Hey guys! Chapter 15 uploaded, yay! I hope you all enjoy this chapter!

Review Responses;

Conri Nightwalker – Thank you! I do try my best with the emotions, especially since it's harder as Thorin never had a lover, so I'm trying not to stray too much from his character while adding a loving side to him, so I hope I'm doing a good job of that. And yeah, mental health is really difficult. I've been suffering with it for years and it's been up and down a lot. It's not a hundred percent better, but apart from being ill, It's been good so far.

Chapter 15

Early the next morning, we are all startled awake by the cry of a Warg. We immediately clear up camp and Thorin sends Bilbo ahead to see how far the pack is. I stand beside Thorin, his arm around my waist to help steady me as we wait. We look up as he rushes back to us.

"How close is the pack?" Thorin asks.

"Too close. A couple of leagues, no more, but that is not the worst of it." Bilbo replies.

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

"Not yet, but they will; we have another problem."

Gandalf steps forward. "Did they see you? They saw you!"

"No, that's not it."

Gandalf smiles and turns to us.

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

The dwarves chuckle loudly in appreciation of Bilbo. Bilbo looks exasperated that no one is hearing him out. I decide to take pity on him, feeling sorry that he is being ignored.

"Will you all be quiet!" I hiss at them, raising my voice a little, causing everyone to look at me. "Bilbo is trying to say something!" I hiss at everyone.

Bilbo smiles appreciatively at me, "Thank you, Cal. I'm trying to tell you there is something else out there."

We all look worried.

"What form did it take? Like a bear?" Gandalf asks.

"Ye. . ." Bilbo pauses and looks curiously at Gandalf, as do the rest of us. "Y- yes. But bigger, much bigger."

"You knew about this beast?" Bofur asks Gandalf.

Gandalf turns and walks a few steps away. I stand and watch him.

"I say we double back."

"And be run down by a pack of Orcs." I point out, still watching Gandalf.

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

Thorin turns to him. "Whose house? Are they friend or foe?"

"Neither. He will help us, or he will kill us."

The dwarves looks at each other in dismay.

"Well. That is not very comforting." I mutter.

Thorin holds me carefully holds me tighter. "What choice do we have?"

As if to answer his question, a roar splits the night behind us, making us all jump, that is definitely not from a Warg.

"None." I say simply.

We immediately start running through the trees, over plains and across rivers, with Gandalf leading the way. I try to keep up with everyone as much as I can, but I am really starting to feel the pull of my side. Hopefully the stitches do not tear

As we are running through a forest, we suddenly stop when we hear an ear-splitting roar, which sounds nearby to us.

"This way, quickly!"

As we run, Bombur looks on in shock until he is pulled along.

"Bombur, come on!" Thorin shouts, pulling the rotund dwarf along.

Exiting the forest, I see a house surrounded by a hedge in the middle of a clearing.

"To the house! Run!" Gandalf calls out.

We run across the plain, towards the house, and I am surprised to see Bombur, outrunning us all in his fear. The dwarves run through a gate in the hedge. I stand with Gandalf by the gate to make sure the dwarves are safely through, and in order to rest for a few moments as my side is burning.

"Come on, get inside!"

I watch them as they run to the front door of the house; which is closed. Bombur, who reaches the door first, throws himself against it but falls flat on his back when the door doesn't budge. The rest of the dwarves catch up and begin throwing themselves against the door, trying to open it. Hearing commotion from the trees, I look back in time to see a massive bear break out from the edge of the forest. I stare wide eyed in surprised before Gandalf gently pushes me forward, towards the house.

"Open the door!"

"Quickly!" Thorin yells as he pushes his way thought the dwarves and raises the exterior bolt, thankfully opening the doors.

We all run into the house and the dwarves try slamming the door shut as Gandalf and I make it inside, but they are stopped by the bears huge head. As the bear roars and tries to push the door open, the dwarves yell and strain to close it. Bilbo pulls out his sword and points it unsteadily at the bear. The dwarves yell as they press against the door.

"Come on, lads!" Dwalin shouts.

With a final heave, the dwarves manage to close the door and drop the bolt across it. They sigh in shock, fear, and tiredness. I just breathe a sigh of relief.

"What is that?" Ori asks.

"That. . .is our host." Gandalf explains.

We all turn to Gandalf in bewilderment. Our host? He has got to be joking.

"His name is Beorn, and he is a skin-changer."

Recognition instantly hits me. "Oh, of course. I had heard a lot about him, but never had the opportunity to meet him before."

Gandalf nods. "The bear is unpredictable, but the man can be reasoned with. However, he is not overfond of dwarves."

The dwarves look at each other in dismay. Ori peaks out a crack in the door.

"Of course he isn't." I mutter as I walk away.

"He's leaving!"

Dori pulls him away from 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; he's under no enchantment but his own. Alright now, get some sleep, all of you. You'll be safe here tonight. I hope."

The last two words were spoken in a whisper, but I hear him clearly enough. Walking over to a wall, I sit against it, hissing in pain as I grip my side.

"Cal, are you alright?" Thorin asks as he kneels beside me.

"My side just hurts, that is all."

He calls Oin over who checks over my wound. Luckily none of the stitches have come apart during the run and it doesn't look as if it has become infected either. Oin gives it a quick clean and redresses it.

"You probably just strained it from all the running we did. Take it easy for now, lass." Oin says as he wraps it up.

I smile at him. "Thank you, Oin."

He nods as he walks away once he is done. Thorin sits next to me and takes me into his arms.

"Are you alright?"

I smile as I lay my head on his shoulder. "I am fine. Do not worry about me."

He kisses my temple. "I will always worry about you."

I smile as I close my eyes, exhaustion of the day suddenly washing over me. Feeling Thorin gently lay me down, laying my head in his lap, I look up to see him smile down at me as he runs his fingers through my hair.

"Get some sleep."

I nod as I snuggle down, closing my eyes again and soon drift off to sleep.

The next morning, I am woken up by a loud thud. After hissing in pain when I jolt awake, I notice that apart from Bilbo laying not too far away, I am alone and the dwarves have gathered by a window on the other side of the house. I slowly get up, hissing slightly as I put a hand to my side and make my way to the dwarves, noticing Bilbo just waking up as well. I take Thorin's hand as I stand next to him as the dwarves start arguing.

"What is going on?" I ask Thorin.

"The skin-changer is right outside." he explains to me.

"I say we should leg it and slip out the back way!" Nori says.

Dwalin grabs hold of him. "I'm not running from anyone, beast or no."

"There is no point in arguing, we cannot pass through the wilderland without Beorn's help. We'll be hunted down, before we even get to the forest."

I look to him at that. Forest? Surely he did not mean the forest of Greenwood. I certainly hope he does not mean that.

"Ah, Bilbo. There you are." I look to see him stepping beside Thorin and Kili. "Now, this will require some delicate handling; we must tread very carefully. The last person to have startled him was torn to shreds. I will go first, ah, Bilbo, you will come with me."

I look to the Hobbit to see him hesitating. With a nod of Thorin's head, he walks over to the Wizard.

"I-Is this a good idea?" he asks nervously.

"Yes. Now, the rest of you, you just wait here and don't come out, until I give the signal."

"Right, wait for the signal." Bofur confirms as he's stood by the window.

"And no sudden moves or loud noises and don't over crowd him. Only come out in pairs." he turns to leave but then turns back, "No, actually, Bombur, you count as two so you should come out alone."

Bombur gives a noise of agreement and nods, but I can tell what Gandalf said may have upset him a little, but he's holding his emotions back. I give a Gandalf a look of disapproval, but he does not seem to notice.

"Remember, wait for the signal." he turns and leaves with Bilbo.

"What signal would that be?" Bofur asks, but Gandalf is gone.

I listen from where I am standing by Thorin, able to hear them perfectly, grinning as he grumbles after Bilbo saying he;s nervous.

"Good morning!. . .Good morning!" I hear Gandalf call out.

The thud stops and a moment later, I hear a voice I do not recognise. "Who are you?"

"I'm 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."

I look up at this. Mirkwood? Is that what Greenwood is called now? Then Radagast was right. . .the woods are sick. . .feeling Thorin squeeze my hand, I look to see his concerned expression as he watches me. I just smile in reassurance as I squeeze his hand back.

"What do you want?"

"Well, simply to thank you for your hospitality. You may have noticed that we took refuge in your lodgings last night."

"Who is this little fellow?"

I look up as I hear a tint of agitation in Beorn's voice, my worry for Bilbo grows.

"Well, this would be Mr. Baggins, of the Shire."

My body tenses as I hear the sound of metal scraping, knowing he has picked up his axe.

"He's not a dwarf, is he?"

"No. He is a Hobbit. Good family. And an unimpeachable reputation."

"A Halfling. And a Wizard. How come you here?"

"Oh well, the fact is that we've had a bad time of it. From Goblins in the mountains."

"What did you go near Goblins for? Stupid thing to do!"

I had to smile slightly at this. I am starting to like this Beorn character more and more.

"You are absolutely rig-"

That is all I hear from Gandalf as Bofur calls out he's seen the signal, causing Dwalin and Balin to walk out first.

"Dwalin. And Balin." Dwalin introduces him and his brother.

"I-I must confess, uh, several of our group, are infact. . .dwarves." I can tell, by the nervousness in Gandalf's voice, he had not given the signal.

"Do you call two, several?" I now know Beorn is getting extremely nervous and agitated.

After a moment of Gandalf babbling, Bofur sends out two more, Oin and Gloin.

"Ah, and here are some more of our happy troupe!"

"And do you call six, a troupe? What are you? A travelling circus?"

Bofur again sends out two more, this time I hear Beorn growling.

"Dori and Ori, at your service." Dori introduces.

"I don't want your service!"

"Absolutely understandable!" Gandalf tries to calm things down.

I put my head in my hand as Bofur sends out the next two, Fili and Kili. Leaning over to Thorin, I whisper to him;

"I do not think Gandalf has given a single signal yet."

He gives a small grin, nodding his head in agreement.

"Oh! Fili and Kili, I'd quite forgotten."

Then, stupidly, Nori runs out, followed by Bofur, Bifur and Bombur.

"Is that it? Are there anymore?" Beorn asks.

Thorin walks out, followed by me. I stand behind Thorin, placing my hands on his shoulders as I take my first look at Beorn.

He is tall, extremely tall, greyish brown hair which is more like a mane flowing down his back. Hair covering the side of his face, forked beard which reveals his chin. Piercing, wild, brown eyes. Muscular chest which is bare and wearing brown pants. I can also see a shackle covering his left wrist, so I know he's been held prisoner by someone.

I see him look to Thorin, a look of recognition forming in his eyes. He then turns to me and his eyes widen slightly.

"You have an elf with you?"

Everyone turns to look to me.

"Ah, yes. Come here, my dear." Gandalf says, waving me over.

Thorin puts his hand on my arm to stop me, but I just give him a reassuring smile, squeezing his shoulders before stepping around him to stand beside Gandalf. Beorn peers at me for a moment.

"What is your name?"

"Caladwen, daughter of Thranduil." I reply, trying desperately to hold back any sound of resentment as I mention my father.

"Thranduil? King of Mirkwood?"

I close my eyes at the mention of Mirkwood. "Unfortunately."

He looks to me for a few moments. "All Mirkwood elves hate dwarves as much as I. I am surprised to see one of their own among them."

"All Mirkwood elves except I." I smile back to the dwarves, my eyes lingering on Thorin before turning back to Beorn. "They are my family."

Beorn says nothing at first before inviting us inside his home. Once inside and sat at the table, Beorn, after putting on a sleeveless woolen tunic, claps his hands and animals come over. Beorn speaks to them in a language I do not know and the dogs that came in suddenly stand on two legs as they serve us, sheep coming in with trays on their woolly backs. I just watch in awe and surprise as animals serve us a breakfast of fruits, nuts, honey, bread and honey cakes. Beorn goes around the table, puring milk into huge wooden mugs we are given.

"So you are the one they call Oakenshield." Beorn asks Thorin, who is leaning against a pillar behind me. "Tell me, why is Azog the Defiler hunting you?"

"You know of Azog? How?" Thorin turns to him.

"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 seemed to amuse him."

I look down at this, being the only other to know first hand just how cruel the orcs could really be, as well as also knowing about his story, having heard of it before. Taking some bread and cheese, I hand it back to Thorin, not turning away until he takes it, which he does with a small smile.

"There are others like you?" Bilbo asks.

"Once, there were many."

"And now?"

"Now, there is only one."

We all look on in silence. To be the only one of your kind. . .it has got to be heart breaking. . .

Beorn sits in one of his huge chairs. "You need to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn?"

"Before Durin's Day falls, yes." Gandalf answers.

"You are running out of time."

"Which is why we must go through Mirkwood."

I look up at this. Go through Mirkwood? I hope Gandalf isn't serious about that.

"A darkness lies upon that forest. Fell things creep beneath those trees. There is an alliance between the Orcs of Moria and the Necromancer in Dol Guldur. I would not venture there except in great need."

"We will take the Elven Road. That path is still safe."

I look to Gandalf, a sudden anger at my old friend running through me. "Safe? If those elves get wind of thirteen dwarves strolling through their forest, do you think they will allow us to continue? No, they will not. All of us will be locked up in their dungeons, with no way out. And then what? We will be stuck there."

"She is right." Beorn says, I am thankful I have someone on my side at least. "The Wood-Elves of Mirkwood are not like their kin. They're less wise and more dangerous. Apart from your friend here, of course. But it matters not."

"What do you mean?" Thorin asks.

"These lands are crawling with Orcs. Their numbers are growing, and you are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive."

Thorin looks shocked. Beorn stands up from the table and faces Thorin.

"I don't like dwarves. They're greedy and blind, blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own." Beorn picks up a mouse that had been scampering on the table and holds it, all the while approaching Thorin, who is standing with his arms crossed. "But Orcs I hate more. What do you need?"

It is decided that we will be resting in Beorn's home for a couple of weeks or so, so that Thorin and I will have time to heal from our injuries, and give us all the rest we so desperately need after all we have endured the past few days. As the men stay and talk things over, I decide to go outside for some air. Walking through the garden and past the hedge which surrounds the house, I stand on the open field, my eyes turned in the direction of my old home.

Even though going through the forest will be the best option for us, all other directions would take too long, I worry. Not for myself, but for the dwarves. As I said to Gandalf, if my father got word that dwarves were walking through his words, our quest would be in great danger. They would assuredly be locked up in the dungeons for the rest of their lives, if he had his way, and there would be nothing I could do to stop that from happening. However, I would do everything within my power to make sure that does not happen, or if it does, find some way for us to get on our way again.

"Caladwen?" I look up to see Thorin walking towards me. He stands next to me, his arm slipping around my waist. "Are you alright?"

I shake my head. "No. The one place I have been avoiding for almost two hundred years, now I have to return."

"We will only be going through the forest, Cal. We won't be going anywhere near the city."

I scoff. "Sure. And do you think the elves are going to just let us walk through. They have patrols in every tree just watching to see who walks through. Once they see us, they will pounce like a pack of wild dogs. And I, for one, do not wish to see him again."

"Thranduil?"

I nod. "I stopped speaking to him after he sent you away. Never spoke a word. The only people I would speak to or see was my brother and Tauriel. Tauriel was the one who helped me escape a couple months later, and when I did, I never looked back."

He looks to me for a moment before he pulls me into him. "Everything will be alright, Caladwen. Even if we were to be captured we will get through it together, just like we always said."

I smile as I look to him. "You are right. As long as we are together, we can get through anything."

He smiles as he pulls me down for a kiss before we look back towards Mirkwood, both of u lost in our own thoughts. I know that Thorin is right, as long as we are together, nothing can stop us. But I still fear about what will happen once we are in those woods. As well as having to handle the wrath of my father, we have to face the unknown of the supposed sickness going through the woods and that scares me more than anything.

Well, there we have it, they're all safe now with Beorn and Cal's freaking out at the thought of returning to Mirkwood. . .can't say I blame her really. You wanna find out what happens next, then stay tuned. Please keep your lovely reviews coming, I love hearing from you all xxxx