Whistling happily, Eleazar made his way back to the cabin he and his young ward currently called home. It had been several months since they settled in the quaint Spanish village and so far there had been no sign of the Volturi in the region. The raven haired vampire was rightfully pleased with himself. His original plan had been simply to get as far away as possible from the threat of the ruling clan, but then he had been struck by a stroke of brilliance. Where was the first place they would think he would go? His homeland. So naturally, that was the last place they would look believing him too smart to be so obvious.

The tall slender man chuckled to himself.

"Smart as Rojo," he said with a smile as he turned the corner.

He still made nightly patrols of the countryside and often quizzed the locals about any strangers they came across, but all was good. Here they had found peace, security, and a sense of normalcy rarely afforded to their kind. That security in particular had given the two a chance to concentrate on Carlisle's little problem. While the shrunken doctor still had the limited capabilities of a young child, he was beginning to grow. To Eleazar's astonishment, the lad's growth rate appeared to correspond with the amount of nourishment he received. Two rare bouts of childish temper had spurred the youngster to gorge himself in anger. The results of which had come in the form of severe scoldings at bedtime and a remarkable growth spurt the next morning.

While the Spaniard couldn't have his 'nephew' draining the local livestock, this development gave him hope that even if a cure couldn't be found for the towheaded tyke's condition, he would still return to normal within a reasonable length of time. With any luck, Carlisle would be back to himself before the Brothers found them and had the opportunity to do something truly regrettable to the kindest and wisest being Eleazar had ever had the privilege to have known.

Standing in the deepening shadows, the man glanced up at the setting sun. Soon enough it would be the muchacho's bedtime. Along with growing in size and mentality, Carlisle was beginning to stay up later. Still, he appeared to require rest that the adult vampire didn't. It was during these down times that his body grew so it was something to be encouraged, but Eleazar always felt a touch of sadness and even envy when the little one slept. It was a lonely time for the senior vampire as he watched over the child and wondered what it was like to shut out the worries of the day and chase a dream.

With a near silent sigh, he shook the thoughts from his mind and stepped up to the porch. Soon enough he would have his friend back to normal and his nights would no longer be so solitary. There were still cures to try, and if those continued to fail, a heavy feeding and good night's sleep always brought them several steps closer to their goal. It took time, but at least they had hope and what more could anyone truly ask for?

"Carlisle, I'm back," he called out as he cracked open the door and stepped inside. "I picked up herbs in the square. I recognized the names from ago, and thought they might ..."

He stopped and hushed as he caught sight of the little boy standing still and silent in the corner of the room. Carlisle's head was lowered and the scent of tears filled the air. If the senior vampire still had a heartbeat surely the sight before him would have stopped it in an instant. He suddenly found himself on high alert. Something was wrong.

Eleazar quickly scanned the room. Nothing seemed out of place. Nothing broken. All had appeared alright outside. Clearly, Carlisle knew he was in trouble, but for what?

"What's wrong, niño? What has happened?"

The boy responded with a shake of his head while he sniffled sadly.

"Amigo, come and tell me what has you upset."

Again the child shook his head.

"Carlisle." Eleazar called the name softly, but in warning tone the youth had quickly learned to respect.

"I kill," the little one whispered in an anguished voice as venom tears rolled down his cheeks.

The Spaniard breathed a sigh of relief as he closed the door behind him. As his young friend aged, his conscience tended to have growing pains of its own. One minute he was alright with bringing a swift, relatively painless death to an animal knowing he needed its blood to survive, and the next he was mourning the creature's passing. This was something Eleazar knew Carlisle would never completely outgrow, but he did his best to ease the child's tortured spirit.

"Muchacho, you know this is the way of nature. Everything must eat to live. When we kill..."

"No, El-zar. Today. I killed today, but not to drink."

The adult's eyes widened in surprise. The youngster had gone out on his own? But he knew better. That rule had been well established. It wasn't safe for him to go out without supervision. Any number of things could happen, not the least of which would be them being discovered. That was why Eleazar made sure that his little one's thirst was well sated before he left on his tour of the countryside or any other business he had to tend to. Even then, he kept his ventures short so Carlisle wouldn't be by himself for very long. He took every precaution to keep his amigo safe, so how could this have happened? Crossing the room in swift long strides, his mind spinning wildly, he approached the youth and laid a comforting hand lightly on his shoulder. What would cause Carlisle to misbehave? Who had he killed? Had the body already been discovered?

They had been doing so well avoiding anything that might seem suspicious and bring unwelcomed attention. Word of a vampire kill would certainly reach the Brothers who would then send the Guard to investigate, and that could mean the end of them. If the death couldn't be put down to an animal attack, they would have to leave immediately. He didn't relish the idea of going back on the run, but he had sworn to protect Carlisle and he would see to it that he fulfilled that promise.

Gently turning the youth away from the wall, Eleazar crooked a finger and placed it beneath boy's quivering chin to slowly lift it until their eyes met.

"Who has met with this unfortunate end, chico?" he asked in as gentle a tone as he could muster under the circumstance.

"Frascuelo," Carlisle answered as he stared up at Eleazar through tear glazed onyx eyes.

The name was familiar, but the Spaniard couldn't quite place it. He knew of everyone in the village and yet no Frascuelo readily came to mind. Perhaps a visiting relative of one of his neighbors. God, please don't let it be a child.

"I only wanted to ride," the boy offered. "I didn't mean it, El-zar. I swear, I didn't."

The littlest vampire suddenly flung himself against his friend and hugged his waist tightly as the tears began to flow in earnest.

Eleazar ran his fingers through the child's disorderly mop in what he prayed was a calming gesture. His heart went out to Carlisle. The use of the nickname made it all too clear that his young friend was besides himself. As he began to mature, the little physician-to-be's diction had rapidly improved. He now regularly used the elder's true name, but in times of extreme stress the scared child reverted to the name that he equated with safety, kindness, and love.

Crouching down, Eleazar gathered the boy in his arms and hugged him close for a few moments before gently peeling him off.

"You wanted ride?" the elder asked with a tilt of his head, prompting the child to nod and quickly glance away. A ride? What does a ride have to do with...

"Por Dios, Carlisle!" the dark vampire suddenly exclaimed as he placed a hand over his eyes. "Frascuelo? El semental del señor Vázquez? Su apreciado tallo andaluz? His prized Andalusian stud? Carlisle, how could you? You know better."

The lad broke out in a fresh bout of tears as the enormity of his crime came crashing down upon his tiny shoulders.

Alejandro Vázquez's ranch was widely known for the quality of the horses he bred, and Carlisle found himself intrigued by the uniquely beautiful animals. He was familiar with cart ponies and burros, but the statuesque, sleek Andalusians were creatures from another world. From the moment he first laid eyes on them, he wanted nothing more than to ride one. He imagined what it would be like to race across the fields on the back of such a magnificent beast, but had been too shy to ask Eleazar to make it happen.

When they were traveling, his friend had once rented a pony for him to ride. He taught Carlisle how to disguise his scent so as not to spook the animal, and had even covered the poor pony's eyes so he couldn't see the fierce golden eyes of the predator that clamored upon his back. That day had been a thrilling experience for the child. How much more fun would it be to ride a full size horse? And not just any horse. The spirited Andalusian stallion that demanded the respect of everyone had been the unlucky creature to catch his eye.

Watching him thunder around the paddock or across the pasture chasing mares had become something of a past time for the boy. He could almost feel the strong, muscular equine beneath him, carrying him to exotic lands and magical places. He needed to experience what it would be like to ride the horse, so he set his mind to the task.

He decided that he couldn't ask Eleazar. It was almost certain that his friend would say no. He had already warned Carlisle that the Spanish horses were highly strung and wouldn't take kindly to having vampires around. But the animal kept beckoning him. What else could he have done?

"I didn't mean to. I just wanted a ride," he repeated while bowing his head as the man reaffirmed his grip on the young boy's arms. "Fix it, El-zar. Please make it better."

The Spaniard shook his head.

"This isn't something I can fix."

"You can fix anything."

The child's blind faith in his protector tugged at the older man's heart. He wanted to live up to that belief, but what could he possibly do for a deceased animal?

Scooping Carlisle up in his arms, Eleazar walked over to his chair near the fire and sat down with the lad in his lap.

"Alright, little one. Tell all."

"I wanted to ride."

"Yes, I've gotten that. Why you not ask?"

"I was afraid you would say no."

"No, you knew I would say no. Señor Vázquez said Frascuelo was not yet broke to ride. He was still to be trained. Too unpredictable for a bebé."

"I'm not a baby," Carlisle huffed as his regret was suddenly overshadowed by indignation.

Eleazar caught his breath for a moment then released it as a soft sigh. The meek child was beginning to be replaced by a more self-assured one. While he was glad to see his friend grow in confidence, Carlisle's changing temperament gave his keeper cause for concern. Based on what he had learned about his companion's childhood, Eleazar imagined his adolescence had been well regulated by his father. Any rebelliousness would have been squashed immediately, and undoubtedly, with unnecessary brutality. It didn't take much imagination to believe his compassionate friend had never gone through the normal rebellious stage of a teenager.

Now that he had been given the ability to explore, learn, and grow without the constant threat of punishment, Eleazar worried that, should he naturally reach the teen stage, he would push limits he never had the chance to push before. If that time came... The elder didn't even want to think about it. A teenage vampire. ¡SantaMaria!

"I know you're not a baby, but you still should not have gone near the beast without permission. It did not belong to you."

The young boy's bravado vanished in an instant.

"I know," he whispered as he glanced down.

"Then why when you know better?"

He answered with a shrug while his head hung even lower.

Eleazar cupped Carlisle's chin in his hand and raised it. Once their eyes met, he calmly asked, "Did the animal die of fright?"

The youth shook his head.

"I did all the things you taught me. I changed my smell to be more like a human. I covered his eyes so he wouldn't be scared. I did everything. Everything."

"Then what did happen?"

Carlisle's dark eyes immediately refilled with tears.

"The saddle. I tried to put it on."

"Sí. You put on saddle. Then what?" Eleazar push.

"He fell."

Viscous tears rolled down the child's cheeks as his head filled with images of the horse's collapse. He had struggled with it and managed to place it on its feet several times before the life completely left its body.

The Spaniard's brow knitted in confusion. Why on earth would such a young animal keel over if not from fright? By the little one's account, he had done all he could do to keep the beast calm. If he had managed to get a saddle on its back, then surely there was no reason for its heart to give out from fear. Perhaps its death was an unfortunate coincidence, and his amigo was unnecessarily burdening himself with guilt.

"I tried to pick him up. He kicked me in the head before he stopped moving."

For the first time Eleazar noticed the crescent shaped scuff on Carlisle's temple.

"¡Madre mía!"

Dampening his thumb with spit, the Spaniard gently rubbed the mark away.

"Were you hurt, amigo?"

Logic dictated that few things could cause harm to the little one, but that didn't stop his protector from worrying. After all, who knew want could injure such an unusual child.

Carlisle shook his head, but as the adult continued to fuss over him, he began to feel frightened. He didn't think he was in any danger at the time. His only thought had been for the ailing horse, and then after he worried about the trouble he was in. But if Eleazar was worried that he had been hurt, maybe he had been. El-zar was never wrong. Maybe the stallion could have taken him down in death. Whimpering with new found fear, he threw his arms around Eleazar's neck and cried against his shoulder.

"Scared. I was scared. I didn't know how to fix him. I tried. I never wanted..."

"Hush, corazon. Shh. El-zar knows you never wish death. Hush now. Hush."

It took longer for the boy to calm himself. Eleazar was beginning to worry that his little mouse had gotten himself too worked up to allow himself to ever relax again. It seemed to take forever, but gradually his tears dried and his crying changed to soft hiccups while he kept his face buried against his friend. With Carlisle quieting, the Spaniard returned to puzzling over his friend's dilemma.

"Amigo, I think there must been something wrong with Frascuelo. His death is sad, but the fault, it isn't yours."

"It is," the child answered in a whisper.

"No, sweet boy."

The elder sighed as he felt his friend nod in earnest.

"Carlisle, did you bite the animal?"

Without lifting it, he shook his head.

"Then there isn't a way you could have bought death to the stallion."

"I did. I told you. I put the saddle on."

"That doesn't do harm."

"It did. He cracked and there was blood."

"Blood? I don't understand, niño. Why would there be blood?"

"I don't know, but it came from his nose. All I did was tie it on."

"Tie what on?"

"The saddle. I couldn't work the straps, so I found rope and tied it around Frascuelo so it wouldn't fall off."

Eleazar stiffened and grimaced as the picture of what happened suddenly became all to clear. He had taught the child how to keep a horse calm so it could be ridden when necessary, but he hadn't explained how the tack worked, and Carlisle still didn't know his strength. All niños needed to be taught how to be gentle, but this was something he had overlooked with Carlisle. He had relied on what he knew of his friend's character, and never even considered ... Groaning, he rubbed a hand over his forehead while hugging Carlisle tighter.

Now it all made sense. His child prodigy had tightened a rope around the stud, breaking either its back, rib cage or both. If there was blood, he imagined that the lungs must have been compromised. All in all, a terribly traumatic event for horse and child alike.

"Hijo, you shouldn't have gone to la caballeriza without permiso, but what happened to Frascuelo... This is not your fault."

"It is, El-zar. I broke him," Carlisle wailed. "I did wrong. I'm bad."

Inwardly, the adult sighed. His charge had indeed done wrong. He left the house on his own, a serious infraction in itself, went to a neighboring ranch, where he knew he was not allowed to go, to ride a horse that he had no business being on. Logic dictated that he deserved to be corrected, but Eleazar's heart did not agree with his head. His young friend was suffering already, and for what the man deemed to be the wrong reason. He couldn't add to that. That would be wrong.

"Carlisle, I want you to listen," he began in a quiet, serious tone that never failed to gain the child's attention. Supporting the youth in the crook of his arm, Eleazar positioned him on his lap so that they were face to face. "There be misbehavior in what happened today, but the animal's passing was accident. You feel badly because you're a good person, but it wasn't you who killed the beast. That fault is mine."

Carlisle bore a look of confusion before he shook his head.

"Yes," the elder replied sternly. "I explain. When I teach you how best to approach and ride, I think I'd be with you always. I should have known that eventually, though not think today, you'd ride alone. I should have showed you how best to prepare the animal to be ridden. I should have cautioned you about your strength and taught how little force would be needed in securing a seat. Eleazar didn't do this, so you couldn't know that the horse would be hurt. Had I been the better instructor, Frascuelo's day would have gone different. As, too, would Carlisle's."

"Not your fault, El-zar. I did it on my own."

"Sí, amigo. You were on your own, which was not allowed. Correct?"

After a second's pause the boy nodded.

"That's where the problem with behavior starts." The Spaniard brushed the hair out of his friend's eyes before allowing his soft gaze to harden. "Carlisle knows better. Many times he was reminded of the rule to not wander without Eleazar. Several times the reminder is to his backside because the ears don't want to listen. When will the brain accept that the rule is made for reasons?"

The threat was there, but the youngster didn't make the slightest attempt to pull away or defend himself. Instead, Carlisle swallowed hard before bowing his head submissively.

"I knew it was wrong."

A finger tapping beneath his chin automatically causing is head to rise.

"Is more than wrong, muchacho. It's dangerous. You and I, we are never truly safe. Not until you're restored. I understand temptation, but you must resist. The slightest thing can draw attention, and if that happens, we need to take immediate action. This is why you cannot go alone. As you grow in independency it becomes harder to not do as you wish, but for safety's sake, Carlisle..."

"I'm sorry, Eleazar. I'll try harder to follow the rules."

There it was. The maturing mind of Carlisle Cullen had wrestled the reins from the physical child and finally understood the depth of their dilemma. Eleazar felt the tension in his own body ease with that affirmation and gently placed a comforting hand on the youth's back.

"I trust that you will," the man answered as he softly patted him, then took a breath. "And what do you think should be done with what's happened today?"

The boy shook his head.

"You have an idea," Eleazar quietly stated while the connectivity of his touch continued to soothe Carlisle.

"I can go back to the corner."

"I think not," the elder said as he carefully lifted his ward and placed him on his feet. "You, my joven hombre, need a bath. You smell like the stable. And tell, are you thirsty?"

Carlisle shook his head while keeping his eyes downcast.

"Are you for certain? I don't mind taking you on a hunt. Many rabbits are causing farmers trouble."

"I'm alright. Maybe in the morning."

Eleazar narrowed his eyes as he studied the child. The stress of the day should have burned through Carlisle's earlier meal. He had a sneaking suspicion that the boy was punishing himself with the physical pain of thirst, but he didn't want to force him to feed. His friend had endured enough death for one day.

"Bien. Then I shall fetch some water while you make ready to bathe. Once you're presentable again, I want you in bed. No games or books tonight."

"But, what about Mr...?"

The Spaniard raised a hand to silence the child.

"I must think on what shall be done for Señor Vázquez."

"I should apologize."

"You should, but you will not. There is no way to explain your involvement, so you will keep quiet."

"But, El-zar."

"No. What did I just say about safety? Little boys do not go around tying ropes so tight. He won't understand and that will cause too many questions."

Carlisle tucked his chin against his chest and began to gnaw on his bottom lip as his guilty conscience blazed back to life. The forlorn expression on the little one's face was nearly impossible for the senior vampire to endure.

"Chico, look up."

As the child's sad eyes were directed towards him, Eleazar crossed his arms and gave Carlisle his most stern look.

"You will make amends. That I will see to. I won't have you thinking this can ever be done again."

"If I can't say I'm sorry, how ...?"

The Spaniard thought quickly before releasing a held breath.

"Did you apologize to Frascuelo?" he asked while silently praying that he knew his charge as well as he thought he did.

When Carlisle nodded, Eleazar visibly relaxed.

"Then the apology has been given to the injured. All that is left is to make amends, and I will decide how that is to be accomplished. Now, if Señor Cullen knows what's good for him, he'll get ready for bath and bed. I will not say again."

With his head slung low, the youngster shuffled off towards his room under Eleazar's watchful eye.

Once the boy was out of the room, the man huffed and hauled himself from his chair. As he made his way out to the well, his mind feverishly spun in search of a solution. If he couldn't come up with a reasonable consequence for his young friend's misadventure, Carlisle would continue to carry the guilt of his deed, as wrongly placed as his caregiver believed it to be.

Silently, Eleazar cursed the man who originally placed such a huge burden on his innocent son. For sure his amigo flexed his independence now and again, questioning the elder often enough to become frustrating, but deep down he was still the product of his harsh upbringing. He was hard on himself in ways no child should ever be. At times, especially when he fed, a look of disgust would mar his fair features. At first the Spaniard thought it was the taste the boy found offensive, after all animal blood was not easy to stomach. However, in the end he came to recognize the expression as one of self-loathing. Even when he was completely accepted by the responsible adult in his life, Carlisle still couldn't accept himself. Mistakes fed the fire of self-hatred causing the lad to ultimately think himself unworthy of anything good in life, including forgiveness and love.

With a near silent grunt, the dark elder reminded himself of his responsibility to his charge. He was to keep him safe until Carlisle could care for himself, but more importantly, he would do his best to shield the boy from negativity even if it came from within.

Carrying the water inside, he found that Carlisle had pulled the tub out by the fire and was obediently waiting beside it...fully dressed.

"Chico, the clothes do need washing, but I think we do them separate," he said with a smile as he filled the tub.

The boy stripped quickly, but instead of getting in, he stared down at his reflection in the water.

"I should be whipped in the square."

Carlisle's voice was nearly inaudible and carried a bitterness the Spaniard had never heard from his friend, not even as an adult. Stunned as he was, it took a moment for Eleazar to pinpoint the source of such a statement... the father.

"There will be no whippings," he answered while helping the lad into the tub.

The youngster settled in with ease but his mind was clearly preoccupied. Wrapping his arms around his legs, he drew his knees up to his chest as he continued to stare into the dimly lit water.

"There should be."

Eleazar bit back a retort and allowed silence to fall between them while he ran a soapy rag over the boy's narrow shoulders and across his back. There were scars on that back. Scars that stood as a testament to what Carlisle had endured — damage that not even venom could erase. The Spaniard felt his own venom boil, but forced back the anger of the past so he could concentrate on the present and future.

"Perhaps you're right," he admitted. "But such will not happen."

Heaving in what sounded suspiciously like exasperation, the youth laid his head upon his knees and closed his eyes.

It was moments such as this when the elder wished he could prevent the inner adult from rising up in his still small muchacho. The child would accept gentle guidance much easier than the man trapped within.

"There is to be discipline, Carlisle, and I have decided."

The boy's dark eyes snapped open at the announcement.

"Tomorrow, I will find an animal of similar bloodline and make the purchase. We shall donate it to Señor Vázquez after saying we be hearing of his loss. No word to how you played a part. I will say that I won the beast in a game of chance and have no use for it. Friendly gesture between neighbors. This makes things right."

Carlisle lifted his head and glanced over his shoulder at his caregiver, questions reflecting in his eyes. Eleazar shook his head to silence the child before he could speak.

"You shall pay the cost of the horse."

The boy's brow furrowed.

"How?"

"By working it off. I shall assign chores that are not to be done by a vampire. A human child is to do them. Do you understand?"

Carlisle nodded. He was already accustom to moving at human speed outside of the house, so it would be easy to adjust to the sustained slowness of his tasks.

"And it is possible that I offer you to help Señor Vázquez with cleaning stalls for pocket change. This will go on until you have repaid me. This is to be your punishment."

The lad returned his attention to the water as he carefully considered his caregiver's sentencing.

Eleazar waited patiently for the argument that never came. Instead, much to his surprise, Carlisle nodded in agreement to the terms of his discipline.

"I'll worked hard to pay you back," the child said.

"Niño, this is something I never doubt."

"I can bathe myself," Carlisle informed his keeper as he extended a hand for the soapy rag.

"So you can," Eleazar responded before relinquishing the cloth. "I'm going outside for air, but when I come back you'll be bed ready."

"I will be. Oh, El-zar?"

The man stopped with his hand on the door and turned back to the child.

"Thank you," the youth said, sending relief coursing through the elder before he stepped out onto the porch with a satisfied smile on his face.

"You are most welcome, niño. I believe we're going to be just fine. Wait and you will see."

AN: No, I haven't thrown in the towel. I'm having surgery on my wrist, so with any luck at least it will work right again. Now if there was only something that could be done about my blasted muse. I will have Carlisle back to is old self eventually, but this little incident hasn't quite run its course. Then after that we may have to have a little visit from the Volturi. Gotta keep Eleazar on his toes somehow. I think I would like him to suffer through a bit of teen Carlisle before the good doctor is restored. Any thoughts?

Thanks for reading and reviewing. You know I love y'all. You guys are the greatest.