Chapter 16
On the Run Again
We stopped as it got close to sundown. Stacia was curled up with her head in Thorin's lap, sleeping after walking all day. Thorin rested a hand on her back. I walked towards them with a smile on my face.
"She was out as soon as she laid down." Thorin said.
"She'll sleep anywhere." I said, sitting beside Thorin and laying my head on his shoulder. A wargs howl came and everyone was up. Thorin and I woke up Stacia.
"But mom..." Stacia stopped when she heard another howl and her eyes widen. We put out the fire and hid it.
"Bilbo. Go see how far they are from our spot." Thorin said, as he helped me get Stacia on my back in a piggy back way so I could run with her. We stood waiting. Thorin held my hand and I saw Anna standing next to Fili, who had an arm wrapped around her. Bilbo came running back.
"How close is the pack?" Dwalin asked.
"Too close. A couple of leagues, no more, but that is not the worst of it." Bilbo said.
"Have the wargs picked up our scent?" Dwalin asked.
"Not yet, but they will, we have another problem." Bilbo said.
"Did they see you?" They saw you!" Gandalf said.
"No that's not it." Bilbo said.
"What did I tell you? Quiet as a mouse. Excellent burglar material." Gandalf said, with a smile. The dwarves chuckle.
"GUYS. He has something else to tell you if you will listen to him." Anna yelled.
"Thank you Anna. I'm trying to tell you there is something else out there." Bilbo said. We all looked at Bilbo, worried.
"What form did it take? Like a bear?" Gandalf said. Bilbo looked at him curiously.
"Yes. But bigger, much bigger." Bilbo said. Gandalf turns and walks a few steps away.
"You knew about this beast?" Bofur asked.
"I say we double back." I said, looking at Thorin.
"And be run down by a pack of Orcs." Thorin said.
"There is a house, it's not far from here, where we might take refuge." Gandalf said.
"Whose house? Are they friend or foe?" Thorin asked.
"Neither. He will help us, or he will kill us." Gandalf said. We look at each other.
"What choice do we have?" Thorin asked. A roar comes from behind them.
"None." Gandalf said. We started running. Stacia had a firm grip around my neck, but not choking. "Come on!" Gandalf said. We heard the orcs running through the woods. We all stop when an ear splitting roar sounds nearby. Stacia burried her face in my shoulder. I looked at Thorin. He had worry written on his face. "This way quickly." Gandalf called. We ran and Bombur looks on in shock until Bofur grabs him and pulls him along.
"Bombur, come on!" Bofur said. We exit the forest and see a house surrounded by hedges in the middle of the plain.
"To the house! Run!" Gandalf said.
"Lass. Let me take the little one. You are slowing down." Dwalin said. I nodded and he took her in his arms. We were running towards the house. Bombur runs past all of us. He could run when needed. "Come on, get inside." We run towards the door. Bombur reaches it and runs into it, falling onto his back. I watch as the dwarves try to get the door open.
"Open the door." I cry out seeing the bear heading towards us.
"Quickly!" Thorin said, pushing through the dwarves and manages to raise the bolt that was inside. The door opens and we rush inside. Dwalin quickly passes Stacia to me as I step with Anna behind the group.. The bear presses against the door. The dwarves slam their bodies against the door, trying to close the door. The bear roars as he also pushes.
"Come on, lads!" Dwalin called. They finally get the door closed and the bolt latched. Stacia sighed.
"To close." Stacia said, looking up at me.
"What is that?" Ori asked
"That is our host." Gandalf said. We all look at him. "His name is Beorn, and he is a skin-changer. Sometimes he's a huge black bear, sometimes he's a great strong man. The bear is unpredictable, but the man can be reasoned with. However, he is not overfond of dwarves, but he has a soft side for children. So Stacia might be able to help us out here." Gandalf said, smiling at my daughter. Stacia smiled as Thorin nodded as Ori peaks out a crack in the door.
"He's leaving!" Ori said.
"Come away from there! It's not natural, none of it. It's obvious: he's under some dark spell." Dori said, pulling him away from the door.
"Don't be a fool, he's under no enchantment but his own. Alright now, get some sleep, all of you. You'll be safe here tonight." Gandalf said. I head over to a pile of hay and laid Stacia down. Thorin handed me his coat and I put it over her. I laid next to her, using my arm to support my head, running a hand over Stacia's back, humming her favorite lullaby and she falls asleep. Thorin soon joined me as I pulled Stacia to me as he pulled me close to him and kissed my check.
"She sleeping?" Thorin whispered.
"Like a rock." I whispered as I turn my head and kissed his check. Thorin smiled and fell asleep with me right behind him.
Stacia's POV. I woke up to a sound. I open my eyes to find myself curled up to mom, who was wrapped in dad's arms. I slipped out of mom's arms and sat up to see the door open and a man stepped through the door. I stood up and tip toed over to where the man stood without waking my friends.
"Your not a dwarf." Beorn said.
"No. I'm a human and I'm five." I said.
"What's your name little one?" Beorn asked.
"Stacia." I said.
"Pretty name. Want to help me make breakfast?" Beorn said. I nodded.
AN: Here's the start of DOS. Hope you liked. :)