Finding a Place to Call Our Own

This story is a sequel to my story "More than What Meets the Eyes" and is also a slightly alternative universe story. This story happens prior to the Epilogue of "More than What Meets the Eyes." This veers off of canon a little. You will see that I Dodia's son is a tiny bit younger than what was represented in Barry Blair's "Fire Eyes" just like my other story. Hope you like and let me know either way.

I own nothing. Poop!

Chapter One

I grew angry. Angry at what I saw and heard. Loud. Obnoxious. Unclean. Greedy. Ugly. The Sun Villagers knew nothing! My soul brother was so much more…so much more. He was direct, honest, gentle, loyal, and not ugly. Never ugly.

"Stupid!" I snarled, looking back over my shoulder as I sat heavily on a nearby bench within the palace corridor to try to calm myself down, "Worthless, gossiping, blaming elves. Bunch of know-nothings."

I was so mad. Did they not see Chot's beautiful eyes or his strong features? Did they not see how carefully he watched over and cared for our son? Did they not see his patience when No-name was practically tearing chunks of hair from his mane? Did they not understand that Chot was a Go-Back with all of the brusque ways of his tribe and didn't have to change to be something he wasn't? Would they not believe that his body was special and needed more nourishment than most elves? I stood and stalked stiffly out of the palace. Idiots!

"Door, what is the matter? You look very angry," Windkin pointed out as he landed to walk beside me.

"I'm not angry. I'm furious," I spat, "Were you near enough to hear all that? Did you hear what those Sun Folk were saying about my Chot?"

"Yes. There is bad blood there," Windkin sighed while he continued to follow me towards the Wolfriders' holt, "They will see better once they get over their anger of the past. Chot seems to pay them no mind."

"Words can hurt him like anyone else," I hissed as I stopped to glare back at the palace, "How can I convince my soul brother that he has a place he belongs with idiots like that belittling my fledgling at every turn? I will not allow anyone to harm Chot, Windkin, even with using only words. I won't allow it!"

"Nor will any of us who know Chot well. He is a good friend to many," Windkin soothed as I sighed, "Shenshen is even working on helping her villagers understand your soul brother better. I hear her defending him often."

"That she does," I agreed, "But those elves are not getting what she is saying fast enough for my taste. Chot is nearly healed from shielding me, but not at full strength. I don't want to risk him relapsing, Friend. I am angry, yes, but more than that, I'm concerned for my fledgling. I want to keep him safe."

"Then please allow me to speak with Savah so she can step in and end all of this," Windkin pushed as I shook my head quickly, "Why not, Door?"

"Chot will know that we know of his past if any of the villagers begin to gossip. That will upset him more than even the Sun Villagers' gossiping," I stated as my comrade nodded his understanding, "I feel like marching in there and telling all of them where to stick their opinions."

"Then do so."

I turned to see a lovely image of elven beauty. Newstar, Kimo's mother.

"Tell them the truth," Newstar urged as I blinked, "The Sun Folk are not awful elves. They are just blinded by old pain. Everyone deserves a second chance and they are not giving Chot that at all. I understand your anger and I understand theirs. Seeing Chot around the Sun Village was hard when he was first healed so long ago."

"You lost your lifemate during the Go-Back invasion," I groaned, remembering the story, "Chot regrets everything, Milady. Please know that."

"I sensed that from him early on, Door. He is not the same elf from before, but then again, neither are you," Newstar said as I relaxed knowing that someone else saw the truth, "No elf who can deal with a cub as Chot does can have anything more than a good heart."

"Exactly! Chot's been my rock from the minute we bonded and others need to show him the same respect they expect to be shown. There is so much more to that Go-Back," I huffed as Newstar chuckled, "What?"

"You are so easy to read, Door. You should make your move soon or someone else with eyes for Chot will," Newstar giggled as she pranced away.

Anger flared then. Someone else? What? Did she mean that someone else had eyes for what was mine? Uh-oh. There I go again.

"No. Bad," I warned myself aloud as Windkin raised an eyebrow, "Ignore me. I'm fighting with arrogance right now."

"Who is winning?" Windkin joked as I sighed, "It is good that you can see when your thoughts are leading in directions that you should not go."

"Because of my Chot," I hissed as anger arose once again, "I'm none too happy that Newstar just insinuated that someone else is watching my soul brother."

"Not all see Chot as his old annoying self," Windkin admitted as I glared over at him, "I have no clue who Newstar was talking about, but not all elves are judging Chot so harshly. He's proven himself to many since your tribe's arrival, despite not being able to hunt until Leetah allows. He's also not a bad looking elf when he's not scowling and fussing about."

"He is wild beauty," I huffed as Windkin's eyes widened, "Fledgling is perfect."

"I'm not saying he's not," Windkin assured as I deflated, "You've got it bad."

"Got what bad?" I asked as the other elf snickered, "What have I got bad?"

"Door! What in all the frost-bitten land of ice are you grousing about now? Can't even have a peaceful moment to myself. What is up with you?"

Lightness filled me as I heard Chot's voice. Chuckling, I turned to watch my soul mate stomping up the path. Chot was filling out again and had his old spark in his eyes that I had missed while he was so ill. Ugly? Not if you had eyes to see.

"What's got your rump in a sling this time?" Chot demanded.

"Nothing much," I denied, not wanting Chot to know the truth, "The Sun Villagers are just…um…taxing to deal with."

"You mean they're annoying as ice spurs and spend more time jabbering than doing," Chot snorted as Windkin and I laughed at his expression, "That's their ways. Pay them no mind."

"Duly noted," I agreed, smiling as my soul brother began to rummage through my ever present bag of food on my hip, "Need to refill that."

"Hm," Chot hummed around some nuts he liked the best, "Still have a good selection. Hello, Windkin. Door, let's get. No-name wants to play with the wolves again. It takes all of us working together to keep him from being eaten."

"I'll be there in a moment," I agreed as Chot walked back while No-name ran to meet my soul mate to jerk my bonded by the hand towards the wolf pack, "Windkin, you'll keep your silence, right? You won't say anything to anyone about Chot's past."

"I'll not say a word," the other Glider promised, "But I will try to get some more information out of Newstar."

"Thank you," I offered before gliding away to catch up to my family.

Chot and I watched as our son was guided by Strongbow and Pike to play properly with wolves. Chot was tense the whole time as he watched the cub. My bonded took nothing lightly when it involved our son. The child never meant to wander into danger, but the cub did at times. No-name was so happy to be allowed to ride a wolf that even Strongbow cracked a smile.

"You weren't completely truthful with me," Chot challenged as I glanced at him in surprise even as his eyes stayed focused on No-name, "I know you, Door. What's really wrong? Remember what we vowed to one another? Tell me the truth."

Chot and I had promised one another no more secrets after he had nearly died holding his silence. My soul brother was right. I needed to clear the air and let him know some of what I knew, but I'd never tell him that I knew about his past. That was Chot's story to tell me on his own.

"I am angry that there are elves that can't forgive," I admitted as Chot nodded his understanding, "I once again had a moment of arrogance. I was told that someone was watching you and I thought of you as mine again. That was wrong of me."

"Watching me?" Chot blinked, giving me a quick look, "I doubt that, Glider. Plenty watch you though. It's not big thing to be watched. Plus, it's good that you know when arrogance comes up and bites you on the poking rump. You realized that you were wrong in thinking that I was property and that's a good thing."

"I don't think that of you," I insisted as Chot looked up at me again, "You are precious to me, but you are not property. You are…we are…"

"Who we are," Chot finished for me, "Not everything needs a name or title. No-name is trying to braid the wolf's tail. High Ones, help me."

I snorted as Chot swooped in to save the wolf and our son both. The cub instantly latched onto my soul brother without a care in the world. Pike was chortling as Strongbow did his best to explain to the cub what he did wrong. No-name was oblivious.

"You see me, Chot-pa?" No-name asked as he held Chot's hand once the cub was set on his feet again, "I was riding like a real Wolfrider. Did you see me?"

"I did," Chot answered, "But did you listen to Strongbow? You don't just start tugging on a wolf's coat. They have to trust you before you can grab their fur and tail. Wolves have big teeth and they know how to use them."

"Kay, Chot-pa. Mama, I rode a wolf!" No-name chirped, scampering to his mother as Chot groaned.

"That one is such a happy cub," Pike snickered as he walked over with Strongbow, "It is fun to watch him explore the world."

"Happy, yes," Chot growled, "Head is always in the mucking clouds and doesn't recognize dangers. He's young, but he needs to start paying attention."

-Agreed. Cubs need to learn early. No-name is a good child. Clever. He'll learn. He did do better today and I'm sure he'll improve with time.-

"Good to know, Strongbow," Chot said, relaxing, "Let me see if I can wrangle him up to talk again about why he shouldn't braid a wolf's tail. Rotten fish guts. That cub!"

Chot scooped our son up as he walked towards the Father Tree. It was then that I noticed something. There were eyes watching us. I felt it, but from whom? I glanced about quickly trying to find the source. I didn't see anyone specifically looking towards my small family, but I knew what I felt. What was this?

"Something wrong, Door?" Pike asked as I focused back on the two Wolfriders.

"Nothing wrong," I assured with a frown, "I just felt like someone was staring just now, but can't seem to figure out whom."

-I felt the eyes too. Problem is I can't get a good whiff of the scent. This area is too much of a common area. The scents all intermingle.-

I hissed between my teeth at Strongbow's send. It was good to know that someone else had felt the same gaze, but who was watching my family and why?

"You know there aren't many cubs about," Pike chuckled, "Many watch No-name with envy. That's probably what you felt."

"Stands to reason," Strongbow added.

"True," I agreed, giving myself a shake, "Thank you for trying to assist my child in learning some restraint. No-name is a handful."

"He's fun and reminds me of when my Sust was a cub," Pike laughed, "Plus, you've got Chot to keep your son in line. He's good with cubs. Can explain things at a child's level pretty well which is surprising for a Go-Back. I would know since my two lifemates came from Chot's tribe. Krim and Skot had little patience at times."

"Chot's gift with cubs is probably why you understand him so well, Pike," Dart joked as he walked over while Pike snorted, "Door, can we talk for a moment?"

I agreed and followed Chot's former comrade. Dart and I had built up a decent relationship. We could probably even be called friends now. The Wolfrider led me to a quiet spot within the holt borders that we could sit and talk in private.

"Windkin let me know that you were upset earlier," Dart began as I sighed, "Does that bother you that he spoke to me?"

"No," I assured quickly with a half-smile, "There is a bond among all of you that experienced the forevergreen. What affects one of you, affects all of you. I should have known that this discussion would happen. I'm a bit jealous."

"Don't be," Dart chuckled, "You've been adopted into that group. Chot would wring my neck if you were left out. Tell me more about what upset you."

Groaning, I rubbed a hand over my face. I had to speak delicately. Dart was one of the Sun Villagers' protectors.

"There has been too much hostility thrown in my fledgling's direction," I started as Dart frowned, "The words are cruel and are meant to hurt. Chot's been through too much to suffer due to mean gossip. I realize that there is a history between Chot and the Sun Villagers, but he's not who he once was and we now know that some of his actions were forced upon him by Zey. I'll not allow anyone to hurt Chot again. I won't, Dart."

"Nor will I or any of our group," Dart assured as I breathed deeply to calm myself, "Are you sure you don't want to go to Savah?"

"No," I denied, "Chot is smart. He'll figure out the truth quickly and be upset that others know of his past. What if that leads to a relapse?"

"Good point," Dart breathed, rubbing his chin in thought, "Then perhaps it is time for others to know of Zey's manipulations. Not of Chot's past, but just Zey's abilities. Forgiveness may come easier to the Sun Villagers then."

I considered the offer, but realized that this was not my decision to make. This was Chot's decision.

"Let me speak with Chot," I decided as Dart nodded, "His rights have been taken from him too much in his life. Fledgling deserves the right to decide for himself what others are allowed to know about his life. I will let you know one way or another as soon as I can. Thank you for your support and help, Dart."

"Anytime, Friend," Dart stated as I smiled, "Let me know when you can. I want to help in any way that I can."

I nodded at the Wolfrider and left to find my bonded. My son was with Jethel and Dodia, but Chot was not with them since I was told he had left to bathe in the creek. I followed the winding creek until I found Chot grumbling within the waters.

"Blast it," Chot groused as he was working at undoing some lopsided braids from his mane, "That child."

I drank in the sight of my bonded. His skin was pale. Never had it darkened in the forevergreen sun, but his dark hair had lightened parts that shown a chestnut, red among the darker strands. To me, Chot was true Go-Back beauty.

"Need help, Fledgling?" I called to alert Chot that I was near as I stripped out of my leathers.

"Yes, please," Chot groaned as I waded in, "No-name wouldn't settle until he played a little in my mane. He's tied the knots in the thongs too tight this time."

"You'll miss this when our son grows out of his childish ways," I chuckled, working at the knots.

"Perhaps," Chot snorted, "But I won't poking miss the pulling of my hair. My scalp is killing me, thank you very much."

I laughed lightly as I released Chot's mane from the braids before reaching my fingers into those thick locks to rub at my bonded's scalp.

"Mm," Chot hummed in appreciation, "Don't stop."

To be continued…