Hopeless Wanderer (Hobbit Fanfic Story)

Chapter 22: The Other Skinchanger

A few days went by and we had sent Bilbo to see where Azog and his minions were. Not too long after, Bilbo returned to us.

"How close is the pack?" Thorin asked.

"Too close, couple of leagues, no more. But that's not the worst of it." Bilbo replied.

"Have the orcs picked up our scent?" Dwalin inquired.

"Not yet, but they will. We have another problem." Bilbo said, but before he could speak Gandalf cut across him.

"Did they see you? They saw you?" Gandalf suggested.

"No, that's not it." Bilbo replied,

"Good, what did I tell you? Quite as a mouse. Excellent burglar material." Gandalf commented.

Several of the dwarves agreed with Gandalf and even began to talk amongst themselves while Bilbo tried to get their attention.

"Silence!" I yelled, shutting everyone up. Everyone looked at me in awe, surprised that I was capable of such a thing. "You were saying, Bilbo?"

Bilbo regained his composure at once. "Thank you, Líreth. Now listen, I'm trying to tell you there is something else out there."

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

Bilbo nodded. "Ye...Yes, but bigger. Much bigger."

We all looked at Gandalf, surprised he knew. But then I glanced over at Kyra who had a knowing look upon her face. Could it be...

"That's impossible." Kyra whispered, so only Thingol, Gilornel, Mîlel, and I heard and understood.

"You knew about this beast?" Bofur asked. Gandalf however doesn't reply as he turned away from us. "I say we double back."

"We'll be run down by a pack of orcs." Thorin reminded him.

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

"A house?" Nanor repeated.

"Whose house? Are they a friend or foe?" Thorin inquired.

"Neither. He will help us or he will kill us." Gandalf warned.

I wore a hesitant look as I looked at the others.

"What choice do we have?" I asked.

At that moment we heard a roar not too far from us.

"None." Gandalf replied. "We must go, now."

We hastily made our way towards the house. We were so close to the house.

"This way! Quickly!" Gandalf yelled out.

We ran as fast as we could towards the house, which looked rather lovely and cozy to me.

"Come on! Get inside!" Gandalf urged.

The company tried to open the door, but struggled as it was locked. The creature emerged from the woods and it revealed to be a giant bear indeed.

"Open the door!" Gandalf yelled.

"Quickly!" Thorin added.

Kyra looked back at me, and I knew immediately what she was thinking about doing. So in response I gave a firm nod. "Kyra. No dirweg."

Kyra wore a smile before running towards the bear. Thingol looked distraught as he tried to run after her. "Kyra!"

"Thingol!" Thorin yelled.

"Thingol!" I cried as I rushed towards him to pull him back. "She is capable of this, remember? She is a skin-changer, and she is buying us time."

By this time Kyra transformed into a giant white wolf. Everyone in the company was surprised by this. Thingol wore a worried look, but managed to nod. "Y-you're right, I just can't stand if something should happen to her."

"Nothing will, ionneg." I assured him. "Now let's hurry."

We hastily ran towards the door and we managed to close it just in time.

"What is that?" Ori asked.

"That is our host." Gandalf explained. "His name is Beorn, he's a skin-changer. Sometimes he's a huge black bear, sometimes he's a great strong man. The bear is unpredictable, but the man can be reasoned with. However, he is not over fond of dwarves."

Beorn?! I looked at Mîlel, Thingol, and Gilornel and we all gasped. That was Kyra's father.

At that moment, Dori pulled Ori away from the door, scolding him. "Get 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." Gandalf retorted. "Alright now, get some sleep all of you. You'll be safe here tonight...I hope."

I sat down next to Thorin whose gaze remained on Thingol who stood waiting for Kyra by the door. "Will she be alright? Kyra?"

"Yes, she's quite strong. But I believe she'll be alright, especially now." I replied.

"What does that mean?" Nanor asked as he along with Húron and Gilornel approached us.

Mîlel and Oreth had stayed with Thingol to comfort him, but Thingol remained restless.

"It means my dear brother that Beorn is Kyra's father." I said.

Thorin's eyes widened, while Nanor and Húron's mouths hung open. I was surprised myself at first as well.

"We should probably rest." I suggested. "Thingol, Kyra's in good hands."

Thingol whipped around and stood there for a moment before nodding. "You're right, but I shall stay here just in case."

I sat on the hay next to Thorin who wrapped an arm around my waist. He must've noticed that I felt bad for Thingol.

"You are right, amrâlimê. She's in good hands, but he's restless." Thorin explained. "I didn't understand that feeling until I fell in love with you."

I slipped my hand in his as I placed my head on his shoulder. "Relax, nîn meleth, I'm here with you now."

"And for that I'm grateful." He replied before he placed a kiss on my forehead. "Sleep, amrâlimê. I'll be here."

And it wasn't long until I fell asleep in his arms. Before I fell asleep, I thought I heard him humming a lullaby, one he would sing to me before he left with his kin to the Blue Mountains.

~Translations~
No dirweg----Be careful
Ionneg----my son
Nîn meleth----my love