Something soft brushed my face, and I flinched. A small gray and white bird hovered in front of my face before gliding out the door.
Yawning, I stood up and heard voices coming from another room. Oh wonderful. Everyone is already awake. I groaned and assembled my hair into a simple braid.
As I pulled the cloak close to my body, the bird flew back into the room. It made its way over to me and landed contently on my shoulder.
I giggled as the creature flapped its wings, tickling my neck. Surprisingly, it didn't move once when I prepared to join the company.
"There are others like you?" Bilbo asked. I cringed as everyone's gaze met mine. Beorn stared at me in shock, and it took all of my strength not to let my mouth drop.
"Once there were many." Beorn replied.
"And now?"
"Now there is only one." I shuffled my feet awkwardly and glanced at Bilbo. Did my father not know that I was a skin-changer?
As my eyes looked him over, it was quite obvious to see that he was truly a monster of a man! I mean, he stood taller than any mortal I've seen- even Gandalf!
The dwarves shot me concerned glares as I took a seat in the corner. This was not uncomfortable whatsoever.
"You need to reach the mountain before the last days of autumn?" My father asked us.
"Before Durin's Day falls, yes." Gandalf replied.
"You are running out of time."
"Which is why we must go through Mirkwood." I interrupted. Beorn looked at me sadly before continuing on.
"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."
"We will take the Elven Road. That path is still safe."
"Safe? The Wood-Elves of Mirkwood are not like their kin. They're less wise and more dangerous. But it matters not."
"What do you mean?" Thorin inquired. I gently stroked the bird's chest and sighed quietly. For some reason, I felt so at peace.
"These lands are crawling with Orcs. Their numbers are growing, and you are on foot. You will never reach the forest alive." Beorn replied.
All of the dwarves appeared to be in shock, and Beorn started to walk towards Thorin. "I don't like dwarves. They're greedy and blind, blind to the lives of those they deem lesser than their own." He muttered.
Picking up a mouse who was scampering across the table, my father stared at Thorin and growled softly.
"But Orcs I hate more. What do you need?"
I sat for quite a bit watching my father get the dwarves settled with supplies. A moment or so afterwards, he walked up to me, glancing at the bird.
"Kyja?" He asked.
"That's me." I answered.
"Come with me." Beorn said. I followed him outside and inhaled the fresh scent of the trees. "Do you want to know about your mother?" He asked.
I nodded solemnly as I sat on the ground. The bird who had been accompanying me perched onto a nearby branch and watched us curiously.
"Ryovn was her name. A sweet, kind-hearted woman she was. I found her in the woods, surrounded by a pack of Orcs."
~ Flashback: Beorn's POV ~
The scream echoed in my ears, causing my nose to twitch. It sounded as if it was female- but what would a person be doing out this late?
I bounded over to where the screams got closer, and I spotted a young woman surrounded by a pack of Orcs. One particular creature grabbed her by the neck and snarled.
Before I knew it I had leapt onto the Orc and crushed its head within my jaws. The others growled and slashed at me with their swords and daggers.
The woman had scampered behind a tree and was watching the scene unfold. Minutes later all of the Orcs were dead, and I ran back to my home, knowing that I would kill her if I got too close.
Switching back to normal, I headed back into the woods to search for the lass. Soon enough I found her, curled up in a ball on the ground.
I carried her to my dwelling and set her in my bed. She was quite beautiful, with long, curly black hair and stunning green eyes.
The next morning she awoke and entered my kitchen, looking quite bewildered. "Where am I?" She asked. After I informed her of last night's events, she smiled and sat down in one of the seats.
"My name is Ryovn." She murmured. "What about yours?"
~ End of Flashback ~
"Ryovn brought out something in me that I didn't know I had."
"And what is that?" I asked.
"A heart."
I closed my eyes as my chin trembled fiercely. Beorn didn't notice this, and kept on talking.
"We both shared a love for animals. Sometimes we would go on walks and enjoy the area around us. Ryovn lived with me for quite a number of years. Then she became pregnant with you."
I paused as my mind digested the given information. "What happened next? What happened to her? Why isn't she here?"
"Kyja.... She died while giving birth to you. It was quick, sudden, unexpected. I remember she was holding you in her arms, and then... she passed."
"Stop! Just stop!" I exclaimed. "I can't take it, I just- no!" Then it was too late. Black fur sprouted out of my forearms as my fingernails grew longer.
"You are one as well?" He asked. "What is your animal?"
"Panther." I muttered, focusing on returning myself back to normal.
"Kyja, look at me."
I raised my head as our eyes met. This man, this beast, was my father. And I hardly even knew him.
"You have a great power inside of you. Using it, you can create life- or death. It's up to you what to choose."
"But all I've ever done is killed! I, I didn't want this! It has caused me to be so unpredictable, and- and vulnerable!"
"It's up to you to control it."
"Do you not think I've tried? Every single day of my life has been a struggle, from keeping my identity a secret to not going crazy from the loss of my daughter-" I paused. Oh, this was not good.
"Daughter?" Beorn growled. "Kyja, what happened?"
I then told him everything, from when I was first hired to the day of Mira's death. Tears stung my cheeks as I replayed that dreadful scene over and over in my mind.
Suddenly Beorn engulfed me in a large hug. I buried my face in his chest as I sobbed hysterically. If any of the dwarves spotted me right now, I'd die of embarrassment.
"Be strong, Kyja." Beorn whispered in my ear. My jaw tightened and I nodded slowly. "Go back to the house, and you will find some of your mother's old clothes. Understand?"
I took a deep breath and stepped away from my father. "Will I ever see you again?" I asked.
"That's for destiny to decide. Now, go with the dwarves. Reclaim a lost kingdom. Discover who you are meant to be."
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*wipes tears from eyes*
Oh! Didn't see you there. So, very emotional chapter, huh? Kyja and Beorn were finally reunited, but it was a little bittersweet.
I know some of you may say that Beorn was a little too "kind" but here's my argument- Anyone who can show extreme anger is capable of showing extreme kindness and love.
Besides, he wasn't going to be completely rude to his daughter! Gosh, I'm not that cruel!
Also, the bird that kept following Kyja around? That represents someone/something that will appear later in the book. Feel free to take guesses.
Picture to the right is what Ryovn would've looked like. Let me just say Kyja got her mother's looks, but her father's personality.
Thanks for reading!