An Experiment Gone Wrong

Chapter 10 - Beorn's House (part 1)

Third POV

The Giant Eagles had dropped the Company off on top of a high rock far away from harm's reach of the White Orc Azog, but close enough to the Lonely Mountain to view it from a distance. The last Eagle lowered itself to the great stone as slow as it could as to not hurt the young Bosmer more than she was already hurt.

Thorin, Gandalf, and Bilbo were the first to be at her side, her hair stuck to half of her face by now dry blood. Thorin used a strong finger to gently move the hair back towards her ear so he could get a better look at her gentle face. She wan't ugly for an elf, he had to admit, and there was something about her.

"Gandalf, can you save her?" He asked his voice quiet as to not betray his feelings and just look like genuine worry for a friend's life. In answer all he received was a look of pity.

"I will try Thorin," the wizard clad in grey spoke before turning to touch Mara's face. His hand resting there for the duration of the spell, Bilbo, Thorin, and the rest of the Company hanging onto every last second.

What felt like hours had passed after Gandalf performed his spell and Mara had still not woke up. This gave everyone time to stare in awe at the distant mountain and for Gandalf to explain to Bilbo that it was their destination. 

"I wish Mara could see this view," Bilbo said breathlessly, "it's gorgeous." 

"As do I Master Baggins, as do I," Thorin whispered. As if Durin himself heard his plea, Balin and Oin called back to the two shouting that she had woke up. 

Thorin and Bilbo raced over as fast as they could to come face-to-face with a petrified Mara. She stared at her hands as if she couldn't stand them. Slowly, her gaze met every one's in the companion until finally her gaze landed on Thorin who looked pissed.

"You," he stared at her incredulously. Mara didn't know where to look for his face was too hard to look at. She opted to stare at the ground as his words - followed by the harsh tones - penetrated her very mind. "What were you doing? You nearly got yourself killed," he shouted wishing she would look into his eyes and see the desperate worry that was there. 

"I..." She started but she suddenly stopped as she could hear his armor clinking together as he took slow steps towards her. His face was visibly softening but she didn't see it due to the fact that she had chosen to stare at her hands. 

"Did I not say that you did not belong in our midst? That you had no place among us?" He said standing over her.

A horrible pause filled the air, tension as this as the eye could see swarmed around the Dwarf and the Bosmer. 

Mara stood up avoiding the panting King's gaze. She was ready to defend herself, to leave their Company. She was ready to go home and forget everything but she couldn't go home. Hot, angry tears filled up her eyes for the first time in a long time, where people could see, but before she could say anything Thorin grabbed her by the upper arms and pulled her into a bone crushing hug. 

"Never have I been so wrong in all my life," he breathed out holding the tiny elf in his grip. The Company gave cheers of relief and joy around the toy, but Mara barely heard them. It took a few minutes but Mara eventually gripped his back and buried her face in his chest, sobbing hard. The weight of her memories, the pain that flooded back to her of the things she had done, and the relief and confusion that she wasn't being shut outed. 

Bilbo smiled fondly, having had his moment with Thorin while she was asleep he knew how it felt to finally be accepted. He was happy for her and a little suspicious of Thorin for he didn't hold onto his this long, and nor did he have such a fond expression on his face when he pulled away to apologize to him. Did Thorin fancy Mara? Bilbo chuckled and shook his head before turning to Gandalf to give them a little privacy.

When Thorin pulled away from Mara he found that he missed having her in his arms, but surely it was just because she was an important comrade and friend to him like the other fourteen-odd men behind him, right? It wasn't because her eyes were a beautiful shade of gold that reminded him of his home, nor was it because the image of her in that elven dress, dressed up like royalty, made him picture her on a throne next to him. Oh, who was he kidding? More than once has Dwalin poked fun at him over his feelings for the elf, "I am sorry for the way I treated you those first few months we knew each other," he said softly searching for some sort of forgiveness.

Mara smiled gently, her hands still on his chest and his still on her arms, "Do not apologize Thorin Oakenshield. You did what any King would have done. You protected your people, your friends and family. I do not hold any grudge against you for it." 

Thorin's face broke out into a smile and he whispered a soft, "good", before turning to the others. His hands reluctantly left her arms leaving a longing sensation in Mara's heart that was only being filled by the phantom feelings of his hands on her. 

Bilbo walked over to Mara chuckling. Nudging her with his elbow, he leaned in to whisper at her, "So, you and Thorin eh?" The pair started walking down the giant rock, doing their best to not slip and fall the rest of the way down, but it did not prevent Mara from turning a bright shade of red and telling the Hobbit that she had no idea what he was referring to. 

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Days passed as they walked, the air around them was changing. The nights turning colder and the days growing shorter. This made Mara wish that her Nightingale Armor had not been torn to shreds. Mara sat with her bare back to the group, who had turned their backs towards her to give her some privacy. They were held up in a house that was even big to Mara. If it was another Giant she was going to scream. She's had her fill of this world's enemies to last her a life time. 

"Nocturnal forgive me..." she said as she ran her fingers down the torn cloth of her armor. Reaching into her bag she sighed and pulled out the armor she swore she would never adorn again. The black armor of the thieves guild made hot tears gather in her eyes. Her thoughts clouded over to where she didn't even notice Balin come walking towards her. 

"Lass," was all Balin got out before Mara's head shot up and her eyes glued to Balin. 

"Don't call me that," she sad quickly. Everyone had stopped talking and was watching confused as to what had gotten under Mara's skin. 

Balin bowed deeply, "my apologies, Mara. I came to ask if everything was ok. You have been staring at that leather armor for quite a while." 

Mara looked down and turned her head, "I cannot wear this armor Master Balin... It hurts too much to wear."

Dori stood up and walked to Mara, grabbing the armor out of her hands. "Why does it hurt you? It feels like it would be hard to move in it." 

Mara quickly stood up and grabbed the armor out of his hands, "thank you Master Dori, but this armor brings back memories that hurt. I don't want to wear it but I have no other choice." She said staring at the piece of clothing trying to will herself to put it back on. 

During this exchange, when Mara stood up and faced the two men, Bilbo had choked on his stew. There Mara stood, her top half exposed all except her chest which was covered by a cloth bra. He watched as Thorin stood up and walked over to Mara. 

"If the armor holds bad memories then do not force yourself to wear it," he said shrugging off his large coat. "For now you may wear this." He held his coat out to Mara which he was happy to see her take and wrap around her small body. His large hands grabbed the thieves guild armor and sat it down to the side before they grabbed her smaller hands and led her to the warm fire and food. "Come eat with us." 

Mara looked up at Thorin. There was a gentleness about him that she didn't ever receive from Brynjolf. Not when she was thought dead and showed back up with Karliah and not even while they were courting, and she had to admit. It felt nice knowing that there was someone who cared enough about her to be gentle with her feelings. 

She sat down between Dwalin and Thorin and stared at the fire. "I have something to confess," she whispered catching everyone's attention. 

"I remember who I am."