Hidden Hearts
A Rushwater Holt fic by Jessi
Disclaimer:
Elfquest and all related characters and ideas are © WaRP Graphics.
Rushwater Holt is an original concept and © Cindy England.
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"Ayoooah, Sunfire!"
Hoping out of the den she shared with her lovemate, Raineyes smiled as her wolf ran up to greet her. Sunfire was her strongest wolf-bond, as she almost felt the creature was herself on all fours. Even Sunfire's fur captured streaks of red, much like the red top that Raineyes supported. Giving her wolf-friend a gentle scratch behind the ears, Raineyes hopped onto her back. "Lets go, Sunfire!"
Sunfire no longer had to ask where Raineyes wanted to go, but the bright-eyed elf sent to her anyway. **Find Lakefrost** Raineyes sent to her wolf-friend, laughing aloud as Sunfire let out a wide jump over a fallen tree. Although Raineyes, as always, was in a pleasant mood that evening, she had the feeling her gentle lovemate would not be. He had refused to go on the hunt lately, and he seemed to be keeping himself from the rest of the tribe, Raineyes included. Although the young elf-girl would admit that there still existed some strangeness from Lakefrost's recent recognition of Blossombeach – and his choice to remain with Raineyes – she had hoped it would strengthen what they had. Instead, Lakefrost had taken to hiding out in the woods, away from his friends and his tribe. But Raineyes was sure she could find him this time. Sunfire could sniff out anything.
Sunfire began to slow down, a scent she had grown familiar with filling the air. She carried her elf-friend at a slower pace, but her long strides making up for lost time as she followed a path around trees and brush. Raineyes leaned forward to see where her wolf was taking her, and then it dawned on her. 'The river?' she thought, beginning to see its water through the thick trees. 'Of course.. It's where he always goes when he wants to think..'
Hoping off Sunfire, Raineyes thanked her friend, then began to walk the rest of the way. As the trees slowly faded to a remaining few, she could see the dark blonde-brown hair of her lovemate catch in a gentle breeze. He was seated by the edge of a river, his wolfbond at his side. Every now and then, Lakefrost would absently raise a hand to give Whitecross a scratch or a gentle pat, but never turned his gaze from the distance.
Upon hearing Raineyes approach, Whitecross turned to growl at an unlikely intruder, but instead bounded up to Raineyes, allowing her to give him a few scratches in exchange for a lick. Hoping on his back, Whitecross walked the elf-girl to her lovemate, giving her his former seat beside him.
She sat in silence for a few minutes, staring out at whatever Lakefrost seemed to see, wondering why she had not at least received a greeting of some sorts. Lakefrost had changed something in Raineyes since they became lovemates. Raineyes had wished to help one of her dear friends in the loss of his lifemate; Lakefrost had wished to show his dear friend that there were things in life outside of a child's laughter. Although many elves in the holt felt Raineyes would never lose her boldness and her childish personality, the hidden side of her that cared deeply for all was slowly showing, much to everyone's acknowledgements and a few surprised faces. When Lakefrost had come into recognition yet again, this time with Blossombeach, the holt had waited for Raineyes' angered, childish protest to it. Instead, she had calmly accepted it, and waited for Lakefrost's decision – one that seemed to be a burden on him now.
"Lakefrost.." she said softly, shivering slightly as a cold breeze came across her. "We have not seen you at the holt for several days now.. the hunting party is worried about you. As I am." Pushing a lock of her red hair away from her eyes, Raineyes turned and looked at her lovemate. "If.. what's bothering you is the same that has bothered me, then I understand, lovemate." Raineyes took a deep breath before continuing. "I've never wished for recognition. To be honest, the idea of it frightens me. But.. there is no one I would rather share my soul and my life with than you."
Lakefrost slowly turned to look at his little lovemate, her bright blue eyes looking at him with a gentle glow he had never seen in her before. Raineyes was a fiery young elf.. he wondered now, had that been what made her so appealing to him? They had slowly given each other parts of themselves. But nothing could prepare him for what would happen next.
**I am Aur, Lakefrost..**
Raineyes raised a hand to her own chest and breathed deeply. Her soul name, which she had searched so long and hard to find, was now part of another. Her eyes, ones that burned with her namesake, stared at her lovemate, waiting for his reaction, a kind word, his own soul name returned.. anything.
Lakefrost stayed absolutely still, even his breath coming out much softer and slower. Yet another soul name had been given to him.. but this time not from the force of recognition, but from love. He looked at his lovemate, who so badly seemed to want acceptance again.. then pulled her into a tight embrace.
Raineyes sighed softly, a content sigh, and rested her head on Lakefrost. She had hoped for his soul name in return, but just knowing he still loved and still cared was enough for her now. Even the most stubborn wolf in the pack knew what love was – and secretly longed for it as she did. And now it was part of her always.