I came back here! I'm finally starting the second part of my story.

Good reading.

Chapter 11: Queer Lodgings

A few days had passed since the Company had left the Carrock. While they all thought they could have a little respite, they found that Azog and his pack of Orcs were still after them. The Pale Orc rode a black Warg now, and was still determined to cut off Thorin's head. The nights became very short, as the Orcs had their advantages to hunt them down.

Hope, Alaric, Bilbo, Gandalf, and the Dwarves continued their journey eastward. Until now, they had managed to stay away from the Orcs. But their respite seemed very short whenever they thought they had a head start.

At that moment they were near a rocky ledge under the late afternoon sun, and Bilbo had gone alone as a scout, proving that he had gained confidence in him since they had left the Misty Mountains. For her part, Hope had moved away from the Dwarves to turn into a wolf so that her magic would not overwhelm her. She took on the form of a wolf, instantly feeling a sense of calm that she desperately needed. Her thoughts had stopped worrying her and she was in control. It was a very relaxing feeling. She ran around the rocks. Then she saw in the distance the Orcs straddling the Wargs on hills, with Azog at their head. Since the Pale Orc had a crystal that suppressed her magic, Hope did not want to risk a direct confrontation with the Orcs. That would be a dangerous risk. She contemplated the Orcs roaming the hills, then moving away.

Finally, she resumed her human form, and went to find her clothes that she had left on a rocky ledge. When she had finished getting dressed, she saw Bilbo returning to the Dwarves. She hastened to join them. She was welcomed there by Alaric.

"You're feeling better?" he asked.

"Very good," replied Hope, smiling.

Thorin turned to Bilbo for information:

"How close is the pack?"

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

"Have the Wargs picked up our scent?" asked Dwalin.

"Not yet. But they will do." replied the Hobbit, catching his breath. "We have another problem."

"Did they see you?" asked Gandalf.

Bilbo had just enough time to stare at the wizard before he jumped to hasty conclusions:

"They saw you."

"No, that's not it." Bilbo objected rather quickly.

He wanted to continue, but Gandalf spoke enthusiastically to the others of the Company:

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

The other Dwarves nodded and spoke to each other, all rejoicing. But Alaric noticed that Bilbo had not finished his sentence:

"Wait, that's not all. Bilbo, what were you saying? What is the problem?"

"Thanks, Master Alaric, I'm trying to tell you there is something else out there."

Everyone was silent. Then Hope spoke.

"I saw it as I was wolf, too. And it's closer to us than the Orcs."

After a silence, Gandalf asked for details:

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

Bilbo looked at Gandalf slightly confused.

"Ye… Yes, but bigger. Much bigger."

"Yes, I can confirm that it was a bear, but a very big bear," said Hope, astonished. "I've never seen one this big."

Gandalf was in his thoughts, as if he had just understood something.

Bofur hastened to ask him:

"You knew about this beast?"

Gandalf turned and looked to the other side, while Bofur suggested to the others:

"I say we double back!"

"And be run down by a pack of Orcs?" argued Thorin in disbelief, looking at the two visitors. "And Azog wearing a crystal that keeps Hope from using her magic."

"We were lucky to have escaped them, but the luck can change," replied Alaric. "For now, we've managed to stay one step ahead of the Orcs and the Wargs, but it may not last long."

As the other Dwarves argued over how to progress, Gandalf turned to the Company.

"There is a house… it's not far from here, where we might take refuge."

"Whose house?" asked Thorin sceptically. "Are they friend or foe?"

"Neither," replied the wizard, in his usual enigmatic manner. "He will help us or... he will kill us."

"Oh that's comforting." replied sarcastic Alaric.

"What choice do we have?" asked Thorin.

Suddenly, a loud roar echoed near them.

"I think there is no point in turning back," said Hope, half amused, half worried.

All ran across the tall grass plains and streams as fast as they could, especially as they were apparently pursued by two groups. The great bear and the Orcs riding their Wargs.

Gandalf was in the lead, alongside Hope and Alaric.

"Come on!" cried the wizard to the others to follow him.

As they approached a clearing in the trees, another roar sounded in the air. Just like the one they heard earlier in the foothills. The whole Company stopped, momentarily frozen in fear. This roar seemed much closer than the previous one.

"This way! Quickly!" shouted Gandalf.

Immediately the Company began to run again, with the exception of Bombur, who seemed frozen in fear.

"Bombur, come on, run! Move!" shouted Alaric, pulling his arm, which put the big Dwarf back on the run.

They soon crossed the trees in a huge field. And right in the centre was a large house, surrounded by trees and a large hedge.

"To the house! Run!" Gandalf led them to the great house.

To the surprise of many, Bombur runs just ahead of the rest of the Company, just at the front of the line.

"Despite his weight, he runs very fast!" cried Hope, running.

"Fear is a great motivation," replied Alaric, shrugging his shoulders and running.

"Come on! To the house!" exhorted Gandalf when he reached the entrance of the house.

Bombur did not slow the pace as he rushed through the open door to the front door. The Dwarves ran past Gandalf, so absorbed in the idea of entering the house that they did not even notice the bees as big as the small birds flying around.

As Hope and Alaric reached the gap in the edge, a noise behind them caught their attention. They and Gandalf all turned around as a massive cracking of branches was heard. A second later, a gigantic, monstrous bear rushed out of the trees with another roar and ran straight home.

"Come on, get inside!" shouted Gandalf, prompting the two visitors to go inside.

At the front door, the Dwarves desperately tried to open the door.

Hope ran up to them and held her hands in the air.

"Dissera Portus!"

Immediately the outer lock of the house rose from the door, and the Dwarves rushed into the house.

As soon as they had all entered, the Dwarves holding the gates tried to close them. They managed to close a door. But before the other could completely close, the bear slammed against the door. Every Dwarf who could pushed his body against the door, trying to shut it while the bear growled and clenched his jaws. Alaric jumped forward to help, trying to close the door.

At the same time, Hope came running, waving her hands.

"Icaeus."

The bear was pushed back and the Dwarves, with the help of Alaric, were able to close the door. They were safe.

"What is… that?" exclaimed Ori, catching his breath.

"That is our host," replied Gandalf in a neutral tone.

"He's not an ordinary bear," said Alaric, catching his breath with fright. "Even for Middle-earth."

Gandalf replied in a nonchalant tone:

"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."

"So this is a man who can turn into a bear?" asked Alaric, intrigued.

"He's leaving," said Ori, listening at the door.

But Dori pulled him out of the door.

"Come away from there. It's not natural. None of it. It's obvious. He's under some… dark spell."

"Don't be a fool." said Gandalf. "He's under no enchantment but his own."

"He's almost like me," replied Hope. "Just that he's not a wizard, but can turn into an animal. He and I have something in common. In our world, werewolves are very aggressive and irritating. So for this Beorn…"

Gandalf told the whole group:

"All right, now get some sleep. All of you. You'll be safe here tonight."

The Dwarves grumbled a little, not particularly satisfied with their lodging, but all began to look for places to sleep. Meanwhile, Gandalf looked in the direction of the door and murmured:

"I hope."

He said it too softly for the Dwarves to hear, but Hope and Alaric looked at each other, feeling very uncertain about it.

The Tribrid had noticed that Oin was trying to hear with his acoustic horn that was crushed because of the Goblins of the Misty Mountains. Hope gently took it from him.

"Here."

She took it in her hands, recited a spell that made the Dwarf's auditory trumpet normal. All proud and rejoiced, she returned it to the Dwarf who was happy to be able to hear again.

"Thank you very much, young lady," said Oin, gratefully nodding to Hope.

It was dark and most of the occupants of the house were asleep. Beorn, in the form of a bear, stood guard on his territory. Long distance from him were Azog and his pack of Orcs.

"Attack them now!" insisted an Orc, walking beside Azog, addressing him in Black Speech. "Kill the Dwarf filth while they sleep and capture the Tribrid while she sleeps."

"No." firmly declared Azog, turning away from Beorn's house. "The Beast stands guard."

He joined his pack in the forest. A few Wargs bickered, while Azog resolutely resumed:

"We'll take them by surprise on the road."

Then they all stood on their guard hearing a cracking of branches, and took out their weapons, while another great Pale Orc, but not as pale as Azog, with a Warg on his side, arrived.

The Warg stopped a few centimeters from Azog's face and grumbled but the Defiler remained neutral.

This other Pale Orc was Bolg, the offspring of Azog. He was holding a pointed spine-shaped weapon, and he had iron plates embedded in his skull and chest.

"They are gathering in Dol Guldur," announced Bolg perched on his dark Warg. "The Master has summoned you!"

Azog grumbled with rage at the fact that he was denied the hunt at Oakenshield, but eventually abdicated.

In Beorn's house, all slept deeply. Only one did not sleep. Bilbo Baggins watched with interest his ring which he had found in the underground caves of the Misty Mountains.

Azog and his pack of Orcs arrived at Dol Guldur. At first glance, the fortress was abandoned, but it was the result of a spell of concealment of the Necromancer.

The Pale Orc stood alone on a raised walkway when the Necromancer appeared, its form being that of a mass of living shadows that radiated power, terror and relentless evil.

"We grow in number," said the Necromancer, twirling around Azog. "We grow in strength. You will lead my armies."

Only one thing interested the Pale Orc.

"What of Oakenshield?"

The black form of the Necromancer moved again when the latter replied:

"War is coming."

But this answer did not please Azog.

"You promised me his head."

The black shadow of the Necromancer moved upon Azog, and he always answered him enigmatically:

"Death will come to all! And the girl's powers will be mine!"

And the black form of the Necromancer disappeared as if he had never been there.

Azog looks away for a few moments. Then some Orcs joined him.

"Do we call off the hunt?" asked one of them.

"Bolg!" cried Azog with a look of rage, invoking his offspring.

Bolg, who was dominating all the Orcs, then arrived at the footbridge in front of his father, who told him of his plans:

"I have a task for you. Do you still thirst for Dwarf blood?"

The next morning in Beorn's house, a very large bee, the size of a bird, landed on Bilbo's nose. He woke up with a start before chasing the bee. He looked around to see that the others were awake while Hope was beside him.

"You could have taken that away from me," he said.

"I thought it was cute," replied Hope, shrugging her shoulders with amusement.

Then they both joined the others.

All could hear Beorn chopping wood with an axe. He had evidently returned to his human form during the night. Until now, he had not tried to attack the Dwarves. This comforted Alaric, knowing that man could be more easily reasoned than the bear.

"Well, I say we should leg it. Slip out the back way." suggested Nori.

But Dwalin stood before him with a determined look.

"I'm not running from anyone, beast or no."

"We're not all Dwarves," remarked Hope as she joined Gandalf and Alaric. "We could talk to him. If he's man again, he could listen to us and accept us more easily."

"Above all, let us avoid provoking him," said Alaric, in a cautious tone. "Bears are unpredictable when they feel threatened."

"There is no point in arguing. We cannot pass through the Wilderland without Beorn's help." Gandalf said emphatically. "We'll be hunted down before we ever get to the forest. This will require some delicate handling. We must tread very carefully. The last person to have startled him was torn to shreds."

"He's welcome to try with me." said the determined Tribrid.

"Hope, let's not fight," said Alaric cautiously.

"I will go first," Gandalf said to the outside. "Bilbo, Hope, Alaric. You three come with me."

"Is this a good idea?" asked Bilbo anxiously as he joined them.

"You're not Dwarf, so this Beorn has no reason to come after you," said Alaric.

"Now, the rest of you," replied Gandalf to all the Dwarves. "You just wait here... and don't come out until I give the signal."

"For the signal." said Bofur, near the window.

"And no sudden moves or loud noises, and don't overcrowd him. And only come out in pairs. Right." (he turned towards Bombur, who was eating a carrot.) "No, actually, Bombur... um, you count as two so you should come out alone."

The big Dwarf nodded, while the two visitors suppressed a laugh.

"Remember," replied Gandalf, one last time. "Wait for the signal."

And he left the house, with Bilbo, Hope, and Alaric, while the Dwarves approved the plan.

"What signal would that be?" asked Bofur from his position on his window.

But no Dwarf could answer him.

Outside, Alaric walked next to Gandalf, while Hope was behind with Bilbo. They headed towards Beorn, who was cutting wood with a large axe. As they approached him, Alaric glanced at the wizard and could not help commenting:

"Do you look nervous?"

Just then, Beorn's axe struck the stump again. Gandalf shivered a little before speaking as if Ric had said something stupid:

"Nervous? What nonsense."

The group stopped at a respectful distance from Beorn. The man was extremely tall dominating even Gandalf and Alaric and had very long hair coming down his back. They could see, even from behind, that he also had a big beard.

Hope and Alaric seemed rather intimidated by the large size of Beorn who dominated them.

Slightly nervous, Gandalf said to him:

"Good morning."

But Beorn did not hear him and hit the wood with his axe startling Alaric and Hope.

"Good morning," replied Gandalf, a little louder this time.

Beorn stopped his gesture and placed his axe on the ground. Turning his head a little, so that he always turned his back to them, but could see them from the corner of his eye, he asked in a deep and suspicious voice:

"Who are you?"

"I'm Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey," replied the nervous wizard before bowing his head respectfully.

The man turned with his axe planted on the ground and looked at his visitors with a suspicious eye.

"Never heard of him."

"I'm a wizard." replied Gandalf. "Perhaps you've heard of my colleague Radagast the Brown. He resides in the southern borders of Mirkwood."

Beorn then looked at Hope and Alaric and demanded explanations:

"And who are they?"

The Tribrid, in spite of her nervousness, smiled jovially at the man and bowed before him, wanting to show her good faith. Even Alaric, at first anxious, ends up doing the same thing.

Gandalf resumed:

"Oh, they're my friends. Hope Mikaelson and Alaric Saltzman. They're with me now."

"Good morning," said Hope, smiling awkwardly.

"Good morning," added Alaric, smiling anxiously.

"What do you want?" asked Beorn to the wizard.

"Well, simply to thank you for your hospitality." said Gandalf again, smiling but anxious. "You may have noticed that we took refuge… in your lodgings here last night."

While Gandalf was moving while talking, Beorn noticed Bilbo who had tried to be discreet behind Hope and Alaric.

"Who is this… little fellow?" asked Beorn, looking at the Hobbit.

"Oh well," said Gandalf, uneasy. "This would be Mr. Baggins… from the Shire."

"He's not a Dwarf, is he?" Beorn grunted.

"Why, no." replied the wizard hastily. "No, he's a Hobbit. A good family and unimpeachable reputation."

"A Halfling, a girl, a man and a wizard." commented Beorn, always sullen. "How come you here?"

"Well, the fact is... that we've had a bad time of it... from Goblins in the Mountains." Gandalf explained.

"What did you go near Goblins for?" asked Beorn, curious. "Stupid thing to do."

"I grant you, it was stupid," said Alaric. "But it was not by choice that we went near them."

"You are absolutely right." said Gandalf, waving with his hand.

Interpreting it as a signal, Bofur alerted his companions:

"There it is. Go! Go!"

While Gandalf was chatting with Beorn, he seemed uneasy when he heard the Dwarves beginning to leave the house. Beorn seemed surprised and tense by their sudden appearance, raising his axe in a better position to use it.

"Dwalin and Balin," said Dwalin, announcing himself and his old brother.

To ease the tension, the wizard spoke again, apprehending the reaction of the skin-changer:

"And I must… confess that, several… of our group are, in fact, Dwarves."

"Do you call two... 'several'?" grumbled Beorn suspiciously with his axe in his hand.

"Well, now you put it that way…" embarrassed Gandalf, pretending to think. "Yes, there could be more… … than two."

Then they heard Bofur whispering, and then Oin and Gloin came out. Beorn looked at them with suspicion.

Embarrassed, Gandalf became confused in his explanations:

"And here are some more… of our, happy troop."

"And do you call eight a 'troop'?" exclaimed Beorn, astonished and distrustful.

Gandalf giggled, pretending to be amused, thus hiding his discomfort in front of the skin-changer.

"What are you, a traveling circus?" asked Beorn dryly.

The wizard made a nervous gesture, which was again misunderstood, and Ori and Dori appeared outside, making Beorn grunt more and more.

"Dori and Ori at your service." said Ori, bowing.

"I don't… want your service." replied the skin-changer, in an acerbic tone.

"Absolutely understandable." said Gandalf in a calm tone and pretending to be revolted.

Then came Fili and Kili, to the great distress of Gandalf and to the great anger of Beorn. Alaric slowly approached the great man speaking with a small voice:

"We have several Dwarfs with us. These are our friends."

"Everyone get out!" furiously ordered Beorn.

There was a fight, then came Nori, Bifur, Bofur and Bombur.

"Is that it?" asked Beorn, staring at each of the twelve Dwarves. "Are there any more?"

Finally, Thorin joined the troupe by leaning against a wooden pillar from the outside of the house.

Hope intervened in her turn before the giant man.

"I'm Hope Mikaelson, and you and I have something in common. I happen to be able to turn into a wolf. And it's a transformation I can control."

In her words, she closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again, her eyes a werewolf gold with amber highlights. Beorn frowned slightly looking at the Tribrid with curiosity.

"You are not a skin-changer like me?"

"Not exactly. I'm from another world. And I'm half witch, half wolf… with another half not yet here," she replied as her eyes returned to normal color.

Beorn seemed to think before he spoke again:

"Yesterday, I saw a very strange white wolf near the rocks. I assume it was you?

Hope nodded, remembering seeing Beorn's bear shape when she was a werewolf.

"Yes, it was me. We're sorry to show up at your house unannounced, but we were forced to. After we fled the Goblins, we were chased by a bunch of Orcs. Their leader is Azog the Defiler."

Beorn's eyes opened with astonishment and rage at the mention of this name.

"The Defiler is stalking you?"

Alaric, having noticed his reaction, asked him gently:

"Do you know Azog?"

"Oh yes I do!" replied Beorn, bowing his head with contempt. "I know him too well." (To all the troops.) "Go to the dining room. I still have work to do. I'll come and see you when I'm done."

And it's done! I hope I have succeeded in meeting Hope and Beorn.

See you soon for a new chapter!