Run It Back Again (Part 1)

Chapter 21

Once it was gone, both Skyrena and I lumbered towards the house, feeling weaker than before.  By the time we reached the door, where the dwarves stood, watching in shock, she collapsed and fell into my arms as we shifted back.  Thorin knelt down and helped me get her inside.  I wobbled a little bit as I approached a nearby chair and sank into it.

"What was that?"  Gandalf swallowed hard.

"That was our host.  His name is Beorn.  He is a skin changer."  I jerked my head up attentively at this.  A skin changer?  "His form is that of a great bear.  As the bear, he is unpredictable, but, as a man, he can be reasoned with.  Even then, he isn't overly fond of dwarves."  He shrugged casually.  "He may help us for Skyrena's and Era's sake, now that he knows that they is among us.  Either way, we can rest easy tonight."  I nodded wearily and looked down at Skyrena's side.  The bandage was bloodied clear through, which worried me.  Balin and Thorin came over to check on her.

"It looks worse than before, Skyrena."  I nodded, unable deny it.  Neither could Skyrena.

"It's not healing...  I don't get it!"  Balin examined it carefully.

"The best we can do is bind it with fresh bandages every now and then.  Maybe clean it.  Other than that, you're on your own."  I swallowed as I examined my own shoulder.  It was bloody, but the blood was all dried.  Fili came over and held out a damp rag.

"Here...  Use this to clean yourself up."  I smiled and accepted the rag gratefully.  Meanwhile, I worried about Skyrena.

*Skyrena's Pov-

"Why didn't you say anything before?"  I bit my lip.

"I didn't want to worry you.  It's bad enough we have the pale Orc on our trail.  The last thing we need is to worry about a simple scratch."  Balin shook his head.

"This isn't a scratch, Skyrena...  You're actually missing a piece of your side.  Luckily, it's a small enough piece that it won't do any permanent damage, but it's a good sized chuck either way.  No wonder why you're not healing as fast, especially since you keep shifting to save our hides.  At this rate..."  He gulped and looked between Thorin and I.  "...We could lose you if we can't get it cared for properly."  He finished binding it as Thorin gulped.  Nearby, Era froze and glanced over at us.  I smiled reassuringly at both of them as I placed a reassuring hand on Thorin's shoulder.

"I'm sure some rest will speed up the healing, Thorin.  Also, you're not off the hook on your injury, either.  Get some sleep, Thorin.  I'll be okay."  He found some furs and wrapped one around me as I leaned back into the huge chair.

"I hope you're right, Skyrena."  He half smiled, as if for my sake.  "Get some sleep."  I nodded and closed my eyes.

*Era's Pov-

"Now, how's your shoulder?"  I smiled as I let Balin examine it.

"It's quit bleeding, but I'm feeling pretty tired."  I looked over at Thorin, who looked really worried.  "How's Skyrena?"  He shook his head.

"We're not quiet sure.  She's not healing at all, and none of us know why."  I started to get up, but Fili stopped me.

"You're not far from being exhausted yourself, Era...  Just rest."  Thorin nodded in agreement.

"You need to recooperate, Era.  Don't worry about Skyrena..."  However, based off his tone, he was really worried about her, which worried me.  I swallowed hard as he nodded at Fili.  "Make sure she gets some rest."  Fili nodded and handed me some furs.

"You heard Thorin..."  I smiled a little, but just for his sake, as I accepted the furs and laid down on the floor among the others.

*Thorin's Pov-

The sound of the door opening woke me with a start.  A huge man lumbered into the room, resembling a bear on its hind legs.  He stopped and examined the room.  Seeing Skyrena in the chair, he approached her.  I sat up and drew my blade.  His deep voice was calm.

"Put that down, dwarf..."  I stood and placed myself between Skyrena and the man, trembling.  He crossed his arms.  "You foolish dwarf.  I can smell the blood outside in the forest.  I know she's hurt."  I swallowed hard, thinking back to what Balin said, and lowered my sword a little.

"Can you help her?"  The man sighed.

"Not if I can't get through to see the nature of her condition for myself."  I stepped aside and watched the man knell down beside her.  He removed the fur and examined her side.  "How old is this wound?"  I thought a little bit.

"About one day old."  Before I could say anything, he picked her up and started to carry her into another room.  I followed.  He turned as he set her down on the giant bed.

"Go rest, dwarf.  I will take good care off her."  I shook my head.

"I'm staying, if it's all the same to you."  He shook his head.

"You fear I will harm her...  I assure you, I would never do that to my kin, even if she isn't of the same race.  Our races are kin."  I swallowed hard and looked at Skyrena.  Every passing moment brought more danger on her than the presence of this man.  Finally, I sighed.

"Can you promise me she will be alright?"  He nodded.

"She will be as long as I work to save her.  Her heartbeat is faint, and her breath grows softer by the minute."  He motioned outside.  "I promise you, I will do my best to save her.  Until then, rest, dwarf.  You will need your strength for tomorrow."  I watched as he set to work, removing the bandage.  The sight of her blood made me feel ill, so I left, as he suggested.  Balin sat up, smoking his pipe.

"The man came in?"  I nodded and lit my own pipe.  "He's helping save Skyrena?"  I nodded again.  "She's in good hands, Thorin."  I shook my head.

"I feel like this is my fault...  If only I had tried to keep her from shifting so often...  If only I had kept her out of the fight and out of danger!"  Balin rested a hand on my shoulder.

"You did what you could, laddie.  You have to remember, she was trained to be a warrior.  Her instinct is to protect her companions as well as those in need.  She is a strong creature and a smart fighter.  Even if she wasn't either, she has more courage than most in all of Middle Earth.  She's not the frightened creature we found in the woods anymore.  She's a defender."  I huffed some smoke and shook my head.

"That's what I was afraid of.  I have tried to keep my promise and protect her, but..."  I hung my head.  "I guess there are some things you can't fight, Balin.  Her race was created to fight for a cause, and that's what she does.  There's no force in this land that can keep her from fighting to defend.  It was the cause she chose long ago."  Balin nodded.

"That's what makes her worth fighting for and beside."  He chuckled a little.  "And, at least you're not the only one fighting for her well being either.  Era's proving more than helpful now that she's on her feet again."  Oh, he doesn't even know the half of it...