While I don't normally answer your reviews on here, I decided to go ahead & do it!
ccgaylord: Cadoresa is definitely a spitfire! She was way, way too much fun to write! :)
A/N: Once again, comments & constructive criticism are much appreciated!
Chapter 5: "Please don't tell me I have a body to bury"
Cadoresa proceeded to help others who had been injured. After a couple of hours, she finally got the chance to return to bed and slept well into the morning, utterly exhausted after the night's events.
Gwerraent did not get much sleep that night, what with helping the injured and keeping watch for any returning wolves. Thankfully no one saw any more. If they were going to stay on the island for any length of time, they would have to figure out a better way to guard against the foul creatures.
The morning came too quickly. After painfully climbing out of the tree, Galad spent the morning exploring. He discovered many healing plants and accidently stumbled upon a drove of wild pigs. He found himself wondering why such an island was deserted.
Once everyone awakened, Gwerraent sought out his sister to make sure she was ok. He spotted her raven hair and walked towards her. "Cadoresa, are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Thankfully someone helped me kill the lone wolf I fought."
The young man smiled. "Good." Then he noticed some tiny blood droplets on her skirt. "You told me you are fine! Why is there blood on your skirt?"
She looked down and realized what must have happened. "It's not my blood."
"Well, whose is it then? The wolf's?"
"No, I believe it's Galad's."
"What? Please don't tell me I have a body to bury." He looked deeply into his sister's eyes.
"Please, Gwerraent, it is not like that. I did not harm him. A wolf bit his arm pretty badly and I simply bound his wound."
"Really? Yet you hate the man?"
"Yes. I am not sure why I did it, but you are right that he has been nothing but kind to me. Come to think of it, he is probably the one who helped me kill that wolf!"
The siblings hugged. "Sister, you never cease to amaze me. Thandraug would be proud of you, as am I. I hope if you ever see Galad again you can rid yourself of your anger and learn more ways to show him kindness."
"We shall see. Although I still hope I never see him again. Why did it have to be Thandraug who died, instead of me? He and Galad would have gotten along splendidly."
"I really don't know. But I am glad you are here, even if we have never been close. I owe you an apology for not being a better big brother to you."
"You are seven years older than me! Of course our friends would all be different ages, you being older and all. We'd have different interests even if we were closer in age like Thandraug and I, simply because you are male and I'm female. I forgive you. I have been a terrible, annoying little sister!"
They shared a good laugh then returned to their duties, a new and kinder relationship budding between them as they clung to each other, the only family they had on this deserted island.
Upon a thorough search of the island, Gwerraent and his crew located a shallow cave and set up camp from there. The women and youngest people were allowed the furthest reaches so they would be safest, and some men were ordered to stay outside the camp keeping watch. They worked out a system where each person had their duties in order to help the others survive, such as gathering firewood and fishing. They too discovered the wild hogs and Gwerraent, with a couple of other young men his age, killed three and roasted them. It proved to be a delicious meal after surviving mostly on fish.
Cadoresa helped in every way and pondered that fateful night of the wolf attack. Galad had almost been pleasant to be around, as much as she hated to admit it. Even more shocking, she sincerely hoped his wolf bite would not become infected.
Galad carved a rough map of the island on a flat slab of bark. He kept his eye on the slaves as they made homes out of the caves. The wolves continued their attacks but he did not go to their aid every night. His arm healed fairly well and only a scar remained. One day he was examining a sweet smelling herb.
Cadoresa was gathering more firewood when she spotted Galad. They had not seen each other since the wolf attack. "Good day," she called, unsure why she even bothered to speak to such a provoking man.
"Greetings, milady," Galad said, rising. "What brings you so far into the woods today?"
"I'm gathering firewood, or should say attempting to. How is your arm?"
"It is very good now, thanks to your bandaging it. How are you adapting to this island life?"
She sighed. "I suppose well enough. I am becoming friends with many former slaves, yet at the same time everything is much different without Thandraug here. We were always close." Tears shone in her eyes as his death yet again wreaked havoc in her soul. She really needed to visit the graveside, along with Gwerraent, and the sooner the better.
"Death is a hard blow," Galad sympathized, walking closer. He remembered Zadin, who had died in an orc attack. They had been close friends. Galad shook his head clearing the unpleasant memories. "It helps to think of all the good times."
"Yes, it does. Gwerraent and I plan to visit his grave soon. Would you," she paused and took a deep breath, then rushed out, "like to join us?" She had no idea why she even thought or asked that, but somehow it felt appropriate at the time.
"I would be honored." He followed Cadoresa, only stopping to pick an orange flower.
"Thank you. Does tomorrow sound alright? I would like to get some flowers for him and am afraid by the time all that is done it will be too late to go today."
"Yes, the wolves will be out soon. Farewell, milady."
"Goodbye! Gwerraent and I will meet you here tomorrow morning." Cadoresa caught herself waving to him as she started to return to the caves.
The night passed uneventfully for the wolves had gorged themselves on hogs. Galad made his way his way down to the meeting place and settled in the shadows where he could see without being seen.
Once Cadoresa returned to the shelter and dropped off the firewood, she located her brother. "Gwerraent, let's go to Thandraug's grave tomorrow."
"Yes, we need to do this, for your sake as well as mine."
"Also, Galad is coming."
"Really? What brought this about? I thought you despised him!" His eyes widened as she revealed their tag-along.
She smiled. "Yes, I thought I did too. I have no idea why I asked him, or even why he agreed to come. All the same, we cannot go back on my word now. Perhaps it is because I know Thandraug would like that."
"Yes, I believe he would. I am certainly glad you and that Ranger are no longer at odds with each other. I must admit I worried you would try to kill him, and he would let you."
She sniffed. "Really? I would never kill anyone, unless my life completely depended upon it. And you were right, he has been quite kind to both of us. Perhaps I should give him more of a chance."
"Yes, you should. Something else you also need to do is go to sleep!"
"Alright. Goodnight!" Cadoresa hugged her brother, then entered the cave. She settled down and slept peacefully through the night.