From Other Worlds

The Last Homely House

"Well maybe, it would be wise if we came out in pairs. Hmm." Gandalf thought for a moment.

"I'll go first, break the ice, you know." Rayna offered.

"Break the..? No I'm afraid I don't know and you will not be going first." Gandalf huffed.

"Why not?" Rayna asked.

"It's very dangerous, for any of us."

"I'll give you three reasons why I should go. One, it'll be fun."

"How is that fun?" Kili asked from behind her.

"I like a challenge." She responded before turning back to Gandalf, "Two I can tell you don't know him personally. And three if he is any sort of gentleman he wouldn't dare attack me, a woman. Which is the only time my gender is advantageous for us on this quest. And if he does lob my head off well-"

"Nope. No. Rayna we have come too far for you to start making those jokes again." Bilbo warned.

"Alright." Rayna nodded, "I'm going to go whether you want me to or not."

"It is a matter that should be discussed." Gandalf was trying to steer it away from Rayna, causing the dwarves to get into a discussion once more. Rayna quietly stepped towards the door, giving a wink to Kili as she stepped outside.

"Rayna left." Kili pointed out, and they all looked to the window.

"Ex-excuse me sir!" She held her hands behind her back as she called for Beorn.

He whipped around, raising his axe, but upon seeing a woman he lowered it.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Rayna Thorne. My friends and I took refuge in your home last night after having a run in with goblins." Her hands started moving in front of her involuntarily.

"What did you go near goblins for? Stupid thing to do."

"You are absolutely correct, but we didn't know they were there, or we would have avoided it. Like completely."

"Who are your friends?" Beorn gripped his axe handle tighter.

"Oh well, they are all very nice. Ah! Here are a couple of them now. Gandalf the Grey! He's a wizard." Rayna felt her voice go higher to become less intimidating, "And with him is my good friend Bilbo!"

"He's not a dwarf, is he?" Beorn took hold of his axe.

"Ah! No! He's a hobbit of the Shire! From a good family, Baggins, and unimpeachable reputation." Rayna even wondered what her hands and voice were doing as she spoke but had become so nervous, she couldn't stop it save for holding her necklace to calm her.

"Are these your only friends?"

"Well, no." Rayna trailed off, and looked behind her when Beorn got defensive.

"Dwalin, and Balin!" Rayna introduced, "a couple more to our happy troupe."

"Is five a troupe?" Beorn was getting angrier.

"Dori, and Ori, at your service." Dori stepped out and they bowed.

"I don't want your service!"

"Mmmm of course not, of course not. We are just so thankful for your hospitality thus far." Rayna looked back as Fili and Kili stepped out trying to hide their smiles knowing full well this was not going how Rayna thought it would.

"Who are they?" Beorn raised his axe.

"That is Fili and Kili. Great fun at parties, um."

"Are there any more hiding?!" Beorn could have burned a hole through Rayna.