~A Flower in the Dark~
A Tale of the Elves of the Father Tree Holt

Chapter 4: The Long Road to Recovery

The first to arrive back at the holt was Cutter, carrying the elfling, with Skywise close behind. They hurried up into the makeshift healing room and laid their precious burden on the furs. They were quickly pushed out of the way to make room for Rain and Rainsong to get to work. Joyleaf stepped up to lead the boys away so the healers could finish stabilizing the elfling before Bearclaw arrived with Shale. She took them down to the stream so they could wash the blood from their hands, then she tried to convince them to go hunt as they were both obviously famished. But they refused and went to sit outside the healing room to wait.

Rain had just finished what he could when Bearclaw appeared from the woods. By this time, Shale had nearly bled white and many who saw him were stunned by how far gone he already was. Skywise nearly burst into tears at the sight of his father in such a near-dead state. Bearclaw rushed inside and laid Shale down on the pile of furs. However, he refused to leave, instead moving to sit by Shale's head and hold his hand. Rainsong got right to work cleaning the wound while Rain prepared for one of the most taxing healings he had ever attempted. Shale was far away and there was a great chance that he could not be called back.

As Rain fell deep into his trance, Cutter and Skywise snuck back into the room and sat with the mysterious elfling. Skywise was so afraid for his father that he had to be nearby and Cutter would never leave his brother alone especially at a time like this. After what seemed like many hours, Rain came out of his trance exhausted but satisfied.

"He has a much better chance of living now but he's not completely safe yet."

"Rain, you did what you could, it will have to be enough. Come, its time to rest now." Rainsong moved to pull Rain from the room.

"Fine, I'll come along in a moment Rainsong. Should anything happen Bearclaw, make sure you call for me." With that the five elves were left alone. Skywise quietly climbed over to Shale's side. Bearclaw continued to stare off into the distance, clutching one pale cold hand. Skywise took the other and shivered when he felt how dry and papery the skin was. Shale had never been as strong as Bearclaw or Treestump but he had never been weak either. Finally, Skywise could take it no more and collapsed at his sire's side, sobbing quietly. This finally broke Bearclaw's trance and Cutter got a glimpse of too bright eyes before he fled the room. Cutter was torn between going after his father and staying to comfort his brother. Fortunately, Joyleaf saved him that decision by appearing from a nearby shadow.

"Don't worry cub, I'll take care of your sire. You stay here with Skywise. He needs you now." Cutter smiled at his mother and went back to Skywise's side to find that he was trying to hold back the tears.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to upset Bearclaw."

"Shhh its alright. He just needs time to deal with what's happened. Its not your fault." Cutter sat on the floor and pulled the trembling form into his lap.

"Just let go Skywise, go ahead and cry. It's not bad to show feelings. The only ones here are you and me and you know I would never judge your tears." At this, he finally got through to Skywise, who released the torrent of emotions inside him. He began to cry and cling to Cutter.

* I'm scared Tam. * Cutter's heart nearly broke at the depth of emotion behind that sending. * What if… *

* Fahr, we cannot live in the shadow of the what-ifs. We cannot live in the past or the future but the now. I know it's hard for you, my stargazer, but now more than ever you must try not to be consumed. * By now Skywise had calmed down considerably and now just sat, still clinging to Cutter, hiccupping miserably. *C'mon now. It's been a long day for all of us. I think its time for some rest. * Cutter led Skywise over to a clean corner of the pile of furs, helped him lay down, and then sat on the floor next to him.

* Please don't leave Tam *

* Oh Fahr, I'll never leave you as long as I can help it. I promise. * He gently removed Skywise's metal headpiece and sat there, one hand clutched tightly and the other petting silver hair until Skywise's breath evened into a peaceful rest.

As the sun began to appear on the horizon, Bearclaw reappeared in the doorway. He paused there to survey the scene before him. Three of the room's inhabitants were resting but the fourth sat there watching him. Bearclaw nearly broke down when he saw the myriad of emotions flitting across his son's face. Cutter was angry with the trolls, scared for Shale and the mysterious elfling, terrified for Skywise and for… him. Cutter was terrified of what would happen to Bearclaw and Skywise if Shale did not survive. Bearclaw came to his cub's side and sat down beside him.

"How have things been here cub?"

"Fine, I finally got Skywise to relax and the other two haven't moved." Bearclaw sighed.

"Thank you Cutter, for being strong when I could not be." He felt more than saw or heard the sobs that were beginning to wrack the small body beside him. "Shhh everything will be fine now."

"But what if its not! What if Shale doesn't make it? Will I loose you and Skywise too?"

"Skywise will be just fine. It may take some time but with you beside him, he will be fine."

"What about you?"

"I promise cub, should the worst happen I will not leave until you are ready." Cutter finally broke down, the stresses of the day catching up to him. Bearclaw pulled him into an embrace, gently rocking him. The quiet sobs woke Skywise who was very concerned to see his brother crying.

"What's wrong Cutter?" Cutter started at the quiet voice and looked at Skywise.

"Nothing Skywise. I'm sorry I woke you. Go back to sleep." Needless to say, Skywise was not satisfied by this answer but knowing Cutter as well as he did, was pretty sure he knew what he was thinking. He held up a corner of the blanket, silently inviting Cutter to come lay with him. Cutter looked up at his sire.

"Go ahead cubling. I want to check on Shale anyway." * Don't forget what I said. * With that, Bearclaw got up and sat down next to Shale. Cutter crawled under the furs next to Skywise. Cutter rested his head on Skywise's chest and wrapped his arms around his waist. Skywise, in turn, wrapped his arms about the younger boy's shoulders and pulled him in close.

* I'm sorry Tam. *

* For what? *

* I was so caught up in my own grief that I didn't think about you. This must be hard, watching everyone fall apart around you. *

* It's okay Skywise. You didn't know. *

* Well now I do and it's my turn to take care of you for a while. * Skywise pulled Cutter in even tighter and proceeded to brush the soft blonde hair away from the pale forehead and place a gentle kiss there. * Rest now my chief. Tomorrow will be another busy day. * When Bearclaw looked over at them, he saw Cutter fast asleep, safely held in the arms of his recognized brother, who was fast on his way to joining him in the land of dreams.

* Thank you cub. * Bearclaw locksent to Skywise just before the silver-haired stargazer slipped into slumber.

'Their bond is just as strong, if not stronger than the one I share with Shale. Cutter will be a great chief one day and Skywise will be right by his side offering love and support. Separate, they are forces to be reckoned with but together they will be invincible.' Bearclaw then turned back to Shale and sighed.

"I'm sorry brother. I shouldn't have made you stay there. It is an evil place." Just then, Shale began to stir and moan. Bearclaw placed a hand on his fevered brow.

"Shhh its alright. You're safe now."

"Bearclaw…"

"Don't try to talk. Save your strength. Send."

* What happened? *

* You were stabbed by one of Greymung's guards. I brought you back to the holt and Rain fixed what he could. You have been asleep for many hours now.* Shale heard the dark tone that crept into Bearclaw's voice as he spoke of Greymung.

* Grenn, you cannot blame yourself for this. I chose to stay with you. *

* Zash… *

* No Grenn, let it go. If you don't it will consume just like last time. I can't live through that again. Watching you pull away from everyone, becoming so violent, I just can't deal with it. * Bearclaw remember what he had become last time and remember how much it had hurt Shale, especially when Bearclaw had become so violent as to actually hit him. It had been a dark time that neither of them would ever forget.

*Alright Zash. For you, I'll do my best to put this behind us. * The answering smile was so full of love and trust that Bearclaw's heart melted. He watched as the smile was broken by a yawn and Shale fought valiantly to keep his eyes open. * Close your eyes and rest Shale. There will be time to talk later. *

* Stay with me Grenn? *

* Of course Zash, I wouldn't dream of leaving. * Bearclaw climbed into the furs beside Shale and carefully drew the other into his arms, careful to place no pressure on the wound. One they were both comfortable, he made sure the furs were securely tucked around them.

* Thank you for being there for me. * Shale sent between yawns.

* Don't worry, as long as I am able, I will stay by your side. * Bearclaw placed a soft kiss on his forehead and they both fell into a deep healing sleep. When Joyleaf and Rain came back to check on them later, they found five elves curled up contentedly in a messy heap of furs. Little did they know, this was the first of many times they would be witness to such a scene. Four of these five elves were known to be trouble magnets and judging by the way the fifth was found, he would be as well. Anytime one of them was injured, all five would be found snuggled together, reassuring themselves that all their loved one were still alive and breathing. But those are stories for another time.