The Slippery Snake Stunned

PART II

Dawn broke, the sun began to rise from its sleep from over the hills, and the birds chirped and sang throughout the forest. Forest green leaves turned to maple and littered the ground, autumn had come. A breeze passed within the forest, carrying different scents and sounds, as soft beats could be heard tapping on the ground. A horse whinnying could also be heard as a small cream hairy unicorn came in sight, bearing it rider.

The rider no one could see for he blended only too well into the forest, wearing his brown-leathered cloak as he came upon the sight of Gummadoon.

Though no one in Gummadoon, not even the two knights by the gate could see him, he could see them and that what he enjoyed most about when sneaking in and making a surprise entrance for everyone. A grin broke out on his face, upon seeing Gummadoon again.

The rider threw back his hood, revealing his young face as his sparkling mischievous blue eyes scanned the castle, searching for a way in without notifying the knights of his return.

Finding an area that wasn't guarded the rider then dismounted his unicorn and began walking on foot, the unicorn following after him.

Walking along the edge of the forest, one could see that his once light brown fur was now several shades darker being a dark hazel brown, also seeing he had strong build, probably through years of hard continuous training, it was indeed Cammi.

As far as Cammi was concerned no one knew of his hiding places in the forest, all except for his foster father, Sir Plucki, but not even he knew of this one, which had a full great view of Gummadoon without being seen.

Cammi still couldn't help but feel the excitement that he was home, finally after eight years he was home again, but he was also scared, and afraid that they would be angry for leaving them again, unexpected. He was also sure that many things would have changed, being away eight years was a long time, but the question was, just how much had changed.

~*~

Meanwhile, in Gummadoon in the Councillor's Tower, someone was leaving, his cloak billowing behind him as he left. He wore a crimson cloak, with a brown and green outfit, this one certainly loved to wear dark colours. His fur was a hazel brown, neither light nor dark, his appearance appeared handsome and his dark onyx eyes that pierced and bore into your very soul. Of course it was Stanney and one of Cammi's best friends. Now walking along the castle wall, he kept the lookout knowing that any day soon Cammi would return, since they received the letter he sent a few days ago. His eyes scanned the forest for any sign of movement, hoping that Cammi would show up any minutes but there was none. Not noticing a figure down below cladded in brown leaning against the castle wall as to avoid being seen, he turned and carried on his way.

~*~

Cammi sighed a huge relief that was too close for comfort, if Stanney had leaned forward or looked down then his surprise entrance would have been thrown out the window literally.

Gaining back his composure, he quietly slipped through one of the cracks that lead him to a back door, passing the door he was then lead to the stalls, where he knew the training grounds, the stables and the Councillor's Tower would be close by.

 Thinking out a plan, he could see there were a few gummies at the stalls, he could dodge pass them easily; the same for the training grounds and the Councillor's Tower the question was the stables. Following out his plan with great care and caution, Cammi then arrived at the stable and quickly and only just in time threw himself back into the shadows before colliding and letting his foster father see him. It appeared to Cammi that his foster father and friends had just finished patrolling the forest, so how he managed to pass them without being detected beats him. Seeing no one was in the stables he quickly and soundlessly see'd to his unicorn before leaving and following his secret passageways that lead to his rooms. How he loved to spy on everyone without them realizing it, as memories from his childhood came rushing back to him and he had now changed from the young adult he was to little four year old again with his mischievous ways.

~*~

Training in the grounds was the leader and commander of the knights, Sir Plucki training one of Cammi's best friends Cubbi, now known as Sir Cubbi.

Cubbi's grandfather Sir Cubbi had sadly passed away a year ago but not before he saw his youngest grandson being knighted.

Finishing their training they both departing and went their own separate ways and Sir Plucki began to wonder about something, walking his way to his room.  Upon walking back from the stables, he caught a glimpse of a brown-leathered cloak billowing then disappeared into the shadows, who it was he did not know, his first thought was that it was Stanney but he only had a crimson cloak, so who else would be following and spying on him apart from the youngest cub looking for mischief. Reaching his room and closing the door behind him, he left his thought till later.

~*~

Cammi examined his room and could see it had been untouched, a little dusty though not been cleaned but he would soon see to that, as he dropped off his gear and headed towards his foster father's room hopefully to surprise everyone of his returning home. Still proceeding to hide in the shadows, he slipped out from his room and walked along the corridors meeting no one on his way even though it was midday and almost everyone would be out, but it appeared that he was wrong. Finally coming to a door that he recognised, he lifted his paw and was about to knock when soft footfall could be heard coming down the corridor as he dove into the shadows.

Waiting only a few minutes, he saw who came down the corridors and felt rejoiced at seeing Lilli again but was sadden when he saw she was holding a cub's hand, the cub itself amazed Cammi because she looked so much like Stanney yet in a way also Lilli.

Watching as they knocked and went into his parent's room, he saw Stanney and the rest of his friends coming and too joining them.

Now this got him curious as to why all his friends and the whole of his family were getting together or was it a natural thing that they did now since he had been away, he would have to wait and find out.

Once he was sure that all his friends and family were in his parents room, he decided now would be the best time to let his presence be known, but not in the way they expected as he went round the back and through one of the windows.

Had he not known that the family were getting together he would of gone round Gummadoon, finding each one individually and scaring them out their wits, but this was an added bonus.

Now inside the room, he could hear the excited chattering in the next room and knew of what they were talking of and he opened the door to the next room and silently he slipped in and closed it.

Looking around he could see that he had to walk three strides before turning the corner where the whole family was gathered. Walking the three strides he now stood there waiting for the perfect chance to hopefully scare his family.

~*~

Chattering around the room, the family and friends of Cammi's were excited, and most anxious for Cammi's return partically his parents and Lilli.

The family were all too busy engaged or involved in a conversation that they were oblivious to the sounds of a door opening and closing. Now they were relaxed and silent except for Cubbi and Isabelle whispering in the background, then the whole family jumped and were startled when a sudden deep voice spoke breaking the silence

"Oh, please don't stop, I was enjoying listening to your conversations" he said rounding the corner and stepping into the room.

"CAMMI!" shouted Sir Plucki.

An evil grin broke out on Cammi's face and he looked both amused and satisfied with something, then he scanned his family before turning to face his father. He knew that had this not been for him returning home, his foster father under normal circumstances would be angry with him for spying on them but it had been eight years and they were only too happy to see one another.

After embracing his foster father, he was then pulled into a headlock by Stanney for a few moments saying he should of known that Cammi would do something like this.

"What you thought I would make a silent entrance," said Cammi laughing and gasping for air as he was let go by Stanney.

"Maybe" replied Stanney grinning as he allowed Cammi to see the rest of the family.

Sir Plucki stood aside from the rest of the family as he watched Cammi go around greeting the rest of the family. He couldn't believe how much Cammi had changed, Cammi was now a good few inches taller since he left, now being about his height, his fur had darkened, and his build was stronger. He watched as Cammi embraced and exchanged words with the rest of his family and friends when he finally came to Meloni, his mother.

Cammi talked with his mother for the longest when he noticed a small cub hiding behind her looking very shy as if afraid to meet him. Cammi knelt down until he thought he was eye level with the child, then lifting his paw he reached out in front until he caught the small cub's hand. Slowly nudging the cub forward, he saw it as the same small cub walking down the corridor with Lilli when he said

"Hello, there little one" Cammi said to the obvious shy cub.

"Hi" the small brown cub replied meekly.

"What's your name, kid," asked Cammi, trying to build up the little cubs confident to speak to him.

"Isabella" she replied quietly.

A small silence filled the room only for a minute as everyone was looking at Cammi now that he had seen Isabella when Cammi's mother spoke,

"Cammi, this is your sister"

Cammi head snapped up so fast it caused it to crack slightly but he didn't care, he was staring at his mother wide-eyed at the sudden news that this little cub before him was his little sister.

"M..my…sister" he stuttered out completely shocked.

Everyone in the room held their breath to see what Cammi's reaction would be and he stared back down at his little sister, shocked.

Then a smile crept up on Cammi's face of course how could he not have seen it Isabella looked just like him not his friends. The shock wore off and the news began to sink in and he embraced his little sister that was still a little shy but was happy now she knew who her big brother was and everyone in the room sighed a huge relief.

The two looked at one another and everyone suddenly recognised just how much the two looked alike, except that of course Isabella had a different hair colour, otherwise it would have been totally scary.

Cammi then stood from the ground but still kept a hold of his sister little hand in his large one as he gazed round the room, his eyes suddenly having a mysterious and mischievous glint in them. He knew now that his mother had taken a mate having a little sister and knew practically straightaway to who the father was as he turned to his foster father and said

"Dad"

END OF PART II

PART III COMING SOON!