Life Happens chapter five: Exploring New Fields

Spotted Fawn had told Grey Wolf all the Earth had shown and told her. He had taken this information, processed it, and accepted it. He had promised to never tell anyone, unless her was told by her to do so. After that, they decided to take a walk while Earth was riding on Ravenhold. They had no worried about leaving the lean-to knowing Earth could find them anywhere. They walked away from the little meadow to an area that Fawn love. They sat down on a fallen log, holding hands and watching the leaves blow in the trees.

While her mom and Grey Wolf were off, Earth ventured away from the meadow. She headed in what she knew was a northeast direction. Eventually she came to the ledge of a cliff. "I wonder Ravenhold, if this is where mom met my father," She wanted to go exploring, but thought that her mom or Grey Wolf might get back and find her farther away than she should be. So she rode home. She had several mile to go.

Grey Wolf and Spotted Fawn sat for a long time, holding hands and enjoying each other. She had her head laying on his shoulder just resting. The hand that wasn't entwined in hers was gently stroking her hair. They were sitting very close, and when she turned her head up to look at him, she caught his stare. Pulling her head away from his shoulder, she managed to keep their eyes locked. She felt herself wanting to be closer to him. For the past ten years he had cared enough to come and check on her and Earth every chance he got. Besides Rippling Water, he was the only person from her tribe she had talked to since her exile. He knew all of her secrets save for the name of Earth's father, and still accepted them.

He broke her train of thought when he stood and pulled her with him. When both were standing, he wrapped her in a warm embrace. She naturally wrapped her arms around his muscular waist, feeling the warm skin beneath. Using his fingers he forced her chin up, forcing her to lock eyes with him once again. She could feel the warmth and acceptance in his eyes, and there was something more. Something she hadn't noticed before. What was it? Then that question was answered. He bent his head down and captured her mouth with his. When he released her, she peacefully laid her head on his chest with a smile. Reluctantly he said, "I think we should get back."

Two more years had passed with Grey Wolf coming as much as possible, and many more visits with Rippling Water. It got to the point where Wolf and Water would come together and while Water and Earth would practice, Fawn and Wolf would disappear together, never telling where they were going.

They got very close during this time. Spotted Fawn didn't have to worry about Earth when she was with Water. Therefore, she allowed herself to loosen and open up more. This, she noticed, let him feel freer to be open with her. He told her that even when she was promised to his late brother he had held feelings for her.

"Really?" she had questioned.

"Really!" he had answered. That had sent them laughing uncontrollably. There were many days filled with this happiness.

Then, one day, Grey Wolf rode into the little meadow, greeted Earth with a warm hug and a present, then went to see Fawn. Knowing Water wasn't around to watch Earth, he only took her as far as behind the lean-to where they could still see her. There was a grim expression on his face and that scared her. When he had gone as far as he wanted, he stopped, pulling her to him. After one of his passionate kisses, he pushed her back to arms length, and said, "I'm sorry. That's the last time that can happen."

"Grey Wolf, what are you saying?" she had her hands gripped hard on his arms.

"I just found out that my father has promised my hand in marriage to another woman," The grim expression was still on his handsome face. "They've had this planned for awhile. He never told me. Never asked me if...if there was...someone..." She could hear the anger and rage in his voice, but knew he would not blow his temper. He was too good a man for that.

"Maybe you can talk to him," she offered. "Are you still going to be able to come out here?"

He took her in his arms again, wanting to show her how he really felt. "Even if I could, I don't think it would be wise." He hoped she understood, but didn't. Her eyes asked the question.

"Unwise, how?"

"Surely you've notice how I feel for you?" he questioned lightly. When she shook her head and blinked, he seen the tears in her eyes and knew so. Their foreheads were together, his hands held her close and hers rested on his chest. "I've fallen in love with you, Spotted Fawn. You and Earth, the way you've managed to take care of yourselves out her. Everything about you."

"Even if Earth is some..." He cut her short.

"That doesn't matter. I feel like she's mine. I want her for my own, Fawn. I have since I first seen her laying there in her crib." He pulled apart from her. "I want you." They kissed again, just as deep and passionate.

"I want you, too. I love you, Grey Wolf."

"And I you. And Earth." He embraced her in a warm hug. "I'll talk to father. Tell him how I feel. It'll be alright. I promise."

"And you always keep your promises." They walked back around to the front.

"Unfortunately, I have to go. I just wanted to tell you that and bring her gift." At that Fawn spotted Earth running around in a new, larger dress that would last longer than the one she had been wearing.

"She loves it."

"I'm glad. Well, I had better go. I love you, Fawn." Wit that he hugged Earth good bye, mounted his horse and rode off. When he was gone Earth went to her mother and asked, "Mom, when's he going to just stay with us?"

"I don't know, honey. Maybe soon."

"I'm going to go riding now, okay?"

"You've been going off a lot lately. Where have you been going?" he mom asked.

"There's this little place Ravenhold and I have been exploring. I've been practicing my powers too."

"You haven't been cutting yourself, have you?"

"No, mother, but a few scarps from trees and briers have tested that power so I don't have to. Can I go now?"

"Take your bow and quiver, and your knife. And be safe, deerling."

"Okay, mom, I love you." She rode off, heading towards the canyon to do some more exploring.

When she reached the cliffs she dismounted and walked towards the edge. She had come here for several days. Each day she spent looking around, trying to find a safe way down. This had become habit over the past two years. The day before, however, there had been a large down pour, and some of her better ideas had washed away. She was going to need to find new ways to get down now. That meant leaving the meadow more.

Her plan was that, early one morning, she would get up before her mom awoke, ride out to the cliffs, and make her trip down the cliffs. Her mom would be a little upset about her trip if she found out. It would be several days before she could come out and explore again.

That morning when Grey Wolf returned to the village, he asked his father if the two of them could take a walk alone. Whispering Wind agreed, and the two headed out on foot. It wasn't until several minutes into their walk that Grey Wolf started the conversation. He had needed the time to arrange his thoughts. He hoped he was ready.

"Father, the reason I wanted to talk was, is about my future. I know you've promised my hand in marriage without my knowledge."

"I felt it best for the tribe if my only living son marry the daughter of the warrior who saved me." "Father, this is my life. I am pass the age that you can decided who I marry." He looked to his father. "Besides,...there's already someone."

"There is?" the chief was shocked to learn this.

"Yes. I've been...seeing her for twelve years now."

"Twelve years? Why haven't I seen you two together?"

"Because, father, she doesn't live in the village. It started out as friends. We grew up together, but now....now, father, I can't see spending a day without her."

"Well, who is this woman who so deftly stole you heart?"

"Spotted Fawn," he answered not giving an inch.

"Spotted Fawn?!" his father yelled. "When have you seen her? She's exiled from the tribe!"

"Yes, I know. For the past twelve years I've been sneaking off to see her. The times I've been gone all day I've spent with her and Earth."

"Earth?" his father looked confused.

"Fawn's daughter. The reason you exiled her. Father, I love her...I love them. I've watched Earth grow up since she was just a year old. Please, I beg you, call off this marriage. Let my marry Fawn." His eyes were starting to fill with tears. The chief was silent and that terrified him. When his father did speak, he said, "The only way she, they, are allowed back into the tribe is to marry a man from the tribe. Since the child has not been giving up and is still alive, that's the last option. Is that why you're doing this?"

"No, sir. I'm doing this because I love her. She completes me. I've had these past years to spend little than a day with her and I want nothing more than to be with her for a whole day. Forever."

"She was promised to your brother. She bore another man's child. Have you considered this?"

"She never loved Running Creek. We were always closer. And as for Earth being another man's child, I feel that I've been there for her longer, I've watched her grow into a beautiful little girl. I already consider her mine."

"You're serious about this," the chief observed. He was quiet for another several minutes as they walked back. He stopped several yards outside of the village. Laying his hands on the taller man's shoulders, he said, "It will take some doing, but if you love her that much, you may have her. As long as she'll have you."

"Thank you, father."

"Don't go running off to tell her right now. I don't want you seeing her until we have this marriage settled out. And I would like to see where she's been staying at all this years." With that father and son headed into the village, their hearts heavy with happiness.

End chapter five. Six coming.