Pandora – Book One
New Beginning
Chapter 1
Jakesully's eye's snapped open, but there was no life or awareness in them. His avatar body remained deathly still. With each passing second Neytiri felt a growing sense of dread that she could not overcome. She knew with a final certainty that Jake's life spirit no longer inhabited his human body. She had felt it slip away while her hand rested gently, affectionately on his cheek. It had surprised her that she felt so much sadness in the passing of his damaged human body. She also knew that Jake had to pass through the 'Eye of Eywa'…and return. Since this was unprecedented, she didn't really know how long it should take. The fact that Grace had been too weak to complete the journey gave her no reference as to what to expect. She felt totally helpless, a feeling that did not sit well with her.
Even though she fully trusted the wisdom of Eywa in all things, she could not calm her mind. The man that lay still as stone beside her had come to mean everything to her. The love that had slowly grown within her, that same love they shared when they were mated for life before Eywa, was small and insignificant compared to what she now felt for Jake. For the second time, she felt real fear that she would lose her life-mate while she stood by helpless as a baby. She knew, without the slightest doubt that Jake would die to protect her or any member of the clan, as warriors often did. But now that they had survived when so many others had not, she could not bear the thought of losing him, even to Eywa.
"Mother…" Neytiri called out softly, her distress clearly visible on her face and in her quavering voice.
"Patience daughter," Mo'at replied placing a comforting hand on Neytiri's shoulder.
Neytiri tried to calm herself. Her mother's touch helping as much as the gentle rhythmic prayer singing still being offered by her people. As the seconds turned into minutes she managed to finally quiet her mind. Gazing out at her people she absorbed their quiet serenity, taking it inside her with each succeeding breath. When her gaze drifted back to Jake's face she froze, her heart leaping into her throat while every muscle in her body went rigid as a bow string.
"I see you," Jake whispered softly, his eyes alive with life and love for his mate.
"I see you," Neytiri replied once she could finally speak past the hard lump in her throat, her eyes welling with hot tears.
"I'm not sure I can move just yet," Jake added hesitantly.
"Squeeze my hand," she ordered, intertwining his fingers with her own.
Slowly, willfully Jake commanded his body to obey. This was nothing like the normal sensation of inhabiting his avatar body through a link with his human mind. Even though his body felt familiar, if felt different at the same time. Suddenly Jake was struck with panic that Eywa could move his spirit into this body but he would not be able to control it. The feeling that he had moved from one crippled body to another became so strong that he winced involuntarily from the imagined pain.
"Good, squeeze harder," Neytiri commanded when she felt his fingers flex weakly in hers. "I know that you can do this."
Jake fought past the self-pity that started to invade his mind and concentrated every fiber of his being into feeling Neytiri's hand in his and doing as she asked.
"Yes, yes…," Neytiri cried as she felt his grip strengthen in her hand. The relief that Jake was able to move started to untie some of the knots that had formed in her stomach, allowing her to breathe easier.
As the pleasure of feeling Neytiri's hand filled his brain, he willed his arm to move so that he could bring their joined hands to his lips. Even though it seemed to take an unbearable length of time, he gently kissed the back of her hand when it touched his lips.
His gesture arrowed straight to her heart, which was already so tender it ached. She desperately wanted to lay her head on his chest and listen to the comforting beat of his heart, but she knew that what he need now was for her to be strong. To push him as hard as she was certain he was pushing himself.
"Move your legs Jake," she ordered, her voice firm but not harsh. "You can do this as well."
"Concentrate! You can do this," she added as his toes wiggled slightly.
Slowly, and with aching effort, Jake managed to move his legs. After several minutes, with sweat forming on his brow, he managed to lift each leg bending them slowly at the knee.
"Help me to sit up." Jake asked after flexing both of his arms.
With Norm's help, Neytiri slowly pulled Jake up into a sitting position. Watching his face closely, Neytiri became aware of the total silence around them. Glancing over her shoulder she saw that all of their people seated in the prayer circle were intently watching Jake. The realization that Jake was just as important to them as he was to her filled her with a feeling of guilt for being only concerned with herself and her needs. Jake was their leader in every possible way. Toruk Macto, rider of last shadow, would always be their leader. What her people needed now was to see that their leader was strong and healthy. Losing Jake now would destroy the hope that had been slowly growing since the defeat of the Sky People. Selfishly, she admitted to herself, she didn't know if should could find the strength to lead her people without Jake beside her. Therefore, Jake had to stand. He had to come back to their people. Surely Eywa would not send Jake, Toruk Macto, back to them as anything less than the leader the Omatikaya so desperately needed.
"Do you think you can stand?" Neytiri asked softly so that only Jake and Norm could hear. "Your people need to see that their leader is strong and among them," she added, pushing aside her feelings that she was pushing Jake too hard.
"I think so," Jake replied, his face unreadable as he hid his own fears that he might not be able stand or walk again. He had never given in to his body's failure as a human. He was damn well not going to give in as a Na'vi either.
Neytiri was torn between helping him as much as possible and as little as possible. Jake saved her from the dilemma by getting to his feet mostly by himself. For sure, he didn't look very steady, but he was standing. Norm looked concerned but not overly worried. After taking several deep breaths, which seemed to steady his balance, Jake reached for her hand.
"Mo'at, with your permission I would like to address the people of the Omatikaya," Jake stated, nodding his head in her direction while his grip on Neytiri's hand tightened.
"You do not need my permission Toruk Macto, but you have it, and my blessings," Mo'at replied, gesturing towards the people with a sweep of her arm.
After turning to face the People, Jake stood silently for several seconds while he gathered his thoughts. Neytiri, looking questioningly into Jake's face, was just beginning to wonder if he was going to speak at all just as Jake did so.
"People of the Omatikaya," Jake began, his strong voice carrying easily to the back of the hollow's outer wall. "I stand before you as Na'vi, truly for the first time. I am no longer one spirit with two bodies. Eywa has blessed me by allowing my spirit to exist in this body that now stands before you. My human body no longer lives. All that was in it is now in this body, both the good and the bad. Most Sky People have both good and bad inside of them. One usually wins out over the other to determine what kind of person they will be. I must tell you in all honesty that I sensed that Eywa was reluctant to allow my spirit to return to this body."
A collective intake of breath could be felt at his last statement. He could see disbelief on many of their faces. Neytiri's grip had tightened and she was staring at him intently. He could not read what she was feeling. He only knew that he had to say what was on his mind and in his heart. Turning back to the people he continued.
"Since I am here, I can only assume that Eywa felt the good out weighs the bad."
"How can Toruk Macto be bad for the people of the Omatikaya?" a young female warrior called out. Her outburst seemed to resonate with most of the people, especially the younger ones he noted.
"The sense I felt from Eywa, as feelings are the only way she communicated with me, was that she was worried that my 'human values' could affect my 'Na'vi values' in a way that would be harmful to all the Na'vi. Before the battle with the Sky People, I promised Eywa that I would stand and fight for all the Na'vi people, all life that she protects. I asked for Eywa's help as I was unsure if we could be victorious on our own. As it turned out, we did need her help. All of Eywa's creatures were needed to defeat the Sky People and banish them from our world."
"Toruk Macto did not defeat the Sky People, Eywa did."
Jake made this last statement with the same fierce proclamation he had used when rallying the people to fight the Sky People after Hometree had been destroyed and he had become Toruk Macto. It was obvious that many of the Omatikaya did not agree with this, including Neytiri, but to challenge the will of Eywa was unthinkable. Belief in the power of Toruk Macto was bested only by Eywa herself. Toruk Macto was standing before the Omatikaya, vibrant and larger than life, telling them that he was not responsible for their victory, Eywa was. In the days since the victory over the Sky People all of the Na'vi had reveled in their mighty Toruk Macto's victory and their part in it. Stories, some not quite mindful of the exact truth, were already being told around the fires late at night. Jake's statement giving Eywa the lion's share of the credit was creating a great deal of conflict with those seated before him.
No one was more conflicted by Jake's proclamation than Neytiri. Any warrior that could become Toruk Macto was the mightiest of Na'vi. Even if Jake was not her life-mate, she would argue that the credit for victory be given to him. She was on the verge of disputing his statement when she realized this would do her people more harm than good. Through the considerable insight she had inherited from her mother she suddenly understood where her Jake was going with this. She was beginning to understand his ways of thinking. And even though she appreciated his devious plan, he wasn't going to get away with it.
"Toruk Macto speaks truth from his heart," Neytiri stated, fierce pride in her voice. "All of Eywa's creatures were necessary to defeat the Sky People. But without a leader, we could not have been victorious. Toruk Macto was the leader we needed in war. Now that war is past who among us wants Toruk Macto to be leader of the Omatikaya?" she finished strongly, sweeping he gaze across the assembled clan members.
Neytiri's last statement had caught Jake completely off guard. Before he had a chance to respond, the chant of 'Olo'eyktan, Olo'eyktan…' began to rise from the people. One look at her face told him that she had guessed his strategy to have the Omatikaya looking elsewhere for a leader that wasn't him. Mo'at was wearing her stone mask. At the moment he wasn't going to get any help from her. Falling back to 'Plan B', Jake waited for the clan to settle before continuing to speak. He fervently hoped that 'Plan B' would work as 'Plan C' was to go sneaking off into the forest, which he very much doubted would work either.
"My Brothers, my Sisters, I am honored and humbled that many of you want me to be Olo'eyktan," Jake stated firmly, sweeping his gaze over all of those assembled. "If not for the Sky People, Tsu'tey—long may he be remembered—would be your Olo'eyktan. I was not born Na'vi. I have only been Omatikaya for a short time. I still have trouble with your…our language. I am woefully ignorant of most of our customs and certainly of our rich history. Before I can accept the responsibility, honor and burden of Olo'eyktan I must learn to be truly Na'vi."
"This you must teach me before I could be worthy of your trust," Jake finished softly to the total silence surrounding him.
When Jake's gaze turned back to Neytiri he expected to see irritation or frustration on her face. Instead she was looking at him appraisingly. He had seen this look a couple of times before. He just had not figured out what it meant. He wasn't sure if he would completely figure her out in his lifetime.
Mo'at, sensing that Neytiri was about speak, quickly stepped forward and began to address her people.
"Our brother Jakesully speaks the truth," Mo'at began. "Even though he would disagree, our brother is already wise. Jakesully is newest member of Omatikaya, and he has much yet to learn. Also, not everyone is in agreement that Toruk Macto should be our new Olo'eyktan. We have tradition for dealing with this situation. The Council of Elders will meet to determine how to proceed in selecting the next Olo'eyktan. It is the duty of all of us to instruct Jakesully in the ways and history of the Omatikaya. If he can learn to the satisfaction of the Council, and his own personal ideals, then Jakesully will be considered for Olo'eyktan."
"Sleep now, for tomorrow we must begin the search for a new home," Mo'at concluded. Without looking at anyone she left the dais.
For the first time Jake gazed down at his human body. The shock of seeing it just lying there, so small and pathetic, almost dropped him to his knees. Both Norm and Neytiri sensed his distress. Norm moved to block his view of his lifeless human remains while Neytiri moved closer to support him if need be.
"Jake, let me see to your…let me take care of 'The Previous Vessel of Your Spirit', Norm said in fluent Na'vi. "I will see to it that a proper burial place is found. Somewhere near Grace, I think. I'm sure she would like that…Damn, I wish she could have been here to see you ride Toruk. I'm not sure if you knew just how much faith and hope she placed in you. You were her last hope for saving the Na'vi from Selfridge and the RDA. From moron to savior, that's quite the transformation."
"Norm, mother will be more than willing to help you," Neytiri said, placing a hand gently on his arm. She wanted to distract Jake from his human body. She had seen the anguish and distress in his eyes when he had looked down and seen it lying there.
"After I'm finished I am going to find someplace safe for this avatar," Norm added, addressing Jake directly. "I need to get back to the others at Hell's Gate. They need to know that the transfer worked. Remember, even though you are no longer driver and avatar, you are still our leader as well."
"Swell, just what I need. A bunch of science freaks looking for me to tell them what to do," Jake replied, the humor behind the sarcasm plainly visible.
"I wouldn't state it quite that way," Norm added. "Mostly we will take care of ourselves. When we will really need you is when the next ship from Earth shows up. That's when things will get really dicey."
"Come back in the morning if you can. We need to start figuring out where we all go from here," Jake replied, clasping Norm's arm firmly before releasing it as he watched Norm walk away.
Neytiri sensed that Jake was looking back to what had brought him here. Even though his body was standing next to her, his mind was elsewhere. It gave her an uncomfortable feeling that she could not shake off.
"Can you walk?" she asked him after almost a minute of total silence had passed since Norm had taken his human body away.
"Yes, most of my control seems to have returned. Not that I feel like jumping on a banshee just yet," Jake answered solemnly, after bringing himself back to the present and focusing his attention on her.
"I'm sure you will be doing just that before long," she added encouragingly, her eyes smiling as she patted his cheek affectionately.
"Why did you try to stop me from convincing our people that I should not be Olo'eyktan?" Jake asked, taking both of her hands in his.
"Because you should be…because you are Olo'eyktan. Only morons do not see this," Neytiri shot back, while trying unsuccessfully to free her hands from his.
"You know that I spoke the truth when I said I don't have the knowledge or experience to be clan leader," he countered, holding her hands firmly until she calmed herself.
"Yes, that is truth. But knowledge and experience are learned as one lives their life," she added earnestly as she locked her eyes on his. "What cannot be learned, no matter how long you live, is to have the spirit of a leader. I told you when we first met that you had a strong heart, no fear. These are the qualities that the Omatikaya need now from their Olo'eyktan. Everything else you will learn."
"Jake, you will not be alone. I will be at your side," Neytiri finished softly.
"I know you will, but I'm not sure that will be enough. I got the distinct impression that Eywa would be happier if someone else became Olo'eyktan."
"This is stupid," Neytiri spit out, finally yanking her hands free with a forceful jerk. "You stupid if you believe that."
Neytiri was so frustrated that she wanted to slap Jake on the side of his head until his eyes rolled. She almost did so before she noticed the anguish in his eyes. The almost complete lack of visible spots on his face told her that he was indeed suffering, inside where the hurt was the deepest. Something had changed. He was not the same as when he was of two bodies. Suddenly she was struck with irrational fear that Eywa had really changed him. He was not just being difficult. If he did not want to be Olo'eyktan, perhaps part of the reason was that he no longer wanted her as a life-mate. That he did not love her. She had kind of tricked him into it, hadn't she? She knew she was being ridiculous, but she could not keep the thought that he might no longer love her from springing into her head and past her lips before she could squash the idea.
"You no longer want to love me?" Neytiri chocked on the words, quickly looking away from his eyes, desperately afraid of what she might see in them. If he didn't she knew her heart would shatter.
"Now you are the one being stupid." Lifting her chin so they were locked eye-to-eye, Jake's next words were a balm that soothed her tender heart.
"Neytiri, I love you more than life itself. I love all that you are, all that you will ever be. As long as my heart beats, it will beat for you."
Gently cupping her face in both of his hands he touched his lips to hers. Pleasure poured through her like warm rain washing over her skin. She could actually feel herself glowing. He moved his lips to touch each cheek and finally her forehead. When she went lax, almost melting against him, he gathered her close, their arms encircling each other.
"There is so much we don't know about each other," Jake whispered in her ear. "I hope that I never know everything about you. That way, each day I will have something new and exciting to look forward to. A life-time of getting to know you is exactly what I want."
"Yes, that is what I too want," Neytiri replied after she drew back so that she could look at his face. His eyes were so intense. When he looked at her, into her, she felt like she was the only other living soul in the world. At this moment she wanted nothing more than to go anyplace they could be alone. Regretfully, she knew that now was not the time for intimacy and loving. There would be time for them soon enough.
"I need to speak with mother…alone if you don't mind?" Neytiri said gently. "Go, get something to eat. I will join you after I have spoken with her."
"Now that you mention it, I could do with some food," Jake replied cheerfully, rubbing a hand across his belly. "Don't fight with your mother," he added over his shoulder as he released her and headed slowly in the direction of the gathering area.
[xxxxx]
Neytiri found her mother sitting well away from everyone else around the far side of the Mother Tree. There was no sign of Norm, so Neytiri figured Jake's body had been properly laid to rest with Eywa. Mo'at made no effort to speak as Neytiri sat down beside her. For several minutes both mother and daughter sat in total silence. Mo'at knew her daughter very well. She knew Neytiri's patience was short lived. Something both of them would have to work on over the coming seasons. As she predicted, Neytiri's patience caved after a mere five minutes.
"Why did you call for the Council of Elders?" Neytiri asked impatiently. "Jake is the only one who should lead the Omatikaya. No one else will challenge the right of Toruk Macto to be Olo'eyktan," she added defiantly.
"You are partly correct," her mother began. "Jakesully is the only one of our people who can claim the right to be Olo'eyktan without the clan being divided over loyalties to those that would be put forward to assume the role of our leader. I fear that with the death of your father and Tsu'tey coming at almost the same time, the clan will be unable to pick a new leader, other than Jakesully, that will not permanently split the Omatikaya. The clan needs a new leader, now more than it ever has in my span of life."
"Wait, I am not finished," her mother interjected, raising her hand as Neytiri started to speak. "Jakesully will be the next Olo'eyktan. I will accept nothing less from him. It is a duty he must not be allowed to avoid out of a false sense of regret, guilt or a perceived inability to lead except as a warrior. Before that can happen, your life-mate must see himself worthy in his own eyes. He must get past his feelings of guilt for what happened at Hometree. I am not suggesting that he become calloused or immune to the terrible suffering the Omatikaya have experienced at the hands of the Sky People. Far too many innocents have suffered."
"Jakesully must see in his mind that he is now Omatikaya, and not a traitor to the Sky People. He is now of one body, but his spirit is still divided. This he must face alone. In many ways his spirit has always been Omatikaya. It just needed to find its way home. He needs to be able to carry the burden that goes with being Olo'eyktan and not be crushed by its terrible weight. Your father was exceptionally capable. I like to think that Tsu'tey would also have been a great leader. With his dying breath, Tsu'tey passed what would have been rightfully his to Jakesully. This bond of warrior to warrior I will use to block any or all that oppose Jakesully as our next Olo'eyktan."
Neytiri was silent for several minutes as she absorbed the full meaning of what her mother had just said. Knowing that her mother usually accomplished what she set out to do did a great deal to alleviate a sense of guilt that had been dancing in the deeper shadows of her mind since she and Jake had mated before Eywa.
Mo'at sat quietly as her daughter wrestled with her own conscience. Neytiri had always been impulsive, which sometimes placed her in difficult situations. Sharp pain sliced without warning as the sudden image of Sylwanin filled Mo'at with almost unbearable regret and longing. Neytiri's older sister's impulsiveness had cost her, and several other young Na'vi, their lives. Forcing the image away, Mo'at brought her thoughts back to her youngest daughter.
Neytiri's loyalty and duty to her people had never been in doubt, or at least it had seemed so. Perhaps she should have delegated someone other than Neytiri to teach Jakesully the ways of the Omatikaya. Both she and Ey'tu'kan had seen the bond growing between Neytiri and Jakesully. They had underestimated the speed at which the bond was growing or its direction. Incorrectly assuming there was time enough to nudge Neytiri back in Tsu'tey's direction. Now that Tsu'tey was dead, and with her confidence that she would ensure that Jakesully was the next Olo'eyktan, the grave problem caused by Neytiri's impulsiveness and strong will was no longer going to be an issue. Still, Mo'at was more than a little curious as to how Neytiri and Jakesully were able recognize each other as life-mates so quickly. There was no denying the fact that Jakesully had a powerful spirit, but they were both very young for such an important decision.
"I have a question that you may choose not to answer," Mo'at began, "but as your mother I will ask it anyway. Was Jakesully aware that you could no longer be Tashik if the two of you became life-mates?"
"No, I did not tell him what I was giving up," Neytiri answered after a brief hesitation. "I knew in my heart that I would always love Jake. To become life-mate with Tsu'tey so that I would become Tashik would be wrong for all of us. I liked Tsu'tey and respected him, but I did not love him. I never felt for him what I feel for Jake. For some time I have been very troubled that I must become life-mate with someone not of my choosing so that I could be Tashik and he could be Olo'eyktan. I'm not sure what I would have done if Jake had not come to us and captured my heart. I hope I would have had the courage to do what was best."
"I am glad that Jakesully did not know what you were willing to throw away…no sacrifice," Mo'at replied, looking intently at her daughter's face. "I feel better knowing that he did not fully understand our custom that Tashik and Olo'eyktan must be life-mates. I am surprised that he recognized you as the one and only person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with after such a short time. Perhaps this is the way it is with Sky People."
"We chose each other, for now and for all life," Neytiri answered simply, deciding her mother would not understand if she told her that she did not tell Jake that mating was for whole of life until after they had mated before Eywa. Since Jake hadn't objected to her deception, and was less likely to mention it, she let it go at that.
"Come, let us get something to eat," Neytiri added when her mother did not inquire further about their choosing. "It has been a long day for all of us, especially Jake."
[xxxxx]
Jake was feeling quite limber by the time he reached the gathering area that had been hastily setup under one of the stone arches but still within sight of the Well of Souls. About 50 of the clan were seated here and there in small groups. He assumed they were mostly families, as they were within easy talking distance of each other. Some of the younger children were playing nearby, obviously enjoying themselves from the sounds of their laughter. He was thankful that their faces did not look as grave as the older clan members. The naked fear and bewilderment that he had seen in those young faces only days before was mostly gone. Until you looked closer. There was something in their eyes that showed they were still haunted by all that had happened to them. He didn't have to wonder why. He still felt haunted by the destruction of Hometree every time he closed his eyes.
"Toruk Macto must eat." A young woman who had watched him walk into the small gathering area placed a large leaf filled with food into his hands, smiling warmly before returning to the cooking fire.
He felt a little awkward as he looked around at the other clan members for a place to sit. Everyone was staring in his direction, which left him feeling a bit uneasy. Quickly he picked out a spot between two of the larger groups, sat and began to eat his meal. While he was eating, conversation within the groups returned to normal around him. As soon as he finished eating, several young boys materialized in front of him and began asking questions. He guessed they ranged in age from six to about twelve. Their excitement was evident on their eager faces and in their eyes.
"What was it like to ride the mighty Toruk?" asked one of the older boys, managing to finally over talk the younger ones.
"The first time was very scary," he answered gravely. "I was afraid that he would flick me off and eat me. Lucky for me, he didn't do that."
Once he began to talk, the boys fell silent and sat down in front of him, their eyes wide with anticipation and awe. Being in the presence of Toruk Macto, speaking with him, made the boys feel older, more important.
"After I got past being scared half to death, it was like being the wind. I could go as fast and as high as I wanted. Through tsahaylu I was able to feel the full power of Toruk. He is indeed mighty and without fear. After we got used to each other, which didn't take as long as I expected, I too, felt almost invincible."
A young girl, who looked to be about four or five years of age, walked up to him while he was speaking to the boys, ducked beneath his arms, and wormed her way onto his lap without uttering a single word. Nothing quite like this had ever happened to him before. No human child had ever come up to him like this. At first he thought some adult would come and take the child away. Curiously, from the moment she sat down he felt as though she belonged there, but couldn't for the life of him figure out why. Since none of the adults seemed to think anything was wrong or came to take her away, he continued to speak to the boys.
"Flying with Toruk is very different from flying with an ikran. The bond is totally different for one thing. With your banshee you are equal partners; with Toruk you know who is really in control. A banshee is better for most kinds of hunting as they are more maneuverable and less noticeable by your prey. Nothing fails to notice Toruk and live long."
While Jake was trying to explain the subtle and not so subtle differences between Toruk and a mountain banshee to the boys, he felt the child's tail curl lightly, possessively around his waist as she leaned back against his chest. Her head rested just under his collarbone. She was creating an intricate braid from three different colored vines. She also had a small bundle of flowers in her lap that she was weaving into the braid. When it became obvious to the child that Jake had stopped talking she looked up into his face. Her eyes were luminous and inquiring, yet almost shy beneath long lashes. A warm knowing smile curved her lips ever so slightly. When she returned to working on her braid, he resumed talking to the boys.
"Unlike ikran, Toruk will not stay with me for the whole of his life. He comes to me only in times of our greatest need. He needs to be free, to come and go as he pleases. It is possible that I will never ride with him again in my life-time. In my heart I hope that we will not need him to return. Now that the Sky People are gone I pray that we can spend all of our time rebuilding our lives and our home. We have much work to do."
He felt the child's head turn against his chest. Glancing down he noticed she was looking off towards the Well of Souls. Following her gaze he saw Neytiri and Mo'at step into the light cast by the fire which had grown brighter as the twilight had completely faded. When Neytiri's eyes locked with his own he felt his heart speed up. It still amazed him that she had selected him for her life-mate. He hoped he would never get over it.
Neytiri's attention had been focused on her mother as they entered the gathering area. It was not until they were about ten paces from where Jake sat that she noticed him. The image of him sitting serenely, with a small girl child in his lap, looking at her with eyes for her and her alone, stopped Neytiri in her tracks. Feelings of unbearable tenderness swamped her. She was no stranger to strong emotion. Mostly the emotions she dealt with were competitive or aggressive in nature. This softer kind of emotion she didn't have a clue as to how to deal with. She did not break eye contact with him until Mo'at shoved some food under her nose.
"Go, sit with your mate, eat," her mother ordered as she walked over to sit with one of the larger groups.
On legs that weren't entirely steady Neytiri moved to where Jake was sitting and sat down beside him.
"Hello, Ralu. What are you making?" she would have completely forgotten about the food in her hands if her stomach had not started to grumble rather loudly.
"A necklace for Ansita," Ralu replied, pressing her back more firmly, possessively against Jake's chest. "It is to show irayo for all that she has done for me."
"It is very pretty. I'm sure she will be most pleased to receive this gift from you," she responded after swallowing food she didn't really want but her body needed in any case.
As several of the adults began to collect their young ones, a slim teenage na'vi female approached Jake and Neytiri. Jake noticed that she seemed a bit nervous, almost hesitant.
"Come Ralu, it is time for sleeping," the girl began. "I see you," she said after shifting her attention to Neytiri.
"I see you, Ansita," Neytiri replied in kind. "Jake, this is Ralu's cousin Ansita."
After a brief hesitation over how to address the young girl, Jake decided he couldn't go wrong with the standard. "I see you."
When Ansita seemed to be at a loss for words he felt as if he had made a mistake with his greeting. Trying to set the girl at ease he smiled warmly up at her. The luminescent spots on her face flashed brilliantly. Without a word she turned and walked away calling for Ralu to follow.
"Thank you for letting me sit with you," Ralu said as she stood and faced him. He had started to wonder if the child was so traumatized that she couldn't speak at all.
Standing, her eyes were level with Jake's. He sensed that she was hesitant to leave. Reaching out, he took one of the flowers that she had not yet worked into the braid she was making and threaded it into her hair.
"There, much prettier," he added giving her partially braided hair a playful tug.
Almost before Jake could blink, Ralu threw her arms around his neck and hugged him fiercely with all the might her young arms could manage. He was just about to put an arm around her when she released him and bolted off after her cousin.
Clueless, he looked helplessly at Neytiri. She was looking at him in that half-stunned, half-amazed expression she used when he did something unexpected.
"Well, you seem to be making quite the impression on young girls tonight," she said, a smirk escaping through the serious face she was giving him. "Perhaps you should go easy with that smile. We don't want any young females falling out of their nests or waking in things, such as trees."
"Now you are just teasing me," he replied easily.
"A little, perhaps. But by Ansita's reaction I think we had better play it safe. I will keep all of you smiles for myself."
"Where are Ralu's parents," he asked, his gut knotting in anticipation of the answer Neytiri would give him.
"They are with Eywa. Her mother died at Hometree and her father was killed in battle." Heartbreak was clearly written on her face and in her voice. Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks. There had never been a time of so much sorrow. She wasn't sure how she was going to get through this time of terrible, unending grief. She felt as though she would never truly laugh again.
"How many children were orphaned?" Jake asked as he reached for her hand.
"At least forty that we know for certain. Not all clan members have been accounted for."
"Jesus, that really sucks," he muttered to himself in English.
"If by that you mean what has happened is horrible, then I agree with you," she replied in English, intertwining her three fingers with his four. It never ceased to amaze her how well their hands fit together.
A dozen or so clan members moved to sit in a half circle in front of Jake and Neytiri. Once all were seated an old male that Jake had spoken to a few times address him.
"Toruk Macto, Will the Sky People return?"
From the intense look on all of the faces before him Jake new that he had to tell them the complete and total truth. To do anything less would be unworthy, there had been enough deception. He had resigned himself to telling the truth to any question put to him. He prayed that certain questions would never be asked. But this question he had fully been expecting.
"Yes, they will." Jake waited a beat before continuing to speak.
"Three of their giant star ships are already headed for Pandora…the Sky People's name for our world," he added when some of those sitting before him seemed confused.
"These star ships left the Sky People's world before Hometree was attacked and destroyed. The first one will arrive in just over a year's time. The second will arrive a year after the first and the third a year after the second. How much the Sky People on these star ships will know about what has happened here we have no way of seeing. Unless the Sky People had already planned to send something other than the usual replacements and supplies we should not be facing any immediate threat from them."
"Do the Sky People have weapons on their ships that could be used to attack our people?" another warrior asked. Jake recognized him from their attack on Quaritch's armada of war birds.
"I really don't know, but I'm sure we can find out. Max, Norm or one of the other scientists that we allowed to stay should be able to tell us. I am certain that somewhere on the Sky People's base there is detailed information about everything and anything having to do with their star ships. Weapons would definitely be one of those pieces of information."
While Jake was answering the initial questions the rest of the adults joined the circle. Mo'at sat beside her daughter. Jake wasn't sure if this was part of the clan dynamics, but it didn't go unnoticed by most of those in front of him.
"We should have killed all the Sky People," a female warrior interrupted before he could continue. "To let Sky People live shows that Na'vi are weak."
Since it was a certainty that this woman had either lost immediate family or close relatives or friends to the Sky People's unprovoked attacks he could understand her feelings. His own heart had been filled with rage, intent on killing Quaritch for what he had done to the Na'vi.
"Yes, we could have slaughtered the defeated Sky People, just as they did to us at Hometree," he answered, sweeping his gaze across all those seated in front of him. He had felt this sentiment several times since the decision was made to return the human survivors to their home world. Most of the Na'vi did not feel this way, but a small vocal group did. He knew that he would have to deal with them, so he might as well start now.
"To have done so would have made us to be just like them," he continued, looking directly at the warrior who and voiced her opinion. "The single indisputable fact that we must accept is that the Sky People are going to come back. Buried beneath the ground, this world has a rock that is very valuable to humans that they are willing to kill for. Just as they have done so many times before. It is the key to their continued existence. More accurately, it is the key to the continued existence of the RDA."
He could tell by his audience's faces that they really didn't understand much of what he was saying. How could they? They had no knowledge of science or commerce, or anything that humans took for granted. He could just see himself trying to explain profits or shareholders. It was a small miracle that they seemed to get the basic idea of a star ship. What he was facing right this minute was a major part of the reason that he did not want to be clan leader. His frames of reference were all human. True, he was quickly learning to fully appreciate the world the Na'vi lived in, but he still approached it from his human perspective. Sighing inwardly, he tried to get his point across once again.
"The Sky People will keep coming back as long as they can get the rock buried beneath us. They can bring enough weapons with them to defeat us no matter how bravely we fight. I know we have already defeated them once, but that was mostly due to their arrogance. They didn't think the Na'vi were any match for them in battle. The Sky People may be stupid about a lot of things, but making the same mistake twice isn't usually one of them. We are going to have to convince the Sky People that it is too much effort to come here for the rock they desire. Or we are going to have to let them take rock from areas of our choosing."
"If Sky People return we will kill them all," the angry young warrior proclaimed. "If they did not learn from their first defeat, then we will keep defeating them until they do learn. Then they will not come here anymore."
"There are many more Sky People than Na'vi. They have much more powerful weapons. Our single biggest advantage is that it takes years to get here from Earth and it is very, very costly. Plus, not all Sky People are bad. Many will be very upset over what was done to us. The Sky People will argue with themselves. Not having killed all the Sky People who came here will send a message that we are not the ones who are savages. RDA is the savage. It knows very little of our world. We must use all of this to our best advantage. For if it comes to war, then we will lose. We will most certainly perish along with Eywa."
He let his last statement hang in the air for his audience to absorb. The young warrior that had been very vocal still looked angry, but she seemed to be considering his words. The others appeared to be taking his words with varying levels of awareness.
"Jake, this is going to take time for the people to understand," Neytiri said softly in English. "Do not be angry if they do not understand everything you are trying to tell them."
"I'm not angry, just a little frustrated," he answered quietly, also in English. "My biggest worry is that the fierce pride of the Omatikaya will lead them to think they can win a war with the Sky People."
"Many already know this will never happen. We will convince the others."
"The trick will be to do so without damaging their pride," he added, a note of sadness in his voice.
"Toruk Macto, could you tell us what you experienced when you passed through the Eye of Eywa?" one of the elder women asked. "Normally we would not ask such a personal question, but these are not normal times."
"Please call me Jake, or Jakesully. Toruk Macto seems just a little formal," he answered good naturedly.
"I don't mind describing what it was like to pass through the Eye of Eywa and return. It was all a sense of feeling, of hearing, of seeing. I did not talk to Eywa, or she to me. As you know, Eywa is not a person, not a single being that has shape or form. She is everything that lives or has lived. She is all of us. Eywa caused me to feel all that she is, to hear the voices of all our ancestors and recently departed spirits, to see the world as it was in the beginning, through all that has passed up until today. In some sense Eywa was trying to show my human born spirit what it truly means to be Na'vi."
"To me the process seemed to take years," he continued when no one interrupted him. "I think Eywa was gaging my emotional reaction to what she was making me feel. Several times I got the impression that my responses were not to her liking. Maybe that is why it seemed to take so long before she allowed my spirit to enter this body and awaken. While it was not a physically painful experience, it was rather unpleasant at times and not an experience I would care to go through a second time."
"I'm not sure what else I can tell you. The sensations faded quickly once my spirit was in this body," he concluded, looking at the clan members seated before him.
"Thank you Toruk…Jakesully," said the woman who had asked the question.
"If I remember anything more specific I will be happy to pass it along to any who are interested," he added casually.
Once the discussion for the evening was finished, everyone rose to go to where they slept. No one spoke, they just wandered off. Jake wasn't sure how the group collectively decided to end the day without someone voicing the thought. Just one more thing he needed to learn.
[xxxxx]
Jake stood when Neytiri did. She took his hand and led him to a small sleeping area not far from where most of the others were bedding down for the night. A pair of mats was rolled out on the ground next to each other. In silence they removed their knives and body adornments. As if there was no need to speak, they lay down facing each and gazed into each other's eyes. When their bio-luminescent spots began to come alive, rippling with varying intensity, Neytiri pressed herself against Jake's chest, suddenly clinging to him with a fierceness that surprised him. When her body began to shake and he felt Neytiri's tears drip onto his chest he wrapped his arms around her and pressed his cheek to hers. As this didn't seem to helping, he began to slowly caress her back and shoulders while touching his lips to different spots on her face. When she stopped shaking, he drew back enough so the he could tip her chin up and look at her face.
"Why are you so sad?" he asked, gently tracing her cheek with the tips of his fingers. He didn't know what to do. He had seen Neytiri in many moods, but nothing like this. She looked almost devastated. He felt his own heart aching for her.
"I am not sad, I am happy," she blubbered, a fresh flood of tears streaming down her cheeks. Weakly, without much heat, she punched him in the chest.
"Well, you sure fooled me," he answered lightly, as he searched her whole face with his eyes trying to understand what had brought on this surge of obviously painful emotion.
"Neytiri, if you are happy, then why are you crying?" he asked, more than a little confused. What he saw in her eyes, on her face, was the depthless love that he felt for her reflected back at him through her eyes. Suddenly, he knew how to reach through to her.
"I…see…you," he stated softly, putting his heart into each distinct word.
"I see you," she replied after blinking away the remaining tears that had welled up in her eyes. For several minutes, during which the outside world ceased to be, they shared the love that they felt for each other through the endless expressions in their eyes.
"Jake, I spoke truly when I said I am happy," she began. "I fully expected to be sleeping alone tonight. I was afraid that you would not be able to pass through the Eye of Eywa. Even though your human body was not injured in the same way as Grace's, I was afraid you would not have the strength to make the journey. I should have had more faith in you. Twice I have lost faith, you deserve better than that. Please forgive me."
"There is nothing you need to be forgiven for. At Hometree you felt betrayed by me, and rightly so. In many ways I did betray you and your people. I should have told you the truth in the beginning. As far as passing through the Eye of Eywa, since it has never happened before, how could anyone know if I would be able to do so."
"I was so scared when I felt your spirit leave your human body. I knew it would take time to pass through Eywa, but it seemed to take forever. All I could think about was what my life would be like without you. Not being able to run, and hunt, and fly with you. Not seeing your smile, not being held close as we are now. Not sharing tsahaylu, not mating…"
In a smooth fluid movement, she reached behind her back and drew her queue forward, offering it, and herself, to him. Replying in kind, he brought his queue forward and watched in fascination and anticipation as the tendrils slowly, sinuously interwove. Through his eyes he saw her pupils grow huge, the golden iris barely a thing ring. Through her eyes he saw his eyes do the same. It was like being in two bodies at the same time, and having two spirits in one body. When she touched her lips to his he could not only feel the sensation on his own, but her lips as well. Every pleasure was doubled, every feeling so intense it was almost too much to bear. As his hands roamed over her body he felt the thrill of discovery in his fingertips and the pleasure of contact she felt at his touch. Pleasure built, slowly but steadily growing into desire that could only be satisfied by physical as well as spiritual union.
[xxxxx]
Their mutual passion spent, Jake caressed Neytiri's back as she lay curled against him, her head resting comfortably on his chest. Through an opening in the partly cloudy night sky he could see Polyphemus, her rotating bands clearly visible. Two of her smaller moons were also visible. If ever he needed a reminder of just how much had changed, all he had to do was look up, or at his own reflection. Never in his life, his former life, did he ever imagine a life as rich and full as the one he had now. And surprise, it came with a loving, caring woman to complete it. 'Not much else to ask for,' he thought to himself as he felt Neytiri's relaxed, rhythmic breathing. Closing his eyes, he followed his life-mate into sleep.
[xxxxx]
Jake awoke with the sensation of having both of his arms pinned down. Focusing, he saw Neytiri hadn't moved. She was still curled up beside him, his left arm holding her close. Turning his head to the right he was startled to see a small child tucked closely, protectively against his other side. Her right hand was resting lightly on his chest, her queue safely protected between them. He thought she looked familiar, but his sleep had been troubled with random flashes of passing through the Eye of Eywa, leaving him a little disoriented.
Neytiri sensed Jake's movement and confusion. Opening her eyes she found herself staring at the child he was intently looking at. She sensed something in him that she could not identify. It was a pleasant feeling, to be sure, just unknown. As her sleep clouded mind cleared, she quickly recognized the small girl snuggled protectively at his side. When she shifted, his attention turned back to her.
"We have a small visitor," Jake whispered.
"Yes we certainly do. How did she find us? More importantly, has she been missed and are there people out looking for her?"
"Who is she and what do we do now?" he asked his voice barely audible.
"It is Ralu, the young girl that was sitting in your lap earlier."
"Oh, right. I thought she looked familiar. My brain is just a bit fuzzy. In sleep I was reliving some of what happened with Eywa. Took a moment or two to get reoriented."
"I should go and see if she has been missed," Neytiri whispered, not wanting to wake the sleeping child.
Jake felt Ralu move against him as though she were trying to get closer. A pathetic whimper had both of them turning their focus back to the child. With a hard jerk of her muscles Ralu awoke, an anguished cry escaping. He felt her start to shake almost before her outburst ended.
"Place her between us, Neytiri said at the same time he was doing just that.
Rolling onto their sides they created a protective cocoon for Ralu. When Ralu continued to shake Neytiri pulled the child into her arms, stroking her head and back in soothing patterns. Looking past the frightened girl and into Jake's eyes she found the support and comfort she knew would always be there.
"She is but one of so many children that have lost their parents," she declared, both anguish and anger in her voice and on her face. "No one still alive can ever remember such terrible times."
"The best we can do is make sure they are looked after and kept safe," he answered, inwardly wondering if he would ever be at peace with himself over what the humans had done to the Na'vi.
"If I could I would tuck each and every one of those orphaned children right here between us. So that they are safe, and cared for and loved!" Jake easily recognized when warrior Neytiri took over. It was an interesting contrast from the soft, tender and giving Neytiri. He loved them both very much.
"Yes, I know," he answered. "Maybe we should start with just this one and see where that leads us. She has obviously selected us for care and protection. Not that I have a single clue how to care for a child, let alone a girl child."
"A boy child would be better?" Neytiri asked pointedly. From the tone of her voice he guessed where she was going with the question and cut her off before her volatile temper flashed.
"No, a child is a child. Having been a boy child once I have some idea of how they think. Girls, not so much. Perhaps this one here can teach me while we provide a home, a new family for her. If that would be acceptable to her aunt and uncle," he added, wondering just what is letting himself in for.
"Ralu's aunt and uncle have two of their own, both in their teens. We will speak with them in the morning. Also, mother must approve. As Tashik, she approves all matters such as this."
Ralu had finally settled in Neytiri's protective embrace. Once she was calm, past the fear from the terrible dreams of fire and choking smoke, she started to pay attention to what Neytiri and Jake were saying. Even though she missed her parents terribly, she felt comforted by Neytiri and Jake voices, their kind hearts. She was old enough to know that being the daughter, even if it was adopted, of Tashik and Olo'eyktan was probably going to have some advantages. The fact there could also be disadvantages didn't occur to her.
"Do you think you can go back to sleep?" Neytiri asked Ralu when she sensed that the child was listening.
"Yes, I think so," Ralu answered, trying to sound pitiful so Neytiri wouldn't send her back to sleep with Ansita.
"Then close your eyes. Do not dream." Neytiri released her tight grip so that the child could lie on her back between Jake and herself. She continued rubbing small patterns on Ralu's forehead until her eyes closed and she dropped off to sleep. Neytiri was not surprised to see one of Ralu's hands gripping Jake's.
"I will go and make sure no one is searching for Ralu," she said, once she was sure the child was sleeping soundly. "It will only take a few minutes," she added as she quickly got to her feet and disappeared from sight.
Looking at the small child sleeping peacefully beside him Jake felt even more complete than before. There was something about this small girl that made him want to nurture, as well as protect. It appeared to him that he had awaked Na'vi to discover more than just his life-mate. He had a child to go with her. From the looks of things, he and Neytiri could have a whole brood if they so desired. They just weren't going to have any biological children of their own. Hell, he wasn't even sure if Neytiri wanted babies of her own. The designers of his and the other avatar bodies had rendered them infertile. No procreating with the natives, he had overheard one of the scientists telling someone. Exactly when and how was he was going to bring this subject up? Right at the moment he and Neytiri would have their hands full just trying to relocate the clan and see to the wounded and orphaned.
True to her word, Neytiri returned quickly, carefully lowering herself to the sleeping mat without disturbing Ralu.
"She was not missed. I told her uncle that she would be spending the rest of the night with us. Thankfully no one was out searching for her. Everyone but the sentries are asleep."
"We should get some more sleep ourselves," he advised. It is going to be a very busy day.
"Yes, it will be all of that," Neytiri answered, smiling warmly at him over the small child sleeping between them.
Jake was asleep within minutes. Neytiri took considerably longer as she thought of how much her life had changed and how much more change was likely to come. It was decidedly unexpected that Jake took to children so easily. Just one more thing she had learned about him. Yes indeed, tomorrow would be a very busy day.
Exhaustion finally overcame her, and the three of them, a new family in the making before Eywa, slept in her infinite care and wisdom.
[xxxxxxxxxx]