Thread:Selound/@comment-4482397-20120107020941

this chapter is called Still Alive

Elonwyn swallowed nervously. “Where is he?”

“He’s up on the battlements.” Trusiae glanced at the small stoat. “Are you alright? You’ve been through quite a bit for one day.”

“I’ll be fine.” Elonwyn rubbed her arms nervously. What did Findo want?

“bye Siae.” Elonwyn raced to the battlements before the ferret could open her mouth. she had to admit, she was scared. Findo was unpredictable and vicious, just like Badrang.

Elonwyn stopped and stared at the sky. She couldn’t help but think of Blackdash. His pleasant smile, sleek dark fur and his deep friendly eyes. Would he have been the one to have spoken up and taken her as his mate?

Elonwyn’s shoulders drooped. What could she and Blackdash have had if he’d lived? Keena had destroyed so much.

Elonwyn sadly walked up the ladder, twirling the bracelet around her wrist. Technically she wasn’t Findo’s mate, just his love slave. When they left Marshank she could mate with who she loved and wanted. Blackdash was gone from her life, but Ralken…

She stared at Alya’s tent where Ralken, Alya, Aqua and Juni were. Ralken had always been there for her until today. Why had he stopped protecting her? Or had he? Why had he left her to be taken by all the male beasts? Why had he left her to the mercy of Findo?

But, Findo hadn’t done anything to her so far, he just scared her. She could tolerate him, but she couldn’t trust him. She didn’t even know why he and Ralken were friends.

“Elonwyn?”

Lonny jumped and almost fell off the edge of the battlements, but was grabbed by her wrists and hauled back up. She found herself staring into cold blue eyes.

“Fin-

“Take it easy Lonny.” Findo grinned down at her. When she didn’t smile back his face fell. “I need to talk to you.”

“There’s nothing to say.” Elonwyn mumbled. She scuffed her toes on the wood and stared at the ground. Findo released her arms and half sat, half slumped against the wall. Elonwyn licked her lips nervously. “Aren’t you supposed to be guarding the fort?”

“I’m on break. Nothing to say huh? How about ‘I’m Sorry’?” Findo smirked at her.

“For what?” Elonwyn looked up. “You… you did save me from being used as…well you get the idea.”

“Yeah, I do.” Findo rubbed the back of his neck. “I wanted to apologize for going insane like that. You didn’t need to see that side of me and I almost cut off your head.”

“I’ve seen that side before, from my father.” Elonwyn sat on the railing. “After my mother died, so I’m used to it. It’s not me you need to apologize too. It was Ralken you beat up, and you insulted Alya.”

Elonwyn started as Findo leapt to his feet, his eyes blazing with anger.

“If you even knew what Ralken did you wouldn’t want me to apologize him!!!!” He snapped. “You think he’s a perfect little hero don’t you?! Well he’s not!!!!”

Elonwyn swallowed, but as quickly as he had attacked, Findo relaxed, running his paw through his headfur. “No… I’m sorry. I’m not angry with you.”

“What’s made you like this?” Elonwyn whispered.

“My parents and tribe mates were killed by a pine marten and her minions.” Findo ran a paw down his scars. “I tried to fight her but she ripped my face. She managed to nick my left eye so, the eyesight in my eye is a little bit weak.” he grinned. “she had me in her band and tortured me to near madness, but I fought her and kept my sanity. I finally escaped and made my way to Marshank. I made up for my slight blindness by being the best fighter I could be. I taught Ralken how to fight did you know that?” he grinned and rubbed his neck. “But to everyone else I’m just a foot soldier.”

“But you don’t care about promotions do you?” Elonwyn asked.

“Nah.” Findo chuckled. “All I want to do is slaughter that murdering wench called Asmodeus and her gang they call the torturers.” He gripped his sword hilt. “But…” he gazed at her. “You don’t realize how much you look like my mother and little sister.”

Lonny blushed at the intensity of his stare “Was your little sister-

“Killed?” Findo nodded. “She and I were the only survivors of the attack, but my little sister couldn’t survive the torturing.”

Elonwyn stared at him, and then sighed. “all the same, you and Ralken have been best friends for a long time. You don’t need to end it on my account.”

“I’ll apologize to him and Alya, for your sake. But it’ll take more than that for me to like Ralken again.” Findo hoisted himself up. “I have no quarrel with Alya, just Ralken, anyway.”

“That’s good to hear.” Elonwyn murmured, blushing. Findo’s story had explained some things, but she still couldn’t bring herself to trust him.

“You know, you’re becoming a really tough little pipsqueak.” Findo slung an arm cheerfully around her shoulder. “I like that in a mate.”

“I’m not your mate.” Elonwyn grumpily pushed his arm off.

“Yes you are.”

“No I’m not.”

“yes you are.”

“Not.”

“Are.”

They continues this as they walked to Alya’s tent, and it would have gone longer if Findo hadn’t imitated her voice, adding a lisp and a wheezy undertone, causing Elonwyn to finally burst out laughing when he did it for a fifth time.

Even as Elonwyn and Findo messed with each other, Elonwyn couldn’t help but think about Ralken. Did he think she was Findo’s mate now? Did that mean she didn’t have a chance with him?

She sighed inwardly. She would gradually get Ralken to see her as more than just his cousin and friend. And one day, he would love her, and they’d marry and have children.

Lonny blushed to herself. No, maybe they wouldn’t. but, now, whenever she thought of her handsome older cousin, her heartbeat quickened and her cheeks grew warmer. She was in love with him, and had been since he’d introduced himself.

She blew a raspberry at Findo and he blew one back and they both continued to make raspberry noises at each other as Findo lifted the tent flap so Elonwyn could step inside.

“What ARE you two doing?” Elonwyn grinned at the expression on Alya’s face.

“Where’s Ralken?” Lonny asked looking around for her cousin.

“his dad wanted him for some work.” Alya tossed a pawful of herbs in a bowl and ground them into a powder. “Where are the leaves?”

“Leaves?” Elonwyn cocked her head in confusion.

“Leaves!!! The dock leaves!!! Don’t tell me you forgot!” Alya snapped and threw her paws up in frustration.

“No! here they are!” Lonny hurriedly handed over the dock leaves, dropping a couple as she did so in her hurry. Findo picked them up and bowed low to Alya, handing them to her with a courteous smile.

“Alya…” Findo gazed at the blind healer. “What I said to you today…. I’m sorry. It was unnecessary. You’re the smartest beast I know.”

“It’s fine.” Alya ground the herbs harder, and Elonwyn could tell she was still a little angry.

“Findo, how’s you back?” Juni asked gently, glancing at Alya, who was wildly stirring the ground herbs, glaring at the bowl.

“Agonizing my sweet Juni.” Findo leaned over and kissed the young foxes paw. “But not deadly. Elonwyn’s gentle touch was all I-

He dodged a pillow flung at him by Aqua.

“Stuff it up your tail weasel!” Aqua sounded stern and she was glaring at him, but her eyes were twinkling with amusement.

Ralken examined the pillow with a twisted, quizzical look, as though considering how to do as Aqua had asked, causing everyone except Alya (who couldn’t see) to laugh.

Elonwyn grinned to herself. It was a fresh, clear day, and they were friends again. Blackdash had given her so much. He had given her a chance to be with her friends, and to make new ones. He had given her a chance to love Ralken and understand Findo a little better.  