*brushes cobwebs from the corners... and everwhere else* Hey! Hey, how's it goin'? Ok, I know this looks bad but I haven't really been gone that long ri- *notices the pair of hobos sitting at a trash-can fire* ... ok maybe I have been gone that long.

But I do have an acceptable excuse! It's called college, and it's evil. It eats up my time and drains my creative energy until I'm shlumping around life muttering about masculine communication styles, eukaryotic organisms, and pi. Despite this agony however, one good thing did come from all this schooling. May I just say, *ahem* GUESS WHO'S GOT HER ASSOCIATES DEGREE? YEAH! WHATUP? XDDDDDDDDD

*ahem* Ranting and joyous celebration over. Now that the semester is finished I, for the first time since high-school, I have absolutely NO prior commitments to anything! W00T! So at the risk of jinxing myself, I'm hoping to have a great deal of writing and posting of stories done.

I want to thank all of the readers of this little thing, particularly those of you who have fav'd, alerted, and especially reviewed! You guys make my day!

And so, without any more ado, here's the next chapter of Lioness!

Her heart was racing as Littletrill soared back towards Blue Mountain. She could still see Skywise's eyes, pleading for her to stay. She could still hear the shouts of the Wolfriders, the screams of the little mother as her babe was snatched away from her. Didn't they understand? They had other children, and they could have more besides! The floater in her arms was her only chance! She hugged him tighter. He was her only hope.

###########################

*DEWSHINE! CUBLING!*

*RAYEK!*

The huntress' eyes watered under the force of the wind as she pressed her strength. She had to catch that hawk! She couldn't let that… that filthy babe-snatcher get away!

*Rayek!*

The bird was getting farther away, her body was screaming in pain over the stress she was putting on it. She felt herself slowing and a wave of enraged frustration surged through her. **Dewshine!** She felt the Wolfrider's mind touch her's, **We will come for you and your son! Hold strong!**

A touch of relief, **Thank y-** And she was gone.

She sunk to the ground, biting back her rage.

"-at were you thinking? How dare you!" There was a loud thud and a sharp groan. "She took my lovemate! My son! You -ah!"

Rayek's eyes blazed, one hand direction the magic keeping Scouter pinned to a tree. "Shut. Up. Screaming and casting blame isn't going to get them back. Now, are you going to start thinking or do I need to hold you there longer?"

The Wolfrider struggled against her hold, "And where were you? You can glide, you have your oh-so-glorious magic, why didn't you do something?"

"Enough!"

All eyes turned, reflecting total shock. Clearbrook stood, eyes glistening with unshed tears, her whole body trembling. "Enough. While you all stand there fighting that Glider," the word came out like a curse, "is getting away and taking my grandson and Dewshine off to her. Now stop fighting and let's do something. And you," her eyes, cold and hard, met Rayek's, "put my son down."

The only movement was Scouter's feet touching the ground.

#########################

"Why are they still just talking? We should have left already. High Ones take it, are they always this useless when their Chief isn't there to hold them by the hand?"

Teir sighed softly, reaching out to put a hand on her shoulder. She shook him off.

"Don't you even try it."

"Try what?"

She shook him off again, seething, "You know what. I am not in the mood to be calmed down. I am quite happy being angry, thank you very much."

"It's not your fault you know."

Rayek rounded on him, eyes blazing, "You dare-"

Their eyes met. She froze. Slowly, Teir reached forward and pulled her close. She let her head rest against his chest, shivering.

"I should have done something."

He brushed his hand across her hair, "What, suddenly anything that goes wrong is your fault? What about Skywise? He led her to us. Or Scouter and Dewshine, who were standing right there? Or the Glider herself?" he rested his head against hers, "You take too much credit love."

"I could've-"

"And so could I. And so could everyone else. It's as you said before, casting blame isn't going to help anyone. Now," he tilted her head up, smiling, "shall we see if the puppies have managed to grow their own brains yet?"

#################################

Hoykar stretched, reveling in the brisk breeze that cooled him. The uniform of a Chosen may have looked pretty, but by the Egg it was hot! Obviously the craftsman (or craftswoman) who made it obviously had never worn it.

…And yet all of the Eight worn them. Where was the logic in that?

Hoykar shook his head, banishing that line of thought until Eresir or Reevol were with him to laugh over it. In so long as Yeyeen didn't hear them, she had a long lived grievance against them for their jokes about ornate clothing. Females.

Stormchaser trilled happily and he turned to follow her line of sight. A hawk was flying towards the Mountain. Littletrill.

The young Glider felt a stab of sorrow. He had rather hoped that Aroree would be brave enough to leave for good, but apparently some things never changed. He shook his head, brushing away anything that might taint his sending. **Welcome back Aroree. Found any new stories for our table?**

It was a commonly used greeting among the Eight, supposedly originated by the second elf to ever take up the mantle if one were to listen to Eresir. Of course few did but it was still commonly used.

She didn't answer.

Hoykar blinked in surprise. Aroree never didn't answer. He watched as Littletrill landed on a lower outcropping. Squinting he could see her gliding down from the back of her bird. …What in the… what did she have in her arms? Some kind of animal or something?

Patting Stormchaser on the neck he headed back into the Mountain, a familiar cold feeling in the pit of his stomach. He shivered. Why did it suddenly feel like something bad was going to happen?

*roasting marshmallows with the Hobos* I love Hoykar. I mean, I know this is just how I'm writing him, not the Pinis, but I love him. He is so much fun to write!

Anyhoosit, look for the next chapter within a week! Maaaybe within the next few days, depending on how many reviews I get. *coughshamelessbriberycough*

Oh! And also, lately I've been working on my first ever non-ElfQuest fanfiction! So, some time soon (hopefully) keep an eye out on the Warcraft section for The BlackSun Chronicles! In addition to this, I've got a number of other ideas in the wings, some EQ some not, so cross your fingers!

And remember kidlings, reviews make elves happy! So review and get a big hug from the elf of your choice!

Hoykar: You're pimping us out for reviews? Seriously?

Shush now pretty-boy. That's all for now folks! R&R!