Chapter 3: Papa Bear
The girls woke up to find a table full of food and a fire going. "Good morning girls." Beorn said setting out plates.
"Good morning." They said looking not only at the food but all of the wooden carvings.
"How did you all sleep last night? I hope you were warm enough." He said throwing a few more pieces of wood on the fire. The girls nodded, he smiled and wave them in. "Come sit. I made you all breakfast." He said. He helped each girl onto the bench.
"You mean first meal?" Crescent asked.
"No breakfast. You can't tell me you never had breakfast?" He chuckled. The girls nodded yes, all their lives they've been told when meals were given if any. "I see. Well go on dig in." He said. The three timidly took the food afraid if they would be punished for eating too much. "Don't be afraid go on." He said. The girls ate the fresh food, it was nothing like maggot bread, and it was much better then maggot bread."The storm hasn't stopped." He said.
"Mr. Beorn can we stay a little longer?" Crescent asked.
"I thought you wanted to leave." Beorn said.
"We never been out of the mountain. We are prisoners to Orcs and got away." Crescent said.
"We don't know where to go." Nova said.
"Of course you may stay with me. I would enjoy having the company." Beorn said. The girls smiled then began to eat. They adapted well to living in a normal home. Beorn on the other hand had trouble dealing with three little girls. They would always get into things and are very curious. In human years the girls were only four and at that age skin-changers can be dangerous.
"Papa I want that book." Nova pointed to the top of the book shelf.
"In a moment." He said brushing Luna's hair. Nova began to climb up the shelves. Losing her footing she dangled, Beorn turn and caught her as she fell along with the books. "There is your book." Beorn sighed.
The girls appetites grew they ate from morning till late night."Crescent you must wait it's almost ready." Beorn said as he based the roost, and then placed it back into the stone oven. Nova passed Beorn the potatoes for him to peal; he then put them in a bowl that Luna held. He heard a glass shatter in the kitchen, running in the kitchen he seen honey spilled on the floor and Crescent licking her hands. Beorn sighed picking her up, washed her hand then cleaned the floor. This had happened most of the time for meals. With Beorn sleeping terribly on either his chair or hay, he could barley stay wake for more than three hours. Come the spring he decided the girls would get beds of their own.
"We're getting beds!" Luna cheered jumping around. Crescent and Nova joined her in celebrating.
Beorn chuckled at the girl's excitement for getting their own beds. Beorn had built his bedroom into the wall much like a bear cave; he replicated his room into three others. As he chopped the wood for his project the girls would play in the field. They loved to be outside in the fresh air. Luna played with the lambs, Nova picked flowers, and Crescent took naps in the warm sun. Beorn finished the beds in a matter of weeks and he was exhausted.
"I love it!" Luna said jumping into it. She looked at the wall seeing that he carved bunnies into the wood. On the shelves he carved out little figures of dwarves, humans, and Elves.
Luna has me wrapped around her little finger. I could never imagine a child so sweet. She remind me much of a sweet little rabbit, but the term bunny is more for her.
Nova climbed into her bed. She gathered up her children books placing them on the built in shelves. A candle sat in its holder off the wall. She looked to see an owl carved. "Papa it's perfect."
Nova loved books, knowledge was sure to become her advantage. She'll learn many languages and texts. Learn to read maps properly. Wisdom of an owl, my little owlet.
Crescent got right to scratching up the pillows and tearing the sheets. It wasn't perfect until it was torn up. "I can see the woods. Can we go in the morning?" Crescent asked looking out the small window. Beorn patted her head.
Strong, determined, and loyal are traits she seems to have ganged in the last few months. Any father would be proud to call her his Alpha pup.
"Now you all get some sleep." Beorn said kissing each child cheek as he tucked them in. He laid in his bed ready for a well earn sleep. Drifting off Beorn awoke to howling. "Howling? No they couldn't be. Are they...howling?" he asked himself. Sitting up he looked to see Crescent, Nova, and Luna howling out the window. He put his hands on his head. "Wolves." He chuckled rubbing his temples.