[Iargwath]

Beorn
It is known that Beorn was a Northman and a Beorning chieftain. He is also known as a Beserker warrior and he had the gift of the "skin changer": that is, transforming into the form of a bear.
Where Beorn learned the trick of form-shifting is not known. But i have a suggestion that may be more probable.
Beorn was in a distant relation of the Edain of the First Age, and the Quenta Silmarillion relates how some of that race were skin-changers. Greatest of them was Beren, who like Beorn, lived long alone in the forest and ate no flesh.
As with Beorn, the birds and beasts came to Beren and aided him in his war with the Orcs and Wolves. In the Quest of the Silmaril it is told how Beren learned from the Eldar the art of form-shifting: presenting himself first in the shape of an Orc, and then as a great Wolf. So perhaps it can be said that some of the magic was inherited by Beorn and his people? Or perhaps it was a result of living with bears so long that Beorn learnt this skill?
Whatever it is, it is said that the trick of skin-changing was passed on to the heirs of Beorn through many generations.
Pages you can look up
*Beornings-The Hobbit
pg(s) 7,18
-The Lord of the Rings
chap II
*Beren-Silmarillion Quenta
pg(s) 117,140,172,180-1,188-198,200-1
203-4,206-23,235-6,251,277,282-3
296
-Book of Lost Tales 2
chap I

Note: All information was gathered from pages above.

[ November 24, 2002: Message edited by: Iargwath ]