At the suggestion of the herd and my family, we stick around the cave until my legs heal. At first, I complain. Of course I'd complain about staying near some cave! In the end, though, I comply. I understand that we may come up against dangers on the journey. I need to be able to assist them with any trouble.

When, finally, my legs heal, I become maybe overly excited. I'm just glad that I can walk again! I am so sick of staying in that cave! I'm not joking! Besides, I really hated having Taisley help me to 'relieve myself'. I should be able to do that alone! Anyway…

Now, I'm testing out my legs by doing something fun. I'm sneaking up behind Taisley. She has no idea that I am even there! I creep up behind her. I place my paws over her eyes. "Guess who!" I shout.

Taisley jumps and whirls around to face me. "Buck! You scared me!" She gasps.

"'ey! I just wanted ta do somethin' fun ta test out my legs!" I try to defend myself.

Taisley tries hard to look stern for a while longer. She fails miserably. Taisley starts laughing. Soon, she is rolling on the ground from all of her laughing. "I've got to admit, that was good, the way you snuck up on me," Taisley says when she can finally speak.

"I guess ya get a chance ta get back at me. I'll 'ave ta watch my back," I joke.

"Yeah. You sure do, Buckminster. You better watch it!" Taisley smiles as she playfully threatens me.

I smile. Taisley and I go back to the others. "So, where do we 'ave ta go ta get ta that paradise?" I ask.

"Well, we have to pass a number of dangerous places. These are the places we have to pass in order: The Valley of Mists, The Cavern of Lost Memories, The Fire Passage, Broken Mountain, Dark Forest, and Crystal Waters. The Crystal Waters aren't really all that dangerous. That's a river that we'll have to follow to get to the paradise," Diego explains.

"When are we leaving?" I ask. I'm excited and it shows.

"Now, if you're up to it," Ellie answers my question.

"My legs are healed! Of course 'm up ta 't!" I put in. Taisley and I gather the kits together. Then, we start heading on our way.

A few hours later, we arrive at what I believe to be The Valley of Mists. Mostly because there are mists everywhere. "So…Wot's so dangerous 'bout this place?" I ask sarcastically.

"Well…most get lost in the mists. They never make it out. I heard about it from the few that managed to make it through," Diego explains.

"'kay, then. Kits, I want ya ta stay close. I don't want ya ta get lost," I reach out for the kits.

They take Taisley and my paws. "'kay daddy," they speak together.

"Alright, then. Let's go!" I smile with excitement. We start off, disappearing in the Valley of Mists.

Basically, we end up having to follow Diego. He's the one with the best sense of smell. He can lead us out of these mists without as much chance of us getting lost, for too long at least.

As we keep traveling through the mists, I start up a conversation with Diego. I just hate this silence. "So, did ya know th' one that escaped these mists personally?" I ask curiously.

"Um…sorta…he was a friend of mine when I was a cub," Diego answers.

"Wot was 'is name?" I ask.

"Oh…his name was Darren. He was always a daredevil. I dared him to enter this valley. Not only did he enter, but he actually managed to find his way back. That was actually pretty awesome," Diego continues.

"I can see why ya say that. That does sound pretty cool!" I laugh, before looking around. I'm really looking at nothing, since I can't see anything except for mist. "Are we almost out? I know I sounded excited before, but I 'ate feelin' completely blind. I still 'ave one eye," I throw in there. I hate not being able to see.

"Don't worry, Buck. We're almost out," Diego replies.

"'ey! Who say's 'm worried? 'm just…no' 'appy wi' this place…" I try to explain in a way that will divert his attention from me.

"It's fine ta be afraid of this place," dad says.

"Afraid? Pft…'m no' afraid!" I argue.

"Buck…" Taisley starts. She always knows exactly when I'm lying.

"Fine! 'm terrified…Evah since I lost my eye, I've tried ta avoid situations that I couldn't see as well in. I am…a li'l more insecure when I can't see," I explain nervously. I hate it when I have to admit when I'm afraid. I shouldn't fear anything.

"At least you admitted it! Come on, Buck. Everyone is afraid of something! You don't need to be ashamed of anything," Taisley places her paw on my shoulder.

I let the fear show in my eye. I shiver slightly. "Let's just…get outta this place," I speak shakily.

Taisley nods her head. She wraps her arm around my shoulders. I feel protected and comforted by Taisley's presence. We follow Diego on our way. It won't be long before we can see again!

About an hour later, we step out of the Valley of Mists. I swear! One more minute in that valley and I'd start hyperventilating! The moment that we are out, I basically collapse on a log. "Are ya alright, Buck?" Dad asks.

"Yeah. 'm just…glad ta be outta there!" I answer.

"You must have been really afraid…" Taisley says.

"Well…kinda…At least I know 'ow someone who's completely blind feels…" I mumble. I'm breathing kind of heavily, more terrified than what I've told them.

"Buck, it's fine, now. We're out of that valley. We won't go back in there," Taisley promises. She pulls me into a hug.

I wrap my own arms around her. "Thanks, Tais. I needed that…" We pull away from each other. I turn to the kits. "Alright, kits! It's time ta get moving!" All four of the kits squeal in excitement.

Talo comes over to me. "Were ya really scared, daddy?" He asks.

"Um…well…I only 'ave one eye, ya know. I don't like those kind of places where I see even less," I explain.

"'kay, daddy," Talo replies. He rejoins our three little daughters.

I look at Taisley. "Tais, can I talk ta ya?" I ask.

Taisley sees the look in my eye. "Okay, Buck." We go off together after explaining our reason to the others. When we reach a place a short distance away, Taisley addresses me. "What is it, Buck?"

"Can I tell ya 'bout wot 'appened when I lost my eye, as in, why I 'ate places like that valley?" I ask.

"You don't have to!" Taisley tries.

"No. I want ta. When I lost my eye, 't took time ta get used ta 't. I was worried 'bout everything. I was afraid that I'd get killed because I couldn't get around well at first. In th' beginning, I'd always bump into things. After that, I stopped liking th' dark. When th' herd came down ta th' dino world, I told them that 't wasn't safe ta travel in th' dark. That wasn't really true. Most of th' dinos travel in th' daylight hours. I told them that because I 'ate th' dark," I explain.

"I see…Buck, it's fine to be afraid, you know. Everybody is afraid of something," Taisley hugs me.

My ears lower. "But…'m s'posed ta be stronger. I can't be strong if 'm afraid of somethin'…" I mumble.

"Buck, you are the big, brave, strong weasel that I fell in love with! I love you, Buck! You may be afraid of something, but I don't care! I love you, fear or no fear!" Taisley kisses me flat on the lips. I have enough presence of mind to kiss her back.

When we break the kiss off, I take Taisley by the paw. "Thanks, Tais. I really am glad that yer wi' me," I smile.

"You're welcome. Now, let's go back," Taisley suggests.

"Yeah. Let's go," I agree. We head back paw in paw. It's getting late by the time we get back. Turns out, we'll have to camp out there tonight. That's good. As I said before, I really hate the dark. I curl up next to Taisley. I watch as she falls asleep. I close my eye. I feel myself drift off after Taisley in the realm of sleep. Tomorrow, we will continue on the long journey.