Chapter 17

The soft rays of the sun entered through Beorn's bedroom window, caressing Ornella's sleeping face. She slowly opened her eyes, staring ahead at the wall. Groggy, it took her a moment to realize where she was and what happened the night before. A small smile involuntarily spread on her face, biting her lip with a blush when she remembered. She looked over her shoulder expecting to see a sleeping skin-changer beside her but she was alone.

She sat up, the blanket falling off her naked form as she gasped at the painful soreness that spread through her. She winced, instinctively bringing a hand in between her legs. Even so, the memory of what caused the soreness aroused her through the pain. Beorn hadn't been exaggerating when he said he wasn't an ordinary man.

Her mind flooded with images of the amorous glow of the candles and fireplace against their sweating, panting forms. He had been gentle and patient, preparing her for his girth by bringing her to climax repeatedly with his hands and mouth. There wasn't an inch of her skin that went untouched. When she was ready for him, the beast inside of him unleashed as he warned it would.

She found herself pressed against the walls, leaning over furniture and writhing on his bed. His animal-like grunts and groans filling her ears, she would cry out his name knowing it only excited him to hear it. His hunger was immense and she was more than willing to satiate it.

Hi, Master!

Ornella started at the sudden bark, smiling over at the shaggy dog who spoke from the door. She slid out of bed and dressed quickly.

"Good morning to you too, my friend."

Mr. Beorn wanted me to check and see if you were still sleeping.

Having no idea what he was barking about, Ornella hushed him with a soothing pat before walking outside in search of Beorn. Her heart leapt seeing him rounding the house just as she closed the door behind her and Aldo. Their eyes met. She felt a sudden shyness overcome her while Beorn felt a tingling in his chest seeing his lover awake.

They met halfway, an amatory tenseness standing between them. Beorn couldn't help but smirk at Ornella's bashfulness. He'd be lying if he said he didn't feel a little bashful himself but he hid it much better than she did.

"Good morning," He finally said, "How did you sleep?"

"Like a rock," She blushed fiercely.

"I would imagine so," He chuckled, stepping closer to her with an abrupt seriousness, "And, how are you feeling?"

"Sore," She teased, regretting it when concern etched his face.

He took her hands in his, bringing them to his lips. A pang of guilt settled on his chest. All the while, his eyes never left hers. She swallowed, her stomach jumping at the tender gesture.

Truth be told, he had been pleasantly surprised at her ability to keep up with his libido, her carnality matching his. Like Ornella, last night had been all he thought of since he awakened. When he woke up naked beside the equally naked woman, he thought for the briefest moment that he had been dreaming. His body wanted to touch her sleeping form and wake her with gentle lovemaking but knew she was exhausted. With a gentle kiss on her shoulder, he quietly made himself scarce to tend to his animals, allowing her to rest.

"Forgive me, little clover," He said softly, "It will go away."

"With practice, you mean?"

It was his turn to blush, clearing his throat embarrassedly.

"Yes."

Their moment was interrupted by a call of what sounded like an eagle. Ornella looked up at the sky in the direction of the mighty screech, her mouth dropping open at the massive eagle that sent her hair flying as it landed before them. Frozen in place, she stared wide-eyed at the bird as it began to click and chatter as if trying to tell them something. Despite not speaking the language of beasts as Beorn did, she could hear the urgency in his loud chirping.

Beorn listened closely, a graveness tensing his brow. He made a few chirping noises in return before grabbing a hold of Ornella's upper arms, forcing her to look at him.

"I must go. You must promise to be cautious in my absence," He urged her, remembering how her defiance had gotten her in trouble in the past.

"W-Where are you going?" She blinked, taken aback.

"I am needed in battle. There is no time to explain," He cupped her cheek, pressing his forehead against hers, "I will return to you."

The idea of him charging into battle made her blood cold. Her breathing began to quicken panickily but he pressed his lips against hers firmly, sliding a hand into her hair. In his kiss, she found her courage. Nearly having to tear his lips away from hers, she shuddered out a tearful whisper.

"Come back to me."

"I will," He assured her before turning his attention to the eagle.

She helplessly watched him climb on it before the eagle took off with the Beorning on his back.

A week later

The moon hung among a midnight blanket of stars, twinkling victoriously for the battle won. Ornella would be celebrating with the stars but instead, she was inside cleaning and anxiously waiting for her bear's return.

Ornella sat back on her heels, wiping the sweat off her forehead as she finished scrubbing the floors of the entire house. Worrying herself into a frenzy, she opted for burying herself in chores to keep her distracted. Beorn left without any further explanation of this supposed battle but her senses told her it had something to do with the dwarves they had seen months ago.

How she wished she could have gone with him but knew that her mediocre archery and old bow would be of no help. She reminded herself constantly that Beorn was more than capable of caring for himself. After all, even Orcs were wary of the great bear.

"Let's go for a ride," She said out loud to the dog lying nearby, giggling as Aldo's ears perked up excitedly.

The dog hopped anxiously after Ornella, running in circles around her and Lucky. She climbed on her horse, giving him a loving rub before guiding him out of the house and out into the cool night. Aldo ran ahead of them only to return, barking for them to hurry. He repeated that all the way to the clover field until they finally reached it.

The clover field is where Ornella found herself at the end of every night. It was moments like this where her deep fear of losing Beorn and immense loneliness was soothed. She supposed it was both a blessing and a curse to be in love with someone. Back in her village, she would see men driven to alcoholism over a broken heart and women becoming sick and near-death over the loss of a lover. A shattered heart was the only thing besides violence that could kill even an elf.

A broken heart was indeed deadly and she didn't think she could stomach it.

"Stop thinking," She spoke to herself as she sat on Lucky, eyes glistening with unshed tears, "He will return."

"Will he?"

She released a half-scream, her head snapping over her shoulder to look at the tall intruder. Her mouth fell open, scrambling off of Lucky and running into Beorn's open arms. She threw her arms around his neck, the Beorning picking her up and hugging her tightly as she burst into relieved tears.

"How I missed you," He whispered lovingly into her ear.

"And I, you," She blubbered against his chest ungracefully.

He smirked, shaking his head as he cupped her face in his hands. His lips found hers, kissing her deeply and passionately until her tears subsided, Aldo barking and running around them happily.

Ornella suddenly laughed weepily against his lips. They both watched Aldo sprint in circles like a mad dog.

"It seems I am not the only one who is happy you have returned."

"I promised I would," He reminded her, "And I had every intention of keeping it."

Before Ornella could respond, she squealed as he scooped her up in arms. Cradled like a child, she couldn't help but laugh as he began to dart towards their home, whistling sharply for Lucky and Aldo to follow.

"Where are you taking me?" She questioned him as her arms settled around his neck.

"My bed, little clover."

They couldn't make it back fast enough.