Chapter 4: Grown Girls
Sixteen years have passed. Beorn groomed the girls into fit Skin-changers. Food had become scarce, deer and elks haven't roamed the lands as they once did. Beorn had to figure how to get food.
Beorn came to the girl's beds. "Luna? Nova? Time to wake?" He said. The two slept peacefully in their beds. He walked up to Nova and stroked her head. "Nova, wake up." He whispered. She moaned, but sat herself up and stretched. Beorn made his way to Luna. "Luna, get up." Beorn said kissing her forehead. Fluttering her eyes open she sat up wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Good morning Papa." She said sweetly hugging him.
"Morning my little bunny." Beorn said hugging her back.
"Papa you shouldn't call her that." Nova said making her bed.
"Are you upset that I don't us your special name?" Beorn asked with a smile.
"No! I'm not four anymore. All I'm saying is that we're grown women." Nova said fluffing her pillow.
"Get changed and ready for the day." Beorn told the girls.
"Do we have training today?" Luna asked.
"I'll talk with you over breakfast." Beorn said.
Nova looked over to Crescent's empty bed. "Papa where's Crescent?" she asked.
"She is out on her morning run." Beorn answered.
"Figures, always first up and last down." Nova mumbled. Nova began to make up Crescent's bed for her. "She never makes her bed before her run. Now I get stuck doing it." Nova huffed looking at the torn blankets.
Beorn laid the morning meal out onto the dining table. An assortment of nuts, sweet wild berries, honey combs, flapjacks, and a dozen boiled eggs. Setting the plates he heard the front door open. "Crescent how was your morning run!?" Beorn asked. She came in dragging a buck's corps behind her.
"It was fine, picking up on my speed." She said dragging the deer in the kitchen.
"Looks like you bagged a buck." Beorn said holding it by the horns.
"He was fast and a fighter. Almost took my eye out." Crescent said opening the meat cellar. "I was surprised to see that deer still roamed these lands." She said watching her father place the deer in.
"Few still do." Beorn told her shutting the door and latching it. "How was the perimeter?" He asked as the retreated back into the dining area.
"Secured, I didn't catch any scent of Orcs." She answered pouring the mugs of milk.
"Good, you've done very well." Beorn said patting her shoulder. Nova and Luna soon joined the dining area. "Everyone come let's eat." Beorn said taking a seat. Nova made plates up for each of them, passing them along. Luna sat with a rabbit on her lap and mice nibbling food off her finger. Crescent devoured the food once the plate was set down. Beorn ate watching the girls enjoying the meal.
"Crescent we turn into wolves that doesn't mean we have to eat like them." Nova said with attitude.
"Unlike you I've been doing my daily runs." Crescent said eating a whole boiled egg.
"Luna you need to stop feeding them, that's why they come back." Nova nagged.
"They're not bothering anyone."Luna said petting the rabbit.
"Girls let's not argue. I need to speak with you all." Beorn said.
"What is it Papa?" Luna asked.
"The food is becoming scarce in our land. I barley have enough to feed you and myself." He said.
"What does that mean Papa?" Nova asked.
"It means food is running low." Crescent said.
"Then I won't feed the animals my meals." Luna said picking the mice up and placing them on the ground.
"Don't worry Luna I have though hard on this situation." Beorn said. Standing he cleared his throat, "You all have blossomed into beautiful Skin- changers. You've all learned certain skills that will help you hunt, track, and survive. That is why I've decided that you can go hunt outside of our lands."
"You mean it?" Crescent asked.
"Yes, you are all old enough." He answered.
"Thank you! Oh thank you papa!" Crescent said giving him a hug. "I can't wait! Let's go pack!" she shouted running from the table.
"What is our plan?" Nova asked.
"You'll take the horses to the mountains peek; from there you can set on foot." Beorn said.
"Shouldn't we take them the whole journey?" Luna asked.
"We're learning to hunt and survive like Skin-Changers Luna. Using the horses will slow us down on a hunt." Nova answered.
"Don't fear for the horses they know their way back." Beorn assured Luna.
"You better pack to head out; you'll want to reach the south part of the forest before nightfall." Beorn said. The girls packed the ready the horses.
My girls were so excited to be traveling outside the lands. I know they'll watch over one another, but I still worry of what can happen. Long as they make it to the green wood I'll know they will be safe. I haven't felt pain like this in a long time.
"Be safe." Beorn said as they road off.
The girls travailed for day finally reaching the greenwood. Dismounting Luna gathered the horses and led them to the path. "Head back to Papa." She spoke softly to them. The horse galloped down the path. "I hope they get back." Luna said.
"They'll get back fine." Crescent said.
"Should we go on two feet or four?" Nova asked.
"I'd say two; will us less energy that way." Crescent answered. They made it down into the forest path. The trees seemed to never end continuing on and on. Walking till subset the girls stopped for the night. "We'll be sleeping here for the night." Crescent said placing the food sacks down. "Gather some fire wood Nova. Luna you gather blue berries from those bushes." Crescent ordered. The two started on their chores while Crescent walks deep into the forest.
In the middle grew an old tree; large and wide with bark dark as suit but smelled of pure honey. Crescent placed her hand on it flashing back.
"Beorn why are traveling so far?" Crescent asked walking along side him.
"I need to show you something important." Beorn answered looking ahead.
"Why did Nova and Luna stay back at the camp site?" She asked.
"I feel they won't be able to handle what I am going to show you. Crescent you're much stronger in will and spirit then your sisters. You are going to be an alpha one day; but to achieve that possession you can't hold onto the pass." Beorn answered.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"This is about your mother; she won't be coming back for you or your sisters." Beorn answered.
"Yes she will. Our mama never breaks a promise." Crescent said.
"She would never do that on purpose, but this time she had no choice." He sadly informed the girl.
"Where's my mama? You know where she is. Where is she!?" Crescent asked tearing up.
"She is here." Beorn answered with a heavy heart. Walking with her through the bush he brought her to a large tree. They stood a mere three feet away from the tree. Beorn looked down to the girl examining her. She stood hand clasped over her mouth; tears' flowing down her cheeks, and her whole body was frantically shaking. Crescent stared at her mother's body; her mother had gone into her wolf form when she was killed. The Orcs chopped her head off; then had her paws chopped off and fur was hung in the tree for other animals to pick at.
"Mama?" Crescent cried curling up to Beorn.
"Orcs are a cruel race. They steal our fur and paws, collecting them like trophies." Beorn said kneeling and comforting the child. "Crescent your mother was a noble woman, she gave up her life for you and your sisters. You need to be strong like she was, and watch over your sisters. "He told her.
"I want to go home Papa." She cried.
Seeing she wanted comfort Beorn picked her up. Hugging her they started back to the camp. Wrapping her arms around Beorn's neck she looked back at the black tree.
"Crescent!" Nova shouted.
Crescent kissed the tree whispering, "I'm going to make you proud mama." She headed back to the campsite. Returning she picked up a scent in the air. "You smell that?" she asked.
"Yes, what should we do?" Nova asked.
"Leave it, if it's anything dangerous we can handle it." Crescent answered.
"What if it attacks us when we sleep?" Nova asked looking the area over.
"It would have attacked already; it knows we're on to it." Crescent whispered. "Let's eat then get some sleep. We have a long day of hunting." Crescent said lying on the ground. Luna was the first out like a light, Nova hesitated but fell soon after, and as usual Crescent was last to fall asleep. Something was watching over the girls in the distance and she was ready.