Chapter 11: Who's House?
Beorn and his daughters stayed secluded to their home for months. The girls were given certain jobs to keep everything in the house orderly. Nova did the house cleaning, Luna cared for the live stock, and Crescent took boarder watch from sun rise till sun set.
"I know you want to eat but don't crowd. Look I was able to get you extra cabbage today." Luna said feeding the bulls. The mooed as she filled the buckets of food.
Nova chuckled washing dishes. Luna went back to grab more greens when Nova stopped her. "Luna Your tracking mud from the stables. Why can't you and Crescent wear the boots Papa made us?" Nova asked looking at her muddy feet. She tossed a wet rag to her.
"Sorry I forgot." Luna said whipping the mud from her feet. "You know Crescent hates the boots. she hates anything dad makes."
"What has you saying that?" Nova asked. Luna reached behind the huge pulling out the pair of torn up boots. "It's like when we were pups." Nova said looking them over.
"Remember how many pairs of boots Papa had to make himself." Luna giggled.
"Girls? What are you doing?" Beorn asked as he enter the home. Seeing six pairs of boots chewed and torn up. The girl's adult fangs were coming in, so they began teething. Nova sat on the chair chomping away at a boot heel. Crescent and Luna played tug-o-war with his boot, pulling and rolling on the ground. Little wolf tails wagging happily. Crescent pulled Luna across the floor as she clenched onto the boot. He sighed holding up a boot, but the girls just gave me innocent looks.
"I made at least ten pairs after that." Beorn laughed joining the girls. He kissed each girls cheek, brushing their hair with his fingers. "Did you both finish your chores?"
"Yes Papa." Both girls answered.
"Well if that's all then go enjoy the day." He told the girls as he went to the door.
"Where are you going?" Nova asked.
"I'm going to take watch with Crescent. You two can eat with out us." Beorn said.
"Okay. Be safe Papa." The girls said.
"Don't you worry." He said latching the door behind him. Beorn walked intro the forest reaching the edge of his boarder. Removing his clothing and placing them behind a tree, he then transformed into a huge brown bear. Trailing through the forest he smelt every rock and tree he pasted. Trying to find any new scents. He turned to see Crescent sitting a top of the hill. Beorn told her many times to us animal form when on patrol.
"Father what are you doing here?" Crescent asked walking down the hill. Beorn growled nuzzling up to her. "I know. I know. You should have shifted." She said rubbing his snout. "Earlier on the north end I smelt a pack of Orc." she said. Beorn growled looking to the north end. "Not to far from here. What should we do?" She asked. Beorn growled walking off. She went behind a tree to undress. Removing her pants and corset top, she hid them under a near by tree. Crescent transformed into a huge black wolf. "Watch the low lands near the house. I will scout up the hill." he said snorting. Crescent took off for the house.
Bilbo keeping an eye out for the Orcs sees them ride on their Wargs. He watched as Azog search for himself and the Company. Bilbo went to leave when he spotted a larger creature from a distance. Getting back to the company they surrounded the breathless hobbit.
"How close is the pack?" Thorin asked.
"Too close, couple of leagues, no more. That's not the worst of it." Bilbo said.
"Have the Orcs picked up our scent?" Dwalin asked.
"Not yet, but they will. We have another problem." Bilbo said.
"Did they see you? They saw you." Gandalf said.
"No, that's not it." Bilbo assured him.
"Good, what did I tell you? Quite as a mouse. Excellent burglar material." Gandalf praised the Hobbit. The Dwarves start talking among themselves, agreeing with Gandalf.
"Will you just listen! I'm trying to tell you there is something else out there." Bilbo said trying to get attention.
"What form did it take? Like a bear?" Gandalf asked.
"Ye...Yes, but bigger. Much bigger." Bilbo answered surprised.
Everyone looks at Gandalf, Bofur was the only one to speak up, "You knew about this beast?" Gandalf didn't reply but turns away to think for a moment. "I say we double back." Bofur said.
"We'll be run down by a pack of Orcs." Thorin replied.
"There is a house; it's not far from here, where we might take refuge." Gandalf told the Dwarves.
"Whose house? Are they friend or foe?" Thorin asked.
"Neither. He will help us or he will kill us." Gandalf answered.
"What choice do we have?" Thorin asked.
Suddenly they hear the creature roaring nearby. Gandalf looked to them answering, "None." The Dwarves and Bilbo made a run for it away from the Carrock led by Gandalf. The Orcs hot on their heals. They stop when they heard the creature roaring close by.
"How much further?" Dwalin asked.
"Not much." Gandalf commented.
"I think we lost that creature." Bilbo said catching his breathe. Hearing a snarl Bilbo turned, he watched as a huge black wolf appeared.
Gandalf could tell by her body language she was ordered to kill on sigh. "This way! Quickly!" Gandalf yelled. They all made a run for it, the wolf leap down chasing them. Gandalf took his staff hitting the wolf before it could catch Balin. Crescent laid on the ground, Beorn came getting her back up. Gandalf spotted the house ahead. "Into the house! Run!" Gandalf yelled, Bombur passed by everyone not looking back. AS they reached the house he ran into the door. The Dwarves panicked trying to unlock the large door, "Come on! Get inside!" Gandalf yelled. As the last remaining Dwarves and Bilbo all rush towards the house, Gandalf seen the two creatures coming through the woods after them. "Open the door!" He yelled as the bear closed in, the wolf not far behind.
"Quickly!" Thorin order. He pushed ahead and manages to open the door, they all ran inside yelling. Just as they were about to close the door the bear lunged its head in. Panicking the Dwarves all pushed to close the door. "Come on, lads!" Thorin yelled. The bear roared showing his huge teeth. They finally manage to shut the door and lock it, catching themselves they looked at the huge house.