I hadn't thought this was to be my fate.

It surprised me, to be honest. I didnt know what to feel. This was the same race I hated that my halfkin hated. But I had somewhat seemed to accept them. Gandalf was a wizard, very much close to humans, to be honest. With a sigh, I looked up to bilbo giving him the friendliest smile I could muster.  "it is I master Baggins." I said, and suddenly, bilbo barreled into me, circling his arms aorund my waist. I yelped a bit at the close contact but soon let out a pearly chuckle "oh, bilbo," I cooed, returning the hug as good as I could without crouching.

Suddenly the door opened, and I heard a series of gasps. I looked up, seeing the shocked faces of the company, along with Gandalf and Beorn. I gave him an uncomfortable smile. "hey," I said, lifting one pale hand to wave at them like I had seen some of them do to each other.

"is-is that you, Skipre?" Balin asked, his face lighting in wonder and surprise. I nodded, patting bilbo's curly head to let me go. he did so and stood by my side.

Now that they could see me more, thorin's face darkened. I titled my head, my white hair falling over my shoulder. "what is it, thorin?" I asked, but the dwarf king only glared at me. The other dwarves, on the other hand, just smiled at me, and Beorn came over to me "you are a shapeshifter?" he asked, making me look at him. I shrugged "not what I know of, master bear. My family is pure breeds, well, except my siblings."

Beorn nodded before gesturing to his house, and we all went inside.

I went somewhat elegant after them, still learning to walk on two long legs, but Gandalf and bilbo supported me, so I got there.

Maybe this won't be so bad after all, I thought with a smile; I have to find out why thorin became so angry at me. Was it because I didn't tell them I could change forms? But what could I know? I am not used to this! With a sigh, I glanced at the dwarf king to find him looking at me. I raised his brow but didn't say anything as beorn started to provide us with food, water, and stuff we needed to regain our legs.

I will have to find out later.

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

So you are the one they call Oakenshield. Tell me, why is Azog the Defiler hunting you?

You look at the bear man as his voice makes you question this man a bit. Thorin seems to do the same and asks, You know of Azog? How? Beorn sighs and steps with a mug of water to fill your goblet with the liquor taking time before his tale is heard. 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.

I feel my pointy ears twitch, and the scent of iron wafts through my nose. I look down on the bear man's wrist to see the remnants of manacles. I wince. Those must've hurt, I think, and I feel a steady hatred bubbling for this pale orc.

Not for work, you understand, but for sport. Caging skinchangers and torturing them seemed to amuse him. Beorn continues, and bilbo, the curious creature he, asks softly, There are others like you?

Beorn looks at you, who meets his gaze.  Once, there were many.

bilbo looks at you too. You can't see it, but you feel the same tingling of eyes upon your face.

But your eyes dont part from Beorn's as you try to figure out why you are like this. Why have you turned human-like?' why are there no scales covering your skin any longer?

And now? you hear Bilbo ask, and Beorn breaks your gaze. Now, there is only one.

Silence ensues us, and we all look at the man in sympathy. He soon sits down on a tree-crafted chair like a roaring bear. His following words are directed at Gandalf  You need to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn?"

The wizard nods. Before During Day falls, yes. Beorn's gaze grows stiff, and he says calmly, You are running out of time.

Gandalf knows this and nods. Which is why we must go through Mirkwood.

you frown a bit. What or where is 'Mirkwood'? You think, glancing at the grey wizard. Beorn's voice makes you look back at him. "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. I would not venture there except in great need.

Gandalf is silent a while before answering with pressed certainty, We will take the Elven Road. That path is still safe.

Beorn snorts. Safe? The Wood-Elves of Mirkwood is not like their kin. They're less wise and more dangerous. But it matters not.

This gets thorin's attention, and he looks at the man of the bear. What do you mean? Beorn looks at the mountain king, saying, These lands are crawling with Orcs. Their numbers are growing, and you are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive.

I look at the king under the mountain to see him shocked. Suddenly Beorn stands up from the table and faces Thorin. I dont like dwarves. They're greedy and blind, blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own.

I see a tiny white mouse scampering over on the table, and Beorn grabs it while approaching Thorin. Who is standing with his arms crossed? But Orcs, I wouldn't say I like it more. What do you need?

◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣◥

I pat the horse I've been given.

A black and white stallion with a small black star on his forehead. Beorn said that he still needed a name and would like me to do that honor. I've been thinking about it all time now. Beorn soon comes up to me, laying a big hand on my clothed shoulder "you have chosen a name for him, freind?" he asks, and I nod, smiling at the horse who stares into my eyes. "I have. Blackstar, due to his little star crest on his forehead."

"that is beautiful. Thank you, Skipre." Beorn says and pats your shoulder before moving aorund to look out for danger. You soon part from the horse's muzzle and grab his mane on his shoulders to hoist you up. It was as if you were used to its elegance and ease.

You look up from the back of the horse, seeing Gandalf smiling at you "you're a natural Skip,e," he comments,s and you smile at your freind. "it seems. Even though I have never ridden a horse," I pat Blackstar's shoulder, and he nickers softly and turns to face Gandalf, who is already ready to ride out.

Then you hear Beorn's voice behind you, Go now while you have the light. The hunters are not far behind.

We all nod and rides off across the land, slowing to a stop as we approach a looming, gloomy-looking forest. Gandalf dismounts and walks into the forest's edge through an ancient archway.  The Elven Gate, he says silently and smiles. He then turns to us just as I dismount, patting Blackstar's muzzle.

"thank you for your deed, Blackstar. Go back to your master now," I say and kiss the gentle horse's muzzle making him nicker and nibble at my white hair. I let out a small soft chuckle.

"no, you cannot join us. Join your brothers and sisters," I gestured back the way we come, but Blackstar stomped his hoof stubbornly. "it seems he won't leave your side, Skipre," bilbo said as he came over to me with a small smile. I nod, glancing at the hafling then at my new freind. "very well. If you do want so, tell your master, and if I need you, I will call for you, alright?" the horse seems to nod and whinnies happily before trotting off with his brothers.

Gandalf suddenly calls out, making us all turn to him, Not my horse! I need it.

he strides forward, and bilbo asks, "Youre not leaving us?

the wizard looks at me and the halfing, sighing, I would not do this unless I had to. he then looks at Thorin, then turns and looks at a dejected halfing.

Youve changed, Bilbo Baggins. Youre not the same Hobbit as the one who left the Shire. this seems to set bilbo off, and I feel the same dark whispers I remember from my nightmare echo in my head as he talks with Gandalf. Join me, Silverscales you will not be sparse on gifts and necessary things. Join me. I block out the voice as much as I can, and soon, it stops altogether.

My courage. I hear bilbo say and look down at him, smiling. Good. Well, thats good. Youll need it. Gandalf says with a smile before turning to me, "watch over him, won't you?" I nod, dipping my head in understanding.

The wizard turns and begins walking toward his horse; he speaks as he passes Thorin.  Ill 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.

Gandalf stops, looks hard at Thorin as he says this, and then continues toward his horse. This is not the Greenwood of old. The very air of the forest is heavy with illusion. It will seek to enter your mind and lead you astray.

Bilbo looks at me, asking, Lead us astray? What does that mean? I breathe through my nose, shrugging. "I've never been here before, master Baggins. I have no idea."

Gandalf gets on his horse. It begins drizzling, even though the sun is out. You must stay on the path; do not leave it. If you do, you will never find it again.

He wheels his horse and rides away, calling over his shoulder, No matter what may come, stay on the path!

Little did we do that.

~ ▬▬ι═══════ ~