More Than What Meets the Eyes

This will be a slightly alternative universe story. This veers off of canon a little. You will see that I made Dodia's son a tiny bit younger than what was represented in Barry Blair's "Fire Eyes." Sorry for canon lovers.

Doesn't look like there are a ton of EQ lovers here, but I wanted to tell a story of one of my favorite background characters that I think needs more attention. I love Chot.

Please review and let me know what you think, but I don't expect this story to be seen by very many so I'm not begging for reviews.

I own nothing. Poop!

Chapter Three

Dart nodded at Jethel and took his leave. He needed some time out of the palace to be in the forest. The Way was telling him to throw Door from the pack. Door was a potential threat, but was he really anymore? Leetah said that Door's mind was his own again, without poison or taint, but few knew how horribly Door had used his rock shaping skills within the forevergreen. What if he turned again? Door could destroy the tribe, the palace. Why did it have to be Door that Chot was bonded to?

"Gah," Dart groaned throwing himself down in some soft grass beside a nearby creek, "I hate this."

-Hate, what?-

The elf startled and looked up to see his father gazing at him impassively from the tree above him.

-Father, I am having difficulties staying in the Now.-

-Because of the elf called Door?-

-Yes. I've seen what he is capable of. I've seen him hurt elves, humans. I worry of what he will do in the future?-

-Ah. Aroree made mistakes, Son. She stole Windkin and caused much suffering, but she became a valued tribe mate. Perhaps that can happen with Door. That Glider is capable of many things, but so are you. So are all of us. The Now says to listen and watch and act when needed. Door has shown nothing to be suspicious of thus far.-

Dart grimaced, but reluctantly nodded as his father leapt down to sit beside him.

-I am trying to give Door a chance, Father.-

-I know. I have had moments just like this. Keeping to the Way is important, but there are times that the Way doesn't help with all decisions. An example of this is how I wanted to hate all humans, but Shuna has shown us different. You showed me the error of my judging even before Shuna. Don't allow hatred to color what is there to see. Door cares for the ailing one well, don't you think?-

Dart sighed aloud as he sat up. It had been him that had convinced Strongbow long ago to give humans another chance. Maybe it was time to give Door another chance too.

"Door is caring as hard for Chot as Skywise and Cutter or Kimo and I would do for one another," Dart agreed as his father nodded, "Maybe it is time to bury this bone of mind."

"Watch everything," Strongbow answered aloud, "Act only if necessary. Otherwise, he is just an elf like the rest of us trying to survive in a harsh world."

So Dart listened and watched. There were no changes in the Glider's behavior, but the Wolfrider tensed when Door was pushed out of the palace by the healers looking furious two days later.

"Unhand me," Door snarled jerking himself up and hovering angrily trying to get around Leetah and Mender, "Let me back inside. Chot needs…"

"Chot needs you to get some air, get cleaned up, and clear your head," Mender interrupted, "You smell bad."

"You smell like a wolf," Door snapped before startling as Windkin flew up beside him.

"You'll get used to that," Windkin offered, "You have been cooped up in the palace for too long and that is not helping Chot. Come bathe in the creek and eat something."

"I cannot leave my soul brother alone and unguarded," Door denied hotly.

"You know that Jethel and Dodia are with Chot," Leetah argued shaking her finger at the livid Glider, "Chot is healing, but having you troubled will set him back when he senses your mood. If your soul brother picks up on your needs he will feel stressed and wake too soon. Calm yourself."

Door snarled for a moment before huffing out a great breath in clear agitation. Dart readied himself to react for what was to come.

"Fine," Glider snapped settling to the ground as Dart nearly choked in shock, "To the fire pits with you all if Chot is harmed while I do as you asked."

Dart blinked as Windkin led Door towards the deeper part of the creek.

"Ha!" Yun chuckled from nearby as Ember grinned in amusement, "Seems that Chot has rubbed off on that one. That was a Go-Back curse if I've ever heard one."

"He restrained himself," Dart stated making the ones near pause and look to him, "Door could have easily used rock shaping to get past Leetah and Mender. One swipe of stone would have knocked the two out of his way, but he didn't. Door reacted in anger over being forced from Chot's side, but not maliciously."

"Truth," Cutter announced walking over to Dart, "Time and his actions will tell us more."

"Come, Dart," Leetah called as the very elf looked up, "Mender and I need your help."

Dart followed and chuffed at what he was asked to help with. Dodia and Jethel weren't too keen with the healers plans either, but they assisted as well. Dodia ended up having to leave to watch over her cub as Jethel and Dart glanced at one another in concern. Door wasn't going to be happy and he surely wasn't once he stomped back from the creek in fresh leathers, courtesy of Moonshade, only to freeze once he looked up and shoot forward.

"What are you thinking?!" Door gasped kneeling next to Chot as the elf rested on furs outside the palace, "He is ill! He should not be out in the elements!"

"It is a bright, sunny day, Door," Leetah soothed while Door pulled Chot's furs tighter around him, "We usual sleep during the day, but the palace aura gives us some safety to enjoy the day at times. The sun will warm Chot and the fresh air will do him good. The fever is lower today. I think we can even give his hair a wash so he feels cleaner. His mane is stiff with old sweat."

Door blinked and sat back on his heels as he hissed a breath between his teeth. Dart watched and waited.

"Are you sure?" Door questioned as concern flitted over his features before relaxing when both Leetah and Mender nodded, "I…I will trust your judgment, but we get Chot inside the minute there is any type of cooler breeze."

"We Go-Backs can handle cool weather," Yun pointed out watching Door fuss about her tribe mate.

"From what I've been told, that is truth," Door said as he felt Chot's forehead and settled cross-legged in the grass beside the ill elf's pallet, "Do ailing Go-Backs handle cool weather as well, is my question?"

"No," Yun admitted, "But Leetah has said that Chot is getting stronger. The sun really will feel good to him. Warm his bones and remind him to wake again."

Door glanced to Yun and then back down to Chot as his face softened as he nodded. These sides of Door that Dart was seeing were profuse, but familiar. This was an elf protecting his soul mate. His efforts were to assist Chot and not to cause conflict. Dart still felt at a loss. It was Shenshen and Door that worked to get Chot's mane cleaned and tamed using a large bowl of creek water. The two had worked quickly so that the water wouldn't cause Chot any chills.

"Can his hair be any thicker?" Shenshen laughed as she worked making Door pause.

"I thought the same the first time he allowed me to comb this mane of his," Door chuckled, "Didn't seem to understand how I could think his hair was unruly. Chot's hair has a mind of its own and hangs directly in his face without his headband. It's also too thick to braid properly."

"Braid? Chot braids his hair now?" Windkin questioned sitting near to listen making Door laugh as Jethel giggled nearby, "What's so funny?"

"My son likes to try and braid Chot's hair," Door explained once he calmed, "No-name loves Chot's mane and Chot allows his messing about because he is fond of my child, but he hates the hair tugging."

"The hairstyles that cub has done to Chot is hilarious," Jethel chortled pulling his own hair in two clumps straight out on each side of his head before dropping his mane, "Chot grumbles through the whole thing, but only takes his hair back down once No-name is away or sleeps so not to hurt the cub's feelings."

"Your child is called No-name?" Shenshen gasped looking horrified.

"For now," Door admitted continuing to comb through Chot's hair, "For a time, I drove Dodia into reverting to a mother hawk sheltering her young. Names and niceties were not as important to her as surviving…well, me. That is all over now, but Gliders choose their names much as Wolfriders do once old enough to know themselves. No-name will do the same. Don't blame Dodia for any of this. All was my fault."

Shenshen looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding quickly in acceptance. The midwife hadn't completely forgiven Door, but was giving him more of a chance to prove himself than Dart could right now.

"Will you continue to be Door?" the midwife asked returning to her combing as well.

"I don't know," Door hummed, "I've been Door for eight times eight times eight and more years. I don't remember my name prior to being called by that title."

Dart came and sat beside Shenshen. Chot's face looked a bit pale, but still calm. He was also too still to be natural. Not if you knew Chot.

"Friend, you need to wake soon," Dart voiced as Door paused in his work, "There are many waiting for your return to us. I think you've been asleep long enough."

"That is the High Ones' truth," Door sighed using some leather to hold Chot's hair back in his usual style.

"Let me tell you a story of your soul brother's first time with the mind-numbing drink," Yun offered trying to lighten the mood as Door looked back up at her, "It all started…"

The tale cleared the air as Door laughed at Chot's usual silly antics and the sun did seem to be doing Chot good judging by the peaceful expression on his face, but when the afternoon grew later the tall Glider didn't say anything as he scooped the sleeping elf up, furs and all, and took him back to what was now known as Chot's room.

"And that solves that," Mender grinned out, "I was just about to suggest that it might be time for us to get Chot inside. Got to admit that Door doesn't hesitate when he sees something needs to be done."

Dart bit his tongue. It was hard not to say a nasty jab about Door. He had personally seen how Door hadn't hesitated to do the harm he did to others within the Forevergreen.

"That was then," Dart chided himself within his mind, truly trying to see Door with clearer eyes, "He is not that elf any longer. See the Now. He has not shown himself to be a threat. See the Now."

Dart tried from moment to moment to forget the past and looked to the Now of wolf thought, but it was hard. A flash of Door's eyes or particular look brought up memories of cruelty and fear. It did seem that Windkin was able to forgive the past and had extended the hand of friendship. Windkin watched Door closely too, but kept the other Glider company as Door watched over Chot. It was a good eight and two days since Jethel's band had been found when Door's head snapped up sharply to scrutinize Chot on one of Windkin's visit with Dart guarding as usual.

"Chot?" Door called softly, leaning over the still elf, as Windkin and Dart moved closer, "Chot, can you hear me? Wake up now. I feel your mind stirring."

Dart exchanged a look with Windkin as Chot remained passive for the longest time before he sighed softly as Door grinned triumphantly.

"Come on, Fledgling. Wake up," Door continued as he softly patted the Go-Back's cheek, "Time to wake up so you can eat more than just broths. Come back to me."

"Tired," Chot slurred with his eyes still closed as Door chuckled while the elf weakly pushed his patting hand away, "Leave lone."

"Not a chance, Rock Slug," Door teased as Chot grumbled softly while the Glider gleefully gripped one of his soul brother's hands in his, "Eyes open. Open those brown eyes of yours. Come on, Laziness."

Dart smiled in relief as Chot's eyelids fluttered and slowly blinked open to stare at Door hazily before giving a small cough. The Glider grabbed up a nearby bowl with fresh water and helped Chot take a few sips before settling the frail elf back down on his furs.

"My eyes see with such joy, Dear One," Door offered as the Go-Back blinked up at him in confusion while Door once again twined his fingers with one of Chot's, "I've been so worried. It's about time you woke again, Chot."

"Um…huh?" Chot voices sounding winded, "Roof? Where? Door?"

"We're in the palace of the High Ones," Door explained stroking Chot's hair back to calm the elf, "You've been ill and needed a healer so Jethel called to the one you called Suntop. His name is Sunstream now. We are no longer in the forevergreen."

"Cub? No-name. Where he?" Chot gasped looking panicked.

"Hush, Dearest. He's safe. We're all safe." Door soothed, "Jethel, Dodia, No-name, and I are all here. Look. Windkin and Dart are here too."

Chot's eyes sought out the other two and smiled softly before his eyes slipped closed again. Door breathed a sigh of relief and turned to the other two elves.

"He sleeps again," Door informed them with brighter looking eyes as he rested Chot's hand he held back on his soul brother's chest, "I sensed that he was very happy to see you two whole and well, but had little strength to let you know that. It will take a lot of time to get Chot back up to his old self. I wish I had realized how strained he was sooner. I would have sought a healer much faster."

"At least he woke so you can get more food in him," Dart supplied standing, "I'll go let Leetah and everyone know that Chot woke for a moment. We've all been worried."

Door nodded and tucked the blankets closer to the Go-Back as Dart left. The worry for Chot lessened a little as he sent first for Leetah and next for Jethel.

-I'm with Kimo at the creek. Shuna and her son came to visit so he is back again. Your sending is happy.-

-I'll be there in a moment. I have some good news.-

Jethel howled in happiness once Dart let him know of Chot's waking and tore away to the palace making Dart and Kimo chuckle.

"How was Door?" Kimo asked kicking some water at Dart as the Wolfrider retaliated once he had removed his boots.

"Very relieved," Dart admitted settling down beside Kimo, "He knew Chot was trying to wake again. I think his voice pulled his soul brother from the land of dreams. Chot wasn't awake for long, but he was completely relaxed with Door. I'm still at a loss."

"About Door?" Kimo questioned.

"Some. Also, about how in the world of Two Moons did fate hook up Chot and Door," Dart breathed as Kimo snorted, "Jethel says the two balance one another, but Chot with Door? Door had nothing but vile insults to say of Chot during our time in the forevergreen."

"That is truth."

Dart and Kimo looked up as Door and Windkin descended from above to land by the creek. It had been Door who had spoken.

"That you thought less of Chot?" Kimo questioned as the two Gliders began to strip to obviously bathe, "I thought you would stay by Chot, Door."

"I've been informed I stink again and to go bathe by Leetah. Jethel is with Chot and I trust that child," Door voiced as he waded into the creek with Windkin following, "Prior to my bonding with Chot, I saw anyone that wasn't a Glider as less back then both due to my arrogance and Winnowill's taint. At first I was appalled at times by Chot's rougher ways taught to him by the Go-Backs at the beginning of our recognition, but there is reason to those ways and he opened my mind to see outside of the Glider within me. I have been very foolish in my life. I wish to change that."

"I think you're doing pretty good," Windkin offered soaking between Kimo and Dart's feet, "Everything starts with the first step and you are doing that. I've had to fight arrogance within me too."

"Planted by him," Dart snapped before grunting as Windkin pulled him into the creek unexpectedly, "Puckernuts!"

"Dart, Door pulled out thoughts in my mind that I had been thinking all along," Windkin pointed out as he helped Dart back out of the creek as Kimo and Door listened, "I was wrong. Door was wrong. You don't hate me. Don't hate him."

"It is not as easy as that," Door blurted making the group look at him as the taller elf settled so he could soak in the creek, "You did not do what I did that has made such an impression on Dart's mind, Windkin. I killed for no other reason than I could."

"That is a point," Windkin murmured staring up at the sky, "But your thoughts weren't your own."

"Yes, I was twisted. I was tainted," Door snapped making the other elves stiffen as anger surged from the Glider, "I was a fool! I should have seen though Winnowill and…oh!"

Door's head jerked towards the palace before smiling softly and nodding.

"I understand, Fledgling," Door murmured, "You have my apologies."

"What?" Dart asked as Door settled back against the creek edge while Kimo and Windkin leaned forward curiously.

"I have been informed by my soul brother to stop whining and disturbing his 'poking' sleep," Door explained with a grin as Dart, Kimo, and Windkin exchanged amused glances, "See? Never alone in my thoughts, as I've told you, Dart. That Go-Back will not be shaken off. Chot is something."

"That I can agree with," Dart snorted, "Self-hatred, again?"

"Hmm," Door hummed as Dart began to strip off his leathers so they could dry, "How easy it is to spiral into that. I wish my life had been different. I wish many things."

"Like spitting into the wind," Dart remarked wading into the creek as Door startled, "The past is the past. I should be aware of that more so than you because I am a Wolfrider. You can't change the past, but you can focus on the present to work towards a better future. Chot has given you the chance to do that and I am trying to let go of my old angers. Forgive my harsh words just now."

"Thank you," Door whispered turning to stare back towards the palace, "I will not fail the bit of trust I've been given thus far. There is boar here?"

"Huh?" Dart grunted at this sudden change of topic, "Um, yes."

"Good. That is his favorite," Door said as he rose to dry himself as the other elves blinked, "Now that he is awake, Chot needs to eat solid food to strengthen and fresh meat would be better. I will go hunting. Excuse me."

Dart blinked as Door dressed and flew away quickly.

"Does he even know how to hunt?" Dart asked as Windkin dressed while Kimo stood with a shrug.

"No idea," Kimo answered, "Did he have a weapon with him at all? How do you hunt without something to hunt with?"

The three elves blinked and tore off after the Glider.

To be continued…