Recap-

Thorin turned to mom and I, "and you, my daughter and my One. May have the gift of the Elements on your side - but please be more careful. Azog now knows we're related. He will be after us all." He spoke, looking to Fili and Kili.
I looked down. "I'm sorry, Adad. I couldn't risk you dying when I could've done something."
"Thorin, she's right. It's not in our nature to sit back and simply watch. Nor did I teach her to do so. I trained Theia to use her powers to help others, to defend herself. As for myself, you need not worry my love. I know my limits. But you also know what the bond of a One does. I'll do what's necessary to protect this family. This Company."
Thorin smiled and pulled us into a hug.

Looking over our shoulders, he stared.
"Is that what I think it is?" Bilbo asked.
Hope shown in the eyes of the Dwarves.
"Erebor the Lonely Mountain the last of the great Dwarf kingdoms of Middle Earth." Gandalf spoke, explaining.
"Our home." Adad stated. Looking at his family.
"A raven!" Oin exclaimed.
"That, Oin is actually a Thrush." I smiled.
"The birds are returning to The Mountain."
"We'll take it as a sign. A good omen." Thorin said.
"You're right. I do believe the worst is behind us." Bilbo spoke, positively.

Little did they know, that, that Little Thrush woke the Dragon, Smaug...

@winter6228 dunno where this is going yet, but thank you for commenting on the last chapter 💕

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*Apostrophe marks in italics ' are thoughts
Example: 'another update so soon, yay! - Lets hope the seizures don't get in the way.'
* italics without apostrophes put emphasis on certain word(s)
Example: quiet as a mouse.
* Asterisk symbol * in bold is a translation for any of Tolkien's languages.
Example: "Adad." *Father/Dad.*

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After a good week of resting, and recovery for my Adad at a safer location, we made our way towards yet another unknown location. We sent Bilbo out to scout, for any...unsavory beings.
A half an hour later, he returned in a hurry. Running.
"How close is the pack?" Thorin questioned.
"Too close. A couple of leagues, no more. But thats not the worst of it." Bilbo spoke, hurriedly.
"Have the Wargs picked up our scent?" Dwalin asked.
"Not yet, but they will do. We have another problem." Bilbo answered.
"Did they see you?" Gandalf questioned.
"They saw you!"
"No, thats not it."
"Hm. What did I tell you? Quiet as a mouse. Excellent burglar material."
The dwarves started chattering.
Mom and I looked at each other.
"Will you please let the poor Hobbit speak!" Mom spoke over them.
"Thank you, Amara." Bilbo smiled her way, gratefully.
"I'm trying to tell you, there is something else out there." Bilbo said, pointing in the direction he came.
"Oh, no..." Kili murmured.
"What now?" I sighed.
"What form did it take? Like a bear?" Gandalf asked gravely, mysteriously.
"Y-yes, but bigger. Much bigger." Bilbo replied.
Mom, I, along with the others looked at the Wizard questioningly.
'How did he know?'
"You knew about this beast?" Bofur asked Gandalf.
Gandalf turned around, his back facing us.
'What's going on?'
"I say we double back." Bofur said in a rush.
"And be run down by a pack of Orcs? I will not risk the lives of any in this Company, nor my family." Thorin spoke.
"There is a house..." Gandalf began, while turning around to face us. "It's not far from here, where we might take refuge."
"Who's house? Are they friend or foe?" Adad asked, tired of Gandalf's games.
"Neither." Gandalf simply replied, "He will help us or he will kill us."
"Well that's comforting." Mom replied.
"Indeed..." I whispered.
"What choice do we have?" Thorin questioned Gandalf just as a very loud growl was heard above us.
"None." He stated.

"Great, another time to run?" I asked the Wizard.
"Unfortunately." He replied.
This time, I groaned.
"Shall we run for our lives?" Mom asked no one.
"Oh, yes, lets." I replied.
The Company began a full on sprint to our new location, this "friend or foe's house"
"This way, quickly!" Gandalf shouted.
Suddenly, Bombur passed all of us. Even Gandalf.
My eyes were huge.

We got to the door, and they all failed to simply lift the latch.
"Open the door!"
Adad came along, and opened it. 'seriously, is opening a door that hard?'
The giant bear came into view while the rest of us were getting in the tiny space, waiting to get in.
We hurried in the house, and shut the door in the bears face.
"Push!"
"Push!"
Is all was being said, and done.
"What is...that?" Ori asked Gandalf.
"That, Ori is our host. His name is Beorn. And he's a skin-changer. Sometimes he's a huge black bear. Sometimes he's a great strong man. The bear is unpredictable. But the man can be reasoned with. However he's not overfond of Dwarves."
"Gandalf, are you mad?" I questioned him.
Sure Gandalf has proved to be trustful and right so far but this?
Thorin walked up to Gandalf. "And what about Elementals? What does this Skin-changer think of them?"
Gandalf looked at Thorin. "That, I do not know. We will have to wait and see."
"I will not put my Company at risk as I have made clear! If there is another choice, Gandalf." Thorin argued.
"There is no other option, Thorin." Gandalf spoke and walked away.

Mom walked up to Adad, putting her hand on his arm. "We can handle ourselves. You need not worry my dear."
"I'll always worry. You should know that by now. There's the others to think about too, Amara."
"Then let me help you carry the load, share this burden with me. So you don't have to do so alone." She spoke.
"I can do that. You're going to be my Queen after all." Thorin smiled.
Amara nodded. "Good, now lets get back to the others."

"It's obvious, he's under some dark spell." Dori spoke, pulling Ori away from the door.
"Don't be a fool. He's under no enchantment but his own." Gandalf spoke.
"Alright, now get some sleep. All of you. You'll be safe here tonight." Gandalf ordered.
"I hope."
And so, we bedded down for the night. I next to Fili and Kili, Mom and Adad next to each other.

Come morning, it was sunny and the noises of large bees could be heard. Personally, bees terrified me. I scooted back, away from them as I arose. Not long after, did Bilbo awake.

I paused in the doorway, studying the Skin-changer. Beorn was pouring Fili a very large tankard of Milk.
"You are free to join your company, you know." Beorn spoke without looking up.
My eyes widened. "S-sorry. I was just curious."
A smile could be seen, "It is alright, young Elemental."
"How do you know what I am?" I asked, entering the room.
"They spoke of you."
My eyebrows rose.
"Oh..."
His head turned towards Adad, "So you are the one they call Oakenshield. Tell me, why is Azog the Defiler hunting you and your kin?"
"You know of Azog? How?" Adad asked.
"My people were the first to live in the mountains... Before the Orcs came down from the North. The Defiler killed most of my family. But some he enslaved. Not for work, you understand. But for sport. Caging Skin-changers and torturing them seemed to amuse him." He explained.
"There are others, like you?" Bilbo questioned.
"Once there were many."
"And now?"
"Now there are few." Beorn answered Bilbo's question.

"You need to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn." He stated.
"Before Durin's Day falls. Yes." Gandalf spoke.
Adad had a far-away look in his eyes...
"You are running out of time."
"Which is why we must go through Mirkwood."
"A darkness lies upon that forest. Fell things creep beneath those trees. There is an alliance between the Orcs of Moria and the Necromancer in Dol Guldur. Your Elementals magic will be weakened. It is not safe. I would not venture there except in great need."
The Dwarves, mom and I were nervous. And looked it, too.

"We will take the Elven Road. That path is still safe." Gandalf explained.
"Safe"? The Wood Elves of Mirkwood are not like their Kin. They're less wise. And more dangerous. But it matters not." Beorn spoke.
Adad turned around swiftly. Alarmed. "What do you mean?"
"These lands are crawling with Orcs. Their numbers are growing. And you are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive."
I was ready to use my magic if needed.
"Is that a threat?" Mom asked, besides Adad.
"No, it is a statement."
"I don't like Dwarves. They're greedy. And blind. Blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own..."
"Then clearly you don't know Dwarves well." I spoke, getting mad.
"-But, I hate Orcs more." Beorn said, looking at me. "What do you need?"
Adad and mom gave him a list. And soon, we were off. But not before Beorn talked to both mom and I.

"Be careful in Mirkwood. Your powers will dwindle the longer you stay. Watch out for the river, it is toxic. The forest will play tricks on you. Young elemental, I know your a mix of many races. All of them I know not. Traveling in this forest could be very dangerous to you both. Thranduil treasures special things. And that, you both are. Stay close to your companions. That is my advice to you both." Beorn advised.

"My thanks, Beorn. I am sorry for what I said earlier." I said.
"As am I. I apologize for taking you as a threat." Mom spoke.
"You and your company are very welcome."
We hurried off to our steeds.

"Go now. While you have the light. Your hunters are not be far behind." Beorn said.

I waved goodbye to Beorn.

As we rode, I saw him over-looking a cliff. Keeping the Orcs away.

We came to The Elven Gate. It looked... Unpleasant. It made me feel unpleasant, too.
"Gandalf, do we really have to go through here? It seems...off. Not safe."
He looked at me, "Yes, Theia. We must. It is the shortest path."
"Here lies our path through Mirkwood." He told the others.
"No sign of the Orcs. We have luck on our side." Dwalin stated.
"Patience Dwalin, its what lies inside the forest that we have to fear." Amara, mom stated.

"Set the Ponies loose. Let them return to their master."
Bilbo walked up to my side besides Gandalf. "This forest...feels sick. As if a disease lies upon it."
"I agree, Bilbo. It makes me uneasy."
"Is there no way around?" He asked Gandalf.
"Not unless we go 200 miles north. Or twice that distance south." Gandalf replied.
"Well, that's unfortunate."
Gandalf walked deeper into the forest, seemingly exploring.

Mom suddenly turned her head in the direction of the forest, as if hearing something.
"What is it, mom?" I asked.
"Gandalf just mentioned something about "The High Fells" I think he's going their, Theia."
"Isn't that place dangerous?"
"Indeed, it is." She replied.
Gandalf hurried out of the forest.
"Not my horse, I need it!"
I ran over to him. "The High Fells? Why Gandalf?" I asked.
He looked shocked.
"Right, your mother..." He muttered. Remembering that she's part Elf.
"There is a Necromancer, and I need to investigate. I am sorry Theia." Gandalf said, putting his hand on my shoulder.
"Your not leaving us?" Bilbo questioned.
"I would not do this unless I had to." Gandalf explained, stopping by Bilbo.
"You've changed Bilbo Baggins. You're not the same Hobbit as the one who left the Shire."
"I..was going to tell you."
"Hmm?"
"I...found something in the Goblin tunnels."
"Found what?" Gandalf asked, curiously.
"What did you find?"
Bilbo, touching the ring...changed his mind.
"My courage."
"Good. Well, that's good. You'll need it." Gandalf spoke, standing.

Walking away, he spoke to everyone "I'll be waiting for you at the Overlook, before the slopes of Erebor. Keep the Map and Key safe. Do Not enter that mountain without me. Theia, Amara don't use your magic unless you have to! This is not the Greenwood of old. The very air of the forest is heavy with illusion. It'll seek to enter your mind and lead you astray."
"Lead us astray? What does that mean?" Bilbo questioned the others, quietly - confused.
"Lead us away from the path, I think he means." I replied.
"You must stay on the path. Do not leave it." Gandalf ordered. "...If you do, you'll never find it again."
He began to ride off. "No matter what may come, stay on the path!"
I memorized those words. And Beorn's.

"Come on. We must reach the mountain before the sun sets on Durin's Day." Adad spoke, leading us all into the forest.
"Durin's day?" Bilbo asked himself.
"Lets go." Bofur said.
I was mentally trying to prepare myself for what might lie ahead...

Little did I know, nothing could prepare me for what I was about to encounter.

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Congrats 🎊 to the ones who find the hidden Disney sentences! (2 sentences)
Name the movie from which it's from if you find it 😉

Key to updating long chapters: Don't look at the word count 😆
Now, I'm off to take my seizure meds and an emergency seizure med before I continue.
(Been having seizures while typing. Not easy.)
I'll try to update yet again tonight, but since my husband has to get up early...no guarantees.