Now that there are people actually following and reading this story, I would be happy to post another chapter for you all. I hope you enjoy it. Please continue to review, I love hearing from you guys.
Oh, and just another note, I don't own the original story line and in fact this is where my story is going to almost completely veer off of the original plot so please don't be mad at me.
Chapter 4- Reunion
Pan's POV
I stirred awake with a start. I found myself panting and even sweating. I rolled over to find Lyra in the midst of a nightmare. She was tangled in the sheets and she obviously was the cause of my own condition mimicking her own.
"Lyra" I said and nuzzled her with my snout. My poor human. She had been through so much and done much more. She had traveled between worlds, seen death, been chased, fallen in love and in the end pretty much lost everything, even her ability to read the compass. Now things were mostly over. Things were becoming quiet and it's in the quiet that the past comes back to haunt you. The ghosts kept coming at Lyra in her dreams and from the glimpses I caught, no wonder they troubled her so much.
After years of indecision, I myself finally settled on the shape of a pine marten. Lyra has changed too. She is no longer a child. She is a strong and mature woman. Her hair is darker and so long it reaches most of the way down her back. She obviously grew taller too. "Lyra!" I repeated more forcefully and gave her another nudge.
She shook awake and looked at me with wide eyes and until she woke up enough to focus. "Pan?" She asked.
"You were having another nightmare" I stated. She sighed and sat up.
"Ya, tell me about it." She said dropping her head into her hands. "Ugh, Pan I have no idea how we're going to find Asriel's old hide out and take the artifacts back to Lee like we promised, when I'm walking around like a useless zombie."
"Oh Lyra, you're making it sound like the end of the world. Quit complaining." I teased. She gave me a shove.
"I have a right to complain." She groaned.
"Oh? Says who."
"Says my lack of sleep!" But now I had her smiling.
"Are you going to be okay Lyra?" I now asked seriously. She fell back against the pillows with a huff.
"I'll be okay" She replied softly.
"You know, we are getting close to ice bear territory" I supplied gently.
"And?"
"I know you've been thinking about Iorek lately." I replied. Lyra sighed heavily in response.
"I can't lie to you Pan. I have been thinking of him. He's one of my few friends who are still alive. And the rumors of all he has done for his kingdom these past few years are impressive." She went quiet then.
"Why don't you try to get some more sleep" I said. She nodded and quietly settled down again without another word.
Iorek's POV
Years. It's been years since I've seen or heard from my little Lyra. I've kept track of her though. I've made sure to be informed of what's she's been up to. Her actions and adventures are impressive to say the least. I always knew she was special but not even I could have guessed all that she would accomplish. In the end, as hard as it is to admit it, it was right of Lyra to go off with her father.
During the necessary separation, I've had my own responsibilities to look after as well. When I returned to Svalbard, I found disunity, ruin, and suffering. Iofur had thought that he was a strong king, but his leadership had injured his people and that is proof of a weak king. It hadn't been easy to reassemble the bears, align them completely under my rule, and restore our icy kingdom to its former glory.
Now, females and children no longer went hungry. Cubs were once more raised into noble warriors. Though we still loved the fight and the hunt but no more were mates sent to be killed in foolish quarrels.
I had to fight a lot in the beginning. I beat down the nobles who still opposed me and kept out anyone who wanted to harm our kingdom. Even in the midst of battle, if I was ever severely weakened or in danger of failure, I would picture my Lyra in my mind supporting and worrying for me just as she had done so long ago. That was enough to always give me the extra strength I needed so succeed. After seeing the battle to reclaim my throne and the battles since, the rest of the bears had willingly, even happily, accepted me as king.
Little Lyra had seen me at my worst, drunk and pathetically lost in life and set she still desired me to accompany her on her quest. She had still cuddled against me. She was the only gentle part of my life. I had liked it that way and I would be lying if I didn't say I wanted her back.
"My lord, the hunting party is assembled outside" said a female aid of mine named Sansha. Sansha had aspirations of becoming queen. She had been trying to gain my favor but she was not to my liking. I hadn't found any female that was to my liking.
"Then let us leave" There was an annual hunt awaiting outside, the largest and most celebrated of the year. We would be traveling for and hunting for at least a week. It would be a grand occasion and I let the thrill of anticipation fill my heart and replace the longing that had taken lodging there.
Lyra's POV
I awoke slowly and stretched. Today would be another long day of traveling but hopefully we would reach Asriel's final hiding place and collect his belongings. I got dressed and began brushing my long hair. I didn't want it to get in the way so I put it into an intricate braid that still hung long down my back. I put my mittens and hat on and began to take down the tent.
When that was done Pan hopped up around my neck and we set out hiking once more. The wind was severly cold and blew in my face so I had to keep looking down at my compass to make sure I was going the right way. This was only a regular compass. North, south, east, and west and no more. I could no longer read the truth but since then I had found it easier to see the truth on my own.
"You're very quiet" Pan said suddenly, next to my ear.
"Is there a topic of conversation you would like to explore?" I asked perhaps a bit courtly.
"Are you going to give all of your father's things to the university?" He asked. I nodded.
"That way it will all be protected and if the need ever arises, I'm pretty sure the university lend me the items for a while."
"Hopefully no such need will appear." Pan said. Again I nodded.
"I've had enough adventure for a while. As thrilling as it can be, it's nice to not have anyone trying to kill or separate us for a change." We laughed at that but as we did, we heard a loud roar that echoed off the ice. I whirled around trying to find the source. More roars soon joined the chorus.
"Ice bears" Pan whispered. I knew we couldn't fight off ice bears so I ran to hide beneath the ice boulders. Then they came into view. There were so many of them that I guess they must have been part of a hunting party. If I didn't bother them then perhaps they wouldn't notice me. I signaled for Pan to remain silent. They seemed to have found some prey and were eagerly attacking it. But one of them stopped and began scenting the air. My breath went still, trapped in my chest. It began to stalk towards me.
Instead of hiding like a coward, I stepped out into the open and unsheathed a dagger I now always carried with me. I'd learned how to fight and though the odds looked severely in the bears favor, I would use my agility against him. He growled at me and I growled my challenge right back. I would not be easy prey.
Just as I was about to engage, a third roar came from beside us. It was much louder and much deeper than the roar of my opponent. The bear turned its head and growled but back off. I felt a breath beside me and turned slowly to see the bear that wanted me instead. But instead of a threat, I came face to face with Iorek. I would recognize that armor and those eyes anywhere.
Iorek's POV
I heard one of the males latch onto a different scent than the one we were tracking. It did not matter. He could have it he could kill it. But then the wind whirled again and brought a distinct scent to my nose. I whirled around in time to see Lyra emerge from the shadows with a set look on her face and a dagger in her hand. She marched right up to the bear, who I now recognized was Toren, and roared at him in challenge. As proud as I was of her for not backing down, I could not allow her to get hurt! I released my own roar and ran over to them. I could defend her. The male growled his agitation but dared not defy me.
Finally, Lyra turned to face me. Her scent was the same but she had grown a lot during our time apart. Even beneath her thick coat I could see her womanly figure. Her eyes were filled with knowledge and sorrows of one beyond her age. As she turned to face me, the set line of her mouth fell open in shock.
"Iorek!" She whispered in amazement. Her voice had changed too. She even sounded like a woman. Her voice went straight through my chest and wound around my heart. "It's you" Her eyes were wide as she stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around my neck. "Iorek" She said again. I raised a paw to hug her. I let my head nuzzle against her.
"Lyra. I cannot believe you are here!"
"I can't believe I found you" She said. Had she been looking for me? I looked over her shoulder at the bears feasting hungrily. In such a feeding frenzy, the bears could still blindly come after her.
"Come with me" I said and knelt down to over my back. Her hand ran over my fur slightly before she leapt onto my back. My memories had not done the sensation justice, not even close!
"I'm leaving. I will see you back at the palace." I roared to Sansha. She looked up at me and then noticed Lyra. Her eyes narrowed but she nodded. With that I turned and left the others. I'd found my Lyra again after so many years and I had no intention of giving her up so easily again. Her hands fisted in my fur and I had to hold back my moan. I felt something scurry up my neck.
"Good to see you Iorek, really!" Pan. How I had actually missed the little guy.
"And you Pan"
*Well, I hope you guys enjoyed it. Please review to tell me your thoughts. Thanks again for reading. *
