Anaynah at 22 years of age,
Rivendell
As the sun set on the tranquil haven of Rivendell, Elrond led Anaynah through the winding paths of the Elven sanctuary. The air was heavy with a mix of anticipation and trepidation, for they were bound for a sombre encounter.
Many hours Anaynah and her father had spent talking for she had just discovered the truth about herself. It was too much for her, the amount of information was too much to absorb. She could not comprehend.
How could she?
Everything she had known, everything she thought she understood about herself was a lie. But there was no point pushing it away for the truth had caught up to her. Elrond needed her to understand. He needed her to know the severity of the circumstance, she had to understand the damage she could cause.
Anaynah's steps faltered as they approached the healing chambers, her heart pounding in her chest. The sight that awaited them was a stark reminder of the consequences of her power. Her eyes fell on the dark-haired Ellon.
Elladan lay motionless on the bed, his once proud and graceful form now covered in bandages, a testament to the scorching flames that had engulfed him.
An overwhelming wave of guilt washed over Anaynah, threatening to consume her completely. She stood frozen, her eyes welling with tears as she took in the extent of the damage she had caused.
"Elladan?" Her voice quivered as she took a step closer, her legs trembling beneath her. She sank to her knees beside her brother's bedside, desperate for a response that never came. Slowly she reached out to grasp his hand between hers, repeating his name,
"Why won't he wake?" Her words wavered, filled with fear and despair.
Elrond, his heart heavy with sorrow, spoke from behind her.
"These wounds are no ordinary injuries. They bear the mark of Dovahkin flames, the fiercest fires in all of Middle-Earth."
"Is he... will he..." Anaynah's voice quivered as she asked the question that haunted her soul.
"No, he will be alright. Though he has yet to wake, the grace of Valar will guide his recovery."
Elrond, a pillar of strength and wisdom, reached out to offer comfort, his hand resting gently on her shoulder. But to his surprise, she flinched away, rising abruptly to her feet.
"I did this," Anaynah's eyes darkened, her voice filled with self-realization.
"Anaynah, no. You were not yourself. You were not in your own mind," Elrond's voice was a soothing balm to her troubled spirit. "You need not bear this burden alone. The power within you is both a gift and a responsibility. Together, we will heal Elladan and learn to harness your extraordinary abilities and you will be Middle Earth's saving grace."
Anaynah's head shook, her voice choked with emotion.
"No. No, this is evil, Ada. It can't be real." Her breaths came in ragged gasps, her hands clenched tightly in her hair.
Elrond's eyes met hers, filled with unwavering compassion.
"Fear not, Anaynah. We will guide you, teach you, and help you find the balance you seek. This does not define you; it's the choices you make in the present. The White Council all have put their trust in you. We all believe you can prevail against this prophecy with the right guidance. "
Tears streamed down Anaynah's face as she felt the depth of Elrond's belief in her. But her eyes narrowed, her anger intensifying.
"No! I've had enough of your empty reassurances! I don't need your guidance or this cursed power!"
Elrond's voice remained calm, but a hint of worry seeped through.
"Anaynah, I understand your rage, but the prophecy cannot be changed. You need to control this. You must control your emotion, harness your power. You must face your fate. It is your responsibility. You are no longer Anaynah Elrenniel [Daughter of Elrond], but Anaynah Dovahkin. That is your destiny. That is your fate, and you cannot run from it."
Anaynah's fists clenched, her voice dripping with defiance.
"Fate? I reject this twisted destiny! I won't be a pawn in this wicked game. Who are you to tell me what path I must lead?" Anaynah's voice dripped with venom, a darkness Elrond had never witnessed before. It frightened him to think this is but a taste of what was to come.
"Who am I? Anaynah, I am your father, and I only ever seek to do what is best for you," Elrond responded, his words filled with a mix of sadness and hope.
A brief silence hung in the air, heavy with anticipation. Anaynah hesitated, knowing her next words would cut through Elrond like a blade. With a deep breath, a final tear traced a path down her cheek as she spoke.
"No. You were never my father. You have raised me as a pig for the slaughter."
Elrond felt as if he had been struck in the chest, the pain unfathomable. His beloved child could no longer see him as her father, and her anguish was unbearable. Words failed him as Anaynah flung the door open, disappearing into the night, leaving behind a room shrouded in darkness and uncertainty
Present Day,
Beorns House
As the first rays of sunlight gently kissed Anaynah's face, she stirred from her slumber, her eyes fluttering open to a world of enchantment. Nestled amidst a sprawling forest, the house stood tall and majestic, seemingly one with nature.
The air was alive with the melodies of chirping birds and the sweet fragrance of wildflowers. Sunlight filtered through the lush canopy, casting a warm golden glow upon the surroundings into the house. If one could even call it a house, with the array of animals one would think it to be the barn. Nonetheless, Beorn's house was certainly cozy and homely.
"Bilbo!"
Anaynah scolded as she saw the halfling swatting away at the giant bees that buzzed around his face, "do not hurt them. Come, let's find the others."
It did not take long as they wandered through the barn, for the sound of arguing Dwarves was distinct.
"I say we should leg it, slip out the back way," she overheard Nori suggest as she approached the crew.
Sensing her confusion, Kili firmly clasped her wrist and guided her toward the window, gesturing to what lay beyond. There, she saw a burly figure wielding an axe, chopping logs. A shiver ran down her spine as she imagined the brute's potential anger if he were to be unhappy with the fact that they had taken up hospitality in his house the previous night.
"I'm not running from anyone, beast or not, Dwalin retorted to Nori, gripping his arm firmly.
"There is no point in arguing," Gandalf chimed in as Nori went to argue further, "we cannot pass through the woodland without Beorn's help! We'll be hunted down before we even get to the forest," he explained, his gaze shifting to Anaynah and Bilbo, who had just joined the group.
"Ah, Anaynah and Bilbo there you are. Now, this will require some delicate handling, you must tread very carefully. The last person to have startled him was torn to shreds," he cautioned, causing the company to exchange worried and baffled glances. "I will go first and Bilbo and Anaynah, you come with me," he gestured to the Hobbit and the Ranger, both of them widening their eyes after the recent warning.
"I... Is this a good idea?" Bilbo asked uncertainly as he approached the Grey Wizard.
"Yes, Gandalf? I don't fancy being torn apart before breakfast, do you?" Anaynah questioned as she joined their side.
"Oh shush you, Anaynah! Now the rest of you just wait here and don't come out until I give the signal."
"Right, wait for the signal," Bofur nodded in comprehension from his spot by the window.
"And no sudden movements or loud noises and don't overcrowd him. Only come out in pairs," Gandalf instructed, pausing to add, "Actually Bombur, you count as two so you should come out alone. Remember, wait for the signal."
With that, Gandalf and Bilbo left the house Anaynah hesitated. Her eyes made their way behind her, glancing at Kili, who offered an encouraging smile and thumbs up before she joined the two heading towards the axe-wielding man.
"You're nervous," Bilbo remarked from one side. The Wizard cleared his throat and looked down at him, visibly flinching as another piece of wood was chopped in half.
"Nervous? What Nonsense," Gandalf quietly denied, though his wavering voice didn't inspire much confidence.
"Well, here goes nothing," Anaynah muttered under her breath. If Gandalf was scared, then she knew they should be too.
"Morning!" Gandalf called out with a smile as politely as he could.
It seemed as if Beorn did not hear Gandalf for he swung his axe back and onto the wood once more, nearly taking the Wizard's head off. That or he chose to ignore him.
"Good morning!" Gandalf sang out once more. This time Beorn had heard him no doubt, for he did not try to chop the wood again. He did not turn around, however, instead ever so slightly turning his head with his back to the three.
"Who are you?" His voice growled deep and low causing Anaynah to swallow the lump in her throat.
"I'm Gandalf, Gandalf the Grey." As he introduced himself with a smile he slightly bowed to show respect. In a swift motion, Beorn finally turned around, his axe still in hand with the head on the ground. Anaynah was now able to have a good look at him. Strong and tall, his face was heavily covered by his beard and thick bushy eyebrows, his skin scarred and tan. However as she looked into his eyes, she saw kindness in them, no matter how terrifying he appeared to be.
"Never heard of him."
Gandalf seemed at a loss for words at his comment but he quickly pulled himself together.
"I'm a Wizard. Perhaps you have heard of my colleague; Radagast the Brown? he resides in the southern borders of Mirkwood," Beorn remained silent, however his eyes now moved to Anaynah, who remained completely still whilst holding her breath, "Oh, how rude of me, and this here is my travel companion; Anaynah, a Ranger of the North." Anaynah bowed her head slightly with a smile as Gandalf introduced her.
Even though Anaynah technically was not a Ranger of the North, it was important to keep her true identity hidden, for not everyone is accepting of her heritage.
"What do you want?" Beorn grunted, completly ignoring their introduction, his expression unchanged, causing the Ranger to feel even more anxious.
"Well, simply to thank you for your hospitality. You may have noticed that we took refuge in your lodgings here last night," Gandalf replied, moving to finally expose Bilbo who had managed to be unseen this entire time hiding behind the Wizard.
"Who is this little fellow?" Beorn asked, slightly startled.
"Oh well, this would be Mister Baggins from the Shire."
"He's not a Dwarf is he?" Born asked again as his axe swiftly rose defensively.
"Why no, no. He is a Hobbit! Good family and unimpeachable reputation!" The Wizard corrected, giving the Hobbit a pat on his back.
"A halfling, a Wizard and a Ranger. How come you here?" the Skinchanger inquired with his broken Westron, seemingly calm.
"Oh well, the fact is we've had a bad time of late, from Goblins in the mountains." Gandalf continued.
"What did you go near Goblins for? Stupid thing to do." Beorn exclaimed, Anaynah stifked a chuckle at his blunt statement. Though she dared not speak up, she would let Gandalf handle this situation.
"You're absolutely right!" Gandalf agreed with a wave of his hand.
Anaynah's ears perked up by the sound of heavy footsteps from behind her. Slowly she turned with the rest of them to see Dwalin and Balin trodding their way out of the barn. Her mouth agape, she looked to Gandalf who too appeared baffled.
Beorn now held his axe high, a growl emitting from his mouth.
"Dwalin and Balin." The younger of the two introduced as they offered a friendly wave.
"And I - I must confess that several of our group are in fact, Dwarves," Gandalf admitted meekly.
"Do you call two several?" Beorn growled with anger.
"Well, when you put it that way, n-no, no, no, there could be more than two" Gandalf stumbled over his words as he proceeded to count on his fingers as a way to delay the inevitable as he tried to figure out a way to tell their host the truth.
With a hefty sigh, the Wizard turned around once more. Anaynah's eyes widened as she too turned to see Oin and Gloin now standing behind them, offering a curt bow.
"And uh, here are some more of our happy troop!"
"And do you call six a troop?!" Beorn was visibly angry. Gandalf merely laughed at this comment to try to lighten the air, "What are you; a travelling circus?" Beorn asked sarcastically.
Another laugh escaped Gandalf's lips with a shrug of his shoulders as he could not think of a response.
Anaynah's body tensed as another sneer from the giant man indicated that more of the Dwarves had made themselves known.
"Dori and Ori, at your service."
"I don't want your service!" Beorn spat.
Anaynah could not help up cough as she tried her best to suppress a laugh at this comment.
"Absolutely understandable," Gandalf reassured with a gesture from his hand.
Anaynah rolled her eyes as Fili and Kili came strutting out with confidence.
"Oh, Fili and Kili. I'd quite forgotten, yes."
Another growl followed Beorn as more of the Dwarves now simply spilled out from the doorway, not even caring about Gandalf's instructions to come out as pairs, not that they listened to any of his instructions.
"Nori, Bofur, Bifur... and Bombur..."
"Is that it?" Beorn asked as he eyed every one of them, "are there any more?"
To answer his question, Thorin finally stepped into view. As Beorn's eyes fell on him, there was a look of certain recognition.
Anaynah sighed with a slight hint of relief, She and Gandalf gave each other the same look.
"Well, that was executed perfectly, don't you think?"
_______
"So you are the one they call Oakensheild."
Beorn said, his voice filled with curiosity. The Company gathered around the giant dining table, with everything around them appearing larger than life. Anaynah, watching Fili struggle with his oversized milk jug, couldn't help but snort.
"Tell me, why is Azog the Defiler hunting you?"
Beorn asked Thorin as he continued around the table.
Anaynah tensed at the name.
"You know of Azog. How?" Thorin asked from where he sat, a few seats behind 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," he explained as he continued around the table. It was only then that Anaynah noticed the broken shackles that wrapped around one of his wrists, "Not for work you understand, but for sport. Caging skin-changers and torturing them seemed to amuse him."
Anaynah's heart ached for Beorn, a magnificent creature forced to endure such torment.
"There are others like you?" Bilbo's curiosity caused him to ask.
"Once there were many."
"And now?"
"Now, there is only one," Anaynah empathized deeply, knowing all too well the feeling of being the last of her kind.
"You need to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn? He asked, changing the subject as he took a seat.
"Before Durins Day falls, yes." Gandalf clarified.
"You are running out of time," Beorn stated.
"Which is why we must go through Mirkwood."
"A darkness lies upon that forest," Beorn explained, his voice darkening, "fell things creep beneath those trees. I would not venture there except in great need."
Anaynah couldn't help but shudder at his words. What malevolent beings did he speak of? She had never set foot in the Woodland Realm, but her father had regaled her with tales of its dangers and enigmatic allure. Stories of dark magic and enchantments that whispered through its depths, treacherous paths that could lead one astray. Yet, amidst the perils, her father also spoke of the forest's beauty and the ancient history woven into its very essence, sharing tales of the Elves who once called it home
"We will take the Elven road. That path is still safe." Gandalf informed, his pipe was still in hand.
"Safe? The Wood-Elves of Mirkwood are not like their kin. They're less wise and more dangerous. But it matters not," a small silence filled the room as they took in his grim words.
"What do you mean?" Thorin stood up from his seat to look at Beorn, seemingly agitated.
"These lands are crawling with Orcs. Their numbers are growing, and you are on foot.
You will never reach the forest alive," his response was blunt and dark, cruel almost. He stood up from his seat to tower over the Company,
"I don't like Dwarves. They're greedy and blind. Blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own," as he walked around the table, he reached to pick up a tiny mouse, looking like a tiny flea in his giant hand. Anaynah watched in anticipation, waiting to see his response, and what would become of the mouse, "But Orcs I hate more. What do you need?"
Anaynah let out a sigh of relief as she realized that Beorn had no intention of harming the mouse, or any of them for that matter.
With his assistance, they would now embark on a journey towards the borders of Mirkwood, but deep down, the Ranger couldn't shake the ominous sense that something truly dreadful awaited them within the mystifying depths of the Woodland Realm.
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Desolation of Smaug might be my favourite Hobbit movie so I'm super stoked to write the next few chapters! Obviously we know the Hobbit was only one book but which one of the movies was your favourite?
I <3