Chapter 14
Beorn eventually walked home from the clover fields. It had been no use waiting for the anguish he felt to stop. He felt weary, his body wishing to sleep but his heart ached to find Ornella; to gather her in his arms and ask her forgiveness for his mistreatment. Though her words had sliced through his heart like a steel blade, it had been no excuse for manhandling her. Had he not once said a man who lays hand on a woman deserves a painful death? He undoubtedly left bruises on her gentle skin from his unintentional grip – he would never forgive himself.
His house now in sight, he could see Aldo pacing back and forth as if waiting for Beorn to arrive. Once the dog noticed him, he began to cry out high-pitched barks. Beorn frowned at the inexplicable dread that chilled his bones, quickening his pace towards the dog.
Thank goodness you've arrived, Mr. Beorn, Aldo whined fretfully, I cannot find my master!
"What do you mean?" Beorn's frown deepened, looking up at the house.
He quickly began to walk inside, forgetting altogether he was still nude. Aldo ran after him, explaining along the way.
I cannot smell her anywhere near. I am worried, Mr. Beorn.
Beorn stormed into the house, looking around frantically.
"Ornella!" He barked out warningly, peeved at the concern she was making him feel once more.
He stormed further into the house, shoving things out of his way he otherwise would've walked around. The animals inside began to shuffle and sputter, their master's anxiety rubbing off on them. Beorn returned to the dining room, his hands gripping the edge of the table with the intent of flipping it over in his worriment.
Then he saw a speck of green on the table.
His body became rigid, honey-brown eyes piercing at the single clover. left behind. Aldo peered up at Beorn, choosing to remain silent for once. He watched Beorn slowly reach for the clover he had gifted her many nights ago, picking it up almost fearfully.
Vexation quickly transformed into grief.
He closed his fist around the clover, gritting his teeth so hard he could hear them grinding. Aldo startled when Beorn pounded the table with his fist so hard, it cracked the wood.
Where is she, Mr. Beorn...? Aldo asked worriedly, afraid of the answer.
Beorn couldn't bring himself to tell him. He was an obnoxious, overly enthusiastic mutt... but he was nothing if not loyal and Ornella's departure would break his heart – just as his own currently was. So, she had chosen to leave. He half-expected this day would come but he heavily underestimated how excruciating it would be.
Aldo's ears perked up at the sound of a horse trotting from a distance and coming closer. He ran out the door, anticipating Ornella's arrival on said horse.
Beorn, too, dashed to the window. Peeking outside, he saw only Mara scurrying hastily in their direction. A foreboding shudder spread through him as he rushed outside to meet her halfway.
Beorn, it's Ornella! Mara snorted anxiously, her legs trembling tiredly.
"Where is she?" He demanded with a desperation that disquieted Aldo.
Mirkwood Forest, hurry!
Beorn didn't spare another second, running towards the forest with a fearsome roar. The form of the man transfigured, his immense and clawed paws pounding through the fields. His fierce bellows echoed through the lands like a booming earthquake, other wildlife scurrying away from the noise.
I am coming, little clover.
Ornella wiggled within the confines of the web cocoon, the spinning motion dizzying her. She quickly began to feel cramped, a panic ensuing that would leave her feeling breathless. Tears rolled down the corner of her eyes as she began to silently cry, her screams trapped in her throat. She wanted to call out for help but was so horrified she could hardly breathe.
Then it came – the most wonderful sound she could have heard in that moment; the thundering cry of the savage black bear.
The spiders dropped Ornella's wrapped figure, crawling quickly towards the bear. She landed on the ground with a pained grunt. She began to squirm, trying to pull her arms from her side as Beorn battled with the two giant arachnids.
Their high-pitched shrieks of pain pierced Ornella's ears, the bear ripping their legs right off. Beorn's enormous jaw clamped on a spider but was yanked off by the other spider's remaining leg. He only narrowly dodged the spider's fangs, his sturdy form slowing him down. The fight continued only briefly, the Beorning beast victorious in the end.
Beorn took a moment, panting tiredly. He swayed as he turned towards Ornella's wrapped body. It wasn't moving. The bear pounced towards her, his nose nuzzling at the cocoon. He took a sharp canine, slowly and only slightly carving through the thick web. He was met with the miraculous sight of his little clover alive and petrified.
She was gasping, choking for air in her ongoing hysteria. A quiet and low wail reverberated from his furry chest as his shape shifted back to that of a man. The familiar face of the man she loved forced her to finally sit up, throwing her arms around his neck and weeping wretchedly. He brought his arms around her waist, holding her fiercely against him.
"You stupid, stupid girl," He whispered harshly into her hair, squeezing her hard against him.
He remembered feeling dread like this when his family was massacred. The small window when he thought her dead inside of the webbed coffin was a moment he never wanted to relive. He wanted to simultaneously throttle her and kiss her.
"I-I'm... s-sorry," She sobbed brokenly and repeatedly.
"Shhh," He hushed her tenderly, scooping her up in his arms, "We must go before more arrive."
Her arms remained around his neck as he cradled her, her tears falling against his bare shoulder. He walked the remainder of the way in silence, her muffled bawls tearing into his heart. How could he not blame himself when he had been the reason she left?
Pressing his lips against her hair, he tightened his hold on her. Crying herself to exhaustion, she unwillingly fell asleep.