Chapter 2: Rustling Leaves
Elinor-Bear's P.O.V
The boys and I walked through the forest, the sunlight shining through the leaves and casting odd shadows on the ground. "I'm hungry," Hubert complained. I looked sadly at the little cub, missing the look of his fiery red hair, now replaced with thick black fur. Suddenly, the sound of rushing water interrupted my thoughts. I realized that we were by the stream where Merida and I had fished only a little while ago. "Wait here,lads. I'll catch us some lunch." I walked through the trees and found myself on the bank of the stream. I looked down and saw many delicious-looking fish. I remembered how Merida had taught me to fish. I could feel the tears coming, but I pushed them back. All that was behind me now. I had three hungry bo- er, cubs, to feed. Just as I was about to dip my head in, I heard the boys screaming. I turned around, and my heart stopped for a moment. A huge black bear was behind me, standing on his hind legs. I got on my hind legs as well and roared, prepared to fight to the death for my sons. "WAIT! WAIT! I don't want to hurt you!" "What?" "I just want to know your name." I got back down on all fours. "Well, you didn't have to scare my sons in the process, not to mention me." He shook his black bangs out of his eyes to reveal deep, dark red eyes that were clouded with... sorrow? Worry? Both? I couldn't tell, but I decided it was personal. If he wanted to tell me, he would do it. " You sound like someone I know." He snapped me out of my wandering thoughts. "Really? Well, I've certainly never seen you before. What is your name?" He hesitated before saying, "I believe I asked you first," smiling slyly. I cleared my throat. "I am Queen Elinor of DunBroch, and these are my sons, Princes Hubert, Harris, and Hamish." He bowed and said, "Very pleased to meet you, Your Highness." "I'm very flattered, but I'm not the queen anymore." He looked up in surprise. "Why not?" I took a deep breath and explained the whole curse to him. "Wow", he whispered. "Yes," I said. "It's awful. But at least I have my sons." He got up and sat next to me and put his paw on mine. "Thank you. But I still don't know your name!" "Oh yeah. Sorry. I'm Bhaltair, son of the mighty Mor'Du!" My heart skipped a beat. "Mor'Du had a son? I never knew." "Yep. Say, have you seen him anywhere? We were in the middle of dinner when he ran off to 'protect the forest from the Bear King.' So I just finished dinner and went to bed." I gulped hard. I didn't know how to tell him that his father was dead. "Bhaltair, I must tell you something terrible." I looked into his eyes and the truth spilled out.
Author's Note: Ooooooooooooh! Cliff hanger! The way you pronounce Bhaltair's name is "Ball Tare". It means strong fighter :) Thank you to all the fans of this story! I hope you're enjoying it!