So, Rob Nash came to speak at my school today. If you don't know him you should really look him up, he has an incredible story and a really amazing message to share!

Time for some Beorn! Hehe, I know whats gonna' happen, but you don't! Bah!

Disclaimer: Me no own, you no sue!

Arriah had woken to the smell of Fili. Not bacon, but Fili. Which wouldn't have been so bad if she wasn't so hungry. Also, he was heavy. He was practically laying on her. His arms sort of wrapped around her waist and, low and behold, he had happily snuggled into her chest. She had no idea how he'd accomplished this, considering she wasn't exactly on the small side, but she bet that he was really comfortable. His breath was even and his chest rose and fell almost completely in time with hers.

Arriah gave a huff and continued to lay quietly. As far as she could tell not many of the company were up yet, just Thorin, Balin, Dwalin, Dori, Oin, Bifur, Bilbo, and Gandalf. Everyone else was fast asleep.

The red head sighed and ran a hand through the golden dwarf's hair. Carefully working out any knots and twirling the ends in between her fingers. She closed her eyes and relaxed, letting out a content hum.

This is nice.

"Comfortable?"

Oh, apparently she'd missed Kili. He was awake too.

"Very."

She could practically smell the cheeky smile that the archer must have been wearing.

"Did you just wake?"

"Aye. I was hoping that there would be some food but..."

Arriah gave a slight nod. "I completely understand."

...

"Arriah."

The huntress blinked open her eyes at the dwarfs tone.

"Yeah?"

"Don't let him get hurt, alright. Don't..."

"I promise."

"Good."

Arriah closed her eyes again and continued to run her fingers through the blond dwarf's hair.

Of course I would never hurt him. I could never do that to him.

"Alright, enough of this, we must set out as soon as we can."

"I agree Thorin, but we've all be through a lot lately, let them all sleep some more, and we'll take it slow today. We have plenty of time till we have to be at the mountain."

...

"Fine, they may continue to rest until sun high, but we will be getting off of this rock today."

"Alright, alright."

Arriah hummed and shifted slightly.

"Azyungâl...?"

"Fili?"

He snuggled into her. "Nothing."

Arriah smiled.

"Is there any food?"

"Nope."

"Ugh, then why did I wake?"

"Who knows?"

The dwarf let out a groan and relaxed again. Only seconds later he shot up and rolled off of her.

"Oh my...I'm so sorry, I swear I fell asleep beside you. Oh my."

Arriah giggled as she imagined the dwarf blushing.

"S'okay. I was actually pretty comfortable."

"...Really?"

"Yeah."

"Oh."

"...Yeah."

Arriah sat up slowly and lifted her arms up in a stretch, letting out a small yawn.

"Have you been awake long?"

"Nope."

"Ah. Has Thorin said anything about continuing on?"

"Were leaving after noon, or something, I really wasn't listening."

"Hm."

The dwarf beside her shuffled and and he stood. The sound of foot falls signalling his departure. Arriah let out a huff and stood as well. Arshing her back in a stretch and shaking her legs slightly she headed to where she had scented the hobbit.

"Bilbo?"

"Ah, Lady Arriah. Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, all things considered."

Footsteps.

"Ah yes, I wasn't sure if I should wake the lad or not, he looked comfortable, but I was more worried about you."

Arriah smiled at Balins words.

"No. It was fine."

"You should have seen Thorin when we woke. He glared at you two for a good half hour before he actually got up. Grumbling the whole time."

Arriah laughed. "Sounds like him."

"We'll be leaving sometime after noon."

Arriah nodded and turned, heading back for her pack. She'd promptly raided the elven kitchens back in Rivendell before they'd left and had brought along plenty of lembas, as well as some dried meat and fruits. It was no bacon, but it would have to do.

She munched happily and listened to the sounds of the company waking and beginning to move about.

"Let's go! It's time we moved on!"

Grumbling Arriah stood and tugged on her cloak and pack. She stood still.

"Right, so which way should I walk so that I don't fall to my death?"

A chuckle to the right and her hand was taken by Fili's.

"Be careful, okay?"

"Well that's kinda why your here, right?"

"Uh, yeah."

Arriah laughed and allowed Fili to pull her along.

Going down the Carrock was possibly the scariest thing Arriah had ever done. The walk down was steep, some bits were rooted or covered in moss, and the wind blew like no tomorrow.

The second Arriah was sure she was standing on the ground again she crumbled to her knees and let out a sigh.

"I'm alive!"

Many of the company chuckled at her antics, guess who didn't?

"Come on, get up. We have no time to be fooling around, we must continue towards the mountain."

Arriah grumbled and stood. "But that's all we do! Can't we find a river or something and bathe? You all reek, and I feel dirty."

"Fine. Fili, Dwalin, scout ahead. As much as it pains me to say it, Lady Arriah is correct. A bath would be nice."

Arriah smiled. "Yes. Finally. I don't think I've bathed since Rivendell. Ew."

Chuckles came from around her.

"Well, I don't think that half of us have either."

"Then...when did the other half last bathe?"

"...Best not think about that."

"Oh, ew! Come on guys, really? So it wasn't allergies, wow...you guys have been giving me headache's since I started travelling with you! You're all bathing today! No complaints, and I'll know if you didn't!"

Laughs erupted from all around her.

"Very well, lass, don't you worry, we'll be squeaky clean in no time!"

"I don't care if your squeaky!"

More laughs.

"Did you find a place where we may bathe?"

"Yes. Not to far from here. We'll show you."

Arriah sighed and began to follow the company. Using their scents and footfalls to guide her.

"Azyungâl, I took the time to find you a safe and hidden place for yourself."

Arriah smiled. "Thank you."

A hand on the small of her back led her forward, away from the company.

"Just yell if you need anything."

Arriah nodded and Fili left. Letting out a sigh the huntress slowly walked forward until she felt she was at the edge of the bank. Slowly Arriah began to undress. First removing her cloak, then her pack. Her boots came off next, then her leather travelling pants. Her coat came next, followed by her two shirts and her bindings.

She carefully slipped into the water. The red head let out a sigh and relaxed. The water wasn't too fast, so it made for a nice bath. After a nice soak she went about wetting her hair and washing her hands, feet, and her face. Though she wasn't sure if she was doing a good jog of cleaning herself or not, the water felt nice.

She hummed and ran her fingers through her hair.

"I should brush it..."

The huntress raised herself up onto the bank and made quickly for her back. She stopped abruptly however when the wind blew toward her.

Orc! It's the orc pack! They're close!

The huntress wasted no time dressing and gathering her things she raced to where she had heard the dwarfs. Their voices became louder sa she turned a bend.

"And then I-Oh lass! WHat are ya' doing here?"

"Oh my!"

"Arriah!"

Thr huntress huffed.

"By the Valar, I'm blind! Probably nothing to see anyway!"

Silence. Deafining silence.

"Oh! Thorin! The orc pack! They're close!"

Yells erupted from the group.

"Are you sure?"

A howl broke through the air.

"Yeah, pretty sure!"

"Move! Out of the water! Dress quickly! We have to get out of here!"

Arriah nodded.

...

"Uh, lass, could you...just for our sake..."

The red head huffed. "Oh, bother."

She pivoted on her heel and once again the company was in uproar.

"Where are my breeches?"

"Has anyone seen my coat?"

Arriah rolled her eyes.

"I'm blind and I dress faster than you lot!"

"Azyungâl."

"What?"

"...You can turn around now."

Arriah grumbled and turned and suddenly everything was Fili. His scent had become stronger now that he'd washed and she was pretty sure that he was shirtless.

Must resist temptation.

"Uh, Fili?"

"Yes?"

"Are...are you wearing a shirt?"

"No."

She imagined him with a cheeky smile.

"Oh, I see. Well, that's- that's nice. Uh..."

The dwarf chuckled.

"Fili!"

The blond grumbled.

"Now! Flirt with your woman later!"

"Uncle!"

Arriah was left alone, blushing bright, like a strawberry she imagined.

His woman. His woman? His- dear Valar.

The huntress took a deep breath and squared herself.

"Well then."

"Lets move!"

Her hand was taken by-

Oh, Bofur this time.

-Bofur and he pulled her along quickly.

"Stop! Master Baggins, you will go scout. I want to know how close they really are."

Arriah raised an eye brow.

"Wha- what? You mean...you mean me? I can't possibly-"

"Go."

"Right. Of course."

The hobbit was gone. Arriah let out a sigh.

Were so close to Beorn's now. I just hope we don't run into any trouble with him. He doesn't like dwarves much. Wait...

The huntress tilted her head upwards slightly. This scent-

"How close is the pack?"

"To close. A couple leagues, no more. But that is not the worst of it-"

"Have the args picked up our scent?"

"Not yet, but they will. We have another problem."

"Did they see you? They saw you!"

"No, that's not it."

No, that most certainly is not it.

"Huh, what did I tell you? Quiet as a mouse. Excellent burglar material."

"Will you listen? Will you just listen?"

The company quieted.

"I'm trying to tell you there is something else out there."

"What form did it take? Like a bear?"

Arriah's eye widened.

Oh no. Beorn is completely inconsolable and unpredictable in his second skin! He will kill us if he gets the chance. And the possibilities of him even recognizing me are so low! I may...if it comes to it I may have to-

"Azyungâl, are you alright?"

"Fine."

"-neither. He will help us, or he will kill us."

Arriah's eyes widened.

"What choice do we have?"

A fierce roar broke through the air.

"None."

Then they were running.

Again.

Across a small stream and into a dense forest.

This is Beorns land.

The bear was getting closer. Arriah's brows furrowed. I'll have to stop him.

They broke out of the tress and came into a grassy field. Arriah pivoted on her foot and turned to face the bear as it brok out of the forest.

"Arriah! Arriah come on!"

She narrowed her gaze and let the feeling of her second skin wash over her.

"Arriah..."

Arriah opened her eyes just in time to duck a large black paw that had been swung at her. She wasted no time reaching up to clamp her jaws onto the bears neck and bit down. She rocked and tossed the bear slightly to the side.

She let out a fierce snarl and growled low in her throat. Bearing her teeth and flattening her ears against her head. The bear returned her roar and charged her.

Arriah dodged and began to run. Knowing that Beorn would follow her, but also that he would never catch her. Trees blurred past her as her paws smacked the ground. Sending dirt flying and breaking twigs as she went. Out running the bear was easy, now all she had to do was loose him and remain hidden until he took upon his second skin once again.

The large wolf twisted through the forest. Crossing her paths as she went, to confuse the bear. Eventually she came upon the river she'd bathed in earlier. With out a second thought she jumped in and swam to the other side. She jumped out of the water and continued to run again.

Finally she slowed and sat. Her chest heaved with each breath and her legs shook slightly.

Just like the first time we met. So nostalgic.

Slowly she let her first skin take her once again and brightened considerably once she realized that she'd managed to keep all of her clothes, weapons, and supplies this time.

The huntress smiled, stood, and carefully began to make her way back to Beorn's house..

So, that was that. A little skin changer action thrown in there, just for you guys! And we meet Beorn! Well, sort of. R&R!