Here it is. The last chapter. --sigh--
Disclaimer: Don't own Mara, Salamandastron, or Urthstripe. Kreeah is MINE and so is Courage.
The nurses fussed and bandaged, medicated and wrapped until Lenzon looked no more than a pile of cloth, with a few bits of odd fur poking through here and there. Despite the initial –and reasonable– thought that the squirrel might not survive, Lenzon pulled through remarkably well. He was on his curious little crutches a mere two weeks after his arrival, ignoring the nurses' pleas with a roguish grin.
His crutches were a work of art: masterminded by the now regretful nurses as an answer to the obvious question of how he would use crutches without the aid of his crippled paws. They fashioned them to tie around his shoulders so that, with a little maneuvering, he could move about like normal.
He took with good humor, however, all the jibes poked at him about the funny crutches. He even laughed along with the leverets when they nicknamed him "Six Legs". He was a good natured fellow, naturally, and now that he was in safety, that trait began to show through more and more.
He took frequently to chumming with the young ones, laughing at all their jokes, and so became a figure of almost heroic status in the eyes of the leverets.
Courage panted wildly, his legs leaden, and the pain in them crying for relief. He would not stop. The vermin horde had nearly caught up with him, forcing him into a flat out run for the last two days. Long since abandoning the pack, his stomach gnawed on itself and Mara cried out in her hunger.
He was running, terrified, but intent. One purpose was on his mind: he had to make it to Salamandastron. He promised his sister would be safe.
He promised.
He knew he wouldn't make it.
Devising a desperate plan, he put on a last burst of speed and ran behind a sand dune, clawing frantically on the land side to make a rough cave. When he was finished, he hesitated a moment before kissing Mara on the head and reaching in his pocket for the last hardened scone. He gave her the scone and shoved her inside the cave, complete with carrier, and staggered to his feet.
Because he made the opening face the land, he was confident they wouldn't find her. Unless they got too close. With this last thought on his mind, he forced his quivering legs back into a dead run; this time, he was heading toward the vermin's horde.
He didn't notice that he was now flanked by otters. He didn't listen to the cries for him to join their ranks. He rushed headlong into the horde, doing as much damage as he could with one intent: push them back.
Lenzon walked alongside a leveret, Dreb, and struggled to keep his crutches above the shifting sand.
"You're really brave, Six Legs," the leveret stated with a sigh. "I wish I could be that brave."
"You can!" Lenzon exclaimed. "You just have to-- hey, what's that?"
Lenzon pointed over toward a large sand dune. It looked like it had a hole in it. Cleb hopped over to investigate. He peered in to the entrance and almost fell over in surprise. A little badger cub, whimpering and pitiful looked up at him with pleading eyes.
"Uh, Lenzon!" Cleb shouted over his shoulder. "Come here!"
Lenzon shuffled over and looked the best he could.
"What? What is it, Cleb? I can't see anything!"
"It's... it's a badger!" Cleb said, in a voice nothing short of reverence.
"Well, pick it up already! Do you want it to starve?" Lenzon said impatiently.
Cleb hastened to obey and gently lifted the babe in the leather object out into the bright sunlight. Lenzon blinked a few times.
She looked familiar.
Suddenly, it all rushed back to him. He remembered Courage and Mara, their brief encounter before he left them to find his family. From what he knew of the Strongpaws, they would never leave their own, unless...
Lenzon winced. Courage must have died, and left Mara here in hopes that a hare would find her.
"Bring her back to the mountain, we have to show Lord Urthstripe."
"Hung? Et?" Mara questioned.
The two boys exchanged a confused look and shrugged.
Lenzon and Cleb rushed straight to the badger lord's chamber, ignoring all inquiries and 'hello's. Finally, after smoothly navigating the several flights of stairs, Lenzon knocked thunderously on the door with his crutch.
"Come in," said the firm voice of Lord Urthstripe.
"Hung?" Mara repeated.
Ignoring her, the pair gave each other a side glance and a small nod before Cleb opened the door, carrying Mara who was burbling sadly. Lord Urthstripe turned to face them.
"What is making that n--"
He stopped midsentence when he saw the babe.
"It's... a badger cub, m'lord," Cleb said slowly.
Mara stopped burbling to look at the large badger. She didn't recognize him, but she knew he was friendly; he looked like her father.
Urthstripe walked over and took Mara from Cleb's arms. She looked up at him hungrily, hoping the nice badger would give her some food. Urthstripe just looked at her, taking in her delicate features. Mara grew impatient at the lack of food and screamed her frustration suddenly. Urthstripe jumped in surprise.
Mara scowled at him.
"Hung! Et! ET!"
"I think she's hungry," chuckled the badger lord. "Would you like a scone?"
Mara's eyes lit up and she nodded vigorously.
"'cone! 'cone!"
"Let's get you some food, then. Cleb, go get Windbonnet; she'll know how to handle children."
Cleb saluted and left to get the haremaid.
"So, what's your name, little one?" Urthstripe asked Mara, tickling her chin.
"Maya," Mara replied decisively.
"It's Mara, my lord," Lenzon corrected, grinning.
"Mara, then. Welcome to Salamandastron, little one."
Mara smiled.
Alright. I'm done. Man, I miss it already... If you liked this (and even if you didn't) go read Revenge of the Wolf by Blades on a Stick. Thanks for stayin' with me, guys! LOVE YOU ALL!
In Christ,
Billios