Hearing Garrett say that, Beorn actually felt somewhat more at ease.
If someone wanted something from them, it meant that his people had value, and that meant all kinds of cooperation could continue for a long time.
Even so, he remained a bit puzzled.
"I cannot fathom what our small folk could possibly possess that you'd find worthy of your attention."
Just a few years ago, this place had housed only Beorn himself. He had watched the tribe grow, knew every family here. If there was anything worth mentioning, a craft or a product, there was no way he wouldn't know about it.
"Your specialty is actually mostly in your household. I'm very interested in your beekeeping techniques."
Beekeeping?
Beorn was silent for several seconds, surprised that it was for something like that.
"This isn't any sort of secret, it's simply that my family's bees are somewhat special, perhaps a bit different from the methods used elsewhere."
As he spoke, a commotion sounded from beyond the village. The howls of wild beasts spread over every corner of the settlement.
"They're here!"
He turned his head and said, "I agree to this matter, we'll speak later."
"Right now, I'm going to make those orcs understand that the new folk of the Vales of Anduin are no helpless prey they can plunder at will!"
"Prepare to meet the enemy!"
The hunters raised their longbows, the warriors drew their weapons.
"Loose!"
A small volley of arrows flew forth. Instantly, dozens of wargs dropped, their orc riders tumbling onto the cold, hard ground, rolling several times before coming to rest.
Those orc riders fortunate enough to survive scrambled to their feet, brandishing their weapons as they charged forward with the main force.
The second volley was released, felling more of the vanguard. At last, the orcs reached the village. They shrieked, raising cleavers and clubs, sneering at the poorly armored militia who could barely assemble a few complete sets of mail.
Just as the orc cavalry was about to crash through their lines, a thunderous roar rang out. Beorn leaped from the high platform, and in the next instant transformed into a thick-furred, hide-tough giant bear. He barreled straight into the spearpoints and blades, smashing through the leading orc vanguard as if tearing through parchment.
This act immediately filled the folk behind him with courage. They gripped their weapons tighter and charged forward, fighting the orcs with fierce determination.
Shouts and clashes rose into chaos. Under Beorn's leadership, even though the orcs outnumbered them several times over, their assault was temporarily repelled.
"Urgh!"
A hunter drawing his bow suddenly felt a sharp pain in his back and fell forward. The orc who had struck from behind raised a spiked club to finish him...
Clang!
A sword gleaming with azure light blocked the blow. The orc turned in fury to see who would deny him his kill.
The next moment, his expression changed to sudden terror.
"Though a newborn tribe needs some tempering, I can't just stand by and watch a warrior die in front of me, especially when such a death serves no purpose."
"Ahhh!"
The orc cried out in fear, turning to flee.
Thwip.
An arrow struck cleanly into the back of his neck. His body went rigid and he collapsed where he stood.
That arrow had not been loosed by Garrett.
Turning, he saw the hunter who had just been saved already back on his feet.
The hunter gave Garrett a solemn bow, then immediately turned and plunged back into the battle, his injury doing nothing to slow his movements.
Just like in his own domain, this was a fierce fighting force indeed...
"Forget the bear! There aren't many of them, kill everyone in the rear first!"
Seeing their assault wasn't achieving the desired effect, the cavalry leader used what little orc cunning he possessed to think for a moment, then quickly decided to change tactics.
No matter how strong you are, you're just one bear. At worst, I just won't fight you!
Charge straight into the village, grab what we can, and run!
The order went out. The wargs leaped away, carrying their orc riders toward the relatively unprotected villagers.
Just as the two sides were about to clash, Beorn didn't even turn his head. He continued to focus entirely on slaughtering the orcs before him.
"Stupid bear!"
The orc leader cursed, secretly pleased, and led the bulk of his riders toward the rear.
"Hah!"
The armed warriors facing the orc charge felt no fear at all. After the earlier skirmish, the confusion that had clouded many first-time fighters was gone, now their battle-fury was at its peak.
But the orcs weren't pushovers either. The battle had only just begun, and both sides had only just warmed up.
Victory or defeat would depend on what happened next.
Awoooo!!
The sharper-eyed wargs suddenly let out wails from deep in their throats, halting so abruptly they nearly threw their riders.
"What in the—"
What's happening?!
The orc leader was just about to scold the lead warg beneath him when his instincts warned him something was amiss.
He raised his head and followed the wargs' gaze.
There, behind the warriors on the right flank, a man was pulling a sword from the severed head of an orc impaled in the ground. With a smooth motion, he swung the blade clean, sweeping aside his wide linen cloak to reveal his armor and face, standing in full view of the orc host.
What?
As the orcs looked upon him, Garrett's gaze shifted as well, locking directly onto the orc leader.
Their eyes met.
"I've found you," he said.
The leader trembled violently, his whole body stiffening as a shiver ran from head to toe, his scalp prickling as if about to burst.
Even the warg beneath him took an involuntary step backward.
Why is he here?!
If you were going to appear, why didn't you reveal yourself earlier? Why observe from the shadows the entire time?!
"Kill them!"
Whatever the orcs were thinking, the warriors of Beorn's folk cared not. Seizing on the moment of hesitation, they launched a fierce counterattack.
But the orcs' minds were no longer on the soldiers before them. Even as they retreated, they kept glancing back at that dark figure, terrified he might suddenly charge forward.
They didn't even bother to deal with Beorn's warriors properly, they couldn't risk stopping to fight back.
To make matters worse, just as their will to fight collapsed, a piercing eagle cry rang out from above. Gwaihir had finally arrived, bringing Gandalf with him. With a single dive, his razor-sharp talons tore through a swath of orcs.
Seizing the moment when he was closest to the ground, Gandalf raised his staff high. A brilliant white light blazed from its tip, and he leaped straight from the eagle's back into the forest of orc spears, sweeping them aside in great numbers without suffering so much as a scratch, not even a tear in his grey robes.
The orcs' retreat was completely cut off. Garrett charged forward and cut down the leader with a single stroke. Without their commander, the orcs and wargs scattered aimlessly, and before long their resistance collapsed entirely. They were swiftly annihilated.
Thud!
Still in giant bear form, Beorn came thundering over, breathing heavily. As he approached, his massive frame gradually diminished, the fierce bear that could fell a tree with one swipe returning to his original towering form, standing well over two meters tall.