Chapter 9: "The Future of Us"
Elinor-Bear's P.O.V:
I walked to the creek, the calming murmur of it guiding me. I couldn't wait to see Bhaltair, but I had no clue about what he was up to. I figured it was about us, about being together. I continued walking, the moonlight shining on the ground.
Soon, I scented Bhaltair, and the sound of the creek water grew stronger. I emerged through the trees, and I gasped at the beauty of the creek at night, the moon reflecting on its surface, glittering and rippling smoothly. I saw Bhaltair, leaning next to the creek, looking in, as if he was looking for something beneath the surface of the water. I cleared my throat, and he turned and looked at me, a huge smile on his face.
"I've been waiting for you," he said softly, almost in a whisper. I walked to him and rubbed against him, feeling his muscles underneath his fur. I looked into his eyes, and I saw anxiety in them.
"Bhaltair, is something wrong?" He looked at me, tears forming in those deep, red, hypnotizing eyes. I knew something had to be wrong then. I put my paw on his like he did for me that day. I got closer and put my head on top of his, letting him cry. I still didn't know why he was crying, but I knew I had to be there for him. "Bhaltair, what's wrong?" I whispered, not removing my head nor my paw. He finally stopped crying, and he picked his head up and looked at me. "I have a big problem, Elinor. I need your help. I can't do this without you." We leaned in and he kissed me, a few leftover tears falling on my snout. I released the kiss, curious about what the tears were for, and about the help he needed. "I would do anything for you," I whispered, and we laid down on the creek bank, our paws on top of each other's paws.
"Elinor," he sighed, "when I was looking for Hamish today, I found these odd blue creatures floating in front of me, and they led me to my old home." I gasped, surprised that the wisps had obviously interfered in my life once again. "Those were the Will o' the Wisps. Some people say that they lead you to your fate." He looked at me, a worried expression on his face, one of his eyes covered up by his bangs.
"Well, if that's the case, then I guess I have to do it," he mumbled under his breath.
"For the last time, Bhaltair, what happened?"
"When I got to my old home, my father's spirit appeared, and he was angry with me. Angry because we love each other."
"That doesn't make any sense."
"He's mad because you're the wife, or ex-wife, of the Bear King, the man he hates more than anything. He 'forbid' me to be with you."
"I don't know what to say. I thought we would be together forever! I love you."
"I love you too. But it gets worse. He wants me to..." He stopped, as if it was too horrible to tell. "Please tell me." He looked at me, and I could tell that his heart was breaking. He took a deep breath and said, "He wants me to murder your husband."
My heart stopped for a second. "You can't do that! Please tell me you won't! Why does he hate Fergus so much?"
"One of his men killed my mother a long time ago, when I was just a cub. Ever since then, he's wanted revenge, and he expects me to do it." He looked at me. "I need your help, Elinor. What should I do? I don't want to kill Fergus. I couldn't watch you and your kids suffer. I love you all too much. If I don't do what my father wishes, I don't know what will happen." His head collapsed on the shore, a small cloud of dust rising up from the thump. He started sobbing, his tears turning the bank to mud. My heart was cracking in two as well. I couldn't understand it. I knew Bhaltair didn't want to hurt me, but I was hurt none the less. I loved Bhaltair, and I decided right then and there that hell would freeze over before I let some dead bear come between us! I nudged Bhaltair to a sitting position softly. "Bhaltair, you will not listen to your father. We love each other," I kissed him, "and that's all that matters. Don't worry about a thing." He looked at me, his eyes serious. "Are you sure?" I pinned him down with a paw playfully and kissed him like I hadn't kissed anyone before, even Fergus. For a brief second I opened my eyes to see that his were closed in pleasure. He looked so calm, but I could tell there was still doubt in his mind. I let him up. "Does that answer your question?" I collapsed on top of him and snuggled under his chin, drinking up his wonderful scent. He put a paw around me, and we simply laid there, thinking about the future of us.
I might decide to make a side story to this chapter with nothing but fluffy sweetness :) But I will NEVER write a lemon, so don't ask me. If someone out there is good at writing lemons, please feel free to use Bhaltair for that, because although I refuse to write one, I would love to see one! So if you want to be an awesome person and write a lemon of Elinor and Bhaltair at this moment, I would love you forever!
