….Hi, all! Hope you are having a good week. I am sorry I haven't posted sooner. I have a lot of exams coming up I had to study for, but here is a small, but important piece from Petrie's mother for you until I can get Pterano's part written. Hyp and his father appear briefly just so you can see how they are doing. As always, hope you enjoy and feel free to give feedback. I value feedback because it helps me to know what is good, unclear, ect. :D

VONDON WILES, yes it was heroic of him. That piece turned out better than I thought to show that he really cares for the ones he loves despite being grumpy at times. His story with Lissie is one of my favorites to write so far. Thanks for all the feedback. It's always a pleasure to hear from you!

Unknown, thank you for your encouraging feedback. It really helped me to consider what could be done differently in the story! It is a pleasure to hear from you and I hope to hear from you again soon. As for your questions, the characters will probably all wind up meeting somehow at some point and have some connections depending on the case. I think Hyp's father and Pterano might not interact much simply because of previous events from the seventh movie and the differences in their natures. But I will say they will both end up connecting with other characters and new characters. Right now, I am thinking Hyp might somewhat interact with Pterano a little more because of an event that I am thinking might occur later. But yes! I do hope to bring in the backstories of more minor characters. In fact, we have a little piece from Petrie's mother here. She doesn't tell a backstory by flashback yet, but a little is said in the dialogue. While there may not be must interaction between the main characters right now, I was thinking some of the other minor characters later in the story might interact and form a connection :D Hope this helps and it is a pleasure to hear from you.

Thanks, guys! Enjoy…..

Chapter 4 Stiff Leaves

Tess, Petrie's mother

"Mom… Why he no come back?"

"I don't know, Petrie." Tess had been trying to comfort her son since his uncle's sentence had passed and he had not returned. She was beginning to worry herself. When left alone in the Mysterious Beyond, anything could happen. Had he died? Gone insane and forgotten them? If he was alive, where was he?

She missed him, she couldn't deny that….missed the young flyer who used to chase her, the annoyingly talented brother who could charm her into a smile no matter how mad she was, and even the brother who tried to be the leader and split up their family. She sighed and rubbed her shoulder because she didn't know what to say to comfort the desperate little face begging her to say more. But she couldn't lie, and she couldn't guess.

"I….guess he just….might need some more time, Petrie."

The sadness in her son's eyes where as visible as the Bright Circle. She realized her must have heard the same response a million times over. He looked so like his father, and in some ways his uncle. His emotional level was as deep as her brother's. They both felt so deeply. The way Petrie's eyes misted over a bit, the graceful way he glided through a joyful hop….it seemed he got everything good about Pterano. The rest was all his father. A cheerful sense of humor, mischievous prone, and a laugh that made anyone smile.

But right now, he hardly seemed like Petrie at all as he sighed sadly and rested his wings on the edge of the nest to stare out at the valley. The mother patted his back gently, unsure of what else to do. Maybe when his brothers and sisters come along, it will help….

Petrie raised up, attention immediately caught on the horizon. "Who that?" He pointed ahead with wide, curious eyes.

Tess glanced up because her son was about to fall over the nest staring. She looked up to see Grandpa Longneck walking toward them with a casual smile. "Good Morning, Ms. Flyer."

"Good morning, Mr. Longneck." Someone small was trailing along behind him, struggling to keep up with his long strides. A pink flyer, maybe? Everything stopped. It couldn't be…..

The sound of her son's voice sounded from somewhere far away. He had seen her, too. "She pretty!"

She said nothing because she couldn't. She was fairly certain her beak was slightly open, but she wasn't sure. The pink flyer couldn't fully see her and Petrie from her position below, but Tess could see her glancing up at their nest with that same look of hopeful curiosity in her dark blue eyes. It….is.

"…new to the Great Valley, and we were wondering if you'd like to show her around the valley." Grandpa Longneck concluded whatever he had explained before and was waiting on her response with an expectant look. How long had they been waiting on her to answer?

Petrie looked up at her curiously. "Mom, you no hear him? He say show her around. Me go?"

Now the look was hopeful, but she would have to deal with it later. "Go and play, Petrie."

The young flyer looked disappointed, but flew off to find his friends anyway. She was sure his brothers, sisters, and friends would be peeking around a rock in the next ten minutes.

She deep a few breath, stepped forward, and glided down from the nest. She heard Britta gasp as she landed on the ground and faced them. They spoke at the same time. "You're alive….!"

When they heard each other's voice they immediately embraced. When they pulled back, they held on to each other's hands like old friends. Tess was the first to find her voice. "We thought you were dead!"

Britta squeezed her hands, nearly sobbing. "I looked for you everywhere when I was able, and couldn't find you anywhere. I didn't know where you had gone…or why…or if you were still alive….."

Tess released her hands and spread them. "We looked everywhere for you! Tim told us you were gone just before he died, and we never found you…. Pterano was crushed….."

Britta's eyes widened, revealing a flood of long lost hope flowing back to her. "Pterano! Is he….alive?" She seemed afraid to ask the question, as if the answer would confirm what she had been dreading to hear.

Tess hesitated a moment. "Uhh….yeah." Maybe.

Britta gasped and raised both hands to her face to brush away the tears of joy that sprang into her eyes. "Where is he now?"

Banished. Where would she ever start? From Tim's death? From their decision to leave for the Great Valley? She just…couldn't. Even to this day, she couldn't bear to tell anyone about what her brother had become. It was too painful. She couldn't even tell Petrie. How could she tell her brother's only love? Britta would be heartbroken. But…she had to know.

Grandpa Longneck had started to walk away when he made the connection that they knew one another, but had stopped and turned his head to give a questioning stare at the mention of Pterano's name. Tess couldn't help but once again admire how wise he and his wife were. No wonder Littlefoot was so clever.

Tess sighed and rubbed her shoulder. "Mr. Longneck, I…need you to explain once more what happened. Britta needs to know, and I…can't tell her."

Grandpa Longneck hesitated a moment, but eventually told the whole story over again without questions, much like he had done with the children a while back when Pterano had taken Ducky. The story still felt as painful as before. Britta listened without interrupting, but Tess witnessed every emotion that passed by the look in her eyes. Surprise, shock, pain, sorrow….it was all there. Britta had always been one that could never hide what she was feeling because the look in her eyes always said it all, but she was very good at controlling her emotions. And she still seemed to be. Tess felt sure that Britta was on the verge of crying when she heard of Pterano's crimes, and how he had fallen from an ambitious, sweet young flyer to an unsteady outcast. But she didn't. She just….listened.

Grandpa Longneck finished with Pterano's sentence being reduced due to his actions to help save the children, especially Ducky, and his departure. It was a long time before anyone else spoke. When Britta finally lifted her heard and found her voice, it shook. "How much longer…until the end of his sentence?"

"It was over last cold time." It was fairly evident in his tone that Grandpa Longneck preferred that Pterano stay away, but he didn't voice it. He would, perhaps, be one of the very few who would be fair to Pterano if he were to return.

Britta turned to Tess. "And he hasn't returned?"

"No." Tess could see she wanted an explanation, but she had none to give. Britta saw that she didn't know any more than was already told and looked up at Grandpa Longneck and voiced the question Tess had been pondering for a while now.

"Do you think…he's…."

Mr. Longneck didn't make her finish. "No. If he were, I believe word would have reached the valley by now from the far walkers. He must be holding off for some reason. We are expecting him to find his way here soon enough."

Tess felt that she should have known this, but felt reassured by the old longneck's practical theory. But….she still couldn't believe Britta was alive. After all this time…

But it was evident Britta had told the truth by the surprise in her face when she saw is was Tess that glided from the nest rather than a stranger. She honestly had been held back from them for some reason, and had been unaware of their whereabouts. Deep down inside, she may have still been searching for them long after giving up.

"Britta?" Tess voiced the question that had been hanging in the back of her mind since Mr. Longneck had started the story. "What brings you here now?"

Britta's facial expression changed when she looked up at her then back to Mr. Longneck, as if she were getting back to business. "I was nearby resting because I had planned to find a new home in the Great Valley after studying under a healer, and word reached me that the valley was seeking a healer who had knowledge of something ease the pain of a young one who had been injured. I decided to come right away."

Tess smiled. Of course Britta had taken up healing! It had been a lifelong dream of hers, and a lifelong talent. "You are talking about Hyp."

Britta repeated the name thoughtfully and looked up at Grandpa Longneck. "Hyp… Is that the one you sent word for?"

Grandpa Longneck nodded. "A tree fell on him during an earthshake and the boy appears to be suffering from quite a few broken ribs. Ms. Flyer has been helping his father care for him."

At a look from Britta that questioned for more detail, Tess shrugged. "There wasn't much I could do. I have no knowledge of herbs and such and….his father managed to make a kind of brace from tall brace to keep the injured area from moving much. But he seemed to be in a lot of pain today, and no one knows what to do for it."

Britta crossed her arms as a chilly wind left from the Cold Time blew through the air. "It sounds like you've done well. Can I see him?"

Grandpa Longneck looked to Tess, seeming to be somewhat affected by the connection he had made between Pterano and Britta. "I am sorry, Britta, but I must ask… Tess, you trust this young flyer?"

Tess smiled. "With my life. She's my oldest and dearest friend. She loved Pterano for good reason. And she's a skilled healer from birth. There's no one better that I can think of."

Britta seemed surprised, but then smiled warmly in relief. Grandpa Longneck nodded, if he didn't see now he might see in the way she worked with the young one. "Well, come of then. We'll lead you to him."

About halfway there, Britta hesitated. "Wait! Do you happen to have Stiff Leaves in the valley?"

Grandpa Longneck and Tess exchanged surprised looks. By "Stiff Leaves", she meant the stiff tiny dark green leaves that grew low to the ground. No one liked them because of their unbearable, bitter taste.

Tess tried to think of another suggestion for Hyp's sake. "Uhh…Britta… are you sure we can't find something better for him? Those leaves taste so terrible."

Britta had made up her mind. "I won't know until I explore the valley. And besides, Stiff Leaves are the best medicine for pain because the their bitterness is strong and numbing. And for the pain I am sure he is in, it will be the best for now. He won't need many, and…maybe wrapping a few in tree stars along with letting one sit on top of the water he drinks will help."

It didn't take long to gather the leaves, as they grew generously with no danger of being consumed. When they reached the home of Hyp and his father, they found both father and son as exhausted and distraught as any dinosaur could be. Hyp was writhing on his bed of leaves, trying to suppress the moaning noises escaping from him. His father looked old and consumed with worry. By the heaviness of his eyes, they could see that he had gotten little sleep. He kept a hand on his son's shoulder in an attempt to keep him from moving in a way that might make his injuries worse.

When he sensed their presence at the mouth of the cave, his initial reaction was to cast a "what do you want now" look at them. Tess felt empathy for the father. Many dinosaurs may have already stopped by today at the worst of times, especially Hyp's friend and their families. When he saw who they were, he stood with a ray of hope in his eyes and took a few steps toward them. At the same time, Grandpa Longneck lowers his head into the cave.

Hyp's father sounded as tired as he looked. His tone was even quieter and rougher than before. "Please… Have you heard word? My son, he…."

Grandpa Longneck nodded. "Yes. Nicolas, this young flyer is Britta. She has studied under several healers and would like to examine your boy."

Hyp's father, most likely in no mood for pleasantries, reluctantly nodded and gestured to his son. Britta smiled and set the pile of leaves down nearby before going and kneeling beside Hyp, speaking to him in gentle tones to try to calm him down.

Hyp's father glanced at them with uncertainty. "You trust her?"

Tess immediately nodded, and Grandpa Longneck, after glancing at the gentle way in which Britta was speaking to Hyp, answered. "I do."

Hyp's father nodded, seeming as convinced as he could be with a stranger, and thanked them before going back to stand near his son, who had quieted his moans to rapid breathing to listen to what Britta was saying as she introduced herself and resumed conversation.

"…. You've been so brave to have been through everything you have and still be hanging in there. It seems like quite a few ribs have been broken or injured. How are you feeling so far?"

Hyp, who had been listening as best as he could, seemed to narrow his golden eyes at her as if she had lost her mind. "It…..hurts…" Speaking still seemed to cause the poor adolescent problems at times.

Britta had observed this, and started folding the Stiff Leaves into the Tree Stars as she answered him in an informative tone. "Everything's going to hurt for a while. Speaking because your voice comes from within you, breathing, and especially moving."

"Aw, man…" Hyp seemed to accept that healing might take longer than he hoped.

Hyp's father seemed to be thinking the same thing. "How long?"

Britta folded another combination of leaves as she answered calmly. "It depends on how bad his injuries are and how cautious he is in his recovery."

Seeming satisfied that she had enough leaves, Britta continued to give Hyp instructions. "Hyp, I'm going to need you to eat some of these for me. I'm going to be honest with you and your father and say they are Stiff Leaves, but I have wrapped them in a treat for you. They are fast acting and will help with your pain. I promise I will try to find a better remedy for you, but these will have to work until I can."

Hyp really looked at her as if she had lost her mind now, but his father seemed to make sense out of this and grabbed him under the arms to pull him upright again so he could eat.

It was easier now that the brace kept Hyp steady, but it didn't ease the pain. Hyp cried out at the movement. Britta was slightly bigger than Tess, so she was able to provide a little extra help for them. She sighed and reached for one of the leaves as Hyp's father held him upright. "Alright, Hyp. Here we go, now." Take as much time as you need…."

"N-No!" Hyp turned his face away quickly. Tess assumed the poor thing hadn't eaten since the night before.

"Hyp." His father's tone carried a warning. "Now, Son. You haven't eaten more than a few bites in the last two days."

Britta held the leaf combination out to Hyp again. "It's alright, Hyp. It will make you rest better than you have since you were hurt. Trust me. Please just eat a few."

She fed it to the adolescent when he reluctantly opened his mouth. They let him chew. About halfway through, Hyp winced and shivered before quickly swallowing it whole. "UGH! What…..are….these?"

Britta smiled at the wince and held another out for him. "Lifesavers. I only need you to eat three more, and then they will start numbing the pain and help you sleep tonight."

Bite by bite, it started to get harder for Hyp to chew the bitter leaf with little help from the Tree Star, but he managed. As he chewed, Britta spoke to him and his father.

"This is a very steady brace. How did you make it for him?"

Hyp's father thought a moment. "I don't know. I just….did whatever made sense."

Britta nodded." Well, you've done everything right. I would like to see how bad the bruising and injuries are, but it would be unwise to undo the brace now. He should keep it on at all times until we see improvement. Everything will hurt him for a while. I wouldn't let him try to walk just yet, but it might not hurt to prop him against the cave entrance outside to let him get some air and eat for a while each day. Otherwise, he should rest until we start to see improvement. If he doesn't it will take a very long time for his ribs to heal. Even pressure from lifting or pushing things in any way will cause pain and could do further damage. Speaking should get easier when the pain goes away."

Hyp's father nodded silently as Hyp sighed in relief at finishing the last leaf. Britta smiled and concluded her instructions by addressing him. "And I know how you boys are, so let's put it this way. The more careful you are, the sooner you will be out and about with your friends. Got it?"

"Yeah, yeah." Tess smiled at the turning up at the corners of his mouth. It seemed he liked the pink flyer in his own way.

Britta smiled and nodded to the half shell of water. "Thirsty?"

"Yeah."

She smiled at Hyp's hopeful glance at the water and threw a Stiff Leaf in it before offering it to him.

At Hyp's angered looked, she held it to his snout. "I would hurry before the bitter taste sets in."

Hyp was thirsty enough to drink the whole thing, apparently. When he finished, he looked up at his father. "I'm….tired…."

Hyp's father nodded and helped his son to lie down. After being irritated by his father and Britta repositioning him into the best position for his recovery, he fell into a peaceful sleep.

Britta gestured to the remaining Stiff Leaves and Tree Stars. "Have him eat four of those twice a day and get all the rest he needs. He will sleep a lot, but that is what he needs. I will see if I can find something that isn't as strong and check in soon. Send word if he is sick in any way after eating those leaves."

Hyp's father looked relieved at his son's peaceful sleep, and nodded at her instructions. "Thank you."

As they left the now peaceful cave, Grandpa Longneck looked to Britta. "That was a very good thing you did for that young boy. You are welcome to stay in the Great Valley as long as you like. I'm sure many would appreciate a healer."

Tess and Britta exchanged smiles. Britta thanked Grandpa Longneck for his kindness. As he started to turn away, she took a few rushed steps forward. "Mr. Longneck? I have a question about….Pterano."

Tess turned to Britta again, wondering what the question could be. She noticed that, while Grandpa Longneck turned his head, he had hoped to hear no more of her brother for the time being.

Britta may have seen this, but continued anyway. "It's for when…or if….he returns. Do you think he has changed, or been affected badly by his banishment?"

Grandpa Longneck and Tess exchanged looks again, unsure of where she was coming from. "I honestly don't know," Grandpa Longneck has a sigh in his tone to stress the truth.

Britta crossed her arms. "I'm just afraid that if he returns he will be in shock, especially if I stay and he sees me, and I am afraid….it wouldn't be good for him or the valley."

Grandpa Longneck and Tess waited for her to continue. She had their attention because…well….she was right. For a moment, Tess thought of Petrie and how the unsteady state her brother could be in might affect him. He was used to seeing the well-spoken, strong side of his uncle, not the scared, broken side he had never seen before.

At a nod from Grandpa Longneck, Britta sighed. "It's a long shot, but I have an idea. I think we can help him, but we will need more cooperation than some might be willing to give…"

…Don't worry, guys! Britta wants the best for Pterano and everyone else and knows what she's doing. And she's alive! We'll see more details with Pterano later. Until next time :D…..