Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC's Eira and Torsten and any alterations to the original storyline plot their presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe during these dark and gloomy days.

Eira Byrnison Chapter 5

It's late in the evening. All three of them are in the den enjoying a late night supper of fish, scraps, and milk for Torsten.

Yummy.

It's during when Torsten is nursing his fill that both parents realize they have a visitor.

Eira detects him first on the breeze over the smell of fish and metal.

Sniffing the air delicately, ears perked, and head raised, Eira said "Do you smell that?"

"What," said Iorek, raising his head from his paws, now on the alert.

Sniffing the air once more to doublecheck, Eira confirms "We have a visitor."

Immediately a low growl rumble in Iorek's throat. Ever since Torsten was born it's well known throughout the whole harbor town that anyone who is stupid enough to dare to even venture within range is in for a world of hurt or death. Despite the hold the humans already have over the family none have taken that risk. Whoever has broken this rule is in for it.

Dislodging a sleepy and complaining Torsten from his meal Eira makes her way to the den entrance first since she's the closest.

Stopping just where she barely has her head and shoulders out, prepared to attack if necessary, the very semblance of a protective mama bear, Eira snarls "Show yourself or risk your life!"

"Iorek and Eira Byrnison!"

From the right, emerging from the shadows, are 2 individuals neither Iorek nor Eira have laid eyes on for a very long time.

Lee Scorseby and his daemon Hester.

All the aggression in Eira vanishes, replaced with bemused pleasure, affection, and mostly apprehension. Iorek's not going to like this however anyone looks at it.

"Lee, hello," said Eira, loud enough for Iorek to hear as she steps out into the open to greet him properly.

Laughing good naturedly Lee briefly hugs her as she pats him carefully on the back with a massive paw.

"What on earth are you doing all the way out here," asks Eira, smiling.

"Searching for you and your husband. Although," said Lee, scanning their "home" with shocked astonishment and disbelieving eyes, "I didn't expect to find either of you in a place like this."

Sighing crestfallenly, slightly in an evasive manner, Eira admits "It's…complicated."

Nodding, Hester said "We can see that. Is your husband here?"

A shuffle from further in the den is their answer. And Lee catches a glimpse of Iorek's head before he pulls it away.

Shortening the distance with Eira's permission, Lee said 'Uh…It's been some time. What are you doing here, Iorek?"

Grumbling, Iorek said "It has not been some time. It's been 3 years."

"Three years, long as all that," said Lee, he and Hester following Eira inside the dens interior so they can speak better face to face and away from nosy prying eyes.

Still refusing to step into the light without his armor, so ashamed to show his face in light of how far he's allowed his family to have fallen, Iorek growls "It has not been a good three years."

"We want to help, Iorek. Can we help," said Lee, kindly, ever the good friend to them, trying to coax Iorek out of the darkness. "I owe you. We both know it."

At last stepping out where all three can see him, keeping Torsten behind at the rear, Iorek said "And how can you help me?"

Outright gapping at Iorek's appearance, more or less what he's lacking, bluntly, Lee said "Some, like Eira, look good naked you do not." Iorek growls, hiding himself away again in embarrassment. "Who has it? Your armor? Eira, please tell me they don't possess yours, too."

Shaking her head, Eira assured "Don't worry they didn't acquire mine. My armor is hidden where they can't get it."

"I am disgraced, Lee," spat Iorek in frustration. "And not behaving as a bear should. And I'd rather you leave me."

"And what if I don't want to go," exclaimed Lee, stubbornly. "You know, when I see an old friend, I'm inclined to tell him where I've been. Adventures I've had."

In mournful regret, humiliation, and chagrin, Iorek admits "I have done things I can't talk about."

"I've done some things I'm not too keen on people knowing either. Tell me what you've done. We wouldn't judge you, couldn't judge you," presses Lee, wanting so desperately to help disregarding the fact Iorek is outright denying letting him.

"And what if I deserve to be judged," countered Iorek, pulling away to return to go deeper into the den.

Frantically, Hester said "Don't let him go."

"We came here just for you and Eira, Iorek," declared Lee, ignoring Iorek's brash and abrasive demeanor towards their visiting interference in his business.

"Then you should leave, Lee, for I neither asked you to come, nor do I want you to stay," stated Iorek.

Lee and Hester are left standing there basically hurt and confused by Iorek's dismissiveness, leaving Eira to pick up the pieces.

Softly, Eira said "I'm sorry. He's got a lot on his mind these days. He doesn't mean it."

"I know he doesn't," acknowledges Lee, "but I hope you understand that I, too, meant what I said. I'm not leaving until both of you are out of here and free."

"Lee, it's not that simple. It's not just the two of us anymore," said Eira, turning towards where she knew their cub is impatiently waiting to be called. "Torsten, come here."

Answering his mother's call Torsten comes tumbling into the open, rolling around and playing until he reaches her. Eager to return to his dinner to satisfy his hungry tummy Latching on Torsten keep an eye on the visitors, hunger overriding his initial childish curiosity.

Both Hester's and Lee's are blown up in amazement. Apparently no one had notified them about the latest addition.

Apologetically, Eira said "I'm so sorry. As much as we'd like to change our circumstances , unless you can guarantee this little ones safety, we just can't take that risk."

Authors Note:

Happy New Year!

So I've got some bad news for all my loyal readers. My dog just passed away a couple of months ago. To be perfectly honest I'm heartbroken. He meant so much to me and even though my family has had other dogs in the past, since I moved out, he was my baby and the first animal to ever well and truly be mine. Especially during all of this craziness with covid-19 I think all dog owners can agree that your canine companions can really fill that void that one can find themselves stuck in. And make their households complete. So this is a shout out to all fellow dog lovers out there that see them as their children. Keep your animals close to you and cherish them always…That goes for cats, too. ;)

I cannot begin to describe how apologetic I am for taking so heinously long to get back on track. From this day forward that's all gonna change. Especially since now that I have some more story ideas in mind to add to my profile.

I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D

I recently put up some other works I've put out at titled Charmer And Company, Edith Angelica Tepes, Spirits Save The Justice League Against Crazy Jane, Crazy Jane Comes To Town, Fatal Attraction, The Strawhat's Mermaid, When Two Become One, The Sorcerer's Daughter, Enola: The Last Unicorn To Middle Earth, Heroes Vs Predators, Silent Guardians To Gotham, Hachiko: UA Class 1-A's Mascott, Big Hero 6: Mirai Hamada, Mermaids Walk Among Us, U.A. High Schools Own Blue Eyes White Dragon, Sayuri Wren, Fifth Turtle, Crown Jewel Of Gongmen City, The Emperor's Daughter, Glenstorm's Daughter, Dianca Robbins, Morning Star, Reira Todoroki: Daughter Of Fire and Ice, Secret Of Bristol Cove, Predators Redemption, Rava's Journey, Princess Of The Forest, A Revolutionary Romance, Aunt, Fantine Tezla: Hot Wheels Acceleracers, Green Lantern Odette Dupree: First Flight, Magic And the Brave Little Toaster 1, Lavinia: Princess Of Edelweiss, Rorschach's Legend, Watchmen Meets Avengers: The Newest Defender, The 8thLoser, Naomi Poldark: Mistress Of Nampara, Serenity: End Guardian To The Moors, Dido Cruger: Power Rangers SPD, The True Catwoman Of Gotham, Green Lantern Odette Dupree: First Flight, and Nuala: The White Lioness. I highly recommend them. ;D

By the way, Charmer And Company, Edith Angelica Tepes, Spirits Save The Justice League Against Crazy Jane, Crazy Jane Comes to Town, Fatal Attraction, Strawhat's Mermaid, When Two Become One, The Sorcerer's Daughter, Heroes vs Predators, Enola: The Last Unicorn To Middle Earth, Silent Guardians To Gotham, Hachiko: UA Class 1-A's Mascot, Mermaids Walk Among Us, Big Hero 6: Mirai Hamada, U.A. High Schools Own Blue Eyes White Dragon, Reira Todoroki: Daughter Of Fire And Ice, Morning Star, Crown Jewel Of Gongmen City, Fifth Turtle, The Emperor's Daughter, Rorschach's Legend, Sayuri Wren, Bianca Robbins, Aunt, Glenstorm's Daughter, Mandalorian: The 2ndFoundling, Eira Byrnison, and Watchmen Meets Avengers: The Newest Defender, Rava's Journey, Princess Of The Forest, Green Lantern Odette Dupree: First Flight, and The True Catwoman Of Gotham, are some of the best newest additions to my profile.

Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure.