Okay, I got some good news and some bad news. Bad news is that my beta, Nathalia, has been really busy with the real world and has only managed to beta 5 chapters so far because of the real world so there will be one more update after this and then there will be a hiatus for a short bit. I have sent her up to Chapter 8 and Chapter 9 is in the works.

The good news is that I have an update for you!

Thank you for everyone that has reviewed thus far. Glad you are liking it!

Chapter 4

After they had arrived at Beorn's home, Beorn had to leave, claiming that there was some business he needed to attend to immediately. So Bilbo, Fíli and Kíli were left alone in his big home, taking comfort in the food that was available.

After stuffing himself until he thought his stomach was about to explode, Bilbo was on his way to the window, his pipe in his hand when he noticed Kíli was already smoking away, gazing off into the distance.

Bilbo approached the young dwarf and asked ever so politely, "Do you mind if I join you?"

Kíli, who was caught off guard by the Hobbit, jumped slightly before smiling and motioning for Bilbo to join him. Once his pipe was lit he inhaled deeply and blew a smoke ring he was ever so proud of. "You are quite good at that, Bilbo. You may have to teach me that trick."

Bilbo laughed silently to himself as he took another inhale of the pipeweed. Once the smoke exited his lungs, Bilbo asked, "Where is Fíli?"

Using his pipe, Kíli pointed to the other side of the room. When Bilbo followed the direction of Kíli's pipe, he was shocked to see the golden haired prince fast asleep on the large padded bench. "He's asleep?"

"I know, I was shocked as well, but frankly I'm glad for it."

"How long has he been out?"

Kíli shrugged. "An hour or two, at the most."

"And he hasn't had any nightmares?"

Kíli shook his head. "I think he knows we're safe here so he doesn't have to worry about us. It's about time he got some rest. He looks ready to pass out at any given moment. His stubbornness is going to be the death of him."

"Sounds like Thorin."

Kíli laughed. "That it does."

A silence befell them as they continued to smoke away. After a few more inhales Bilbo asked, "You know what I find quite curious?"

"You find many things curious."

"True, but how did Beorn knew we were coming? Not many people were aware of our departure, let alone which way we were headed and who was traveling in this small company."

"Your guess is as good as mine, Mr. Boggins. I'm sure Beorn will explain it to us all in good time. Of course if he doesn't show up soon I may have to go the same way as my brother. The idea of a comfortable bed sounds very appealing."

As Kíli was about to put out the remnants of the weed in his pipe the door burst open, allowing a gust into the house. Fíli woke with a start, pulling his knife from his bracer as he jumped to his feet. However he visibly relaxed when his eyes recognized Beorn. "Sorry about that, lads. I had to check on a few things. I hope you've made yourselves comfortable."

Beorn had his answer when he saw Fíli stiffly get up from his sleeping spot, replacing his knife.

"Thank you for allowing us to stay in your home once again, Beorn," Fíli thanked as properly as any prince.

"You are quite welcome Fíli, Prince of Erebor, Heir to the Throne of Erebor and Keeper of the Arkenstone. My doors are always open to you and the rest of your company. Now come, I am tired and hungry and have urgent business to discuss with you."

They followed him to the table and sat, watching as the beastly man ate and drank. After downing his tankard of ale he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand he turned to Fíli and asked, "Are the rumors true? Are you the one who slayed Azog?"

Kíli immediately watched his brother with a worried look. Fíli was still very uncomfortable about speaking about the events that transpired on the battlefield and often worried that he might snap at the mere mention of the pale Orc. He was glad, however, to see no visible response except for a nod. "Aye, it's true."

Beorn grumbled something before rubbing his hairy face. "Just as I feared."

"What did you fear?" asked Bilbo.

"It seemed around the same time you left the Mountain that Orcs began growing in numbers through Mirkwood, mainly along the Old Forest Road."

"That's why the trees were blocking our way south," Kíli vocalized.

"Indeed. At first I thought they were licking their wounds but my contacts in the forest told me they were being gathered by one Orc: Bolg, son of Azog."

Fíli's heart fell in his chest. "Bolg?"

"Aye. It seems he's gathering his forces and is out for the blood of the one who killed his father."

Kíli's brown eyes darted between his brother and the skin-changer. "Wait, you're saying Bolg is hunting Fíli?"

Beorn nodded solemnly. "You will have to be careful on the rest of your journey, my friends. No doubt they will find you have left the forest soon and will be on their way West to try and find you. The roads are no longer safe."

"How did they know we left Erebor?" Kíli asked. It seemed that the news of Bolg had frozen Fíli. His throat was dry and his mouth was unable to form any words.

"Your guess is as good as mine. Azog had spies all over Middle Earth, so I assume Bolg does as well. You are more than welcome to stay here for as long as you like but I would suggest you move soon. If you can get a headstart into the mountains, you may have a better chance of losing them quickly."

Fíli finally managed to compose himself. After clearing his throat he nodded at their host and said, "We thank you for your hospitality. We will have to discuss this in the morning. None of us are fit to travel through the night."

"I would think you a fool if you did. You look ready to collapse where you are." Slowly he stood from his large seat. "If you will excuse me, I have some more business to attend to in the forest. I must see if I can get any more information on the location of the Orcs."

They all bowed their heads to him as he departed his home.

The news of Bolg had stirred their fears. In silence they glanced to one another, reading the same thoughts on their faces. Just how long could they hide from Bolg?

The Orcs walked amongst their dead, searching for anything. The dead had been slain at the hands of others that were not Orcs - that much they could tell. As one went to pick up a discarded weapon the deformed creature noticed something silver that glistened at the hand of the still Orc. His yellow eyes focused on it some more as it took the piece of jewelry, rolling it in his slimy fingers. When he recognized the runes on it, he sneered a black grin. "Dwarf scum," the Orc hissed in the Black Tongue.

"What of them?" came the deep, dark voice from behind. When the Orc spun around his eyes widened in fear before he fell in a low bow.

Before him towered Bolg, his skin a pale white and scarred from battle. Without muttering a word, the Orc held out the bead. Bolg took it in his hand and smiled when he recognized the engraving. "So it seems. Scour the area! Find them! Kill the spares. The golden haired one is mine!"

The Orcs quickly ran around the area, mounting their Wargs before disappearing in the darkness.

Bolg sneered as he took the bead and handed it to one of the smaller Orcs. "Send this to King Thorin with a message. As I lost a father, he will lose his son. Finally the Line of Durin will fall."

TBC….

Dun dun dun! Please read and review!