When Enya woke up, the sun peered through the open window and it tickled her face. Enya groaned, not wanting to wake up and face the company again. She didn't want to leave this place. She wanted to stay on this hay bale forever, dreaming about what happened the night before.

'You know,' her mind mused. 'Maybe if you stay here, Thorin might come search here for you and repeat the things he did last night…'

Enya let out a deep sigh and stretched her body. Her filthy mind really never knew when to shut up or when to stop dreaming.

'But it is impossible to stop thinking about it!' her mind objected.

Yes, that was true. Last night… her cheeks flushed in a deep red color when she thought about Thorin. Those breathtaking blue eyes, that seemed to darken when he was aroused… His long rough dark locks and that coarse beard that rasped against her sensitive skin… His fingers, harsh and soft at the same time, caressing her body like… AND that frustrating teasing tongue that knew exactly when to stroke her gently…

Enya whimpered. God damn it, he was perfect. Even with his clothes on. Imagine what he would look like without…

Enya giggled and bit her lip.

Oh god, this was an hopeless case. She was love-smitten. Completely head over heels in love with this dwarf king. There was no way she could ever remove those images of last night from her head. She KNEW she would think about it all day. How was she ever going to look into his eyes again without giggling like a thirteen year-old schoolgirl?

Enya sighed. Thorin was right about one thing: their little rendezvous calmed her body down. Her mind on the other hand, wouldn't be able to function normally for the next few days. Enya groaned. She needed to get herself together before they would continue on their journey. In a state like this, she was no use to anyone.

Enya got up and put her clothes back on. She had to try to regain her sanity. Her meditation routine should help her. It had to.

When Enya came back from the woods after she meditated for (what felt to her like) a long time, she crossed Dolvira's sword that still stuck into the tree at the border of the field. Enya tilted her head. She probably should get it out now. She made her point. She got closer to the sword and chuckled when she saw somebody had tried to cut the ice away.

Well, the person who did this, obviously didn't succeed because the sword was still there. Enya pressed her lips together. This was a perfect opportunity for her to practice. Instead of shattering the ice away, what if she tried to melt it down into water?

Enya raised her hands and sighed when she heard the ice already cracking under the slight movement.

No, she told herself. Subtle forces. Try to be subtle. No aggression.

She concentrated on the ice cube again and took a deep breath.

'Krrrrrr…'

'NO!' she yelled. 'I want to melt you down!'

She inhaled slowly. Okay. Take it easy, lady. Repeat. Keep yourself steady…

'KRRRRRRR!'

With a loud crack, the ice splintered before her eyes.

Enya clenched her teeth. 'I SAID MELT DOWN!'

She rolled her eyes and pulled the sword out of the tree. She'd a lot of practice to do.

'I'm sorry.' She muttered at the tree. 'I didn't want to hurt you. I apologize for letting you take the blame for my anger yesterday.'

She turned around and carried Dolvira's sword into the courtyard. She wanted to enter the house when her attention was caught by loud chopping sounds from the back of the garden.

She dropped the sword and carefully walked around the house. A large man in brown leather pants was chopping huge lumbers. The axe he used was enormous and it looked heavy. Enya doubted she would be able to lift it up. The upper half of the man's body was covered with rough dark hair. The presence of a few grey strands betrayed his age. He wasn't a young man anymore, and Enya guessed he must be in his fifties. Enya noticed a chain on his left wrist.

'Good morning.' She said and made a reverence.

The man turned to see who was greeting her.

He smiled. 'Good morning Enya Blueheart.'

'I wanted to thank you for your kindness.' She began. 'I don't know how we ever could repay you for saving all of our lives.'

Beorn shrugged and he continued to chop another lumber.

'You brought a lot of dwarves into my home.' He stated.

'Yes.' Enya confessed.

'I don't like dwarves.' Beorn said.

'I can understand why.' Enya replied. 'They can be very greedy. Don't let me start about the insufferable combination of sense of pride and stubbornness.'

Beorn eyed her with curiosity. 'You're observant. But you're a dwarf woman yourself?'

Enya smiled. 'I recently learned that, yes. Before that, I firmly believed I was human. I was raised as a human, so it was quite a shock to discover I'm not.'

'Did you grow up in middle earth?'

Enya shook her head. 'No. I grew up in a land far away from here. We call it America. Only humans live there.'

'And you.'

'I did, yes. Until I ended up here.'

She watched Beorn in silence as he chopped some more wood.

'Your garden is stunning.' Enya established. 'It must be peaceful, living here…'

'It usually is.' Beorn answered. 'Unless fifteen dwarves, a wizard and a hobbit enter your domain with an orc pack on their trail.'

Enya wanted to apologize right away, but then she saw Beorn smiling at her.

She giggled. 'Yeah, about that… I'm sorry.'

She looked up when a huge bumblebee buzzed around her head. It landed on her shoulder. Enya wanted to squish it with her love, because it was so god damn fluffy.

'Hello there!' she chirped.

'They feel you respect them.' Beorn told her. 'He tells me you can visit our place more often.'

'You understand what he says?' Enya asked.

'You don't?' Beorn said.

Enya shook her head. 'I have to confess I don't, no… I wish I did.'

'I know you can, because you talked to me yesterday. But I suspect the aggressive forces still overrule your powers.'

Enya sighed. 'I don't know how to use the subtle ones. I try, but I fail every time.'

'Listen to your heart.' Beorn answered. 'Don't be afraid to be vulnerable. It will give you great strength.'

'Thank you.' Enya said.

Beorn nodded. 'I will be inside in a minute to look after you and the company. I have to finish this job first.'

Enya smiled and turned around.

'Enya, I need some mint for the tea.' Beorn said without looking at her. 'It is in the corner of the garden.'

Enya did was she was told and it didn't take her long to find the plant that Beorn meant. She inhaled the scent of mint and smiled. Ah, she definitely missed that. She got a handful and walked up to the house again. She retrieved Dolvira's sword and opened the door. There seemed to be a nervous discussion between the dwarves and Gandalf, because the whole company sat along the large oaken table. They were speaking in a low volume, but Enya felt the uneasiness hanging in the room.

'Who is going outside then?' Bofur asked.

'Well…' Gandalf said unhappily. 'I should go and I will take Bilbo with me. We don't want to startle him when he is chopping his wood. The consequences are deadly.'

He trailed off and watched Enya as she put Dolvira's sword on the table.

'Good morning lads.' She said casually.

'You came from outside?' Gandalf asked.

'Yeah.' Enya said as she laid down her freshly plucked mint as well. 'I had a chat with Beorn. He's finishing up his job and will be back in just a bit.'

The whole table stared at her.

Thorin chuckled. 'Well, that solves our problem.'

'What problem?' Enya asked, but she avoided his gaze.

'We were discussing about a way to greet Beorn.' Gandalf answered.

Enya rolled her eyes. 'How about walking up to him and say hi?'

'That's the whole point.' Fíli sighed. 'We didn't want to startle him, because Gandalf said-'

'Good morning, Beorn!' Gandalf interrupted as the skin changer entered the house.

Beorn nodded shortly and let his eyes go over the company. His eyes stopped at Thorin.

'So you're the one they call Oakenshield. Tell me, why is Azog the defiler hunting you?'

'You know of Azog. How?' Thorin asked.

'My people were 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…' Beorn explained as he looked after his guests with a basic, but generous breakfast.

Enya glanced at the chain on his wrist.

'Not for work, you understand, but for sports. You see, caging skin changers and torturing them seems to amuse him.'

'That is horrible.' Enya said.

'Are there others like you?' Bilbo asked quietly.

'Once there were many.' Beorn replied. 'But now there's only one.'

Beorn shrugged and Enya saw the subject caused him pain. She gave him a comforting smile. He nodded shortly before handing Enya a mug with some mint leaves sticking out of it.

'Mint tea for our fire witch lady.'

'Thank you.' Enya replied and held the mug tightly.

She closed her eyes as she inhaled the scent of the mint. Gods, how she missed mint tea with freshly plucked leaves!

'You need to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn.' Beorn said to Thorin.

'Yes!' Gandalf answered. 'Before Durin's day.'

'But then you're running out of time!' Beorn stated and he sat down.

'That's why we must go through Mirkwood.' Gandalf explained.

'I would not venture there, except in great need.' Beorn muttered.

'Is there another way then, skin changer?' Dolvira demanded.

Enya didn't know where the redhead came from, because she wasn't around the oaken table when she came in with the sword. Beorn also hadn't noticed her earlier, because eyed the warrior woman with suspicion.

Enya rolled her eyes. Dolvira surely always knew how to polite! Damn, that bitch could ruin the whole operation with her stupid behavior.

'What our lovely lady commander tries to say,' Enya told Beorn. 'Is that you know these lands better than anyone. We are in a hurry. What in your opinion should be the fastest way?'

'Mirkwood is the fastest way, miss.' Beorn replied. 'But a darkness lies upon that forest. Foul things creep beneath those trees.'

'But we'll take the elven road. That path is still safe.' Gandalf objected.

'The wood elves of Mirkwood aren't like their kin. They are less wise and even more dangerous.' Beorn stated.

In the corner of her eyes, Enya saw Thorin pacing away from the table slowly.

'But it won't matter' Beorn mused.

'What do you mean?' Thorin asked and he turned himself back to the table again.

'These lands are crawling with orcs. And you are on foot… You'll never make it alive.' Beorn answered.

He stood up and walked to Dolvira. The warrior woman was distracted by a bumblebee that was buzzing around her head. It annoyed her and she flapped with her hands in an attempt to kill it.

'BITCH!' Enya heard someone shout with a high buzzing voice.

She burst into laughter as she realized the sound came from the bumblebee.

'Wait.' She said to Beorn, wiping the tears from her eyes. 'Did he just call her a bitch…?'

Beorn smiled. 'Yes.'

'Well, I'm glad someone shares that opinion with me.' Enya muttered.

The whole company stared at her and Enya bit her lip.

'Sorry, I guess this is a witch thing…' she whispered.

The bumblebee sat on Beorn's hand and the skin changer narrowed his eyes at Dolvira.

'I don't like dwarves.' He stated. 'They are greedy and blind. Blind to the lives they deem lesser than their own.'

He turned to Thorin.

'But I do like her.' He said as he pointed at Enya. 'What do you need?'

While everyone was packing their belongings onto the horses, Enya lingered in the house for a little bit and enjoyed her second mug of mint tea. She told herself she was here for the tea, but of course that wasn't the whole truth. She hoped, against all odds, that Thorin would steal a kiss from her.

She strolled through the stable that was a part of the house and almost yelled when she discovered Dolvira. The warrior woman sat in a corner and eyed her angrily.

Enya sighed.

'Your sword is on the table.' Enya said. 'I thought you might need it.'

'I don't want it.' Dolvira growled. 'Your filthy touch lingers on the handle.'

'Fine by me.' Enya replied. 'If you want to die in the wild, I won't stop you this time.'

She turned around, ready to venture outside. She lingered here for the possibility of a kiss, not a discussion with a redhead who despised her. Her body finally relaxed for the first time in days and she wasn't about to sacrifice that for a quarrel with that damned bitch.

'Did you enjoy yourself last night?' Dolvira hissed.

'I beg your pardon?' Enya demanded and she faced the warrior woman again.

'Your overexaggerated moans were nauseating.' The redhead said.

Enya held back a giggle. 'Why should I care what you think? I had a good time.'

'You are DIRTY WHORE.' Dolvira said with clenched teeth. 'You are an abomination, a plague for REAL dwarf woman.'

Enya rolled her eyes and said nothing, but that only made Dolvira even more mad than she already was.

'You are a bitch, a freak! A filthy little half-blood! You possess nothing admirable, but with your wicked warlock skills you're able to enchant those poor males!'

Enya tilted her head.

Really?

Her mind was absolutely over the moon with the fact that Dolvira heard Thorin take her pleasure, because in a way, she claimed him. But her reason told her that she should be on her guard. That damned woman surely had some tricks upon her sleeve.

'YOU LACK ALL HONOR!' Dolvira continued. 'You steal away my love and lure him into your bed! You have no conscience, NO HEART! YOU ONLY LISTEN TO YOUR OWN SELFISH DESIRES!'

'Actually…' Enya said. 'If he really was YOUR love, why didn't he seek out your company last night? Don't blame me for screwing it up in the past, love. I wasn't there. You did it all yourself.'

'WHAT DID HE TELL YOU?' Dolvira yelled.

'Nothing.' Enya answered. 'But if you two were lovers, he would act like one around you. And he doesn't. Care to tell me why, Dolly?'

'According to the ancient law, lovers should behave normally when others are around.' The warrior woman said and she squared her jaw.

Enya wanted to comment that the redhead shouldn't do that (it only made her look more masculine) but she realized it would do her no good. It would give that bitch even more reason to take her down.

She shrugged. 'Whatever you like, Doll.'

'I know it's just the pretty face he likes.' Dolvira smirked. 'But that's all there is, isn't it? You're just a pretty little harlot. Nothing more. Once he sees that, he'll get bored soon enough.'

'I doubt that.' Enya whispered, but she felt her fire flaming up inside of her.

She shouldn't let that bitch get under her skin, but Dolvira did it again.

The redhead laughed. 'And you know it too, don't you?'

She stood up and pushed Enya against the wall of the stable. The mug of tea fell on the ground and shattered into a thousand pieces.

'My tea!' Enya shouted, but Dolvira ignored her.

'It's impossible for you to become his queen.' The warrior woman breathed in Enya's face and the strong smell of tobacco made Enya gag.

'Because you know nothing.' Dolvira hissed. 'You don't know the rules, the morals. How to behave. You would only embarrass him.'

Did that damned bitch knew how to read her mind? Dolvira seemed to know exactly what she needed to say to make Enya feel like a complete failure. Enya felt the tears swelling up behind her eyes, but she quickly blinked them away.

'I'll never bow before you.' Dolvira promised. 'I'd rather die than bowing before a men stealing evil witch.'

She put her big manly hands around Enya's throat and squeezed. Enya tried to loosen the grip, but Dolvira's hands were too strong. She fought with every strength she had, but the warrior woman had her pinned against the wall.

'You can't come with us, I'm sorry.' The redhead purred. 'You'll only distract Thorin from his real destiny.'

Enya wanted to ask what this real destiny according to the warrior woman was, but she couldn't breathe. She was going to choke.

'I'm his destiny! HE'S MINE!' Dolvira hissed.

Enya's mind became hazy and she closed her eyes. She needed oxygen to put up a fight, and she was running out of it.

'It's been a pleasure, pretty face. But this fight is over.' Dolvira laughed. 'I will have a place in his bed. Not you.'

'MAYDAY, MAYDAY!…' Enya's mind yelled. 'DID YOU FORGET THAT YOU ARE A FIRE WITCH? STUPID LADY, USE IT!'

Enya used her last bits of energy to focus on her hands. They began shaking and Enya was vaguely aware as they set ablaze.

Dolvira howled in pain and let her go. Enya fell onto the floor and stared coughing. She grabbed her throat and tried breathe in air again, but that lead to even more coughing.

Dolvira cursed Enya harshly in Khuzdul and paced outside.

Enya slowly stood up and tried to calm herself down. She was livid and if she let herself go, she would follow that cursed bitch outside and set her on fire. She would watch her burn and enjoy the agonized screams. Those hard and bitter thoughts made Enya terrified. She had no idea what she was capable of.

Everything would be fine, she told herself. As long as she stayed calm. She inhaled deeply but was startled by a husky voice, using a flirty tone. Her anger immediately melted away and was replaced by a deep passionate desire. As always, he made her body shiver.

'Your eyes seemed to sparkle extra bright this morning, miss.'

Enya cursed her treacherous booty for being so animalistic.

It didn't matter that she just almost choked to death. That for a second, she wanted to burn Dolvira at the stake.

He was here now and her body still wanted him. If her dirty mind had it her way, she would grab him right now and claim him. For real.

Enya turned to face him and put on a smile. She knew her eyes wouldn't cooperate, but she had to try. 'Yes, I had an excellent night's sleep. Thank you!'

Thorin neared her and his eyes widened when he saw her bruised neck.

'Tell me what happened.' He demanded.

Enya shook her head. 'Nothing of importance.'

Thorin touched her throat carefully and let his fingers run across the bruise.

'I think it is. So tell me.'

'Maybe it's for the best if our paths part here...' Enya began.

'You're NOT leaving my side under ANY circumstance.' Thorin growled. 'Did Beorn do this to you? I will have his-'

'Why are you blaming Beorn for this? He's good to us!' Enya interrupted him. 'If you really want to know: it was your sweet ex-fiancée who just tried to strangle me to death.'

Thorin let out a long, deep sigh.

'You wait here.' He ordered. 'I will take care of this.'

'But…' she began.

'Just ONCE do as you're told, miss.' He snapped.

Enya bit her lip and lowered her head.

Thorin paced outside and Enya heard him barking at Dolvira.

'YOU. We need to talk. NOW.'

She couldn't hear the reply, and she regretted the fact that she had to stay inside. She was really curious and wanted to overhear the conversation. Enya groaned. The human inside of her wanted to eavesdrop so badly, but the dwarf lady in her told her that was frowned upon by all dwarves. Hmpf. Stupid morals.

A couple of minutes she sat in silence and waited.

Then she heard muffled voices at the back of the house.

'How dare you to…' she heard Thorin speak in a low volume.

'She is bad for you!' Dolvira replied.

'You're in no position to tell me what to do.' Thorin scowled.

'But…' Dolvira objected.

'NO' Thorin blazed. 'I cannot-'

Reluctantly, Enya covered her ears.

This was a private conversation. If Thorin wanted to share any information, he would do it soon enough.

'But I need to know!' her dirty mind complained.

Enya rolled her eyes. No, she didn't.

Minutes passed and Enya softly hummed a tone. She startled when Thorin entered the house again.

'I told you to not let her get into your head.' He said as he walked up to her.

'I didn't.' Enya objected. 'She started to insult me, and the next thing I know, she tries to strangle me. AND to top all of that: she ruined my tea.'

'Then don't come near her.' Thorin growled. 'I cannot deny her from her right to be here. Erebor is her home. So in the meantime, you have to be the civil one while she can't.'

Oh god, he was really close. How was she able to function normally when his sexiness was burning her? Enya felt her thighs yearning for his touch.

'She ruined my tea.' Enya repeated to keep her sanity.

Tea. Focus on the tea!

'When we're in Erebor we'll get you as much mint tea as you want.' He said. 'Now behave.'

'I… I didn't mean to…' she breathed.

'Of course you didn't.' he mocked. 'You never mean to do anything wrong, don't you? But yet you always do.'

Enya rolled her eyes. 'Going in this direction again, sir Oakenshield?'

He eyed her and Enya saw his mouth curving into a little smile.

'I've suggested a perfect solution that would satisfy everyone, but you declined.' She said.

'Satisfying? You call that satisfying?' he asked. 'I don't see how you leaving the company is satisfying for anyone, but Dolvira.'

Enya bit back a giggle. 'Well, if I left I would save you a lot of trouble. And you wouldn't be annoyed all the time…'

'I don't know.' Thorin said casually. 'Maybe I like being mad.'

'I'm sure you do.' Enya replied. 'But why, sir Oakenshield… Why am I always victimized by your anger?'

'Why?' Thorin said. 'Well miss… You provoke me.'

'And how the hell do I do that?' Enya demanded.

Thorin grabbed her waist and pulled her against him.

Whoa!

'You're reckless. Eager to get into dangerous situations. You don't seem to care about your own safety, which annoys me beyond reason.' He whispered.

'And why would you give a damn about my safety?' Enya asked. 'The contract states that you or the company are not responsible for my fate!'

'You're our witch.' He simply stated. 'The company needs you alive.'

Smooth move, Oakenshield. Smooth move.

Enya bit her lip and eyed him innocently before she spoke.

'So you guys are afraid I die before we make it to Erebor?'

'Witches are rare, dwarf fire witches are exceptional.' Thorin said with a smile. 'And we have to fight a fire breathing dragon. I'd rather have a fire witch by my side when I have to execute such a task.'

Oooh, frustrating dwarf! There was no way he was going to give her what she wanted. Anything of all the things she wanted. Enya narrowed her eyes and Thorin chuckled in response. He knew what she was doing and he wasn't going to cooperate. Enya wanted to say something witty, but she hopelessly got lost in his beautiful blue eyes and almost forgot to breathe. He was close, so close. His lips almost brushed against hers. He held her body firmly tight to his own and Enya could feel his heart beating against her chest.

'I meant for her to hear you crying out.' He muttered against her lips.

'What?' Enya said.

'You heard me.' He said in a low voice.

'I didn't.'

'Don't lie to your king.' He breathed.

Enya's mouth turned into a devious smile. 'I wouldn't dare.'

'You did it again.' He husked.

'Did I?' she replied and found the courage to let her mouth land unto his. She gently kissed him. Enya wanted to pull back, but Thorin groaned and pulled her closer to him. He deepened the kiss, causing Enya to whimper softly in his mouth. His tongue slid between her lips and stroked hers ever so slowly, but the teasing touch was enough to make her desire flame up and make her cheeks flush red.

He let go of her way too soon.

'I'm always at your service, my king.' She whispered, catching her breath.

He cupped her face with his hands and looked directly at her. Enya got lost in those blue breathtaking eyes again, and she saw a hint of the rest of the story he refused to say out loud… Enya's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that...?

'Miss Enya, I need some ice!' Oín came in and disturbed them. Thorin reluctantly let Enya go and Oín gazed at them separately before he continued.

'Miss, I need ice. Dolvira burned her hands and it hurts.'

Enya bit her lip and tried not to burst into laughter.

'Let it sting.' Thorin grumbled, obviously annoyed by the fact Oín disturbed their private moment.

Enya sighed. 'Well, since I'm not the heartless bitch she says I am… Ice, huh?'

She made a cup out of her hands, concentrated on her palms and grew a block of ice in them.

'How much do you need?' she asked.

Oín gazed at the growing ice for a moment before he answered. 'That'll be enough.'

He held out a piece of cloth and Enya tucked it inside.

'Send my regards.' Enya winked.

Oín sighed and walked out of the door. Before Enya could turn her attention to Thorin, he managed to pull her into his embrace again.

'Where were we?' he murmured.

'I can't remember.' Enya confessed.

Thorin chuckled and touched her cheek.

'We have to get on the road again. Please promise me you'll at least try not to do anything stupid.'

'That depends…' Enya answered.

'On what?' he asked.

'What you classify as stupid.' Enya told him.

'Anything that could lead to our valuable fire witch to die.' He mused.

'Is kissing you leading to my death?' Enya enquired as she put on her innocent face.

'It might. Some would definitely call it a bold, reckless move.'

His tone was as casual as it ever could be, but Enya discovered a soft pink blush rising above his beard.

'I'll take my chances and risk the wrath of a certain dwarf king.' she stated.

'You sure?' he asked.

'We're all set!' Bofur shouted as he walked into the house.

Thorin let go of her again and cursed something under his breath.

Enya started laughing. 'Great timing, Bofur!'

'What?' Bofur said, painstakingly oblivious to the scene he just walked into.

Enya sighed. 'We're coming.'

Bofur looked at them and it finally daunted on him that he probably shouldn't be here.

'Right.' He said awkwardly. 'I will see you guys in a bit.'

He hurried outside again and Thorin shook his head.

Enya raised one eyebrow. 'God knows what happens if we try again…'

'I'll save this one for later.' Thorin said.

'Is that a promise?' Enya teased.

'I didn't say it was.' he shot back.

Enya laughed.

'Let's go, miss Blueheart.' He said with a smile. 'We have a quest to fulfill.'