Woodsmoke sat under a tree, staring out into the open with his piercing gray eyes. An emptiness had taken over him, for he had not eaten or seen the inside of his den for days. He only thought of his daughter, his proud daughter, who had disappeared after what seemed like a Land Loper attack.
The memories remained bright and yet, grim, even to one who lived in the NOW. Moments passed at a snail's pace for the father of Raineyes, who had to strain his mind to follow Soulseeker's orders - he was not allowed to venture after his daughter. Not blindly, at least.
The hunting parties had searched for her and Woodsmoke at least knew that Raineyes was alive and well - if she had been captured, he would have known it, he was almost certain. But he longed to see her sparkling blue eyes that were her namesake - and it seemed that nothing else mattered anymore.
Brightmoss watched him from a distance with a concerned frown on her face. She had tried to put her brother's mind at ease as best she could, hiding her own fear - Raineyes was more like a daughter to her than her niece, now. For his sake, however, she had been strong, and had tried to convince Woodsmoke to be the same and to have faith. Her efforts seemed wasted.
"High Ones, give him strength," Brightmoss whispered before gently approaching her brother. She stared down at him beneath the tree before taking a seat beside him.
"The night grows short, Woodsmoke," she said gently, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Won't you come to the den? You need rest, not another restless time in the sunlight."
"No," he said shortly, his gaze never leaving the ever-moving forest. "I wait for Raineyes."
"I know you do, brother," Brightmoss said softly. "But you are no help to her in this condition! You need rest! What good is it, when she returns, if you are weak with hunger and faint from lack of rest?"
Woodsmoke did not answer, but instead traced his hand through the dirt slowly, casting his gaze to the ground. He felt Brightmoss's hands on his shoulders tighten, then suddenly found himself in his sister's embrace as tears fell from his eyes.
"Not my daughter, Brightmoss," he said softly between sobs. "I can't lose my daughter!"
"Raineyes is both stubborn and strong," Brightmoss reassured him, patting his back softly. She will not be taken down easily. And she will return to us, Woodsmoke. But she will want to see her father with a healthy, happy smile."
Woodsmoke sighed as Brightmoss's comforting voice continued. She was right, he knew, about Raineyes. Nothing could change her mind once it was made up and Woodsmoke knew right now it was set on survival.
"Come, brother."
Woodsmoke let Brightmoss guide him to his feet and begin the walk to his den. A few fragile steps were taken as the siblings' tribesmates took to their den, the feeling of morning and sleep growing in their wolfblood. Woodsmoke sighed softly. His steps were heavy, as were his heart and head. He knew sleep would be both easy and uneasy; welcome and unwelcome. He knew what he needed, but also what he wanted-
"Father!"
Woodsmoke's skin nearly tingled with the sound of his daughter's voice filling his ears. Both he and Brightmoss turned their heads to see a most welcomed site - Raineyes, racing into the holt on the back of Lakefrost's wolf.
She rode up to her father and aunt and slowly slid off Whitecross' back. Gently glancing up at her father, she offered him a smile. "I'm home, Father," she said softly.
"Are you okay, cub?" Woodsmoke's voice came out filled with emotion as he ran a hand through Raineyes' hair, pulling out loose twigs and leaves, her strawberry-red curls falling over her shoulders.
"I'm fine, Father. I'm fine." Raineyes suddenly threw her arms around her father's neck, hugging him fiercely. "I'm so sorry."
Woodsmoke didn't answer, holding her close, letting his tight embrace and tears speak for him. The two stood still as the sturdiest tree for a few moments, before a gentle, yet stern voice interrupted them.
"Raineyes?"
Raineyes slowly pulled away from her father to look at her Chief. She knew he would want words with her as soon as she returned to the holt, but had tried to think otherwise.
"Greet your friends and family," Soulseeker said to her, giving her a smile. "Then meet me in my den. We need to talk."
"Yes, my Chief," Raineyes said, nodding. She had a feeling of what he would say, but wondered if Soulseeker knew what she would say in return.
Soulseeker's discussion had touched everything Raineyes believed it would - she had fled from the holt without thinking of her own safety, without letting the others know she was even alive. She had caused the worry of her tribesmates and angst among the hunting party, her friends, and especially her father in her absence. There were questions to answer about the humans' attack, if her and Lakefrost had provoked them, about where they had been and what they had been doing. Raineyes answered her questions, admitted her guilt, and agreed to her accusations as she patiently awaited her turn.
"Is there anything you'd like to add, Raineyes?" Soulseeker finally asked.
Raineyes gently turned her gaze to that of her father, who had joined her in Soulseeker's den. She had a feeling Brightmoss, as well as Dreamshadow and Nettle were waiting below to check on Woodsmoke and his daughter. She knew now was the best time to answer.
"Yes," she said in a proud voice, a steady voice full of certainty. "I believed, when I was a young cub on my soul name search, that I had discovered who I truly was. I see now that I discovered a part of myself - but now, my Chief, I know who I am. From now on, I will be called Summerset."
A moment of silence was all it took for the words to settle in, before Soulseeker howled for Summerset. Quickly joined by Woodsmoke and those below as his sendings filled the holt. The pack and tribe rang out in one song for the 'new' elf they would know.
Summerset's own voice filled the howl, but hers was personal - she was howling not only for herself, but for her lovemate. 'Teva, gentle lovemate,' her thoughts filled as his image filled her mind. 'Thank you. I have found my way.'