Gandalf wasn't a good liar. He'd have to keep that in mind.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" Beorn asked as he stopped his wood chopping once they were closer.

"I am Gandalf, Gandalf the Grey," the wizard answered.

"Never heard of him," Beorn said. "And what is that little fellow?"

"Master Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit of good family and respectable reputation," Gandalf answered.

Bilbo gave a half-bow even as he tried to study their potential host. He claimed to not have heard of Gandalf, yet there had been something that had flashed across his eyes. What was it?

"I am a wizard," Gandalf continued. "I heard of you from my cousin, Radagast the Brown. He lives near the Southern borders of Mirkwood."

Beorn nodded. "I know him. Not a bad fellow as wizards go. Now I know at least who you say you are, but what is your purpose here?"

"Well, to tell you the truth, we've lost our travel packs, nearly our way, a traveling companion, and are in need of help. We had a rather bad time with goblins in the mountains."

"Goblins?" Beorn said. "Why'd you go near them?"

"We didn't mean to. They surprised us as we were settling for the night in a cave on the mountain pass we were traveling from the west." Gandalf released a sigh. "It is a long story."

"Then you had better come inside and tell me of it, so long as it won't take all day," Beorn said. He led the way into the house.

Bilbo was surprised to see a great fire pit in a rather open room. A small bonfire burned merrily, its smoke got trapped in the rafters as it searched out the one hole it could escape through. Then they were on a veranda warmed by the sun and in perfect view of a beautiful flower garden. Gandalf gave him a boost up on a bench before seating himself. A bit of movement in the flowers closest to the roofed porch caught Bilbo's attention.

Gandalf started, "I was journeying through the mountains, attempting to catch up with a friend or two."

"Or two?" Beorn interrupted. "I see only one."

"Oh, I didn't want to bother you with the whole lot of us until I knew we wouldn't be bothering you. I'll give a call if I may."

"Call away," Beorn said.

Gandalf released a long shrill whistle that nearly made Bilbo cover his ears. There was more movement in the flowers and what sounded like a muffled moan.

A moment later Thorin and Dori came from around the house. "Thorin and Dori," Thorin said, "at your service." They swept a bow, not quite in sync.

"One or three, you meant," Beorn said. "And these are not hobbits but dwarves."

"Ah, yes, unfortunately only a small handful of hobbits enjoy long journeys," Gandalf said.

"You best not be up to mischief in my lands," Beorn growled.

"These dwarves are on their way to visit the land of their fathers, east beyond Mirkwood," Gandalf quickly explained amiably. "It is actually quite by accident that we are in your lands at all. We meant to cross by the High Pass which should have brought us to the road that lies south of your country when we fell into the goblin tunnels. As I was about to tell you."

"Well, get on then," Beorn demanded.

"Now, I was meaning to meet up with them, but I heard that there was a run-in with some stone giants during a storm so they took refuge in a cave, this hobbit and several of our companions–"

"Do you call two several?"

"Uh, no. There were more than two."

"Where are they? Killed, eaten, gone home?"

"Well, no. They must not have all come when I whistled. A bit shy I suppose. We thought we might be a bit much to entertain."

Thorin grumbled under his breath.

"Go on," Beorn said. "Whistle again. I'm in for a party I suspect, and one or two more won't make a difference."

Bilbo studied their host again. Yes, he was a bit impolite and gruff, but not nearly what he imagined he would be. Almost as though he was expecting more to be coming.

Gandalf had barely whistled when Nori and Ori came round the corner.

Beorn nearly chuckled! "You came pretty quick. Come my jack-in-the-boxes."

Nori started, "Nori and Ori at your–"

Beorn waved them off. "When I want your help, I'll ask for it. Sit down and let's continue this tale before it's suppertime."

"Everyone had bedded down for the night, but just after everyone had nodded off, a crack appeared in the floor and the two hobbits and entire troop of dwarves tumbled down."

"'Troop'? Are you a traveling circus? Do you call six a troop? And I only see one hobbit."

"Oh, there are more than six, and we'll be getting to the second hobbit in a moment. Ah, here are two more."

Dwalin and Balin had just come around the corner.

Beorn chuckled. "It appears that you have the strong man for your circus. Now, I only want your names and not your service at this time."

"Balin and Dwalin," Balin answered. The two of them then hurried to sit somewhere on the far side.

"Well, on with it," Beorn urged.

Gandalf nodded. "Unfortunately, they were all captured and brought before the Goblin King in the midst of his entire court. For a moment upon my arrival I despaired. What was a dozen against so many?"

"A dozen?" Beorn interrupted. "When did eight become a dozen, unless you have more jacks that've yet to come out of their boxes?"

At that moment, Fili and Kili came round the corner. The blond looked much better. "Fili and Kili," Fili said as the brothers bowed in sync. Fili's eyes flicked toward the very flowers that had caught Bilbo's attention.

"That's enough," Beorn said. "Sit down and be quiet. Go on, Gandalf."

Fili levered himself up beside Bilbo, followed by Kili as the wizard started telling of the nearly three day battle in the tunnels.

"You look better," Bilbo whispered.

Fili nodded a bit. "It faded as we came closer," he whispered back. "It's still there, but more manageable."

"I wonder what that's supposed to mean," Bilbo murmured.

Fili shrugged then the three of them settled in to listen to Gandalf tell the tale.

Bilbo listened with interest as Gandalf recounted the battle fought along the goblin tunnels. He forced himself to stay his tongue when the wizard revealed it was his sister who landed the killing blow to the Goblin King.

"Then finally, we made it out but we were short one, leaving us only fifteen."

"Unless you wizards count differently, this is the first that I have heard one from ten be fifteen."

"Ah, you haven't met Oin and Gloin yet and here they are."

"Oh, come along quickly," Beorn waved the two dwarves over. "Come quick and sit down. Now Master Wizard, this is still twelve in total instead of the needed sixteen. Get on with your tale."

"He knows," Kili whispered. "Is he just using math skills or does he somehow know what Gandalf is doing?"

"But how could he know?" Fili asked.

Bilbo shrugged his shoulders. It was curious. Did it perhaps have something to do with the oddly moving flowers?

Gandalf was already regaling Beorn with the adventure of the landslide and how they managed to get cornered in the fir trees. When the wizard mentioned Azog, the skin-changer became agitated, pacing about, with . . . Bilbo could only describe it as a hateful fear in the giant's eyes. When told of the flaming pinecones, his lips quirked upward.

"Did you manage to hit them?" Beorn asked.

"Several of our number were quite proficient in their aim," Gandalf answered. "I have no doubt that if Azog had only been in range than he would be sporting a burned eye in addition to his lost arm at the very least."

Beorn nodded. "If I'd had been there, I would have torn each warg and orc apart."

"One member of our company did nearly just that in defense of her brother," Gandalf said. "And I was just getting to that-oh. Here are Bifur and Bofur . . . and Bombur."

The final three dwarves came round the corner, Bombur looking quite put out.

"Ah, so there are fifteen of you, with your new missing companion that you mentioned upon our first meeting," Beorn said. "However you just now referred to a female companion and I only see males. Thirteen dwarves and only one hobbit when you mentioned two hobbits."

There was definitely a knowing twinkle in his eye, Bilbo was sure of it. But the question was how? How could Beorn know anything of what Gandalf was sharing?

"Well, get on with the tale," Beorn said. "Perhaps we won't have any further interruptions."

So Gandalf told how Thorin challenged Azog which led to Bilbo defending the fallen dwarf king. This of course led to telling of how Bella had managed to kill the White Warg.

Beorn's brows shot up, and Bilbo was sure it wasn't just because it was a girl who performed the deed.

Gandalf finished the tale with the eagles and the last final run from Azog and his followers. "And that is how we came to be on your doorstep," the wizard said. "I feel that it is of the utmost importance that we have your help in finding and restoring Mistress Baggins to her brother and her One."

"The simplest thing in the world," Beorn said. "Come, little bunny!"

Out from the flowers popped a happy though tired head, adorned with white bandages and a flower crown. "Here I am," Bella said.

"Bella!" Bilbo and the two princes cried together. All three hopped down at once, but it was Fili who reached her first as she stepped out of the flowerbed.

He caught her up and spun her around, laughing in relief.

Bella hugged him tightly, tucking her head on his shoulder as she grinned hugely.

"Brother privileges," Bilbo said, reaching them. He grabbed his sister and held her close. "No broken bones? Everything alright aside from your nasty bump?"

"I'm fine," Bella said, even as Kili wrapped the both of them up in a hug. She chuckled. "I've been warned not to sleep for a couple hours yet, but I'll be fine."

Then the rest of the Company had converged upon them, expressing their relief or asking questions. When Bella wavered on her feet and started wincing a little, Fili stepped in. "Alright," he said, waving his arms in wide sweeps. "Give her some breathing room. No need to ask everything at once."

Bilbo smiled as his sister gave Fili a grateful look. "We do want to know what happened," he said, giving her a side hug.

"Well, let me have a seat in the shade, and I'll tell you," she said.

So Bilbo and Fili led her back to where they had been sitting before. However before either of them could boost her up, Beorn stepped forward and scooped her up like a wee fauntling and set her on the bench. "Thank you, Master Beorn," she said.

"You're welcome, little bunny," Beorn said with a smile.

Bella lightly scowled as she crossed her arms while Bilbo and Fili scrambled up on either side of her. "I'm not entirely sure which I dislike more: Mistress Baggins or little bunny," she said.

Beorn chuckled. "Ever your mother's daughter. Though I'm surprised you didn't reveal who killed the Goblin King and White Warg."

"I prefer not to boast about my kills," she answered. "And, you never asked for the specifics of what happened."

"But we shall ask for any specifics you can give us," Gandalf said. "We were most worried about you."

"And I'll give what I can," Bella said, snuggling into Fili's side while she entwined her fingers with Bilbo's hand in her lap.

Bilbo squeezed, running his thumb over her knuckles as she shared what had happened.

"It was just about that second time we heard Beorn's roar that I misjudged a drop and started rolling head over heels," Bella started. "I finally came to a stop when I ran into a tree and knocked my head against something. I'd gotten my breath shocked out of me so I couldn't call out to you. Then, as I blacked out I saw this black mouth full of teeth coming at me."

"Please, tell me it wasn't a warg," Bilbo said.

"Beorn didn't mention fighting back any wargs," Bella said with a shrug, resisting the urge to nestle even further into her One's side. "When I woke up, I was being carried as though I was no older than a fauntling and this giant's black bearded head was bent over me."

"Hello, little bunny," the giant said. "How are you feeling?"

"Like someone clobbered me over the back of my head," Bella groaned. She squeezed her eyes shut as sunlight hit them. She whimpered as she tried to escape it.

"Easy, little bunny," the man said. "What's the matter?"

"The sun hurts," she said as tears escaped. "I love the sun, so why does it hurt?" A deep shadow tinted with red shielded her eyes.

"The stone sent you into a deep darkness. It will take a time before your eyes welcome the light again. Rest a little, but do not sleep. Return to the darkness too soon and you'll never return to the light again."

Bella closed her eyes with a shuddering sigh. This was not how she imagined adventuring to go.

"Your scent is familiar to me, little bunny," the man said. "Where are you from and where are you headed?"

"I am Bellarosa Baggins, daughter of Belladonna Baggins," she answered. "My brother and I have been traveling with the Company of Thorin Oakenshield. We hope to reach the Lonely Mountain before Durin's Day, the start of the Dwarven New Year. We've traveled with them from the Shire." She stopped, a part of her saying that she shouldn't be saying this much to a stranger that could have been an unusual orc for all she knew.

"Hm. I knew Belladonna Baggins," the man said. "She treated my hand after I got caught in a poacher's metal trap."

Bella reached up, moving his hand away just enough to see his face. "You're Beorn, aren't you?"

"That I am, little bunny."

"We were actually coming to see you, ask that we have a place to stay for a short time to properly rest and recover," Bella said.

"And what has happened in which you need that?" Beorn asked, gently shielding her eyes again.

"It started up in the Misty Mountains on the High Pass," Bella started. "We had departed from Rivendell beforehand, and I'm sure if they knew we'd meet, Elrond's sons would have sent their greetings."

"I am sure. Now, how did you come from the High Pass to my lands?"

So Bella recounted everything. The thunder battle between the stone giants, the shouting match she had with Thorin on her brother's behalf, falling into the Goblin Tunnels and the horrid three days following. The race down the mountainside to get farther from the goblins, realizing that Bilbo wasn't there, then reuniting with him. More running followed by the fearsome council of the wargs before they sent for Azog and then the whole, terrifying mess after the Pale Orc's arrival. Their flight on the eagles, their momentary peace by the stream below the Carrock, and then the dash to Beorn's because Azog and his pack were on their trail again.

During her story, they reached Beorn's house where Beorn gave her creamy, rich milk alongside fresh cheese and honey cakes before he cleaned her cuts and bruises. He wrapped her head to apply a gentle pressure to the painful knot forming on the back of her head and to cover the slight cut that the stone also gave her.

"So, how did this wizard intend to bring all fifteen of you in?" Beorn asked, refilling her giant mug with more cream.

"I don't know," Bella answered with a shrug. "Probably something elaborate and a touch tricksy that will only make sense to him until the plan is already near completion."

"Should I humor him, do you think?" Beorn asked.

"It's your home that's about to be invaded," Bella answered. "Believe me, I know the feeling."

"Ah, before you even left the Shire," Beorn said.

"Yes, but that is a story for another time," Bella said. "Oh, I nearly forgot to mention, we have some furs that we collected on the other side of the mountains that my brother and I hope to make into some winter things. Would it offend you if we were to take opportunity to do so here? If you allow us to stay for a time, of course."

"Little bunnies need help staying warm," Beorn said. "So long as there is nothing from this side of the mountains and do your best to keep the furs from my beasts."

"Thank you, Master Beorn, we will do our best," she answered. "Does this mean that you'll allow us to stay for a time?"

"That I will, little bunny," Beorn said. "It would be best for you to rest a couple days before continuing on with that bump, and if you wish to prepare winter things, this is the safest place you'll find for the rest of your journey. Mirkwood isn't safe enough, and the wood elves are so tense and suspicious because of the darkness. Lake Town and the Lonely Mountain may also be too dangerous and too late to make winter garments."

"On behalf of Thorin's Company, I thank you," Bella said. She turned at the whickering at the door.

Beorn approached and spoke with the black and white ponies standing just outside. A moment later, he turned to her. "It would appear that two members of your company are approaching. If it is indeed, Gandalf the Grey, I shall humor him and play along."

"And where should I be so that they do not suspect too soon?" Bella asked.

"I have a flower field out back. They're large enough to hide the little bunny," Beorn answered.

Bella scowled a little as she raised an eyebrow. "I did give you my name, didn't I?"

"You did."

"Then why do you keep calling me a little bunny?"

"Bellarosa Baggins is too big a name for a little thing like you," Beorn answered with a smile. He grabbed an axe and left before Bella could say another word.

Bella shook her head before she slid down from her stool. She then lightly scampered out the back door, across the veranda, and into the lovely mess of wildflowers. She made herself comfortable, collecting a pile of flowers for flower chains before she had to be still. She had a decent pile by the time she heard Beorn and Gandalf coming out. She settled down as comfortably as she could and started weaving her flowers as Gandalf wove his tale.

"And you know the rest from there," she concluded. "Or at least Bilbo and Gandalf."

"I think the rest of us can guess, lassie," Bofur said. "So, ye managed to secure a place before our wizard did."

"I doubt that I would have considered it if Gandalf hadn't mentioned it," Bella said.

"Oh, ho, you are being a touch generous, Bella," Gandalf said.

"Indeed," Fili said, barely touching a light kiss to her temple. "You sell yourself short, Amralime."

She laughed softly. "Alright, enough flattery. I'm too worn for it to do any good."

"And by the time we finish supper, you'll be safe to sleep, little bunny," Beorn said with a smile.

"You know, 'Bella' is even less of a mouthful than 'little bunny,'" Bella pointed out.

"But it's so cute," Kili said.

Bella narrowed her eyes at him. "Maybe I should ask Beorn to give you a nickname, see how you like it then."

Bilbo chuckled. "Not much of a tame little bunny, are you?" he teased.

"Don't you start," Bella said. She sighed, curling into a loose ball. "My head's starting to ache again."

"Is it the light bothering you?" Fili asked.

"That and keeping up with appropriate comebacks," she answered.

"Well, then just close your eyes and tell me about the flowers you gathered," Fili said.

"And I'll get a couple of the dwarves to help sort out our winter materials," Bilbo said, slipping down.

"I'll show you the side room where you can work on them," Beorn said.

In the end only Bella, Fili, and Ori were left on the veranda. Ori acted as the required chaperone even as he updated the Company's quest journal. Bella quietly talked to Fili, interpreting the secret meanings behind each blossom she had chosen. After that, Fili started teaching her some simple Iglishmek, shaping her hands and fingers before she would open her eyes to study it and commit each symbol to memory.

The sun had fully set even though its light remained when they were called in to supper. There was more creamy milk, cheese, and honey cakes. There was also fresh fruits and vegetables. Soon Bella was pleasantly full and very sleepy. She only vaguely heard Beorn and Gandalf warning them all to remain inside with the doors bolted until dawn. Beorn also mentioned something about going away for a short time, but by then Bella wasn't sure if she was waking or sleeping. She only roused slightly when she was transferred from where she was curled into her melethen's side to a bedroll covering sweet, fresh straw. But she quickly dropped under again as Bilbo settled across from her and Fili laid down at her back.

Author's Note: There. Everyone is safe and sound now. Hope you enjoy my little spin on the magical connection between Ones. May or may not prove helpful even later.

As I said last chapter, I much prefer how the book dealt with introducing Beorn than the films. First off, you don't actually see the introduction unless you watch the extended edition, and no I am not counting the dwarves running from and then slamming the door on bear Beorn's face a meeting. I felt that the movie was very sloppy in portraying Beorn's introduction to the dwarves and of the dwarves. Thus why I went to the effort to rework the conversation from the book. It is also a more fun scene that could have offered more laughs than the facepalm that was Bofur sending them out at random. They passed up the perfect way to remind viewers what happened in the last film, instead we have Gandalf nervously stumbling over the proper address of the Company as a whole while they're stumbling out of the cabin behind him.

Okay, I'll stop ranting there. There's already going to be one in the midst of Mirkwood concerning timelines and believable relationship building. I'll spare your "ears" from the bones to pick I've developed.

NaNoWriMo update. Little more than a hundred words away from forty-five thousand words. Wait, you may say, isn't the challenge fifty thousand words? That means you're nearly done and the month is barely halfway through. True, I answer. However, ever since my first NaNo victory, with this story actually, I managed fifty thousand words in two weeks because I started late. Since then, in the back of my mind, I've known there was the possibility that I could double that word count if I had the time and determination. So, that is my personal goal. Will I actually make it in time? I don't know. But I'm going to be trying. And this is actually the perfect story to attempt that challenge on. It's looking like when I hit fifty thousand I'll be just short of halfway through my outline, and that's if the characters don't send me down a rabbit hole I never planned for.

Shifting gears again. Any thoughts as to what will happen at Beorn's? Anything you might be hoping to see? I would love to hear from you. Until next time.