A/N: Where the Company reaches Beorn's place.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, but hey, if only I had the ONE RING… Also, is this the place where I burst in tears over all the magnificent support I got from my readers? I hope I managed to reply to everyone who was kind enough to send me a review. If I (somehow) missed replying to you, I'm so very sorryyyy! *is sad panda*

In Between

To say that after the climb down the Carrock the whole company was falling on their faces would be quite an understatement. Everything hurt; first from the tumble down the caves everyone took to various extents, and Viola couldn't help but bit her lip every time she looked at Dwalin, see him flex his muscles and bit back a grimace.

It was obvious he was in pain, in no small part thanks to the way he cushioned her fall, but they pressed onward in order to reach the house of this Gandalf's friend as soon as they were able just after Thorin was able to move on his own.

Still, even if they rushed to the best of their abilities, they would have to spend the night out in the wilds.

Viola and Bilbo were a bit further away from the others, wrapping their injuries and checking each other for wounds worse than bruises. Both of them had been sporting bunch of those – already colouring in all shades of blue and purple. Add to that, Bilbo obviously had more luck than he himself would have thought – while his fingers had been bruised and scratched raw, none of them had been broken, and Viola wrapped them carefully after Bilbo had wrapped her ribs.

Gandalf placed several guardian spells around the impromptu camp and everyone went to sleep – families curling together; Viola and Bilbo cuddling close to the sitting wizard, who flashed them a small smile, before he laid his hands on their shoulders.

The hobbits were asleep almost before their heads were finally laid in his lap.

-o.O.o-

Viola, Bilbo and Gandalf had been the first to enter the home of Beorn the Skinchanger. Gandalf viewed it better, if the first ones to come in were some really non-threatening personas, and it showed to be a very wise decision.

Beorn was rather taken by the two of them, calling them 'bunnies' and taking to carry them around at times, and given their small statures they certainly appreciated his help in getting around, even if their dwarven companions were eyeing the giant man with suspicion.

Viola finally got around to thank Dwalin properly for protecting her during their 'adventure' in Goblin Town as much as he did, and when he waved her way with saying it was nothing, she just chuckled and kissed his cheek in thanks, pretending not to see Dwain's blush – as well as pretending not to be blushing herself.

A/N: Next chapter will probably be longer - I have so many things i want to write, and not sure I'll manage to fit them all O_o Hopefully I will manage to update sooner than it took me to post this chapter, although - I promise nothing XD