"The elf-host was on the march; and if it was sadly lessened, yet many were glad, for now the northern world would be merrier for many a long day. The dragon was dead, and the goblins overthrown, and their hearts looked forward after winter to a spring of joy."

-The Hobbit, chapter XVIII: The Return Journey

Gandalf and Bilbo rode behind the Elvenking. Beside them strode Beorn, once again in man's shape, laughing and singing in a loud voice upon the road up to the borders of Mirkwood.

At the borders they parted ways with the elves and Bilbo was sad for it. Alas, they were taking the northern route alongside the outside of the forest, into the waste that lay between it and the beginning of the Grey Mountains.

Beorn would follow them much of the way, so if he felt safer all around, well, he didn't think it proper to mention as much.

Still, he did wonder, sometimes aloud but generally only to himself, what Beorn was looking for, when he looked up, searching the skies.

When asked, he would only smile sadly, and say that he was looking "for a lost birdy. One day, I hope she will find her way home."

Gandalf, smoking his pipe, only added: "one day, my friend, one day."

And that, was that.

AN 1: *cough* I did mention at the beginning it was an 'unfinished tale' right? Right. *cough*

AN 2: Well, so begins the tale of Harriet's travels that eventually lead to her situation in AUD. I am working on another short, roughly a series of loosely connected one shots, that pick up further down the line. We'll see where it gets to and how long it takes to get it out. It most likely won't be Hobbit or LotR related but I'm leaving the possibility open.

Thanks for reading!