The Merging of Destinies (Legolas Romance) *New Version, Same Author*

9: Beorn

Val knew there had to be a way off the Carrock otherwise the eagles wouldn't have dropped them there.

Looking down to the right-hand side, she noticed stairs carved into the rock face.

'Uh, guys! I think I found the way down.' Said Val, not knowing if anyone was listening. They were it seemed, as one by one the wizard and dwarves disappeared down the steps.

Soon it was just Val and Bilbo.

The hobbit was about to walk past when she stood in his way.

'I know what you have in your pocket.' Said the elf. This matter had to be addressed here and now.

Bilbo looked alarmed but as soon as it appeared it was gone with a confused expression in its place.

'I don't kn-'

Val held up her hand and knelt before the hobbit, not wanting to scare him. That was the last thing she wanted to do.

She looked him right in the eye, 'Don't play dumb, Bilbo Baggins.' The hobbit gulped at his full name being used. 'I know for a fact you have a ring in your pocket and that you found it in the goblin tunnels.'

Bilbo, for some reason, looked slightly concerned.

Val felt like she had to reassure the hobbit, 'I don't want to know how you got it nor do I want it.'

Yet...

'Just promise me one thing?'

'Anything.' Answered Bilbo and Val could have kissed him with how well he was cooperating.

'Don't tell anyone you have it. Not Thorin, not your family and especially NOT Gandalf.' Said Val. 'Do I have your word?'

'You have my word.' Said Bilbo and gave Val a little nod.

The elf looked at him suspiciously, 'You're awfully trusting of me.'

The hobbit only shrugged, 'You've given me no reason not to trust you. It seems you know what this ring is and if truth be told, I think you know what's going on a whole lot more than these dwarves. Even more than Gandalf.'

Val hugged Bilbo. 'Thank you.' She pulled back to look at him, 'What you did back on the cliff was very brave.'

The hobbit only shook his head, 'What you did was brave, putting yourself in between me and Azog.'

Val looked away, knowing she wasn't in any real danger and therefore not brave.

'I wasn't. I could've saved Thorin myself but instead, I let him suffer.' Val was afraid to admit that a small part of her enjoyed watching the dwarf suffer.

'Hey. We're all alive aren't we?' Asked Bilbo.

Val could only nod her head.

'Come on. The others are probably halfway down the rock by now.' Said the hobbit and Val stood up.

Just then Kili's head popped up where the stairs descend.

'Will you two hurry up. The Arkenstone isn't going to find itself you know.'

Val turned to look at him, 'Oh Kili. How I hoped the eagles had forgotten you.'

Kili put on an expression of fake hurt, 'You wound me, Sorceress.'

'What will wound you is if I throw you off this rock.' Said Val, now on the steps with Bilbo behind her.

'You'd miss me too much.' Said the dwarf.

'No I wouldn't.' Countered Val.

'You Would.'

'Wouldn't.'