Chapter 13: Rough Morning
Beorn woke up in a bitter mood, he walked passed the stables were his daughter slept. Nova got up, she carefully stepped over the dwarves getting to Luna."Luna wake up." she whispered. She looked down to see the dwarves heads resting on her younger sisters breast, she scoffed at the perverted little men. Luna fluttered her eyes open looking up at Nova. "We need to get our chores done." she said. Luna nodded, carefully she took each Dwarf off placing them down. As usual Crescent was up, she was taking her morning run burning off steam from last night.
"Nova go gather berries and nuts." Beorn said. She nodded grabbing a basket for the food.
"Luna go pick some carrots." Beorn said.
"Yes Papa. Are you mad with Nova?" Luna asked.
"Your sister defied my orders. I will not stand for that." Beorn said.
"I begged her to let them stay. Papa they needed our help." Luna admitted.
"Luna I know you mean well but outsiders are not to be trusted." Beorn said.
"They could have changed over years." Luna said. Beorn scoffed then chuckled a bit easing the tension. "I don't like seeing you angered. Please forgive Nova?" Luna asked. Beorn nodded and made his way to Nova. Luna smiled and left for the garden. Nova picked the berries filling up the basket. She turned to see her father, it gave her a bit of a surprise.
"Papa, I didn't see you there. I'll bring the berries right in." Nova said keeping her head down.
"Nova I came to apologize." Beorn said stopping her.
"Luna guilt tripped you." Nova said looking slightly up.
"Yes. Listen I know you were only doing the right thing. I just seem to be stuck in the past." Beorn said rubbing at his shackle. Nova feeling bad hugged her father. Beorn embraced the hug, he kissed Nova forehead. "Go help your sister. I'll be chopping woods." Beorn said sending her off. Nova rushed off to help Luna, Beorn went to the chopping block, he removed his shirt then grabbed his large ax. His ponies played in the field as he chopped the pieces of wood. Not far from them Crescent was hunting a handful of rabbits. With one swipe of her giant paw, an a crunch of her jaws the little animals became lifeless. It seem that she was becoming more violent. Catching her breathe she heard the chopping of wood. She regained herself quickly shifting back into a human and dressed. Crescent gathered the dead rabbits up then headed back to the house.
Bilbo woke to find giant bees flying around his head, he looks around and sees everyone had already awoken. He heard them arguing among themselves. Quickly he got up an dressed.
"Don't blame me." Dori said aloud.
"We should never have come here. It was a mistake! I said this to myself." Gloin said aloud.
Nori stepped forward, "I say we should leg it. Slip out the back way."
Dwalin grabbed him by his collar. "I'm not running from anyone. Beast or no." He growled at the thief. Nori was about to comment something stupid back until Gandalf interrupted.
"There is no point in arguing." The wizard said. "We can not pass through the Wilderland with out Beorn's help. We'll be hunted down before we ever get to the forest." Gandalf said slamming his staff. Bilbo joined the group of frantic Dwarves. "Bilbo there you are. Now, this will require some delicate handling. We must tread very carefully." Gandalf said making his way to the door. He turned back to the group, "The last person to have startled him was torn to shreds." Bilbo stared frozen in fear as the sound of the ax went. "Oh, We must also take cation around his third daughter Crescent."
"Haven't we met his children?" Bofur asked as he looked out the window.
"Two of them, Nova and Luna have taken a liking to all of you. That seems to be the reason why we made it through the night." Gandalf reassured the Dwarves. They sighed in relief that the two young ladies had their backs. "Now as for Crescent, she is mush like her father. Maybe a bit more pron to violence then Beorn. No doubt comes to me that if we offend her she will attack. So best behavior, and try best not to stare at her scars. Very rude you know and she'll take it as a challenge." Gandalf said.
"An whys that?" Fili asked.
"She has claimed a role as Alpha in these parts. Slaying any who cross into her father's land without permission, being Humans,Orcs, Elves, and Wargs. Each leaving a scar but none leaving in victory. Enemies see the scars as a sign of weakness, but soon come to find they are a reminder of fear. Being so accustom to it Crescent will take it as a challenge for her ranking a lead of the land." Gandalf answered giving every detail. The Dwarves fear came right back after hearing that. "Now i'll go out first and-Bilbo you come with me." Gandalf said calling the Hobbit over. Bilbo looked around unsure of to go, but Thorin gestured him to head off.
"I-Is this a good idea?" Bilbo asked.
"Yes." Gandalf answered. "Now the rest of you just wait here...and don't come out until i give the signal." Gandalf ordered.
"Right. Wait for the signal." Bofur said.
"No sudden moves or loud noises and don't overcrowd him. Only come out in pairs."
"Right." The Dwarves agreed.
"No, actually, Bombur." Gandalf said as the large Dwarf ate his carrot. "You count as two so you should come out alone." Bombur nodded in agreement. "Remember wait for the signal." Gandalf said as him and Bilbo walked out.
"The signal right. Signal, Yeah." The Dwarfs said to each other.
"What signal would that be." Bofur asked a little to late.
Gandalf walked out of the house with Bilbo. He looked to see the towering man chopping the wood and growling. Gandalf nervously brushed his hair back as the slowly approached. Beorn continued to chop his wood, Crescent came dropping a small pile of rabbits at his feet. Gandalf stopped looking at the pile of torn corps and feared the worst
"I caught extra rabbits. Sorry about their state." She said taking a seat on the ground.
"Good this will make a large enough stew." Beorn said chopping.
Bilbo looked at the eldest daughter. She stood a height of six-foot eight inches, she stood over Gandalf. She was smaller than her father but not less intimidating. Her hair was long reaching her backside. It was thick and smooth, black as a raven feather. Her face not so fair as her two younger sisters. Skin that was a walnut-shell color, and covered in various scars. Eyes shined yellow, lips natural pink, and cheek the same shade. She wore laced up short showing off her long legs. A laced up top much like her fathers. Her clothes were shades of browns and greens, most likely for camouflage. "Your nervous."" Bilbo commented to Gandalf. Gandalf looked to the Hobbit, hearing the ax and Beorn grunt he snapped back.
"Nervous? What nonsense." He commented. "Good Morning!" Gandalf said. Beorn ignored it but Crescent attention was brought to the wizard. She let out a small growl, her K-9 teeth revealed. Bilbo gulped starring at them and her father chopped harder. Gandalf didn't make eye contact with her but called out again, "Good Morning!"
"Who are you?" Beorn asked stopping.
"I'm Gandalf. Gandalf the Grey." Gandalf said bowing.
"Never heard of him." Beorn said turning.
"I'm a wizard. Perhaps you've heard of my colleague. Radagast the brown. He resides in the southern boarders of Mirkwood." Gandalf said.
"I know of him." Crescent commented. Gandalf nervously nodded in agreement.
"What do you want?" Beorn asked.
"Well simply to thank you for your hospitality. You may have noticed that we took refuge in your lodging here last nigh." Gandalf said. Bilbo peeked his head out from behind Gandalf.
"Who is this little fellow?" He asked.
"Ah this would be Mr. Baggins of the Shire." Gandalf answered.
"He's not a Dwarf, is he?" Beorn asked lifting his ax.
"Why... no he's a Hobbit. A good family and unimpeachable reputation." Gandalf said patting Bilbo on the back.
"His feet are much bigger then a Dwarves." Crescent said. Bilbo chuckled and looked down at his feet.
"A Halfling and a Wizard. How come you're here?" Beorn asked.
"Oh, well, the fact is the we've had a bad time of it. From Goblins int the mountains." Gandalf said.
"What did you go near Goblins for? Stupid thing to do." Beorn said.
"You are absolutely right." Gandalf said waving his arm.
"Do you think will spare you all." Crescent growled. Bilbo gulped at her threat. Inside Bofur seen Gandalf wave his arm, miss understanding the signal he had Dwalin and Balin walk out. Beorn and Crescent watched as two Dwarves walked out of the house.