Disclaimer: Not mine.

Chapter 3

Well Beorn didn't eat them which was good, bit hard to finish a quest when you're in someone's stomach after all. Hari vetoed Gandalf's ridiculous plan of introducing them in pairs and instead led them through the gate onto the skin changers' lands. The man was as tall as or taller than Hagrid but pure muscle instead of the half giants more round build. Yellow eyes met green and then Beorn inclined his head slightly, knowing exactly who stood before him. Because of that they were given lodging for as long as they needed. Hari set his small pack down and stretched, looking around as the others began claiming furs for bedding.

"Let's have a look at you then." He stated and Thorin turned to stare at him.

"What?"

"Gandalf patched you up enough to move but you're still injured. While I cannot heal with magic I do know herbs and how to bandage. So shirt off." He ordered sternly and the shocked king obeyed. Hari gently went over each wound and bruise, doing what he could to speed the healing. Thorin gradually relaxed as the pain faded and studied the wizard, he looked much younger than Gandalf but who could tell with their kind. He also dressed fairly differently with an open robe over trousers and shirt rather than the full covering robes Gandalf and Radagast wore.

"I know why Gandalf is aiding us but why are you?" The king asked as he pulled his shirt back on, meeting green eyes steadily.

"I could just say because Gandalf asked me too." He answered lightly but then glanced over at the sleeping company. "Truth is he's right, the dragon should have been dealt with years ago. I was too far East when Smaug attacked you, by the time I heard of it he was well ensconced within the mountain and your people scattered."

"Do you believe the beast is dead?"

"No, a sixty year nap is nothing to such a creature. But if the sleep is deep enough we should be able to steal your pretty rock without being roasted."

"Pretty rock?" He hissed and Hari chuckled.

"That is all it is in the end, why your Grandfather tied your peoples oaths to it I'll never understand. Oaths are to people, not objects. Now get some sleep young king." He gently pushed the indignant dwarf down into the furs and Thorin was soon asleep. Hari glanced around to make sure the rest still slumbered before slipping out to join Beorn in patrolling for orcs. Soon a massive bear and a black wolf were running across the plains happily.

Thorin watched as his nephews tried to teach the Halfling how to properly wield the letter opener he used as a sword. While both were turning into formidable warriors in their own right their teaching methods left a lot to be desired. He sighed and shook his head, their hearts were in the right place though. Bilbo Baggins simply had to learn to defend himself if he intended to continually through himself into battle. He looked over at Dwalin, he had taught the boys so would be the best teacher for the hobbit. His oldest friend caught him looking and grimaced, guessing his thoughts. Thorin smirked slightly as the warrior got up and moved to join the boys, grumbling under his breath as he did so. Despite the gruffness Thorin knew he didn't really object to teaching Master Baggins, the hobbit had proved himself to Dwalin by standing between Thorin and Azog. It had been a very brave yet foolish thing to do. He wondered why Bilbo had done it, he had treated the hobbit so badly during the trip and yet he had been willing to face death in order to protect him. Bilbo himself had stated that hobbits were not warriors but he had still done it.

"The lads' come a long way since running after us." Balin commented from around his pipe as he sat down.

Thorin just nodded as he watched the lesson. "He has proven himself a true part of this company if that is what you are concerned about Balin."

"Still….is it enough to face a dragon?"

"The beast may be dead."

"Do you really believe that?" Balin asked and Thorin sighed, eventually shaking his head. With the way their luck had gone the thing probably knew they were coming and was looking forward to a dinner of fried dwarf. "Well we have to wizards with us now, that will be a great help."

"Indeed." He looked over as Kili cheered and smiled slightly as he saw Dwalin shake out his stinging hand from where Bilbo had landed a glancing hit with his branch 'sword'.

Hari saddled his horse, listening as Beorn spoke of the spreading evil within the Greenwood, now called Mirkwood. It had been several centuries since Hari had walked beneath its trees and he felt a pang of grief at hearing how it had changed. "There are nine empty tombs and only one could ever hold their allegiance." He stated softly when Beorn asked Gandalf if the dead truly did walk. The skin changer nodded grimly, understanding what he meant. He may not be old enough to remember the last great Alliance but he was old enough to understand what many others would not.

"Ride fast and stop for nothing. The orcs will soon pick up your trail." The gruff man warned before slipping away.

Hari quickly mounted his horse and the others followed his example until soon they were galloping across the plains, heading for the dark smudge that ran across the horizon. He could see the worry in the hobbits eyes the closer they got and tried to encourage him. He knew of the connection between hobbits and the land, he would not have an easy time under those trees. It was that connection to the earth and growing things that made Hari wonder if Hobbits really were the children of Yavanna like the Ents had been. Even he did not know the true origins of the happy race, he had not really been interested in the world back then. It had only been when those who would be called Istari had been chosen that his interest had been peaked. Before that he had still been wallowing in grief for the death of his world to really care about this new one. Aule had made the dwarves and Eru had created men and elves so maybe hobbits as well as they shared similarities with those two races. It was a puzzle he doubted anyone would ever solve unless told the answer.

They stopped for the night in a hollow and set up camp swiftly with no fire to give away their position to unfriendly eyes. Hari watched as Bilbo wandered the area restlessly. "Does it feel familiar here Master Baggins?" He asked, catching the attention of several of the dwarves and Bilbo nodded. "Not surprising as Hobbits once dwelled in these lands, before they braved the crossing of the Misty Mountains. The land still remembers their gentle touch." That made the dwarves look at Bilbo more closely and Hari smiled slightly, he knew what people said about the gentle folk but they were hardier than most assumed and while they did not like fighting they most definitely could when needed.

Near midday the next day they finally reached the borders of Mirkwood and dismounted in order to send their mounts back to their master. As soon as bare feet hit the dirt the poor hobbit gasped in shock, staring at the gloomy forest in horror. "This forest feels sick." He stated and Hari gently touched his shoulder, weaving magic around him in an effort to help. Gandalf looked over and nodded.

"This is no longer the Greenwood of old. We must move quickly and no matter what happens stay on the path!" The Grey wizard ordered. He moved into the trees and brushed back vines that clung to an ancient statue, revealing a mark the colour of blood. Hari shivered as he saw it and exchanged a look with Gandalf even as they both felt the Lady Galadriel reaching out with her mind. Gandalf closed his eyes in sad acceptance. "Not my horse!" He called as Bofur moved to remove the saddle. "I need it." He moved quickly back to the animal.

"Gandalf? Where are you going?" Bilbo called nervously.

"I am sorry but I must go. Listen to Hari and remember to stay on the path! I will meet you on the overlook before Dale." With that he took off and they all looked to Hari.

"Well wizard?" Thorin demanded.

"The White Council has called. Come, we need to move on while we have the light." He gently guided Bilbo towards the menacing forest. He only hoped they could get through without any problems.

TBC…