Morning came much to early for Bilbo's liking, but it came nonetheless. He awoke from his late slumber in a slight daze. His vision was blurred, but brightly lit by the suns golden rays. It was a beautiful sight that he could have sworn he hear the life of the wild around him. It took only a moment for Bilbo to realize that he could in fact hear the wild, just as he could see a bee flying down near his face. Bilbo quickly bolted upright, out of the path of the bee. He took a quick glance around and found that he was the only member of the company that had yet to rise. He found the remainder of the company settled around the large wooden table in the next room. Bilbo rose from the pile of hay, lifting his coat, and made the short trek across the room toward the remainder of the company.

Beorn stood by the large table, carrying a, likewise, large pitcher containing milk. He poured its contents into the mugs given to each member of the company. All but Thorin and Gandalf had a place at the table. The former stood nearby, his arms folded in front of his chest, whilst the latter was standing beside a great wooden chair, smoking his pipe. Bilbo made his way around the table, taking up an empty place near Ori. It was then he spotted Valídhreníel on Gandalf's right. Her dozens of smaller braids had been removed, allowing her to work the golden strands into a large, single braid. The sleeves of her tunic had been torn away, as had most of her cloak. Her leather bands had been removed and were unseen by Bilbo's eyes, but seeing her beside Gandalf, she appeared to be unharmed by her separation from the company, much to Bilbo's delight. He had grown to enjoy her company through the journey and would be sorry to see her part, particularly in a bad way.

"So you are the one they call Oakenshield." Beorn said. His voice was low, yet vacant of any hostility. Not at all what Bilbo had expected from a great man. "Tell me, why is Azog the Defiler hunting you?"

Beorn's words struck a chord of interest and concern within Thorin. There were few who knew of Azog, let alone knew that the Orc was hunting him. And the greater ones that knew occupied the very dwelling. "You know of Azog? How?"

Beorn continued his circle of the table. "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."

Bilbo caught sight of the iron shackle that still entrapped Beorn's wrist.

"Not for work, you understand, but for sport. Caging skin-changers and torturing them seemed to amuse him." Beorn continued.

Thorin's gaze drifted from their host to Valídhreníel. Her eyes were down cast upon her bandaged arm, lost in her own thoughts, or worse memories. An entire race of creatures brought to their knees by Azog, tortured for pure sport. Thorin dared not to fathom what had befallen Valí during her time of captivity, but hearing Beorn's account of his time in captivity, Thorin could not keep his mind from wandering toward the dark thoughts.

"There are others like you?" Bilbo asked.

"Once there were many." Beorn answered.

Bilbo hesitated his next question, but his curiosity drove him to ask it. "And now?"

Beorn set the pitcher down upon the table. "No there is only one." His words left a hollow feeling within them all. He walked to the large chair on Valídhreníel's right and seated himself. "You need to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn."

"Before Durin's Day, yes." Gandalf stated.

"You are running out of time." Beorn answered.

"Which is why we must go through Murkwood." Gandalf explained, removing his pipe.

Beorn eyed Gandalf carefully. "A darkness lies upon that forest, foul 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 paused for a moment of brief contemplation. "We will take the Elven Road., their path is still safe."

The knowledge struck Bilbo as odd. He was well aware of the dwarves dislike toward the elven kind. They had only remained in Rivendell long enough to rest and departed before dawn the following morning. But to willingly venture along their path, well Bilbo's only reasoning suggested it was out of desperation that Thorin agreed to take such action. Though by the disapproving look on Thorin's face, he was clearly displeased with the choice.

"Safe?" Beorn inquired. He seated himself in the large wooden chair that was tucked into the corner of the room. "The Wood Elves of Murkwood are not like their kin. They're less wise and more dangerous." His eyes drifted toward Valídhreníel on his left.

Valídhreníel said nothing, but silently withdrew from the room. She ignored the numerous pairs of eyes that followed her retreating form, Thorin's included. But no dwarf made an attempt to follow the lady, not whilst in the presence of their host.

"But it matters not." Beorn finished.

Thorin frowned. "What do you mean?"

Beorn stood from his chair. "These lands are crawling with Orcs, their numbers are growing and you are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive." He walked alongside the table, his eyes watching the tiny mice scurrying about the table. One climbed up on Ori's sleeve. Ori looked down at the mouse and brushed him from his sleeve. "I don't like dwarfs, they're greedy and blind, blind to the lives of those they deem less than their own." He reached down toward the table and took the mouse gently into his large hand. "But Orcs I hate more." He looked to Thorin. "What do you need?"

Beorn's offer of aid had provided the company with much. Pony's to make the venture to the elven road, supplies such as food, and protection. All dealings were handled by Gandalf. Though Beorn had offered his aid to the company, he was still not fond of dwarves, therefore Gandalf took control of the situation. Within a few hours, there were pony's enough for the company and a horse for Gandalf's use.

Valídhreníel emerged from the hedge, stepping into the open sunlight. The sun's rays touched the exposed skin, sending warmth through her. She let her eyes wander across the forest line before her. Mere hours ago she had ran through the forest in hopes of surviving one night more. In the hours of the night, fear had great power of the strongest of minds. Yet in the hours of daylight, the fear dissipated, but it did not make the imminent threat anything less than real. Once she departed from the safety of Beorn's home, she would face the threat of the forest once again, alone. Until she passed through Beorn's territory, Dcor would keep his distance, merely through survival instincts alone. Whatever dangers came for her would be solely hers to deal with.

Unless she remained with the Oakenshield company.

With a swift shake of her head, Valídhreníel rebuked herself for daring to suggest the idea. She had no business holding her with the company. There was no room in her thoughts to insinuate any change between herself and Thorin. He was meant for Erebor, as she was meant for Lorien. Gandalf had returned, the company had seen safety through the night, and Beorn would see them through to the Elven road. What reason did she have to remain with them? She had spent enough time in his company to appease the dread he'd felt for years. He knew she was alive and where she resided. Should he feel the need, however unlikely, of seeking her, there would be nothing to stop him. Until that day, Valídhreníel would take her leave.

She strode from the hedge toward the herd of ponies, gathered for the company. Though her axe had been return to her back, her steps were neither weighted by its added weight, nor slowed. She made a quick and silent approach to the herd, that patiently awaited their riders. If needed, she could outrun her hunters and make a quick escape into the branches of the trees. Wargs had difficulty maneuvering their bulky bodies through thick forests, much less a forest that is not well known to them.

Turning her attention back to the ponies, she noted how each one was saddled with provisions enough for their single rider. Though she had no previous encounter with them, the ponies sensed no danger from her, and approached her swiftly. The nearest pony separated itself from its herd, meeting her in a few simply strides, and pressed its nose against her arm. The brave pony sighed, blowing a great puff of air against her skin. The simple act brought another thought into her mind. She had limited supplies since her separation with Dcor. Her cloak was all but destroyed, her very tunic reduced to a bandage for her wounds. Until she regrouped with Dcor, she was nothing for than a liability to the company and to Beorn. She needed to leave, yet that raised another issue again. If she did not regroup with Dcor by nightfall, it would be very uncomfortable for her. The pony seemed unaffected by Valídhreníel's aimless strokes across its neck. Her hand slowly stroked its mane whilst her mind battled with itself.

"The one knows a true friend." Beorn's voice sounded from behind. He carried with him the last of the provision for the company.

Valídhreníel gave a small smile and a shake of her head. "No. He only seek a moments worth of affection."

"One cannot merely trust a stranger without trusting their instincts." Beorn countered.

"Advise to live by." she replied, lowering her hand from the ponies mane. She turned from the pony to face her friend. "Thank you, for sheltering me."

Beorn gave her a steady nod. "You will always find shelter with me, my friend. Safe journey to you."

"And you." Valídhreníel turned from her friend and began her trek along the hedge.

The sun touched the exposed skin, warming it with each passing second. By nightfall, the days warmth would be long gone and the autumn air would set in. The hours of daylight were growing shorter as Durin's Day approached. Less hours to travel in the safety of tall grass reached to the middle of her thighs, swaying around her legs with each silent step. Her eyes drifted toward the forest line. She could see nothing immediately moving, or stalking her, but that did not prove that there was nothing doing such out of her line of sight. To stay in the open was certain death but to venture where dangers were unseen was no different.

The soft sound of galloping hooves caught Valídhreníel's attention. It was a slow trot, not a gallop, of one of the ponies approaching from behind. Most likely the pony that had sought her attention wished for more. Valídhreníel cast a glance over her shoulder as the trotting pony grew nearer, only to discover that it was not the pony who was seeker, but its rider.

"It is unwise to be venturing into unsafe land alone." Thorin said. He slowed the pony to a stop a short distance from Valídhreníel. His supplies were laid about on the ponies saddle.

"Unwise, but sometimes necessary." Vali replied. "Two parties traveling for two destinations will cause uncertainty among those that hunt us. They will find the need to chose whom they will hunt."

"You have already driven their attention from us once before." Thorin reminded.

"It must be done again. Your company is running out of time and an orc pack will slow you down further." came her reply.

Without a word, Thorin dismounted the pony and closed the distance between them even further. He took hold of his forearms, his eyes never leaving hers. "And what if the terms are unacceptable? What if the company is not willing to risk your life again?"

His words caught Valídhreníel's interest. Her head gave a slight tilt to one side while her hands clasped together in front of her body. His eyes were unreadable, leaving Validhreniel without a suggestion of what Thorin was planning. "Then that would leave the company with two choices-not three- before them."

"Ask that you remain with our host until the danger has passed." Thorin began.

"Which I cannot do." Vali countered. "I must reach Lorien before full winter comes."

"Then the remaining choices would be to escort you to safety."

"But that would cause you campany to lose precious time." she reminded gently.

"Then you will travel with us to the Elven Road." Thorin finished. His voice was firm, as if the notion was not an idea, but order.

"And suppose I do not agree with the conclusion?"

"If you, in fact, found the conclusion disagreeable, we would continue to remove you with the company." Thorin answered. "Forcibly, if neccessary."

One of Vali's brows arched with his conclusion. "Truely?"

Thorin nodded.

"Then, it appears, I am to yeild to the request of the company." Valídhreníel conceded. She watched Thorin carefully. "You are not troubled by the events, are you?"

Thorin shook his head and returned to the pony. "Not at all." He quickly mounted the pony, leaned toward her, and offered his extended hand. "You will ride with me."

At this, both of Vali's brows rose with astonishment, but she quickly regained her composure. Thorin held no sign of jest, nor of agitation. He was a complete puzzle that she could not solve. Validhreniel let all questions and thoughts of why escape her mind, for they would do nothing but cloud her mind for some time. She reached to Thorin and took his proffered hand. His grip of her hand was familiar and strong. With the ease as if she weighed nothing but air, Thorin lifted her from the ground and allowed to mount behind him. The pony steadied itself with its second rider. Unsure of how to maintain her balance, Validhreniel took hold of Thorin's arm. Thorin turned the pony about, facing the remaining herd as the company took their mounts.

"Let's be off." Thorin called to them all. He guided the pony about once more and delivered a swift kick to its side. The pony began his slow trot from Beorn's home.

One by one, the others followed Thorin, until Gandalf's horse took the lead. The trot soon grew to a full gallop, bringing the company further and further from their host. The vast forset beside them traveled as they did. Valídhreníel trained her eyes upon the forest, watching for any sighting of the Orc pack.

Thorin cast a brief glance over his shoulder, toward Validhreniel. Through the corner of her eye, she caught his movement, but turned to see him look away. Vali let her gaze return to the forest line, but their silence was not long lived.

"You spoke of your acquaintance with Beorn was not under the best circumstances." Thorin said.

Valídhreníel nodded slowly, but kept her eyes upon the forest. "Yes, I did."

"How did you chance to meet with him?" he asked.

At this, Valí's gaze fell from the forest. She inhaled slowly, calming to dark, violent memories that tormented many nights of her past. "After I was capture in the mountains, I was taken to Azog. He believed that I held information pertaining to the King's attack and saw fit to interrogate me."

Thorin's eyes drifted to the scared fingers still grasping his arm, but he said nothing.

"A week passed before Azog was convinced that I knew nothing, but instead of killing me, he had me put with the skin changers." Valí continued. Her voice was emotionless, hollow. "It was there that I became acquainted with Beorn. By that time, there were few left alive. Very few of us had much of a will to live, myself included. I lived with them for weeks until Beorn and myself were all that remained.

"We were both starved, beaten, no regard to survival any more. Simply wishing a peaceful end to the nightmare we lived." Valí swallowed painfully. "We were pitted against one another and I refused to kill him. Instead I managed to free him from his restraints."

"You freed him?"

"I believed death by his hands would have been merciful compared to the Orc's." she answered quickly. "But, he did not kill me, but attacked Azog's men. Somewhere amidst the battle my...my father arrived but...I cannot recall much. What I do recall is riding out of Azog's hall on Beorn's back, holding my father's axe. When there was enough distance between ourselves and the Orc's, we parted ways. He towards freedom and I-"

"The camp." Thorin finished.

"You needed to be warned." Valídhreníel explained. She lifted her gaze from the earth and returned back to the changing forest line. "As I mentioned, our acquaintance was not formed under pleasant circumstances."

Haha! I live! I'm so sorry for the massive gap between updates. my muse died I think. it also doesn't help that he final movie came out. if there are any spelling errors I apologize. the program was being weird.