A Hobbit's Tale-Thorin's P.O.V.

28-Friend Or A Foe?

Heading back to the group I saw Bilbo coming down. Anya & Gandalf were trailing right behind me. I was sure he must have caught sight of Azog & his pack then.
Thorin: "How close is the pack?"
Bilbo: "Too close, about a couple of leagues no more or less. But that is not our only problem."
Anya: "What do you mean? Did the wargs pick up our scent?"
Gandalf: "They saw you, didn't they?"
Bilbo:(Flustered)"No, they did not see me!"
Gandalf: "There, what did I tell you, quiet as a mouse."
The company mumbled their consent but I noticed that the hobbit seemed agitated for some reason.
Bilbo: "Would you please listen to me! I'm trying to tell you that there is something else out there besides the orcs!"
Everyone gaped at the halfling, something else?
Gandalf: "What form did it take? Like a bear?"
Bilbo:(Looking stumped at first)"Why y...yes, but bigger. Much bigger."
Then our questioning gazes shifted to the wizard.
Bofur: "Do you know about this beast?"
Gandalf remained silent, I frowned at this. I did not like this, obviously the wizard must know about this creature.
Anya: "Is this something or someone we know of, Gandalf?"
Gandalf: "You have never met him, my dear!"
Huh!?! Him? What did he mean by that? I looked at Anya in question but the girl simply shrugged her shoulders. So even she had no clue either. Knowing not only the orcs were coming closer but there is a beast out there as well? Curse it! Gandalf had something on his mind I could tell, we all were getting irritated as it is. Bofur suggested we should turn back but I shot down the idea. As the leader I simply cannot risk putting their lives in danger, but we simply cannot stay here either.
Gandalf: "There is a house, not far from here. We might take...refuge there, for now."
Anya:(Raising her eyebrows)"Might? What is that suppose to mean?"
Thorin:(Standing near her)"Whose house is it? A friend or a foe?"
Gandalf: "Neither, he shall either help us or kill us!"
I frowned at his answer while Anya just stared at the wizard in shock. We began talking amongst ourselves in our native tongue. About what do to next, whether we should follow the wizard or not. In the distance we heard the warg's howl, everyone flinched.
Thorin: "What choice do we have?"
Suddenly a loud roar was heard not far from us, I saw Anya next to me looking startled. I do not blame her, I looked at Gandalf.
Gandalf:(Grimly)"None!"
We followed the wizard down the mountain side, the sun had risen the moment we reached to the stream. Even the Azog & the wargs were catching up to us. We ran past the trees, meadows & small stream. Gandalf was leading us, just as we almost came out in the open I turned taking Anya's hand in mine. Soon we caught up with the others, fast. Despite our exhaustion we managed to keep up. A loud roar behind made us freeze in one spot, it was that beast & he was getting closer. I could hear the urgency in Gandalf's voice, I came to my senses as I felt Anya pulling my arm & urged the others to move, we obliged except Bombur.
Thorin:(Grasping Bombur's beard)"Quickly, move, RUN!"
With a sound Bombur followed us, the sound of the beast was getting closer yet ahead of me I could see a house. Gandalf was right we could take refuge there. I tightened my grip on the girl's hand, letting her know we were safe. Unexpectedly, I saw something inevitable, Bombur from nowhere picked up his pace & ran faster. One by one he surpassed the others, I heard Anya laugh lightly at this & I just stared at her.
Gandalf: "This way, get inside. Hurry!"
He was standing by the gateway, letting us pass, behind me I clearly heard the breaking of trees & branches. Turning my head just in time I saw this huge brown bear running towards us. I could hear Anya gasp loudly, quickly we rushed at the door. Bombur who was running ahead of us slammed himself against the door & fell down. But the door did not budge, Fili & Kili tried to break it down, the others joined in as well.
Gandalf:(Shouting)"Quickly, open the door!"
Thorin: "Hurry!"
The beast was coming closer, fast, the problem was the latch of the door was much higher, unable to reach. Flustered, I released her hand, pushed myself through others, reaching the latch to open the door. Quickly, we pushed our way inside just as the huge bear was near our heels. Together, we heaved, trying to shut the door but by then the bear had thrust it's head inside. I grunted, pushing with all the strength I had, shouting at the others to do the same. Both Bilbo & Anya were standing with Gandalf at the back of the group, watching. Bilbo had taken out his sword, as if it is needed. The bear tried to get in but we kept pushing, harder. Then, with a single heave we managed to close the door & Dwalin barred it. I let out my breath, thoroughly relieved, yet exhausted. I could tell the beast was still lurking outside.
Ori: "What was that?"
Good question! We all turned to Gandalf the grey, for the answer. I raised an eyebrow at him & he seemed nervous.
Gandalf: "That was our host. His name is Beorn, he is a skin-changer."
We all stared at him in shock, what is a skin-changer? Never heard of one till now & he has a name, Beorn? I looked at Anya raising my eyebrows but she shook her head.
Gandalf: "He can turn into this great bear or into a very strong man. As a bear he can be unpredictable but as a man, he can be reasoned with."
By then we heard the bear turning away, Dori at first assumed that this skin-changer was under a dark spell. But Gandalf told him otherwise. There were few animals living here, the ones you see living in farms. I winced once Gandalf also mentions the fact that our host, Beorn, was not very fond of dwarfs. By Mahal, we had just slammed the door right in the face of the man who is the master of this house. My inner voice reminded me something, 'We did the exact similar thing at Bilbo Baggins' house, remember? Turning up at his doorstep, uninvited. Of course the others had raided his pantry long before you had arrived.' I sighed, recalling the irritated look on his face too. We looked about the place further, we decided to sleep on the floor at night, no doubt.
Gandalf: "Get some rest, we shall spend the night here. We'll be safe here. I hope."
I heard what he said, shaking my head. I looked at the girl who obviously found a place to sleep. Just as well, I smiled to myself recalling the fact that she has accepted my proposal to court her. Of course I cannot let the others know yet, not even my nephews. Besides Bilbo & Gandalf already know. I could inform both Balin & Dwalin, even though Balin like Bilbo already understood my approach towards the girl. Not so sure about Dwalin, even though he did mention that he was starting to accept her company. By nightfall we had all settled down to sleep, I could hardly believe that a year had gone by. So much has happened, both good & bad. I just hope that before Durin's Day we shall reach Erebor without any further mishaps. The goblins & Azog the Defiler were enough.

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