A Shadow Tribe Story
Chapter Two: Catch-The-Cub . . . And Keep Her
by: Yuuki Miyaka
"These foolish games are tearing me apart, And your thoughtless words are breaking my heart . . . ."
-Jewel-
Four days had passed, along with Windrunner's appetite. He had no interest in food, and barely ate enough to keep him alive. Ebony had, somehow, managed to elude him for the better part of these four days. There had been no chance to even say a single hello to her. And Windrunner's patience, along with his appetite, was growing thin.
By now, Starsong had guessed at the problem he was trying to deal with. Her teasing had changed to simple and quiet help, nothing elaborate. Just help that would ultimately keep his mind off of her soul-sister. In fact, at the moment, the tribe was competing in a game of Catch-The-Cub.
He had never expected such a game to be so much fun. But as he chased Winterleaf, his mind left Ebony, and he could actually relax. That, in itself, was a miracle. The fact that he managed to relax for more than an hour was even better, and he would have stayed relaxed except for one small problem . . . .
Ebony walked into the clearing, holding a small ravvit in her hand. Her hunting skills had gotten poor along with her concentration. The only thing she could still do was hide, and hide she did. She had caught this small creature because it had wandered into her spot. She thought about eating it where she was, but felt that she had to share it with the tribe, even if it meant seeing him.
She was amazed to see the elves running everywhere. They were playing Catch-The-Cub, a game she had participated in only twice in her life. It was fun, but ultimately, she preferred Hide-And-Seek. It had more of a hunting lesson to it.
Her eyes fell on Windrunner, and she lost all thought about hunting or ravvits. The animal in her hand was forgotten as she took in the sight of him. For four days, she had managed to completely avoid him, to the extent that she hadn't even seen him. And now, her eyes drank in the sight of him, and the passion returned. He was coming her way, a smile on his face and his eyes on the cub before him. And she didn't even consider moving.
Winterleaf looked up at the last moment and swerved, barely avoiding her teacher. Windrunner was not so lucky. As he watched the cub get away, he ran straight into Ebony, knocking her down and following her himself. He landed on top of her, his breath severely labored. For a long minute, he stared into those eyes, marvelling at the depths he found there. And she did the same. He felt someone come up, and he heard the sending in his mind when it came.
:Don't just lay there like a fool. Get it over with!: Starsong's sharp sending brought him to his senses. He didn't like the plan she had concocted, but she had assured him that he was saving Ebony's life, as well as his own, and that was more important. He could try to win her over later. But if he waited too much longer, they were both going to die, and the tribe couldn't afford that, any more than he wanted it.
He stood slowly, helping Ebony to her feet. He felt, rather than saw, the ravvit taken from her hand. And when she was up, he went ahead with the plan, trying to ignore the way her body had felt.
"You're coming with me, Huntress." The command, when it came, made Ebony furious. She decided that the best way to keep this elf from trying to command her was to Challenge him, and she did so.
Their eyes met, each will striving to force the other down. It didn't work very well. They battered at each other's strength for the better part of five minutes, an eternity in a struggle like this. The tribe stood around them, watching anxiously to see who would win. When the winner was decided, the tribe looked away, not wanting to see the loser's face. Not wanting to see Ebony's expression as she was led out of the clearing.
"I've been staying with Shadowwalker. I thought you should know." The entire trek to Ebony's den had been in silence, and only now that they were finally at the door did Windrunner speak. Ebony glared up at him, angry with the knowledge of her defeat.
"What does it matter? You could be lovemate to the entire tribe and it wouldn't change anything. We are still Recognized, Windrunner. The only reason you defeated me in that Challenge was because I'm weak from the effects of Recognition. So don't get any ideas."
Windrunner smiled gently, knowing that Ebony needed to say that, needed to know that she was strong. But when his hand came up to touch her cheek, she flinched away, and that worried him. He didn't want her to be frightened of him, any more than he wanted a lovemate who stayed with him because he controlled her. Best that they deal with this now. Anything else could wait until she had gotten stronger, was better able to deal with him.
:Perhaps you're right, Aiyla.: His thoughts caressed hers. :But wouldn't it be better if we were to Challenge once you were stronger?: Her nod came, tentative and curious. :Then let us deal with the problem at hand so that you can return to your natural strength. Then a true Challenge will be held.:
She wanted to agree with him. He could see that in her eyes. What held her back? Why was she so hesitant? And then came that flash of understanding that he had felt once before. Once more, he could see through her, into her soul, into the most hidden part of her. He felt her fear wash over him, and suddenly, he understood the reason behind it.
She didn't want to lose him. She didn't want to lose one she cared about, for whatever reason. And that included him. He wanted to hold her, wanted to tell her that everything was going to be fine, but he couldn't make a promise he was unsure of keeping. Things might go wrong. She might lose him for any number of reasons, and he wasn't prepared to promise otherwise.
:Aiyla . . . .: His thoughts captured her attention, and he was pulled out of her spell, into his own mind. The sadness with which he watched her showed in his eyes and mind, he knew, but he could do nothing about it. And she didn't seem to care, judging from the angry tilt to her jaw.
"Well, perhaps you're right, Windrunner." She was still refusing to call him by his soulname. "Maybe we should get this over with so that we can go our separate ways. I'm sure that there are plenty of maidens here who would enjoy being your lovemate." Something had changed in her attitude, he saw, and he couldn't pinpoint it. She preceded him into her den, discarding her clothes with a very efficient air. When she sat on the bed, ready to slip off her top, he stopped her, asking a silent question. The question surprised her, and she answered just as quietly, her hands moving to his clothing as his moved to hers.
Windrunner stared at the sleeping Ebony, smiling gently. She was peaceful when she was asleep, almost childlike. He shivered slightly, thinking about how young she truly was. That scared him in a way. He was so ancient compared to her that they probably had nothing in common.
Steeling himself, he slowly got up, moving as stealthily as he could to avoid waking her. He wanted to surprise her with breakfast when she got up. He wasn't sure he'd be able to get the food ready in time, but he was hoping.
As he left the den, Ebony rolled over, for a moment trying to find his warmth before settling down. She had curled up in the hollow space his absense had left. His eyes misted as he saw that, but he was determined to go through with his plan. He stepped out of the den, and went looking for the plants and wood he would need.
Windrunner was growing frantic. The day had worn on, and thankfully, Ebony had yet to emerge from her hut. He knew, because he was near enough to tell. But the stew he had decided to make was turning out terribly. The water had boiled over exactly five times now, the vegetables were changing color to a nice, soft grey, and he still wasn't sure what he was going to do about the salad he was trying to make. Every time he had come close to completing it, some animal would come and join him, invariably tipping over the bowl he'd arranged it in and turning the whole mess onto the ground. And mess it was.
And then he saw the cub. He looked away, a little afraid to admit his shortcomings to Winterleaf. He had seen how protective she was of Ebony, and how protective Ebony was of her. He wanted to befriend this slight beauty, but he didn't know how to, and neither Winterleaf nor Ebony was making it easy on him. But he knew that he had to have the meal ready for Ebony when she arrived, so he squared his shoulders and gave into his fears. He asked for help.
"Winterleaf?" The cub looked at him in surprise, her large eyes wide with interest. She may not like me, he thought, but she certainly is interested in what I have to say. Perhaps it will give her fuel to poke fun at me. He took a deep breath and forced himself to continue. "Do you know anything about stew?"
The cub, he figured, had to know a bit about it. And to his surprise, she did. She had been taught how to make stew by Leetah and Shen-shen, for that was one of their favourite things.
"Why?" Winterleaf's voice was cold, her expression almost grim.
"I'm . . . trying to make it for Ebony. And she doesn't know."
The cub nodded again, but made no move to do anything. So Windrunner sighed. "I'd really like some help. I'm not very good at making stew." At that moment, the stew boiled over for the sixth time and burned Windrunner's hand. Winterleaf allowed a small smile to appear on her face.
"So I see. Let's see what I can do."
As Ebony awoke, she slowly became aware of two things. First, her body seemed to tingle, more awake than her mind, and more alive than it had ever been. She wondered if it was because of last night. Second, Windrunner was gone. As she sat up in her furs, she looked around her small den and told herself that it was true, that everything had happened, and then he had left.
She didn't want it to matter, but it did. She wondered for a moment if he had realized he was her first lovemate. And then she shook her head. Of course he had. That was why he had left. He didn't want someone who was learning. He wanted someone who knew what to do. To him, all she was good for was Recognition.
She slowly got up, allowing herself the luxury of peace and tranquility. Whatever Windrunner had done, whereever he had gone, what they shared she would carry in her heart forever. Perhaps it wasn't love, but it didn't matter. He now held something dear to her. And just what it was, she couldn't say.
After she had dressed and readied herself for the day's hunt, she remembered that she had to be back at the Holt tonight in time for the tribal meeting. She needed to relate a story of some kind. She only hoped that it didn't have anything to do with Recognition. Or with Windrunner. The thought of him threatened to bring her to tears. Why couldn't he have stayed?
She walked out of her hut, and smelled a warm odor coming from a clearing not to far away. Curious, she followed the smell. When she had arrived, she saw the impossible. Windrunner and Winterleaf were hunched over a bowl, which in turn had been placed over a fire. Although she couldn't see inside the bowl, she knew it had to be the place that the smell originated from. And her stomach grumbled loudly, reminding her that she hadn't eaten properly in days. The two elves were talking quietly, Winterleaf almost smiling. That was good. At least Windrunner hadn't hurt her yet. Ebony wanted to cry, she was so jealous of the cub. But she held onto her dignity and started to walk off. When she had gone no more than five steps away, a hand grasped her arm, and she froze. Looking around, she saw Windrunner holding her arm with one hand, a smaller bowl of the stew with another. And Winterleaf was nowhere to be seen.
Nothing was said, but Ebony walked with Windrunner back to the clearing, and sat down, the bowl he had held now esconced firmly in her hands. And he got a bowl of his own, smiling slightly at the look of the stew, the brightly colored, soft vegetables inside. And he chose to sit down next to her, touching her, holding her almost. They ate in silence.
Something was happening between them, Ebony knew. What she didn't know was how it would be for the rest of the tribe. And that was what she was afraid of most. What would happen if Windrunner wasn't right for the tribe?