Child Of Light

Meeting beron

Morning had arrived, the sun rose and shed it's light between the cracks of the barn making Erica sigh and open her eyes. She sat up and stretched. Smiling as a large fuzzy bee hovered near her face and nuzzled her nose. She giggled and stood up. Noticing the dwarves absence. She heard mummers and found them at a large table eating. A very VERY tall bearded man was standing above them, pouring milk into jugs. Quietly she approached the table but when she locked eyes with the man she stepped back a little feeling alarmed. She never did like meeting new people sometimes.

He sent her a kind smile "you did not say you had a lovely lady in your company Gandalf" he spoke in a deep voice. The dwarves turned to look Erica's way, bidding her good morning.

"Ah yes, this is Erica Silvermist, Erica this is Beron, he is the skin changer I told you about" Gandalf said smiling.

Erica gave a nod and a small smile but She went over to Thorin as she still felt a little wary of the man named Beron. She tried to jump up on the seat beside him but it was pretty tall and she was pretty short.

The dwarves laughed making her pout but that just made them aw "why is she so adorable!" Fili chuckled. Erica giggled but felt a tinge of pain near her eye. She touched the wound and saw it was bleeding again. She noticed Beron peer at her wound "that looks infected my dear. If you allow me, I can treat it for you to bring the infection away" he offered. Erica glanced at Thorin Unsurely but he nodded so she nodded to Beron and moved to him slowly " it's alright Erica, he doesn't bite!" Bofur laughed.

She rolled her eyes a little and with Berons help, sat on a stool. He cleaned the wound and rubbed some salve on it. "I will need to stitch it closed if that's okay" he warned. She nodded and closed her eyes tightly. Bofur and Bifur held her shaking hands as he threaded through a needle and thread, closing her wound.

"There we are, all finished" he said. Erica opened her eyes, letting out a little sigh "she does not speak does she?" Beron asked curiously

"She isn't too fond of meeting new people but she'll warm up to you" Gandalf spoke.

"Were gonna be staying for a couple of days to regain our strength" Kili informed her. She nodded and began eating the food Beron had set out for her. She drunk her milk and smiled, feeling much better already.

"You may look around once you have finished eating but do not venture outside the walls. You are safe behind them" Beron warned them.

So after everyone finished they went off to do their own thing as Beron picked the dishes up. Erica picked her own plate up and walked over to Beron.

"Umm can I help?" She asked timidly. Beron glanced at her and smiled, happy that she was talking to him "of course you may. You can wash or dry if you wish?"

"Erm, I think I'll dry, waters a bad idea" she mumbled. Beron rose an eyebrow "ah yes, your ability to shift water to ice? Gandalf told me." He explained

"Oh, I knew he might, he blabbers to much" she said. Beron chuckled "that he does little one. Now! Tell me about yourself, it's rare I have a pretty lady in my home" he smiled. Erica blushed and told him about the adventure plus far that she joined in.

"You seem close with the dwarf king. I had seen you with him last night" he said. Erica blushed "well um yes, we are very close as you say" she mumbled

"Aaaah he is courting you?" He asked. She nodded smiling to herself. Beron smiled "love is a strong feeling that you must keep my dear. Do not loose him. He is very protective of you as far as I can see" he said indicating his head to the very dwarf who was watching them while smoking his pipe. Erica giggled "it feels nice to have protection for once" she said.

Beron chuckled and stood " I must tend to some things. Feel free to roam but remember my warning" he warned. She nodded and made her way to Thorin.

"Everything alright?" He immediately asked.

"Yes Thorin, he's very nice" she said sitting down. He smiled and took her hand in his, rubbing her palm with his thumb. For a while the two relaxed against the wooden beams and hay in a comfortable silence.

"Last night...I spoke to Yue" she said quietly

"Yue?" Thorin asked questionably

"My inner spirit. She promised not to act up again after what happened" she said

"Well that's a relief. What does Yue mean by the way? I've never heard of such a name" he asked.

"It's Japanese, a foreign language from where I am from. It translates to Guardian of the moon. It seemed to fit her". Erica shrugged

"Guardian of the moon. I like it" Thorin smiled. Erica giggled and stretched, cracking a few knots in her back.

"Oi! Erica! Fancy comin to play cards?" Kili called. Erica grinned and nodded. She pecked Thorins lips and went to join the group that consisted of Kili, Fili, Dwalin, Bofur and Dori.

"Alright then! Prepare to loose Erica!" Fili cackled jokingly. Erica smirked as the game began...