Beorn's house was... big.

There's a lot of other words for big (like humongous, colossal, ginormous or enormous, or gigantic), but I'm just going with big.

Because to be fair, if you were standing in front of Beorn's house for the first time, you'd be too overwhelmed to think of anything other than 'big'.

There were animals everywhere; horses, dogs, large bees and more. Plants too; large stunning flowers and tall trees. Rue took everything in with awe. 

It was starting to become late, and at Gandalf's lead they all slept in the stables. They'd maybe get better rooms the next morning, but they were all to exhausted to protest anyway.

Felix sat up slowly when he was sure everyone was asleep. Correction — when he thought everyone was asleep. Just as he was about to slip out of the stables, he found Gandalf blocking his way.

"Let me pass," Felix ordered softly, and Gandalf frowned.

"Who are you?" the wizard enquired, "you are neither elf nor man, nor anything I have ever encountered. The girl, Rue, is only human, and your friend Sam, she is... gifted. But you..."

Felix's bright green eyes stared into Gandalf's light blue ones.

"You're right. I'm not entirely human. My father was Loki, a Frost Giant of Jotunheim."

He paused, and then corrected himself.

"He is Loki. Not was. Did I mention the Frost Giant part? I think I ruined the moment. Anyway, Frost Giant of the North — I mean Jotunheim, sorry."

Gandalf nodded slowly, as if he knew what that meant.

Actually, maybe he does. To be fair, Frost Giants are closely related to Norse Mythology, and what are Elves, Dwarves and Wizards if not mythology?

Not now, brain.

"Where are you going, Lokison?" Gandalf enquired.

"I usually go by Laufeyson," Felix corrected, "it looks neater. Or Agreste, but according to Sam that's 'too obviously fake'. But feel free to just call me Felix. Or Lord Felix, if you want."

"Where are you going?"

Felix hesitated.

"Somewhere."

"You do not wish to tell me?"

"No," Felix replied, "I'd rather not."

Gandalf nodded thoughtfully once more.

"Very well. I shan't tell your companions of your departure, as you are clearly trying to leave without them."

Felix smiled.

"Thanks Mithrandir."

Gandalf narrowed his eyes.

"I still don't know how you know all our names."

"Different planet," Felix replied, patting Gandalf's shoulder as he slipped past.

"And besides, you knew that Sam's full name was Samantha Maximoff without her telling you, didn't you? You called her 'Lady Maximoff'. I'd bet nobody noticed that to be weird."

"That's different," Gandalf denied, "when she mind-reads she creates a bridge between our minds. It can be crossed both ways, if one knows how."

Felix raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, really? You'll have to teach me that."

He frowned as something about Gandalf's words struck a familiar chord in his memory. Something about doors being opened from both sides? To do with portals? Oh well, it probably wasn't important.

"I'm leaving," Felix announced, "which way did Beorn go?"

"That is not relevant to you."

"Actually, it is. I need to go into the opposite direction."

"You wish to avoid him?"

"No," Felix replied, his determined gaze once more meeting Gandalf's, "I wish to go to Mirkwood."

This would've been a perfect moment for Felix to disappear dramatically, but Gandalf was there to ruin the moment.

"I thought you didn't want to tell me where you were going?"

Felix rolled his eyes.

"I changed my mind because this would give extra effect. But seeing as how the moment is ruined once more, I'll just leave now. Without special-effects and drama. Goodbye."

And with that he was gone.

-

Felix felt slightly guilty as the leaves of Mirkwood crackled beneath his shoes. But there was no way he could take Sam with on this extremely dangerous expedition to Mirkwood, let alone Rue.

Not because they couldn't handle themselves; Sam was perfectly capable of handling herself, and Rue too. It was Felix himself who was incapable — incapable of handling even more of Sam and Rue. He needed a little down-time, and what better way to get some time alone than to combine it with something you were going to do anyway?

He heard footsteps behind him, and turned around. Chance had it that he had just entered something of a clearing, so he stood in a ray of light while whatever had made the noise stood in the shadows.

Felix felt a sting of regret for coming to this creepy forest known for giant spiders and other notoriously creepy things, but then shrugged it off. He was on a mission. An important mission.

This is the part where you get attacked by spiders and then saved by elves, his mind reminded him. (oh the puns)

"Who goes there?" came a light voice, and Felix was surprised by the fact that it sounded feminine.

Why are you surprised? Tauriel was a girl, and she was captain of the guard, wasn't she?

"I could ask the same of you!" Felix shouted back, and the young she-elf stepped forwards out of the shadows.

"Sassy, are we?" she spoke with an amused undertone, and Felix wasn't sure how to answer that.

"Now answer my question," the girl continued in that same playful tone of voice, contradicting her friendliness by holding a dagger to his throat, "who are you?"

"Felix," Felix answered, raised his chin to keep his neck clear of the dagger, and then he realized he could just take a step back, and did so.

"And smart too," the girl muttered, lowering her dagger but not yet sheathing it, "are you friend or foe?"

"I could once again ask the same of you," he replied, and the elfin grinned.

"Huh, we have a smart-alec. I'm sure King Thranduil would love to waste his time arguing with you."

"What are you suggesting?"

"You're my prisoner," the elf shrugged, "you're coming with me back to the palace."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Felix argued calmly, "my friends will come looking for me."

"And you always rely on your friends?" the elf asked with an arched eyebrow, "you seem more like the I-can-do-it-alone type to me."

Felix frowned, causing the girl to smile even more.

"I can handle myself too," he corrected.

"Prove it," the elf hissed playfully, raising her dagger.

"You're a bit of a rogue, aren't you?" Felix grinned picking up a large stick, "okay, let's do this."

With a small burst of concentration, he coated the stick in a complicated illusion, making it look exactly like his father's scepter.

You could be a little more creative with your weapon choice.

Shush. This is about intimidation, not creativity.

But still, you keep using your father's stuff. I mean really — you keep saying you're not your father, and then you do THIS. I give you a 3.2 for creativity. Out of ten.

Just SHUT UP please.

Felix shrugged off his thoughts, but still switched the illusion from his father's scepter to Rey's quarterstaff.

That's an 6.5. Better.

How many times do I have to tell you...

To shut up, I know, I know...

The she-elf was staring at him with something near incomprehension.

"You're... a wizard?" the elf asked, slightly confused.

"Sort of," Felix shrugged, "my father... nevermind."

A determined smile lit up her face.

"Well, all the more honour there'll be in beating you."

Felix returned the determined grin.

"Don't count your chickens before they've hatched."