The Eagles dropped of Gandalf and company at an agreed upon spot, a great rock in wide grass lands. The rock was near a stream with a staircase and a little sheltered cave and in there they discussed their plans. It was here that Gandalf revealed to the Dwarves and Bilbo that he meant to go no further on their adventure for he had other pressing burdens. He promised to look in on them if possible but no one was happy to hear the news; Gandalf after all had gotten them out of several tight spots along the way and they hadn't reached the real danger yet. But Gandalf promised to stay with them a couple of more days until they were resupplied. Plus he had an idea how to make that happen.
"'Very few people live in these parts, unless they have come here since I was last down this way, which was some years ago. But there is somebody that I know of, who lives not far away. That Somebody made the steps of on the great rock--the Carrock I believe he calls it. He does not come here often, certainly not in daytime, and it is no good waiting for him. In fact it would be quite dangerous'" (p. 124, The Hobbit). With that Gandalf began to lead the way telling more about that Somebody who was easily angered and very powerful. The company were not sure what to think and tried to guess at what Gandalf was getting at which only made the Wizard cross. "'He is a skin-changer. He changes his skin: sometimes he is a huge black bear, sometimes he is a great strong black-haired man with huge arms and a great beard. I cannot tell you much more, though that out to be enough'" (p. 126, The Hobbit).
This left Bilbo and the Dwarves uneasy and they asked no more questions. That is Beorn's introduction: a skin-changer with no clear heritage (was it bears or Men?). We simply don't know and I suppose it's the fact that Tolkien gives such incredible details about Middle-earth that this character drives me a little bit mad--but imagination is a good thing and perhaps I'll use mine and not rely on the Professor's! On the plus side though Beorn had no love of Orcs (Gandalf guessed they had driven him from his mountain home). As they journeyed closer to his house bees were everywhere for his main diet was honey and cream for he did not hunt animals; in fact it seemed, via Gandalf, that animals spoke with him and worked for him
They finally reached Beorn's home and Gandalf gave explicit instructions. They were to enter two by two so as to not overwhelm or burden Beorn. They were to wait for Gandalf's signal. Bombur would come last, since he was so fat, he counted for two himself. Gandalf took Bilbo with him (who was completely frightened) and they entered. Some horses studied the visitors intently and ran off. "'They have gone to tell him of the arrival of strangers,' said Gandalf" (p. 128, The Hobbit). Coming into the courtyard they found Beorn, as a great muscled man, and they were greeted gruffly (for Beorn was never very polite). Gandalf introduced himself and Bilbo and Beorn was quick to point out he hadn't heard of either of them.
"'I am a wizard,' continued Gandalf. "I have heard of you, if you have not heard of me; but perhaps you have heard of my good cousin Radagast who lives near the Southern borders of Mirkwood?' "Yes; not a bad fellow as wizards go, I believe. I used to see him now and again,' said Beorn. 'Well, now I know who you are, or who you say you are. What do you want?'" (p. 129, The Hobbit). At this Gandalf began an elaborate tale of the companies journey being careful never to acknowledge the true number of the company. Of course he started with their troubles with the goblins which got Beorn's attention and went on from there. Occasionally he'd mention an extra person and Beorn caught on asking where they were to which Gandalf would give the signal and two Dwarves would appear trying to be extra polite as to not annoy the easily angered skin-changer. (Some comical stuff throughout).
Eventually Gandalf, sans interruptions of various Dwarves, finished the tale. "Mr. Baggins saw then how clever Gandalf had been. The interruptions had really made Beorn more interested in the story, and the story had kept him from sending the dwarves off at once like suspicious beggars. He never invited people into his house, if he could help it. He had very few friends and they lived a good way away; and he never invited more than a couple of these to his house at a time. Now he had got fifteen strangers sitting in his porch!" (p. 135, The Hobbit). I love Gandalf! Beorn, as it turns out, was quite amused with the story (especially the part about killing goblins) and the Dwarves. He offered them a meal and a place to stay. He called to his animals: the the food and tables were prepared by his dogs and sheep.
After the meal they talked some more but Beorn seemed to be little interested. He left for the evening and Dwarves sang a song. They went to sleep in beds for the first time in a long time. Bilbo didn't sleep that well though for he felt he heard growling and scratching just outside the house and was sure Beorn in his bear-shape came to kill them all. But it was not so. All the next day the ate and rested but there was no sign of Beorn or Gandalf. In the early evening Gandalf returned and after a hearty meal, some mead, and blowing smoke rings (in all different colors and shapes mind you) across the great halls he told them all what he had been doing, which was following Beorn who evidently made for the mountains where they had just come from. Bilbo was scared that Beorn was leading Wargs and Orcs straight to them; but that of course was just a silly thought.
Beorn showed up the next morning quite giddy for he had retraced the companies journey and verified their tale was true. He caught a Warg and goblin along the way and they told him everything. He informed Gandalf he liked his tale even more now that he knew it was true. Bilbo wondered what Beorn did with the Warg and goblin. "'Come and see!' said Beorn, and they followed round the house. A goblin's head was stuck outside the gate and the warg-skin was nailed to a tree just beyond. Beorn was a fierce enemy. But now he was their friend, and Gandalf thought it wise to tell him their whole story and the reason of their journey, so that they could get the most help he could offer" (p. 143, The Hobbit). Beorn helped them indeed, providing ponies and lots of food for the journey. He counseled them about the road ahead warning them of the dangers of Mirkwood; Beorn stressed that they should never leave the path in the forest (for they would never find it again) and they would pass over one stream in Mirkwood which they should not drink from or even touch for it was enchanted. The only thing Beorn asked was that they return his ponies when the reached the forest.
They journeyed on for several days and everyone was silent for they felt they were now just entering the truly dangerous part of the adventure. Every now and again Bilbo thought he saw a bear-like creature following them at a distance but Gandalf told him not to notice. Finally they reached Mirkwood and camped. They were inclined to keep the ponies but Gandalf warned them: "'Beorn is not as far off as you seem to think, and you had better keep your promises anyway, for he is a bad enemy. Mr. Baggins' eyes are sharper than yours, if you have not seen each night after dark a great bear going along with us or sitting far off in the moon watching our camps. Not only to guard and guide you, but to keep an eye on the ponies too. Beorn may be your friend, but he loves his animals as his children'" (p. 147, The Hobbit).
In the course of the conversation Gandalf revealed that this is where they would be parting ways. Gandalf assured them that Bilbo was key to their success. The next morning he said the same thing and they made preparations to enter Mirkwood and released the ponies (Bilbo saw Beorn leave following his ponies back). They were not happy about going into Mirkwood but Gandalf reminded them that to the North goblins awaited them and to the South was the lair of the Necromancer. Gandalf said his goodbyes and rode his horse into the West calling out before he left their sight for them not to leave the path.
And this, I must admit is something I am really excited about for The Hobbit movies. We will get glimpses of just exactly why Gandalf left the adventure. And of course seeing Beorn on screen should be pretty cool as well!
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 2941 (summer)
Today's reading comes from: The Hobbit, pages 122-150
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