CHAPTER 33
I watch as a bee lands on Bilbo's face. He takes giant insects waking him better than I did. If I had my voice back, I'd have woken the whole company with my shout this morning. Instead, the whispered squeal was only caught by the wind. The company had woken up slowly from then but I'd kept my head down and they all seemed content to let me be. Dwalin had stood over me for longer than I'd have liked but even he did not feel the need to wake me.
"This... Hm..." Bilbo hums to himself, curiously gazing around the barn-like home. It's much warmer in the morning glow, so I get the appeal "This is... lovely..."
The hobbit walks himself into wakefulness but I don't follow him. I'm tired and my body needs all the rest it can get. Beorn running us into a stupor last night didn't help, nor did Dwalin's quiet seething at the wizard. Even though I was carried most of the way, I was still absolutely exhausted and immediately sought out a place to sit. Ori had shyly given me a spare shirt of his, Dori made him pack six, and I couldn't think of a good reason to decline. It was painfully slow to change on my own but I certainly wasn't going to risk asking for assistance. By the time I'd finished, I was barely conscious. Just like in the mountains, a place had been laid out for me at the back of the group and I was too drained to argue.
The dwarves would not settle for some time though. I suppose Bofur must have realized what I was trying to say and relayed that to Thorin who is always being followed by the brute. It wasn't a loud argument, more of a disagreement over hushed voices. Still, it kept me up longer than I wished it to. I'd been afraid they would want to speak with me about it and would hate for them to come over and wake me. I didn't sleep much after they finished though; plagued with ghoulish nightmares as per usual. Goblintown only added more creativity for my mind to abuse me. I'm grateful they only whipped me though... it could have been much worse if they'd stripped me further or actually known I was a girl. A shuffling in the hay draws my attention outward and I'm surprised to see the hobbit standing there again. He should be out with the group about to meet Beorn. I grimace as sit up and he rushes over.
"Ah...Wait! Let me help!" I allow him to do so but then try to convey my confusion over his reappearance with my face rather than my voice
"...?"
"G-Good morning... I suppose it IS rather odd and I'd rather not have to come to get you after... all... that..." He brings a hand to his throat and I let a breath out through my nose. I wonder briefly how much he knows about 'all that.' I certainly didn't tell him about Goblintown but he seems to be aware to some degree by the way his eyes roam. My face is still swollen, though I can open my eye a crack, so it must be a sight for the sensitive creature "I told them as much but Gandalf wishes for all of us... to... uh.. MEET the being from last night."
"Born..."
"Um... Born... Do mean...? Ah. Yes, Master Beorn." I nod and grit my teeth as I climb painfully to my feet. I'd hoped the Wizard would leave me be but I guess not. Everything aches but it'd be better for me to go out there and get this show on the road. Gandalf wants us and the others won't approach the skin-changer without the Wizard saying so "You tried to warn us but Gand- Ah! Master Dwalin!"
The dwarf lifts me into his arms without even asking my permission. I open my mouth to say something scathing but a hacking wheeze is all I'm capable of producing. He peers down at me, his face not as critical as usual but still holding his ever-present scowl. It takes me a moment to realize that he's... waiting... for me. 'That's... different.' Pausing a moment longer, I offer the barest of nods. He returns it and we move to join the company with Bilbo tittering after us.
"Good morning, Farseer Bloodstone!" Gandalf comes over with a smile, just as mischievous as ever "It is most good to see you awake."
"Let us do this quickly, wizard." Dwalin does not put me down, for which I'm loathe to admit that I'm thankful. I wish I could walk on my own, my legs aren't broken, but I'm in no condition to be frolicking with the dwarves "She should not be up and about."
"Yes, you need rest and you shall have it but first, we need to introduce ourselves!" he leans in, examining me with a calculating eye. Gliding his hand over my body, the ache eases a bit from jarringly painful to an inconvenient creak. Magic. Something between healing and pain relief. I'd accept either this morning "You would be very... helpful."
"Because she's a woman?" Ori whispers hopefully to his brother
"More like because she'll keel over if the skin changer refuses." Nori responds plainly. His eyes dart to me before shooting away just as quickly "He's unlikely to tear us apart with her looking like she's half dead to begin with."
"Thank you very much, Master Nori..." Gandalf's smile twitches but then returns as he straightens with a nod to himself "Bilbo, and I will go first. Master Dwalin and Farseer Bloodstone, you two will be last."
"Is this a good idea?" Bilbo asks, whether for the group or himself, I'm not sure "I'm assuming we'll go first to lessen tension but then why would Lady Atina go last?"
To lessen any risen tension when these many strange dwarves show up on his steps. Beorn is obviously an introvert. Plus, I can't run if he starts swinging that axe.
"Merely a precaution, my dear Bilbo." I glare at the Wizard but he merely moves to the door and looks out nervously "Now the rest of you don't come out until I give the signal."
"Right!" sitting nearest the window, Bofur assumes the role of lookout, while I try to get someone's attention again. The hatted dwarf frowns in my direction but can't figure out what I'm asking "Wait for... Wait for the signal. Got it."
"No sudden moves."
"..."
"Or loud noises."
"Ah-"
"Lass, hush and sit still." shifting me, the dwarf tries to correct my movement. I thump Dwalin on his chest but he only has eyes for the wizard and his severely lacking instructions "Just wait a moment and we'll speak then."
"And don't overcrowd him." if my back hurt less, I'd be waving my arms in the air but I'm restricted to short choppy movements that are lost unless someone is directly looking at me. Being swaddled in my cloak doesn't help either. After a few more tries, I give up and decide to save my 'visions' for a more inspirational movement "Only come out in pairs... Actually... Bombur you count as two so you come out alone"
"..."
Bombur crunches on a snack, seeming undisturbed by the insult. I momentarily stop to wonder why it was necessary at all. Yes, this was the part where Gandalf fat-shames Bombur, calling him a two-for-one Big Mac. As we are though, the group makes up an even number, 16. The dwarves totally disregard his instructions originally anyway in the end but under these instructions it's impossible not to disobey. Someone will have to make up a third wheel or come out alone. As Gandalf gives his parting remarks, I shake my head before I can think any further about it. I sometimes worry about the most inconsequential things...
"What was so desperate to say, lass?" Balin comes over to his brother and me, confirming in my mind that he won't be the first out the door this time "I saw you waving."
"She probably was tryin' to tell me to ask what the signal is supposed to be."
"You don't know?" Nori asks with a snort
"Do you?"
"Haven't the foggiest."
"Aye..." Bofur shrugs as the group looks at him with a collective shrug of their own. He looks around for a moment before gluing himself back to the glass with a nervous laugh "I'll... figure it out."
"Lass?" Balin turns back to me with a raised brow and I give a soft nod. He returns it gently "Our apologies, we could not heed your warning. It is unusual for you to be so quiet. It's just... you must forgive us."
"..." If I wasn't paying attention, I would have missed the plea in his voice. He quickly turns away before I think to examine it further, and makes his way to the door. I have a sneaking suspicion he was really asking for true forgiveness. For what though? Bringing me on this wacky adventure? Kidnapping? Rain? I mean, ok, I guess "..."
"For Goblin town."
My eyes turn to look at Dwalin. He remains stoic, watching the doorway as Bofur continuously misreads Gandalf's signals. I can feel his attention on me though. Again just... WAITING. I know I don't have the best reputation as a stable person but it's almost like he's waiting for me to blow. He hasn't done anything to make me angry so... I just don't get it "You are in a very bad way and it's due to our failure to keep you safe in Goblin town."
"Ah..."
"Your forgiveness is necessary to unburden us all."
He moves towards the door as Fili and Kili step out into the yard. There isn't any time to dissect his words. I can hear Beorn getting more and more irritated and know it's almost time. Dwalin moves aside as the "Ur" crew bounds down the stairs in a cacophony of noise leaving behind Thorin, Dwalin, and me. We stand in the shadows, just out of Beorn's eyesight, though we can see him clearly standing in the light. He looks just as much beast as he does man. He's tall. Really tall. Giant even. He has a broad forehead that draws his nose out, almost like a snort. His dark thick hair blends with his brows and beard, making his mutton chops almost like a lion's mane. I can't see his back from here but I know his hair trails down his spine dipping into his trousers. 'Does he have a tail even in this form? It'd be a tiny little bear tail but still...' The last thing I take note of is his left wrist. A single shackle hangs off it; old and worn.
"... Is THAT it?" Beorn leers, holding his axe close to his chest and towing over the wizard. Honestly, if I were in his place, I'd have just taken off. Beorn is a brave introvert to stand his ground with this many unexpected guests "Are there any more?"
Thorin moves out without a fuss, Dwalin and I trailing after him. The skinchanger looks nonplussed but his face shifts to confusion as he notices me. Confused, he does not move, just looking me over. Trying to heed Gandalf's warning, I do not make any sudden movements, letting the Bearman examine me from a distance. It isn't until his eyes settle on my body that I pull the cloak tighter around me just in case his eyes are better than the dwarves. He blinks in surprise at the movement and I mentally slap myself. Though startled, his wild eyes lose some of their edge and he hums in thought. I imagine I look pathetic, just as Gandalf intended.
"Come then." he rumbles never taking his eyes off me "Tell me your tale."