Here's the sixth chapter of Morgana's life.

Life Happens chapter six: First Lost

Several weeks had gone by since she had found the best way to get down the cliff. She had laid out everything the night before after her mom had gone to bed. When the sun had risen, she mounted Ravenhold and rode off. After reaching the cliff, she led him around to the best place to descend. Slowly they started down, taking every step easily.

About half way down she heard a small noise that sounded like ice breaking. A ledge that had taken a hard beating during the past several storms. She hadn't noticed this unsteady ledge when viewing the area. It had looked like the strongest ledge in the area. It had given way.

She found herself and Ravenhold falling. His hooves buckled from under him, he fell sideways; tumbling down the side. She rolled under him, his heavy body rolling on top of her. Though he was only five years old, he was a large horse. She was scared that he might crush her, but she was more worried that he would break his leg of neck. What would she do without him. He would be the first person she had ever lost. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Ravenhold's body hit the ground floor hard. Then felt herself land on top of him. The last thing she heard was the ragged breathing of her best friend.

Finally the day had come that Grey Wolf was to go get Spotted Fawn and Earth, and bring them home. He and his father had headed out at early light. This trip seemed longer not only because he had no horse to ride, but because this was to be the last time he would make the trip home alone.

They came to the little meadow in the woods. When the chief set eyes on the little lean-to, Grey Wolf knew what he was thinking. He leaned over and said, "Impressive for a little exiled, pregnant girl."

"Did you do any of this?" The chief was surprised to see exactly how well the young girl had done.

"No. I never lifted a hand. This was built before I came here. It was smaller, but they enlarged it when Earth got bigger." There was a huge smile on his face spreading ear to ear. He walked to the little lean-to and called out her name. She came running from the creek and jumped into his arms. Embracing her tightly, he relished the moment. Slowly he let her down then kissed her deeply. When they broke, he whispered in her ear, and her head snapped towards the entrance of the meadow. There he was, the man who had exiled her. She clung to Wolf for fear of losing him.

Chief Whispering Wing, leaving his horse, walked towards them, meeting them in front of the lean-to. "Hello, Spotted Fawn. It's been a long time. You've done well for yourself. And your daughter," he added afterwards. Of course he would know about her now. "We've come here to discuss something with you. You remember the terms of your exile?" She shook her head. 'Like they were yesterday.' "Grey Wolf has informed of how he feels about you. But I have already made plans for him." She gasped at this. "But as he has pointed out, he is past the age that I can determine who he marries. It took some compromises, but after giving up several of his best horses, including his war mount, he is free to do what he wants." After saying that, he left the rest to Grey Wolf

"Fawn, I love you, you know that. And if you will have me, I want you to be my wife...and Earth to be my daughter." He took a deep breath, then asked, "Will you have me, Fawn?"

"Yes. You're the only person who's been here for me. Well, Water, but..." They laughed. "I can't see a day not spending it with you." They kissed, and it was the deepest they had ever shared.

"Speaking of Earth, where is she?"

"I don't know. I've been looking for her all morning. She must have left before I awoke."

"Don't worry, Fawn. We'll find her," the chief said. "Let's start looking for her."

They spent a few minutes looking around the meadow, and when Wolf had called to them he said, "I've found tracks." They mounted up, the chief on his horse and Wolf and Fawn on hers, and rode off. They rode in the directions the tracks were heading. After following the tracks for several miles, Wolf decided that if Fawn would ride with the chief, he could scout ahead. So that's what they did. When she had dismounted he rode ahead at a quick speed, following the tracks.

He came to the edge of the cliff, and seeing the tracks leading around the canyon, looked to see where she may have gone. Not thinking she might have tried to go down, he nonchalantly looked at the walls and floor. That's when he noticed the large pile at the foot of the cliff. And there, a soft crying sound. It was her! He dismounted quickly and began to descend.

When Whispering Wing and Spotted Fawn caught up, they noticed Grey Wolf descending, all the grace of his namesake shining through in the agile movements. Fawn panicked when she saw what he was facing towards. He daughter lay in a slump at the bottom, but what caused her to panic even farther was when she realized these were the same cliffs where he had rescued her. The memories came rushing back. It took everything in her to not run down the cliff towards her only child. The only thing that kept her there was the knowledge that she wasn't as surefooted as Wolf was and could only cause more harm. They dismounted and ran to where Wolf had descended.

He had just reached her now, all laid over her horse. Before saying anything, he looked her over for any major injuries. Thankfully there were none or they had all healed before they had gotten to her. That wasn't the case. Several small scrapes that would have healed in no time were still visible over her body. She was clinging to Ravenhold. He slowly laid his hands on her back and eased her off. When he had her facing him, he asked, "What happened, honey?"

"We just wanted to explore the canyon. We thought this would be the safest way down. Then...then the cliff broke, and he said he couldn't control his legs." She was crying heavily now, and he had no problem believing her story and asked her to go on. "We started rolling down the cliff and then he hit the bottom and I fell on top of him. His breathing...it didn't sound right. I...I tried to heal him, Wolf. I did. But it didn't help. I couldn't get enough strength. I really tried."

"I know you did, honey. I know." he hugged her tightly and just let her cry.

"I'm sorry."

"Earth, it's not your fault. Sometimes these things just happen and people and animals die. This is your first great lost and it's going to hurt for a long time. You were so close to Ravenhold," he smiled up to the little girl from his kneeled position. "But, honey, I'm sorry, he won't be coming back. At least," he said a few seconds later, "at least you weren't killed or injured too badly."

"I used all my power to try and heal him. I had no energy left."

"That's okay. My father, the chief, is here. He wants to meet you, but I don't think he should know about your gifts so soon, okay?"

"Okay."

"Do you remember what your mom told you about why you live out here?" She shook her head. "Well," he stood. "Earth, I want you and Fawn to come live with me. I want your mom to be my wife and you my daughter. I know that's not getting Ravenhold back, but doesn't that sound good?"

"Finally," she said through her tears hugging him tightly. "Now I can finally call you dad." That made him cry.

"That sounds good to me. And if you want, we can get you another horse..."

"No," she cut in. "I don't want another horse. Not right now. Maybe later." With that she went and took the bridle from him and placed a kiss in the middle of his forehead. She whispered "I love you" and then climbed onto Wolf's back as they began their journey up.

Once out, Earth ran to her mother, who had tears in her eyes. After a moment of crying, Fawn introduced her daughter to the chief. "Chief Whispering Wind, I would like for you to meet my daughter, Earth. Earth, this is Chief Whispering Wing of the Cherokees. He's the chief of our tribe."

"I'm pleased to meet you, sir. I'm sorry about all of this," she greeted, every bit the respectful twelve year-old turning thirteen in three days.

"Don't be sorry, my dear. And I'm pleased to meet you. What do you say we go home?" She shook her head and walked back over to Wolf, who picked her up in his arms. They walked back to their horses and mounted up, the chief and Fawn on his, Grey Wolf and Earth still wrapped in his arms, on Fawn's mare. They rode in silence to the little meadow. After packing all of their belongings, Spotted Fawn and Earth said goodbye to their little home. Fawn promised that they could come back as often as they liked. That made Earth a little happier. When everything had been packed onto Fawn's mare they headed out, Grey Wolf walking, still carrying Earth in his arms.

End chapter six. Seven coming. Sad face. Why'd I do that? Because of how you use it later on. Oh, yeah. Thanks for telling in me, self. Bye.