Hey, guys. Here is the next chapter. I would like to thank all of you for the kind and enthusiastic feedback. It helps me so much to know how you engage with the story! As always, I hope to hear what you think about this chapter. It mostly deals with how the Great Valley is handling the matter of Chomper' parents moving into the valley. Business, but with a little of cute moments and humor. Please excuse me if there are grammar errors. I just had time to write, but not to edit because I am going somewhere and thought you would like something to read until I can post again. Hope you enjoy and can't wait to hear from you! Next chapter is back to Risa and Saban.

Chapter 20 The Big Hash

Hyp

"Nicolas, I need you to lift your head for me, okay?"

Hyp let his aunt hold onto him as they watched Britta try to speak with his dad. Ella stood on her own, but kept her hands clasped in front of her. Lexie wasn't there. And Britta was trying to coax his dad, who was usually an early riser on his own, to wake up.

His father reluctantly lifted his head and gave Britta his silent "what?" look. For the first time since he fell out of the tree, Hyp felt himself relax a little. Britta, who had been patting at his face for a while, stood back and gave him some space.

When his father just nodded with a confused expression, she managed a tiny laugh. "Well, can you tell me how you feel?"

His dad thought a moment before giving one of his usual simple answers in a quiet voice. "Tired…"

"I can see that." Britta reached out and pressed one side of his face that hadn't seemed to move yet. "How does this feel?"

Hyp was surprised his dad let her do that, but he didn't seem like he had the energy to draw back either.

"Numb," he answered. "I…barely felt it."

The one side seemed to move a little that time. Britta sat upright on her knees for a moment and tilted her head in thought. "Hm."

After a moment of silence, she gestured to his leg. "Do you think you can walk?"

He seemed to consider this for a moment. "I…really don't want to."

Everyone that could laughed a little, then he asked his next question. "How long have I been asleep?"

Britta gave Hyp a look as a cue to speak up, so he stepped forward and knelt before his father, trying not to shake. "All day. I'm sorry, Dad. I know you didn't want me telling anyone, but I didn't know what else to do. I…couldn't get you to wake up."

His dad considered this a moment before his eyes finally softened. "It's alright, son."

Hyp sighed in relief and gently nudged the side of his father's face with his nose before stepping away and searching Britta's eyes for answers. She sighed and knelt before his father once more.

His father seemed to be looking for answers as well. Eventually, he spoke first. "I don't have to stand up, do I?"

Britta giggled and shook her head. "No, not today. But eventually, I want to see you walking on that leg."

Hyp spread his hands, running out of patience. "What's wrong with him, Britta?"

Britta sighed. "It's hard to say because whatever happened is apparently over. But I think he's had something one of my old teachers called a 'mini-stroke'."

"What's that?" Ella asked.

Britta shrugged. "We don't know anything for sure. That was only one teacher's theory. We can't prove it. But we think it is a kind of shock the body goes through after some kind of stress."

Heather stepped forward. "Can it happen again?"

Britta nodded with a grave expression. "Yes, and each time is worse. Some dinosaurs have been left paralyzed if they aren't careful."

Hyp's heart stopped. He didn't understand how his dad could just sit there and listen. This couldn't happen. Not to his dad.

"How can we make it better?" he asked hopefully.

Britta stood. "Rest. I can bright some herbs to help you relax…and more for the pain in your leg."

When his father remained silent, she gave him one of those stern looks she often used on Hyp. "Make sure you take them. And let these teenagers get themselves out of the tree next time!"

Hyp flinched, feeling guilty for the millionth time since he asked Mutt to get those stupid apples. As if on cue, Ella spoke up. "What did you guys want from the tree, anyway."

Hyp blushed when everyone stared, then shook his head and spoke in the same harsh tone he used with Mutt and Nod. "None of your business."

Heather gently pulled Ella back. "Ella, shh. That's enough." His aunt turned to Britta. "Does he need someone to stay with him for a few days?"

His father tried to answer. "No, that's-"

"Yes," Britta answered over him, "to make sure he doesn't do anything he's not supposed to. I'll be back to check on him."

"Can you check on Lexie, too? She hasn't been feeling well the last few days." His aunt sounded worried. Hyp shifted his gaze to cave across from theirs.

Britta stood. "Of course. Where is she?"

"She's sleeping."

Ella began walking toward the exit of the cave. "I'll go see if I can wake her up."

Hyp stood. "I can stay with dad, Aunt Heather."

Heather gently guided him to the exit of the cave. "Why don't you go with Ella for the afternoon and let me, Hyp? You've been worrying all night. You and I can switch at sundown."

"Oh, okay." Hyp looked back and forth between his dad and his aunt for a moment. He really didn't want to leave his dad yet, but if he didn't leave the cave for a while, he was sure he'd go crazy.

"Is that okay, Dad?"

His father nodded. "Go ahead, son."

Hyp went to the corner of the cave and took the red fruits his father threw down the night before. He started to take two, then thought better of it and set one down in front of his dad.

"Aw, how thoughtful of you, Hyp," Heather chimed.

His dad eyed the fruit with a puzzled expression. "Who's the other one for?"

Hyp thought fast. "Uuhh… Britta."

He quickly shoved the other one at the pink flyer with a "just go with it" expression.

Britta narrowed her eyes. "How sweet," she said flatly.

His dad didn't look like he bought it, but he laid his chin back on his forearms and closed his eyes anyway. When Hyp and Britta were between Lexie and Ella's cave, Hyp reached for the apple. "Thanks for holding it for me, Britta."

Before he could reach it, Britta snatched it away and held it up. "Who's it for?" she asked.

Hyp stepped back with his head bowed in embarrassment because he knew he wasn't getting it without telling her. When he didn't say anything, she took a guess. "Is it for Lexie?"

Hyp nodded, still not looking at her. "Didn't your crazy boyfriend or whatever say a red fruit a day keeps the healer away?"

Britta laughed when she realized what he was talking about. "Well, that's what they say. He was really trying to coax his nieces and nephews into eating their dinner instead of asking for berries. Why?"

Hyp tried to reach for it again, but when she snatched it away, he answered. "I-I was gonna ask her to go to the Day of Celebration with me, okay?"

Britta's face brightened with a sweet smile. "Oh, Hyp. Really?"

Hyp scuffed his toe on the ground. "Aw, man."

Britta held out the fruit. "But…you're giving her a red fruit?"

"I thought it would help better than flowers." Hyp snatched the red fruit away and kept walking.

Britta shrugged and followed. "Well, I guess it's a nice gesture."

Hyp narrowed his eyes with a smug smile. "So did your crazy boyfriend used to give you stuff."

"For the last time, Hyp. He's not crazy and he's not really my boyfriend."

Hyp shrugged. "Whatever."

"And he usually gave me flowers."

"How original," Hyp said flatly.

Just as they were about to duck into the cave, Ella sprinted out. "Britta, thank goodness! You've got to come quick. I don't think Lexie can breathe!"

"What?" Hyp asked. Both he and Ella followed closely behind Britta and into the back where Lexie was lying on a bed of grass. Hyp cringed at the sight before him; Lexie was writhing on the bed of grass like she was in pain. It looked like she was somewhere between crying and trying to catch her breath. Britta was by her side in an instant, raising her voice in a calm manner.

"Lexie. Lexie, I need you to listen to me. Lexie."

When Lexie just continued thrashing, Britta pushed her over so that she was laying on her side and patted Lexie's face in what Nod's mom called "love taps." Not quite a tap, but not really a slap either.

This helped a little, but Lexie's breathing was still ragged. Britta looked over her shoulder and spoke to them quietly. "She's just panicking. Can someone hand me that bowl of herbs over there?"

Hyp shrunk into a corner because he wasn't sure if he could move. Ella grabbed the herbs and quietly handed them to Britta, who got a handful of them and gradually got Lexie to take them. It took a few moments for Lexie to settle down, and a few more for her breathing to return to normal. Hyp didn't know how Britta stayed so calm. She spoke to Lexie in a strong, calm voice until she calmed down enough to open her eyes. Eventually, Lexie was lying on her side like she was just resting.

When Britta was sure Lexie was alright, she sat back on her knees. "That bad?" she asked.

"I'm sorry…." Lexie mumbled sweetly.

"You have nothing to apologize for. Were you hurting that bad?"

"Yeah," Lexie answered softly, "the pain just got so bad that I… I wanted to get to Mom, but…"

"It's okay." Britta began straightening the grass bed like she owned the place. "Where was the pain this time?"

"Almost everywhere." Lexie glanced over her shoulder at Hyp, still standing in the corner. "Oh, I'm so embarrassed…"

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about," Britta assured her as she held up the herbs from the bowl, "just take these more often. I can make more if you run out. And Hyp has something that might help you feel better. Right, Hyp?"

Hyp startled, nearly dropping the apple. "Huh? Now?" Thanks a lot, Britta. He still had no idea what to say.

She grinned at him over her shoulder. "Now might be a good time, don't you think?"

"I, uhh…" He felt himself being pushed forward, and glanced behind him to see Ella pushing him with the end of her nose.

Hyp jerked away from her and walked the rest of the way himself on knees that felt like goo. He slowly placed the red fruit in front of a puzzled Lexie. "I-I got this for ya."

Lexie picked it up. "A red fruit?"

"Yeah," Hyp laughed and extended a thumb over his shoulder to point at Britta. "I heard it's supposed to keep Britta outta here."

Lexie looked surprised, then giggled when Ella sputtered. "Huh," she said, then placed it on the rock near her bed of grass.

"Is that all?" Britta asked bitterly.

"Shut up…" Hyp mumbled over his shoulder.

"Ask her already, Hyp." Ella asked curiously, probably wanting to know what it was.

"I need a chance first!" Hyp shouted, then he realized that Lexie was still crouched on her bed tilting her head in confusion. He decided to turn away from everything else altogether before he blew it.

He tried to use the same tone he learned to use when he spoke to Baby Mae the day he apologized, but the words weren't quite coming out for him. "I…was…w-wondering if you would…go to….the….Day of….Celebration…with me?"

Lexie looked around like she was trying to figure out who he was talking to before pointing to herself. "Me?" she asked timidly.

When Hyp nodded, he was reminded of everyone else's existence when Ella spoke up. "Aww! How swee-" Ella's green eyes popped open in realization. "What is the Day of Celebration?"

When Hyp realized Britta couldn't answer because she didn't know either, he was forced to. "It's a day we have in the hot times to celebrate the Great Valley and….all the other stuff we're lucky to have or whatever."

"Yes," a gentle voice answered from behind.

Hyp swung around in disbelief. "Huh?"

"I would love to," Lexie answered.

All Hyp could do was smile as relief flooded through him.

"So she really said yes, Hyp?"

"'Course she said yes!" Hyp glanced at Nod to confirm his answer as they sat outside his cave late the next day. Thanks to his dad and Old Longneck, he had to spend the afternoon going to a dumb Council meeting, and he was planning to prolong this time as much as possible.

"Wow," was all Mutt had to say.

"Bet I know who Nod wants to ask," Hyp whispered to Mutt as he gestured over to Amy, who was talking to Ella outside their cave.

"Yeah," Mutt laughed, "who is it?"

Hyp smirked and watched Nod stare at her blankly instead of answering. After a few moments of this, Amy noticed and glared at him over her shoulder. Nod seemed to think it was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, but those piercing brown eyes made Hyp cringe.

Eventually, Amy ran out of patience. "WHAT?!" she snapped over her shoulder.

Nod went stiff. "Hi," was all he said.

Amy's eyes popped open in surprise. She turned away and disappeared into Ella's cave. Ella laughed silently as a gesture to Hyp before ducking inside.

Hyp jumped in surprised when he heard the sound of cackles behind him. He then noticed that longneck kid and his group of hatchlings had stopped their game of rolling rocks back and forth and were now giggling and Nod and Amy. Hyp growled just loud enough for them to snap back into their games and reclined back against the outside of his home with a smug smile to finish listening to Mutt and Nod argue.

"Well, who're you gonna ask?" Nod asked Mutt defensively.

"Well, uhh…" Mutt glanced in the direction of the cave like he was thinking. Hyp had just started to reach for the skin on his throat when his father called for him for what must be the fifth time now.

"HYP! I SAID COME. HERE."

Hyp scrambled to his feet because he knew this was the last straw.

"Where you goin'?" Mutt asked.

"Some dumb meeting for Dad. I'll see you later, guys." Hyp brushed some blades of grass off and went inside where his dad was waiting.

"You're going to be late now," his dad snapped.

"But Dad…" Hyp begged, "I don't even know what to do!"

"Just sit there. And listen so you can tell me."

Hyp sighed because he knew he wasn't getting out of it. "Okay."

His dad's hand closed around the end of his tail when he started to walk off. Aw, man. Hyp turned around, squeezing his tail. "Yeah, Dad?"

"Do you remember what I said if they ask for a witness to repeat what I said?"

Hyp went blank. "Uh…"

His father sighed. "Get information, block Two Boulder if they pass…."

Hyp huffed. "Have them live in the area of tall trees to guard Threehorn Peak Pass and use it to hunt. Got it. Dad?"

"Yeah, son?"

"Why are you agreeing to let sharpteeth come to the valley? I…don't want them here."

His dad gave him a serious look. "I don't either, son. But sometimes it's not about what you want, it's about being fair. You'd do well to learn that now before you turn out like-"

Hyp snickered. "Threehorn? Why would you send him to Two Boulder, anyway?"

"You tell me," his dad answered.

Hyp thought. "Well, I guess he's a good fighter. But isn't the point to let them into the valley?"

"Yeah, if they are truthful about their intentions. Once he calms down, he'll be a fair judge."

"Whatever," Hyp mumbled, "who's gonna be able to calm him down, anyway?"

"Longneck," his dad answered, "now run before you miss the meeting."

"We'll be there all night!" Hyp exclaimed.

His dad shrugged. "Have fun."

The Gathering Place was crowded by the time Hyp got there and, of course, the meeting had yet to start. Unfortunately. The weird thing was that there seemed to be other creatures besides the Council present. Britta was standing with Grandma Longneck, chatting with Tria and Petrie's mother. And that crazy Pterano guy was standing with Grandpa Longneck and Mr. Thicknose. And Hyp was positive he wasn't on the council. Plus, several kids were standing to the side with their mothers. He spotted the Chomper kid over with Littlefoot and that Fast Runner girl. He even spotted Nod's mother standing around.

He wondered why there seemed to be such a scattered array of people. Usually, only Council members and those with business were allowed at these hearings. And Council members had certain requirements; the one about having to be in the valley for a certain amount of time alone would count the majority of these people out.

Hyp made his way over to Grandpa Longneck, who brightened when he spotted him. "Ah, Hyp. Just in time. We were just about to start."

"Great…" Hyp muttered, "Hey, what is everyone else doing here?"

Grandpa Longneck looked around. "Well, we are about to make a big decision that requires efforts from everyone. They are all welcome to observe, but only the Council speaks unless some is called on. And I think this is an excellent opportunity for you to learn did your father tell you what to do?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Grandpa Longneck smiled. "I'll let you know-"

"Hold on there!" Hyp cringed because that was no other than the sound of Mr. Threehorn. He shrunk back as Mr. Threehorn stomped his way through the crowd and approached. "I don't know what this meeting is for, but I do know that you are to be seen, not heard. Understand?"

Hyp nodded and scooted around him. "Yeah. Dad already said so."

He pushed his way past Mr. Threehorn, who didn't look quite finished, and made his way over to Britta and the bunch of hatchlings now standing with her.

Hyp sat down beside her and sighed. "So what are you here for?"

Britta smiled like it was a joke. "I got called here to make a statement about health concerns."

Tria sputtered. "That wouldn't be on account of my lovely spouse, would it?"

Britta snickered and nodded to confirm the prediction as everyone giggled. Pterano guffawed. "And what are you going to say?"

Britta sighed and spoke in an official, monotone voice. "All health concerns in relation to this issue are self-explanatory."

Cera looked doubtful. "That's it?"

Something in their tone sounded like they already knew about the reason for the meeting. Hyp wondered how. He dismissed the thought and crossed his feet. "We're gonna be here all night."

He was close enough to hear Mr. Longneck clear his throat to get everyone's attention. When everyone kept chatting, Mr. Threehorn took it from there.

"QUIIIIIIEEEET!"

The following silence was so quiet they could hear the hoppers croaking.

Mr. Longneck spoke up. "Ahem, thank you. Now, before we begin, the Council would like to specify that no one except the Council speaks unless called upon on. Agreed?"

There was a murmur that must have meant "yes," so the meeting began. Hyp prepared himself for the popping of the big question, but was surprised to find that Mr. Longneck was smarter than that.

"Now, before we state the question, I would like everyone to consider some proceeding statements first. I must ask everyone to keep silent as the ones who are called upon speak. Now, I would like to call Chomper, Ruby, and her family up first."

Ruby's mother, who Hyp had never seen a trace of before, came up and held out her hand to Chomper, who seemed to be cowering against Mrs. Longneck's foot. "Come on, Chomper. Don't be afraid," she said softly.

Chomper finally went with them with a shove from Littlefoot and stood in the middle of the circle. Hyp listened to the whole thing because there was nothing else to do. The little sharptooth apparently had instructions from Longneck not to start with the question. Instead, he talked about the visit he had with his parents outside the Great Wall, and what they had to go through to see him. Apparently, Red Claw had gained increasing power in the Mysterious Beyond, and kept watch for Littlefoot's gang and their families around the Great Wall.

Ruby's soft spoken mother spoke after him, stating nicely enough that she and her family were familiar with Chomper's family, and that they had gone through the same threats Chomper's parents were going through. Hyp softened a little; now it made more sense why Grandpa Longneck would even consider letting Sharpteeth into their valley. He had missed that part when Longneck and his dad had talked.

He guess it would be kind of cool to be the first herd ever in the Great Valley to coincide with sharpteeth. It would be like they could handle anything after that, but what if the sharpteeth broke their word? What if more attacked and others who weren't strong enough to defend themselves got hurt? Like Baby Mae and… Lexie? Suddenly, images from his father's story flashed through his mind. Max's wounded throat and the gaping hole in his Uncle Aaron's stomach. Suddenly, a slight shudder went through his body.

Pterano, now standing behind Britta, felt it and looked down with a concerned expression. "Are you alright?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Hyp snapped, slightly scooting away.

When Ruby stopped witnessing or whatever, her mother pulled her away with her. Back into the shadows of the longnecks, leaving Chomper alone.

Grandpa Longneck cleared his throat. "Now that everyone has heard the conditions-"

Finally, Threehorn was out of patience. "What are you asking? What's the point?" he snapped.

"Go ahead, Chomper." Grandma Longneck prompted.

The little sharpteeth shuddered and took a deep breath. "My parents…w-ould…like permission to….live somewhere in the Valley." He flinched back when he finished.

There was dead silence for a moment then everyone, Council or not, erupted into objections, panic, laughter, statements…whatever. Hyp just looked around because he had already done that when Grandpa Longneck left.

Apparently, not all of Littlefoot's gang knew yet. Ruby and Littlefoot kept silent like Hyp, but all the rest had various reactions. Hyp wondered how his friends would react if they were here.

Cera, of course, spoke first. "NO WAY!"

Spike stuck his head in the ground, while Ducky's hands flew to her face. "Oh, no no no! Why would Chomper ask that?"

Petrie's teeth were doing all the chattering for him, but Littlefoot and Ruby were defensive. "Because his parents are in trouble. They were our friends," Littlefoot answered.

Britta and Pterano just stared at the ground and kept silent as Tria tilted her head and looked at Mrs. Longneck.

Suddenly, there was a loud thud as someone stomped their foot. "NOOOOOO! GET OUT OF HERE!"

Everyone gasped when Mr. Threehorn charged Chomper, who panicked and broke out in a run. Grandma Longneck grabbed his by the tail and lifted him off the ground just in time.

"TOPSY!" Tria scolded.

Topps wasn't listening. He jumped up, shouting as he tried to get at Chomper. "HOW DARE YOU COME HERE AND ASK THAT? I KNEW YOU WERE TROUBLE! I'M GOING TO-"

He didn't get any further. Britta, moving as quick as a fish in water, pulled a strong-smelling ring of flowers out from behind Mrs. Longneck's foot and managed to slip it around Threehorn's two horns. The threehorn's pupils instantly shrunk as he began to stumble around.

"I'm gonna….I'm gonna…." He fell to the ground with a thud, still mumbling.

Grandma Longneck set a terrified Chomper by Hyp. "Please don't hurt me. I wanna go home," he was crying.

Hyp looked up at her. "What am I supposed to do with him?"

"Get him to calm down," she stated, then raised her head.

Hyp huffed and patted his back. "It's okay, Chomper. Look, Britta knocked him out."

Meanwhile, Britta had made her way over to Threehorn and, to everyone's surprise, slapped so hard across the face he startled.

"Shame on you! Attacking a child."

Something about those flowers practically had Threehorn purring. Eventually, he gathered the willpower to scrape at them with his paw. "Get these off…" he mumbled.

"Will you calm down if I do? He's only asking a question."

Mr. Threehorn murmured. Britta looked at Tria, who made her way over to Threehorn and rested a paw on his side. "Go," she said.

Soon after Britta slipped the flowers off his head, he shook off and started to stand. But when Tria horned him in the side, he stayed down. But that didn't stop him from talking.

"No," he answered firmly, "absolutely not. Do you know what you're asking of the valley? Do you realize the danger?"

Chomper nodded from his place, Suddenly, Hyp wished he wasn't in the middle. "Y-yeah," he answered, "but…"

"But nothing," Threehorn answered, "consider this meeting over."

"Threehorn," Grandpa Longneck warned. "this meeting is not over. The Council has yet to speak."

Threehorn murmured to himself, but kept quiet. Britta made her way back over to them and tossed the flowers behind Grandma Longneck's foot.

"What are those?" Hyp asked.

"Happy Flowers," she answered.

Finally, Mr. Thicknose spoke up. "Chomper, the only reason we live here in the valley is to protect ourselves from sharpteeth. Why would we even consider your request? It breaks everything we've ever heard of and jeopardizes our safety. What makes your parents different from any other sharpteeth?"

"They're good. They want to learn to be like…me," he answered.

Mr. Thicknose shook his head as everyone murmured in doubtful tones. "That's not enough, son."

Littlefoot ran to the middle of the circle. "Wait! His parents spared me and my friends when we got stuck on the Mysterious Island!"

Mr. Thicknose tilted his head. "Is that true, young ones?" he asked the others.

All of the longneck's friends glanced at one another, then nodded silently.

"And they know my family!" Ruby ran forward. "They wanted me to keep Chomper safe here so he could learn how dinosaurs get along."

Some dinosaurs actually seemed to be thinking, but Mr. Clubtail wasn't convinced. "Still not enough," he stated, "critters won't do the thick for big sharpteeth like that. Anyways, we wouldn't want 'em livin' around us. Sorry, kid."

"But Mr. Clubtail, would you consider if we had an idea that would allow them to hunt away from the valley, and live somewhere off to the side?"

Mr. Clubtail considered it. "Well, maybe. But that couldn't be known. I can't think of a location like that, and Nicolas ain't here."

"I spoke with him earlier," Mr. Longneck explained.

"Finally, someone with sense," Mr. Threehorn commented.

"Where's his boy?" Mr. Clubtail asked.

"He's here," Longneck answered.

"Call him up. I wanna hear it from him," said Mr. Clubtail.

Aw, man. Hyp didn't stand until Longneck called him to the front and center. He just stood there until Mr. Clubtail popped a question. "What'd your dad say?"

Hyp counted on his fingers to make sure he had them all. "He suggested sending others to Two Boulder Pass to question them, closing it regardless, and letting them stay in the area near Threehorn Peak Pass and be responsible for the pass if they are honest."

Everyone still seemed confused, so Mr. Longneck explained everything in detail. Why they were closing Two Boulder, why Threehorn Peak pass, all of it.

Afterwards, Clubtail turned to Hyp. "Is that right?"

"That's the list I got when I left. His vote's yes as long as they seem honest," Hyp answered. Oh. He turned and pointed at Threehorn. "And he wanted you to go if you meet the sharpteeth at Two Boulder."

Mr. Threehorn didn't seem like that was the answer he was hoping to hear from his dad. "Oh, I'll go meet them alright!" he snapped.

"He didn't want you to go and hurt them. He wanted you to go because he thinks you're a good judge," he made air quotes around the last words and took his place again.

Mr. Threehorn looked startled a moment, then started murmuring to himself again. Mrs. Longneck lowered head to meet his. "Now, Mr. Threehorn, he made that request on your honor as a member of the Council. You wouldn't break that, would you?"

"Ummm ummm…." Mr. Threehorn shook his head. More murmuring when she raised her head back up.

"Well, hmm…. How long have we got to decide?" Clubtail asked.

When Mr. Longneck looked to Ruby's mother, she stepped out to answer. "My husband is taking them to Two Boulder as we speak, but won't take them far unless a messenger brings Chomper back with permission to enter them valley."

Mr. Clubtail's mouth hung open. "They are travelling with your husband without attacking?"

When she nodded, Mr. Thicknose spoke up. "Am I to understand that they are asking permission to enter the valley?"

When she nodded again, everyone actually seemed to be reconsidering their answer. Mr. Threehorn panicked when he saw this. "B-bu-but…. There…are…health concerns! Britta, tell them!"

Britta sighed, then stepped forward and spoke in the same tone she used earlier. "All health concerns in relation to this issue are self-explanatory."

"WHAT? That's it?!" Threehorn yelled.

Britta shrugged. "I told you before. I can't predict them."

"What? What kind of healer are you, then?" he asked.

"A practical one," she answered as she held out both hands like she was weighing a choice. "It can go two ways. There may not be any health concerns at all if they have good intentions, or there could be a valley full of concerns if they don't. But of course all of you know that."

You could tell she was Threehorn's last resort, and wasn't cooperating.

"So you don't have any advice on whether to let them in?"

Britta shook her head. "I'll leave that up to the Council," she answered.

Mr. Longneck looked at Chomper. "Anything left to add?"

"Oh, please let them stay," was all the little sharptooth had.

Mr. Longneck lifted his head to address the Council. "All being said, is anyone in favor of at least meeting them at the Pass?"

There was a forever long hesitation before Mr. Clubtail answered. "Well, I guess it would be nice to have someone guarding Threehorn Peak Pass…but I want to go when you meet 'em. I'll give my final answer then."

"Granted," Mr. Longneck answered. "everyone?"

The sharpteeth got permission to at least meet the Council and a few others at the Pass by the tiniest of margins.

Mr. Longneck summed it up. "So we're all agreed. We'll send a messenger giving them permission to meet us at the Pass. Spread the word to others that aren't here to clear from the tall trees in the event that the Council allows them into the valley…"

"Who will be the messenger?" someone asked.

"I can't carry Chomper," came Guido's shrill cry from across the meeting place.

Everyone chuckled, then Mr. Longneck started thinking. "We need someone big enough to carry Chomper. Would any flyers like to volunteer? All you have to do is drop Chomper off and inform us of how far along the path they are. No need to meet them all the way…"

Of course, no one came down. Chomper looked sad, then walked up to Pterano and pleaded him with his eyes. Pterano clenched his teeth, then sighed.

"I'll do it," he answered quietly.

"W-what?" Britta asked.

Several dinosaurs looked uneasy, then Mr. Threehorn surprisingly voted in favor. But probably not for the reason of being nice. "Perfect! Send him!" he snapped.

Mr. Longneck searched his face. "You'll do as instructed?" he asked.

When Pterano nodded, he adjourned the meeting. "All Council members and those interested in accompanying us to the Pass, Pterano, and Chomper need to stay over a few moments. Everyone else may go."

Everyone spread out, speaking with a mixture of emotions. Britta shared a pleading look with Pterano, but had to snatch up the "Happy Flowers" when Spike ate one.

"SPIKE! Those are not food! No, no no," Ducky objected.

"One won't hurt him, but he'll sleep good tonight," Britta laughed.

Littlefoot walked up to Hyp. "Thanks for making getting the grownups to consider Chomper's question, Hyp."

Hyp softened, then stood up and hardened his expression. "I did not! I just did whatever Dad said!" he snapped.

He walked up to Mr. Longneck. "Can I go now?" he asked.

The old longneck chuckled. "Of course. Did you learn anything tonight, Hyp?"

Hyp considered the question. He thought for sure the longneck would pop the question himself, but the old coot let everything speak for itself without saying a word.

"You're smart," Hyp answered, "and I don't wanna be a Council member."

Grandma and Grandpa Longneck chuckled. "Well, maybe you could sit on some of the less complicated meetings, dear," Grandma Longneck said.

Hyp smiled and walked away. Yeah, when fire gets cold.