Sendings are in "italics", because FF-net is still annoying of the "stars" I usually use for sending... grrr slaps FF-net!

When Eyes Meet Eyes

Part 9

"Should you be doing that?"

"Strongbow, stop fussing! I'm not disabled or anything!"

"But you can't be working too hard. That's not good for the cubling."

"If I can't even get a bucket with water, then I might aswell lie down and wait for the moment to come." Both hands occupied, Moonshade walked back to her den. There was only one season left before Moonshade was to deliver and the last moons Strongbow had been growing protective and hovered around her, like he had never seen a pregnant female. They had come to an agreement about lifemating and they had decided it to be best if they stayed in their own den and see how it went. Allthough Strongbow had warmed up to her some more he still stayed at a distance when it came to the things that lifemates did.

But Moonshade was already glad they would at least be together when it came to their cub. And though she started to go crazy of the archer's protectiveness, she secretly liked him being so involved in her and their child.

"Ok, fine, you carry these buckets to my den and I'll follow you. Is that better?"

Strongbow smirked and took the buckets from her hands.

From a short distance Clearbrook and One Eye sat in the tree, watching the interaction between the two parents-to-become.

"I'm so glad that you weren't like this when I was expecting or I certainly would've kicked you away with the message not to come back until you behaved yourself," Clearbrook laughed. "I thought you were overprotective then, but compared to our friend here you were nothing but a small nuisance."

One Eye looked at her in mock offense.

"What? You thought me a nuisance? I would gladly see you act if our positions were reversed."

"Hah!" Clearbrook retorted. "Our positions could never be reversed. You men already cry when you have but a scratch."

They both looked back to the tanner and the archer and received a very dirty glance from Strongbow, who apparently had heard their conversation.

"I have yet to decide which one of you to kill first."

Both lifemates burst out in laughing, almost falling from the branch they were sitting on. Strongbow ignored them further and just walked on with the buckets. He really didn't want to know what more would be said.

Yes, he had seen One Eye act when Clearbrook was expecting and he knew he was overreacting. But all he wanted was a smooth and easy birth of her, no their first child. He felt great responsibility for the wellbeing of Moonshade, especially because he had been so snobby and mean before. She did not deserve that. And so he had vowed to be especially nice to her, even if it meant going against his nature. He never had been overly nice to anyone, though he did value friendship in the highest possible way.

"Are you coming?" came the mock annoyed voice of the tanner. He hadn't even realised he had stopped walking. So he nodded and followed her again.

When they had arrived at Moonshade's den he put down the buckets inside and sat down next to her as she started working on her leathers. While he was looking around to see if anything could be done, she kept glancing at him occasionally while continuing with her work.

"I appreciate what you are doing, I really do," she started. "But I'm not disabled as I said before."

"I know", he answered before he knew it.

"I know that you just want to help, but there is really no need."

He nodded and stood up. "I just want to make sure nothing happens to you. You know what can happen when you venture alone. I cannot allow that to happen before… you know."

Moonshade sighed. "Yes I know. Before the deed of recognition is fulfilled. Don't worry, I won't forget." She turned away from him and went on with tanning.

"No! No, I don't mean it that way, I…" Strongbow tried to defend.

"Say no more, I understand. You made it horribly clear last time we had this kind of conversation."

"But…"

"No I don't mind. I'll be fine. Just go do what you're supposed to do." She did not dare look at him, afraid to burst out in tears. She did not want to do that to him. He had made clear to her before that he did not want to be lifemated with her. Her idea of moving in with him had not fallen into good spirits and he had tried carefully to tell her that he did not want to that he was not ready.

She had not wanted to believe him, but his actions proved otherwise. And in one of their many arguments he had consiously or unconscious flapped out that he just wanted her to get a healthy child and have no such dealings as a lifemate with her. Not in so many words, but the meaning was the same. She had tried to put it behind her and go on, but it kept coming back at moments like this.

She had not wanted her recognition to be this way. She just wanted a caring lifemate, one to share the ups and downs with, one to understand what she was going through. Strongbow tried, but he just couldn't be the lifemate she had wanted. She had always looked up him and that was just the thing.

As she saw him jumping down to the ground, tears did come and within seconds she was sobbing uncontrollably.

To Be Continued...

A/N: I'm really really really really sorry for not updating for over a year. As I said in my profile (you really should look at that once in a while for updates!) I'm so having a writers block. It seems as if the stories just don't come naturally anymore. Or maybe it's the fact that I'm getting less and less interested in Elfquest ever since the story of the Wolfriders becomes more and more surreal and impossible.
Next and lastchapter will be long I promise, but I'll have to warn you, it's not soon in coming. It might take a few months. Not a year as previous, but it can take a long while. So, instead of waiting for it, you can send in your suggestions of what might happen in the end. I would appreciate it very much. I'd love you forever. And it makes chances of a sooner update greater.
Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed so far. And please review again. Even if this chapter is a disappointment.