▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 ━︎━︎ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐧-𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐖𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐑 Bilbo to come back down. He was currently on the top of the hill, trying to discover how close the pack of wargs were. Ellaria stood there, a small frown on her face. Gandalf stood beside her, glancing occasionally at the elf before looking ahead of him in the direction Bilbo had run.

     "What troubles you, Princess?" Gandalf asked.

     Ellaria blinked, turning her head to look at him. "Nothing. It's nothing."

     Gandalf went to say something else, only to stop when footsteps approached. Bilbo came running down the hill, meeting Thorin who was waiting for him. "How close is the pack?" Thorin asked.

     "Too close." Bilbo said, taking a moment to catch his breath. "A couple of leagues, no more. But that's not the worst of it."

     "Have the wargs picked up our scent?" Dwalin asked.

     Bilbo shook his head. "Not yet. But they will do. We have another problem."

     "Did they see you?" Bilbo turned to look at Gandalf. "They saw you."

     Bilbo shook his head. "No, that's not it."

     "What did I tell you? Quiet as a mouse." Gandalf proudly said. The dwarves started mumbling their agreements. "Excellent burglar material."

     "Quiet!" Ellaria snapped. She turned to Bilbo. "What is it?"

     "There is something else out there."

     "What form did it take?" Gandalf asked. "Like a bear?"

     Bilbo furrowed his brows, confused how he knew that. "Y-yes, but bigger. Much bigger."

     "You knew about this beast?" Bofur questioned, disbelief and slight rage on his face. Gandalf turned and walked a few steps away. "I say we double back."

     "And be run down by a pack of Orcs?" Thorin scoffed.

     "If we double back, we will only put ourselves in more danger." Ellaria dismissed, shaking her head. "The best path to take is forwards."

     "There is a house." Gandalf interrupted. "It's not far from here, where we might, uh, take refuge."

     Instantly, Thorin was unsure and not pleased. "Whose house? Are they friend or foe?"

     "Neither." Gandalf looked at all of them. "He will either help us or. . . he will kill us."

     Thorin tilted his head slightly, not liking the idea. "What choice do we have?"

     A roar that was too close for comfort caused Gandalf to say, "None."

So, they followed after Gandalf. Running through streams, across grassy plains, through thick forests. The house was approaching quickly, as was the unknown beast. They pushed themselves forwards, running to the house the was behind a giant gate. The gate doors were open and they ran through, going up to the door only to find it was locked. Thorin pushed through, lifting the lock and causing the doors to fly open. They all filed in, the giant bear hot on their heels. Just as they were closing the doors, the bear placed his snot in the middle, snarling and growling at them as it tried to get inside. After a moment of struggle, they managed to get the door closed and quickly locked it.

     "What is that?" Ori quivered, turning to look at Gandalf.

     "That is our host." They all went silent, staring at the wizard in disbelief. "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 is not overfond of Dwarves."

     Ori pressed his ear against the door. "He's leaving."

     Quickly, Dori grabbed him. "Come away from there. It's not natural. None of it! It's obvious. He's under some dark spell."

     "Don't be a fool." Gandalf dismissed. "He's under no enchantment but his own. Alright, now, get some sleep. All of you. You'll be safe here tonight." No one else heard it, but Ellaria heard it clearly as Gandalf mumbled, "I hope."

As night fell, Ellaria stayed awake. Unable and not needing to sleep, she sat there in the dark, a cup of warm tea in her hands. While the others were downstairs sleeping, Ellaria took the time to process everything that had happened. For a moment, just a moment, she wished her father was at her side to tell her what to do. The thought made her scoff. She'd spent so long fighting to get away from home and the first moment she has to herself that's all she thinks about.

     "Tell me what I should do," Ellaria whispered in the silence. She closed her eyes. "Tell me where to go." Suddenly, a memory flashed behind her eyes.

She stood in front of the giant gates, heavy breaths falling from her lips. There was a reason that forest was so infamous, the dangers that crawled inside had almost gotten her, but Ellaria knew better and she knew how to protect herself. She wiped a cobweb from her shoulder, waiting patiently for the large doors to open and when they finally did a smile fell on her face.

     Legolas stepped forwards as Ellaria met him at the doors. He glanced over her. "You look horrible."

     Ellaria scoffed. "Thank you, Legolas. Your forests are not one to mess with."

     "I gave you an alternate entrance." Legolas defended, holding his arm out to her. Ellaria hooked her arm with his as they began walking. "You were too stubborn to listen."

     "I had to experience it one time. I'd never like to experience it again." Ellaria muttered. A small chuckle left Legolas' lips. "Where is Tauriel? I never not see her with you."

      "Out on a mission, per request of my father." Legolas answered.

     A small smile pulled to Ellaria's lips. "I see she is finally getting the respect she deserves."

     "More or less." Legolas nodded. "I hate to inform you, but father wishes to see you."

     Ellaria's eyes widened. "You told him I was coming?"

     "He would have known either way." Legolas claimed. He led her down the halls, bringing her to his father's throne room where Thranduil waited.

     "Ellaria," Thranduil greeted. "I see you have come back."

     "I have." Ellaria nodded. She gave a slight bow. "Lord Thranduil."

     Thranduil gave a respectful nod. "Princess." He straightened his shoulders. "If you are trying to escape your home, my doors will always be open to you."

     Ellaria allowed a small smile. "The thought is very appreciated, my lord. However, I am only here to visit."

     "And what of Lord Elrond?"

     "He has not discovered where I am as of yet. He will catch on eventually."

     "Very well." He took a moment to glance over her appearance. "Legolas, your guest is in need of new clothes. The Princess has seemed to have gotten into a fight along the way. We would not want her to lose her respect if she walks around like that, would we?"

     Legolas shook his head. "No we would not." He turned to Ellaria. "Come."

     Ellaria nodded before lowering her chin in respect towards Thranduil. "Thranduil." She turned and walked away, allowing Legolas to once again lead her to her destination.

Ellaria was pulled from the memory when a sound grabbed her attention. Daylight began to break and a giant man stood in front of her. Hair sprouted from his cheeks, reaching down to his shoulders. The hair on top of his head was pushed back. He stood as least seven feet tall and Ellaria looked up at him.

     "The others are downstairs." Ellaria simply said. "They have not woken as of yet."

Beorn said nothing as he turned and walked down the stairs, beginning to fix them breakfast. Ellaria sipped her tea which had grown cold. She thought back to the memory, of what Thranduil had said to her. My doors will always be open to you. Ellaria pursed her lips before standing and empty her cup, cleaning it and putting it away. She made her way down the stairs, watching as Beorn poured Thorin a drink. The dwarves were all sitting around the table, Bilbo just waking up.

     "So you are the one they call Oakenshield." Beorn said, pouring Thorin's drink from a giant wooden pitcher. "Tell me. . . why is Azog the Defiler hunting you?"

     Thorin looked at him. "You know of Azog? How?"

     "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."

     "There are others like you?" Bilbo asked, taking a seat at the table.

     "Once there were many."

     "And now?"

     "Now there is only one." He placed the pitcher down on a small counter, turning to face them once more. "You need to reach the mountain before the last days of Autumn."

     "Before Durin's Day falls. Yes." Gandalf confirmed.

     Beorn took a seat. "You are running out of time."

     "Which is why we must go through Mirkwood." Instantly, Ellaria looked at Gandalf.

     "A darkness lies upon that forest." Beorn claimed. "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."

     "We will take the Elven road. Ellaria is the Princess of Rivendell, she knows it well. That path is still safe."

     "'Safe'? The wood elves of Mirkwood are not like their kin. They are nothing like the Princess you have accompanied with you. They're less wise. . . and more dangerous. But it matters not."

     Thorin, who had stood from the table, turned to look at him. "What do you mean?"

     "These lands are crawling with Orcs," said Beorn. "Their numbers are growing. And you are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive." He stood from his chair, ducking his head slightly as to not hit the ceiling. "I don't like Dwarves. They're greedy. . . and blind. Blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own." Spotting a small white mouse on the table, he reached forwards and picked it up. "But Orcs I hate more. What do you need?"

     Ellaria, who had been leaning against the wall, pushed herself off it. "Horses. We need horses. If we are not safe on foot, it is better if we are on steeds."

     Beorn looked at her and nodded. "Go now while you have the light. Your hunters are not far behind."

They made it outside where several horses were waiting them. They climbed atop them. Ellaria ran a hand over the white horses head. She turned her head to look at Gandalf before making sure the others were on their horses and she went forwards. The horses began galloping as Ellaria easily led the way to the Mirkwood forest. When the forest came into view, a shiver ran down her spine. The place seemed to have been drained of all color and light. Carefully, she climbed off her horse and made her way forwards with Gandalf at her side.

     The two of them stood at the entrance, not daring to enter just yet. "The Elven Gate," Gandalf said. He turned to the others. "Here lies our path through Mirkwood."

     "Gandalf, I do not think Thranduil will take kindly to Dwarves entering his home." Ellaria mumbled. "Beorn was right, these woods. . . they're horrifying. I've walked them myself and barely escaped."

     "One can only hope that he will understand when he sees you with them." Gandalf replied. "Set the ponies loose. Let them return to their master."

     They did as they were told and walked towards the forest. "This forest feels. . . sick." Bilbo said. "As if a disease lies upon it. Is there no way around."

     "Not unless we go 200 miles north. Or twice that distance south." Gandalf answered. Ellaria watched as he began to enter the forest. He came to a stop before turning and walking back out. Noticing Dori about to let his horse go he yelled out, "Not my horse! I need it!"

     Bilbo frowned. "What? You're not leaving us?"

     "I would not do this unless I had to. Ellaria knows these woods, listen to her." Gandalf turned to Bilbo. "You have changed, Bilbo Baggins. You're not the same Hobbit as the one who left the Shire." 

     "I was going to tell you." Bilbo started. "I. . . found something in the Goblin's tunnels."

     "Found what?" Bilbo didn't answer and Gandalf tilted his head. "What did you find?"

     "My courage," Bilbo lied.

     Gandalf gave a slight nod. "Good. Well, that's good. You'll need it." He walked away from Bilbo, heading to his horse. "I'll be waiting for you at the overlook before the slopes of Erebor. Keep the map and key safe." He turned to Thorin as he walked past him. "Do not enter that mountain without me." He continued to his horse. "This is not the Greenwood of old. The very air of this forest is heavy with illusion. It'll seek to enter your mind and lead you astray."

     "'Lead us astray'? What does that mean?" Bilbo mumbled.

     "You must stay on the path. Do not leave it. If you do, you'll never find it again." Gandalf turned and left. "No matter what may come, stay on the path!"

     Thorin walked forwards. "Come on. We must reach the mountain before the sun set's on Durin's Day." He nodded towards Ellaria and she entered the woods. "It is our one chance to find the hidden door."

     "Like Gandalf said, we stay on the path, it is an easy way through." Ellaria said, looking at Thorin although she was addressing all of them. "Do not believe everything you see or hear, it is a false reality and the forest is playing with your mind." Thorin nodded and they began their walk through the dark woods.