There was a distinct murmur in the air, rousing me from sleep though I could feel someone also shaking my shoulder. "Wake up, wake up lass." It was Bofur, softly calling to me so I opened my eyes and quickly sat up, the blanket falling from around me as I instinctively went for a weapon beside me. "It's here, the skin-changer is back but it's not a bear anymore, come see!" With his hand taking mine I was pulled to my feet, lengths of straw jutting from my hair as I was pulled towards the front door where the dwarves were considering leaving through the back door and making a run for their lives however Mithrandir held firm.
"There is no use in arguing. We will not be able to pass through the forest without Beorn's help. We will be hunted down before we even get to the forest." He informed the now silent dwarves as Bilbo finally awoke from sleep and edged his way closer, catching Mithrandir's eye. "Ah Bilbo, there you are. Now this will require some delicate handling, we must tread very carefully as the last person to have startled him was torn to shreds." A shiver ran down my spine as I stood behind the company, separated from them. "I will go first and Bilbo, you come with me." My hand reached towards the hobbit as he began to stutter, giving him a gentle squeeze of his shoulder before he then moved towards the wizard.
"Is-is-is this a good idea?"
"Yes, the rest of you just wait here and don't come out until I give the signal." Mithrandir warned before then seeing me standing back from the others with a calm expression. "Come to think of it, perhaps you had better come with me also, my lady, Beorn may be more willing to accommodate someone such as you and your charms are in no way lacking. Come, come." He urged so I gently slipped between the dwarves, coming to his side and Bilbo anchored himself next to me, noises jumping from his throat nervously. "Now, do not make any sudden movements or loud noises and don't overcrowd him. Only come out in pairs." Mithrandir reiterated to be sure that everyone knew what to do, however as he started to turn he paused, looking to Bombur. "No actually Bombur, you count as two so you should come out alone." He suggested and the largest dwarf nodded his head. "Remember, wait for the signal."
Dipping my head to the others I touched my heart before then turning my hand outward to them in a polite gesture before following after Mithrandir and Bilbo, walking so that the hobbit was between us. I was unarmed and it made me feel greatly exposed as I finally laid eyes upon the other form that the skin-changer took. He was indeed a great man, taller than anyone I had ever seen with strong arms that split the wood with a single strike. As we walked, my eyes became misty white to reveal a great many things about Beorn, including his past and our immediate future. It brought me comfort so I was able to fall into a sense of ease. "You're nervous." Bilbo suddenly accused to Mithrandir who jolted slightly, his tongue twittering helplessly as then then tried to deny the truth.
"Nervous? What nonsense." A smirk of amusement crept upon my lips as I glanced his way, arching an eyebrow before I then turned to face Beorn as Mithrandir called to him. "Good morning!" The skin-changer swung his axe as if he heard nothing, slicing through the wood with his large axe. "Good morning?" Finally Beorn stopped, gripping his wood axe tightly with both hands as he turned his head slightly, revealing a bushy mane of hair and brows as he spoke with a rumbling tone.
"Who are you?"
"I am Gandalf, Gandalf the Grey." My good friend introduced himself before bowing his head slowly and respectfully as the great man turned himself around to look upon us properly, eyes full of suspicion.
"Never heard of him." Considering the way Beorn was looking upon us as if he wanted nothing more than to cut us in half like his firewood, I would suspect that this is not at all going well and Bilbo appeared to feel the same as he had already hidden himself behind Mithrandir.
"I am a wizard. Perhaps you have heard of my colleague Radagast the Brown, he resides in the southern borders of Mirkwood." Mirkwood, Mithrandir had mentioned this name before and it was unfamiliar to me, yet the only place that I could understand to be called such a name was Greenwood, so what had happened to my beautiful home?
"What do you want?" To his credit, Mithrandir never showed that he was nervous and indeed a little frightened by this skin-changer, his voice remaining polite and engaging as he answered Beorn's questions.
"Simply to thank you for your hospitality. You may have noticed that we had taken refuge in your lodgings here last night." He informed but when Mithrandir gestured backwards he revealed Bilbo's presence, causing Beorn to twitch and growl further, demanding to know who both I and Bilbo were. "Ah, this would be Mr Baggins of the Shire and the Lady Asta Eleniel of…many places." Mithrandir decided so I made the same gesture as before with my hand, bowing my head but Beorn was focused upon Bilbo, turning his axe in his hands to hold it more defensively.
"He is not a dwarf is he?"
"Oh no, no he is a hobbit. Good family and unimpeachable reputation." Satisfied that Bilbo was not in fact a dwarf Beorn lifted his head, eyes glancing across to me as I did not move a single muscle.
"A Halfling, an elf and a wizard. Why are you here?" He questioned and Mithrandir continued to speak for us.
"Oh well, the fact is that we've had a bad time of late. From goblins in the mountains."
"What did you go near goblins for? Stupid thing to do." A small chuckle escaped me at his bluntness, finding his forthright manner very humorous and the noise made his head jerk towards me as Mithrandir froze, shooting me a firm look before he lifted his hand to agree with Beorn, attempting to swiftly continue the conversation.
"You are absolutely right." As he made the hand gesture I heard Bofur call from inside, sending out the first two of the dwarvern company, making me exhale and close my eyes. It was too soon, we were not yet ready for the others to reveal themselves but now it was too late. The first to appear were Dwalin and Balin, both of whom did their best to look unafraid as they introduced themselves, Beorn once more holding his axe upright ready to swing at us. "I…I must confess several of our group are in fact…dwarves."
"Do you call two several?" Beorn growled deeply, apprehensive gaze searching for more. Now stuttering, Mithrandir searched for a diplomatic way to answer Beorn's question though as he counted off his fingers, Bofur once more sent more out. Next came Oin and Gloin, both of whom bowed deeply to Beorn and Mithrandir gave an uneasy laugh.
"Ah! And here are more of our happy troupe."
"Do you call six a troupe?" Beorn's voice rose, becoming increasingly agitated as Mithrandir began to lose his nerve. "What are you, a travelling circus?" Mithrandir shrugged his hand laughingly, another signal that Bofur mistook and so out came Ori and Dori, the latter introducing himself at Beorn's service. "I don't want your service."
"Absolutely understandable." Another gesture accidentally brought out Fili and Kili, which meant by this point I was barely containing my laughter, my shoulders shaking with mirth at the humorousness of it all. It was quite comical. "Oh! Fili and Kili, I had quite forgotten." Next came stumbling four of the final five as Mithrandir spoke with fading enthusiasm. "Yes and here are Nori, Bofur, Bifur…and Bombur."
"Is that it? Are there any more?" I turned my head, looking towards Thorin Oakenshield as he emerged, looking quite calm and unafraid as he met the gaze of Beorn evenly even though the skin-changer looked as if he wanted to split open their skulls. "You bring thirteen dwarves into my home…Grey Wizard?" The utter loathing and rage in his voice made Mithrandir begin to retreat back a few steps, drawing Bilbo with him as parts of the giant man's body began to shift, his teeth bared in short grunting growls.
"We come bearing no ill will towards you or your animals, good Beorn." I spoke finally and instantly the sound of my voice made him stop, focusing his attention upon me as Mithrandir halted, eyes snapping to my back as I moved to stand in front of everyone and raise my arm in order to offer myself as their shield and took charge of relations. "Our presence here is uninvited and presumptuous, so we all apologise deeply for the inconvenience and our rudeness. We only seek shelter and rest for we have travelled many days upon foot with very little food or sleep. You have our deepest thanks for sheltering us this past night." Bowing my head to him I placed my hand over my heart just as several birds came chirping from the trees, fluttering around me before landing upon my shoulders and several dogs came barking forwards, racing around my legs and rubbing their faces against me as I suddenly beamed, lowering myself down and laughing as they all fought to leap into my arms.
"You have nice manners, she-elf." Beorn mused quietly as he then looked behind to the dwarves. "Can you give me your word that these dwarves can be trusted?" Looking back over my shoulder I looked to each of them in turn, silently questioning myself before I returned my gaze to the tall and muscular man.
"Yes. You have my word, they intend no harm. We come in nothing but peace upon your threshold, noble herder." This seemed to satisfy Beorn as he nodded his head and put down his axe, earning a collective sigh from the company as he walked forwards and held out his large hand towards me.
"Then you are welcome at my table. If you have not eaten for some time then you must be hungry. You may share in whatever I have to offer, elf maid of many places." As he spoke I took the offered hand and he politely helped me to my feet before leading me back inside. Although his words were directed towards me it was implied that the offer was open to all so as Beorn escorted me back into his hut I made a soft gesture of my hand, inviting the others to follow. The table and chairs were of course made to fit Beorn's size so some had trouble climbing up however they all managed eventually where the animals brought large mugs and huge dishes of various foods, all of them natural and sweet tasting whilst Beorn poured us each a large portion of creamy milk which was refreshing to drink. Bilbo sat at my side, looking around him rather nervously so I encouraged him to eat some honeycomb and bread to settle his nerves as Beorn continued his rounds. "So you are the one they call Oakenshield." The skin-changer mused in a calmer voice as he continued around the table, eyes fixing upon Thorin. "Tell me. Why is Azog the Defiler hunting you?"
"You know of Azog? How?" Upon the dwarf king's question I looked up, silently imploring him to retract his question as such history was painful and fresh to Beorn and would no doubt cause him agony to think upon it, but it was too late.
"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 some he enslaved. Not for work, you understand but for sport. Caging skin-changers and torturing them seemed to amuse him." My lips pressed together firmly in a hard line, momentarily losing my appetite so I turned away from my food and drink but as I pushed it away to leave, Beorn's large hand touched my shoulder and pushed the food back towards me. "You must eat." His words were kindly meant as several birds picked up various fruits and food items to deposit them upon my plate, encouraging me with their sweet birdsong to restore my strength so I ate a little at first, but then the sweetness settled my stomach and I found I could eat a little more.
"There are others like you?"
"Once there were many. Now there is only one." The sadness of memory hung in the air as I watched Beorn distantly, wondering just how lonely he must feel with his family killed and only the animals here to keep him company. I could understand the isolation somewhat, but it greatly outweighed any reality I had faced. Losing my mother had been hard enough yet Beorn had lost everyone. That kind of pain does not compare. "You need to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn. Before Durin's Day falls."
"Yes." Thorin answered, sitting a little straighter as Beorn took a seat.
"You are running out of time."
"Which is why we must go through Mirkwood." Mithrandir reasoned and instantly I lifted my head.
"What is this Mirkwood you speak of Mithrandir?" I finally asked him in my lilting voice. "You do not mean to say that my home is…" I trailed off, not even able to speak the words.
"A darkness lies upon that forest. Fell things creep beneath those trees. There is an alliance between the Orcs of Moria and the Necromancer in Dol Guldur." Dol Guldur…Necromancer…I felt as if I should know these places, almost as if I have been there before. The mere names were enough to chill my blood as I gripped onto the table tightly, thinking of shadows and distant voices from within a void of darkness. "I would not venture there except in great need."
"We will take the Elven Road. That path is still safe."
"Safe? The Wood Elves of Mirkwood are not like their kin. They're less wise and more dangerous." This caught my attention and I almost protested in defence of the people who had saved my life all those years ago but a quick look from Mithrandir told me to be silent as he continued in discussion with Beorn. "But it matters not."
"What do you mean?"
"These lands are crawling with Orcs. Their numbers are growing and you are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive." Rising to his feet Beorn then turned towards Thorin, a grim expression upon his face. "I don't like Dwarves. They're greedy and blind. Blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own." I watched in trepidation, seeing that these words irked Thorin somewhat. "But Orcs I hate more. What do you need?" Finally I allowed myself to relax, leaning back against my chair. The Greenwood was sick, I had noted something of an illness within the forest when I was younger, but then it had seemed like a very small thing.
Pushing myself down from the table I moved quickly to leave the hut, going out into the garden and into a large field of flowers were I sat myself down and attempted to think. My beloved home was in danger and yet no one had thought to tell me. What reason would Elrond have for keeping me in such darkness? Legolas also, he has not written to me in decades though I continued to write to Thranduil as I knew that I would never receive answers from him. A long time ago I had been counselled to cease in my correspondence with the man I had called my father as I was giving myself only false hope and greater pain but I did not heed them. No matter how long the silence, I still clung to the memories of those years in the golden woods where voices sang my lullaby to soothe my fearful mind and the great Elven King would carry me wrapped in his own robes, allowing me to sleep upon his shoulder after reading books together.
Although I loved Elrond perhaps as a second father figure or uncle, Thranduil was the first to draw me into his household and teach me the foundations of everything that I have learned. I loved him as my father, the first that I ever knew, yet he has pushed me further and further away until now there is so much distance that I do not even know how he felt anymore. Perhaps he simply does not care for me like he used to but I refused to give in until I have my answers. The quest shall lead us through Greenwood, or Mirkwood as I should call it now, perhaps I can leave the company for a short while to seek out my former kin to demand the answers I sought. For too long I had been too closely sheltered and guarded, protected from even the smallest thing that might have brought me sadness, but no more. No matter the pain or the cost, I shall seek out the truth myself. "Is everything alright Lady Asta?" Bilbo's sweet voice sounded behind me so I turned my head to see that he had sought me out with a concerned expression and as I was roused from my contemplation I found that my hands had naturally began to untangle my hair as my deep thoughts had carried me away.
"Somewhat, dear Bilbo. I learn every day just how ignorant I am to this world. My old home is dying and I knew nothing of it. I am almost afraid to return to a place that I will not recognise as it will distort the memories that I have carried with me and cherished for so many years." I admitted, removing the silver clasps in my hair to then begin untangling the braids just for something to do. A means to occupy myself in a meagre distraction.
"Here, I noticed this falling out of your travel pouch." Kindly Bilbo produced my silver comb and I smiled, running my fingers over the metalwork. "May I…may I brush your hair for you?" His question took me by surprise, turning my head to look at him strangely at the request. "I apologise, it is just you look deeply troubled and I find that having someone groom one's hair is always calming and there are many knots and tangles that you may not be able to find them all, as well as straw." Chuckling softly I said nothing but dipped my head in acceptance, handing my comb over to him so that the hobbit might take charge of my hair.
Bilbo began to carefully and tentatively comb through my long hair, starting from the bottom and working his way upwards through my long tresses as they curled at the ends, removing straw and leaves as he went. Indeed Bilbo was right, I found all thoughts tumble away as he combed through my hair before then beginning to weave it for me, his fingers nimble yet extremely tender, the gentle pulls and feeling of someone's hands running through my hair and massaging my head easing away my worries until I was utterly entranced by the peace. For the longest time Bilbo simply played and fiddled with the lengthy locks of my hair, though he seemed to struggle for ideas as how to arrange it and he changed his mind occasionally, brushing out any plaits before starting again. We took so long that eventually the others began searching for us. "There they are! Bilbo, what are you doing?" Fili questioned as he, Kili and several others appeared from within the hut and Bilbo looked around.
"Oh, I was just trying to help Miss Asta with her hair. I've never done much more than brushing though but I think I'm getting the hang of things." He said however as I reached up and touched the uneven and rather bulky mass of braids, I could not help but giggle.
"I appreciate your help, dear Bilbo." I said to him however Kili had already seized the comb and the brothers began to undo the slight mess.
"We'll show you how it's properly done Bilbo, if there's one thing a dwarf knows it's how to maintain a good appearance. Here, I even have some beeswax with me." I blinked, a little startled as the both of them took control and soon enough they were beginning to work together upon my tresses, my eyes darting to Bilbo who frowned before then nodding his head, watching as the artistry began to take shape with a keen interest as he took a seat beside me and began to absently pick flowers from around him and weave them together into a crown without even paying much heed to what he was doing.
"What are you lads doing to the poor lass?" Oin questioned as he came out next, flattened trumpet against his ear.
"Asta needed someone to braid her hair, Oin." Kili answered, grinning broadly. "It was in such a state, her pointy eared kin would have been ashamed to see it in such a way."
"Eh? Flayed the mare? What are you talking about now?" He demanded as he reached us whereby he then could see what was happening. "Oh I see. Be gentle, gentle! You're tugging too hard, here let me show you." Soon there was a squabble, Kili and Fili protesting as I felt my hair being tugged in several directions so I bit down upon my lip, uncertain of what to do yet it became worse. Hearing the commotion, Bofur and Bifur also came out from the hut and soon joined in, many hands joining as I sat in a tense stiffness, feeling several sharp tugs and pulls as everyone wanted to join in with the entertainment of my locks. Bilbo and I exchanged a rather befuddled and slightly concerned look with one another, and I began to fear that I may not have any hair left by the end of this.
Next came Ori and Nori who gave their own suggestions until eventually there was a large crowd around me with Bilbo trying to calm everyone down and push his way through to see that I was alright the more rowdy and rambunctious everyone became. The loudness of the dwarves was slightly alarming but then all at once they suddenly pulled back and I winced slightly, almost expecting them to begin fighting however when they were silent I opened my eyes. "Not bad, not bad at all." Bofur mused with his brother Bifur nodding in agreement, with words in Khuzdul passing his lips.
"Aye, have to say it looks rather good." Kili and Fili agreed as I slowly began to touch my hair. They had pulled back the hair upon the crown of my head and I felt it ran down my back in a thick rope of at least six strands, chunky yet well done as the rest of my hair fell free and loose down my back with sections at the front woven into the centre braid, each of them in dwarvern style with the numerous strands with twin ropes falling over my ears, the beeswax keeping them from uncoiling as the rather ornate and complicated design kept my hair from falling into my face. Despite the complicated weave, it felt comfortable upon my head with nothing so much as twinging from tightness, and I marvelled at their skill at being able to so quickly tame my hair despite so many hands having accomplished different sections. It seemed to me that no matter what the task, dwarves always worked best when together. "So, what do you think lass?"
"I rather like it." I admitted, smiling broadly as I rose to my feet whilst still using my fingers to gently map out the plaits and design. They had used all of my hair claps both to tie off the ends and for decoration, one of them clasped around the rope braid which now hung prettily over my right ear. "It never ceases to amaze me how dwarves can work together so effortlessly despite the arguments. You truly are remarkable, each and every one of you." They had even added flowers from the meadow into their work, so a light and sweet scent followed me as Bilbo blushingly lifted up the flower crown he had made and placed it upon my head. It was well made and I could not help but beam appreciatively as the others all nodded in approval, giving me compliments to my appearance and teasing Bilbo for having hidden his talent for flower weaving.
"It was no bother, right lads?" Bofur prompted in answer to my thanks and the others all murmured their answers, shrugging a little bashfully whilst Bilbo flushed an even deeper shade of crimson as I reached down and kissed his cheek in gratitude for his gift. I then found myself looking towards Bifur who was speaking in Khuzdul, pounding a fist against his chest so I turned and leaned forwards a little, attempting to understand what he was saying as he was also using his hands to make gestures at me, aiding me in comprehending his meaning.
"Was it you who made this braid for me?" I asked him, reaching back behind my ear to find a loose weave that hung down my back, drawing it forwards and he blinked in surprise that I had actually spoken to him. He answered in his own tongue, unable to use any other so I smiled. "Then I thank you. It is different from the others, you used five strands instead of six and you also added one of your own clasps to it." I could see the dark metal rimmed with silver and patterned with gold in a typical dwarfish design but I found it rather striking. "Thank you, it is beautiful." He answered with a firm nod of his head, animated by my conversation and he continued to speak, making hand gestures and I slowly began to understand him as I sat back down on the ground, listening and nodding as the others watched on in awe. "Yes I understand, you made it yourself? It is fine craftsmanship, very different to elven make. Oh! You are a toymaker too?"
"How is she able to understand him?" Ori questioned in a whisper as I continued to watch Bifur's hand gestures and listened to the words he spoke as he had also brought out a few carvings he carried around with him. I had seen him carving back in Imladris in the evenings, creating many a wonderful thing with deft fingers and now that I could see them in closer detail, I found them all delightful. Some of the words which Bifur spoke were somewhat translatable and although occasionally it took me a while to understand him, I learned specific hand motions swiftly enough. He was smiling brightly at me, looking overjoyed to have someone other than his kin to understand him as Bilbo frowned deeply in confusion at the two of us.
Eventually the others joined our conversation and I began to learn of them individually such as the instruments they played and the trade that they worked before they had joined Thorin upon his quest. When they asked me questions, I answered them also until there were jokes filling the air and much laughter was to be had. As the rambunctious crowd gathered close, I felt the gaze of someone watching us so I turned towards the house and saw Thorin Oakenshield standing there, his eyes observing carefully. I almost called out to him and offer he join us but something stayed my tongue. By his expression, he looked peaceful enough simply standing at a distance without entering the fray and I do believe that was where he wanted to stay, so I closed my mouth again.
Soon there was music and dancing and my hands were gripped by Bofur who drew me to my feet, a laugh escaping me as I was drawn into a dance which I quickly learned, looping my arms through Bofur's and then Bifur's before Ori was then pushed into the circle by Kili, a look of alarm on his young features before I caught him with a steady hand, dancing around him with our arms locked until he found his feet once more. "Bilbo! Dance with us my dear friend!" I cried out with lightened voice, grasping Bilbo's hands and ignored his protests, making him gallop up and down with me before spinning him around, guiding him through the steps as clarinets, drums and flutes played for a merry tune that had my heart soaring freely into the skies, a multitude of smiles surrounding me as I danced to my heart's content.