What Decisions Can Bring to Be

Okay. One of my best friends is Turtle Babe. She has been writing a great story about Chot. He too is my favorite elf and I've been dared by Turtle Babe to write a Chot story of my own. Challenge accepted!

This is quite an alternative universe fic and possible yaoi so be warned.

I own nothing. Nothing.

Chapter Three

"This feeling," Zey breathed gazing within the crystal doorway before grunting as his comrade smacked him hard in the back, "Oof!"

"Forgot that you and my faunt never got the opportunity to see the palace," Henrik chuckled as Zey grumbled irritably, "Nothing like it. Wolf-Chief, where is your son? My faunt needs to be found. Move, Zey."

"I would if you wouldn't keep pounding me into the poking ground," Zey growled as Henrik snorted and following an amused Cutter inside the palace, "Troll-mucking, mad elf. I can barely straighten up here. Gah!"

Dart and Yun hid their smiles as Zey hobbled into the palace. Dart was beginning to warm up to the older Go-Back. Henrik seemed to be an alright elf, maybe a bit hands on, but an okay elf.

"It's that vile Go-Back! He's alive!"

"Murderer!"

"How dare you come in here!"

"Get out!"

Zey groaned as the Sun Villagers yelling grew louder and louder while his face grew redder and redder.

"I'M SORRY, OKAY? I WAS WRONG TO ATTACK YOUR VILLAGE!" Zey thundered as the elves about went silent with looks of shock on their faces, "I CAN'T UNDO WHAT WAS DONE, BUT I HAVE HAD REMORSE OVER MY ACTIONS EVER SINCE! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY FOR YOUR PAIN AND I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS! I'M SORRY FOR EVERYTHING! I WAS A FOOL, OKAY? I WAS A CURSED FOOL!"

"You are changed," Savah stated as the Sun Villagers parted for her while Henrik moved to place a hand on Zey's shoulder and began staring down the elves that ventured too close, "You are not the same elf that came to our village so long ago."

"I'm not," Zey agreed as he went to one knee with Henrik guarding over him with narrowed eyes, "I'm sorry for what I did. I'm sorry for the losses to both our tribes. That was my fault. I can only ask for forgiveness, but I have little time. My comrade and I are on a quest to find ones lost. I'm so sorry for what I've done."

The Mother of Memories remained silent as Henrik stayed tense.

"Out with it," Henrik urged as many of the villagers turned to him and blinked in surprise, "Zey was wrong. He suffered in torturous pain for years due to what he caused. Served the puffed-up, bag of wind right. Can you forgive him so I can find my faunt?"

"Ah," Savah chuckled as Zey huffed at his comrade, "I see a lot of your child in you, Go-Back. You must be Chot's sire."

Murmurs rang out as Henrik drew himself up proudly.

"Chot is my faunt. I am Henrik," Henrik sniffed looking about, "Do you forgive Zey or not? I can slap him around a bit if that helps soften your hearts."

"Thanks a lot, Henrik," Zey bit out as Dart and Yun again had to hide their grins.

"I think we can all give Zey a chance to make up for his misdeeds without…ahem, slapping him around a bit," Savah decided as the younger Go-Back looked up at her gratefully, "You will have a lot to prove. Your actions have created a lot of ill-will and pain among my villagers."

"My actions have caused a lot of ill-will and pain among my tribe as well," Zey said as he stood, "Thank you for giving me this chance to correct my mistakes. It is a chance that I hardly deserve, but…oof!"

"Shut up," Henrik interrupted after he had slapped Zey on the back hard enough to double the elf over once again, "Cutter, where is your boy? I need to find my faunt and not listen to elves prattling about."

Cutter chuckled as he gestured for Henrik to follow him. Zey snarled as he reached to rub his sore back.

"High Ones," Zey moaned as some titters began, "You are who, Milady?"

"I am the Mother of Memories," Savah answered, "You may call me Savah."

"Well, I think that Henrik may end me to make up for what I did to your village, Savah. Thank you for the second chance," Zey continued, slowly straightening, "Blasted elf. He doesn't know his own strength. Yes, I'm coming, Henrik."

Dart snorted along with some other elves as Zey walked to his comrade looking strained.

"Yun, tell Savah what is going on while I catch up," Dart ordered as his friend nodded, "Hurry and meet us in the Scroll Room."

Dart quickened his pace and entered the most sacred room in the palace.

"I see."

The voice had been Cutter's son. Sunstream looked curiously at Henrik as the Go-Back looked up and down at the elf.

"Taller than you," Henrik grunted to Cutter as the chief grinned, "Has your bearing though. Good shoulders. So you are Sunstream now. Good name. Heard you were a friend of my faunt."

"Faunt? You are speaking of Chot?" Sunstream questioned and understood once the Go-Back nodded, "Chot is my friend and I've missed him being about. I've been worried for him and the others that were left behind. I'm glad to help in any way possible."

"How?" Dart called out moving forward, "Chot can't send well and we have no idea if he ever found either Jethel or Dodia."

"He's with Jethel," Sunstream supplied as Henrik gasped.

"You know? My faunt, is he safe?" Henrik demanded while Zey hurried forward to listen.

"The last I met up with Jethel's spirit he was fine, but that has been ages ago," Sunstream agreed as Henrik whooped looking relieved, "Um…"

"No time to explain," Henrik pushed, "My son is growing ill. Zey and I need to reach him."

"I need some time to send for them," Sunstream agreed quickly sensing the urgency, "Then Skywise and I can create a pod to reach them."

"Pod?" Zey questioned before shaking his head, "Don't mind that question. Just do what you can, Sunstream. You have Henrik's and my appreciation."

"He's a fine lad," Henrik complimented Cutter once Sunstream began searching for the lost, "Good head on his shoulders. Done a fine job raising your son and that daughter of yours that I met first."

"Thank you," Cutter answered with a proud smile, "I must return to my tribe. I hope your quest is successful. My friend Skywise will be here soon."

"Ah. Your bonded," Henrik said nodding at Cutter, "Thank you for understanding my urgency. I want to get my faunt away from that cursed forevergreen and here safe. Zey, stop poking at that scroll. Excuse me."

"My bonded? Did he mean Skywise?" Cutter choked as Dart smiled at him, "Is that some kind of Go-Back thing?"

"No. Henrik says that there is more to recognition than just making young," Dart explained, "He says that you and Skywise are bonded together like Zey and Chot. Says that one cannot live without the other."

"My bonded," Cutter repeated looking thoughtful, "Well, perhaps. Be safe, Dart, and good journeys."

"Can't take you anywhere," Henrik groaned, pulling Zey over to Dart as Yun trotted into the room, "How long is this going to take?"

"Depends on how quickly Jethel answers Sunstream's call," Dart admitted as the two Go-Backs cursed softly, "He…oh. Greetings, High One."

Timmain walked over as Henrik dropped to one knee with Zey falling down on both of his as he stared at the firstcomer in shock.

"Milady, long has it been since I've stood in your presence," Henrik breathed in wonder, "I am honored to do so again. Breathe, Zey."

"She's…that's…," Zey stuttered, "You're a High One."

"Some call me that," Timmain hummed gazing into Zey's eyes as he blushed, "You are seeking your other half."

"I am," Zey agreed, "I've done so for a very long time."

"No more blaming," Timmain instructed, "Focus on what is necessary to grow more than you've allowed yourself. Find your place."

"Aye," Zey began before grunting in pain as Henrik pinched him hard, "Ow! What, Henrick? Oh…um…I will, High One. I will follow your advice."

Timman nodded as she left while the elder Go-Back glared at a sheepish Zey.

"Sorry. I wasn't trying to be rude," Zey blurted as Henrik scowled, "I was taken by surprise. Her eyes are so vast."

"True," Henrik agreed as he rose and jerked Zey up, "Dart, can we get something to eat while we wait? I'm poking starving."

"Sure," Dart agreed leading the way to the Sun Villagers' eating hall as amusement bubbled at Henrik's similarity to Chot, "This way."

In the Forevergreen:

Chot cursed softly as he panted behind a tree. The humans were moving in faster and his stamina was failing him. Never had he felt so winded before after a short run. He was going to strangle Jethel if he hadn't located the cub. Jethel should have known not to play a seeking game with No-name.

-Chot!-

-I'm fine, Jethel. The troll-mucking humans are turning in the wrong direction. Tell me you have the cub.-

-I have No-name here with me. Chot, your sending is weak. Are you okay?-

-Just worn. I'm coming. Don't let No-name out of your poking sight this time.-

-Not like I meant to the first time.-

-He's just a cub and doesn't understand dangers, Jethel. You should have watched out for him better. I'm coming now.-

Chot groaned as he moved. He ached as if he had been beaten. What was his problem? It took much longer than it should have to reach his tribe and he sat heavily upon a fallen log to catch his breath. A weight lifted off of him at seeing No-name holding Jethel's hand.

"Fluffy?"

"Stop calling me that, Cub," Chot snorted as Dodia's son grinned at him while Jethel hurried over, "We need to move, Jethel."

"Fluffy, tired?" No-name asked as Chot rolled his eyes at the child, "Fluffy?"

"Chot. I'm Chot," the Go-Back sighed, reaching to pull the cub closer, "Say it with me. Chot."

"Fluffy Chot," No-name chirped as Jethel snickered, "Chot!"

"Good, Cub," Chot sighed before startling as Jethel placed a hand on his forehead, "What are you poking doing? We've got to move."

"Chot, you're burning up again," Jethel pointed out as Chot huffed, "Brother, you can't deny that you are ill."

"Maybe, but not here and now," Chot growled as he rose and grabbed No-name's hand, "Lead the way, Chief. We need to get back to the holt. You are in big trouble, Cub."

"Sorry, Fluffy," No-name whimpered as Chot rolled his eyes while stooping for the cub to climb onto his back, "Not mean get lost."

"I know, Cub. Quiet now," Chot ordered as he felt the child nod against his shoulder while he stood back up, "Go, Jethel."

Chot and Jethel moved in silence. The two ran quickly without alerting any to their presence. The Go-Back growled to himself as he moved. Jethel had been right. He was weakening and slowing his tribe down.

"Oh, Chot," Jethel gasped when the Go-Back sank to his knees in the safety of their holt while No-name climbed off his back, "You are sick and getting worse. The fever leaves aren't working anymore."

"I know," Chot agreed, having no energy to rise again, "Jethel, you've got to take the cub and leave me. I'm slowing you down and the humans are getting bolder."

"Never, Brother," Jethel denied as he stooped and placed Chot's arm around his shoulders to assist the Go-Back to stand and be led to his sleep furs, "You need to eat and rest. You barely touch your food anymore and you're losing weight. Do you have any idea why you are getting ill?"

"No," Chot denied, "I have not a troll-mucking clue. Looking back, I can see the signs that came on slowly, but I was unaware then. I don't know…unh!"

Chot hissed as pain pulled at his heart as he grabbed his chest and leaned over to try and stop the ache. Why now? Not now.

"Fluffy," No-name whimpered as Chot tried to pant through the pain, "Jethel, what's wrong with my Fluffy Chot?"

"I don't know, Cub," Jethel gritted out trying to rub Chot's back to relieve some of the pain his friend was feeling, "Chot, these attacks you have are getting worse as well. This isn't right. I wish Mender was here or Sunstream's mother. I wish we could call for the palace, but the humans would swarm on us. We've got to think of something."

"Need to leave me," Chot breathed as Jethel helped him lay down, "Can't…can't allow cub to be taken, Jethel. Leave me. You are the chief. You have to make the right decision…uhn."

"Just rest," Jethel ordered while Chot closed his eyes, breathing hard as he grimaced in pain, "No-name, come nap with your Fluffy so he feels better."

"Kill you," Chot snorted, making Jethel shake his head in amusement while the cub cuddled against the Go-Back's side, "Settle, Cub. Thank you for the arm rub. That is making me feel much better, No-name. Jethel?"

"Here," Jethel assured taking Chot's hand in his, "Just sleep, Brother. I'll keep watch."

Jethel bit his lip as his adopted brother and No-name drifted to sleep. Chot was getting worse and these bouts of pain were agony to watch. The elf startled at a call that reached him.

-Jethel?-

-Sunstream? Oh, thank the High Ones. I have wanted to call to you, but I feared that humans would overrun the palace. Chot's sick, Sunstream, and getting worse. Humans are trying to find our holt thinking that if they caught one of us for a sacrifice that good fortune will come to their village. Chot wants me to leave him, but I can't do that. Please help us.-

-I'm on my way, Jethel. There is a new way that I can reach you without bringing the whole palace. There are also many looking for you and Chot. I located Dodia too, but she wishes to be left alone. Who is the third elf with you?-

-Dodia's son. He's just a cubling. Please hurry, Sunstream. Chot's fever is getting too high and he has fits of pain in his chest. I wish now that I hadn't sent Willowsnap to be with Dodia since a preserver cocoon would keep Chot from continuing to suffer. Come soon, Friend. Please.-

-I'm coming, Jethel. Be ready to leave.-

Jethel sighed in relief. Sunstream was coming and he sensed others too through the sending.

"Hold on, Chot. It's okay now. I'm going to bring you to a healer," Jethel whispered before gasping as a group of humans burst through the bushes, "No! Get back!"

To be continued…