There and Back Again: Edith's Story
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay! Things have been crazy. To answer some reviews, yes, Edith's mother is still alive - the dwarves don't know that though. I decided to play it out that she's not completely honest with them about her family. There will be more to the story that's revealed later on, I've got some plans for that whole thing to play out! : ) thank you again for the reviews! Enjoy!
The Company of Dwarves carried on by foot for another few hours. It was nearly midday when they reached an open field. Edith stopped beside Gandalf, spotting the large house in the distance. The sound of chopping wood reached her ears, though it was distant. The dwarves all began grumbling amongst themselves about their next lodgings. Edith noticed Gandalf surveying the land, he had been scouting for goblins or orcs in the distance. However, Gandalf very well knew that if they stepped foot on to Beorn's land, they would not live to see the moon rise. He cleared his throat and turned back to the company. They were all silenced and looked up at the wizard.
"Now, you will listen to me carefully. I warned you Beorn is not overly fond of dwarves. This is how we will proceed. Each of you will gather your pairs, two by two; Thorin, Edith, you will accompany me. Fili, Kili, Dwalin, Balin and so on. However, Bombur, you are to come last. Once we reach the house, you will wait for my signal and come directly after. Introduce yourselves and be polite. Be mindful of what you say. The man however can be more easily persuaded and reasoned with than the bear."
Edith's eyes went wide and she felt her stomach do a flip. Gandalf noticed and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"What do you mean by bear, Gandalf?" she asked.
"Beorn is a shapeshifter. Sometimes, he takes the form of a man. Other times he takes the shape of a large, black bear. Do not agitate him, if he is - we may not live to see tomorrow."
"Why are you bringing us into another death trap?" Edith exclaimed.
Then the dwarves began to protest, agreeing with Edith's statement. Thorin glared at them, nearly shouting at them in dwarvish. They stopped immediately at their leader's command. He sent Edith a sharp look and she clenched her jaw, refraining from saying anything to him again.
"It is not a 'death trap', Lady Edith, we are mere guests in someone else's home. One more thing, do not touch any of his animals, no matter what you may see there. He will not take kindly if his animals are injured in any way. Make yourselves ready, we are going to cross now. Thorin, Edith," Gandalf continued.
Gandalf took off running across the field, the dwarf king and human woman close behind in hot pursuit. Edith was surprised at how well her stamina played during this sprint across the field. The sound of the axe chopping wood grew louder, but she froze in place, hearing it echo twice. Her eyes wide like a deer in front of a hunter, she cried out in shock, seeing the fields of France before her again. Gunshots fired in the distance, or was it the axe again? Thorin took notice of her, her hands trembling and Edith nearly drawing back, as if drawing back behind enemy lines. In France, she had come across Nazi scouts, their medical unit had been deployed to the south of France. But they had known the roads to be blocked off or serving as Nazi tolls. They had taken the roads not on maps, through fields and unmarked forests, taking precaution to avoid the enemy.
Thorin grabbed her arms and she was pulled out from her war ridden memories. She let out a sharp gasp, almost cried out in fright.
"Edith, we need to cross. Look at me. We're almost there." Thorin said, pulling her along.
She nodded, breathing heavily, feeling the adrenaline rush through her. Gandalf looked back and noticed them falling behind. Edith was pale, he noticed her hands trembling when they caught up. Gandalf had told them to stay behind for a moment as he went to speak to Beorn.
"Edith?" Thorin asked.
"I'll be alright," she barely whispered.
"Is it your war?" he asked again.
"Yes...they're still fresh. I've been trying to not think of it."
"They do not leave one's thoughts that easily. It will take time to heal war wounds."
Edith glanced at the dwarf. He too was battle hardened, she could see that. He had known and suffered great loss and close comradeship. He had suppressed it better than she.
"Did you lose anyone during your wars?" he asked.
"Yes, several good men, some nurses too, it was hard to make friends. I never knew who I was going to see tomorrow or who would die on the battlefield."
Before Thorin could respond, Gandalf appeared, calling them forward. Thorin gave a single nod to Edith and she nodded back, in understanding. Edith was grateful for the slightest civil conversation with Thorin. He ushered her forward, he could still see her trembling, her breathing unsteady as she walked slowly beside Gandalf. The man before them stood at least a head taller than Gandalf. His face was lined with fur, his body long and lanky, though muscular. He had dark eyes and hair all over his shirtless torso and chest. He wore earth colored brown pants and his feet were bare. Edith felt her heart race as he peered down at her, studying her - as if watching if she made the slightest movement.
"Who are these traveler companions of yours, Gandalf the Grey? What business does a dwarf and a human have in these parts?"
"Allow me to introduce Lady Edith of Gondor, and the leader of our company, Thorin."
Gondor? Edith wondered. What on earth is that? Wait, he said 'of Gondor'...where is that? She looked up, uncertain of whether to bow or curtsy to Beorn. He looked down at her and extended his hand.
"Welcome, Lady Edith, you are a long way from home. I have not heard of anyone coming from Gondor to these parts of Arda for some time. What business does a Gondorian have traveling with a wizard and dwarf?"
"I simply have a desire to travel, sir, to see the lands extended from the...from the borders of Gondor."
"Strange, that a woman should have the desire to leave her home behind as you have. You have no family then?" Beorn inquired.
"None that are here, sir."
"Hmm," he grumbled from the low pits of his chest and glanced at Thorin. It hadn't gone unnoticed by Edith the signals Gandalf had sent, looking back towards the forest. He had raised two fingers and turned back around.
"Where do your ventures take you, dwarf?" Beorn growled.
Thorin was about to glare at the shapeshifter, Edith saw his eyes darken. She touched his arm and he glanced at her. As cautiously as she could, she shook her head at him. His gaze softened for a moment.
"We are headed to the Iron Hills."
"Is that so?" Beorn raised a brow, then looked up when Fili and Kili had come running up to the present company.
"Ah, there you are! We were wondering where you had gone off!" Gandalf exclaimed. "These are Thorin's nephews. Allow me to introduce…"
"Fili."
"And Kili."
"At your service!" they exclaimed, together.
"I do not need your service. It seems you are in need of my service." Beorn looked rather irritably at the sight of more dwarves.
While he continued confronting Gandalf, the others slowly started falling in. Edith had gone to stand beside Fili, her heart racing excitedly as she drew nearer to him. He touched the small of her back as he leaned in to speak with her.
"Are you alright, ibinȇ? I saw you stop running on the field, what happened?" he asked, his voice low, rumbling like a gentle thunder.
"Memories," she whispered. "It is nothing you need worry about, Fili."
"I always worry about you, my love."
She gave a gentle smile and touched his cheek. He kissed the inside of her palm, then took her hand into his. Beorn noticed the interaction, though he said nothing of it. He found it odd that a human would mate with a dwarf, humans belonged with humans, dwarves with dwarves; though ever so rarely there were marriages of different races.
In due time, the rest of the company trickled in. Edith noticed the uneasiness in Beorn as he saw Bombur finally catching up, out of breath and nearly collapsing on his lawn. Gandalf cleared his throat and hummed before looking back at Beorn.
"Yes, this is the whole company. I'm afraid we've travelled very far and long and had some nasty encounters with goblins along the mountain road. If it pleases you, we may offer payment for rooms. They are well behaved dwarves and will not be a nuisance under my watchful eye."
"All dwarves are a nuisance." Beorn growled.
Edith felt Fili tense beside her and she took hold of his arm.
"But I will allow it, I will show you to your sleeping quarters. Will the lady be desiring her own sleeping quarters?" Beorn looked down at Edith.
"She'll stay with me." Fili replied, the tone in his voice did not go unnoticed by Edith as he glanced up.
"Does the lady wish to?"
"He is my betrothed and I will stay with him, thank you for your kind offer." Edith replied, graciously.
Beorn bowed his head and then turned towards the house. Edith nudged Fili and shook her head.
"I don't want him to get any ideas," Fili muttered.
"Oh, stop it." Edith replied, a small grin playing on her face.
The house inside was quite large, even more so than the townhouse that Edith and Jack owned. Near the fireplace was a long table, much like in a Viking feasting or mead hall. There was a roaring hearth with a pot roasting in it and simmering. Several dogs walked around - Edith noticed them also carrying trays of food and kitchenware. The Company sat around the table and Beorn poured them sweet milk and honeyed mead.
Edith gazed hungrily at the delectable pastries and pies. The smell of stew overcame her and her stomach grumbled. It was purely a vegetable stew but it was far better than any other stew she had had before. The bread was freshly brought from the oven, warm and steaming. Edith ate happily - soon forgetting all their previous troubles as she enjoyed good company and conversation. Gandalf, Thorin and Beorn talked quietly amongst themselves away from the table - no doubt about how the next part of their journey would carry on.
"Edith, that's your third bowl already." Fili remarked, watching as she took more stew.
"The last time I had a proper meal was back in Rivendell. Let me enjoy a good meal before we go back out into the world. I don't know when I'll get to eat well again." Edith exclaimed, forgetting manners.
The dwarves that heard her chuckled and grinned. The evening went on with light conversation and drinking. There had been no point in talking of things passed, like the events before the eagle's eyrie. Edith knew better now than to bring them up. For now, they would all take the next few days to enjoy the rest, and to replenish supplies. Thorin needed to plan his next movement carefully and the rest of the company were all in agreement to enjoy this respite.