This is a fanfiction, inspired by Tolkien's universe of middleearth. I do not own any of the chars. All characters belong to their original author.

Deep Faded Paws

~ Chapter 3 ~

The River Flows Frozen

All winter Jova helped Beorn in the house and became friends with the animals. Except for the horses of which Beorn took care of. The snow was melting soon and spring revived the valley. The past weeks Jova tried very hard to become friends with the ponies but they were not very fond of the young lady and her ambitions. Their respect for the grizzly master was related to his understanding for them. They had a bond. Beorn was able to talk to all the creatures of middle earth, except for those that were made by evil magic.

In the great yard Beorn was standing in the sun, preparing the ground for the vegetablesseed he prepared last year. Jova's voice reached his sensitive ears and he turned around. She was talking to the animals, running after them, begging for their attention which caused them to run away just when she made a step towards them. They were ignoring her like that for weeks. Days passed and Beorn always watched her trying to become friends with the horses.

One day he was chopping wood, gazing at her, interested in her actions. This time the young woman with the hazel, curly hair pretended to be extremely busy with some certain grass and flowers in her hands. Beorn leaned to his axe and stopped his work. The scene infront of him made him drool and a smile formed on his lips when the leading steed followed Jova, who only showed him her back. She was busy. The animal stood in complete confusion behind her. The steed huffed but Jova didn't react. Beorn smirked. Now she got him. Every word the poor steed adressed to her only aused to amuse his master from afar. Jova didn't have the gift he had, but the animal didn't know.

Jova didn't notice Beorn. Calm she walked a few steps. The horse followed her. Now even the herd was watching them. Jova sniffed and pretended to eat the precious meal in her hands. Eager the steed poked her shoulder and nuzzled her hair. Beorn chuckled. Giggling in joy Jova turned a little.

"You want some too...?"

The horse neighed softly and the next moment Jova fed the steed with her teaser. The grizzly man scratched his beard and chin line on the left. She had managed to catch the animals attention precisely. She was clever and learning to solve problems on her own. Beorn was a little impressed though he wouldn't admit.

The following days Jova gained the herds friendship and trust while Beorn prepared the beehives for the new bee queens. She ran over the plains with the herd, laughter filled the air. The shapeshifter enjoyed her company.

Warmer days came and the flowers were blooming, the hives growing of life so Beorn was looking forward to get some tasty honey soon. He and Jova were getting along very well. She helped him whenever she could. Taking care of the hens, ponies, dogs and all the other animals he always called 'friends'. Beorn used to live alone out here. She thought it was normal to call these creatures friends from his point of view.

At night Beorn always disappeared sooner or later. Leaving her home alone. She never asked where he went to but one night she could hear heavy footsteps long after he had left the house. They were not his, and infact Beorn never returned so soon. She held her breath.

A shiver ran down her spine as a shadow wandered across the window which was brightened little by starlight. Hasty but quiet she got up and locked the backdoor, then the front door. Why didn't the dogs bark nor growl? She saw how afraid they hid under the table. She shifted away from the walls and sat down in Beorn's huge chair. She tried to hold her breath, waiting for the intruder to get lost. Strange noises, some scratching, some stomping, echoed in the halls of her host.

The next morning Jova woke up early. She didn't remember when she fell asleep but the fear still clung to her when she got up. Sunlight broke into the house through the small windows. It gave the house a friendly warmth. She peeked into Beorns room but it was empty. No snorting. He always used to be home before dawn.

"Beorn?"

No reply. Carefully she moved to the front door and opened it, afraid of what might lurk outside. Instead of an orc or warg she saw the tall grizzly man on the ground, in the grass.

"Beorn?!"

Her eyes were wide open in shock, she ran towards him. He was naked and hurt. She shook his shoulder as she kneeled down, wondering what had happened to him. Suddenly Beorn moved, groaning terrifying before his eyes opened. Jova was terrified, they were deep dark, and like a rolling thunder he growled at her, which caused her to scoop away as quick as possible. Staring at him in disbelief. When his eyes turned to those she knew her paralized knees finally obeyed and she quickly got up. Everything in her screamed to get away from him, from this place. She ran into the house to get her stuff. His voice, calling her name, echoed inside her ears but she didn't respond. She had to leave this strange place. What was going on here?

She ran into the kitchen to get a knife when Beorn stood in the door.

"Jova?"

"Back! Stay away!"

She flung around, pointing at him with the long blade. Slowly he closed the door behind him. The shakle around his wrist clacked against the handle.

"Let me explain.."

"What in the name of Valar are you?!"

He stepped closer, his eyes set to the knife and than to her eyes.

"You don't understand, -"

"Don't come any closer!"

Beorn shook his head slightly.

"I am a shapeshifter. Sometimes ... I change. "

He drew closer, eyes on her trembling hands which clung around the knife. She backed away. Her hearbeat rose, he could hear it, like drums in his sensitive ears. This is not what he wanted.

"So, lying naked in the yard, growling at me like a beast is simply your way?!"

Nervous she licked over her dry lips, she couldn't back away anymore she stood with the back to the huge sink, while he moved closer and closer.

Five months had passed, living together under one roof. What did he just say? She was confused.

He stood still. Her eyes became wet.

"You locked the door, I couldn't get home, that's why I remained outside."

She bit her lower lip. Beorn saw the inner fight of the young woman reflecting in her expressions. Her beautiful eyes locked to his. They were filled with tears and pure angst. Beorn hated the way he made her feel about him. The shapeshifter liked her. She was good company. Does she hate him now?

"Give me that... Come on Jova. You don't want to hurt me, do you?"

"Do YOU?!" Jova asked in return.

He frowned and reached out for the knife, very slow and carefully. When his fingertips touched the blade he was still staring at her. Finally she let go and the knife fell to the ground. She was scared of him and he hated that.

Calm he kicked the knife aside and grabbed her. When her curly brown hair hit his bare chest he felt her tears on his skin. Crying like a child in his arms. Jova mumbled something about him being a beast but he didn't mind. She was mad because he scared her to death. He simply held her until she was calming down.

"Do you feel better now? ..I am what I am. I never wanted to scare you, nor could I harm you. You should know that.. I'm sorry.. Jova."

The smell of Wood and Wind and even the whole forest clung to his skin. Jova dried her tears with the back of her hand, pushing him aside softly but demanding. His Skin was warm under her fingers. She blushed lightly and looked away. Right, he didn't wear any clothes.

"Why didn't you tell me about it? Don't you think.. That I should have known of that curse upon you? I mean, you could have..-"

She turned away from him to give him some privacy while he grabbed some trousers and got dressed.

"It is no curse. It's my blood. Sometimes I am a bear. Sometimes.. this. I've never been anything else. This is me.."

She noded deep in thoughts looking to the ground.

"I know what people talk about my kind.. Eating children. And worse. All lies! It is better to keep the secret, where the last beorning lives."

His eyes met hers when he moved closer again and touched her shoulder.

"The last ..? You are all alone? " She saw the pain and sadness, in his eyes when she gazed over her shoulder. Never before did he speak open about his past.

She touched his hand and slid her own down to the iron around his wrist. "And this...?"

"Orcs.."

"They caught you? But... You hunt them?"

"They killed everyone in my village. We were the first to live up in the moutains. Then .. Fire, death. They kept some of us for their "entertainment", torturing us. Some died back then. I managed to escape and recover."

Jova frowned "That's horrible.." She whispered.

Beorn noded calm.

"So you take revange every night..?"

"Yes.."

"That's why they didn't attack, or follow me.. They fear you."

Jova studied the shapeshifters face. She tried to imagine him as a bear. Which was odd and seemed impossible but it gave her the answers due to her questions. A Shapeshifter. He was real. Elves, dwarves, giant spiders. She had seen many things people talked about in the townhall and surrounding villages. Why did a Shapeshifter surprise her like that? If Beorn wanted to hurt her he would've done that the past months. Jova liked him. And she was still grateful for his help.

"Maybe" He hummed soothing.

"So you were hurt last night, and prowling around the house, weren't you?" She moved and began to check his back for new wounds. Only few scratches but also bite marks of a big predator.

His back stiffened. He didn't dare to move. Giving her the time to take care of his few wounds.

"Yes.. I wanted to sleep."

She noded "I'm sorry I was afraid..You're quite impressive... That was a warg, wasn't it?"

His brows raised amused.

"I mean by what you're doing."

He chuckled. Jova puffed his arm playful.

Later that day they sat by the fire and Beorn was carving something. They didn't speak but both were saitsfied. Jova knew she had to leave him soon. When he looked up he met her green eyes.

"What is it..?"

She took a breath.

"I have to go."

He noded and continued his crafting.

"Whenever you want to start your journey.."

Beorn mumbled. He had mixed feelings about this and tried to focus on the pieace of wood which slowly turned into a bear.

"My mother told me about Rohan. She had a sister living back there. She said that this is the only family left and I should go and find her."

Beorn hummed.

"May I visit you?"

He rose his head in surprise.

"Yes.. Well no, it.. could be dangerous for you."

She noded in agreement. The world became a dangerous place, conquered by creatures of evil. She knew he was right though she already missed him.

"Jova.. You are always welcome, but I know that you won't return. And that's alright.."

She got up and fed the flames with some wood before she lay down in the cove. She was a little upset but she simply tried to sleep, while the blade of Beorn's knife carved the wood. Some how she was hurt.