Okay my instalments seem to be getting closer and closer together! (is it too much for one person to update so quickly?) Anyway thanks for the reviews! AND MY NEW FOLLOWERS! :D I am going to try and lengthen Beorn's house for (maybe) three chapters..if anyone disagrees please just say so! THE DWARVES ARE GOING TO FIND OUT! YAY!

p.s THANK YOU DwarvenWarrior for favouriting/following xxx

p.p.s In answer too your request, DwarvenWarrior (which isn't selfish) I am going to start writing my Nori story (I love it how that rhymes) AFTER I finish this!

p.p.p.s I WANT YOUR THOUGHTS AS I AM ALSO THINKING OF WRITING A PREQUEL AND/OR A SEQUEL TO THIS!

Disclaimer-I ONLY OWN LARK (and the other characters you know aren't in the story :))

An Exiled Maiar

Kili watched the path, confused. Where was Lark? She couldn't have just disappeared! He noticed that ALL the dwarves were watching for her, all of them wearing confused expressions. All but Gandalf...the wizard had a small grin on his face and he quickly whispered something to the skin-changer. The sound of hooves brought Kili's attention back to the path...a palimino mare was trotting up towards them. Her coat, shone like the afternoon sun and her eyes were blue like the sea. She seemed so familiar...some of the dwarves shot Beorn a look but, the large man grunted.

"She's not one of mine!"

Well then, who did she belong too? The mare paused, in mid-stride, before changing. Kili gasped, in wonder! The horse had transformed into lynx. The lynx padded up to them a started purring at the skin-changer's feet. The man bent down and stroked her head. Lark felt herself purr even louder. She liked this man and she could sense the bear within him. Once again, she decided to shift. This time she changed into a skylark, hoping that it would click in the dwarve's heads that it was her. She flew several times round the group, singing (more whistling than singing) at them before Gandalf spoke.

"My dear, you've had your fun. Please say hello to Beorn in your TRUE form!"

Lark heaved a sigh. She flew low to the ground and changed back into her natural skin. The corners of her mouth twitched when she saw the company's faces. Most of their mouths seemed to have reached their ankles. Beorn flashed a wide grin, the hobbit stared at her, in wonder and Gandalf merely smiled. She walked up to the group and bowed low before the bear-man.

"Larka of Greenword, at your service!"

Beorn bowed at her.

"And I am Beorn the Skin-changer! Miss Larka, I have heard a lot about you!"

"I hope it's all good things you've heard!"

"Well let's just say, a very disstressed Radagast came to me. He was certain I would've seen you!"

"Haha, poor Radagast..at least it wasn't my father!"

The dwarves were still staring and Lark began to feel irritated.

"You know..Thorin it is very rude to let your men stare! I'm telling you, Dwalin's mouth is touching the floor!"

The burly dwarf flushed red and closed his gaping mouth. Thorin shot her a glare but, she could see the faint smile dancing upon his lips. Many of the dwarves averted their gaze but, Lark could see the questions whirling about their heads. Thankfully Gandalf (and Beorn) stepped in.

"How about we head inside and then you can ask Lark all your questions!"

The dwarves hurried into the house, after the skin-changer. Lark shot a glare at Gandalf as he went in. Questions..oh how she LOVED them!

"Great idea Olórin! i'm going to be all questioned out by the end of the evening!"

"You wanted to tell them!"

"..."

"I take it you are going to be ignoring me?"

"...pretty much!"

"stubborn!"

"..."

Lark plonked herself in a large armchair while the dwarves dotted themselves around the great sitting room. All were eager to hear what she was going to tell them...Lark felt them watching her and it was her who asked the first question.

"How about I tell you a story?"

She met Kili's eyes. The brown orbs held nothing but curiousity. Her heart throbbed beneath her shirt and her cheeks flushed. The group shot her confused looks but nodded all the same. Lark took a deep breath then began.

"In another part of Middle-Earth where no living mortal can go, is the kingdom of the Valar. They are beings of such grace and magick that mortals are never able to see them. The Valar have a Great Council, much like the White but, it's a great power which creates ALL the laws and rules that mortals and Valar, alike, have to follow. One of these rules, is that the Valar can never conceive. They hold too much duty and responsibilty and raising a child cannot be done. So instead of having their own children, some created servants. Maiar...these creatures are blessed with extraordinary gifts, many are great wizards..."

She looked to Gandalf.

"...some serve the sea and the sky. Majority of the Maiar dwelled within the kingdom. Never leaving it for they loved their creators too much to abandon them. There were some who left. Five...of the greatest Maiar left the kingdom. The Istari. The Valar were fine with this and so life continued...until a young couple broke the rule. Two Valar, a smith and a tamer, both in love. They loved each other so much that when the tamer told her husband that she'd conceived, he simply laughed and kissed her. The Council were furious with this news and told the young Valar to give up her baby. When she refused as she said it was too late, they told her that she could have two years with the child then she must send it away. The babe would be forever exiled, never to return home. Heart-broken, the couple awaited for the birth. The smith set about creating a carer for the babe for two years was a brief time. The carer was then sent to live upon Middle-Earth unaware to his duty. Then the baby was born. A wee girl. Blonde hair like her father and blue eyes that shone like his too. Her father had her built like his own race, that he had made; the dwarves...the mother then blessed her with a precious gift. The ability to shift into animals and the love of nature around her. The day came where they babe had to go. Her father was at an utter loss for words and so never said goodbye. Her mother carried her down to the dwarf-carer and told him of his job. The dwarf had suffered a great loss of his home; Erebor, and gladly accepted the baby. The Valar then left him and wept for her beloved daughter. He raised her as his own and soon her heart longed for adventure. She spoke with her mother and the Valar denied. Angry at her family, the girl fled her home and discovered a company of dwarves. Learning all she could about them and growing to care for them. She has followed them up to this point and hopes that they will still accept her..."

Lark hadn't realised she was crying until Kili wraped an arm round her and held her close. He stroked her hair, telling her it was alright. The dwarves looked at her. They now realised how much she knew about them. Their creator, Mahal (Aüle) was her father and he had been forced to give her up. It made them angry at the Valar for forcing this lovely (at times cheeky) girl out of her home. Bofur spoke up.

"'course you're accepted lass! It'll be our pleasure tae 'ave you with us! Yer young and noone should be homeless at that age! Yer carer must be a fine man"

Lark wiped her nose with the back of her sleeve and smiled at him.

"Thanks...I noticed that you were very kind to my adopted father and I want to thank you for it!"

Kili looked down at her. He had let her go but, an arm still remained draped over her shoulder.

"What's his name?"

"Haum...he has, more or less, been my rock for the seventy two years i've been here and I don't know what i'd do without him."

Haum...the old dwarf who'd been talking to them in Rivendell! Ofcourse, there were traits about Lark that reminded Kili of the old dwarf. He remembered him saying about how his 'little swift' was the light of his life. Lark truly was a light. She shone bright every time she smiled and it made Kili's blood boil at the thought of anyone wanting to stop her from living and having a life. He was pulled out of his thoughts when Beorn walked into the room again. He had been eavesdropping into the story and now faced the company.

"There are rooms prepared and, once you're ready, dinner will be on the table."

The company started to file out. Everyone gave Lark a nod or a hug or some kind of gesture of thanks or kindness. Then she got up, instantly noticing the lack of warmth that had been Kili, she shivered. Wiping her eyes, she headed after a sheep it led her to a large room and she closed the door. They'd heard her out and had accepted her for what she was...but had they...they could've been pitying her. Lark's head was still swirling with thoughts when she drifted to sleep.

Okay my LONGEST CHAPTER BY FAR! I now officially hate my Valar Council for chucking Lark out! :( Wasn't Kili so sweet (and Bofur too)? He definetely was a shoulder to cry on! Next chapter is a day into their visit at Beorn's and the skin-changer is curious about what animals Lark can shift into! :) EXCITING! we've also got some singing and dancing! Look out for my next instalment! :) PLEASE REVIEW! TTFN