Note: Italics is thoughts, unless specified otherwise i.e flashbacks or visions. / is timeskip
Alexa bit her lip, holding back a smile. She watched as Ori hurriedly packed up his things, shoving his ink, quills, and notes in his pack and book. Dori, the mother hen he is, had almost lost his mind searching for Ori. Apparently, they had been gone for too long and he had gotten worried.
Which is fair enough, it was very late.
After Ori had finished scribing about her, Alexa had time to ask Ori about Dwarves and their culture. He had been reluctant at first, but eventually gave in and told her the basics. Which was barely scratching the surface of his kind, but it was something and Alexa ate it up.
"Come now Ori," Dori called, now calm from having 'found' Ori.
Ori mumbled a few words under his breath in what Alexa suspected was Khuzadul. Though she didn't know what exactly Ori had muttered, she knew it was certainly something unsavoury aimed at Dori's expense.
"You coming in Alexa?" Ori asked,
"No, no I don't think I will," Alexa replied, staring off at the setting sun.
"Oh, I swear he annoys me sometimes. I'm not a Dwarfing anymore," Ori whispered, shoving the paper into his book.
"At least he cares, don't take it for granted," Alexa said, barely getting out the words before Dori's voice drowned them out.
"ORI!" Dori shouted, waving his arms frantically like a bird about to fly.
"COMING!" Ori yelled back, visibly annoyed. Offering a quick smile at Alexa, he ran off with full arms towards his departing brother.
Stifling a laugh at the brother's, Alexa took in the setting sun. It would be dinner soon. As Alexa took in the scenery, something flashed in the distance near the covered lake, she had previously bathed in. Squinting her eyes, she only barely made out a pale blue light.
"Qui-Gon," she breathed. Scrambling to her feet, she rushed across the grassy land towards the secluded lake. Upon reaching the lake, her green-grey eyes briskly scanned the terrain; searching for him.
"There was no need to run my child. I thought Master Mundi had taught you better," the rumbling voice chuckled from behind her.
Her head whipped around at his voice, her auburn hair flicking behind her. She stared at the blue form of Qui-Gon, sitting quite content on the bank.
"Sorry Master, I just didn't want you disappearing on me again. Forgive me," Alexa said, bowing lowly.
"It is forgiven," He said, dismissing the matter with a wave of his hand.
"Now we have much to talk about and not a lot of time to do so. So come, let us talk," Qui-Gon continued, gesturing for her to sit on the bank beside him.
- Time Skip: Dawn -
Alexa crouched around her pack, gathering her gear. She was alone in the barn, the others outside busy doing their own things. She was dressed in a cream tunic and light brown pants which clung to her figure. Her feet were bare and her auburn hair ran down her back in waves.
Folding her newly dried clothes, Alexa placed them inside her leather pack along with some other possessions that had managed to survive the journey as well as some soap — a gift from Beorn.
Once that was done, she stood and began getting properly dressed starting with her socks. She fell into a calming trance as she changed. Her fingers yanked her tabard over her head, followed by her outer tunic.
Gripping her utility belt, she secured it around her waist before fastening it in place. Her brown cloak soon followed, draping over her shoulders. Tucking her ginger hair behind her ear she sat down and slipped on her boots. With her hair now tied up in her signature high ponytail, she secured her lightsaber onto her belt with a click, ready to go.
Whispers resonated throughout the Dwarves as she walked past. She was wearing her normal cloak but the tunic and pants and belt were different. They had never seen material or the style of the like. Since they had met, she was wearing the tunic of a ranger, nothing like the one she was wearing now.
The reason Alexa was dressed differently was simple. She had seen their apparent 'escape' from Mirkwood and therefore decided to wear her Jedi clothes rather than lose them to the Elven King. It was as simple as that.
Alexa smiled at them as she walked past, gaining smiles in return along with some over the top cat-calling whistles from the Durin brothers. Which had ended in them getting a smack over the head by Thorin and Dwalin. The action making her laugh.
Turning to Beorn, Alexa opened her mouth to say her goodbyes. When Beorn reached down and hugged her, patting her on the back. Recovering from her shock at the sudden affection, Alexa awkwardly placed her arms around the giant.
Pulling away, Alexa gazed down at the shackle on his wrist. After gaining his attention, she had asked him to stand still as she held her lightsaber in hand.
The blade cut through the shackle like butter. Attaching her weapon back on her belt, she reached out and grasped the shackle. With steady hands Alexa eased the metal off his wrist, letting it fall to the ground with a thud.
Before she knew what was happening, she was lifted and spun around. Boisterous laughter erupted from the skin-changer; his chest reverberated against her; sending waves upon waves of vibrations through her entire body.
A familiar heady sensation began to creep up causing her to - as lightly as she could, but enough to get his attention - thump Beorn's chest, wanting to be let down.
After what seems like hours, Beorn finally placed her back on her feet. She shook her head, ridding herself of nausea that was surely ready to make itself known.
"Forgive me, I don't do well with motion sickness. Force, you should have seen me flying. Awful. Ha! Flying's for droids," she said, mumbling the last part incoherently. As her gaze wandered towards the oak tree, where they widened noticeably. Master?
Confused at her words, Beorn opens his mouth to ask her what she meant. Before shortly closing it again, deciding not to ask and smiled down at her instead. Though her gaze was not on him. Curious, Beorn turned around and followed her eye line to the old oak tree. His lips turned up in a smile.
"Don't worry," he mumbled. Alexa's eyes snapped back to the skin-changer; her body as stiff as a board. Worry emitted from her in waves, oh force did he see him?
"The old Oak was here long before me and will be here long after me," Beorn continued, his answer caused Alexa to let out an audible sigh of relief. Which gained her a curious look. Coughing she straightened herself out once more, tugging her cloak behind her.
"Oh, yes. Of course, well I better be going now. But I do believe, before the end we will meet again," Alexa said her voice full of wisdom. She then gestured to the almost packed company, accentuating her words.
Giving one last smile to a confused Beorn, she moved towards the company who were loading up the ponies. Upon counting, Alexa realized that she would have to share. Which usually wouldn't be a problem, except life decided to yet again be a little shit.
"Come on lass, you're riding with me," the deep rough voice of Dwalin said.
"What?" Alexa breathed, snapping her head towards Dwalin. Who was tightening the straps on the white pony before him.
"On Thorin's orders," he grunted, not happy with the situation either.
"You know, I think I'd rather go with Nori," Alexa said, turning towards the said Dwarf with a smile, which dropped as she saw just how much stuff his pony was carrying. Hell, there wasn't even enough room for him.
"Sorry Al," Nori said sadly
"Okay, then Bofur," Alexa said, moving on quickly.
"Sorry lassie," Bofur said
"Bilbo?"
"He's sharing with Ori,"
"Fili?"
"No room,"
"Kili?"
"Sorry, Alexa,"
"Gandalf?!" Alexa wailed, quickly running out of options.
"Alexa! You will ride with Dwalin and that is that!" Thorin stated from upon his pony, his tone leaving no room for an argument.
Releasing a huff, Alexa walked back over to a brooding Dwalin. Who had at some point got himself settled upon the pony. Slapping away his hand, she went to climb up behind him. Wishing that she still had Ardeth with her, he was such a good horse after all.
/
The company galloped on across the land, steadily getting closer to Mirkwood as they got further away from Beorn.
Alexa looked behind at Beorn. His large form grew smaller and smaller till she couldn't see him anymore. Turning back, Alexa was faced with Dwalin's broad back. Letting out a sigh Alexa thought back to her conversation with Master Jinn.
"You have a gift young Alexa, but you must be wary. Do not change all that you see, for some things are meant to be," Qui-Gon uttered,
"What do you mean Master Jinn?" she asked confused; glancing at the Jedi Master.
"As you change the future another future is created and therefore another outcome. What happened to me, was what the force intended. Follow the force young one, and you will not stray. For we are one with the force and the force is with us." He said, peering at Alexa as he spoke. She nodded, understanding his words.
"Remember: Your focus determines your reality," He said, causing her to let out a chocked laugh. Having heard the same words many decades before, before he died.
"May the force be with you,"
"May the force be with you Master,"
/
The ride goes without incident and no orcs were seen. Which is fan-fucking-tastic! It was also all-in-all a pretty decent day, the sun was shining, there wasn't even a cloud in the sky! However, as the journey to the forest of Mirkwood drew to an end they all found themselves wishing the ponies went slower.
No sooner had they arrived, Gandalf dismounted from his horse and made his way towards the forest. "The Elven gate here lies our path through Mirkwood," Gandalf announced,
"No sign of orcs. We have luck on our side," Dwalin says, not waiting for Alexa as he lifted himself off the pony. Almost knocking her off in the process.
"Set the ponies loose. Let them return to their master," Gandalf instructs the remaining Dwarves, who set to work on removing their provisions.
"This forest feels... Sick as if a disease lies upon it. Is there no way around?" Bilbo asked the Wizard, who was standing a few feet from the forest of Mirkwood.
"Not unless we go two hundred miles north, or twice that distance south," Gandalf said, moving towards the Elven statue marking the edge of the forest.
"Alexa. Come, here would you?" Gandalf called, his eyes not leaving the statue. Outstretching his hand towards the statue his fingers were about to touch it when Alexa made her presence known, startling him. Retracting his fingers, he stepped back.
"You called Gandalf?" Alexa asked, uneasy. The forest didn't look great from the ponies but it certainly didn't get better close up. Alexa had made sure she stayed as far as she could from Gandalf and therefore the forest. She had a bad feeling about this.
"I will not be able to join you in the forest," Gandalf mutters his words causing Alexa's eyebrows to rise into her hairline. HE WHAT?!
"Gandalf! You can't leave us, not now," Alexa huffed, annoyed at the Wizard, and rightfully so.
"What do you sense dearie?" Gandalf asked, ignoring her words. After a few seconds of Gandalf staring expectantly at Alexa, she gave in. With a roll of her eyes, she closed her eyes and focused on the force around them. As she did, her eyebrows furrowed into a line, confused.
Alexa couldn't sense anything; it was if the force in the forest was dead. Reluctantly she drew closer to the forest and touched one of the branches of the rotting trees. Memories of Order 66 and the assault on the Jedi Temple washed over her like a tidal wave.
Dead Jedi littered the floor of the temple. Holding a trembling hand over her mouth, silent tears fell down her cheeks. Not even the youngling's survived.
It was when she saw her, that she collapsed. Falling to her knees, she caressed the young girl's blue cheek. She was always hot to the touch, being a Twi'lek and all, but now she was as cold as stone.
I was supposed to protect her
Pulling Seren's limp body into her arms, Alexa cradled her as tears pricked at her eyes. Stroking her lekku, Alexa buried her head into Seren's neck and sobbed.
The force surrounding her was still. The once lively temple was dead. It suffocated her, drowning her.
Gasping deeply, Alexa's chest rose and fell quickly. Taking several staggering steps back, almost falling to her knees. "Gandalf, I-I can't go in. I just can't," she splutters, her breath coming out in quick, short gasps.
Gandalf strode towards Alexa and placed both his aged hands on her shoulders, "You must Alexa," Gandalf muttered.
"I don't know if I can," Alexa breathed, her eyes not breaking away from the decaying forest.
"I do not wish to ask this of you, but you must. The Valar brought you here for a reason, it has to be this quest! The company need you now more than ever," Gandalf muttered lowly, wary of the flapping ears in the company.
Looking up into Gandalf's wise eyes, she nodded once. Before dropping her eyes back to the ground. Her Master's words floating in her head. You must save the line of Durin, for the sake of Middle Earth
Gandalf sighed, squeezing her right shoulder; briefly consoling her. Then turned back and walked towards the company. "Not my horse! I need it," Gandalf yells, stopping his horse from being released back to Beorn.
"You're not leaving us?" Bilbo called, refusing to believe that Gandalf would just up and abandon them.
"I would not do this unless I had to," Gandalf tried to assure Bilbo, though this did nothing for the Hobbit.
"You've changed, Bilbo Baggins. You're not the same Hobbit as the one who left the Shire," Gandalf says, his grey eyes squinting at the Hobbit, like a puzzle he couldn't solve.
"I was going to tell you; I… Found something in the Goblin tunnels," Bilbo admits,
"Found what?" Gandalf asked, intrigued.
"What did you find?" Gandalf repeated, staring at the Hobbit warily.
"My courage," Bilbo replied after a few seconds.
"Good. Well, that's good. You'll need it," Gandalf says, deciding not to press the matter.
"I'll be waiting for you at the overlook, before the slopes of Erebor. 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. It will seek to enter your mind and lead you astray," Gandalf states,
"You must stay on the path; do not leave it. If you do, you will never find it again," Gandalf continued, warning the company.
"No matter what may come, stay on the path!" He warns one last time as he rides away on his horse.
Whilst the company watched Gandalf gallop away, Dwalin hesitantly approached Alexa. Her pack in his meaty hand. He called out her name, but she made no sign of hearing him. Thinking that she was ignoring him, he stormed towards her and was about to roughly push her pack into her chest. But stopped himself. Her usually bright eyes were sullen, almost dead. He recognized the look. Post battle. He too wore it, after the battle of Azanulbizar. When he and Balin had found their father's body.
"'ere ye go lass," He whispered softly, holding out her pack for her to grab.
Upon hearing his voice, Alexa snapped out of her dazed state and wordlessly took the bag from him. Dwalin stood there for a while, almost wanting to say something but not knowing the right words to say. He was a man of action, not words like his brother.
"Come on. We must reach the mountain before the sun sets on Durin's Day," Thorin spoke, snapping the Dwarves from their stupor.
A quick nod to Dwalin, made the latter hastily follow after his king into the forest; leaving Alexa standing alone, her pack in hand. The rest soon followed the pair to the entrance of Mirkwood and beyond.
"Durin's Day. Let's go!" Dwalin shouted,
"This is our one chance to find the hidden door," Thorin says, reminding everyone of just how much is at stake.
"You alright Al?" Nori asked her, as she slung her pack over her shoulder.
"Yeah. Come on," Alexa grinned at him. Her grin falling from her lips as she entered Mirkwood. I am one with the force. The force is with me
