I do not own any of the characters or The Hobbit (just the AU storyline and my OC) Those are the work of the esteemed and brilliant John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, and without his genius, this and many other fan fics would not be in existence.

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Warning- graphic imagery of orc and warg torture in this chapter (first part, if you wish to skip it move on past the first dividing mark).

The sun slowly rose in the east, illuminating the hillside and that which the darkness had hidden.

Beorn spat upon the filthy carcass before him in disgust. Flies had already begun to gather inside the open mouth, feasting on the dead flesh of the orc he had captured and that of the warg he had ridden.

Let it rot, he thought to himself angrily. And let carrion feed off of it and spread it across Middle-earth!

Once he had caught up to the warg riders that chased the panicked horse into his territory, it was easy to destroy them. His hatred for the evil creatures of Morgoth ran deep, far deeper than even the scars he bore across his body. Painful memories surfaced as he attacked, and that only lent power to his rage. Within a matter of minutes, the deed was done.

But he deliberately left two alive- one warg, and one rider. Their pleas fell on deaf ears, for the bear tasted the scent of blood upon the air. His great paw was stayed only by his desire to learn why they dared to cross the borders of his land and chase a half dead, helpless beast into his domain.

All night he worked, torturing the orc as the warg whimpered and cowered where it had been tied to a tree. Shifting from bear to man, he took up the orc's crude blade. Deep slices he cut, the black iron dripping with the orc's own blood. At first, the prisoner was reluctant, spewing curses in the harsh black speech of his maker between the cries of pain. The sound of that foul tongue only served to further enrage the skinchanger, and he changed his tactics.

Turning toward the cowering yet snarling beast, he took the blade and skinned the warg alive. Its blood ran upon the ground, staining it and the hide. Its snarls finally faded into the darkness as life left the beast, and the wide eyed orc cowered in fear. Once the deed was done, the skinchanger swiftly nailed the spattered hide upon the side of a tree, marking the edge of his territory. Turning toward the now pleading orc, the fierceness in his eyes finally gave him the answers he sought.

The orc was not to be spared, however, as Beorn knew there was no good to be found within any of the evil, corrupted creatures. As the morning breeze blew, so did the wisps of wiry hair of the orc head now mounted on a spike in front of his home. The wind also ruffled the mottled fur of the warg skin, now nailed onto his hedge behind the spike. The message was clear for anyone who gazed upon the grotesque sight:

Let that be a warning to all who walk in evil, that their life is forfeit to my wrath should they dare to enter these lands again.

The skinchanger spat once more in the direction of his warning, and turned toward a water barrel beside the entrance to his garden. As he began to clean up after his interrogation, the information he'd learned from the orc ran through his mind. His heart was troubled by what was screamed as the orc had been tortured, and his eyes once more wandered southeast.

His master serves the One. And he has called all orcs to his fortress in Dol Guldur.

The latter explained why he had seen more signs of orcs around his lands, and why there were more riders than just the earlier group that had chased the company of dwarves prior to himself doing so. He supposed they must be coming down from their northern strongholds in the mountains to Dol Guldur, and why Moria was teeming with their foul kind once again.

The first comment troubled him deeply. Who was the One? He had not been alive to witness it, however his people had passed down stories of an evil presence who had tried to take dominion of Middle-earth long ago. It was rumored that he called himself "The One", but Beorn did not know why. But the skinchangers had believed that evil presence had been destroyed in the Battle of the Last Alliance some three thousand years prior. The elves spoke of it, the wizards spoke of it, men spoke of it, and news of his demise spread quickly across the lands of Middle-earth. And though he knew elves were immortal, and he strongly suspected wizards to be also despite their old appearance, Beorn had never heard of anyone coming back from the dead save for rumors of scepters walking about the ruins of Rhudar from superstitious folk. He would have to speak to the wizard, but something else had to be done first.

His eyes trailed towards the dark horse now peacefully grazing amongst his own ponies, the saddle and bridle upon it lopsided from the chase the evening before. The wind blew toward the southwest, thus masking the scent of warg and orc blood, and the horse finally relaxed. The silly beast seemed to pay the awkward saddle and bridle no mind, snorting and neighing as he strutted proudly in front of the lady ponies and looking altogether ridiculous. Smiling gently to himself as he took in the horse's antics, the large man began to walk down toward the meadow.

A good brushing down and full belly will satisfy him, he thought to himself, chuckling. though I better get those things off before he trips himself up and costs himself companionship tonight.

XXX

"Dori, I need to speak with you." Thorin's voice left no room for argument, and the tailor quickly rose to his feet, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes as the first rays of dawn filtered through the windows. Several of the dwarves also blinked, a few grumbling under their breath at the unsanctimonious hour, before several pair of eyes widened in shock.

"T-Thorin," Bilbo stammered, his eyes wide with surprise as he stared at their leader. "Where is, erm, I-I don't mean to be rude, but...where is your tunic?"

The dwarf king had never taken his tunic off in front of the others, save for perhaps his own kin and Oin, and the hobbit took it for granted. Even when the company had bathed at the base of the Carrock, and before that in Rivendell, Thorin had bathed privately away from the group. Bilbo always figured it had something to do with being king, is all, and had paid it no mind. He himself had balked at even taking his waistcoat off in front of the others, at least until he ran into the Anduin naked as a wee babe, and completely understood the basic principles of modesty in front of others. He had balked at the lack of modesty and propriety amongst the others, but had never had to encounter that with the heirs of Durin. But to see the proud Thorin standing in simply his trousers, long underwear, and jerkin was simply...odd.

The others, save for Dori, had quickly diverted their gazes, busying themselves with anything they could think of as though to avoid the conversation entirely. The hobbit quickly realized how rude his question must have sounded, and rose to his feet as well. Intent on locating a chamber pot, as he hadn't heard Beorn enter the house since the evening before, his gaze happened to stumble upon a still figure wrapped in blankets in the opposite stall.

Cirashala's face was quite pale, save for her flushed cheeks as wild, tangled curls framed her face. Balin was sitting with her, the old dwarf's eyes filled with sleep as he laid a damp cloth across her forehead, yawning. A familiar dark blue graced her shoulder, the only part of her visible above the mound of blankets save for her face, and the hobbit turned toward the dwarf king in surprise. Thorin simply glanced at her, then looked pointedly at Bilbo, before heading toward the dining room without a single word. The hobbit's brow furrowed in confusion, before his gaze landed on the clothesline strung across one of the stalls. Kili's now dry tunic fluttered in the early morning breeze, along with his long underwear and the pair's trousers, and Bilbo suddenly understood.

His tunic was the only one that would fit her.

Looking at the retreating back of the dwarf king, he nodded, his respect for Thorin growing tenfold. Life had embittered the dark haired dwarf, Bilbo knew, and trust did not come easily. It had taken himself a very long time to be accepted amongst the group, and it had not been an easy struggle. But the hobbit was beginning to learn a valuable lesson about the remarkable people he had once believed to be nothing more than crude heathens.

It was very difficult to earn the respect of a dwarf. But once earned, a dwarf would give you everything he owns, even the shirt off his back, if you were in need of it.

XXX

Fili groaned as he awakened, wondering what the great weight was atop him. A mess of wildly tangled dark hair assaulted his nostrils, and he reeled from the scent for a moment. He chuckled a bit as he suddenly realized his mustache had become tangled within the dark locks, and he smiled as memories of the evening before went through his head.

He's alive, he thought to himself, eyes misting even as he choked up a bit. My brother, my best friend- he's alive.

Kili was out cold, Oin managing to coax his mouth open enough for him to swallow a drought of herbs, and his breathing had steadied much to everyone's relief. The young dwarf could feel a slight fever emanating from his brother's still form, but he wasn't worried much. Oin had warned that, between his being soaked clear to the bone and his wounds that there would be a slight fever, but had reassured everyone that it was normal, all things considered.

The young prince could hear birds chirping outside merrily, and realized that he needed to take care of business. Yawning, he glanced down at his sleeping brother, who was snoring softly on his shoulder, and settled himself in for a long nap. He hadn't been sleeping well since Kili's "death", and Fili could definitely feel the lack of sleep catching up to him. Faint smells of Bombur cooking reached his nostrils, but nothing would tempt him from his current position and he would hold out as long as he was able. He had his brother back. And he would not let go for fear of losing him again.

Well, I can't let go until someone untangles my mustache from Kili's hair at least, he thought with another chuckle as his eyelids drifted closed once more. I love my brother and all, but we can't very well go around tied to each other!

XXX

As he watched the young prince fell back into a restful slumber, Thorin seemed to feel the weight of the world lift off his shoulders. A heavy hand rested on his arm, and he turned, meeting Dwalin's gaze.

"It's good that they are back together," the warrior said quietly, smiling at the scene before him. "I daresay they will refuse to be parted ever again, though you may want to help them...disentangle themselves when they wake up."

Thorin chuckled, having been there too many times to count with his own siblings growing up, before his gaze landed on the young woman. Cirashala was still feverish and unconscious as a concerned Gandalf looked after her. Balin had retired for much needed sleep after the old dwarf had spent the night bathing her face with cool water.

"Did you speak to Dori?" Dwalin asked, his gaze following his friend's, and Thorin nodded.

"He's going to make her a new tunic once he finds some fabric to do so," the dwarf king replied, and Dwalin nodded. "Hers was destroyed in Goblin Town, and as the weather cools, Kili will need his back."

"Why do you think she did that?" the burly dwarf asked softly. "Why did she risk revealing herself?" Thorin shook his head.

"It was a foolish thing to do," he replied. "She could have been killed-or worse." Dwalin nodded, fully aware of what Thorin was speaking of. Like his king, he had no wish to witness such a horrible atrocity.

"But she didn't reveal the quest," he said, surprise and respect in his voice. "I was sure she would, especially when they began to use the whips."

"I was as well," Thorin replied, frowning as the images of her beating once more entered his mind. The dark haired dwarf turned toward Dwalin.

"You have been my friend and shield brother for many long years, and I have always trusted your judgment," he said quietly. "Tell me- do you think she can be trusted?"

The burly dwarf's gaze turned toward the young woman without answering. He stayed there for a long time, not saying a word, before turning back toward his king.

"Aye," he replied. "She risked far more than even she knows to protect you from the Great Goblin, and Kili said she fought a lynx off with a branch to save his life when his knife could not be found. Foolish she may be, and reckless. But if she hadn't spoken up when she did and distracted the goblins, you may not have a head on your shoulders right now." Thorin nodded, humming to himself.

"You are not thinking of adding her as a contractual member of our company?" Dwalin asked with surprise, turning towards him. "I trust her now, far more than I have ever trusted a human, but she is a woman. And Smaug may yet be alive."

"Aye, she is," Thorin said, nodding in agreement. "And I would no sooner allow her to face a dragon as I would allow my own sister! She will stay in Laketown as agreed, at least until the dragon is dead." Thorin paused for a moment, then continued.

"After that, she is welcome to visit Erebor as a friend of the dwarves if she should so choose." Dwalin nodded, relief in his features.

"Good," he agreed, before his brow suddenly furrowed in confusion.

"Thorin?" he asked, and the dwarf king turned to face him. "How did they know we were here?"

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A response to guest reviewer Samantha: I'm glad you're still reading and enjoying it :) I update as I can- I hope you took a few breaths in the meantime ;) As to your question (minding you that I can't reveal too much on author's note replies to avoid spoiling others)- that will come up, but not yet. I almost thought of that as a more private thing between the pair, something Kili and Cira will definitely NOT forget, but that there isn't going to be a huge reveal to the rest of the company, if that makes sense. I haven't decided whether it will come up or not, but I think Kili would respect her privacy and grief in this matter, and as far as the persons mentioned are concerned, I think he'll take care of that later- he won't forget it, but it won't likely come up too much except to maybe Fili. And it won't be this chapter- probably not for a little while. Thank you- I hope it improves as well. It's no fun being sick for an entire month! :(

A response to guest reviewer Guest- thank you! I hope to get better soon too :)

A response to guest reviewer Kaia- NOPE lol! It really doesn't- I'm a very musical person (I sing pretty well, have played the violin for 18 years, etc), and music is also one way I can traverse time and distance and get my head in Middle-earth- unless it's the theme song from the Octonauts and Curious George in the background! Then I'm DEFINITELY not in ME at that point- about as far away from it as I could get! My kids lost that particular tv remote, and I'm honestly in no hurry to find it ;) Shh- don't tell them I typed that ;P

A response to guest reviewer Ri-chan- It has- I hope you are well? Thanks I hope to get better soon! Yes, it was because of Gandalf's song- he was trying to calm her mind and draw as much pain away from her as possible, and the images she saw while unconscious are a result of that spell. That's why he seemingly aged and wore himself out by the time Gloin was done- he used as much power as he was authorized to try and spare her from as much pain as possible. Good call- virtual brownie points to you for catching that little "easter egg" of mine AND naming them too! I'm impressed :D

A response to guest reviewer Guest- I'm glad you liked it!

A response to guest reviewer ela- That's fine- I don't mind being called "dude" ;) I'm glad you liked it so much! Wow- I don't think I'm as good as Tolkien, but thank you for the compliment! I am glad to hear you were engrossed in it- that tells me that it didn't end up slogging and boring in parts that I was worried it would :) I am thankful you are trying to be patient- it's not easy to write with everything else I have going on! I'm grateful that people are sticking with it and so patient even when I struggle with health issues and have so much work to do at home :) It means a lot to this author! I do strive for realistic characters, because unrealistic Mary Sues drive me absolutely crazy! And I'm glad you like the plot as well- parts are derived from the book, parts are derived from the movie, and I simply try to use logic when I make a change (if this happens, then this is the result sort of thing). But throughout the story, I do try to keep things within the spirit of Tolkien's work. It wouldn't be his Middle-earth if I didn't do so!

Thanks to all who review, favorite, and follow- you guys are SO encouraging! I don't deserve you :D :D :D