When Eyes Meet Eyes…
Part 7
It was deep in the night and the hunters were ready to go. As promised Clearbrook had come, together with her wolf. At first Bearclaw had sputtered a little, but after a short argument he knew he couldn't win from her. So he allowed her to go. He wouldn't have if hadn't talked to Joyleaf earlier. And Clearbrook did a very good job, catching a deer and some ravvits. She was a perfect replacement for Strongbow who hadn't joined in with the excuse he wasn't feeling well... again. Bearclaw had to admit he wasn't looking really at his best lately, but he figured it was of the problems with recognition.
He never experienced recognition himself, but from what he heard from other, he could imagine that it had to be a big impact on the lives of the two elves who were involved. Even now, after more than two seasons, he could see that Strongbow had a lot of difficulties with the new life, his mind invaded, a cub coming, and a woman who asked too much of his time. But he could understand Moonshade too. She had finally found someone with whom she could share her life, and he just flatly ignored her or acted like she was no more than a tribes mate. He knew for sure, if Joyleaf would do that, he would make her see him, and not trying to suppress his feelings. But he and Joyleaf were not recognized and secretly he hoped it would never happen.
After the hunt Bearclaw went back to his den, letting others prepare the food, while got changed. He'd fallen of his wolf during chasing a deer, because he had been making strange maneuvers, and the wolf didn't feel like doing what he wanted. And finally he was thrown off. Luckily they had caught enough to make a feast and the wolves were tired of running, so he called it an end. He was all covered in mud, which was starting to dry and he really needed a clean up. A little grumpy he stepped into the den, aware of Joyleaf who was almost rolling on the floor laughing, while he started to undress.
*****
Clearbrook was very content with the hunt tonight and walked head up through the Holt. She was happy she had kept her hunting skills up during the time she wasn't allowed to hunt. So, the practice had done some good after all. She did find it odd, however, that Strongbow had not showed up during the hunt. It had been the second time and she started to get a little worried. She stopped at his den and climbed up to the entrance.
"Strongbow?" But there was no answer. She hadn't seen him yet tonight and it wasn't like him to not show his face once a night. "Strongbow, are you there?" Still there was no answer. Clearbrook frowned a little, but didn't turn back.
"Strongbow?" she called again, softly. And now it took a few moments before he answered. **What?** came the irritated reply. As she stepped into the den, she saw him sitting against the wall, legs drawn up and arms resting on his knees. She sat down in front of him and looked at him. "Are you ok?" He sighed and looked away. **Good enough.**
"Why are you sitting here?"
**Just thinking.**
"About?"
**Everything.** Clearbrook frowned. It wasn't like Strongbow to be so down. He was always very serious, but this time he just looked so depressed.
"Come on," she tried, "You can tell me everything. I'm your friend." She laid a hand on his shoulder in a friendly gesture. "You don't have to, but I'd like you to." He shifted position and padded with his hand beside him, gesturing her to sit next to him.
**It's just everything. The argument with Bearclaw. Everyone knows what risk there is when you come too close to the humans. And especially when you're alone. He's just stupid if he really wants to do that.**
"But--?"
**But he's chief and we must agree with whatever he does.** Suddenly he jumped up in a moment of fury. **It's ridiculous! How can he expect from me that I agree with everything he does! How can he expect from me that I agree he's going to be too close for his own good to humans, and risk being spotted and killed on the spot! How—how--** He clenched his fists together and let his arms fall to his sides. **Someone should do something! I've tried so many times to make him think reasonable and all he can is do and no thinking.** Then he sighed and went silent again.
Clearbrook only nodded and sighed too. "I know, when Bearclaw has something in his head it's almost impossible to get it out." She chuckled. "Only Joyleaf has any effect on his thinking,"
**Sometimes that is,** the archer said seriously. **He just lives his life and does what he wants to do and--** He was interrupted by a gasp of Clearbrook. He turned around, concerned. **What is it?**
"It's-- it's—Woodhue," she stammered. "He's hurt."
**What?** Strongbow's eyes grew wide and immediately stepped to the opening of his den. But there was nothing going on. Everyone was just busy with normal things and there were no signs that anything had happened.
"I don't know. I know he hurts."
**What are you waiting for then?!** Strongbow insisted, jumping down from the tree, not waiting for Clearbrook to climb down. **Come on,** he said as he walked towards the Fathertree. Clearbrook tried to shake the pain from her head without success and followed the archer, who was all alert for something to happen.
Longbranch came out of his den when he noticed Strongbow. "Did you feel that?"
**Woodhue?** Strongbow asked. The storyteller nodded. There is something wrong with him. "Oh, High ones," Clearbrook breathed, as she caught up with her teammates. "My feelings did not deceive me then."
**What are we waiting for?! Let's go find him!** the archer insisted as he whistled his wolf friend to him. Clearbrook and Longbranch agreed and they, too, called his wolf friends.
Strongbow sighed as they each rode a different direction. He'd been friends with Woodhue for a long time. And he cared for him as if he were his brother. But they never exchanged soul names, but that wasn't really necessary
The archer looked up as he felt Longbranch sending openly for Rain, the Healer. Swiftly he guided his wolf back to the Holt where he found Woodhue in Longbranch's arms, writhing in pain. His face was covered in blood. Strongbow's eyes widened as he came closer. Woodhue had his hands in front of one eye, which seemed to be the source of the blood and his clothes were torn apart. Rain came running and urged that Woodhue should be brought to his den and be healed as quickly as possible. With some trouble they lifted the light-brown haired Wolfrider up to his den. Strongbow helped as much as he could and sent to Moonshade to do something for him.
*****
It took awhile before Rain was done healing, but unfortunately he could do much more than close the wound, not able to save the eye. But that wasn't the most important. Woodhue was still alive and that was what counted.
*****
Woodhue sighed as he leaned back on his sleeping furs, still a little weary from the healing, his hand on the place of the missing eye. "Well, I guess it's One Eye from now on then?" Bearclaw nodded and laid a hand on the wood haired elf's shoulder. "There's honor in it, lad."
"But –- but--" Woodhue/One Eye started, "If I learned their language, I might have been able to reason with them." But Clearbrook grabbed hold of him. "No beloved, there is no reasoning with them."
"Yes," Bearclaw agreed. "They only want to kill us. No higher thought behind it."
Strongbow had been silent all the time, just sitting in a dark corner of the den. He felt sorry for his friend, but didn't want to depress him. But now he really needed to leave. He couldn't just sit here and feel sorry for him. But as he wanted to stand up and leave quietly, he felt One Eye lock send to him that he wanted the archer to stay, while asking the others to leave, so he could rest. Even Clearbrook who offered a little resistance, but he assured her he was fine.
When everyone was gone, One Eye turned to Strongbow. "It's a little awkward, isn't it," he said as he patted his hand next to him, gesturing his friend to sit next to him. Hesitantly, the archer moved to him and sat down. "So, what's up?"
Strongbow sighed and looked away. **Nothing much,** he finally answered.
"Ah, come on, don't try that defensive attitude on me! I'm your best friend. You can tell me."
**I thought you were tired. Maybe I should leave.** It was worth the try, but he didn't think he could get away with it that easily.
"You know I only said that because I wanted to talk to you."
**I know.** Strongbow rolled his eyes and sighed again.
"Well? Don't you want to tell me why so glum?"
**I don't want this,** the auburn haired elf replied after a silence. **She's been pushing me, maybe unconsciously, in some direction I don't want to go.** He fiddled with a something in his hands. Something he forgot. **Um, this is for you,** he said before he handed it over to One Eye. It was a black eye patch and thankfully One Eye put it over the missing eye. "Thank you, my friend."
**You should thank Moonshade,** he sadly sent. **She made it.**
"Oh, well, don't let me forget to thank her." He smiled and put his hands on both the archer's shoulders. "Listen, why don't you tell her how you feel? She'll understand you and she can take it into account." Strongbow gently shrugged the hands off and stood up. **I might do that.** A long silence followed, as the two friends kept looking at each other.
Suddenly Strongbow's mouth curled into a half smile. **One Eye?!**
"What?" One Eye said, surprised. "What is it?"
Now, Strongbow's smile had grown wider. **Couldn't you have come up with something more original?**
One Eye couldn't help laughing too, though it hurt a little. "Yeah, well--" he tried, but couldn't say more as they both fell into laughter.
To Be Continued…