When Eyes Meet Eyes…
Part 6
"Bearclaw…" Clearbrook said. "I want to hunt." It was a statement, not a question. It was not as if she needed permission, she had just decided to go. And she had set her mind to it. And Bearclaw knew it would be endless. Clearbrook was very persistent and confident, which made it a little dangerous for the chief.
"You will not hunt," he just replied, very simple, very clear. But he knew it wouldn't get away with it.
"I'll go hunting with you tonight," she replied in her turn. "You cannot stop me from doing so." It was obvious she would go to the end.
"Yes, I can."
"No, you cannot."
"Yes, I can."
"No, you cannot."
"Yes, I can! And this ends the conversation. I'm your chief, so you will do what I tell you to! If I say you are not hunting with us, you are not hunting! Am I clear?!" He didn't have time for this. How could she go against his orders? She was getting too obstinate for her own good. And above all. This wasn't like Clearbrook at all.
"I'm going to bug you," she replied calmly, too calm, too reserved, too much in control.
Bearclaw sighed deeply. "Stop it, already! You are driving me nuts!"
"That's what I intended to do." The silver braided Wolfrider put her hands on her hips. "And I will hunt, whether you like it or not," she added before walking away quietly. "I will see you later."
Bearclaw raised an eyebrow and shrugged. Clearbrook was calm, but this was really not what he had expected. Clearbrook had always been one of the calmer Wolfriders, but with a very good hunter's instinct, he had to give her that. But he had given orders for women not to hunt and he was going to be strict about it. Unfortunately Clearbrook could be very persuasive and he always had a hard time to win from her. The chief sighed and climbed into Fathertree, where Joyleaf was waiting for him.
"I think she's right, you know," she said. Bearclaw grunted and frowned. "Don't you dare start too."
"But she's right. Clearbrook is as good as any other hunter. How long can you keep up this silly rule?"
"What do you mean 'silly rule'? How'd you feel? Almost a quarter of all women have been killed in such a short time!" Now Bearclaw started to become frustrated as he sat down. "Do you think I made the rule to be thrown away again?"
"No, I don't say that. I just say that Clearbrook, and some other women too, could be good help." Joyleaf started to knead the flesh of her lifemate's shoulders. "And besides," she added, "I like to go hunting myself too. I miss it." Now Bearclaw turned her. "You never told me." Joyleaf didn't look back at him, and kept on massaging. "Well, I thought I wouldn't mind, not being allowed to hunt. So I didn't tell you. And I know you. You wouldn't have listened to me if I said it. You would get all angry."
"I would've listened to you if you had said it."
"No, you wouldn't have." She stopped massaging and sat in front of him, facing him. "Listen, you think that the rule is good and that you help us with it. But we are Wolfriders, even the women. I, too, would like to hunt again. I do agree with you there have been too many kills, but it won't help to forbid something that makes us what we are." She smiled. "I think that even Strongbow would agree."
"Strongbow," Bearclaw snorted. "He'd agree with nothing at this time."
"Strongbow is so busy with his relationship with Moonshade. The recognition, their upcoming baby." Joyleaf insisted. "He just doesn't know how to deal with it. He's still young, beloved." Joyleaf straightened and stood up to clean up some things, while Bearclaw watched. "I think he needs some guidance, even if he says he doesn't need it."
"Hah!" Bearclaw chuckled. "I've seen him distracted before, but never like this."
"You know, you shouldn't laugh about it. It's very difficult for him. He's always been alone, ever since his parents died. Even though we tried to comfort him." Bearclaw nodded. He could remember it very well, though it had been a long time ago.
It had been a beautiful day, somewhere in early spring. Strongbow couldn't have been old than 6 or 7 turns of the seasons. He had always been a silent child, but the event that happened that night changed his life completely. His mother Trueflight and Bowmaker were often gone to hunt and practice together with the bow. It was dangerous, but they never went alone. And that's why they could get away with it.
Young Strongbow always wanted to go with his parents, but they wouldn't let him. He was either too young or not good enough with bow and arrow. But every time he begged for them to let him join. But, as strict parents they would never let him. He would stay behind with the rest of the tribe, who were telling them that everything was going to be okay, and that he would be allowed with them very soon. But that wasn't good enough for him. He wanted to go now.
That beautiful night had been no different. Strongbow begged them to take him. And as usual the answer was no. Disappointed and angry he had gone back to the den he shared with his parents, to go 'play' with some arrows that were always lying around. It was some time after that the tribe was shaken by a mental cry of Trueflight, calling for help. Strongbow was the first to react and jumped out of the den and disappeared between the bushes and trees.
When the rest of the tribe arrived at the spot, they found Strongbow standing next to the dead bodies of his parents, looking at the floor, not moving a muscle. Some of the tribe had tried to get through to him, but it seemed as if Strongbow was also dead. He just stared down to the ground. Bearclaw had just held the youngster's hand and guided him back to the Holt, both not saying a word on the way back. Strongbow hadn't spoken since, only sending…
Bearclaw frowned at the memory of Strongbow in such a fragile state. Even though their bond had been created in that time, even though they had become soulbrothers, Strongbow had never let him come close to the part of his mind where he stored memories. Strongbow always seemed to forget, but Bearclaw couldn't believe that someone could ever forget such a thing. They were not wolves. Only wolves would forget, but not elves.
"Yes, I know what you mean. Maybe I should talk to him," Bearclaw sighed. Joyleaf nodded. "You can at least try. Longbranch has tried several times, but to no avail. But maybe you can help him."
"Hmm, yes, but I don't have any experience with recognition in my life. How can I help him with that?"
"By not telling him what to do. Try to understand him, try to make him open up a little." Bearclaw looked up to his gold haired beauty and smiled. "What am I to do without you?" Joyleaf grinned back. "You'd b e hopelessly lost."
To Be Continued…
Author's Note: Yes, I know. You might think; "Did she need so much time to finish such a puny chapter?" The answer is "No, but finally I got some inspiration." I promise I will come up with a new chapter soon. For now, just keep reviewing and I'll be a happy girl :-D