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

31-The Skin-Changer

I felt warmth surrounding me, slowly opening my eyes I looked around me. Yep, it was morning, the sun shining through the skin-changer's house. I looked at the girl's sleeping figure next to me. She was curled up against me, a peaceful smile on her lips, I gently brushed away a strand of her soft hair aside. My heart went out for this sweet girl, I thank Durin for sending her with us through the wizard. Both her & the hobbit/burglar, Bilbo Baggins. In a way they both changed my life by not just saving my life. Bilbo in a way earned my respect & Anya Hadin, my love. Slowly, freeing my arms I tried to sit up but for some strange reason I could not. Looking down I noticed Anya's hand was still holding my shirt. Chuckling, I gently pried her fingers loose, kissing her hand before laying it aside. I stood up, walking to my sleeping spot where my bedroll & coat was. Picking up my coat I went back & placed it over the girl, it was a little nippy though. Going back, I began rolling the bedroll which I had found last night. When suddenly, I felt someone smack me at the back of my head, ow. There were only two people present in all of the Middle-Earth who could do that. One of them was my baby sister, Dis & the other was Dwalin. Looking behind me, sure enough it was him, he stood there with his arms crossed & a scowl on his face.
Thorin:(Rubbing my head, standing up)"What was that for, old friend? Did you wake up at the wrong side of the bed this morning?"
Without a word he grabbed my shoulder & dragged me to the corner where Balin was. For some strange reason Balin was smiling, with a twinkle in his eyes, something was up. Both of the Fundin brothers were acting odd.
Dwalin: "You couldn't wait till we had reached Erebor? That ye had to go tell the lass yer feelings? Not that I would object though. Ya couldn't stay away from her before then?"
Thorin:(Glaring at him)"What in Durin's name are you trying to say? What is going on?"
Balin:(Chuckling, patting my shoulder)"Oh, nothing much, laddie. Actually, my brother & I had made a wager about if you would confess your true feelings to Anya before reaching the Lonely Mountain & he said the opposite."
I raised my eyebrows at this & looked at Dwalin, no wonder he looked peeved. All because he lost a bet? I pinched the bridge of my nose.
Thorin:(Grumbling, softly)"Of all the wagers you two came up with!"
Balin: "You know how it is, Thorin. We always come up with all sorts of wagers. Just to let you know we both woke up earlier & found your sleeping spot empty. So after that we had pretty much guessed where you might be."(Wiggling his eyebrows up & down).
Thorin:(Flushing, slightly)"Listen to me, you two. Believe me when I say this. It was nothing like that, I had true intentions to reveal my feelings later but circumstances led to...!"
Dwalin:(Snorting)"Believe you, old friend? I saw with my own two eyes, you were hugging her while sleeping."
Thorin: "For Durin's sake, will you listen to me about what happened. And lower your voice. Look, last night I found Anya in a vulnerable state & I had to calm her down somehow. She was going through a nightmare. She told me about what actually happened to her in the past."
Balin:(Frowning)"Vulnerable state? Why? What happened to her, Thorin?"
I knew Balin had grown fond of Anya like a daughter.
Dwalin: "Hold on there, Thorin. This has nothing to do with those odd sounds we have been hearing for the past few days? As if someone was either injured or in pain?"(When I did not answer, he widened his eyes in alarm)"You mean that was her? She was going through all that?"
I nodded my head as I glanced about me to make sure that no one is eavesdropping on us. I could trust these two.
Thorin:(Taking a deep breath)"Alright, I'll tell you two what she told me. But you two, promise me not to tell anyone else about this. Anya trusts me now & I cannot lose that."
Dwalin:(Raising his eyebrows)"She trusts you, meaning? Wait a minute, you mean you are courting her now & she accepted, right?"
I bowed my head trying to hide my smile but Dwalin caught on as did Balin. He gently squeezed my arm, beaming.
Balin: "That is wonderful, laddie. You made a right choice, she has a good heart."
Dwalin:(Chuckling)"Aye, agreed, brother. She is a gem of a girl for a young human"(He snickered as I stared at him)"What, I like the girl, she is one of us now."
I huffed lightly at this, feeling relaxed, punching his shoulder lightly.
Balin: "Thorin, you were saying that Anya told you about her past. Is it related to her family's death? Does Gandalf know?"
Thorin: "I'm sure he does, Balin, he was there, with them. Remember? It is about that filth who had killed her family that night, when she was a child."
Balin:(Paling)"You don't mean it was him? Azog the Defiler?"
Dwalin:(Growling low)"You mean to say that it was that fiend responsible for her misery. Took away her family? I am going to kill him...oomph!"
I clamped one hand on his mouth & the other at the back of his head. I quickly looked about, hoping no one overheard his outburst.
Thorin: "Shush! Lower your voice for Durin's sake. The last thing that I don't need is for anyone to feel pity for her. She has been through too much."
Balin:(Shaking his head, sadly)"To think that she witnessed such a tragedy at a very young age. Yet Gandalf took her to Rivendell. It was with the help of Lord Elrond & the elves there who helped her."
Thorin: "Much as I hate to admit this but you are right, Balin. They taught her to fight the rest she endured on her own."
Dwalin: "Aye, at such a young age she really pulled through. And that accursed wizard knew about this, about Azog. That he had survived after that battle of Moria."
Balin: "I believe we ought to ask the wizard that question, brother. Right, Gandalf? Its no use hiding, my friend. I know you overheard everything."
I glared at the wizard as he came closer to us with a sheepish look on his face.
Gandalf:(Chuckling lightly)"Well, the cat is out of the bag I suppose, eh?"
Dwalin:(Crossing his arms)"Do you think this is funny, old man? How come you didn't tell us that she had the common enemy like us. Meaning Azog the Defiler?"
Gandalf: "Look, like Thorin said the last thing she needs for anyone to feel nothing but pity for her. She came through a long way to become a strong person."
Thorin: "Then how do you explain those bad dreams she has been having for the past few days? Don't forget that she is still fragile, Gandalf. Besides you know her much better than us even Lord Elrond."
Gandalf:(Chuckling)"My, my, I'm pleased to know that besides myself & Lord Elrond there is someone else who cares about her. I'm glad that it is you Thorin Oakenshield."
Thorin:(Mumbling to myself)"Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?"
Gandalf: "As for Anya, I suppose that in a way after facing her adversary after 20 years. It must've triggered a nerve which had been suppressed, causing her pain to re-open. I remember how she endured it for a year while living in Rivendell. It was Lord Elrond & his healers who were able to stabilize her."
Thorin: "After last night of what I saw, it seems she must've gone through the same way for the past few nights."
Balin: "But she handled herself well when she came face to face with Azog. Both her & Bilbo."
Gandalf:(Taking a deep breath)"Actually, Balin, she was more concerned about Thorin's reaction, once he sees Azog himself. And she was right as usual."
Thorin:(Frowning)"My reaction? But how did she know?"
Gandalf: "A rare gift of premonition, Thorin. Her father was the same, it runs in her family for generations."
I frowned at what Gandalf said, this all sounds familiar, Balin & Dwalin didn't comment, I was grateful. Soon the others woke up, we started gathering near the entrance.
Gandalf:(Coughing lightly)"Now I'm sure you know why we are all here then? About our host whom at the present moment has stepped outside, to do his chores."
Right, the skin-changer, I cringed inwardly remembering how we had barged into his premises. In our defense, he attacked us in a form of a bear. I kept noticing how nervous Gandalf seems, the he keeps pacing about, peeking outside the window. Next to me I saw Bofur, he was looking at something behind him with a twinkle in his eyes. Turning to look I relaxed myself, it was Anya, she was awake. I couldn't help smiling at the innocent way she looked, rubbing her eyes. As she looked up our eyes locked for a moment. Last night's events came rushing back to me, the kiss we shared. Well even though I had initiated the kiss & what happened after that. I could see Anya's cheeks flushing a little, by Durin, she remembers. I glanced back, the Fundin brothers were smiling knowing the facts, I simply shrugged. Then Bofur walked towards her, smiling broadly.
Bofur: "Ah, good morning, lassie. Did ya sleep well last night?"
Anya just gave him her sweet smile as an answer, if he only knew. I couldn't decide whether to be amused or agitated for the way Bofur keeps flirting with her. Bofur took her jacket to help her put it on. I felt a nudge at my side, turning in annoyance at Dwalin. He simply gestured me to look, there I saw Kili, with a slight mischief in his eyes. The way he looked back & forth between me & Anya. He began to smile widely as if realizing the situation but once I glared at him, he flinched then turned towards his brother. By Durin, I hope those two don't turn this into a ruckus, I ought to have a word or two with my nephews. Right now, the atmosphere was pretty tense at the moment, the skin-changer.
Anya:(Smiling, her eyes twinkling)"Good morning, gentlemen. What's wrong? Is something the matter?"
She turned to me for the answer, I glanced at Gandalf, he was fidgeting a bit. I took a deep breath, rubbing my forehead.
Thorin: "Actually, we were waiting for you & Bilbo Baggins to wake up. Gandalf believes that he ought to introduce you two first to the skin-changer before the rest of us."
She raised her eyebrows, then stared at Gandalf, who smiled a little.
Anya: "Are you sure that this is a good idea, Gandalf? I mean I'm sure our host must remember about how we had barged into his house without his permission & how we had practically slammed his door at his face, yesterday?"
I visibly winced at her words, the others felt the same. I also remember what Gandalf said about the fact that the skin-changer does not like dwarfs. What a sad situation this is turning out to be!

1930 words!