Part Two

If you had all the money in the world at your disposal, dear listener, what would you do? Lucy would spend his money as easily as ants can invade a picnic basket. He would sleep only in the finest hotels. Eat only the finest food. Drink only the richest drinks. I don’t eat or drink so I can only image that is what humans would do. Gunner did none of that. He walked many miles. Keeping close to the woods until he arrived at a small tattered village. Those who lived here worked hard to rebuild. Many of the buildings were nothing more than ash remains. Their faces taut reminded one of a plucked chicken. Here Gunner spent his first month. He helped rebuild what he could and used his new fortunes to buy what was needed from more prosperous towns. Everyone was grateful for this unasked help. Though by the end of the month they were quite confused. The young man refused to bathe. He refused to have his hair cut when the bangs grew past his eyes. He did not cut his nails and to be safe did not brush his teeth either. When asked he would shrug and say ‘once i’ve finished’ and move on to keep working. The children were fascinated by Gunner. The little group followed him wherever he went, like little ducklings behind their mother. The townsfolk laughed at the children’s antics. Gunner would often stop what he was going to play with them when asked. All worked stopped. It seems even war cannot harden a child’s heart. Indeed watching them play about with Gunner pretending to be a fierce bear. It brought joy to their hearts that was much lost. When a month passed, the town seemed to be thriving. Gunner decided it was time to go. The children wanted to see him off. They kept stiff chins until Gunner knelt to the ground. He promised,

“I shall not be gone forever. Pray for me until I return to play again.”

He could not finish for the children had swarmed him from all sides. They wailed and cried they love Bearskin. It was the name the children had foldly dubbed him. Gunner hugged as many as he could. Finally their parents pulled the crying children awa.

As Gunner walked away, the children all yelled to return soon. Gunner yelled back he would. The children would yell back. Gunner would reply. This went on long after he could no longer see the small bodies on the outskirt of town. When Gunner arrived in the next town, it was much the same as the first. He spent a month in the same fashion. The adults were wary. The child loved Gunner. When asked for a name he would reply with, “Bearskin”.

Part Three

Finally by the end of the fifth year he had finished his goal of rebuilding each town damaged by the war. In that time Gunner had changed drastically. His blonde hair become long and shaggy. It no longer glowed but was dim with filth. His skin was covered in rotting food. Some of it had grown cultures. His nails were as long as as sharp as Baba’s teeth. The bearskin fur smelled awfully awful. At least that’s what I have heard since I cannot smell or see. The children were more hesitance now. The adults wouldn’t even look at him. Though the brave or perhaps foolish few who did. Were often rewarded the most for the kindness. Gunner would give them as much money as he could for the kindness. Often the recipients would cry that they did nothing worthy for this. So Gunner asked them to pray for him. Each one did. Though one in particular was worth mentioning. On a certain rainy night. In a small inn Gunner decided to stop for the night. The innkeeper refused him due to his looks and coarse nature. He made it clear that Gunner could lie with the other piles of cow crap outside. Gunner did just that. By the barn where the animals are kept he met a man down on his luck. His name was Amleth. A fool hearted man that did not know how to make or save money for the life of him. He had done his best in life to provide for his three daughters, but now found himself unable to even afford an apple off his own tree. A tree he sold to the tax collector in order to keep his home under his feet. Gunner found him beaten lying amongst the mud. Gunner sat beside him and asked him what was wrong. The old man without hesitance told him of his affairs. He took no notice of gunner’s looks. Though he could smell him fairly well.

“If you had not talked to me first I would have mistaken you for another filthy cow,”

The old man’s name was Amleth. He had been born blind, but had found meaningful work to support his family. When the war came, he lost his work and soon after found himself quickly falling into debt.

“Now here I am laying in the cold mud because I can afford nothing else.”

Amleth sighed. His tears mixing with the falling rain. Gunner took his hands in his own. He dropped as many coins as he could. Amleth cried harder with each coin Gunner described to him. Amleth believed Gunner was tricking him. Until the next morning he went to face the tax collectors. The coins heavy in his hands. He was as shocked as they were. Real gold coins were pouring out of his hands. More than enough to repay all his debts and live a better life. Amleth ran back as quickly as he could to the barn. Which was surprisingly fast for a blind old man. Though in his youth it was said he was a grand messanger. He found Gunner where he had left him. Amleth grabbed at Gunner’s face and gave him a fat kiss on the lips. Why that was how happy he was. So happy he promised Gunner one of his daughter's hand in marriage. Gunner refused. Amleth insested. Gunner made it clear no woman who wish to be married to him. Amleth laughed.

“Oh i’m sure one of my girls can clean you right up!”

Gunner finally agreed to go with Amleth and meet his daughters. Only on the condition that his daughters would decided to marry him or not. If they choose not to then the matter was settled. As you can image the daughters of Amleth did not react kindly. The eldest daughter, Asta greeted her father by the door way. She was as beautiful as the first bloom in spring, the first apple of harvest and the gleaming gems on the crown all rolled into one. When she saw the figure that walked beside her father, her beauty was filled with terror. She slammed the door shut and bade her sisters for assistance.

“A wild beast is attacking our beloved papa.”

She screamed barring the door with her whole body. Adele the second oldest looked out her bedroom window. Here was a young woman with the pose of a queen and the grace of a dancer. None of this she showed upon seeing Gunner. She let out a laugh like a pig and chicken making love.

“Oh sweet sister, that is a ugly man that walks beside father. A shaved bear wearing the clothes of man would be a far worthier traveling companion.”

The youngest Ellinor was outside in the garden. Gunner watched the sweet woman as she sang to help the tulips bloom. Amleth called out to her. She turned her bright brown eyes upon Gunner and he felt the air leave his lungs.She quickly ran over and greeted her father. Then she turned to Gunner and with a raised eyebrow greeted him.

‘Hello?”

Gunner found his words sticking in his throat. Ellinor left and reassured Asta from the other side of the door, that the stranger was harmless.

“He only means to harm our senses with his smell.”

Ellinor teased smiling over at Gunner and winking. Gunner was glad for the thick beard and long hair to hide his face, which was as red as the roses by the door. Once inside and settled by the table, Amleth told his tale. Asta was the first to speak with tears welling in her eyes.

“I care not how indebted we are to him. I would rather die than marry such a horrifying creature.”

She could not finish her sentence for sobs racked her body. Adele wrapped her elder sister in her arms. She refused to look at Gunner and choose to glare at the wall behind him.

“The stark naked bear in men’s clothing that passed by here earlier would be a far better husband for any of us. If forced I would have the bear.”

Amleth was furious with his daughters. This kind man had saved them and they treated him with such disrespect. Sure he smelled and might be ugly. He was a kind man and Almeth was sure a woman’s love could fix him. Gunner stood. The two girls cowarded at his massive size.

“I’m sorry sweet ladies,”

Gunner spoke quietly, hoping not to scare them. He looked each one in the eye as he spoke.

“I shall not force a marriage on any of you. I only ask that for the next few years you pray for my life, please.”

The sisters except for one were satisfied with Gunner's vow. Asta and Adele for the first time gave Gunner a kind look. In unison they promised to pray for Gunner. Ellinor stood as tall as she could, her chin thrust out.

“I shall pray for you, but it is my choice who my husband shall be. I shall marry you.”

Asta fainted. Adele gasped. Gunner was surprised by this young woman who looked him in the eye. He saw in those brown eyes something fierce, something soft.

“I will be your wife.”

Gunner nodded his head. His mouth felt dry as if he had been eating sawdust.