Summary: After an unlucky night where you were chased by Orcs, your life forever changes when a huge bear saves you.
You wake up with a sudden realization.
You had no idea where you were, or how you got there.
All you could recall from the night before was that a bunch of Orcs were after you as you ran through the woods.
With a bleeding leg and a possibly broken wrist, you tried to dodge their arrows.
You ran fast but they managed to catch up. One of their wolves bit your ankle, making you fall and let out a groan of pain.
You could recall the loud noises the orcs made, you remember crying and the pain in your ankle and wrist getting worse.
Then a giant bear came out of nowhere and killed them all.
Your last thought was that you would be the dinner for this bear. You weren't exactly sure what happened after that at all.
But somehow, you woke up in this rather nice and cosy house.
As you moved, you let out a groan, the pain in your body finally setting in. You ran for so long, your feet hurt. Your ankle hurt where the wolf bit you and your wrist hurt because you fell and injured it.
You looked around the house, but no one was there.
You thought a giant might have lived there, given how huge everything was.
You were only a simple human, but you were well aware of all creatures that lived on this Earth with you. But you had no clue what kind of a creature would live in such a house.
You slowly got off the bed and made your way over to the table where you found bread, so you took a little.
This is when you hear the noise of someone chopping wood.
Being mindful of your leg, you slowly walked out and this is when you saw him.
His back was to you, and you took a moment to take him in.
He was huge, he easily chopped the wood with his giant axe. His back was covered in scars and along his spine he had hair going down, it looked more like fur.
A very hairy man, but who were you to judge?
You heard stories of a beast living alone in the woods. He cared for the animals but he didn’t like company.
A fierce man, who was now chopping wood in front of you.
You weren’t sure if you should talk to him or not, one thing was for sure, you didn’t want to startle him.
“Umm.” you started but as soon as you did he turned around, with that huge axe in his hands.
“You should be resting, you hurt your leg very badly.”
“I-I did but… Am I at your house?”
“Yes.” he replied with a lot of annoyance in his voice and you nodded.
“So, you saved me last night from the bear? Thank you.”
“Go back to bed. I’ll prepare some tea once I finish chopping the wood.” you didn’t argue, why would you? Or rather how could you?
The man was huge but you saw him more as a gentle person, despite his rough edges.
And you also feared that instead of the wood, he would chop you in half.
You just slowly moved back into the house and sat on the chair by the huge table. Your leg did hurt and your wrist was throbbing a little, but your mind was still running at a hundred miles. You tried to recall what happened but couldn’t.
You knew you fainted, but then what happened to the bear? Did this man scare it away? Did he fight it?
He did look rather dangerous with his axe. Maybe he could take the bear in a fight.
Whoever this man was, he certainly lived alone, looking around his home it was cosy, but it didn’t have the touch of a female, clearly, he was a bachelor. Not that it was a problem, it was only an observation on your part.
You needed to think of other things because if you didn’t, the pain would hit you.
You heard him enter through the door as he soon headed for the stove. In complete silence, he started to make tea for you as you munched on the bread you took earlier.
He clearly didn’t have many visitors. You watched as he worked, trying your best to ignore the pain, you watched his hands work, you watched as a shackle was on his wrist, it must have been there for some time now.
He soon put a cup in front of you.
“Drink it and leave.”
“Uhm, but my ankle…” you were very much up playing the pain. It made the huge man in front of you groan.
“Alright, you can stay until you get better. I’m not too fond of visitors.”
Clearly. But he will have to deal with you because you don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. Especially not when there are Orcs in these woods and you have only one working leg.
Even if the pain wasn’t that bad, you still preferred the comfort of a home over the cold floors of the forest.
---
"What is this?" you asked him as you munched on the deliciousness in your hand.
"Honey cake."
"I really like it." you said. "Did you make it yourself?"
"I did."
"It's really really good."
He didn't reply, but you didn't expect him to.
Your leg and wrist felt much much better now. His herbs worked better than magic.
You also noticed that slowly, he warmed up to you. He even offered you his smaller room so you didn't have to sleep on the hay or floor.
He was a strange man.
Affectionate, yet he looked afraid of it.
You could see that deep down, he was a very warm person. However, the terrible things that happened to him, made him cold.
Winter was near.
So Beorn told you that you will need to help him with his farm and animals. You had no problem with that. Given that you grew up on a farm, and you loved to help.
And by the time the snow arrived, his home was ready for the harsh winter.
And so were you.
You made clothes for yourself and him. He didn't really want to take the clothing but now, he wore it every day. He said it was so warm, he enjoyed it.
It filled you with pride that he wore the clothes you made, he ate the food you prepared and he listened to you.
In return one evening, he told you a story, a story of his own, his terrible past and what he went through.
You cried that day, letting the tears fall as he reached over to wipe your tears away.
"Why are you crying?" he asked.
"My heart breaks for you. No one deserves that kind of torture." you said as you lifted your hand and touched the shackle on his wrist.
That day, Beorn promised himself he would never tell you another story of his.
He hated to see you cry.
He wanted to see you laugh, like you laughed when you played with his horses or bees.
How or when you became so important to him was a mystery to Beorn, but here he was now.
He sat in his chair as he watched you, you were making a blanket. You said his house was rather cold for you, so you needed something warm. He wanted to offer that he could sleep with you so you wouldn't be cold but he didn't want to cross that line.
He was sure you only viewed him as a friend and nothing more.
You often found yourself babbling and telling him stories. Stories he most likely would call nonsense.
But in truth, he loved listening to you talk. Every story he remembers and could recall at any moment.
One evening, after dinner, you just sat on the couch he made for you, you cuddled up with your blanket and a book when Beorn joined you. It was snowing heavily outside, so he wouldn't go out for his usual runs.
He sat down and you offered him a smile before you looked back at your book.
But out of the corner of your eye, you could see he was staring at you.
"Is there something on my face?" you asked but he shook his head, no.
He was behaving strangely. You tried your best to focus on your book but it was difficult.
"What are your plans once winter is over?" oh, he wanted you out of his hair.
"I-I-You don't have to worry, I'll leave as soon as I wouldn't freeze to death in the woods. I really appreciate your hospitality and I don't want to bother you longer than needed," you said but didn't look at him.
"It's no bother. I was asking only because then we could make you a bed."
"I have a bed." you looked at him, confused.
"You have a mattress, I was thinking of making a bedframe, so it is more comfortable."
"So you want me to stay?"
"Only if you want to."
"I would love to. I enjoy your land very much. The beautiful trees and the animals. I can only imagine what it must look like during the spring."
"Is my home the only thing you enjoy about being here?" you looked at his face as he avoided your eyes.
"What are you asking?" your voice was quiet, and he finally looked at you.
"I grew very fond of you, I never imagined myself in this situation, but... Love is not something I believe I deserve. I am a monster, my past is... awful. I do not deserve such a flower like you. But I also won't be able to let you go. Only if you reject my feelings- I want you to be happy here with me. But if you choose to leave, I won't force you to stay." his words honestly surprised you, you never expected him to confess to you.
"I would love to stay with you. I just wasn't sure of your feelings. You hide them very well."
"It is a skill I learned." you smiled at his comment.
He moved towards you and you moved with him, he pulled you into his arms and you never felt warmer.
It was quiet, you could hear his heartbeat and the fire crackle behind you.
"You deserve happiness as much as anyone." you said as he tightened his hold around you.
"Thank you." he whispered and he just held you for hours.
It was the first time in his life that someone touched him with care and affection for what felt like years.
And slowly, he started to believe he deserved this happiness.
---
Spring arrived with flowers.
As the snow melted and everything began to bloom, your love fully bloomed.
You looked at Beorn as he tended to the bees.
You followed him to his goats and helped him feed his horses.
A smile never once leaves your lips. And he is much the same.
Then you cooked lunch for both of you, he loved your cooking and you were happy to make him anything he wanted.
Given how fresh and amazing his crops were, it was easy to prepare something amazing.
Then after dinner, the two of you would go to sleep in his bed, him holding you close to his chest.
It was a simple life, but it was all you could hope for.
You often catch him smiling even if it's a small one.
You make him happy and he makes you happy.
This was the life you always wanted.
Although you never imagined you would have it with a man who can turn into a bear, you weren't complaining.
