Now we get our first look at the stranger. How will Ma'kel react to this new development?
DISCLAIMER: The story and characters of the original Avatar belong to James Cameron. I take artistic license only for the characters and events that I have created for this story. I receive no monetary gains from this story.
Chapter Two: Strange and Wonderful
The ride back to Hometree was, for the most part, quiet. Ma'kel managed to lose the viperdogs by the time he was halfway back to home. Bringing his direhorse to an easier pace, he turned his head to look at his passenger. The head was bowed down and the face hidden; the white knuckled hands on his chest and the tenseness of its body told him that, despite being rescued, the stranger was still very afraid. Putting his hand over that of the stranger's, Ma'kel said in a soothing voice, "You are safe. The danger is past." A moment later, he felt the stranger's tension slowly give way to calmness. Then from within the hood, almost too soft for him to make out, a feminine voice whispered, "Thank you for saving me." Before Ma'kel could respond, some small unseen creature darted between his direhorse's legs, causing the beast to rear up in surprise, knocking its extra passenger to the ground in the process. Sending soothing thoughts to the beast through the bond, while also giving a firm command to stand still and wait for them, Ma'kel dismounted and turned to help his charge, whom he was now certain was female.
He froze before he could take a step. The garment's hood had fallen back; he saw the face clearly. The figure sprawled out on the ground had a face like those of the few Tawtute he had actually met. He had been right; it was female, a girl barely his age. She had hair golden as the sun, skin pale like clouds, and lips that were an even deeper red than his father's Toruk. He had expected the girl to have Tawtute features, given her pale hands and her spoken language. What shocked him were her eyes, yellow just like his own, and the long golden braid beneath her hair that was almost identical to his black one. He thought she was beautiful and mysterious all at once.
A groan brought him out of his thoughts; he blinked, then looked at the girl again. She was still on the ground; both her feet were clutched in her hands, and pain was evident on her face. "Are you hurt?" Ma'kel asked, kneeling next to her. She looked at him, then raised a hand for him to look at. The blood on her palm told him everything. This girl had run so long and hard that her feet were now bleeding. "What is your name?" Ma'kel asked. "Meira," the girl answered. "I am Ma'kel, son of Jake Sully and Neytiri. I will not harm you. Come with me to Hometree. The Omaticaya do not turn away those in need of help," he said. "Come, my mother will tend to your wounds, and my father will want to learn more about you." Meira considered this for a minute, then took Ma'kel's outstretched hand with a nod. He helped her to her feet, then frowned when he saw her wince on the first step. Shrugging, he picked her up bridal-style in one swift motion, paying little heed to her startled gasp. He put her side-saddle on his direhorse's back, then swung up behind her. After reconnecting the bond, he glanced around to check his bearings, then urged his direhorse back towards Hometree.
"How far is your home?" Meira asked. "Not very far from here," Ma'kel answered. "Why do you ask?" Meira gestured with her hand. "The sun is going down." He nodded in understanding. He urged his direhorse faster; he didn't want to be caught out in the forest after dark either.
AN: Now we've met Meira. But now the question is: Who is she, and where did she come from?