I awake when I'm put down on solid ground and stretch with a large yawn, before alerted by people calling Thorin's name in a frenzy. I see morning has come as the sunlight stretches across the mountainsides, making its way to the valley below.
Sitting up, I see Gandalf walk past me to Thorin, crouching by his side. I quickly jump to my feet and follow, wondering if his wounds are really that serious. When I reach him, I can at least see a head wound, now covered in dry blood. I watch Gandalf place his hand over Thorin's face and whisper a spell, which results in his eyes fluttering open.
"The Halfling?" he speaks in a weak voice. "It's all right. Bilbo is here. He's quiet safe." Gandalf assures him, making Bilbo smile down upon the Dwarf prince. He's helped to his feet, but Thorin shrugs his fellow dwarves off before turning to Bilbo, a peculiar look in his eyes. I didn't see what really happened on that outcrop, but guessing from what I heard, Bilbo had been bravely defending Thorin after he was rendered unable to defend himself.
"You! What were you doing? You nearly got yourself killed! Did I not say that you would be a burden? That you would not survive in the wild and that you had no place amongst us?" Thorin says seriously, confusing us. How could he be angry at Bilbo right now? After what he did? Bilbo looks rather crestfallen and my heart goes out to him.
"I've never been so wrong in all my life!" Thorin suddenly says, leaving some with their mouths gaping in surprise. Thorin grabs Bilbo and embraces him deeply, making the other dwarves cheer loudly and slap each other on the back. Gandalf too smiles, glad that the animosity is gone. Bilbo, looking quite taken aback, takes a moment before returning the gesture.
"I am sorry I doubted you." Thorin breathes, letting go. Bilbo shakes his head at his words, "No, I would have doubted me too. I'm not a hero or a warrior...not even a burglar." he admits.
I smile, stroking a nearby eagle and thanking it for the help before it takes off followed by the rest of them. I'm sad to see them go. I would love to fly with them once more one day, but now is not the time. Gazing in the distance, we can clearly see the lonely mountain looming ahead. The eagles helped us cross a great distance.
"Erebor—The Lonely Mountain. The last of the great dwarf kingdoms of Middle-earth." Gandalf breathes in relief. "Our home." Thorin says solemnly. A bird chirps and flies past, heading for the mountain it seems. "A raven! The birds are returning to the mountain." Oin calls excited, making me chuckle. "That, my dear Oin, is a thrush." Gandalf corrects him. "But we'll take it as a sign - a good omen." Thorin says, nodding. "You're right. I do believe the worst is behind us." Bilbo says, making me bite my lip. "If only it would be so." I think, scanning our path ahead.
Some days later, we find ourselves traveling in the cover of night. I watch, crouching low from my lookout, Bilbo beside me and the others somewhere back. My eyes narrow at the sight of Azog with a troop of wargs and riders nearby, but heading the other way. For now at least.
It is then another sound reaches my ears and I look sideways over Bilbo's head to see a large bear figure standing between the tall trees, also watching the orcs. I poke Bilbo, making him look back at me and I motion him to be silent before pointing at the enormous figure. He gasps in fright, jumping back and into me. I grab his shoulder before dragging him back to the others.
"How close is the pack?" Dwalin asks as soon as he sees us. "Too close. A couple of leagues, no more, but that is not the worst of it." Bilbo starts, his eyes wide still and his face pale. "Have the Wargs picked up our scent?" Dwalin questions worried. "Not yet, but they will; we have another problem." Bilbo says. "Did they see you? They saw you!" Gandalf starts, making me shake my head. "That is not the case." I tell him, making him smile in relief, looking back at the dwarves, "What did I tell you? Quiet as a mouse. Excellent burglar material." making the dwarves laugh.
"Will you listen- Will you just listen? I'm trying to tell you there is something else out there." Bilbo almost yells, hopping up and down in frustration. At this news, they turn silent and look at us worried. "What form did it take? Like a bear?" Gandalf asks knowingly, making me smile. "Ye..." Bilbo starts, before cutting himself and looking at Gandalf confused.
"You knew about this beast?" Bofur questions Gandalf a bit accusingly. "I say we double back." "And be run down by a pack of orcs." Thorin counters. "There is a house, it's not far from here, where we might take refuge." Gandalf points out. "Whose house? Are they friend or foe?" Thorin asks. "Neither. He will help us, or he will kill us." Gandalf confesses. "Gandalf." I nearly scold, crossing my arms as he smiles cheekily. He really shouldn't scare them like that, even though it's true.
"What choice do we have?" Thorin asks in dismay before a loud roar sounds in the darkness of the trees. "None." Gandalf states before we all rush down the hillside. Gandalf tells us all to hurry and soon a house comes into view. We rush through the gate and after some difficulty, open the door and pile inside. The bear that apparently chased after us, tries to follow us in, but the dwarves manage to shut the door and lock the bolt.
There is a unified sigh in relief and I quickly make myself at home in the back, lighting the fire in the pit as the rest of them, except for Gandalf, look around curiously. "What is that?" Ori asks, still looking at the door, making the wizard grin. "That...is our host." he says, making them look at him like he lost his mind.
"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 overly fond of dwarves." he states before taking out his pipe and lighting it, sighing in content.
"He's leaving!" Ori says, peeking outside. "Come away from there! It's not natural, none of it. It's obvious: he's under some dark spell." Dori scolds, making Gandalf huff.
"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." Soon enough, they all settled down and we all take this moment to get a good night's sleep.