Child Of Light

To the house!

The next day the company went on the move but kept a close eye on Erica seeing as she was still a little weak after the whole ordeal with the Orcs. She was able to walk better but still wavered at rare moments.

When the reached near some cliffs, bilbo was sent up to see if any Orcs were around. He came back down looking panicked "well? Are they close?" Thorin asked

"Too close, but we have a bigger problem" he panted

"Did they see you? They saw you didn't they?" Gandalf immediately said. While Bilbo was trying to talk to the dwarves a sudden sound in the wind caught Erica's ears. She slowly stood from the rock she sat upon and opened her ears but the noise in the background was too loud. She growled and spun to face them "Quiet!" She yelled

Immediately everyone went silent. She huffed and turned away from them and lifted her arms slightly, commanding the wind to come to her.

"What do you hear?" Thorin asked coming closer to her. She took a breath and closed her eyes. The sound of the Orc pack was near but also a beast growl. Her eyes snapped open and she looked to him "the beast is close" she whispered

"Let's go then!" Gandalf commanded.

Thorin grasped Erica's hand and they ran across the rivers and fields into the forest.

"Thorin! It's catching up!" Erica warned

"Faster everyone!" Thorin yelled.

A loud roar that was too nearby made them freeze for a moment before Gandalf yelled for them to run.

"Keep running Bombur!" Erica yelled pushing the fat dwarf forward. The company ran further until they saw a house up ahead. Erica heard a growl and saw a black bear barrelling towards them. She gasped and made herself go faster. She suddenly tripped and tumbled onto the grass, yelping in fright. Dwalin heard her cry and quickly ran back scooping her up into his arms and took off running to the locked door to the barn.

They couldn't get it open until Thorin managed to get through and get it unlocked. Everyone ran inside and closed the door but the bear had forced it's face in scaring the wits out of everyone as they tried to close it.

Erica jumped down from Dwalins hold and sent wind to her feet so she could leap to the door and push it closed with as much strength as she had. Finally the bear was pushed away and the door closed. She fell right into Kilis arms in relief "Gandalf! What the heck was that!?" She squeaked

"That dear Erica, is our host" he answered as Kili put her down. She sat on the ground taking deep breaths as Gandalf spoke

"his name is Beron. A skin changer. His human side can be associated with. The bear not very much." He explained further as the dwarves looked around. Erica heard the sound of heavy boots come towards her and opened her eyes to find Thorin kneeling in front of her "are you alright?" He asked. Erica wanted to nod but instead she shook her head feeling dizzy and was shaking like a leaf. The dwarf king gathered her in his arms and stroked her hair to calm her down.

"That thing scared the hell out of me" Erica said shakingly. Thorin traced her forehead with his lips "we all got a scare but we will be fine now. Come on, let's go somewhere comfortable" he said helping her sit up. She tiredly nodded and stood with him. He led her to a large bundle of hay and laid his blanket over it. He laid on his side and Erica joined him, nuzzling her face into his chest as he covered them both with his coat. He wrapped both arms around her and kissed her forehead.

In an instant, both were asleep

Dream

Erica was in darkness, but in front if her stood a mirror with a girl with white hair that looked like her

"So who are you?" She asked wearily. The girl smiled

"Who me? Well, I'm you,kind of" she answered boldly. Erica cocked her head to the side.

"I don't understand" she said. The girl smiled and let herself frost over

"I am your power but in your physique if you get what I mean" she explained thawing her body.

"Erm I think so..."

The girl giggled but then became serious "I'm sorry for acting up so early. I almost killed you" she whispered. Erica smiled "if you hadn't then Thorin would have been worse and well we wouldn't have even acted up and saved him" she said.

"Yeah. And I saw he confessed his love for you...well out of anger and worry but Good on you girl!" The girl cheered

Erica blushed and hid her face making the girl giggle. "Wow we are such opposites" she mumbled

"That is true. It's like positive and negative. You are negative cause your so shy but I'm positive cause...well I'm not so shy....you reeeeeally need to get out of that shell" the girl giggled. Erica laughed as well and laid her hand on the glass.

"You need a name you know. How about Yue? Guardian of the moon?"

"Yue huh? I love it! Now look I won't be acting up till your ready but I need to warn you. There's a sickness within your man. Please point him in the right path" she begged.

"I will."

Yue smiled "You better get some rest. Talk soon?" She asked hopefully. Erica smiled as she faded away

"Happily"

A thump brought Erica out of her slumber and her eyes rested upon a very tall figure by the goats. She saw it's head turning towards them so she gulped and hid her face in Thorins chest in hopes it would pass by. She heard the footsteps retreat and let out a quiet sigh. She felt Thorins arms tighten around her and his face nuzzle her hair. "Erica? Are you alright?" He mumbled. She smiled and kissed his cheek "I'm ok, I just thought I heard something. Go back to sleep Thorin. I'm not going anywhere" she whispered. Thorin grumbled and fell back asleep, keeping a firm hold on her. She closed her eyes letting sleep take over.