Cursed with Shadows (Hobbit Fanfiction)

Chapter Nine: Secrets Revealed Part 1.

"This way! Quickly," Gandalf ordered the group just as another deafening howl was heard. It must be some bear to make a sound like that! My feet hastily moved across the forest floor, my hand kept closely near the hilt of my sword.

The Company broke free of the forest and into grasslands. Up ahead, I could make out a house enclosed behind a wall of ivy. I guess this is where we will be seeking shelter.

"Into the house!"

The swoosh of the long golden grass filled my ears as we ran to the wall's entrance. While the dwaves fluffed around trying to get the door open, I took a glance back at the forest. A huge beast, much bigger than a bear, broke free of the bushes and came charging in our direction. Turning back to the company, I urged them to hurry up. Thorin, being the only one with some kind of initiative, pushed a latch upwards, which in turn, opened the door.  Mama, besides me shook her head and grumbled, "Dwarves," under her breath.

The Company then quickly hurried themselves inside and shut the door ON THE BEAR'S HEAD. Yells ringed throughout the room as the bear growled as it tired to get in. The dwarves urgently pushed against the door while the beast kept snarling. I got a full view of his sharp teeth, purple tongue and bad breath before I took a step back and allowed the dwarves to do it.

"Push!"

"Close it!"

Marcus, being by the door, growled at the beast, who in turn growled lowly back. Immeadiately, Marcus took a step back and stood by me, his head down. I snickered.

The Big Bad Wolf is overpowered by a bear. Hehe.

Finally, after a lot of yelling, and a headache on my part, the door was closed. The dwarves, heaving, slumped against the door. The youngest, with eyes as big as saucers asked the wizard about the creature they had just stopped from coming in.

"That is our host."

Once those words left Gandalf's mouth, all the dwarves gazed up at him as if he was crazy. I myself, raised an eyebrow. Our host is a bear?

"His name is Beorn. He's a skin changer...Sometimes he's a huge black bear and sometimes he's a great strong man. The bear is unpredictable, but the man can be reasoned with, "He commented as he gazed around the house. "However," he paused. "He is not overfond of dwarves."

Of course, one dwarves thought that the man was under a spell of some type of 'dark magic'. However, Gandalf straightened him out.

I, on the otherhand began exploring the home, fascinated by the craftmanship. Patting a gorgeous red highland cow which shared this home, I watched as the dwaves made camp amongst the hay. Marcus was out like a light, his long black locks we across his face was oilly and needed a good brush. I think Mama was thinking the same thing for she laid a bar of soap and a brush beside him. I don't know where she got those from.

"Allison, come here."

I kissed the cow's horn and patted it's muzzle once more, before sitting beside her at a table.  I skimmed my fingers across the wood, it was also beatifully made. Mama, laid out the ointments she had made with the herbs she picked on our way. Scanning her ocean coloured eyes behind me to make sure no one was watching, she ordered me to show het my wounds. Mama used a her travelling cloak as a screen to protect me from preying eyes, while I loosened the thread of my shirt and pushed it down pass my shoulders.

Having removed the stitches just two days ago, Mama checked how they were healing before beginning to rub ointments in. This was the compromise we came to. Mama would not use her powers to heal me. This was so that she would save her strength for emergences. In return, I would have to see her for multiple check ups and re-bandaging.