Chapter 2: Sanctuary
"Stay behind me." Nova said pulling back Luna. Nova bravely stood her ground, teeth showing with a low warning growl, and crouched ever so slightly. "You don't scare me or my sister!" Nova shouted at the man.
"He scares me." Luna cried grabbing onto Nova's dress. The man looked at the two girls.
"I don't remember a village being near." Beorn said to himself. "Could they have come from a human's village? They're taller than any human child, more in the height range of a woman. Children their age shouldn't be wondering these woods without a mother or father. Wearing nothing but dresses made out of raw materials and bare foot." He though looking them over. "They've must have come down from the Northern Mountain. Could they be Skin-Changers to?"
The man got eye level with the girls. "Hello, what are your names?" He asked in a soft tone.
"Our mama told us never to reveal our names." Nova told the man.
"What if I gave you my name first?" He asked.
"Why?" Nova asked.
"So that way we won't be strangers anymore." He said.
"Mama never said we couldn't ask for names." Luna whispered to Nova.
"What is your name?" Nova asked.
"I am Beorn. What are your names?" Beorn asked again.
"I am Nova and this is my younger sister Luna." Nova answered.
"Only by a few minutes." Luna said.
"You are twins?" He asked Luna, trying to gain her trust.
"We're triplets." She answered walking out from behind Nova.
"Triplets? Then where is your other sibling?" He asked.
"Back there eating." Nova told Beorn.
"Why is it that you two are here and she is eating alone?" He asked.
"Well, it's my fault." Luna whimpered. "She found a family of bunnies to kill. I didn't want her to hurt them so I scared them off. Crescent was too fast, she cornered one in a bush and killed it." Luna said.
"She told us to go find our own food. We were eating worms and grubs, and then I spotted you." Nova said.
These girls were much too young to survive without a mother. "It's okay my dear." Beorn said whipping her tears away. A strong gust of wind blew sending chills to the girls. Another storm was going to hit tonight. "Another harsh winter storm seems to be coming." Beorn said looking at the sky.
"We should head back to Crescent and find another hole to sleep in." Nova told Luna.
"I don't want to sleep in a hole again." Luna whimpered.
"I have a house nearby if you would all like to stay there for the night." Beorn suggested.
"Does it have a bed and fire place?" Luna asked.
"Yes both very huge." Beorn said stretching his arms.
"That does sound nice?" Nova said.
"Take me to your sister, I'll speak with her." Beorn said. Luna held Beorn's hand as Nova lead them back. Crescent had been digging under an old tree stump, trying to make a big enough hole for them to take shelter.
"Crescent there's someone we want you to meet." Nova said poking into the make shift hole.
"You brought a stranger?" She asked.
"He's a friend." Nova said as the two climbed out of the hole. "Crescent this is Beorn." Nova introduced him. Crescent looked up at the huge man.
"It's nice to meet you." Beorn said kneeling shaking the girl's hand.
"Nice to meet you. I'm sorry but we have to take shelter." Crescent said pulling her hand back.
"Beorn knows about the storm." Luna said.
"He's offered us shelter for the night." Nova said.
"I've made us a shelter." Crescent said pointing to the hole.
"We'll freeze in there." Nova said.
"If you come to my house you can keep warm." Beorn said. He could see Crescent wasn't too convinced. "It will be only for the night. In the morning you can leave if you wish."Beorn told the girls. The wind blew harder as Beorn sheltered Luna best he could. Seeing her sisters suffering Crescent nodded. "Let's get out of this chill." He said picking up Luna and Nova. Crescent walked along side him. As they walked Beorn seen Crescent becoming tired. "Would you like for me to carry you?"
"I'm okay" Crescent said with a yawn. Beorn chuckled then picked her up. Crescent laid her head on his shoulder.
Reaching the house the girls had fallen asleep in my arms. Unlatching the door I crept in quietly trying not to wake them. Slowly and softly I placed them onto my resting chair in the dining area. Outside the wind blew and the snow raged across the land. To think what would have happened to these three, I can't even. I pulled the extra wool blankets out, covering the bed with them. I retrieved each child from the chair, placing them down on the soft bed. Taking the blanket I laid it across them, tucking them in. Retreating back to my chair, I looked out the window at the snow.