Here's the next chapter.

Enjoy.

~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~ Chapter 9~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~

Bilbo, as soon as he said it, heard a growl from behind him and quickly jumped to his feet and saw the bear there growling. Bilbo whimpered he didn't know what to do. He knew he couldn't fight this bear, it was bigger than the wargs on the cliff. Bilbo crouched down low and whined.

"Please I mean no harm. We are just after safety." Bilbo said hoping he could understand.

"What do you mean? Are you not with the orcs? How can you speak with me?"

"I'm a shifter, just like you. As you can see my shift is a warg but I'm not with those that are close by."

Bilbo whimpered as the bear walked over and sniffed over him and shivered when a paw pressed on his neck. Bilbo squeezed his eyes shut tightly and waited. The bear growled lightly before moving back and Bilbo looked up at him.

"Bilbo!" Thorin was yelling at him, obviously feeling his emotions but Bilbo ignored it for now to concentrate on the bear in front of him.

"I can smell others on you."

"Yes that's who I'm travelling with."

"What are you?"

"I'm a Hobbit, a halfling, from the Shire. Bilbo Baggins is my name."

"I am Beorn. I didn't know there were any shifters left."

"There are a few families in the Shire that are shifters but none that are predators like ourselves. I didn't know there were any outside the Shire."

"I don't suppose you were welcome in the Shire."

"Not really no."

"BILBO! Answer me."

"Excuse me for a second." Bilbo said to Beorn who nodded. "Thorin I'm ok."

"Why did I sense fear from you? What's wrong?"

"Nothing I'm talking with Beorn."

"The Skin-changer that was chasing us?"

"Yes, he snuck up on me. Everything is ok."

"Alright just don't mention us dwarves. He is apparently not fond of them. We will let Gandalf tell him."

"Ok. Get some rest. I am ok, Beorn isn't going to hurt me." "Sorry Beorn."

"You have an intended mate."

"I… Yes I do. How did you…?"

"You have a distinct scent on you above the others. Why don't you go inside and get some rest? I'll be patrolling to keep the orcs away."

"Will you be ok?" Bilbo asked seeing the scars on his body.

"I will be fine, Little Warg."

Bilbo nodded and the two walked back around the front of the house and Bilbo could smell the orcs were close. Bilbo shivered remember the white warg and his eyes scanned the forest. Beorn was scanning and when he saw Bilbo wasn't heading inside he nudged his side and Bilbo cast Beorn one last look before walking towards the door. Bilbo listened as Beorn walked off before listening for anyone inside but heard only silence.

"Thorin?" Bilbo waited a second but heard nothing in reply before moving on to everyone in the house. "Anyone awake?"

"Bilbo?" Fili answered.

"Fili can you let me in? I'm alone."

"Hold on a second."

Bilbo heard Fili shaking Kili awake given the grumbling from him about only just falling asleep. He heard movement at the door.

"Bilbo can you open it. Kili and I have our hands full."

Bilbo pushed the door open and saw Fili and Kili standing there holding a big piece of wood. Bilbo quickly walked inside and pushed the door shut with his body so the boys could put the wood back in place.

"Thankyou boys. I'm guessing everyone is asleep?"

"Yeah not too long ago." Fili answered back so no one would wake.

"Uncle is over in the corner." Kili said pointing to where Thorin was.

Bilbo looked over and saw the end of Orcrist sticking out from behind a pillar. Bilbo walked over making sure to flick Kili in the head with his tail, for his cheek, as he passed. Bilbo looked around the pillar at Thorin and saw him gripping Orcrist firmly. Bilbo smiled and saw a pile of hay sitting an arm and sword distance from Thorin in case he was startled. Bilbo curled up in the hay and was able to slowly fall asleep.

~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~

Bilbo slowly woke very early in the morning, it was still dark outside, too find a warm body pressed into his side. Bilbo lifted his head and saw Thorin was pressed into his side with Orcrist still held firmly in his hand. Bilbo smiled and saw Beorn walking over. If it wasn't for knowing Beorn in his bear form, he would have been scared by the size of the man he was. He was much taller than Gandalf.

"Morning Little Warg, I hope I didn't wake you."

"Morning Beorn."

"I have some clothes for you. I figured that you may not have anything, though they may be large."

"Thankyou."

"You didn't say your group were dwarves."

"I'm sorry Beorn. Gandalf said you didn't like dwarves."

"I don't. They are greedy and blind. Blind to those they deem lesser than their own."

"I agree, they are rude but once you understand them, they aren't that bad."

"It seems that this one is your intended mate, he seems the worst of all."

Bilbo looked back down at Thorin and if he was in his hobbit form, he would be smiling, widely.

"He is stubborn."

"I also found your sword and clothes that obviously dropped and ripped when you changed." Beorn said placing it down beside the clothes.

"Thankyou. I completely forgot about it."

Beorn watched Bilbo for a second before turning and leaving. Bilbo laid his head down curling around Thorin's body and he felt Thorin turn slightly before settling.

~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~

Bilbo groaned hearing voices a distance away and slowly opened his eyes. He noticed that Thorin was gone from his side and he had been gone for a while. Bilbo yawned and sat up and he couldn't see any dwarves so Bilbo quick changed back and put on his clothes given to him from Beorn. Bilbo found the rope left at the bottom of the pile and used it to hold the pants up, after rolling up the legs.

'I wonder if Dori could fix these, so they are a little smaller.' Bilbo wondered.

He walked from the corner and towards what seemed the back door since that's were all the dwarves were gathered.

"Ah Bilbo there you are. Good." Gandalf said.

Bilbo frowned and stood beside Thorin who was leaning against a pole with his arms crossed. Bilbo looked at him for an explanation and Thorin just shook his head.

"Morning."

"Morning." Bilbo said with a smile before looking back at Gandalf.

"Ah Bilbo? You come with me."

"What?" Bilbo said and looked back at Thorin who nodded. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"

They walked outside and down the stairs and Bilbo could see Beorn chopping wood. Bilbo knew he was tall, but he was a lot taller than Gandalf and he was extremely strong. He suddenly looked much taller than when Bilbo saw him early this morning. Bilbo gulped, even though he had spoken with Beorn he was still a little nervous around him. Bilbo looked up at Gandalf who from the looks of it, was nervous.

"You're nervous."

"What? Nonsense." They looked back when another piece of wood was chopped in half. "Good morning." Gandalf called out and another chop of wood. "Good morning."

"Who are you?" Beorn said not turning around.

"My name is Gandalf, Gandalf the Grey."

"Never heard of him."

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

"What do you want?" Beorn said cutting him off.

"Well simply to thank you for your hospitality. You see we took up lodging in your home last night."

Beorn turned to look to look at him just as Bilbo heard a couple of Dwarves walk out and Beorn's gaze instantly landed behind them. Bilbo winced as the dwarves came out in pairs, bowing and introducing themselves. Bilbo heard Fili and Kili come out and knew there was only one left.

"Are there anymore?"

Bilbo heard Thorin walk out and he saw Beorn look at him like in recognition of something. Beorn looked down at Bilbo who wanted to shrink back under the gaze, he had an intimidating look like Thorin did.

~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~

Bilbo sat next to Fili at the table as Beorn filled up cups with milk. Bilbo looked around at everyone who was looking either at the food on the table or Beorn. Bilbo winced at the conversation about the other skin-changers.

Bilbo barely listened to the other conversation that was going on, his thoughts on how many skin-changers there were in the Shire and now Azog knew that there was a Hobbit that was a skin-changer. Bilbo knew if the dwarves couldn't reach the mountain or Azog wasn't killed then he would eventually turn his attention to those in the Shire that were shifters.

"Little Warg?" Bilbo jumped hearing this and look to Beorn.

"Yes sorry?"

"Come with me."

Bilbo tilted his head and moved to get up when suddenly there is a hand on his shoulder holding him in place. Bilbo knew Thorin was keeping him there and there was a glare on his face.

"Why do you want Bilbo?"

"I wish to teach him how to fight."

"We will be the ones to teach him." Thorin said.

"Not in his other form you cannot."

"Thorin it's ok." Bilbo said.

"We will be present." Thorin said.

"If you wish." Beorn said. "Meet me outside Little Warg." Beorn said and walked out.

Bilbo moved to stand and quickly grabbed his pants as they started to slip, and it reminded him of what he needed done.

"Dori?"

"Yes, Master Baggins?"

"Is it possible for you to fix these so they fit better?"

"We can have a look. If I can then when you are training with Beorn I can fix them up."

"Thankyou."

"Come over here."

Bilbo quickly moved after Dori and they walked to a corner hidden from others and Dori had a quick look at the pants.

"Alright I can fix these, and I'll have Fili make a proper belt for you so these can stay up easier. Do you want to change now or outside?"

"Ah here."

"Alright."

Dori turned his back and Bilbo quickly stripped down and changed to his warg form. Bilbo nudged Dori who turned back and picked up the clothes. Bilbo walked beside Dori back to the others at the table and nudged Thorin's side as he was talking with Dwalin and his back was turned. Thorin looked at him and put his hand on Bilbo's head and scratched behind his ear. Bilbo gave a purr and pressed in a little more to him.

"That's nice."

"I'm going to spoil you if I continue."

"Please do."

Thorin chuckled before brushing Bilbo's fur back before he stood up. Bilbo walked towards the door and pushed it open with his head before walking out. He could hear the dwarves following him and he saw a pile of clothes sitting near the door. Bilbo looked around as he wandered into the clearing beside the house.

"Where is he?" He heard Kili ask.

"Don't know. He is out here. He left the house."

"But where?"

"Keep on guard Bilbo. He has obviously started your training now."

Bilbo looked around and tried to listen past the dwarves talking for sounds that might indicate Beorn's approach. He looked around him trying to see where Beorn was and when he had turned his back to the trees he missed seeing Beorn move out from behind some bushes. Bilbo only just saw Fili and Kili's eyes widen at something behind him before he was knocked to the ground. Bilbo was surprised at how gently it had been but still let out a yelp of fright.

Thorin turned hearing Bilbo yelp and saw him land on the ground. Thorin growled low and drew his sword. Bilbo shook his head as he stood and saw Thorin with his sword drawn ready to move on Beorn.

"Thorin wait it's alright. I'm not hurt. He just surprised me." Bilbo moved over to him and nudged his side when he didn't put his sword down. "Thorin please. I'm fine. I just wasn't expecting it. You'll know if I'm hurt."

"How?"

"I can sense your emotion and pain. You should be able to do the same if you concentrate. You are my mate, you have accepted that we are mates, so you'll know. If you didn't than you wouldn't have known my emotions last night."

Thorin slowly lowered his sword and Bilbo rubbed his head on Thorin's shoulder before turning to Beorn. Bilbo lowered himself close to the ground watching Beorn before he sprung from the ground and ran at Beorn. The bear was more agile then any of them thought and quickly dodged Bilbo's attack. Bilbo turned sharply and jumped at Beorn's back only to be knocked straight off and almost stepped on if Bilbo hadn't rolled away.

They spent the next little while trying to beat each other before Bilbo started tiring. Bilbo yelped in shock as he was knocked to the ground and Beorn put his paw on Bilbo's neck gently. Bilbo whined knowing he lost and then heard the sounds of weapons being drawn. Bilbo looked up at Beorn as that was all he could see with Beorn's paw on his neck and saw the tip of Orcrist pointing at him.

"Let him up."

"Thorin I'm fine. I'm not hurt."

"Let him up now."

Before anyone could blink Beorn had knocked Orcrist away from him, though Thorin was able to keep hold of it, and moved over Bilbo and knocked Thorin to the ground and put his paw on Thorin's chest and the other on Orcrist holding it to the ground. Bilbo scrambled to his feet as the other dwarves started shouting and he stood between the two groups.

"Beorn please let him go. You know he is my intended. He is going to be protective of me." Bilbo said only to Beorn causing him to growl. "Beorn please let him go."

"I suggest you watch who you point that sword at, Dwarf. Mate or no I will kill you next time." Beorn said to Thorin before removing his paw from his chest before the sword.

Beorn walked off and Bilbo crouched down next to Thorin and nudged his side as he sat up. The company moved in closer with Fili and Kili kneeling on his other side.

"Uncle are you ok?"

"I'm fine."

"You all need to be careful about what you do with Beorn around." Bilbo said to everyone. "You know he doesn't like dwarves."

"He knows we are mates?"

"Yes. I didn't tell him, he knew last night."

Thorin stood and sheathed Orcrist as Beorn walked back speaking with Gandalf and both sat down beside the house on the bench there and started smoking their pipes.

"Fili, Kili, training with Dwalin and Balin."

"Uncle!" Both whined.

"Now. Kili with Dwalin, Fili with Balin."

Bilbo snickered at Kili's face when he looked at Dwalin before slumping down and dragged his feet to where Dwalin was heading. Thorin shook his head and nudged Bilbo before nodding to a shaded tree a short distance away so he could still supervise the brothers training.

Bilbo quickly walked over and laid down against the tree taking the whole spot making Thorin glare slightly at him. Bilbo just glared back happily before nodding his head in front of him. Thorin moved and sat down against Bilbo's side. He could feel Bilbo's breathing and it was racing.

"You alright?"

"Yes why?"

"You're breathing."

"Oh just from training with Beorn. I'm not used to that remember. I'm ok."

Bilbo rested his head on the ground looking in the direction that Fili and Kili were. Bilbo was just about to doze off when he heard crunching footsteps and looked up to see Dori with his pants and shirt given to him by Beorn.

"Would you like to try these on to make sure I have them, right?"

"Thankyou Dori I will."

Thorin sat forward slightly and Bilbo climbed to his feet and walked around the tree with Dori following to put the clothes down for him and then returned to Thorin. Bilbo shifted back and quickly put the clothes on and found they fitted better and when Fili fixed a belt for him the pants would fit well. Bilbo walked back out and Dori and Thorin looked to him.

"I fixed the pants the best I could without having to take them apart completely. Fili will make you a belt I'm sure."

"These are fine. Thankyou Dori."

"You're welcome Master Baggins."

"Dori, its Bilbo, please."

Dori nodded with a smile and a nod to Thorin before going over to his brother's. Bilbo smiled and moved closer to sit back down and was quickly grabbed and dragged in front of him. Bilbo smiled from where he was sitting between Thorin's legs and dragged back to rest against his chest.

"Why is everyone starting to call me Master Baggins again?" Bilbo asked causing Thorin chuckled. "Thorin!"

"They may be going back to calling you Master Baggins, because you are my One which makes you equal to me. So, they are showing respect."

"If I ask them not to will they listen?"

"Probably not."

"Can you tell them to just call me by my first name? Seriously Thorin being called Master Baggins will get old really quickly."

"So why did it take so long for you to ask them when we started."

"Well I wasn't sure how well everyone was taking to me joining and most weren't talking to me much so…"

"You didn't want to offend anyone."

"Yeah. I didn't know much about dwarves and I still don't." Thorin smirked and kissed Bilbo's neck making him shiver.

"I'll teach you." Thorin said into his neck as he kissed it more.

"Thorin." Bilbo whined as he shivered.

Thorin chuckled and saw Kili land on his back with Dwalin's axe at his neck. Thorin smiled having timed how long the boys were training. Kili had lasted longer than normal before being defeated by Dwalin. Fili was still holding his own against Balin before finally having the sword at his throat.

"Fili, Kili go help the others re-stock. We leave in two days."

Both nodded and quickly left while Balin turned on Dwalin and both started to spar with each other. Bilbo watched the boys leave before looking at Thorin.

"No words of encouragement?"

"Why?"

"Because they lost? Seriously?"

"They know what they have to do and probably know they will never defeat either of them for a long time."

"Thorin!"

"What?"

"You could easily say well done and give them some pointers."

"I do that when I train them."

"Are you able to teach me to use my sword?"

~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~ End of Chapter 9 ~~∞∞Ω∞∞~~

Hope you liked it. Please review.