Bofur fell out of the door to their cottage and into a tree. He grunted and straightened himself, looking up to lay eyes on an irritated Fili who gestured to the kids. "Sorry." he apologized meekly, raising his hands defensively. "Thorin said they've finished making food."
"But Fili's telling us a story!" The little boy exclaimed with a pout.
Bofur raised his eyebrows in interest. "Really?"
Fili scoffed. "I'm literally being bullied by everyone that comes outside."
"No, it's good lad. I'm sure Balin is impressed." The aging advisor held up a hand and nodded. "Maybe create a career out of storytelling."
"That's what I said!"
"Come inside. I'm sure Thorin will want to listen."
Kili exited Beorn's house, having thankfully not managed to capture the attention of anyone when he opened the door and slipped out, looking around for the stables. He spotted a small wooden shack in the garden and hesitantly made his way over.
"Ah, here he is! Just the dwarf I was waiting for." Gandalf greeted, widening his arms when Kili entered the stall and looked at the wizard questioningly.
"Him?" The skin-changer asked, raising an eyebrow whilst he scoffed. "Why did you want me to meet him? He's nothing special." Kili, feeling quite offended, hopped onto the fence with a silent huff and pulled his knees to his chest whilst he watched the two converse.
"Remember earlier when you said you would make exceptions for one dwarf, Akim?" Gandalf asked, Beorn nodding in response. "I give you Akim." He pointed to Kili with a smile. Beorn stared at the dwarf before he laughed a low and lengthy laugh.
"Him? He is barely of age, and he's a mute! I would hardly class him as legend material." Kili cocked his head, willing for the skin changer to continue with the insults. "He barely has a stubble! It is impossible for that..." Beorn pointed to Kili with a breathy snicker "to have killed more Barlogs than any other being in the whole of Middle-Earth!" Kili blew a lock of dark hair from where he felt it itching his eye as Beorn continued to ridicule. All Kili could do was watch and contemplate in his head how in mahal's name he could convince the half bear that Gandalf was telling the truth.
"It surprised me too!" Gandalf exclaimed. Kili smiled in amusement at how nervous he could tell the skin-changer made Gandalf. It was as though the wizard thought that Beorn would lash out at him any second. "Honest! But it is the truth, that is all that I can tell you."
Beorn chuckled mockingly. "I don't believe you." An idea suddenly struck Kili when he noticed the scar bearing Beorn's left hand and he grinned slightly, jumping down with a thud from the fence and he gestured for the two to stay put whilst he went and got something. He had left his weapons by the door, and as he rummaged through the pile, creating a cacophony of metal clanking together and weapons falling to the floor, he found the sword that he was after inconveniently at the very bottom. He grabbed the hilt, listening to it scrape as the blade exited the pile and flipped it over like a pancake with practised fingers in his right hand. Inside the blade of the sword there was a green liquid, which Kili had stolen and used to kill an incredible amount of creatures because it was poison.
As he re-entered the stables Gandalf and Beorn abruptly ended the conversation that they had been having before Kili held out the blade for the latter to observe. The skin-changer only eyed it skeptically, unsure what he was looking at so he turned his now questioning and maybe a little curious gaze to the dwarf.
"What's this?"
Kili pointed a finger to the blood stain marking the hilt, and Beorn surprisingly heard the gasp that escaped his lips.
Staring up at the two Barlogs that were glaring daggers at him who he generally thought were going to kill him in that very moment, all he could think about was how much his life sucked. Too many years had he spent captured on the outskirts of the arena, and too many times had he watched death occur with absolutely nothing he could do to stop it. Now he closed his eyes, accepting his fate as one of the evil that towered highly above him brought down it's fiery whip with a roar, but he didn't need to. A figure rammed his body into the skin-changer, knocking him out of the way from the fatal blow although the air was pounded out of his lungs as he fell to the ground.
He coughed, looked up and watched in pure amazement as a hooded figure grabbed the end of the Barlog's whip and swung it around with rage, forcing it to cut into the neck of the monster. It was a rather stupid move, for now Kili had some burns on his hands, but nonetheless Beorn's mouth was dropped open in awe. Kili pulled out a sharp sword from his sheath and ran behind the foot of the Barlog, stabbing it into the thick ankle, causing a mix between a squeal and an angry roar and it stumbled back, nearly standing on the dwarf who quickly used his agile body to dodge and jump, climbing up the leg of the Barlog by using the many dents that littered its brown skin like a ladder.
He made it onto the shoulder and smiled slyly, digging the blade into the side of it's head. The poison rushed into its body immediately, causing it to collapse and ram into the other one as it fell sideways. Kili jumped onto the head of the other monster, using the same tactic with the sword but instead this time he dug it into the top of it's head as it fell and he rolled away. Once he landed on his feet he turned around and huffed, staring in satisfaction at the two dead enemies.
Beorn sat up in shock at what had just happened. He had seen Akim fight before in the arena, but those visions had only been glimpses. The hooded figure trotted over to him. Beorn squinted to try and see his face, but all he could make out was a fleck of raven hair.
"Are you hurt?" A smooth voice, that of a young dwarf asked. Beorn shook his head, seemingly still a little shaken.
"Not really. Uh...thank you." He offered. The figure nodded in response, moving to retrieve his sword that had fallen from his clutches when he had rolled away and it had landed by the stunned skin-changer. Beorn politely picked it up with blood stained hands by the blade carelessly, as his eyes were still staring at the being in front of him, and the sharpness immediately sunk into his flesh. He dropped the sword quickly, cursing himself in his mind before picking it up by the proper haft, caking the hilt in blood and he quickly dropped it again. Kili watched in amusement. "I'm so sorry." He stated, berating himself for the idiotic behaviour that he would never pull off unless he was nervous.
The legend closed his eyes in embarrassment for the poor guy but gave a short, hearty laugh, though he found himself frowning at the state of the hilt.
"It's fine." he answered reassuringly. "You should go and see the healers." Beorn nodded in agreement. His saviour swivelled on his heels and darted out of sight, leaving the skin-changer to stare with an astonished smile. He had been saved.
"It is you." he breathed, soaking in the realisation that the haft on that sword had definitely been attached to the blade that had miraculously saved his life that day. Kili had got most of the blood off, but one stain had forever since that day marked the hilt. Beorn bowed, causing the dwarf to snigger. A minute ago he had been throwing insults at the young dwarf like there was no tomorrow. Beorn realised this and tried his hardest to stop red from flushing to his cheeks. He was never one to get embarrassed or stutter unless he was nervous, like he had been on that lucky day. "I uh...I apolog..." He stopped dead and looked at Kili, trying to figure out what to say. The dwarf gave him a 'keep going you're doing great' look, and the skin-changer cleared his throat and decided to twist the topic."I did say it, but I still feel as though I owe you a thanks for that day." Kili nodded in acceptance and Gandalf beamed.
"I'm glad that's sorted." The wizard concluded, nodding his head awkwardly.
"Why doesn't he speak?" Beorn whispered to Gandalf who looked up sadly.
"I may have an idea. It's dark magic, of such, if I'm correct. Used only by my kin." he murmured and the half bear looked taken aback.
"The only person in your kin who would do that is surely..."
"Nerissa." Gandalf finished for him. "Yes. But he can't explain so I'll have to get in contact with a couple of others." When Beorn opened his mouth to answer Gandalf coughed into his fist forcefully to indicate that the conversation had ended.
Kili glowered at them in annoyance - were they aware that he was stood there?
"I will gather the horses tomorrow. You will be aided with provisions as well as I can." Beorn declared, and the two other beings nodded their thanks sincerely, before departing. The wizard and dwarf looked at each other and grinned victoriously.
"We did it." Gandalf stated excitedly for the both of them.
Fili had no idea what his brother had done, but Beorn had had a sudden change of heart and told all of the dwarves that he would lend them ponies and a couple of needed supplies for the next step of their journey. The blonde heir's eyes never left the wizard, for he was waiting for the right moment to speak to him alone, but much to his annoyance everyone wanted to speak to Gandalf and he was impatiently tapping his foot as he waited for Dori to quit offering the wizard a selection of many refreshments.
After an annoyingly long time of waiting Gandalf stood up from his chair and ambled out of the room. Fili grinned and hopped out of his chair, seizing the opportunity to get a quiet moment alone with the guy. He earned himself some rather confused glances from behind his back about how hasty he was but nobody made the move to follow, something he was incredibly grateful for.
"Master Gandalf?"
The wizard in question spun around in surprise from where he gazed out of the window, staff in hand.
"Ah, young Fili! I didn't see you there." He declared. "What can I do for you?"
Fili decided to cut to the chase, not bothering with small talk. "Is there something wrong with my brother?"
Gandalf frowned. "Well he's not saying anything..."
"What a revelation." Fili muttered sarcastically. "I had no idea."
"Now here, Fili. I'm on you're side."
"I know." Fili said immediately. "I'm sorry. I asked him and well...he sort of said that I should ask you."
Gandalf leaned forward on his staff with a sigh. "Listen to me. I found slit on the floor, confirming that a spell most certainly took place. Whatever happened it was a form of dark magic. I'm going to leave you when we get somewhere suitable enough for you to continue on your own without me so I can converse elsewhere and find out if it was who I think it was."
Fili gaped at him, eyes sagging with exertion as he took the information in like a vigorous bombshell. "So there's nothing I can do?"
Fili cursed when Thorin chose that moment to enter the room, interrupting their conversation. "Have any of you seen Kili?" he asked, pausing when he noticed the tense silence. "What is happening here?" He was again responded with silence. "Well, spit it out."
Gandalf exhaled tiredly, bored of the consistent questioning for he didn't like being hollered at. "We were just debating between ale and wine." Fili responded simply. "I prefer ale, Gandalf prefers wine. What about you?"
Thorin scoffed at him disbelievingly. "Very funny."
Gandalf grabbed Fili's arm when Thorin turned around and began to exit the room. "You watch him closely lad, you hear? Keep a sharp eye on him. I'm telling you, there is something foul going on in the world of magic, mark my words."
Fili, having no idea what that really meant, nodded hesitantly and slipped away. None of this was normal, he knew that, but knowing Gandalf had yet to know worried him for nobody had a chance if he didn't have a clue.
"Kili?" Thorin called, rounding the corner and smiled at his nephew who sat on the bed, sharpening his sword. "Hello." Kili looked up and flinched slightly at his uncle's presence but Thorin held up his hands defensively to show he came unarmed. "I won't hurt you." He promised, hesitantly perching himself on the end of the bed. Kili's tension relaxed a little and he let the knife fall from his clutches and sink into the soft mattress. "I never taught you iglishmek, did I?" Kili shook his head, wondering where this conversation was heading. "Maybe it is time you learned." The archer let himself smile.
Thorin began a one sided conversation, teaching Kili all of the basics of iglishmek who eagerly agreed to the new lesson. It was an extremely enjoyable evening, and for the first time in a long while Kili felt whole. Thorin couldn't deny for the life of him that he felt the same way. Guilt began once again to swim through his veins and he was horrified that he was born with a heart so foul that it didn't even bother to teach Kili his own kin's sign language.
"I'm going to tell them to sleep." Thorin stated after about two hours. "Pack your things. For some reason the skin-changer had a change of heart and he's giving us ponies to ride out."
Kili nodded and raised his eyebrows in wonder as Thorin exited the room. A new presence passed, brushing Thorin's shoulder and Kili relaxed when he made the figure out to be Fili.
"Hey." The blonde said, collapsing onto the bed. "Wait..." Fili sat up, spinning to face his brother and he pointed to the door. "Did Thorin hurt you? Kee, I'm so sorry if he did, I can talk to him - I don't understand why he always does it, it's just..." Kili held up a hand to interrupt him and shook his head frantically. Fili relaxed slightly, leaning his head back on his crossed arms. "So...what happened in goblin town that has you on edge?"
Kili shot him an irritated look and Fili help up his hands defensively. "I'm sorry." Kili lay back on the bed rolling his tongue over his teeth. Fili suddenly realised that Thorin hadn't hurt Kili when they just spoke...did that mean...
"Do you forgive Thorin?"
Kili's signing couldn't be clearer.
No.
After a rather relaxed sleep, Kili awoke, feeling ready for the journey ahead. A darkness lies upon that forest. Beorn's words played over and over in his head like a constant tune, but the energy that had refueled his veins as he slept was more powerful and he tried to be more positive than negative. He assumed he was happier because finally his sleep hadn't been haunted by some form of nightmare that kept him awake most of the night. He pushed away the sheets and entered the meal room, noticing that he was one of the first awake as Dwalin, Gloin and Nori were the only ones who were also up. They had been talking in hushed voices. Truth be told, they were all extremely concerned about Kili's health and had been contemplating whether or not to get Oin to check his back for fear of wrath from the youngest, but the conversation abruptly stopped when Kili entered the room and they leant bak casually in their chairs. Kili stared at them with the knowledge that they had been talking about him, gaze demanding only one question.
What?!
They buried down the pity they felt for the lad and refrained from mentioning anything to cause it, choosing instead to pretend everything was normal.
"Good morning, lad." Gloin greeted.
"Ale?" Dwalin offered, bottle at the ready. Kili shook his head no as took a seat, mentally giggling at his friend's constant need of a drink. Dwalin could drink ale all day long, this he knew, but for breakfast?!
The completely awkward silence at the table grew and grew the longer that they sat there, the three older dwarves exchanging constant worried glances, and eventually Kili slammed his fork down in irritation. They all flicked their startled eyes to him. "What?" He mouthed.
"Nothing, lad, nothing at all." Dwalin stated.
"Let's enjoy some music." Nori suggested, and him and Gloin started to sing as Nori stood up and started awkwardly dancing. Kili looked down behind a veil of dark hair to hide his snicker and brewing laughter whilst Dwalin tried his hardest to ignore the two. Eventually, Thorin, Fili, Bofur and Oin all entered the room and Nori's pathetic dancing instantaneously came to a stop and he cleared his throat. The four paused in their stance as they watched the tense scene before them.
"What?" They asked simultaneously.
"Nothin." Dwalin replied, a little sick of that question. "Come, sit, eat." He ordered and the four complied after a moment of hesitation. Nori rushed over and plonked himself in his seat, earning skeptical glances but he tried to ignore them. Eventually all of the other dwarves joined the fray, starting up conversations, much to everyone's immense relief.
After breakfast, the dwarves went outside to saddle up. Kili threw a saddle over his horse - apparently named Shamrock - and patted the faithful creature on the shoulder before swinging himself over the saddle. Beorn entered the scene and walked over to Kili.
"I will thank you again." Kili shrugged - why did this guy keep thanking him like he was some hero? "Have a safe journey." Kili smiled his thanks at the skin-changer who then stepped up to the front.
"Go now, while you have the light. Your hunters are not far behind." He explained. Kili followed suit with a grateful wave to Beorn as the company galloped away whilst Beorn watched Kili leave. The archer looked back with a frown; the being looked almost sad. They rode across many plains and towards the entrance to the dreaded gloom of Mirkwood forest. When they finally made it there, Gandalf stepped through.
"The Elven Gate." He murmured before turning to the rest of the company. "Here lies our path through Mirkwood."
Dwalin looked around. "No sign of the Orcs. We have luck on our side." Fili and Kili smiled broadly at that news. Gandalf noticed Beorn in the distance in his bear form and half smiled, though what made Kili silently laugh is how Gandalf still acted as though the skin-changer agitated him.
"Set the ponies loose. Let them return to their master." The wizard ordered.
Bilbo shifted uncomfortably. "This forest feels sick, as if a disease lies upon it. Is there no way around?"
"Not unless we go two hundred miles north, or twice that distance…south." Came the response. Gandalf noticed something in the forest and walked further inside. Bilbo took the one ring from his pocket, the need to feel it's presence itching at him and when he touched it the feeling of its immediate power soothed him. Kili noticed this gesture and squinted his eyes to try and see what the was hiding in there and furrowed his brow, looking at the hobbit skeptically. He made a pact to talk to their burglar when he was next able to.
Gandalf rejoined the company at the edge of the forest where they were freeing the horses. "Not my horse, I need it!" Gandalf suddenly barked. The company stared at him in confusion. Fili had been waiting for this moment though, but it was annoying how he chose the most dangerous place to leave them.
"You're not leaving us?" Bilbo asked the question that everyone was wondering.
"I would not do this unless I had to." He stopped and looked at Bilbo. "You've changed, Bilbo Baggins. You're not the same hobbit as the one who left the Shire."
"I was going to tell you." Bilbo paused, debating in his mind whether or not to make his confession. "I…I found something in the Goblin tunnels."
"Found what?" Gandalf asked. Kili looked on at the conversation from afar, though neither being noticed this. "What did you find?"
Bilbo paused in hesitation before finally replying. "My courage." Kili squinted his eyes skeptically, knowing immediately that that was a lie.
"Good. Well, that's good. You'll need it." The wizard said, he too supposing the hobbit had told an untruth. He made his way towards his horse. "I'll be waiting for you at the overlook, before the slopes of Erebor." He looked at Kili who shook his head, glaring at him, eyes demanding that he shouldn't leave as he tipped his head to the side threateningly. Gandalf just ignored his pleading gaze and turned to Thorin. "Keep the map and key safe. Do not enter that mountain without me. This is not the Greenwood of old, the very air of the forest is heavy with illusion that will seek to enter your mind and lead you astray."
"Lead us astray? What does that mean?" The burglar hobbit interrogated.
"You must stay on the path, do not leave it. If you do, you'll never find it again." He explained, mounting his horse and he started to ride off. "No matter what may come, stay on the path!" He called as he galloped away.
"Come on, we must reach the mountain before the sun sets on Durin's Day. Let's go, we've but one chance to find the hidden door." Thorin ordered. Everyone followed suit. Kili gulped - this forest looked shady and he was dreading entering it's darkness, for fear of suffocating or becoming claustrophobic with the lack of air, but he held his chin high and followed confidently from the back of the line.
