Thanks for tagging along this far. This was quite an exciting chapter to write, as there was a huge storm happening outside my window. That's why I put the storm in really, I guess. And I really wanted to add Aldrea, so I've made her just a teensy bit older than she might have been (old enough to run around on her own) at this time. This is all happening pre-Hork Bajir chronicles, and the Andalites are just becoming aware of the Yeerks.

Love to all reviewers :)

Chapter 6

Jahar eyed the roiling sky suspiciously.

You want to go out in this? She asked dubiously. Kalladin Rahala Galid nodded enthusiastically.

I was speaking to Seerow's daughter, Aldrea-lskillion-Falan. She told me the storm lilies only bloom under torrential rain.

Really? Jahar remarked sarcastically. Storm lilies that require storms. How novel. Kalladin frowned.

Aldrea said there were some by the cliffs near Sorlan's lands. Come on, Jahar, I've never seen real storm lilies. As she said the final words a growl of thunder rolled over the fields to them. Jahar shivered: the temperature was dropping, but it was still summer and the rain would be warm. She hesitated, and Kalladin took a step forward and actually held her hand. Jahar, you'll like Aldrea. She's rather young, and I think her family are travelling soon, but she seems a very pleasant, practical Andalite. And anyway, I promised we would go. Jahar sighed.

Fine, Kalladin. But only because I could not make you break your word to your new friend. Kalladin beamed her a smile of gratitude and trotted to the edge of the meadow as Jahar ducked back into the scoop. Her father was travelling, investigating rumours about a new planet which might contain life, creatures called 'Yeerks', but her mother was in, using a computer programme to build an art sculpture. It was from her that Jahar inherited her artistic talent. She agreed after a little persuading, although it was more a case of Jahar letting her know where she was going than applying for permission. She was going to be moving out to live with her new mate soon, anyway, and her parents treated her more as an adult guest rather than as a daughter.

Leaving the scoop Jahar broke into a canter to catch up with Kalladin, and the other female waited for her to catch up and then set off in a Northerly direction. The wind was rising now, whipping the long grasses and causing the branches of the Vailish trees they passed to creak. Exhilaration spread through Jahar. She hadn't galloped through a heavy storm for years, out of vanity (she was not shown to her best advantage with her fur flat and dripping) and laziness, and the air crackled in anticipation of the rain.

Aldrea was waiting for them in a small copse about a half-hour's gallop from Jahar's lands. She was a small Andalite, with purple fur and a delicate tail to rival Vitana's. Jahar calculated that she was only recently fully grown, too young to be legally be considered an adult, probably still at school. She wondered how Kalladin had got to know the child. Kalladin introduced the two to each other, and Aldrea greeted Jahar politely (whilst Jahar struggled not to snidely ask where Aldrea's parents were), before the younger one turn to the West.

Come on, she called. It's a good way to go, but not as fun if we took a ship. She kicked her heels exuberantly, clearly excited by the whipping winds, and set off at a speed which Jahar struggled to match. Galloping besides the younger Andalite, Jahar remembered how she had needled Alloran for being fat. Next to Aldrea she was the one who seemed to need more exercise, as the younger Andalite resembled a coiled purple spring. Subconsciously she moved nearer to Kalladin, whose curved flanks and softer lines were more reassuring than the defined muscles rippling across Aldrea's shoulders. Arbat didn't have rippling muscles. His mind was no doubt in perfect condition, exercised more frequently than most other Andalites' minds, but next to his warrior brother his body did not compare so well. Still, Jahar had made up her mind a long time ago not to marry a warrior, and she could hardly complain about not being able to run her hands over defined muscles when she had made a conscious decision to marry a scientist.

So how is your little project going? Kalladin asked Jahar privately. Vitana and Alloran. Jahar furrowed her brow in annoyance.

Not well. She keeps finding reasons to get annoyed with him.

It could be her way of flirtation, Kalladin offered. Jahar snorted.

Well it's going to lose him. He's already decidedly less interested and if she doesn't show some keenness soon he'll be gone. He won't stand to be treated condescendingly. Kalladin laughed.

You seem to know him very well, Jahar. Does Arbat speak of him much? Jahar paused before answering, as she didn't have a prepared reply.

No, she said finally. I think I just understand Alloran very well. He is not that complicated.

If only Vitana had your sense, Kalladin face grew serious and she nodded towards Aldrea. She'll be looking for a mate soon. Jahar laughed too, amused at the thought of the miniscule female by her side, who was still really a child, attempting to charm Arbat's muscular brother.

Alloran will be long gone by then. If Vitana wasn't acting so foolishly they could be married by now.

Or engaged, Kelladin said pointedly. Jahar threw her a cross glare. She didn't like reminding that her impending marriage to Arbat was proceeding at the pace of a lame Dorlkik. They'd been engaged for two seasons, but actually marrying had always hovered on the horizon. He seemed perfectly content with that situation, and that surprised Jahar when she remembered his ardent pleas for her to be his wife. Still, she didn't care to rush him and she counted herself fortunate to be a further step towards obtaining a mate than Kelladin, or Vitana, or even Aldrea.

Here comes the rain! Aldrea screamed exuberantly, breaking Jahar's reverie. With a crack the skies opened and a deluge poured down on the three Andalites. The rain was temperate, but with a cold edge to it, causing Jahar to shiver a little and step up her pace for warmth. The ground sucked at their hooves as the rain turned the earth beneath them to mud, and drops glistened on the long grass stalks, splattering as they galloped past and the grass brushed their sides. It was all Jahar could do to keep Aldrea's small form in view, and she wondered how the younger female could possibly find her way through the mire. They stumbled uphill, her hooves catching on unseen tussocks. Perhaps this had not been such a good idea...

Then Aldrea gave a shout of joy, and skidded to a halt. Jahar and Kalladin caught up with her, and she pointed excitedly through the gloom.

Be careful. The cliffs are high and the edge will be slippery. They proceeded slowly in the direction she had indicated, until the lip of the cliff came into view. Jahar edged forwards, and peered over. They were high, higher than she had realised. Below her the cliffs dropped steeply away, and the murk obscured their feet.

What's at the bottom? She asked.

An old diamond quarry, Aldrea replied. It's flooded. She was trotting along, dangerously close to the edge in Jahar's eyes, peering over, and she suddenly gave a shout of delight. Got one! Jahar and Kalladin rushed to join her, and she stretched out, indicating a ledge a few metres below. See? Jahar shook rain out of her eyes and leant over. Kalladin had stretched her tail right out for support (she was always difficult with heights) and Jahar steadied her shoulder. She felt her friend relax a little in gratitude.

The ledge Aldrea had indicated was only small, but it held a bush with great shining green leaves, the rain pouring off them in rivulets. Excitement lanced through Jahar. Nestling amongst the foliage were three gigantic blooms, fire yellow with blazing orange hearts.

Storm lilies, Kalladin breathed. She edged forwards. Do you think we could get closer? Aldrea eyed the ground dubiously.

The edges can be unstable. Kalladin instantly skipped back, but Jahar stayed where she was, drinking in the beauty of the flowers. There was something delightfully wild and free about this plant which only bloomed in the fiercest weather. As she stood there lightning rent the sky above her and thunder replied with a hungry roar. It was perfect.

It didn't take long for Kalladin to get bored. She wanted to find some within reach, to take home, and pulled away impatiently, trotting along the edge.

Be careful, Jahar warned her. Kalladin kicked her hoof mischievously.

Yes, mother Jahar! Jahar sighed as her friend stumbled in the wet grass. Kalladin was a strange creature: afraid of heights until something distracted her into daring the most foolhardy things.

Aldrea too turned and started combing the cliff tops in the other direction, so Jahar moved to where Kalladin had stopped near the edge, peering over.

Is that one there? she asked. Jahar peered towards where she was pointing but the rain made it difficult to see.

Where?

There. Kalladin indicated again and gave Jahar a nudge forwards in the right direction. Jahar cursed as her hoof caught in the wet grass and she stumbled forwards heavily. There was a rushing sound and then suddenly the ground dropped away under her front hooves. Jahar! Kalladin screamed. Jahar flailed, her fingertips brushed Kalladin's outstretched arms, but her balance was lost, and with a scream she tumbled over the edge.

When Jahar woke up her whole body ached. Trying to stand up, she screamed as sharp pain shot through her from her right front leg, and she was forced to sink down again. Twisting an eye stalk to inspect it she saw that it was clearly broken in at least two places, twisted and already bruising. Jahar whimpered, and raised her eyes. She's been caught on a narrow ledge, about four or five metres from the lip of the cliff which loomed above her. The rain had lightened, but the persistent drops chilled her and she shivered. A large part of her wanted to cry.

Jahar! Looking up she perceived a small, purple face peering down at her. Her brain struggled to collect itself and offer a name, but she finally bullied it into producing the answer.

Aldrea! I think my leg's broken. She sounded a lot calmer than she felt.

Can you morph? Aldrea called down. She was referring to the new technology which allowed Andalites to change their shape for that of another animal. A healthy, undamaged animal. However, the technology was so new that a lowly female like Jahar would never have had access to it, so she wondered at Aldrea's naive assumption that she had.

I'm afraid I'm stuck, Jahar called back, again fighting the urge to panic.

Kalladin said that your future mate's lands are near, Aldrea shouted. She's gone to fetch him. Jahar groaned. Poor Kalladin! She would have a very long gallop, as they really weren't that near to Arbat's lands at all. Still, she knew that she would much rather Arbat rescued her than some other Andalite male who might ask her why she did something as silly as falling off a cliff. There's a ship coming! Aldrea shouted down. Jahar was surprised; she must have been unconscious quite a while if they were already arriving. Over the light rain she heard the whine of a ship's engines and then male voices. It sounded like Arbat had brought a friend.

There was a thudding of hooves, and then Arbat's face appeared over the ridge.

My poor Jahar! he cried. Can you stand?

My leg's broken, she shouted back. He hesitated and paced a bit.

I'm going to lower a harness. Do you think you could crawl into it? he asked finally. Jahar winced as hot agony lanced through her leg, but there didn't seem to be an alternative.

I'll try, she called. He turned and vanished, and she imagined him unpacking cables and knotting together a harness. A scrabbling sound and cascading pebbles caused her to look up, and just in time too, because she only just had time to lean sideways and avoid being hit as another Andalite fell onto her ledge. Alloran picked himself up and shook himself.

Which leg is it? he asked in a business like fashion, whilst Jahar goggled at him. He waited a moment and then repeated the question. She indicated her front right and he knelt down awkwardly (it was only really a small ledge, and lying down she took up a lot of it) and felt it with her hands. Jahar was unable to stop the yelp of pain, and he released her immediately, looking contrite. I'm sorry. He reached out and held her shoulders. You're shaking. She felt halfway between screaming and laughing, so she chose the latter and erupted into giggles. He frowned. What amuses you, Jahar? Her breath caught and she snorted involuntarily.

What did you do that for? Now we'll both need rescuing. He smiled and pulled her close.

I thought you might like a little help getting into Arbat's harness. She felt his hands holding her, his strength near her reassuring and calming her. There was a clattering, and a harness made of knotted cables fell onto the ledge. With Alloran supporting her Jahar was able to scramble into it, and he arranged her leg with the utmost care so that it would not be hurt further. Then he shouted to Arbat and Jahar was winched up, swaying a little in the wind, until she came over the cliff edge and saw that he was using machinery from within the Starwave to lift her. Whilst Kalladin and Aldrea watched anxiously, he worked the controls to set her down very gently, and ran to untangle her.

I'll take you to my uncle, Arbat told her. He's a doctor in the fleet, currently on leave. Jahar wanted to protest that a break which merely needed setting did not require such a qualified personage, but the pain was forcing her into drowsiness, so she allowed Arbat to do as he wished. The sounds of Alloran clambering back up the cliff heralded the other's arrival, and he pulled himself over the edge, muddy to his knees.

The Starwave was very cramped with all of them in it and, sprawled out, Jahar took up most of the room, so Arbat ran detours to deposit Aldrea and Kalladin before taking her to his uncle. Aldrea seemed very shaken, and Jahar was reminded again of how young she really was. Kalladin, on the other hand, was maddeningly apologetic, and wouldn't give Jahar a minute's rest. It was a relief to be rid of her self-effacing sympathy and apologies. On the final leg of their journey Arbat flew the ship and Alloran stayed by Jahar, gently stroking her palms and throat in the softest of comforting kisses. They'd given her an anaesthetic, but the horrific knowledge that she was broken still shook her and she was glad for his attention.

The brothers' uncle was at first somewhat grumpy at being disturbed whilst on leave, but softened when Arbat explained his affection for Jahar. The old Andalite's hands were deft, and Jahar only felt a momentary jolt of pain as he manipulated her bones back into place. The most upsetting part was the sound of her bones being reset, rather than the pain. She was given a splint which would dissolve as her leg healed and orders not to get up for a day, and then to work on three legs for five weeks. It was quickly and efficiently done, so that it didn't seem long at all before they were flying back to her scoop.

At her scoop Arbat set the ship down, and then he and Alloran lifted her arms onto their shoulders and helped her hobble on three legs from the ship to the warmth of the scoop. The rain had stopped, and the fresh scent of wet grass breathed new life into Jahar's cloudy head. Her mother came out to greet them, and helped them to carry her into the scoop. Jahar was very grateful then, that she was an only child, as there would not have been enough room in the sleeping chamber for her to lie down and occupy half the floor space if there had been another child. Arbat and Alloran hovered near her for a while, but try as she might she couldn't prevent her eyes closing and they eventually left her to sleep. Through her drowsiness she heard her mother thanking them, and then the whine of the engines.

Sadness lingered in Jahar's heart. She would have liked him to stay.

And as the realisation of that washed over her she felt as if the ground was again falling away under her, and she was tumbling into empty space.

Because she was very fond of Arbat.

And she was grateful to him for coming to her rescue.

But she now knew without a doubt what she had been denying for the past season.

She loved Alloran.