This chap is about 3,900, almost 4,000words. I must also thank my guest reviewers, and also ischyros for your great boosting reviews. Yes, it is time for another update and I feel awful for being so slow, but my health has not been the greatest this past month which also made me lazy.

I must also admit that this chapter can get a bit sad towards the end, and I shed some few tears while writing it.

R&R! Enjoy!

Chapter 5:

Bilbo came running down large rocks towards the group. Wargs howled in the distance and Calithilel had her head slightly tilted while trying to listen. Sparkles was glued to her side and his head rested against her left knee.

"How close is the pack?" Thorin asked.

"Too close. A couple of leagues, no more. But that's not the worst of it," Bilbo answered.

"Have the wargs picked up on our scent?" Thorin wondered.

"Not yet. But they will do. We have another problem."

"Did they see you?" Gandalf asked. "They saw you."

"No, that's not it."

"What did I tell you? Quiet as a mouse. Excellent burglar material."

"Will you listen? Will you just listen?"

Sparkles barked once and loud. It helped in quieting down the dwarves.

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

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

Beorn, she thought at the sudden memory, of course it was now.

"Ye…" Bilbo paused. "Ye-yes, but bigger. Much bigger."

"You knew about this beast?" Bofur asked. Gandalf turned from the group. "I say we double back."

Calithilel rolled her eyes, but she also worried for Bilbo and approached him. Asking him quietly if he was ok. He nodded to her while Thorin spoke: "And be run down by a pack of orcs?"

"There is a house…" Gandalf started and turned back towards the company. "…it's not far from here, where we might take refuge."

"Whose house?" Thorin wanted to know. "Are they friend or foe?"

"Neither. He will help us or… he will kill us."

Calithilel felt Bilbo's eyes on her and she briefly met them. She knew what he wanted to know. Instead of saying anything she rested a finger to her lips in a silent gesture and then nodded once.

"What choice do we have?" Thorin did not sound too happy, but the roars nearby made the decision easier when Gandalf said `None´.

Always this running, Calithilel thought with dismay as she moved gracefully over the terrain towards Beorn's house. Had it not been for her memories that had come back until this event and a tiny bit further, she might have been a bit more sceptic, and maybe even running faster. But deep within she knew Beorn would not hurt her. Her gifts to the animals applied for the bear-man as well when he was in his bear form, and she could always try to calm him or even communicate. However, she did not risk it with the wargs and orcs so close.

She twirled around the dwarves until she was in the lead, briefly winking at Fíli and Kíli who in turn gaped. Sparkles ran beside her, his feeling of joy in the run, filling her. Then they were between trees again and Gandalf took the lead. She chose to stay in the back, just in case. But that did not help when they reached Beorn's home. The dwarves were too short to reach the latch that kept the door closed. She was not able to move past any of the dwarves as they all pressed up against the door. In the end she screamed angrily, shocking the dwarves enough so she had time to jump over them and quickly she opened the door. She fell in with the dwarves pushing her so much and she gritted her teeth angrily while they all passed her. In the end she managed to crawl away while they tried to close the door in Beorn's bear-face.

"What is… that?" Ori asked, turning to Gandalf.

"That is our host," he answered. He looked at Calithilel who had her eyes narrowed, and then back to the dwarves. "His name is Beorn. And he's 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."

"What about elves?" Bilbo asked curiously.

Gandalf looked at Calithilel again. "Calithilel has gifts from the Vala, Beorn will notice. Such a creature in his presence… He will not mind." He smiled.

She crossed her arms. "He's leaving. I hear it."

While the dwarves started talking again Bilbo came to ask if she was ok. Oh, she was, just a little grumpy when it concerned the dwarves. Fíli had taken to play with Sparkles who in turn happily wiggled his tail. Kíli watched with a little jealousy as he was not able to get the same excitement from the dog.

"All right, now get some sleep. All of you. You'll be safe here tonight… I hope…" Gandalf's sudden announcement made Calithilel look up. "Yes, even you," he said and looked directly at her.

"But I can't rest now," she protested.

"We both know you're able to sleep much more than the normal elf. Get rest while you can."

"Fine," she muttered and sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall. She closed her eyes and briefly felt Sparkles join her. His head resting in her lap. Two dwarven bodies joined her on each side and she opened her eyes in surprise. Fíli and Kíli sat on each side with closed eyes, but she knew by their breathing that they were not yet asleep. "What do you think you're doing," she whispered. Hiding a bit of her amusement.

"Keeping you company," Fíli mumbled.

"You two are too attached," she complained.

"We like you," Kíli answered with a yawn.

"You feel like family," they both whispered, and their breathing evened out.

Touched, Calithilel felt her eyes tear and she closed them, so they would not spill. A small smile graced her lips when darkness took over and rest came.

The morning came slower than she would have thought in the first place, but why she at all woke up was because she could feel someone stare at her. The presence was leaning towards her and studying her. She also took notice of that Fíli and Kíli were gone, and then she focused on the breathing in the room. So, they are awake, but why so quiet? Sparkles lifted his head and in turn her eyes shot open. She stood with quickness and grace and she briefly heard someone gasp. In front of her was who she assumed to be Beorn. At least he fit the description, and she could not imagine him being someone else.

"Beorn," she said in surprise and relaxed.

The large man in front of her looked surprised, but at least he leaned a bit back and away from her. His eyes not wavering from hers. "Sent from the Vala," he muttered.

She did hear him and she nodded.

"Would you care for some breakfast, Calithilel?"

Gandalf's voice startled her and she turned towards him. "Well, if you would excuse me, but I would like to feel some of the fresh air outside before I eat," she replied. She nodded her head towards Beorn in a grateful manner. "Thank you for letting us stay here," she told him sincerely and then made for the door.

Sparkles had followed her out and together they sat down on the grass, breathing in the morning air. Eventually though, he could no longer sit still and he ended up sniffing around, but always staying close to her.

For Calithilel though, did memories from her first year as an elf resurface and she was pulled away from the time as she looked back.

...

"Dear Calithilel, if you're going to sit and pout like this, you'll never learn," Galadriel said while sitting down beside her on the ground.

Galadriel knew that Calithilel could become excellent in whatever she wanted if she just tried and put in some more effort. For the previous human had it in her with giving up too easily.

Haldir who stood on the side to follow their process until Calithilel would be ready to start with the bow, raised his brows. He personally thought the previous human to be great entertainment at times as she did not know how to be an elf and she often said things without thinking. But this time, this time he almost worried. Her dog Sparkles, sat beside him and by instinct, he let his hand touch the soft fur, as to calm the dog and tell him that his owner was ok.

"I just can't," Calithilel whined. "I'm not able to be as graceful as you. We've been working with this for a week, and I feel no improvement. I feel like a failure." Tears gathered in her eyes, but she would not let them fall.

"Yes you can." Galadriel arose and held out Calithilel's two daggers. "You will do this for me," she said with authority like a parent and the female in front of her stared at her with surprise. "I've taken you in as my own, Silver… Calithilel… You are my daughter and I will make sure that you are able to fend for yourself. I will make sure you have a future. I will help you to be the elleth you so want to be. Rise!"

Calithilel almost stumbled to get up and grabbed the two daggers from her mother. Tears trailed down her cheeks, but she was also determined to make Galadriel proud.

...

"Great! Your father can now take over your training," Haldir said and took her bow.

"What?" Calithilel asked with surprise.

"You have taken to the bow faster than I thought, well, at least when you came over your stubbornness and stopped pouting." He laughed.

"I did not!" she protested.

"Oh, yes you did. Just like you did with your mother when you first not managed to handle the daggers. But look at you now! You even bested the Lady Galadriel in a duel with those daggers."

Calithilel blushed. She was still not used to those type of praises, and especially not from Haldir, even if they had become good friends. Sometimes she wished that he had been her mate, but she would have known when first seeing him then. However, it would have made everything so much easier. For both of them. But it was not and would never be and she was grateful for his friendship.

"I'm sorry, Haldir. I know you're right. It's just, you have already seen me hold a sword once, and we both winced at the thought. Daggers I can handle well and the bow greatly too, but a sword?"

Haldir chuckled. "Well, you're still not better than I," he teased.

She stuck her tongue out.

"You're so childish." He sighed.

"So can you be," she said lightly.

A bark. Sparkles came running towards them followed by Galadriel and Celeborn. The two straightened up. Haldir bowing while Calithilel simply smiled.

"I heard of the news," Galadriel said with a smile.

Calithilel paled.

Celeborn chuckled. "Come now, Calithilel. It cannot be that bad. See how well it went with the bow. I'm sure the sword will be just fine."

However, Galadriel had to hide a smile, for she knew what was to come, and it would be quite amusing.

...

"Calithilel!" A hand waved in front of her face and startled she drew her daggers and pointed it at the intruder. She blinked. It was not only one, but two intruders. She put her daggers back. "Finally," Kíli said and rolled his eyes.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"We could ask you the same," Fíli pointed out.

"Er, just thinking," she responded and decided to get up.

"That sounds dangerous," Kíli joked, making her smile.

"I was thinking of the past. Just some memories."

"Ah, fine, keep it a secret."

Fíli hit his brother up his head.

"Ouch, why did you do that?" Kíli complained.

"Don't worry, it was no secrets. It's just… I…" However, she did not manage to continue. She was distracted with the sounds of hooves coming her way. A whinny. "Starlight?" she asked. She closed her eyes and searched for the connection to her horse. She felt many of Beorn's bees before she felt her horse. "Starlight!" she yelled happily and opened her eyes. She could see her horse coming with great speed towards her, but then she slowed into a trot, and came all the way to her. "Hey there," she whispered and patted Starlight's neck.

"Ehem." Balin's half-cough startled the three, and Fíli, Kíli and Calithilel turned to see the white-haired dwarf.

"Balin," Calithilel said and smiled.

"Lass, I apologize for not having approached you sooner, but a lot has happened. I have your contract." He held out the paper towards her.

"Thank you, Balin," she said. She read through the contract and then raised a brow. "Balin? Didn't I say that I did not want any treasure?" she asked.

"Aye, but the rest of the company and I would not feel right if you did not at least choose one piece of the treasure."

"But why anything of my choosing?"

"Just accept it, lass."

Fíli and Kíli nodded towards her and she bit her lip. "Alright. But only one thing."

The three dwarves smiled satisfied and after Calithilel signed the contract, the tree of them retreated to Beorn's house. Not soon after the man in question came out and helped her with Starlight.

"Once more I must thank you for your hospitality, Beorn," Calithilel said while she brushed Starlight.

The man merely nodded and went to feed the animals.

"A man of few words," she muttered and put down the brush.

Sparkles watched her with wise eyes and she could feel his emotions within her. He was content for now, but he would not mind her removing some more fur when they reached the mountain. It was growing longer for every day that passed, and he was starting to truly look like himself again. He felt proud over his own looks, but there were no female dogs to impress. It made her laugh. Her dog was truly a wonder and she loved him very much. She came over and started to brush him and he closed his eyes in content.

"Now, aren't you a fine male," she praised.

She arose and went back into Beorn's house. Breakfast was long over and she had obviously missed a lot. But she had needed time for herself and time with her animals. She could never know how much time she had left. Of course her mother had not said that she would meet her end in this journey, but the future was not set in stone, and you could not know what would happen.

Brief memories of Mirkwood, the forest the dwarves had been talking about, came back from the time on earth and she frowned. Greenwood was now Mirkwood. No, that was not right. Others called it Mirkwood. Outsiders. Spiders. The thought struck her once more and she shuddered. Oh, I hate spiders! And those are huge! she thought.

She sat by herself with the table and ate a piece of bread, wondering what she could do. Would the forest poison her mind like with the dwarves? She shook her head to clear it. She had the gift from the Valar. It would most likely kick in by just walking through the forest. But could she speed along the healing process where she was walking? Could she make the spiders go away? No, she might not be able to chase away the spiders, but at least they would have a little less territory to hunt on with more healthy woods, right? Then again, how much will it take from me? She also wondered if they could avoid meeting the elves, but at the same time she had to admit that it was not likely. After all, it was their woods.

"You think too much, child." Yavanna's voice startled her and she straightened up. "We let you remember when we feel you need to know, but do not worry too much. Not all things can be prevented," she said.

It happens, Calithilel thought and felt a blush rise to her cheeks. A tinkling laughter went through her head and then disappeared.

"What troubles you?" Gandalf asked.

"The road through Mirkwood," she answered.

"Ah, yes. Do you remember anything that you are able to say without damaging the future?"

"Spiders," she whispered.

"Radagast told us of them already."

"Yes, but, they'll be in our way and… and I cannot say more."

"Hm. No, you should not I would dare say."

"I'll protect them as well as I can," she promised.

He smiled and turned away from her.

Calithilel was sitting on Starlight, ready to move on while the dwarves got up on the ponies. She met Beorn's eyes once and gave him a grateful nod. She would send Starlight back to him when they reached the elven path, for she did not dare bring her into the woods.

They rode with haste towards the woods, and the closer they came, the more she could feel the darkness over the Greenwood. It was sickening, the life fading, and it made her feel sick. She jumped down of Starlight and told her to make her way towards Beorn's until she came back for her. The horse nodded her head in understanding and ran with great speed while the dwarves were still on their ponies.

"The elven gate," she heard Gandalf say.

She followed him and had to hold herself up by a tree. She felt power surge through her and the tree felt better at once. Startled she looked at the healthy tree beside her, which in turn made her feel better. She kept leaning on it.

"Here lies our path through Mirkwood," Gandalf then said.

"No sign of the orcs. We have luck on our side," Dwalin said and dismounted.

"Set the ponies loose," Calithilel said, before Gandalf had the chance to.

Gandalf nodded in agreement. "Let them return to their master," he said.

"This forest… feels… sick," Bilbo said. "As if a disease lies upon it. Is there no way around?"

"Not unless we go 200 miles north. Or twice that distance… south," Gandalf replied and went a little further in.

"You are right, Bilbo," Calithilel said to him. "The forest is sick. At least very large parts of it." She drew in a ragged breath.

"Are you alright, Calithilel?" Bilbo asked, concerned.

"Not really. It affects me in a bad way. It weakens me. For while I breathe around these sick trees, they are slowly healing, draining power and light from me," she explained.

Her explanation almost seemed to pain the hobbit and she tried to give him an encouraging smile. Sparkles trotted up beside her and rested his head against her.

She stumbled a little further in while Gandalf passed her and she breathed heavily. Is this how it feels to die? she briefly wondered while she felt her soul trying to chase away the darkness of the nature around her. She did not even notice that the dwarves had started to follow her and that Gandalf was no longer amongst them.

"I must help the forest," she muttered. The path was clear in front of her. "Follow the path," she whispered and her left hand looked for Sparkles' head. She found him and petted him once. "Stay close," she whispered to him. She felt him agree with her.

"Calithilel, please do not walk so fast," Bilbo said at one point.

Her breathing was ragged and it was such heavy air. She knew that with each breath she breathed life into the sick surrounding trees and plants. Her steps slowed and she nearly collapsed. Oh, how tired she felt. She saw Bilbo take hold of her arm and the dwarves all sat down to rest. Her eyes closed and the next time she awoke she felt as if she had not rested at all. But the dwarves were all awake and it was time to keep moving.

She did not notice when she lost the dwarves. She had disappeared behind a bend, and the dwarves, clouded with the forest trying to fool their minds, lost their way and thought the path went elsewhere. She walked until she collapsed, following the right path, but the next time she awoke, she truly knew she had messed up. She had lost her company of dwarves and the hobbit.

"We must find them, Sparkles," she whispered urgently. Her mind was barely clear enough to make out the way where she last had noticed them. "We must stray from the path," she whispered, a little scared.

Walking between the other trees and away from the path, she reached into her powers to speed up the healing, making the closest cobwebs disappear with the darkness. She briefly thought she could make out sounds of the dwarves fighting, but she could not be sure. Maybe it was wishful thinking in this situation.

A yowl of pain beside her cleared her head at once when she felt Sparkles' pain run through her. She turned to the side with her sword drawn and saw the large spider that had just hurt her companion. She saw red and in rage, she cut through the creature of darkness, losing her backpack in the process. But another spider was on the way and it had its looks on her dog as well. She had dropped her sword and drew an arrow. It hit its mark and the spider laid dead. Sparkles whimpered and she could not hear or see any more spiders close. She looked down to her friend and silver tears gathered in her eyes. The poison in his system spread too fast and it was a deadly dose when it concerned the smaller animal. She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Sparkles," she whispered and held her hands over him, trying to take the pain away. She wanted him to feel less of it while he faded. "I'm sorry I did not protect you," she cried. Her hands had a soft green glow as she held the pain away from him while the poison spread. But she also felt his feelings much clearer. He had protected her when the spider was aiming at her. He had protected her and he was glad he had managed. Now he could rest until he saw her again. "Oh my lovely little puppy," she whispered while he drew his last breath. Her hands stopped glowing and she screamed out.

"No!" she screamed. The tears blurred her vision and she could barely see, but she saw the creature of darkness that came close. New power surged through her and she picked up her sword, then she started slashing wildly around her until the spider was dead. A pulse of power went through her and was flung out of her with such force. The nearest trees, plants and earth, healed at once and she fell to her knees. Sobs wracked her body while she made her way over to Sparkles and she felt the grief so strongly.

"Do not weep, child. Sparkles is safe with us, and he will be waiting for you in the Undying Lands. You will meet again. Do not let grief for this friend consume you. He is within your heart and rest assured that you will see him again," Manwë told her in her head and she stared in wonder at her lifeless dog. She did not even notice the elf that made his way over to her.

The green earth underneath Sparkles opened up and welcomed his body. It then closed over him. Her tears fell quicker and some of them hardened and became silver pearls when hitting the ground. Her hands glowed. "Sparkles," she whispered again. Flowers started to sprout up from where Sparkles' body laid underneath. Familiar pink roses sprung out and she gasped.

"Never have I seen such a sight," the male elf said in wonder.

Tell me what you think ;)

- Moonlight Starlove