The Half-Blood Prince 2 Chapter 1
Agathon fingers the inscription on his bow. The same exact one his mother had gifted him decades ago.
Yes, she was right. As he has proven over and discovered over the years there is far more to him than meets the eye.
All the knowledge and skills he has amassed has been put to the test a lot lately ever since he left Rivendell with Gandalf to join a Company of Thirteen.
For one thing Agathon finally came face to face with his hated father Azog the Defiler.
Speaking of which…
Agathon sits there impassive beside Stardust as they and the rest of them wait for word from Bilbo once he returns from his scouting mission.
Deeply unsettled, sensing imminent danger closing in, Stardust snorts pawing the earth.
Patting and stroking Stardust's neck to calm him, Agathon said "Hush, easy now, my friend. Steady."
Stardust tosses his head up, but did quiet. Agathon can understand his mounts reluctance to stay still like this. He, too, wants to get moving soon.
But Agathon would rather not have the whistle blown on them again so soon. Better it be in a location where they have the advantage instead of the enemy.
After the Eagles had left them the Company didn't have as much time to rest as they first thought. In fact they barely had a day to rest and recover before Azog caught up to them and they were stuck running like hell for their lives again. At some point the group is required to stop to pinpoint how close the Warg Pack is to them which is exactly the assignment Bilbo was given. This is where a Hobbits natural talent to move around unseen to most definitely comes in useful. Stealth is extremely paramount. Nothing else can save them until they get to a safe haven.
Everyone else is left to speculate until his report is brought in.
The atmosphere surrounding them is grim and eerie for the telltale barks and howls from multiple Wargs are carried to them on the early morning air.
Not long after his departure Bilbo returned to them whole and unharmed. But the news he brought with him is both good and bad. The majority of the information being highly negative for them.
Breathing heavily Bilbo entered their hiding place concealed in a tight cluster of boulders.
"How close is the pack," said Thorin, getting right down to it.
"Too close. A couple of leagues, no more," says Bilbo. "But that's not the worst of it."
"Have the Wargs picked up our scent," said Dwalin.
"Not yet," said Bilbo, struggling to catch his breath. "But they will do. We have another problem."
"Did they see you," said Gandalf, keenly.
Puzzled, Bilbo said "What?"
"Did they see you," said Gandalf, alarmed.
Shaking his head, Bilbo said "No, that's not it."
Smiling smugly at the Company, Gandalf said "What did I tell you? Quiet as a mouse. Excellent burglar material."
The Dwarves began to murmur praises to Bilbo given they doubted his skills before this quest even officially started in the first place.
Flabbergasted that they're all getting off topic, Bilbo said "Will you listen? Will you just listen?! I'm trying to tell you there is something else out there."
Already suspecting the identity of this new beast, Gandalf asks "What form did it take? Like a bear?"
Agathon's head instantly snaps toward Gandalf in rising suspicion. The old man knows something that he's not telling.
"Y-Yes, but bigger. Much bigger," stammered Bilbo.
Eyes wide in disbelief, Bofur accused "You knew about this beast?"
The only answer Gandalf provides is turning his back and staring grimly ahead.
"I say we double back," suggests Bofur.
"And be run down by a pack of Orcs," scowled Thorin in reproach.
"There is a house," said Gandalf. "It's not far from here, where we might, uh, take refuge."
"Whose house," said Thorin. The last time Gandalf pulled a stunt like this the Company ended up at Rivendell. This time Thorin refuses to be caught off guard unprepared. "Are they friend or foe."
Exhaling, Gandalf said "Neither. He will help us or…he will kill us."
Oh yeah, that's encouraging.
Rolling his eyes, Thorin said "What choice do we have?"
None that's what.
A booming roar echoes in the distance that causes Bilbo and the Dwarves to jump. One that doesn't belong to any Orc or Warg.
"None," said Gandalf.
Being a hunter Agathon immediately can identify it as belonging to a bear.
Glaring at Gandalf, Agathon said "Friend of yours, Gandalf?"
You've got to be kidding me!
The entire group was thrown into the thick of it and the sun was barely even up yet. With Azog hot on their tails none of them were able to stop.
Gandalf led the nonstop charge over the landscape with Agathon taking up the rear on Stardust to cover their backs in case they were ambushed.
"Run," bellowed Gandalf.
Almost there a spine chilling roar made them skid to a grinding halt. The bear is close by, dangerously close, and it sounds angry.
This beast seemed to deter the Orcs, but the Company must continue and risk getting mauled to death.
"This way! Quickly," shouts Gandalf.
"Run," commanded Thorin.
Bombur was frozen in terror staring back in the way they came. It took Thorin smacking him to snap him out of it.
Finally the Company could see the house in the middle of an open field. A large hut on a homestead surrounded by trees, a foliage fence, and a barn.
"Run," yells Gandalf.
Bombur is surprisingly fast for a Dwarf of his girth and stature with the right type of incentive. He complete outrun the others as they book it towards the house.
The beast is nearly upon them breaking out of the thicket as they made it to the houses boundary. One problem is that the door was locked. The Dwarves were so scared they didn't think to undo the latch instead of Thorin. It's tight squeeze with Stardust and Agathon, but they all made it inside with not a moment to spare.
The beast slammed into the door just as they began to close it. It took the combined strength of the Dwarves and Agathon to secure it this time.
Gandalf owes them an explanation.
"What is that," pants Ori.
"That is our host," said Gandalf.
All at once everyone present turned to look at Gandalf in different stages of unnerved.
Agathon took Stardust where there was fresh hay and a trough of water with some livestock animals. Stardust deserves a good long rubdown. He then starts giving the buck one.
"His name is Beorn. And he's a Skin-Changer," said Gandalf, mysteriously. "Sometimes he's a huge black bear. Sometimes he's a great strong man. The bear is unpredictable, but the man can be reasoned with. However, he is not overfond of Dwarves and despises Orcs."
Ear pressed to the door, Ori announced "He's leaving."
Pulling Ori away and boxing his ear, Dori said "Come away from there. It's not natural. None of it! It's obvious. He's under some dark spell."
Offended on Beorns behalf, Gandalf rebuked "Don't be a fool. He's under no enchantment but his own." He then removed his hat the beginning sign of settling in and bunking down. "All right, now, get some sleep. All of you. You'll be safe here tonight." The next part he said under his breath so no one else can hear. This shows that even he has doubts. "I think."
The Valinor save them should this turn nasty.
Authors Note:
Hope you all enjoyed this one and had a Happy Easter this year! ;D
Mine was actually quite enjoyable. I've been looking for an occasion for my boyfriend to meet more relatives in my family and the brunch that was had for my mother's side of the family was the perfect occasion. The reception was really good. I was actually kind of worried for a little while because one of my cousins kind of acted like he was going to get into the protective big brother routine on my boyfriend. Luckily and much to my sanity he did not. We laughed about it afterwards when the late morning brunch was over and done with. All in all it was a big success. We both were met with very good reception during that joyous holiday this past weekend with them.
How do you guys think Beorn will react to having someone like Agathon in his house?
Next one will be much more interesting, I promise.
Also, would you say Agathon would be older or younger than Bolg?