Beorn

Beorn was a tall, broad, mighty man with thick black hair, bushy beard, and hairy arms and legs. As a skinchanger, he had the ability to transform into an enormous black bear at will. Beorn lived alone in a large wooden house between the Misty Mountains and Mirkwood forest, sharing his dwelling with horses, dogs, sheep, goats, and cows that he treated with great care.

Possessing martial skill and prodigious might, Beorn was a warrior of renowned strength. Additionally, due to his remarkable gift as a shapeshifter, Beorn could change his form into that of a huge black bear when need arose.

Beorn came from the mountains long ago and settled in the valley. He grew a garden filled with flowers and trees bearing sweet fruits. Beorn was a vegetarian, only eating bread, honey, milk, and cream that came from his animals. He preferred solitude but was not unfriendly, often hosting feasts for people living in scattered homesteads nearby.

When Gandalf, Bilbo, and the company of dwarves passed through the valley on their quest to reclaim Erebor, Beorn welcomed them to his home. He gave them food, shelter, and ponies to cross Mirkwood, having an inherent distrust of the elves who lived there.

Later, Beorn joined the Battle of Five Armies, charging into battle in his bear form. He fought ferociously, killing many goblins including their leader Bolg. After the battle, Beorn carried Thorin Oakenshield’s wounded body and helped the dwarves bury their dead.

Beorn continued protecting the people of the valley, eventually becoming chieftain of a group of men called Beornings. They defended the woods against evil creatures for many generations. When Beorn grew old, he named his son Grimbeorn as successor before he died. The Beornings kept watch over the northern borders of Mirkwood until the War of the Ring.