Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my ocs.

Chapter Nine

The Others

Bilbo scouted ahead while the rest of us tended to our injuries. Oin was taking care of Thorin who tried to play it off he wasn't hurt that bad. Fili was tending to my wounds on my shoulder. "Tell me if it hurts?" he whispered in my ear as he continued. Kili sat in front of me as I leaned my head against his chest. Nodding trying not to let him know that it really hurts. When he finished and bandaged it pulling the ripped shirt back into place.

Standing up just as Bilbo came running back with a look of fear on his face. "How close is the pack?" Thorin asked as everyone gathered around for news of the orc pack.

"Too close. A couple of leagues no more. But that is not the worst of it." He stopped looking at us.

"What does he mean?" I asked. The brothers shook their heads as we continued to listen to the hobbit.

"The wargs have picked up our sent." Dwalin suggested. He shook his head trying to breathe again.

"Not yet but they will. But we have another problem." He looked at Bofur.

"Did they see you?" Gandalf questioned making us look at him. "They saw you?"

"No that's not it." Bilbo replied.

"What did I tell you quiet as a mouse," Gandalf reassured us. But there was something Bilbo was trying to say and he was getting frustrated with everyone. "Excellent burglar material."

"Will you just listen! I am trying to tell you that there is something else out there." He pointed from where he came. Knew it.

"What form did it take? Like a bear?" the old wizard asked. Catching Bilbo off guard he nodded.

"Y... yes but bigger, much bigger." He said making us all look at our companion.

"You know about this beast?" Bofur questioned. "I say we double back."

"And be run down by a pack of orcs?" Thorin responded to Bofur's idea.

"There is a house. It's not far from here. Where we might take refuge." Gandalf suggested.

"Whose house?" Thorin asked as if he was going to regret the answer. "They friend of foe?"

"Neither. He will help us or he will kill us." Knew it was going to be regret. I could feel the terror creeping through my body.

"What choice do we have?" Thorin asked the old man. Then there was a loud roar making me grab Kili and Fili's hand. It was a sound that I have never heard before. Gandalf looked at us and his face became solemn.

"None." Was the only thing he said before we started running.

We ran for hours, growing tired by the minute but couldn't stop for being chased by an orc pack and now this creature. Noticing Ori was falling behind so slowing down to run beside him. He seemed to pick up the pace as we continued.

Running through fields, rivers and now woods. "How far is this house!" Yelling up but it died in the air never reaching the wizard. Kili who ran with Fili and Thorin looked back at me. I saw fear in his eyes for me making me shake my head. He nodded turning his head looking forward.

Stopping in a clearing hearing a roar from the beast. "This way!" Gandalf shouted pointing the way. We followed him for another mile until we could see a house lay just beyond a small field. "Into the house!"

As the sounds of the roars grew close, Bombur picked up speed and passed all of us. Man who knew that he could run so fast for being fat. Running to the door but when Bombur tried to get through he was knocked backwards. Then Fili and Kili ran into the door and it wouldn't budge. I was right next to them as they tried pushing the door. Seeing the latch my hands flew to it fiddling with it. I was so frightened that my hands just slipped off it. Thorin came over opening the latch causing the doors to swing open. Kili pushed me in first then the others came in with me.

Bilbo pulled me next to him as he pulled out his sword as the others tried to close the door only for the snout of the bear trying to get in. They got the door closed, locked. Ori turned around to look at Gandalf. "What is that?"

"That is our host." He replied like it was nothing. We all looked at him with disbelief.

"You're kidding right?" Asking out loud before I could stop myself.

"I do not kid. His name is Beorn and he is a skin changer," walking by going further into the house. "Sometimes he is a huge black bear, sometimes he's a good strong man. The bear is unpredictable, but the man can be reasoned with. However, he is not over fond of dwarves, nor elves." He warned looking at the others then at me. Shivering as his gaze lingered on me. Kili came over pulling me towards him. Fili stood next to us taking my hand.

"He's leaving." Ori said who was by the door. Ignoring what Dori said making Gandalf say something to him. This place was huge double the size of that of a normal house.

"Now get some sleep all of you. You'll be safe here tonight." Gandalf ordered as we moved about the home.

Settling down my feet ached like nothing before. All this running gave me blisters from these shoes. Taking them off and setting them down near me sighing in relief. "You alright love?" Looking up seeing Kili and Fili coming over sitting next to me. Nodding rubbing my feet.

"Yeah just my feet hurt." Whispering as the others started falling to sleep. Laying down exhausted feeling my lids close instantly fall asleep it was the best sleep I have had in ages.

Waking up looking around seeing that I was one of the first ones up along with Gandalf and Ori. Beorn was making breakfast for his animals and his guests when he spotted me. "What is an elf doing in company of so many dwarves?"

"They are my family. How do you know I'm an elf?" Going over to him. "May I help in anyway as thanks for letting us stay?"

"Gandalf told me when I asked. You have a unique smell to you. I appreciate the help. Now this is very unusual for an elf to mate with a dwarf let alone two." He turned around to grab some tankards.

"I am an unusual person." Replying making him smirk just for a moment. The others who woke up started to join us in the bigger room. Sitting between Fili and Kili as Thorin stood by a beam. Beorn poured milk into Fili's tankard, looking at Thorin through the corner of his eyes.

"So you are the one they call Oakenshield. Tell me why is Azog the Defiler hunting you?" Beorn questioned. I tried to concentrate on my meal but couldn't help listening.

"You know of Azog. How?" Thorin asked looking back at the bear man.

"My people were the first to live in the mountains before the orcs came down from the north. The Defiler killed most of my family but some he enslaved. Not for work you understand but for sport. Caging Skin Changers and torturing them seem to amuse him." He spoke of his past hit a hard with me. No one deserved what he went through.

"There are other's like you?" Bilbo asked.

"Once there were many," he answered.

"And now?"

"Now there is only one." Setting down the pitcher of milk looking back at the table. "You need to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn."

"Before Durin's day falls yes." Gandalf replied.

"You are running out of time." Beorn stated looking at the wizard.

"Which is why we must go through Mirkwood." A shiver shot through my spine about the mention of Mirkwood. I have no clue why that was.

"A darkness lies upon that forest. Foul things creep beneath those trees. There is an alliance between the orcs and the necromancer in Dul Godurl. I would not venture there. Except in great need." Beorn warned.

"We will take the Elven Road. Their pathway is still safe." Gandalf suggested.

"The Wood Elves who are not like their kin, less wise and more dangerous. But it matters not." Beorn looked at Thorin as he turned.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"These lands are crawling with orcs. Their numbers are growing. And you are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive." Beorn stood up making me jump at the sudden movement causing Kili and Fili to take my hands. "I don't like dwarves. They're greedy and blind, blind to the lives they deem lesser than their own." He picked up a mouse that Bofur shooed off his arm. He walked over to Thorin. "But orcs I hate more. What do you need?"

Beorn was gracious to lend us ponies, providing us with weapons and food for our travels. He had given me a staff and dagger to go along with my sword. Strapping them on I looked at him trying to calm my beating heart for I still felt very intimidated by him. "Thank you Beorn. Truly thank you." With that I walked away towards Kili climbing onto the back of our pony as we started our journey towards Mirkwood.

Riding fast and quiet, no conversation nor song passed through us as we traveled. Alert to anything that moved as those orcs were still out there waiting to kill us. Within a few days journey we made it to the entrance of Mirkwood. I did not like the feeling of this forest. Something was wrong, almost like it was dying. We stopped as Gandalf dismounted and walked up first.

"Here lies our path through Mirkwood." He shouted to us.

"No sign of the orcs." Dwalin stated. "We have luck on our side." He dismounted as we all started to. Kili was first then helped me down.

"Set the ponies loose. Let them return to their master." He shouted to us.

"This forest feel sick." Bilbo said looking upon it. "As if there is a disease upon it. Is there no way around it?" Going up to him placing my hand on his shoulder.

"You Feel it too?" He nodded as Gandalf said something but it was lost as I felt myself space out until someone shook me.

"Ali?" Shaking my head looking at the one who called my name.

"What is it Kili?" Asking making him shake his head. Then Gandalf came out of the woods yelling.

"Not my horse! I need it!"

"You're not leaving us?" Bilbo questioned.

"I would not do this unless I had to." He turned to Bilbo and started to speak to him as Fili took my arm.

"Are you sure you're alright love?" Nodding looking at him placing my hand to his face. Then looking over at Kili who was also worried

"I'm fine. Trust me." They nodded handing me a bag filled with food to carry. I'm bound and determine to carry my own weight. It started to rain as I pulled up my hood of my cloak.

"I will be waiting for you at the over lot. Before the slopes of Erebor. Keep the map and key safe." He turned to Thorin. "Do not enter that mountain without me." He continued to walk on. "This is not the Green wood of old. The very air is heavy with illusion. It will seek to enter your mind and lead you astray."

"Lead us astray? What does that mean?" Bilbo asked.

"Stay on the path, do not leave it. If you do, you'll never find it again. Whatever you do stay on the path!" Gandalf said as he galloped away.

"We must reach the mountain before the sunsets on Durin's Day." Thorin said taking lead. Entering the forest, I disliked this place immediately.

Walking for hours in this dark dismal place. Everything looked the same, dark, creepy, uninviting, dead. Then there was something in the background, a voice saying something in a language that was familiar yet unknown to me. "Kili do you hear that?" I asked. He listened then shook his head.

"I don't hear anything." He whispered back to me. Then we stopped Thorin went up to Nori.

"We have lost the path." Someone shouted. Getting dizzy as the voices grew louder. Then pushing started to happen I was pushed into Kili who pulled me behind him and Fili as they pushed the others back. Glancing around the voices grew louder still. Not even realizing it I had following the voices until I was far enough away from the others and could no longer hear them.

"K... Kili? F... Fili?" Calling into the darkness. Then a hand covered my mouth startling me. Pulling me behind a tree as something really big and disgusting passed by us. Turning around to come face to face with an elf with long straight platinum blonde hair. "W... who are you?" Asking him after letting me go.

"I should be asking you that? What brings a human into our domain?" He demanded looking at me. Frowning moving away from him until he caught my arm.

"I am Tirithiel daughter of Lady Saerien of Rivendell. I was traveling with my friends when we got separated." Replying to him.

"Lady Saerien I have heard of her. Come you must see my father." He started pulling me with him but I pulled my arm from him.

"I will not go with you. I need to find my friends. Besides I have no idea who you are." Shouting at him. He grew angry but then shook his head.

"I am Legolas prince of the Woodland Realm now come." Again grabbing my arm pulling me along with him. As he led me through the trees a few more elves joined him they spoke using the elvish words that I don't understand. Letting me go when I understood one word Nogoth meaning dwarf. Running with them seeing my friends fighting off giant spiders.

Legolas killed some spiders as he pointed an arrow at Thorin's face. "Don't think I won't kill you dwarf. It would be my pleasure." He threatened. Rushing joining my friends. Just then yelling could be heard coming from the distance. It was Kili's. Rushing through the trees past the others who tried to stop me as I hit them with my staff.

I came face to face with a spider. Taking my sword stabbing the creature in its face rushing around it only to see that another elf kill most of the spiders.

"Throw me a dagger!" he shouted. But she wouldn't as she continued to kill the others. "Quick."

"Kili!?" Shouting throwing him my dagger. Going to throw it at the charging spider just as she threw hers imbedding it in its head.

"Drop the dagger or I will kill her." She threatened pointing an arrow at me. Dropping the dagger. She escorted us back to the others.

"Search them!" Legolas demanded. They started taking our weapons including mine. The two of them started speaking elvish together when one called out to him holding Thorin's sword to him. Ignoring the conversation looking at Kili who was staring at the she elf. There was just something about his eyes that held something I couldn't tell what.

They started pushing us in a direction they wanted us to go. Staying close to the others until Legolas pulled me to him.

They lead us through what would have been a beautiful city if we were not captives. They started putting the dwarves into cells. "Tauriel take her to a room once everyone is locked up. She is not what she appears. Father would most likely want to speak with her." Legolas said to the one known as Tauriel. I have no clue what he said.

She pushed Kili into his own cell. "Aren't you going to search me?" Kili asked her. "I could have anything down my trousers."

"Kili!" Calling his name making him look at me then back at her.

"Or nothing." She said shutting the door. Grabbing my arm leading me away from the others.

"Where are you taking Ali?" His face pushed up against the cell.

"Leave her here!" Fili called trying to reach me. Pushing me away from them as she led me to another area in the wooden realm. Pushing me into a room looking me up and down.

"Push me one more time and I will punch you." Snarling at her as she looked at me then shaking her head.

"Make yourself presentable to the king. If you truly are a half elf, then show me." She hissed making me glare at her. Shutting the door leaving me by myself. Going over to the door trying to open it only to find that it was locked from the outside. Sighing glancing around the room seeing a basin filled with water and a cloth. Might as well clean the dirt off my face. Once my face was cleaned taking out my hair from my braid but keeping Fili and Kili's courting braids in.

A few minutes later the doors opened as a different elf appeared before me to escort me to the king. Reaching what I assumed was the throne room. A man who was very similar to Legolas. "I have been in formed from my son that you are the daughter of Lady Saerien?"

"Yes I am."

"I see. Why is it that you travel with thirteen dwarves? On a journey that will fail and will eventually kill you." Coming up to me his hand reached for my hair. "Such a rich tone for a half breed. What is this?" Finding the courting braids.

"Just braids." Bluntly answering him. He clucked his tongue putting his hand to my chin.

"These are not just braids. They are courting braids. My dear do not let your heart be captured by them. There is nothing for you but hurt and ruin. Dwarves are greedy creatures who only care for themselves. You may return to your room. Legolas will take you. *Take her by the others teach her about their ways*."

"Of course ada. This way," Legolas lead me towards the cells. He stopped at a spot above the cells out of sight from the dwarves. My heart clenched as the she elf and Kili were talking getting to know each other. Talking about starlight and talismans. Feeling my heart shatter to pieces. "Come."

Going back to my room as Legolas was about to leave I looked to him. "Dwarves are foolish creatures as Ada states." Legolas said more to himself then to me. Hurt overflowed as he closed the door I slid to the floor. My hands unraveling Kili's braid. But if he likes her then maybe Fili will to. Who would honestly love a half breed like me?

There is no room for me in anyone's heart let alone two princes of Erebor. Pulling my knees to my chest letting the tears flow not caring who comes to see me. I just wanted to give up.