Okay, so here's the timeline: this story's history, for the macaws, started in the 1960s with Reyes' grandparents, his mother and aunt. Moving on, the two years we passed were 2000 and 2001. Where the previous one-shot began was the spring of 2002. The reason for this is because Reader's Retribution for Erita Rashkin, one of my OCs, began in 2003. The "Prologue" began in the Fall Semester of 2009.

Before the time Clockwise | Reyes comes to Middle-earth, the pacing will be both fast and slow. By the time we reach Middle-earth, the pacing should pick up. For now, let's continue the story.

*.*.*

Deforestation, One-Shot

Two weeks passed since Reyes' and Rosalina's conversation with Grover. Reyes searched for Rosalina, but couldn't find her anywhere. Not even at her favorite place, beside the berry bush. It was there that Rosalina often told Reyes anything about her life, herself, her parents, brother and sister. Reyes nearly gave up his long search. A familiar, feminine screech came from a nearby opening. For sure he would regret this, the scarlet macaw flew straight into the opening, only to find Rosalina circling a large jaguar. The jaguar was ready to attack the blue-and-gold macaw.

Reyes wouldn't have that. In haste, he dove towards the forest floor, where he blocked Rosalina from the jaguar, in an effort to save her.

"Reyes, get out of the way!" Rosalina cried in agitation.

"No! I won't let you get yourself killed because of me," Reyes said, bravely.

"Reyes, move!" She chirped further.

"Rosalina, what do you think you'll gain by this display? I'm saving your life and you…"

"Reyes, I need you to move." She added, "And please. This is not the time for more Middle-earth stories."

"Why? You think one story is going to help you avoid me. I know my Grandpa Roland was telling the truth, and I stand by his good will," Reyes admitted. He leaped over Rosalina as the jaguar pounced at him. The jaguar missed them in this round. Reyes spoke again. "Of course, I didn't mean me being attacked by a wild cat!"

"Reyes, you are something."

"Yes, now will you come back with me?" Reyes asked, a little desperate.

She moved away. "Fine, then this jaguar is all yours."

"Rosalina!" Reyes cried, misunderstanding.

"Look, if you care about me, you would scare this jaguar away. And don't hurt him because I don't want to send Mac after you," Rosalina warned, sternly. She flew to a low branch, positioned on a nearby tree. It was just Reyes and the jaguar.

"You want me to scare off a jaguar." Reyes said, preparing himself. "I can do that… no problem."

"This I have to see." Rosalina said, amused.

Oh, what was Reyes to do? He wanted to impress Rosalina, but hearing her friends join her on several branches did not settle his mood. How could he beat this jaguar? There had to be something… comedy. Of course! Why didn't he think of this earlier?

"Hey, jaguar," Reyes shouted. That got the jaguar's attention. "Would you like to hear a few jokes?" The jaguar growled. Reyes tried again, thinking of something else. "How about tap dancing? You know, I am a great tap dancer!" He kicked and moved his feet around the place, hopping from branch to branch. He was making himself a fool, a joker, but maybe that was enough.

The jaguar ran off out of boredom.

"Yeah!" Reyes said, delighted. He looked up at the branches. The birds there were cheering him on, begging for more gags. He could get used to the comedic side of himself. Returning his gaze to Rosalina, he told her, "It's still mating season, Rosalina. Will you come away with me?"

"I know, but you'll have to catch me next year, Reyes," Rosalina said, flying up to the treetops.

"Next year," Reyes was stunned. "What about this year? Rosalina!" He flew off, joining her at the tops of the trees, right on a good perch where the sun's rays were bright and beautiful.

Mac flew up, right in time to see the two macaws. He chuckled. "You know something? They might mate in the cloud bank." He shook off the thought. "Now, where's that female macaw my father mentioned? I've been meaning to find her." The other macaws whispered amongst themselves. This did not settle Mac, but frustrated him. "Get out of my way!" The macaws did, giving him the chance to dart past many trees, back to the nest where his mate waited for him.

*.*.*

One Year Later…

Reyes returned to his and Rosalina's nest with a branch, filled with small red berries. As he set them in the nest Rosalina asked, concerned, "Well, did you find out anything about the construction workers?"

"Yes," Reyes answered, "from one of my distant relatives. I think the machinery is coming this way." He added, "Rosalina, we need to leave now, before they come this way…"

"I'm certain your practical jokes could scare anyone, Reyes," Rosalina said, "but we have to wait until our fledglings have hatched before we make any further decisions. Of course, what if the construction workers don't come? Maybe they won't and we can…"

"Relax. The sooner they've hatched, the faster we can leave." Reyes said.

"They won't be ready to fly by the time we've prepared for the trip…" Rosalina asked, looking around, "what was that noise?"

Vibrations seized the tree. Reyes and Rosalina looked at each other, their expressions grave and worried. In their haste, the two macaws picked up their large nest. They needed to find a safer place. But as they moved, Rosalina grew tired. Her talons slipped off the nest. As Rosalina fell, Reyes lost his grip off the nest. He watched in horrors as his and Rosalina's eggs fell several stories towards the earth. The eggs smashed into tiny pieces.

What had Reyes done? And Rosalina… Reyes couldn't hold onto the nest without her. But Rosalina… and the eggs… they were gone. They were all gone. But before he could investigate, Reyes flew away from the work zone. He had no choice. He didn't know if Rosalina was alive. He dropped their three eggs. Now he couldn't be a father again. And without Rosalina. Oh, his heart was filled with sorrow. He could not contain the tears any longer. And yet, he flew on, determined to get away from the machines.

Reyes hoped Rosalina was alive, but he feared the worst.

o-o-o

Rosalina crawled across the forest floor. As she, in moments, flew limply out of the work zone, she landed in front of hers and Reyes' nest. All three eggs were smashed and rotting. It was her future with Reyes, and now she didn't know where he was or if he was alive. She couldn't give up, even if it meant having another chance to start a family with him. Her mate. Growing tired of flying, Rosalina found a spring of cool, crystal water. She drank in long, loud gulps.

It was until she was finished that another voice caught her attention. "Why are you stopping, child?" Rosalina jumped back at the sight of a brown and cream colored cat. The cat replied, calmly, "Do not be afraid. I won't hurt you." He explained, "I am a talking cat, yes, and I am also the Tonkinese brown cat your fellow macaws have described, but never witnessed in person."

"Really?" Rosalina asked, suspicious, "Then tell me your name."

"I cannot," said the Tonkinese brown cat, "not yet to you anyways. In the meantime, I am searching for your husband. He is the scarlet macaw named Reyes. Have you, by any chance, seen him?"

Rosalina nodded. "Of course. He must have flown in the same direction I was headed now. Maybe he's found a way to safety. Do you know where he might be?"

"That I do not yet know," the brown Tonkinese cat said, "but I will heed your advice. Thank you, Rosalina, and goodbye for now."

Before he left, he gave one last word of advice. "Oh, and should you happen to seek a way out of the Amazon Rainforest, then perhaps you can meet your husband Reyes in North America. I will find you there as well. Goodbye Rosalina and may we meet again." With that, he fled from Rosalina's sight. His search for Reyes began, even as late afternoon burst in the sky.