Sleep was a painful experience. Namir was dimly aware of cold cloths on his skin and the itchy feeling of bandages. Blood, dust and sweat filled the air and he found himself catching a whiff of them as hands placed cool cloths on his forehead. At one point he was half asleep, blinking unseeingly as someone spoon fed him a warm broth of medicinal plants. The figure nothing more than a blurred shape. Whines catching in his throat as his body throbbed. A gentle voice shushing him and fingers combing his hair. He leaned into the touch as much as he could and the whines fell into soft purring until he was slumping back into deep sleep. At once point he woke to music. The unfamiliar song echoing with accompanying sounds of revelry and celebration. Namir didn't have much time to wonder what was going on before the medicine herbs sent him back to sleep. Another time he caught a glimpse of wakefulness, it was to the rocking of a cart and the scent of horses. Barely a blink before he was out again.

Voices were what finally woke him into something resembling full conciseness. The vibration of vocal cords in the air was the first thing he noticed. The sounds becoming clearer as his other senses returned. The smell of earth and wood, fresh spring standing out against the old blood and smell of boiled bandages. The familiar bear scent of fur and dirt of Beorn was the second the register, and as he recognised it the dull throbbing and stiff aches of his body bounced to his attention. But along with the pain came the soothing feeling of fingers in his hair. The strands being tugged gently in a way that had suggested that they had been brushed. (Namir couldn't remember the last time he brushed his hair). 

"What do those mean?" Beorn grunted from somewhere to Namir's left. There was an atmosphere of relaxed conversation. Not comfortable enough for friends but not awkward or hostile, polite. 

"Braids can mean many things", the reply was soft and calm like cool spring water. The fingers in Namir's hair didn't pause. 

Beorn let out a rumbling sigh that was intensely familiar. It was a slightly frustrated sigh of a father done with sarcastic answers. "I know that. Braids can mean half a dozen things to you elves, and something completely different to dwarves. I wan to know what the ones you're putting in my son's hair mean". 

There was an amused exhaled breath from the elf on Namir's right. Legolas was half leaning on the bed as he worked and Namir could feel the body heat radiating from him. "These", Legolas hummed as he finished one braid and began another. "Some are protection charms, others are worn by warriors. And some are courting braids". 

Beorn sighed. "What's the need for courting braids? Men have their rings, dwarves have their crafts and beards. Just bite each other if you want to stake a claim". 

Legolas chuckled and it rung like bells. Namir stirred at the noise and the fingers in his hair stilled. There was the sound of wooden furniture on stone floors. He frowned and his fingers twitched as the air shifted. Two figures leaning over his bed.  A weight was lingering over his eyes and it was a short fight to wrestle them open. When he did, it was to the hazy golden light of evening streaming through the window and a green dressed figure leaning over him. Beorn a distinct fuzzy shape at the foot of the bed, arms crossed. (He looked more like a teddy bear and the thought almost made Namir giggle). 

"Namir", Legolas' voice was breathless. "Egleri- I Elena. Radag, You're awake". His face swam into focus as Namir blinked. Blue eyes crinkled with a relieved smile and white gold hair handing over his shoulders. He seemed to glow and for a few seconds Namir couldn't do anything but stare. 

"Good to see you awake cub", Beorn nodded when Namir glanced at him. "Thought you'd sleep for a month". 

Namir glanced between them again then at the room. The scents of a barn and honey lingered in the air. The walls were wooden and beams hung low in the ceiling, the wood marked by claws. It was his room at home in the cottage. He could see his wardrobe of clothes in the corner and the pile of ruined sheets he had stuffed into the corner to act as a cat bed. The worn wood under the window where he had spent hundreds of morning rolling over in the sunlight.  He was home and back in the same bedroom where he had grown up. Which was distinctly weird because he definitely remembered being up in the mountains above Erebor. 

He opened his mouth and licked his lips. A chirrup like noise escaping as his eyes flicked back to Legolas, the cat pupils widening and rounding. He raised a shaky hand, wanting to poke the elf and see if the glow was real, or just his brain playing tricks on him. The fact that the elf was in his bedroom did not feel real. Legolas caught it in his and pale fingers curled round his. "Miog", Legolas grinned. "Hello". Namir let out another surprised chirruping noise at the contact. The touch was warm and he could feel the bow caluses on his fingers and palm. 

Namir swallowed and his eyes swung to his father. "What happened?" His voice was raspy and he hissed lowly at the ache in his chest when he inhaled too sharply. 

"You were injured in the battle", Beorn stated as he crossed round the bed. He came closer and reached out with one hand to rub his wrist over Namir's forehead. The cat let out a rumbling noise at the familiar scenting. The gesture grounding. "Your elf carried you down the mountain. He has refused to leave your side, even when Gandalf helped me transport you back here". 

Namir turned his gaze back to Legolas. The blonde had perched himself on the edge of the straw mattress and was still holding his hand. His cat eyes caught on the shine coming from round the elf's neck. A necklace hung there with a charm of five white gems of starlight forming a flower in the middle. Namir smiled and a purr began to vibrate in his chest. "You got my gift". 

"I did", Legolas replied softly. "And I accept your offer of courtship". 

"He has been helping me with the chores", Beorn added. "With the farm and with meals. He can provide enough". From the bear, that was as close as he'd get to approval. To provide for your mate and their family was important to skin0changers. Namir grinned wider, then winced as he shifted. His chest was throbbing and there was a tightness to the skin of his forehead that spoke of stitches. 

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Almost two weeks", Beorn grunted in reply. "The dwarves did their best but after you didn't wake up for a week, I brought you home. Your elf followed". 

"Of course Iar bróg", Legolas stated with the air of someone who had felt with similar conversations before. Namir watched in surprise as the elf gave his father a small smile. It was almost friendly. Obviously Beorn and Legolas had formed some sort of friendship during the time Namir was unconscious. The elvish nickname was both insulting and fond. 

Beorn let out a halfhearted snarl in return but Legolas only quirked and eyebrow. "Fine elfling. I need to go and bring in the ponies. Keep an eye on him". He turned towards the door. In the open frame, he paused and turned back. "Glad you're back little one. Also, I suppose you could have picked worst". Then he was ducking out of the room, footsteps fading. 

"What did you call him?" Namir asked. 

"Iar bróg". LEegolas repeated, "It translates to mean Old Bear in the tongue of man". Namir laughed then wheezed as his ribs protested. "Careful Radag", the elf smiled. "You broke three ribs in your fall. Our healing magic can do much but even comes need time to heal". 

Namir breathed slowly in an effort to calm his laughter. When his pain lulled, he sighed. "What happened?"

Legolas' smile faded into a more serious expression and he gripped Namir's hand between both of his own. "It was a close battle but we won. There were many losses, from elves, dwarves and humans. Thorin Oakenshield fell defeating Azog but his two nephews survived. The older one injured both his legs but is alive and well. He is not walking just yet but has already been crowned king under the mountain. His brother is now in courtship with Tauriel, who has been unbanished. My father has returned to our home but there is promise of establishing more trade routes with Dale and Erebor now that both are occupied once again". 

Namir listened and continued to purr as the elf spoke. When he was done, he pulled their joined hands up to his face and nuzzled his nose into Legolas' wrist. The purring grew louder as he inhaled deeply. When he was satisfied, he opened his eyes and peered over at the blonde. "Were you injured?" Legolas shook his head. 

"For a second I thought you dead. You were so still and wouldn't wake. You were covered in blood. I watched as you killed Bolg, Azog's general. You almost died". 

"Cats have nine lives", Namir smiled. 

Legolas sighed. "I was blinded by my anger at you for too long. You have been dear to men for hundreds of years, regardless of what shape you take. I know you Namir. And I want to court you, woo you. It is a chance I almost lost and I will not ignore it again". He took a breath. "When you are fully healed, I will find you a a true courting gift", he promised. One of his hands raised up to cup over his cheek.

Namir purred and basked in the touch. "Father said you have been helping to provide. Also, we have technically been wooing each other for three hundred years". 

"I know. Beorn has explained", Legolas leaned in closer to press their foreheads together. Namir made a happy meeping noise and his purring increased as he closed his eyes. "But I want to follow both our cultures". 

"Legolas", Namir muttered. "I'll wait for your gift then. Now please kiss me. I'm too sore to move much". 

He felt Legolas pull away sharply in surprise. He opened brown cat eyes to see wide blue ones. Then the blue ones settled and a warm smile was gracing the other's face. Legolas stroked his thumb over the soft pale skin under Namir's eye as he leant slowly back down. Namir closed his eyes as their lips met. It was a soft touch. A brief pressing of lips before a shared breath. A pause to treasure the closeness. Namir made a soft growl and Legolas chuckled before clothing the inches again. This kiss was deeper and slow. Namir's hands loosely gripping the green tunic as Legolas cradled his face in his hands. 

It was a minute before they pulled away. Namir yowled softly in protest and pouted. Legolas smiled fondly as cat eyes narrowed. "Be careful of your ribs", he warned. "No sharp breaths". 

Namir grumbled at the instructions and flicked his gaze to his bedside table. On it was sitting a jug of water with a cup. One hand snuck from the sheets and poked at the wooden cup. It seemed empty. "Would you like some water?" Legolas asked, reaching for the jug. Namir shook his head, eyes fixed on the cup and how close it was to the edge of the table. (He couldn't resist). He poked the cup again and it teetered towards the edge. The elf frowned at him, catching on to what he was doing. "Namir", it was a slight warning tone. 

Namir smiled a wide cheeky grin as he continued to purr, then he flicked the cup off the edge of the table. It clattered loudly on the wooden floor and rolled off across the room. Legolas sighed and eyed him with amused fondness. Namir's grin was smug. "I can't help it. Instincts". 

"Miog", Legolas breathed as he leant down to press a kiss to Namir's forehead. "I should pick that up". Namir just purred contentedly. 

unedited

Radag = beast

Miog = cat

but legolas used them like 'beastie' and 'kitty'. 

Egleri- I Elena = praise the stars

Only the epilogue left guys and this book will be completed.  Please vote, comment, or follow!