~A Flower in the Dark~
A Tale of the Elves of the Father Tree Holt
Chapter 3: The Rescue
Greymung froze at the sound of the Bearclaw's voice. He had been so careful to hide the elfling every other time Bearclaw had been here but somehow the damned elf had snuck in!
"Ah Bearclaw! How are you? I see you brought some friends with you today. How delightful." Greymung cooed with a sickly sweet smile. The fire in the elves' eyes was enough to scare even the bravest troll.
"What are you doing Greymung?" Bearclaw growled.
"I am merely disciplining a bad slave." Greymung felt a moment of satisfaction when Shale winced at that statement. Unfortunately, Bearclaw also noticed and moved to stand in front of his brother, protecting him from the troll's evil, piercing stare.
"What are you doing with another elf Greymung? How dare you lock him away from the rest of the world! I thought you learned your lesson last time." Bearclaw growled.
"He is mine to do with as I wish-" but he was cut off by Bearclaw's sword coming to rest at his throat.
"I should have rid this world of your pathetic existence the last time you tried this, troll. You are not fit to live here." Cutter and Skywise were very confused by pure rage and pain behind Bearclaw's words and the pale, trembling Shale. "Now call your troops away Greymung! No tricks this time or it will be your blood spilled for a change."
* Cubs! Get the little one and take him home! * Shale sent. Cutter and Skywise hurried to do as they were told. Skywise cut through the bonds holding the elfling in place while Cutter gently cradled the little elf, being careful of his back.
'This little one is so small and frail. He weighs no more than a feather! And he is as white as one too.' Cutter thought as he ran through the tunnels.
* What should I do brother? * Shale sent as soon as the cubs left the chamber.
* Stay Shale. I need you to help me control myself. If Greymung says one more thing, I just might go on a troll killing spree. * Bearclaw replied.
* Do not fear brother. I will keep you from doing anything you will regret. *
* Thank you Zash, I know this is not easy for you. *
* It does bring back memories but I shall be fine as long as you are here, Grenn. * Shale and Bearclaw's conversation was brought to a halt by the sound of someone clearing their throat.
"Well now that that's all over, will you please remove your sword?" Greymung fumed.
"You should consider yourself lucky that I am letting you go twice. Cross me again and I shall not be so kind."
Greymung snorted, "You elves are so much fun to catch. It is such a challenge to break your free spirits but the end result is glorious. You have seen my handiwork first hand Bearclaw. And do you know what the best part is? Elves are so easy to catch if you just know how to distract them." With these words, Bearclaw was struck with a strange foreboding…
* GRENN! * Bearclaw heard the pain-filled cry that accompanied the sending and turned around just in time to see Shale collapse to the ground with a knife stuck in his stomach all the way to the hilt. Three troll guards were standing around him, ready pounce on the injured elf should he move at all. However, Shale did not look like he would be moving anytime soon. There was a large pool of blood forming on the ground around his body and Bearclaw could feel trickles of the pain through their bond.
"GREYMUNG! You shall pay for harming my brother again! He has suffered enough at your filthy hands." With that, Bearclaw drove his knife into the troll's stomach, efficiently giving him a gruesome wound that would, unfortunately, never kill him but leave a lasting pain. "Let that be a warning to all who dare harm one of my elves!" Then Bearclaw quickly slaughtered the trolls guarding Shale and lifted his dearest brother into his arms.
* Stay here Zash! Do not leave me! * Shale was looking worse by the second. He had already lost quite a lot of blood and his skin was becoming paler and paler. Bearclaw quickly ran back down the tunnel, sending to his tribemates, * I need Rain! Greymung's guards have grievously injured Shale! *
Back at the Holt, everything was in chaos as elves ran this way and that trying to make space for Shale and the injured elfling. The largest room was quickly cleared out and filled with plenty of furs and Rain's healing herbs. At last the final preparations were completed. Now all that was left to do was wait for the injured elves to arrive.