Please read Author's Note at the end of the chapter.
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Chapter 6: A Plan
As Cutter walked down the mountain path, thinking over the confrontation between the two elders only a few moments before. He was more curious than ever. It wouldn't surprise her if this had something to do with the tension of living in the Sun Village. And knowing Strongbow to be very opposed to the villagers and their ways, he suspected, something had transpired between the archer and one or some of them. What Cutter couldn't explain was why. Strongbow always kept himself away from the village as much as possible, only appearing when his presence was required. And even then he seemed reluctant to interact with anyone, even with his own tribes mates. That was something that surprised Cutter more than anything.
Strongbow always had been a quiet, secluded elf, but he seemed to be shutting himself off even more, ever since they stumbled upon the Sun Village. He never left any opportunity unused to insult or belittle the villagers, to Leetah's secret grief. She had once spoken about it with Cutter, hoping that as chief he could do anything about it. And he had spoken with the archer about and though the elder at first sputtered, he finally got him to promise it keeps the insults to a minimum. He wisely had kept it for himself that Leetah was the one that had asked, but he suspected he knew, because he noticed Strongbow glaring at her.
After that there had been little incidences that involved Strongbow and the villagers. But he had also tried to keep them away from the stubborn archer.
Cutter sighed and stopped his pace. He had to talk with Moonshade, he decided and turned around to walk back up to the mountain caves when he was almost run over by Dart.
"Whoa! Oh sorry, Cutter, but I'm in a hurry. See you later, ok?"
Cutter smiled and resumed his pace back up, this time taking up his speed. What would he say to her. Moonshade was probably as close mouthed about the whole ordeal as her mate was. He couldn't just barge in and confront her with it. No, he had to use some tactic. Hmm, that will be hard, he thought as he almost reached the grotto. He stopped walking when he heard soft voices inside.
"But I cannot understand why he won't talk to me. It's not like I have given him any reason to, or have I?" It was undoubtly Moonshade, her voice sounded sad and at the point of bursting in tears.
"Don't talk like that, my friend. There's nothing you could've done about it. Strongbow probably doesn't even realise what he is doing to you," he heard Clearbrook, and Cutter almost snorted. Moonshade made the sound for him, as if having the same thoughts.
"Sure he doesn't. He's too busy with wallowing in his anger."
Cutter stepped a little closer to peek inside and saw Clearbrook smiling at the comment.
"Maybe you should give him some more time. I'm sure he will see that he's unreasonable."
Moonshade shook his head. "I don't believe he will. He's so focused on not letting Leetah into the tribe and you know how much he detests her."
"Maybe I can help."
It was out of Cutter's mouth before he noticed it and both Moonshade and Clearbrook's heads shot up in his direction. With a wry and apologising smile the young chieftain stepped out of the shadows.
"I'm sorry, I overheard your conversation."
Moonshade looked to the ground, as she had done previously, and sighed. "I'm afraid you can do little about it, especially because you're Leetah's mate."
Cutter frowned with eyes questioning. Moonshade started to explain what had transpired at the most recent gathering. The words tumbled from her mouth in a way very unlike Moonshade, but Cutter didn't say anything as he listened with open ears.
"I understand," he said in great length of the story. "I understand his motives. He probably feels as if he made too many sacrifices already, and in such a short time. I dared not bringing up this subject, in fear of the reactions, and especially his reaction. But I see my uncle gathered his nerves before I did."
Moonshade had started crying silently by now. It had to affect her a great deal to be able to release her emotions like that. From what Cutter knew of her, the tanner was not an overly emotional elf. Though much softer and friendlier than Strongbow, she could be as hard as flint. But when it came to the ones closest to her, her devotion was unconditional and her loyalty strong as rock.
"But what can we do? Strongbow is obviously beyond reasoning."
Clearbrook's voice cut through his thoughts. He sighed. That was a problem indeed, and one he did not have a simple solution to.
"Where is he now?" he asked. Clearbrook shrugged and sighed.
"I don't know, but in some way he always manages to disappear to somewhere no one can possibly find him."
"I did find him earlier today. Maybe if I go looking for him, I might be able to find him again." Now Moonshade shook his head.
"I don't think that will work. Even if you manage to find him, I doubt he will talk to you. You, as being merely a cub to him, telling him what to do, even if you're our chief, won't please him."
All three were silent for a while, lost in thought; Moonshade still with tears in her eyes and sniffing softly, Clearbrook with an arm around her and Cutter standing straight with hands loosely folded.
"If you keep thinking on that line of thought you will never find the answer."
All three heads snapped up at that familiar voice, shocked face apparent. Clearbrook recovered first and put her hands at her hips and cracked a silver eye brow.
"Were you eavesdropping, beloved?" she said, a faint smile touching her lips.
One-Eye stepped out the shadows of the deeper part of the cave, shaking his head slowly as if in amusement.
"No, my dear. You forget that I live here too and that sometimes even I am in need of sleep." Now the smile on his face was apparent and walked towards the trio. But his face grew serious as he approached Moonshade and he kneeled in front of her, pushing up her face with his hand so that he locked eyes with her.
"There's no use in trying to find Strongbow if he doesn't want to be found," he started as he looked up at Cutter and Clearbrook and back to the tanner. "Therefore we must make sure he comes willingly…"
"That will never work," Cutter interrupted.
"Maybe not," One-Eye continued. "Normally I would agree with you, but I have an idea that might work." He looked around, as waiting for a reaction of some sort, but when none said anything, he continued; "Well, it's not to hard to figure out. He never misses the gatherings. So why would he stop coming now. We all know how much the tribe means to him. He can't desert them, certainly not at the gatherings."
Unconsciously, a smile made its way on to Moonshade's face. But now they had to figure out what to do when Strongbow appeared…
A/N: I'm terribly sorry for not updating sooner (Yes, it's been that long already). As some of you have read in either one of my e-mail replies or my profile here at , I'm having one of the biggest writer's blocks in my life. I have never written so little than I have in the past year. In fact I have written hardly anything, apart from the occasional lyric or poem. I don't know why but I just couldn't put anything on paper. I admit I have/had some personal issues, which I still have to overcome.
But I hope after writing this chapter, of which I hope you have enjoyed, the chapters will come a bit more frequently. I can't promise you anything of a date or time limit, but I can promise you I will do my best. I'm really trying, but it's hard at the moment. I will also tell you that I've not abandoned my other story When Eyes Meet Eyes and I have recently started on a new chapter which, unfortunately, will also be the last chapter of the story. But it will be undoubtly longer than any of the stories. So it might take another bit of time, but it's in the making.
I hope you're still with me and be patient for another while. I thank you for reviewing all the other chapters and I hope to get some reviews for this and upcoming chapters also.
Happy Hunting!!
If you want to be notified when I update "The Learning Part" or "When Eyes Meet Eyes", please send me an e-mail to missnevaratoiel yahoo . ca (of course without the spaces).