I'm so sorry about the long wait. Thank you staying with this story. It won't be such a long time between chapters again! Promise. Enjoy! R&R!
"I know what I saw!" Sam yelled at the elders gathered as they once again questioned him about what had happened in the forest over two weeks ago. "You want us to believe you, but you keep spouting these ridiculous stories of little girls, with pet bear cubs and wolf pups, talking down charging mountain lions, and getting your injured friend back home on the back of a different one of her bear animal friends. Do you see how that sounds, why we are little apprehensive to believe such a story." Harry Clearwater stated in a gruff, irritated voice. "I don't care how it sounds it's the truth. Why would make something like that up?" Sam retorted and began pacing the room. This wasn't how the council wanted this meeting to go. Billy Black, the Chief of there proud people, knew they would cause a wedge between them and the boy if they kept attacking him like this. "You wouldn't. I've known you all your life Sam. You have gotten into your share of trouble growing up, just like anyone else, but you've never been one for tall tales, and I don't think this would be the time to start. We can all agree that there are secrets in these forests that we don't know, and may never know. You may have or may not have actually seen what you think you did. Who am I to say? But that isn't the reason that we've called you here today. No, we called you here to advise you not to share your story with anyone in the village. Especially the younger ones. We don't want them disappearing into the forest in hopes of seeing your elusive creature." Sam narrowed his eyes before slumping back into the chair. He ran his hands through his long dark hair before sighed like he'd done so many times since he'd seen her. "Do you believe me?" His voice held something that Billy couldn't pin point. "I believe you believe you saw what you saw. But like i said the forest holds many secrets." Sam smirked as if he knew a secret of his own. "I won't say anything. You have my word." He left without another word.
"So it has begun. Brothers we all knew this day was going to happen, but we each prayed that it would pass our generations. The Forest Mistress has made contact. That can only mean that the Cold ones will soon return at well. Whether it's the Golden eyed ones of the Treaty or the Crimson eyed ones only time will tell." Old Quail declared solemnly. "So we must tell them. They must be ready to take care of the threat, if they do indeed come back. They will be useless if only when the cold ones appear they change unable to make sense of it." Harry glanced around his fellow council members passionately. "And tell them what exactly, and who do we tell. We have no idea who will phase first. Do we tell my thirteen year old son that he may or may not turn into a wolf soon? Do we tell Samuel, that not only was the girl he saw real, but the very creature that is responsible for the change? Do we tell the boys that if the cold ones come that any plans that they had for the future are erased? That to leave the reservation will never happen for them. Do I tell Sam, the young man that has such dreams, not to dream, not to wish for a life on his own, because he may turn into a wolf? It is still not set in stone when they will phase. Let's let them have there innocence, and dreams for a while longer. Let's let the monsters of tomorrow wait another day." Billy sighed sadly knowing that the future of their young sons were about to be reshaped in a way the boys will never see coming.
*La Push, Beach*
What did the Council want this morning?" Jacob asked as they walked towards the beach were everyone was waiting. "Oh you know, the usual. 'Samuel, you're not living up to your potential.'" Sam tried to imitate Billy Black's voice from one of the many times he had given him that speech. He didn't want to burden his younger friend with the council's accusations. "Sounds like them." Jacob laughed. They could already see the bonfire burning strong with their friends already gathered. He could hear the wolves howling at the rising moon and couldn't help but stroke the river stone wondering if he will ever see her again. His musings were interrupted by his girlfriend slinking up to him with a familiar red plastic cup. Smiling he took the offered drink before kissing her. Forcing his mind from the mysterious of the forest and towards his friends, and the beautiful woman in his arms, he took a sip and forced himself to relax.
The bonfire crowd all migrated to the logs scattered around the pit. It was time for the stories, legend of their people. It didn't matter to the teenagers that they've heard these stories all their lives, they never grow old. This still are able to draw Goosebumps on their russet skin as the words of their ancestors teaching were spoken in the low light of the fire. Lovers clung together as the world of the unknown was opened for a little while. Where anything was possible, and anything could be believed.
Sam pulled Leah a little closer as a hush fell over the crowd each waiting for the next tale. "Long before our people claimed these lands there was another. She alone protected this place, kept the peace and balance. She watched over our people as we made our way in this land. Her name was Selene. When our people were still young in this world our people first saw the Cold ones. Eyes red as blood and bodies that sparkled in the sun. She saw that our people afraid that the Cold Ones would destroy all that they hold dear.
She had seen what the Cold Ones could do. When she saw how our Spirit Leader became trapped inside a brother Wolfe she knew how to save our people. She gave them a gift and a curse. They were given the gift of change. They could change into wolves to protect their people from the danger. But with that gift came a curse. They had to keep their ability a secret, even from their family. On the day that the first warrior changed into the wondrous animal the Spirit Leader's Son, now Chief had a vision about a special girl. One that was so different from the protector they had been gifted by.
A young girl that will move as quiet and unseen as a shadow but is as fierce as a mother wolf protecting her young. She will be able to speak to animal, and becomes the protector of the forest. She befriends both the golden eyed cold ones as well the Wolf pack of the tribe. She becomes the bridge between their pain, and anger. It is said that with her sacrifice that the fragile peace between the Golden eyed cold ones and the Wolf pack will become a solid friendship. When this day comes, and the worlds of our Ancestors come to pass, our people will no longer fear the Cold ones, and will know a peace none had known before. " Sam glanced around at his people, at his friends, and wondered what if the stories were true. Could the girl in the forest truly be the girl from the Myth? As laughter began to cut through the air he just held Leah closer kissing her head. He banished the thoughts away to another tomorrow. Completely unaware of that his fingers had placed themselves over the smooth river stone, almost as if trying to grasp a prayer.
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Billy sat out on his front porch staring at the surrounding forest wondering not for the first time what truly happened to tiny Bella Swan. Did she die in the fire with her parents, or did his five year old son's conviction that she was alright true. Sighing at the thousands of unanswered questions he lifted his eyes to the full moon wishing that their legends were wrong, and his son wouldn't be burdened like his father had been. Billy could still remember the turmoil and sadness that haunted his father's eyes when he believed no one was watching. He had watched as the burden began to weigh his shoulders, and harden his eyes. Closing his eyes he prayed the fates wouldn't be so cruel and do that to his carefree son as well. A branch snapped softly bringing him out of his prayers. He expected to see a deer that strayed close occasionally but what he saw took his breath away. Bathed in the moonlight was a young girl. Her eyes seemed to glow otherworldly. She had her face still profiled towards the shadows of the trees as if she were waiting for someone to follow. The two waited in silence as two shadows took form on either side of her. On her right side was a small brown bear cub, she smiled down at him, just as a wolf pup sat by her left side. When she turned her gaze down to him, Billy saw it. He was the glowing tattoo on her left cheek. Sam was telling the truth. At Billy's small gasp the young girl's eyes snapped up, and bore into his own. "Soon they will be called. All will be as it should. What was lost in myth and legend will never again be forgotten. Be not afraid for them. They will be ready." With those whispered cryptic words she slipped back into the shadows silently. Once again Billy was alone on his front porch. Billy stared into the darkness trying to find something to prove to himself that it wasn't a dream. Finding nothing he wheeled himself back inside praying that the child was right, that they would be ready when the time came. He made his way to Jacob's door and peered inside. He watched his young son sleeping peacefully completely unaware of what his future would hold. In his mind's eye he could still see his boy making mud pies with little Bella or playing pranks on his older sisters. He watched his boy grow up all over again, all smiles, and truly wished for that he could take his place in the coming troubles. Jacob tossed in his sleep before sitting up sleepily. "Dad?" Billy just smiled sadly. "Everything's ok son, go back to sleep." Without protest Jacob collapsed back onto the bed.