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

32-The Accursed Forest

Soon I heard a slight rustling sound to my right. It was Bilbo Baggins, standing between me & Anya. He was told the same thing by Gandalf which I had told Anya & of course even he did not like the idea. The atmosphere was really getting tense as minutes ticked by, Gandalf kept pacing about.
Nori: "We could escape this place out at the back door."
Dwalin:(Glaring at him)"I will not be running away from anything or anyone!"
As expected from him, the others had the same notion, we had to come face to face with the skin-changer. Then they began arguing amongst themselves about coming here was a bad idea.
Gandalf: "Its no use arguing about this. We cannot go through these wild lands without Beorn's assistance. We shall be hunted down by the orcs before we reach Mirkwood."
He was right though, we had no choice. We have to confront him, hopefully find some way to appease him. Not likely! I hope that at least Gandalf has a plan.
Gandalf: "We must tread very carefully. The last person who had startled him was torn to shreds."
I saw Anya's jaw drop in shock at his words while Bilbo, myself & the others exchanged nervous glances. I thought he was joking but by look on his face explained the opposite. By Durin! Glancing at him he was nervously looking out the window.
Gandalf: "Now, the rest of you wait here...& wait for the signal, now Anya, Bilbo & myself shall go out first. Now all of you shall come out in pairs. Do not over-crowd him & don't make any sudden movements or noise, right? Actually, Bombur, you are enough as a pair so you should come out alone. Now remember, wait for the signal!"
Bofur was sitting by the window-sill looking outside.
Bofur: "Right, wait for the signal."(As soon as Gandalf & the other two stepped outside, he turned to look at us in confusion)"And what signal might that be?"
I simply gaped at him before closing my eyes tiredly. By Durin, that annoying wizard didn't tell us. Well all I can hope is that Gandalf knows what he is doing. I just hope that all goes well. Momentarily, I glanced outside the window, there I caught a glimpse of that same tall man. I could see the backs of three of them facing the skin-changer. I saw Anya bow slightly, practically the same way she did to me. As if introducing herself, there I noticed the skin-changer's expression soften as he looked at her. At first I did not know whether to feel annoyed or proud that she has this effect on everyone. We paced about anxiously, waiting. Hardly, a few minutes later, Bofur excitedly gestures with his hand while still looking out the window. The Fundin brothers stepped out first, for a moment I thought I heard a slight growling sound. I shook my head, probably just imagining it. Next, Gloin & Oin stepped out, by now I was sure that the skin-changer must be annoyed by now. But like Gandalf said we needed his help. Dori then grabbed his brother Ori & walked out, then my nephews. Then Bifur, Bofur, Nori & Bombur left, my turn, slowly I joined the others. The skin-changer was tense at first, holding his axe but he lowered it just as soon as saw me. Or rather recognized me by the crest I was wearing.
Beorn:(Huffing slightly)"What brings 13 dwarfs, a wizard, a halfling & a human girl out here of all the places in Middle-Earth?"
Gandalf: "We are simply here in need of your assistance."
Grunting, Beorn began walking towards the house, causing us to step clear from his path. He didn't actually dismiss us, I simply stood there watching his back. The wizard & the others started to walk inside the premises as well. Anya was trailing behind them, on impulse I reached out & grabbed Anya's hand in mine. She looked at me with that startled look on her face. Her beautiful eyes widening like saucers as she looked at me. Before she could speak I tugged her closer to me.
Thorin:(Whispering softly in her ear)"I saw the smile on that skin-changer's face once he looked at you, my Armâlimê. Just one look in your eyes anyone can be spellbound. You did the same thing to me, Anya Hadin, when we first met at Bilbo's house, remember?"
I chuckled softly as she blushed, biting her lips at the memory, I could not help staring at her rosy lips. The memory of those soft lips against my own, I want to feel them again, her warmth. Placing my finger under her chin, turned her look at me. Our faces were just inches apart. My gaze were still on her lips, I placed my thumb on her lower lip to free it from the grip of her teeth. Our foreheads touched as we breathed each other, feeling her warm breath on my face, her perfume. Driving me on edge of desire, as my hand snaked behind at the nape of her slender neck. Slowly bringing her closer to me, I could feel her trembling slightly.
Anya: "Um! T...Thorin, I don't think...!"
A slight cough from our right made us jump apart, it was Bilbo Baggins, who was trying to hide his amusement.
Bilbo: "Excuse me, but just what exactly are you two up to? Our host is waiting for us inside. You can carry on to whatever it is for later, alright?"
I blinked in confusion at what he said, Anya pulled her hand away & stepped inside without looking back. I turned my gaze towards Bilbo who simply shrugged his shoulders & went inside. I simply glared at his back, clearly frustrated by his intrusion. I ran my hand through my hair, breathing in & out to calm myself. 'No matter, I'll get her next time, my little minx, soon.' Smiling to myself I rejoined the others in Beorn's house. Soon breakfast was being served, Anya was helping the skin-changer earlier. I noticed that Anya was talking to Beorn, his features were soft & he had a small smile on his lips. He was also talking back. I could not help feel proud of how easily she managed to charm the skin-changer. He had accepted not only Anya's but Bilbo Baggin's company as well. Beorn was pouring milk in the wooden cups, I was leaning against the pillar behind my nephews, Balin & Anya were sitting at the window sill. Gandalf was sitting nearby, smoking his pipe. I could feel the skin-changer's eyeing me curiously.
Beorn: "So you are the one they call Oakenshield. Tell me, why is the pale orc, Azog, hunting you?"
My mind went blank for a moment before asking him.
Thorin: "You know about Azog? How?"
Beorn told us how they were, meaning his people were the first settlers here. From the North to the mountains years ago, Azog had hunted down his people throughout that time, captured them. Not only to torture them but also for their entertainment & such. I knew that Azog was not only a monster but an abomination. I saw the girl's eyes wandering to his right arm where there was a shackle on it but no chain. Which means that he had been captured as well but he escaped. Bilbo also noticed the same as he turned to Beorn.
Bilbo: "Are there more of your people around here?"
Beorn shook his head sadly when he mentions that he was the only one who was alive. The last of his kind. I didn't say anything so as to not to offend our host. No wonder he chose these animals as his companions. Beorn had pretty much understood our situation, about Durin's Day & about us reaching the Lonely Mountain before then. He suggested that we should go through the Mirkwood Forest formerly known as Greenwood. Now the place is under the heavy spell of dark magic. I do not like the sound of that. Then another thing occurred to me that the Mirkwood Forest was currently the residence of those Woodland Elves. They mostly live in reclusive manner simply ignoring the outside world. Beorn mentions that they aren't like their other kin which I tend to agree. I don't like them either due to my own reasons, I exchanged glances with Anya briefly before pondering on what the skin-changer was saying. I noted her stance looking a little tense. He gently picked up a small white mouse in his large hand, he came near me. His height practically towering over me, yet I was not so easily intimidated.
Beorn: "I do not like dwarfs, they are greedy & treat others lesser than themselves without any feelings. But I hate the orcs even more. Tell me what you need."
Soon enough, Beorn not only provided us the needed supplies but ponies too. Two horses for Anya & Gandalf. Anya was helping me in tying my supplies on my pony next we heard Kili's cheerful voice. Looking over my shoulder I saw Kili along with Bilbo Baggins walking side by side with a brown mare, who looked really familiar.
Kili:(Smiling, widely)"Look who it is, love, she was found by Bilbo Boggins."
Bilbo glared at Kili for using that name which he had mispronounced on their first meeting.
Anya: "Eva, oh my god, I cannot believe its you."(Anya running towards her to hug her)"You have no idea how much I missed you, girl."
Bilbo:(Chuckling)"At first I wasn't sure it could be her but then I remembered that you told me that you had put some colored beads in her hair. You had engraved both your names on them, correct? Look, Thorin, you can see for yourself, they are amazing."
I came near to see for myself, there were indeed there. And they were beautiful. I gently patted her head, glancing at her warm brown eyes, smiling.
Bilbo:(Taking out an apple)"Here you go, Eva, how about an apple? She remembers me, when she came near me nudging my shoulder."
Kili:(Scratching his head)"Obviously she remembered me too."(I looked at him, curiously)"Actually, I was tying my supplies as Bilbo brought her to me. She started nibbling my hair like she used to."
Anya: "Of course she would remember you, Kili & Bilbo. For she can easily tell that you are both good people at heart. Even my brother. She doesn't usually befriend a total stranger that easily. One look at the person before her, whether he be a man, elf, a dwarf even a person I already know of. She has a good memory."
As if to prove her point Eva gently nudged my chest, everyone chuckled lightly.
Fili: "Well, it is obvious she remembers you too, Thorin. Hey, Eva, remember me?"
She nuzzles Fili's hand.
Anya: "Eva, why did you run off like that back there. You & I have faced many orcs together as a team. Believe it or not but Eva has saved my life a number of times. She could easily knock out an orc instantly with her hoofs. Even if necessary outrun the wargs."
Fili: "One thing I don't understand, how did she make it all the way here in the skin-changer's place."
We all jumped slightly as we heard Beorn's voice, he came near us along with a grey horse.
Beorn: "Actually, Miss Hadin, it was my friend, Theron, here who found her. She wasn't injured just dehydrated & hungry. Now they are mates, soon they going to be a family."
We gaped at each other just as Beorn smiled.
Bilbo: "Oh my, I believe he is right, Anya, she is going to be a mother soon."
Anya: "I wish to thank you, Mr. Beorn, for taking good care of her. She does look happy here."
Beorn: "No need to thank me, Miss Anya, she is a fine breed. I can tell that you raised her real good. She is strong, you can take her with you for a while."
He smiled gently then turned to leave with Theron trailing behind him. The others were busy with their business. I know Anya feels sad about letting Eva go. I placed my hand gently on her shoulder.
Thorin: "Armâlimê, I know how difficult this is for you. You raised her when she was a baby &...!"
Anya:"No, you are right, Thorin. We had a good run together though. Just so you know that Eva has her own reasons to despise orcs. You see when I first found her she was bare 3 months old. She was injured yet she managed to escape the orcs. When I went over to investigate I saw that they had not only killed her family but also ate them. It happened almost a month when I left Rivendell at the age of 18. We have been a team since then."
It made my heart heavy seeing tears in her eyes. I touched our foreheads together. Relieved to see her smile back. I helped her in loading stuff on Eva's back. I gently patted Eva's neck before heading for my pony. In a distance I saw Gandalf in a deep conversation with Beorn, I frowned at this mounting my pony. I looked at Anya as if wanting to know if she was aware but she shrugged her shoulders. Something is definitely up, I can smell it.
Thorin: "Gandalf, it is getting dark, we better be moving on."
Gandalf nodded his head yet he seems agitated. He mounted his horse & soon we were off.

2279 words!

Sorry for not updating. Was busy in looking after my baby boy.👶👪😜