Angel On Fire

Chapter 11 - A Ray of Hope

Chapter - 11

The sound of someone chopping wood rouses me from my sleep. Pushing myself off the wall I wince at the stiffness and soreness of my aching body. letting out a sleepy yawn I try to stretch my muscles only to have them ache and tighten in protest. Wincing I grab my jacket and tying it around my waist pull the blanket back to see the dwarves had woken and were communing in the next room while Bilbo still slept. Stretching my neck muscles, I walk past the sleeping hobbit and toward the noisy dwarves.

"I'm not running from anyone, Beast or no." Dwalin says making me cock an eyebrow at him.

"There is no point in arguing." Gandalf says stopping their arguing. I feel someone stand next to me and turn to see that Bilbo was now awake. "We cannot pass through the Wilderland without Beorn's help. We will be hunted down before we ever reach the forest. Now this will require some delicate handling. We must tread carefully, the last person that startled him was torn to shreds." Gandalf continues causing my eyes to widen slightly at the news.

"So, he's like the Hulk." I say making the company turn toward me with looks of confusion. "I have a friend, when he gets angry, he becomes a giant rage beast who wants to smash everything."

"I will go first, Bilbo, you and (Name) will join me." Gandalf says and I nod while Bilbo protests.

"Bilbo, don't worry, if you are that scared, I can go on my own." I say making Thorin step forward.

"NO!" Thorin orders but I shrug his warning off as I step through the doorway. Gandalf says something to the rest of them before he and Bilbo follow after me. Coming through the doorway I see the giant man standing before me and I have to admit I was now a little worried. He was much taller than anyone I had ever met, well save for Hulk.

"Good Morning," I say sweetly as I slowly walk up to him. He swings his ax one more time before he pauses.

"Who are you?" His deep baritone voice asks.

"My name is (Name)," I answer trying not to look worried.

"Never heard of her." He replies snapping toward me his ax tightly in his grasp.

"Well of course you wouldn't, I'm not from here." I reply causing his eyes to narrow at me.

"What are you? You don't smell like a human." He adds making my throat go dry. Were the dwarves listening?

"I'm an Asgardian." I answer making a confused look fill his face. "It's a little hard to explain but I mean you no ill will. I just wanted to thank you for help with the Orcs, and for allowing us to take refuge in your home. Although we didn't ask permission." He stares at me for a moment before his eyes snap behind me to see Gandalf and Bilbo.

I step to the side as I allow Gandalf to converse with him. I watch as one by one the Dwarves reveal themselves causing Beorn to tense up at every new member. I started to feel sorry that we were intruding on his sanctuary. After every last dwarf has revealed himself Beorn lets out a grunt before he sets the ax against the stump and leads everyone inside for a meal.

I follow everyone inside a moving to a corner watch as they all listen while Beorn talks about his family and his hatred of Orcs and Dwarves. I feel my phone vibrate and I narrow my eyes in confusion as I pull it from my pocket. I feel my confusion rise more as it reads incoming communication. I look at the men around me for a moment as I silently slip out the door and into the yard. Taking a deep breath, I hit the answer call button and tears fill my eyes as I see Stark's face peering back at me.

"There she is." Tony announces and I can't hold them back as the tears start to fall.

"How did you-" I ask happiness filling my heart.

"The wizard, Dr. Strange, he helped Thor and Loki get to where you are. In doing so it gave me what I needed to open a two-way comms."

"Thor and Loki are here?" I ask hope filling my chest.

"Yeah, last we heard from them they were in some place called Mirkwood."

"We are not that far from there." I add a bright smile filling my lips.

"We miss you around here kiddo." Tony adds right as another friendly face forces itself into the picture.

"When you come home?" Hulk asks making me chuckle.

"I'm trying big guy. There are a group of people helping me now. You know, you'd like it here Hulk."

"I would?" He asks intrigue filling his voice.

"Yeah, plenty of things to smash." I add making him smile.

"Hulk come find you." Hulk adds before he leaves the screen followed by Tony getting onto him and then a loud boom. Tony rubs his forehead as he looks back to the screen.

"He doesn't realize he can't get to me on Earth, does he?" I ask a giggle leaving my lips.

"Apparently not." Tony replies a smirk filling his face.

"How is everyone?" I ask my mind moving to think about Bucky.

"They're good, they miss you though. I feel bad for not realizing something had happened to you."

"Tony, don't. Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Put that on yourself. Given what happened between Buck and I, it would have been normal for everyone to think I took some time off. I'm honestly surprised you guess realized this quickly."

"You can thank those brothers of yours for that. They came in here and slammed Barnes up against the wall asking where you were."

"Of course, they did." I reply shaking my head. "Thor is a hit first ask questions later type of guy. That is when it comes to me at least."

"Kiddo, I don't know how much longer I can keep these comms working. I've never seen readings like the ones that place is giving off."

"Just do what you can. I have complete faith in you." I say giving him some encouragement.

"I know you do. Be safe kid." He replies giving me a sad smile.

"Will try." I reassure him as he gives one more smile and the line goes dead.

Tears sting my eyes as I start to realize just how much I missed everyone. I desperately wanted to go home. Thankfully, given the information Tony had given me I now knew Thor and Loki were here somewhere. How could I ever have doubted that they would come for me? Thor always came for me. No matter the trouble, no matter the cost, Thor was always there. I hold my phone to my chest as feelings of hope and happiness fill them. Almost. I was almost home.

Will Continue...