Chapter Six: Coming Miracles

Chapter Six: Coming Miracles

            "I'll be back," Grammi said to the others. They smiled as she scooped a sleeping Cubbi up and carried him back towards the Glen. Sunni had her head on Zummi's lap but she was awake. The hours went by and finally the party dismissed. Calla and Cavin walked over to their friends. Sunni sat up and hugged Calla.

            "You looked great, Cal- I mean, Your Highness."

            Calla squeezed her friend back. "Call me Calla, Sunni, please."

            Sunni smiled and squeezed her friend tightly.

            Just then the door behind them opened. Cavin's jaw dropped,

            "Sir Thornberry!"

            The knight looked at him oddly, then looked about, "Where?"

            "What brings you here, Sir Thornberry?" Zummi asked, getting up.

            "My feet."

            The knight then said,

            "They signaled, briefly. Message said, danger, sense Celina. Coming home."

            "Who?" Gruffi asked, hope clearly present.

            "They're coming home."

            Gusto took in a deep breath.

            "The…"

            Calla finished, "The Great Gummies, they're coming back."

* * *

            Calla sat down on her bed. They had decided to use one of the former queen's favorite rooms as their bedchambers, she and Cavin both agreed her father's chamber would be too full of memories. Calla was still stunned by everything that happened in the last twenty-four hours.

            Her father's death, her marriage, her power assent from princess to queen and Cavin's from page to king.

            "Calla?"

            The Queen of Dunywn turned as her new husband walked in. he sat by her and wrapped his arms around her, in a sense of comfort. She kissed the tips of his fingers and rubbed his hands against her cheek. Cavin kissed her cheek once and she welcomed it. She wanted comfort, she wanted to feel loved.

            "Cavin?"

            "Yes?"

            "I like it when you do that."

            Cavin looked at her, his young wife. He felt the weight of king already but for now his wife came first.

            Cavin wrapped his arms around Calla's shoulders, massaging them. She leaned her head back and let her blond hair fall against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his neck once.

            She turned around and then pressed her lips against Cavin in a greedy and desperate act. He was stunned but returned it, sensing her need for his love.

            They stayed like that until sleep overwhelmed them and then they remained close.

* * *

            Buddi sat on one of the branches, letting his feet dangle over. The Barbics had since returned to their woods but kept close contact with Gummadoon and the Glens who had also returned home. When Ursa had told the others that the Great Gummies were returning…

            It had been a celebration that would never be matched.

            The adults had even gotten out some wine that they rarely drank. Ursa had even let him have a sip. It had been foul though and Buddi swiftly made a face at its taste, which made the adults laugh. The adults were still celebrating but Buddi had left and was now sitting outside the balcony, letting his feet dangle.

            He heard a door creak and then someone stepped on the branch beside him. Buddi turned.

            It was Grubbi.

            The cub turned from him but the adult turned his face around.

            "Why the long face kid?"

            "I…I…Ursa told you what happened in Gummadoon didn't she?"

            Grubbi smiled, "yes, she did."

            Buddi blushed, "I don't know how it happened, Grubbi. I know it can't come about. She's Glen…"

            "And you're Barbic," the eldest of them finished. "Buddi, I can tell you exactly why it happened. You're a teenager. You're falling in love because you're at the age for an interest in girls."

            Grubbi smirked, "Heck, Ursa was interested in the opposite sex at your age."

            "What?!" Buddi whirled to face him. Grubbi chuckled low in his throat.

            "Yep, I remember that very well….

Flashback: 17 Years Ago

            Ursa, a thirteen-year-old female cub, tossed her hair behind her shoulders and grabbed her spear for training. Grubbi was training her that day. He complimented her that she had a talent. That always made her smile. She ran outside and saw a big crowd underneath. She spied Gritty and swung down.

            "What's up Gritty?"

            The cub turned to his younger friend and said,

            "Other gummies," he replied. "They want us to leave, go with them across the ocean."

            Ursa turned to him, eyes burning, "I'm not going!"

            "Relax, Carrot Top." He said simply. "Gianni is talking to them. He's rejecting them and telling them to leave."

            Ursa nodded as she thought to their leader, a male called Gianni. He was a dark tan and wore a black tunic with a sword on his hip.

            Ursa glanced down and saw one of the younger gummies wonder off. He looked to be about her age and was dark black. He wore a navy blue tunic with a black belt. Ursa, ever curious, swung down. The cub seemed surprised by her sudden appearance.

            "Whoa re you?" he demanded. Ursa looked at him,

            "Ursa."

            "Vinci."

            Ursa took a single glance at him and decided that she had to see him again.

*

            Ursa ran towards the home near her woods where her boyfriend Vinci lived. She wanted to ask him if it was true what she'd heard that his clan was leaving. She poured through the front door.

            "Vin-"

            "Ursa? What do you want?"

            Ursa was stunned. Vinci was sitting on his bed and had his head in the lap of another girl. She was younger but still around their age and had dark blue fur with dark violet slacks over her legs and a white blouse. She looked at Ursa a moment then said,

            "Did you really think a Barbic could love? You're so tough. You don't have the heart. You don't deserve Vinci. He never loved you."

            Ursa turned to her boyfriend, her heart feeling strangely heavy,

            "Vinci-"

            "Get out Ursa. I don't feel like explaining my reasons. You were fun for a while but you got a little boring."

            Ursa blinked, stunned and then hurt came, replaced just as swiftly by anger.

            Ursa turned and stormed out, her eyes burning with anger and hurt. She stormed back home and up to her room. Slamming the door, she ignored any attempts at solace. She didn't cry but lay there, trembling. Had she truly been so blind? She ignored anyone's questions, even Gritty's. All the time she was swearing,

            "Never. Never again. I'll never be used again."

            She glanced outside and hissed,

            "Never."

Present

            Buddi looked at Grubbi stunned. He went on,

            "Ursa closed her emotions after that and that was particularly a reason she hardened. But I think she doesn't want you hurt."

            "Of course I don't."

            The two turned. Ursa walked out, stepping over the railing as easily as if she had been inches from the ground. Grubbi got up and left, leaving Ursa was her cub.

            "Buddi. I just want you to be strong. I don't want you hurt like I was. I don't want to feel that."

            "Ursa, love isn't a weakness. Okay you had a bad experience but you can't shield me from the world you know."

            Ursa sighed, "Buddi, you don't understand."

            "I understand that you're trying to keep me from Sunni and I hate that!"

            "Buddi! You don't know that she won't do the same thing Vinci did!"

            "She won't! I know she won't!"

            Ursa turned to the child, "Buddi, I said the same thing about Vinci. Gritty warned me that he was using me but I didn't listen. I was stubborn."

            "Still are."

            Ursa decided not to comment. "Buddi, look I just want you to grow up and be strong. To be able to handle yourself."

            "How are you gonna let me do that if you won't let me take any chances?"

            Ursa sighed deeply, "Buddi, how about this? I'll let you go occasionally until I'm comfortable with her. I want to make sure she's right for you. And don't close your mind to other possibilities. Especially now that the ancients are returning."

            Buddi looked at her, "Okay, okay."

            Ursa smiled and stood up.

            "Now let's go finish celebrating. You're a cub I know you can celebrate."

            Buddi grinned.

* * *

            Calla and Cavin looked at one another, nervous beyond comprehension. But Sir Tuxford had made it clear that after one week, they needed to try and create an heir. Igthorn was quiet, which meant he was planning something. They needed an heir should something happen to Cavin, Calla or both.

            However, although both of them loved the other, they were not sure if they were ready for parenthood. But they knew the kingdom had to survive, especially in time of need. They couldn't fail the people. Both had a very strong sense of duty and honor.

            Calla lay down, nervous, scared.

            "Calla, sweetheart?"

            Calla turned. There was something refreshing how he had called her sweetheart. Something loving about it. It made Calla forget her pain, fear and nervousness. Cavin put his hands on her shoulders and massaged them.

            Cavin was so nervous he didn't even know what to say. He had never done this before, he was still 'innocent.' Calla was still a virgin. They knew their duties but that did not mean they were not nervous about it. Cavin slid in behind his wife

            "Cavin?"

            "Yeah?"

            "Call me Sweetheart, I like that. Call me that…Darling."

            Cavin and Calla felt odd calling one another that but at the same time it seemed appropriate, he'd called her that once or twice when they had been just boyfriend and girlfriend as she had called him Darling or Hon once or twice.   

            Calla moved closer and caressed her husband's face. It was amazing how used she got to having Cavin as her husband. To her that meant they were meant to be. She felt the sweat and nervousness on Cavin's face and leaned her head against his chest.          

            Cavin looked at her and ran his finger through her golden hair. Calla looked up at him and her sleeves fell to her mid arms. Cavin swallowed and grabbed her by her arms. She smiled,

            "Nervous?"

            Cavin shook his head, "No," and kissed her neck, surprised that his statement was completely honest. He grabbed her tightly and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Cavin pulled her closer, his hand on her sides now, right under her breasts. They embraced and tumbled onto the bed, lost amid a wave of love. Their duty was forgotten and in its place only thrived ever-present love.