Hey, everyone. I have been writing a few chapters in relation to the arrival of Chomper's parents. I was just going to make one chapter and have them in the Great Valley by the end of this one, but it wasn't making sense because we wouldn't have seen what the Council decided. I also tried writing for the council in the next chapter, but that wouldn't have made sense without seeing the conversation you are about to see beforehand. So I decided to go ahead and post another short chapter showing the plan and a piece of Chomper's parents journey. The next few chapters will show how everything is going to pan out (yes, Threehorn will be in it :D)

Thanks so much for your feedback and I hope you enjoy the chapter. I hope to hear from you again. I was also considering breaking this story into two parts because, as you might expect, Littlefoot and the gang will be leaving the valley on another journey. I would love to see if it is best to keep it all in one story or break it up? Thanks guys!

Chapter 19 Dread

Grandpa Longneck

"No."

Grandpa Longneck sighed as he watched Nicolas stare back at him with a set expression, meaning he was likely firm in his answer. After he left Chomper and the others, he sought out the most reasonable member of the Council he could think; one that was not too soft like Thicknose, but he definitely didn't want Mr. Threehorn knowing first either. Nicolas was usually reasonable enough; of course he wouldn't agree right away. Besides, Nicolas was bound to say everything the Council combined would from all directions. He was also one of the dinosaurs who just knew the land the best. If anyone had any concerns regarding the land, they usually went to see him. Grandpa had a feeling that much of Chomper's parents' affairs would have to do with location.

Grandpa Longneck took in Nicolas' condition, not wanting to push the issue too much. He looked tired and uncomfortable as he leaned against the outside wall of his home. Britta had mentioned the accident he had earlier, but it was better to know of a situation like this beforehand, rather than finding out from…. Well, Threehorn.

Grandpa Longneck chuckled sadly. "Normally, I would answer the same as you, Nicolas. But…"

"But what?" Nicolas asked gruffly.

Grandpa Longneck hesitated. "These are the parents of Chomper. The little sharptooth has been here all this time and done no harm. His parents did trust him with us, and…they are threatened for it."

"Chomper does no harm. For now. But his parents are grown sharpteeth. Swarmers and fish won't do trick for them, Mr. Longneck. They'll starve. I'm not worried that they are….bad sharpteeth….I'm worried about when they start starving. We have no way of knowing if they will keep their word aside from Chomper."

Grandpa Longneck nodded because he had a point. This went against everything that they, and their children, were taught. But was it fair to turn away a family offering every compromise they had because of their species?

Grandpa Longneck tilted his head. "There is a family that ventured with them. A family of leaf eaters, Ruby's family. They are willing to witness to everything I just told you."

Nicolas' set expression changed to one of disbelief. "They traveled with lead eaters? Without turning on them?"

Grandpa Longneck nodded. "Also, they spared my grandson and his friends when they got trapped on an island with them some time ago."

Nicolas sighed. "They attacked the valley before."

"They were looking for their newborn hatchling, Chomper, at the time. My grandson could tell you the story behind that, too."

"I don't doubt it. Where are they coming from, anyway? How will they get in?"

Grandpa Longneck was confused. Nicolas was asking a strange set of questions for someone set on their answer. "Ruby's father agreed to show them how to navigate Two Boulder Pass on the condition that they do not cross the boundary without permission."

Nicolas kept eye contact with him. "And you're sure they won't break their word?"

"I'll have to meet them myself, but…I'm fairly certain. I would imagine Chomper would be very disappointed if they did."

Nicolas lowered his head and sighed. "If there are witnesses, and they seem true to their word upon meeting them at the boundary, I would vote they could live here under strict conditions."

Grandpa Longneck smiled. "And what do you suggest?"

"First, I suggest getting all the information you can from them before allowing them to cross the border. Send quite a few residents capable of driving them out. I would, but I don't know if I could make it that far right now. I suggest Threehorn go as well."

"Why is that? I don't think Threehorn would be the friendliest…"

Nicolas winced when he tried to push himself up. "I'm not concerned about the friendliest greeter. Threehorn is no fool; he'll be able to tell where they stand when it comes down to it."

Nicolas knew Threehorn well; in fact, the two were very similar. Except that Nicolas didn't let anger and pride cloud his judgment when it came time for a decision. And he was quiet. He might show anger at first, but in the end, he turned to reason. Threehorn, on the other hand….

"Nicolas, I don't think he will be able to conduct himself well-"

"Which is why you have to let him see. I don't think you're going to be able to convince him any other way. Tell him I would like him to go in my place, since I can't."

Grandpa Longneck smiled. It wasn't going to be easy, but he agreed with Nicolas. "Granted. And the other suggestions?"

"There are several passes into the valley. Most make it impossible for sharpteeth to enter, but there are some I know of that make it hard for them to enter just because they don't know how."

Grandpa Longneck had no idea where he was going with this. "I am familiar with them, but I don't think it's wise to show them every way-"

"No. Just one way. I suggest closing Two Boulder Pass for good once they cross. Then show them how to travel along the pass to Threehorn Peak. It lets out into woods in the Mysterious Beyond. They can come and go as they please, but they would need to be sure no other sharpteeth follow them."

Grandpa Longneck brightened. "You're saying you think they could use the pass to…feed….outside of the valley?"

Nicolas nodded stiffly. "If the occasional sharptooth gets in here, that is usually how. I would also suggest having them live away from the other herds. I would think they would be fine living in the area of the tall trees near Threehorn Peak Pass. There is some water there, and they could take responsibility for the Pass."

"You mean…leaving it up to them to guard the pass?"

"If you and Threehorn find them trustworthy, I feel it is a fair compromise. They can easily be driven out that way, should anything go wrong. In the meantime, we should think of what to do with the pass if that does happen."

There was a moment of heavy silence. Grandpa Longneck sighed. "Let's hope it doesn't.

When Nicolas remained silent, he turned away. "I must admit, I am nervous over this matter."

Nicolas' quiet response surprised him. "You're just being fair. That's why you're a good leader. I vote in favor as long as you and Threehorn find them trustworthy."

Just then, Hyp and Ella appeared with an armful of leaves and herbs, probably from Britta. Hyp sat his pile down by Nicolas.

"Hi, Dad," he said quietly.

Ella sat the herbs down, making Nicolas grimace at the sight of them, then nuzzled him. "Hey, Uncle Nicolas."

"Hey, kids."

"Hyp, are your ribs getting any better?" Grandpa asked with a smile.

The young adolescent chuckled and rubbed his side. "Yeah, I barely feel 'em."

Grandpa Longneck smiled at the teenagers, then turned to Nicolas. "I suppose you won't be able to make it to tonight's meeting then?"

Nicolas hesitated. "I would like to, but…"

When he tried to stand up, he winced and crumpled back to the ground trembling.

"Okay, I can't go," he panted.

"Dad! Quit trying to stand up," Hyp scolded.

Nicolas' expression made the old longneck chuckle. This was the same thing Nicolas got on to his son for not long ago. "What goes around comes around, I suppose."

"You're telling me." Nicolas shifted around and leaned against the rock wall of his home wearily.

Grandpa Longneck started to turn away, then had an idea. "Nicolas, would your son like to sit in on the meeting in your place? To keep you informed? I imagine he is old enough now…"

Hyp dropped the leaves he was arranging for his dad. "Huh?"

Ella gasped excitedly. "No way!" She crossed her arms and glared at her cousin. "How come you get to do all the cool stuff?"

Nicolas glanced at his son, then nodded to Grandpa Longneck. "He'll be there."

Hyp seemed a little nervous. "But-"

"We'll see you then, Hyp. And thank you, Nicolas. You've been so helpful. I hope you get to feeling better."

Nicolas nodded, and then Grandpa Longneck was off, feeling sure that maybe there was, as always, a compromise after all. He was sure the Council would at least agree to try. Eventually. Suddenly, a ceremony for Pterano to marry the well-liked Britta seemed as easy as pulling a tree star from the trees.

Chomper's Father

If he ever realized how much he hated trees, it was now. The closer they got to Two Boulder Pass, the thicker the trees got.

He huffed back to Risa, who was trailing behind him with Ruby's father as he stomped down trees with every growl.

"There's. Got. To. Be. A. Better. Way. Than. This."

Risa cracked a smile. "Oh, Saban. I've seen you stomp more trees than this."

When I have something to hunt for. Saban kept quiet and knocked down a few more before making the mistake of stomping on one too high. The top of the tree whipped back and popped him right under the jaw, causing him to lose his balance easily. It took a few moments for the stinging to set in; but when it did, it hurt so bad he let out an agonized roar. He desperately flailed his little arms to try to scratch at it, and let out another frustrated screech when he couldn't reach it.

Ruby's father backed off as Risa approached, still chuckling.

"Ooohhh…." When she nuzzled him under the chin where it hurt, all his frustration melted away.

He gradually stood up as Risa pushed on his back with the end of her nose.

"At least you have a good excuse for losing your balance this time, dear." Risa laughed as she helped him, irritating him. He hated that he had one evident flaw. Being knocked off balance too easily. And he hated being teased about it even more.

"You want to try?!" he snapped.

He stepped back for Risa to pass as she glared as him. As Risa growled and stepped forward, Ruby's father ran in front of them.

"Maybe it would help if you simply weaved through the trees?" he asked gently. When they just stared at him blankly, he smiled a little. "The residents might feel threatened if you stomp through the trees to greet them."

"Like I care what a bunch of leaf eater thi-" he stopped grumbling when Risa shot him a look.

"What?" he asked, "He has no idea what he's saying. We're sharpteeth."

Risa gave him the "you're not helping" look, proceeded to the nearest thicket of trees, and began attempting to weave through as they watched. It didn't go so well, but his mate surprised him by getting further than he thought she would. Just when he started to think she was going to prove him wrong again, one of her feet got tangled in a mess of vines. As she flailed around trying to free herself, her upper body got caught in the branches of the same tree above her. She fought a few minutes, then began rumbling in frustration when she only got even more stuck.

Ruby's father looked guilty and worried. Saban just laughed, partially to prove his point to Risa and also to show Ruby's father she would be alright. And it was pretty funny. He only laughed harder when Risa heard and roared at him in anger. She was kind, but she could be even more aggressive than he usually was. That was one of the many reasons he loved her.

When Ruby's father cracked a small smile, Risa used her claws to free herself from the branches and stomped the tree down like it was a twig. She used her free foot to snap all the vines around her other foot, then walked away without a word, stomping down trees as she went.

Saban just had to laugh one more time so she could hear. When he got an angry warning growl as a response, he shared a glance with Ruby's father, who seemed to be reconsidering his idea.

The fast-runner shrugged. "Well, maybe we could save that until a few trees before the pass."

Even though he would never understand this, Saban muttered it anyway as they went after his mate. "And stay a few yards behind Risa."

It was a hot hot day, and all Saban wanted to do was take a trip to the watering hole. He didn't want to spend the day doing Red Claw's bidding. Water would be nice, but he also wanted to see the most beautiful sharptooth he had ever seen in his life. Maybe she wouldn't growl at him this time.

As he contemplated on his approach, a familiar roar stopped him in his steps.

"Saban, where are you going?"

Saban winced. Red Claw. They had all been friends since they were hatchlings: he, Red Claw, and Ramon. There was no doubt that Red Claw was the most powerful sharptooth in the land, capable of overpowering anyone and destined to be feared by everyone including other sharpteeth. But as sharpteeth got older, friendship vanished into a matter of dominance.

Ramon had been lucky. He found his mate and slowly broke away, only seeing Saban when Red Claw wasn't around. He hoped Red Claw never intended to become the tyrant he was turning out to be, but he wasn't sure. And, as much as he hated to say it, he was tired of Red Claw's cruelty. Aside from Red Claw, he was known to be one of the strongest sharpteeth around. All he wanted was to be free; to live his own life, hunt on his own, and find his own territory. But explaining that to Red Claw was like telling the Great Wall of the Great Valley to move. Only Red Claw fought back.

Ramon tiled his chin to the left and replied. "Water."

Red Claw stiffened, then nodded. "Fine. I'll start the hunt."

Saban left it at that and traveled to the watering hole. He scanned the area, worrying that he might have gotten there at the wrong time. Suddenly, he heard a loud growl from across the watering hole. Ramon was already wading across the watering hole to meet him. Saban stopped and stared when he spotted Risa standing beside Aria, glaring at him from across the watering hole.

Saban just managed a nervous toothy grin. She snarled a question to Aria that sounded something like, "What is he doing here?"

Ramon looked over his shoulder when Saban didn't answer, then cringed. "Better luck this time?" he asked doubtfully as they started across the watering hole.

Saban snorted. "What are you talking about?"

He tried rehearsing what to say to Risa as he approached, but he soon found himself standing in front of her blank. He didn't understand. He never got nervous; except when Risa was staring at him like he was some scavenger annoying her for an easy meal.

Since he couldn't find his words, he spoke to Aria first. "Hey, Aria."

"Hi, Saban." She sounded a little worried when she answered, so he decided to take a drink before lifting his head and addressing Risa.

"Nice seeing you again, uhh…"

"Risa." Aria said it harsh enough for him to read "you idiot" between the lines.

"Go away!" Risa looked as if she would lunge when she screeched at him, causing him to step back reflexively.

As Saban stood frozen with a puzzled expression, Ramon tried to help him out. "Aw, just talk to him, Risa."

Aria made an effort, too. "You might like him. He's very funny."

Saban was only glad Risa wasn't coming for him when she turned to talk to them. "He's works for that tyrant, Red Claw. What is there to like?"

It wasn't a big surprise that Risa didn't like Red Claw; not many sharpteeth did because he hurt their pride with his dominance. Her dislike for him meant she was the sharptooth of his dreams: beautiful in his eyes, aggressive, smart, and…that was all he knew about her for now since she wouldn't let him get close enough to really say hello.

Thankfully, Ramon came to his defense. "It's more complicated than that, Risa. He was once a friend of Red Claw's when he was younger, and is just stuck in the same situation I was in before I met Aria. That doesn't make him bad."

Aria agreed with her mate. "Besides, I've seen him stop Red Claw from doing more harm many times."

Risa seemed to consider this, but that didn't mean she softened as she turned to him. "You stop Red Claw?"

Saban flinched because the answer definitely wasn't impressive. Thanks, Aria. Still, it was something.

"If you consider talking him out of it stopping him, yes." He answered in embarrassment, but he wasn't exactly sure what made Risa and the others chuckle. Maybe it was funny because it was so pathetic.

But when Risa looked back at him, her glowing red eyes had softened. "Well, I guess that's better than a family of sharpteeth being harmed for no reason."

Saban was humiliated; he would never impress her now. Sharpteeth didn't talk, they fought. But who could stand a ghost of a chance against Red Claw?

Saban narrowed his eyes. "I guess."

Risa hesitated before speaking again. "It's Saban, right?"

Saban brightened. She knew his name! But how?

He tilted his head in confusion. "Yeah. But how would you know? You hardly even let me drink out of the same watering hole."

Everyone around him laughed because it was funny, but as long as Risa wasn't growling, he could live with that.

Risa glanced at Ramon and Aria. "These two. They talk about you all the time. I thought I might as well let you cross this time."

This time, it was Saban who laughed. She even had a slight sense of humor.

"Well, it's been nice getting water. Can I come more often?" he asked.

Just when Risa smiled, a familiar low growl sounded in the background. Saban barely had time to flinch before Red Claw appeared from between the peaks, chasing after a swimmer. When he spotted Saban and the others, he abandoned his pursuit and scanned the scene before nodding to Ramon.

"Ramon, Aria, it's been a while." Anyone could tell his acknowledgement carried a threatening demeanor.

"Saban," Ramon commented timidly as he stepped in front of Aria protectively.

Red Claw found no challenge in Ramon's response and lost interest. Saban's heart dropped when he started toward Risa.

"Saban. Who's your friend there?" He leaned over to examine an annoyed Risa, who snarled at him when he got too close. She was bold to threaten Red Claw.

Red Claw chuckled dangerously and stepped closer. "Daring, aren't we?"

Risa put all her weight on her back leg, ready to back away. "Just stay away from me," she roared.

Red Claw looked as if he were about to hurt her, so Saban stepped between them. "She is only a friend of Aria's, Red Claw. There's no need to hurt her."

Red Claw looked doubtful, but drew back all the same. "Why shouldn't I?"

Saban hardened his heart so he could say what needed to be said. All chances of ever speaking to Risa again might be ruined, but saving her was worth it.

"We can still catch that swimmer. She doesn't look that good, anyway." That hurt even him, but he kept his face set in a hardened expression.

Red Claw drew back in amusement. "You're right. Let's go get that swimmer, Saban."

When Red Claw was far enough ahead, Saban looked behind him and purred so softly no one else could hear. "Sorry."

But when he looked back, Risa was already gone.

He let Risa go as far as the next watering hole. When they all stopped to drink, Ruby's father made the suggestion Saban had been waiting for.

"Why don't we all rest for the night?"

Risa looked hesitant, but Saban nodded his head as conspicuously as possible to show he couldn't be more in agreement. Ruby's father chuckled and began searching for a place. Saban went over and nuzzled his mate.

"We've got to rest sometime."

Risa looked painfully worried. "Chomper said he would come back. Why isn't he here?"

Saban drew back. "I think it's going to take longer than one day for them to decide something, dear. Besides, I would be angry if they let him leave this late. Other sharpteeth are hunting."

Risa chuckled when she considered this. "I guess you're right."

Saban nuzzled her again. "Speaking of hunting…"

Risa drew back with a stern expression. "You can't be hungry after eating that whole longneck earlier."

Saban roared back defensively. He didn't like being hungry. It made him feel weak. "Well, I am."

He turned his head up when he heard a flapping sound; it was a flyer traveling back to his nest. He stomped over to the tree and turned so only Risa could see him. He looked at her and made a chomping gesture with his teeth before looking back up at the flyer's nest.

Risa took a quick look at Ruby's father, who had his back turned at the moment, then popped him in the back of his hind legs with her tail. Saban screeched and tried to reach the back on his legs. He hated it when she did that.

"Will you stop that?!" he roared.

"You know we can't do that right now, Saban."

"The heck I can't," he sneered.

"You're not that hungry," Risa retorted.

Saban stood with a grin and playfully snapped at her snout. He blocked her tail whip with his tail just in time.

"Not this time."

He gave her a smug look as she licked his cheek. When he turned away to find their own place to rest, he noticed Ruby's father wore a small smile. Great.