Master Title: A New Beginning!



Chapter one: The Rescue

Written by: Shaun Witt / Longbow

co-written/edited by: MacKenzie Kenndy / Moonsilver

disclaimer: I do not own elfquest nor am I making any money off of this story. All EQ stuff belongs to Wendy and Richard Pini. The characters Longbow, Daydream, and there wolves belong to me. The other character belong to the co-writer(Mackenzie).







"No, thank you, Rainbow." Silver shook her head. "Not until the baby

is born." She unconsciously put her hand on her stomach. Darkeyes

grinned from beside her.

Rainbow retracted the wine she had offered and sighed. "I remember

when I was pregnant. The longest two years I ever had"

"I thought it was the shortest." Her lifemate Swiftknife put in. At

Rainbow's puzzled look, he continued, "I kept you worn out so much you

were asleep half the time"

We all chuckled as Rainbow proceeded to knock him over the head with a

candle. This small gathering had started so simply. Rainbow and Silver

had started talking about babies, and then ShadowWing had joined in. We

had all gone back to Rainbow's for something and ended up staying there

long enough for Swiftknife, Rainbow's lifemate to find us and start a

conversation with ShadowWing about his wolf.

Then Dreamcatcher dropped by to fuss at Silver for the latest practical joke she had pulled on him. Darkeyes was near enough to catch his voice shouting and came todefend his lifemate. And the wine came out.

Silver grinned at the elves around her. Rainbow's tolerance was

seemingly limitless, Swiftknife was trying to keep up with her and

failing, Dreamcatcher was hard as nails so he was about half drunk,

ShadowWing had only had one drink so far so she was all right, and

Darkeyes was too busy cuddling her to have more than a sip. Longbow was

sitting off to the side watching all of them be merry.

Longbow was the latest elf to come by. Fardreamer had already been by

to ask about a hunt tomorrow, Mirage had come over to ask where

Vinedancer was, Changewind had crept in and laughed with us for a bit

leaving with two more wineskins, and Moonstar had asked Swiftknife about

another kind of knife. Longbow just wanted someone to be around and we are the most welcoming elves I know of. The cubs were off doing cub stuff as far as we knew. Playing with the human cub, gathering flowers, four-paws, etc.

"Silver, tell us about your parents again." Rainbow urged.

Darkeyes looked down at his lifemate cuddled by his side. "Yes, I haven't heard about your parents yet."

"All right," Silver began.

"Most of you know that I was found by the pack and brought to Clearview holt where I was raised until I was around sixty seasons. We were doing a spring celebration when Whitemist and Softbreeze wandered in. I was diving off of the waterfall, rather splendidly if I do say so myself."

"And you do. And often." Dreamcatcher added softly.

"As I was saying" Silver picked up.

"I was struck in mid-dive by a pair of soulnames and hit the water like a tree. I swam over to this pair of strange elves and informed them that they had done something to me and I didn't like it. They told me they were my parents. I didn't want to believe them, but it showed in my bones."

"Shortly after that, I went hunting, found Stormwind and Lightfoot,

adopted them, came home and the rest you know." Silver took a sip of

water.

"But what about them now?" Darkeyes asked.

"As far as I know they're back in Wildwood. If I'm away too long,

they'll come looking for me." Silver raised the waterskin to her lips

again just as she saw Longbow go outside.

**Something wrong, Longbow?** she sent.

**No. Nothing, Silver.**

Moonsilver shrugged and went back to talking with the others.

The next morning

Longbow packed a change of clothes, a fur, water, and other

necessities. After calling his wolf, he sent **Fardreamer?**

**Yes, Longbow?**

**Did I wake you?**

**No, I was up watching the sun rise. So beautiful this morning. It

promises to be a good day.**

**I'm leaving for a few days. I'll be back.**

**Sure, you know where we are. Good hunting and fair winds.**

**More beautiful sun rises to you, my Chieftess.**

Longbow was on his way out of the holt when Silver dropped from above

right onto her wolf, Mist. He winced. Silver chuckled. Men always

wince when ladies do that

"Where do you think you're going?" she demanded.

"Out of the holt. Your story last night tugged at something" Longbow

stared through the trees as though he could see straight through the

other side.

"Did I say something wrong?" Silver asked curiously.

"No, just made me think. I want to be alone for a little while."

Silver sighed. "I'll make your apologies to Vine."

Longbow grimaced, "I forgot about her."

Silver grinned. "I wouldn't worry about her. She's used to one or the

other of us going off. Just don't get into trouble." She rode off the

way she had came.

Longbow had planed on going to the spot where is family's tree once stood before it was destroyed in a storm earlier that year. But everything changed five days after he had begun.

Somewhere from inside, Longbow had this strange feeling. He could not explain what had caused this feeling, all he knew that it was pulling him. So not wanting to fight this feeling longbow just decided to follow his gut and go in the direction of where he was being pulled.

Longbow followed this feeling for about two weeks when he came across a small pond surrounded by many trees. "This looks like a safe and enjoyable spot to rest." He thought. Oh how wrong he soon would be.

The next morning . . .

Longbow had just finished taking a bath in the pond and was now getting dressed. Just has longbow was finishing tying the last string of his tunic he heard a very loud cry for help.

"HEEELLLLLLPPP!!!"

On instinct, longbow grabbed his bow and arrows and after getting on his wolf Snowrunner he took off from where the cry came from. When they drew closer to, where the sounds came from Longbow got off of his wolf. Longbow climbed up and into a tree.





A terrible site came into view. Longbow saw many humans attack an elf camp. At one end he saw two dead adult elves. A small cry caught his attention. He saw an elf maiden being tied up by one of the humans. The elf female tried to resist being tied up. But while she was trying to fight to get away from the human that was trying to tie her up another human hit her on the head with his club. This angered longbow greatly.

::Snowrunner I want you to attack from the other side of the camp:

Longbow looked again and saw one of the younger human males pick up an elf sword. Fearing that he might try to use it on the elf female longbow took and arrow and shoot it right pass the humans face stopping only when it a tree. The human dropped the sword. Snowrunner jumped out of the bushes and started her attack while longbow continued to shoot his arrows off.

The humans where screaming and looking around in fear. One of the humans tried to grab the elf female but he was quickly stopped when a black wolf jump out of the bushes at him. In fear the humans ran off dropping most of what they stole.

When the humans where gone he hoped down to check on the elf maiden that they had tied up.

But the black wolf stopped him dead in his tracks. Longbow looked the wolf into it's eyes and said, "I'm not here to hurt her. I am here to help her." the wolf continues to growl at longbow.

Looking over to his wolf, Snowrunner walked up to the other wolf slowly. The two wolves seem to growl and bark a little as if they were talking to each other. When they stopped the black wolf looked at longbow and then went to it's friends side.

Checking to see if the elf maiden was still breathing he looked her over. "They really hurt her badly." he thought looking at the many small cuts and bruises which she had. Longbow took out his dagger and cut the vines loose from her. He thee took his water skin from his side and to wash her wounds out. Taking a shred of cloth, longbow bandaged the more major cuts up.

Once she was all fixed up longbow went around gathering what he could, some clothing, waterskins, furs, the sword which the human dropped and the sheath which went with it.

Although longbow gathered up a few more items then that he knew that the humans might come back in bigger numbers. Longbow took the furs which he picked up and made a pack with them. Putting everything into the pack and after he convinced the wolf to carry it's friend he left for his camp.

Once there he gathered his own stuff up and took off from there now that he knew this was a unsafe place. Longbow continued to keep moving at a slow pace so the elf maiden did not get bumped around to much, he did not stop until he was sure that the both of them and there wolves would be safe. After setting up camp and after making a nest out of the furs. After placing the elf maiden carefully into this nest of fur he decided to go off hunting. Of course the Black wolf stayed behind to protect it's friend.

After killing two ravvits and a pheasant he returned to the camp. Longbow gave his wolf one of the two ravvits. Longbow then walked over to the black wolf. With a smile on his face longbow had the other ravvit in his right hand and offered it to the black wolf. The black wolf sniffed at it and looked up at longbow. Not taking it's eyes off longbow it took the ravvit from his hand and sat back down in its spot next to the tent.

After getting a small fire started longbow took out his little cooking pot and put some water into it. After cutting the meat from the pheasant up into bit size pieces he placed them into the pot. He then grabbed a small leather pouch with small dried veggies. After placing some of the dried veggies into the pot he stirred and waited for it to finish cooking.

After eating his dinner longbow grabbed a single fur and cuddled up with his wolf for the night. The next morning when he awoke longbow went off to get fresh water for the water skins. He also decided to get a little hunting in just incase his guest was awake when he got back.



While he was gone the elf female began to wake up. Startled to find herself in a tent and not to mention that her wounds where taking care of an all.

"Hello?" she said out loud.

::elf-friend awake now?:: the black wolf sent.

::Yes.::

The black wolf popped it's head into the tent flap to see it's friend. They talked to each other for a few minutes before she started to cry.

Longbow was on his way back when he heard crying come from the camp. Running back to the camp to see what was wrong, longbow went to the tent to find out the elf female was awake.

"Who...who are you?" she asked.

"My name is Longbow and I guess you could say I saved you from harm."

"May I ask what your name is?" he asked.

"Daydream."

Daydream started to cry again. Longbow walked over to her and asked, "what is wrong?"

"My parents there gone and now I am all alone."

"I know how you must feel. I too lost my parents to humans."

"You did? How?"

"I went off hunting one morning and while I was gone humans attacked my camp and killed my parents."

"Did they have a chance at all?"

"No they did not. My father was injured in a hunt three days before there death."

Fallowed this came a moment of silence for the both of them. Longbow did not know what to say next until he realized he still and the small ravvit in his hand.

"Daydream are you hunger?" he asked

"I guess." she answered.

Longbow handed her the small ravvit. Longbow was taking out his dagger and was handing it to daydream when she spoke up again.

"What this dagger for?"

"To cut the ravvit with."

"That is ok I can use my sword." she said.

Longbow grabbed and handed over the sword to her. She used it to cut the ravvit up to eat. Longbow just smiled as she ate. When she was done she trying to get up to go relieve herself but was not yet strong enough.

Shaking his head he gave her a hand up and helped her out of the tent and over to some tress and bushes. He then walked away and turned around to give her some privacy. When she was done he helped her back to the tent and back into bed so she could rest.

Seeing she could not relax enough to go to sleep he pulled out his flute and began to play a soft melody. As she listened to this soft melody she began to relax and finally falling asleep. That night while she slept she began to dream. She heard her mother voice call out to her.

"Daydream!" her mother voice called out.

Daydream turned around to see her mother standing behind her. Running up the her mother she gave her a big hug. Then the crying starts.

"Oh mama. Why...why did they have to hurt our family?"

"I do not know my daughter."

"Your father and I are very glad that young male elf saved your life."

"Wish there was more I could have done for you two though"

"There where way to many humans to handle. And if the young male elf did not come to help when he did you would have been carted off to there camp and only the High Ones know what they would have done to you?"

"But mom."

"But nothing dear you know as well as I they might have killed you when they got you to there camp."

"I know mom."

"Honey I got to go now. Both I and your father love you very much."

"Remember my sweet daughter that time will heal your wounds. Goodbye dear."

"I love you mom."



The next morning when Daydream had awaken she was greeted by Longbow.

"Good morning. Sleep ok?" he asked.

"I am fine." she replied

"Well I am going out to hunt. You going to be ok?"

"I will be fine."

"Ok. Send if you need anything or if something happens."

"I will."

Longbow went off on his hunt but since winter was not far away he knew the pickings where going to be slim. But today luck was with him. He managed to track down a mature bore. Staying down wind longbow took aim and killed the young bore. Happy with the bore longbow made his way back to camp.

Upon his return he found Daydream sitting outside on the ground scratching her wolf's ears.

"Are you hungry?" he asked

After nodding her head yes, longbow cut up the meat and handed daydream and her wolf some. The rest was eaten by longbow and his wolf. After eating there fill the two of them began to talk. They found something out about each other but they also found they had a quiet a bit in common.

After talking for a little while longer they both decided to leave the area just incase the humans where still looking for them. Since daydream had no place to go for the winter longbow invited her to stay at guiding star holt. He told her that in the holt there were a lot of friendly elves that would help her out with anything she might need.

Daydream smiled and said, "Sounds really nice there and I wouldn't mind staying till at least winter passes."