Disclaimer: I do not own ElfQuest.

This takes place a few months after Cutter and Leetah join. Also, Rayek did not leave the village.

"blah" means talking. **blah** means Sending.

...

The sun went about its day. Soon, the sun was setting. The wolfriders' eyes would glow in the dark... if not for – the mischievous villagers.

Wolftooth and Starblossom had been welcomed into the furthest back cave, where Cutter had recently slept alone with Skywise, as Leetah wouldn't sleep there. But the two had not noticed when the soul-brothers left – as did the rest of the others.

The Sun Folk, with some persuasion from the wolf-riders, were throwing a festival for the arrival of Starblossom and Wolftooth. But of course, they didn't know how the two young Elves would react, but they assumed it would be fine. Besides, when had Cutter, Joyleaf, or High-Ones forbid Bearclaw, ever turn a party down?

When it was all set up, Skywise and Cutter snuck back up to the caves, while everyone in the village gathered. And really, it was everyone. Even baby Wing couldn't get out of this.

Cutter and Skywise both pulled back the blanket which they were sleeping under. "OOWWOOO!" Howled Cutter, startling them both awake.

"Mmrff… waz that? Starblossum?" Wolftooth yawned.

"I dunno Wolftooth… AAAIIYYYEEE!" Skywise grabbed her from behind, and Cutter did the same for Wolf-tooth.

Meanwhile, down in the village… "…AAAIIYYYEEE!..." Treestump and Redlance look up at the mountain.

"So…" Redlance sighed, "What was this plan of theirs?"

Treestump chuckled as the sound of a heated fight broke out, "The cubs think that they'll get their cave-mates down here by force…" "OW!" "…and that'll be Wolf-tooth biting Cutter in the thigh."

"So… it's quiet again… they've given up and decided to get them down by telling them that Dewshine needs their help, as in plan 'B'?" "Yes, cub."

"OUCH! !$#"

"What'd that be Treestump?" "That would be Wolftooth biting Cutter again for scaring Starblossom," "AAIIYEE!" "…and that would be Starblossom stamping on Skywise's foot for frightening Wolftooth… and probably for waking them up."

The two Elves laughed as sounds of an argument broke out. Then a Send pierced Treestump's mind, **Treestump, we've convinced them to come down. I've not convinced Starblossom to heal the deep wound that Wolftooth gave me… Bearclaw named him appropriately, it seems. Get Scouter to look out for us, so we can surprise them.**

"AYE! Scouter!" Scouter runs up, looking tired but happy.

Treestump nods appreciatively at his speed, "Ah, cub, keep an eye on the cave entrance. Cutter wants you to warn us if you see them come out, so we can hide." Scouter nods, and sits, eyes pinpointed on the cave.

A few minutes later, he lets out a sharp whistle, and a Send **Aye, down everyone, they're coming!** They all hide in the dark, so that even Star-blossom's and Wolf-tooth's keen Elf eyes can't see them.

As they near, they hear voices, "What does Dewshine need, exactly, in the beginning of night!" "Yes brother, we're tired. We've just awoken today!"

A slight mumbled voice spoke, "I'm starting to regret healing you…" "You should be careful Cutter, they're your siblings, they've got the same foul disposition as you and – here's a scary thought – they think like you! What makes you tick makes them tick!"

"Skywise, you never stop ceasing to both terrify me and awe me, and I think I admire you for it." "You better, I've saved your skin on several occasions… just think about how my life would be if Bear-claw wanted me to help all three of you out? Oh, my head… hurts with the thought of it… squealing cubs… three! Surely Wolftooth'd help me steal a few dream-berries now and then, but what about you Starblossom? You'd look up to me and moon at me even more than Cutter did! And I'd be easier on you too. You do seem the nicest…" "And she just nearly broke your foot!"

They neared the party, and everyone yelled various things, jumping from their hiding spots. The look of imminent terror on Starblossom's and Wolftooth's faces were drowned out in the crowd of all of the Elves there… even Rayek came.

To Elves that have been separated from even their small tribe, living on their own, seeing so many at once is… unexpected and unwelcome. "AAIIYEEE!" "OOWWOOOO!"

Starblossom's response to this is a bloodcurdling shriek, and Wolftooth's response to that is to call for help. Ruffleroot and Dustpetal charge down, and both Elves jump onto their backs, high-tailing it for the Bridge of Destiny it seems.

"So…" came a soft voice from Pike, "that didn't go like we expected…"

**Come on Fahr.** Sent Cutter, motioning for the rest to stay, **we'll get them…**

But Moon-shade spoke up first, "Wait Cutter! No more tricks, poor cubs, we hadn't thought! A surprise being everyone here jumping out, when all these two remember is only having each other? It'd be like as a surprise, leading you out onto the middle of the Bridge of Destiny, and waiting below it for you to come down Cutter! Poor, dear, cubs, we should've eased 'em into life here first. Tell 'em what we're doing Cutter, it'll help."

Cutter nods silently, and rides with Skywise to the Bridge of Destiny.