Children Of The Plains

Title: Children Of The Plains
Author: Anu (anubeta@lycos.com)
Pairing: Loadst not not any you'd recognize right off.
Rating: Hard R.
Fandom: Er...it's fairly original, but we'll just say 'Magic Rat' fandom. Is quite LoTRish, however, but not distinctly such.
Wars: Ms: MPREG, Angst, some character death. A little bit of freakiness too.
A/N: This is a *direct* prequel to Creature Of The Forgotten Wild by Magic Rat. Like, so direct, you could dive right into that fic from here without even a speed bump. It's self-explanatory, thus being a prequel that can actually be read first.
Beta: Ilye - for 'tis she whose ankles I devotedly lick. Wuv you.
Dedication: For Rattie, because I lick your ankles too, and you give good smooches. Oh, and because you *totally* deserve it, cheeky wench. Merry Christmas!


-----------------------------------


“Eyes-On-Horizon,” Sia called to him.

He turned to look at his mother, who crouched warily at the underside of the knoll, where he couldn’t see the ships. Sia extended his hand to Eyes-On-Horizon, not quite two years old. Like all children of the Plains, elves grew as swiftly as gazelles. They weren’t able to keep up with the herd for a few weeks, being Elves, rather than a few hours like the gazelles.

“Eyes.” Sia called him by his short name. “Come away.”

Eyes-On-Horizon turned away, watching the sails billow in the wind, ignoring his mother.

Strange new creatures were coming to their lands, to live here. And because of their fearsome ships, Sia would run from them, like all the others.

When the Elves had first seen Eyes-On-Horizon watching the sails appear, they had all sat and watched for many hours. They had given him a name for it, and stayed to watch quite often. When the ships drew close and they could see how large they were, they had begun to leave, fleeing north, away.

Now the ships, massive things that they were, were in the bay, and Eyes still sat in the tall grass on a hill and watched them.

Sia was the only one who had not left him, pregnant though he was. Surely he knew better than to stay with his foolish child and watch. But he couldn’t help but stay with Eyes, his only child besides the one unborn, now that Eyes’ father was gone.

“Eyes.” Sia whimpered.

Eyes turned to him again, and Sia pleaded, prostrate on his belly as best he could, up on his knees, wetting himself like a miserable omega of the wolf pack.

Eyes wouldn’t let Sia degrade himself for him anymore. He’d seen the Men on the ships, and he was ready to go. He got up and crept over to Sia obediently, and Sia tackled him and licked his face. Eyes rolled out from under him, gave his ear point a loving tweak. He re-marked the spot where Sia had lain, a job he had taken over from his now dead father. Sia’s vulnerable scent was covered with his own.

He and Sia loped off, heading north, side by side.

From time to time, Sia would look back to see if they were being followed.

Eyes looked back only to see the ships one last time.

*****

Eyes crept off alone. Sia and Turtle were playing in the grasses, and the new little one was sleeping in his father’s shade.

Eyes disliked Grey Mane, Sia’s latest infant. It cried all the time, and its hair was a dingy color of gray-white coe couldn’t tell if its eyes were yellow-green like his and Sia and Turtle’s, or blue-gray like Sia’s new mate, because they were always screwed up, tears leaking from them as the infant howled.

Grey Mane was spoiled rotten, and Eyes knew it. Sia had only nursed Turtle for four weeks before weaning him, and probably Eyes himself, too. But Grey Mane had gotten the breast five, and Sia had nearly hurt himself because of his swollen teats offsetting his balance during a hunt. Grey Mane was being weaned now, and screaming his head off about it.

So Eyes took advantage of the time Grey Mane was sleeping to slink off.

He didn’t care for Sia’s new mate, either. He was light haired and pale, and a bit short. He’d been wounded when they’d found him, and didn’t remember anything at all.

Eyes liked to tell himself that this was because he was stupid.

Nearly grown, Eyes had taken after his father in appearance, as Sia liked to point out. Sia also liked to point out that Eyes needed a mate, but Eyes always rolled his eyes at this, then looked longingly at Wolf Hunter.

Speaking of whom, where was he?

Eyes’ family pack lived in this area, and Hunter’s in the area near it. Hunter was always around to wrestle with, or chase through the grass. Eyes narrowed his eyes, scowling at the high grass all around. Wolf was playing games, then.

He whirled, and backed straight up. As a reward, he heard Wolf scramble to get out of the way. Eyes let himself fall straight back atop the other.

“Oof.” Wolf grunted, and grabbed him around the shoulders and tossed a leg over his hips for an impromptu wrestle. Eyes bared his teeth playfully and growled, then attempted to pin Wolf. The attempts went on for about an hour or two, as both were strong from this game, and stubborn.

At last Wolf pinned Eyes on his belly, face against Eyes’ buttocks, holding Eyes’ legs firmly and trying to stuff them in Eyes’ ears. Eyes yelped in defeat, and Wolf let him go.

Eyes spat out dirt and fluffed his hair.

Wolf grinned at him.

Eyes raised an eyebrow, and raced off towards the spring, Wolf hot on his heels. He slowed as he reached the bank of the semi-shallow creek, and Wolf tackled him from behind. They landed in the water together, wrestling.

Sia and Turtle scowled downstream, cleaning crayfish in the now-muddied waters. From camp, the baby began to wail. Stargazer, Eyes’ Sia, ignored this, and continued cleaning crayfish.

Lost One’s call came. “Aaaaiiiaar?”

Sia yapped back impatiently, unearthing a clutch of crayfish from under a rock.

“Aaaaruuooo!” Lost One complained in annoyance.

Sia sighed, huffed, and headed back to camp, leaving the crayfish to Turtle.

Eyes rolled his eyes at his family. He was starting to feel the call in his body to go away from his and make one of his own, and with Wolf so close, he imagined it was clearer than ever.

He looked at Wolf, who met hyes yes knowingly.

It was nearly fall. Spring would be mating season, and winter would be spent in the big cave, as the Three Horses could be seen during this year, and there would be celebration of it and song, as well as the warmth of families gathered in a stone cavern.

They might not have another chance, or perhaps might take someone else as (a) mate and leave the big cave with them in spring.

Wolf was holding Eyes’ hands in his. He pulled them behind him until Eyes was close up against him. Eyes’ breathing was fast from the exertion, as was Wolf. Eyes looked up at him, and Wolf lowered his head, unsure whether he was going to kiss Eyes as he’d seen his father and Sia do, or eat all the sweetness from Eyes’ soft mouth.

In the end, it didn’t matter. Eyes’ arms came around him, held him tightly and kissed him back, sucking in the onslaught of tongue. The warm, heady feeling of it contracted his groin, made him rise despite the cool water. Pressed against his leg, Wolf’s cock was also filling, rising.

He moaned and melted himself against Wolf, giving himself over.

Wolf picked Eyes up with a surge of strength and carried him out of the water, to the bank. There Wolf kissed him again, then picked him up and carried him further.

They went to their favorite spot, an old deer wallow covered over with soft green grasses all around. It was like a bowl; one couldn’t see it unless they were right at the edge, and unless you knew it was there, would pass it right by.

They’d slept here often on warm summer nights.

But they didn’t come here to sleep just now. Wolf lay him down and continued to kiss him, lying atop him. Their cocks pressed together between their bellies, and Eyes groaned at the sensation. He’d never felt anything like this, even in his dreams at night.

He reached down and took Wolf’s cock into his hand. It was warm and sleek; it pulsed as he looked at it. Wolf’s hand curled around Eyes’ cock, and tentatively pulled upward, then back down.

Eyes knew what he was doing; he’d watched the older boy do this once or twice this summer, always alone. Tried it himself, once, and Sia had nearly caught him mid-act. He didn’t expect it to feel so good; perhaps Wolf knew better than he what to do, or perhaps he’d done it wrong before.

It any rate, it felt incredible, as if everything were being tightened all at once. It felt good, yet at the same time as if he were seeking something. He didn’t know what it was, but Wolf’s hand on him seemed to be the sure way to find it, to get there - wherever it was. He began to do the same to Wolf, and heard his breath grow louder, felt his hips jerk. If it felt as good for Wolf as it did for him… Eyes began to work Wolf faster, brow furrowed in concentration. He could feel it coming, whatever it was, and the instant it burst upon him with a small cry, he knew he utterly loved that sensation, wanted it again and again, wanted it to last forever. It eIt ended, and he moved faster on Wolf, who jerked, grunted, and released the same kind of fluid that Eyes had. Eyes couldn’t feel Wolf’s orgasm, but he knew it was happening, and the fact that he’d given Wolf that pleasure made him feel oddly happy and satisfied.

He was also damp a little, back between his buttocks, like Sia got now and then, when his mate eyed him just right.

It was nowhere as wet and messy as when Turtle and Grey Mane had been born, so Eyes wasn’t too concerned. It seemed natural:t ift if the organs that made babies were tucked up in through there, they’d make it easier to make them. At any rate, it was a mild annoyance. Wolf wiped them both off with some grass, threw it aside. Hesitantly, Eyes reached back to see if Wolf was slick too, and Wolf smiled at him, an odd gleam in his eye.

What Eyes’ fingers encountered was like his own, just not as small and tight, and wetter. Perhaps it was because Wolf was a little older?

He pulled his hand away, and went down to the water to wash, reveling in how pretty and relaxed he felt. Wolf was absolutely wonderful.

Eyes smiled to himself and hummed a little tune as he washed.

Sia, back downstream, eyed him knowingly.

Eyes smiled serenely back, unperturbed.

*****

The tribe of Plains Elves were all male, and nomadic. They lived in pairs during the summer months, to breed and raise their young. In winter they all gathered together to keep warm, for companionship, and for ease when hunting.

In fall, each family made preparations for winter by making themselves breechclouts and blankets of animal fur, gathering and drying meat and berries, and teaching the young ones final skills for winter.

Thus, while Sia and his mate were occupied making the clothes, Eyes was sentenced to care for Grey Mane and Turtle. Turtle was fairly independent, and could be relied upon to stay in the shallows of the creek while Eyes slept in the brush, or fed Grey Mane late fall blackberries.

Grey Mane, however, had taken a liking to him that Turtle never had, and cried whenever Eyes was out of sight or scent. So Eyes naturally spent a lot of time lying in the high, sweet summer grasses, watching birds fly south lazily overhead and clouds drift past, Mane sleeping on his chest. Sometimes, with Grey Mane like this, blissfully silent and unannoying, Eyes would think back to what he and Wolf had done at summer’s end. They hadn’t done it since, or had time for much play with winter coming on. Sometimes he’d run his fingers through Grey Mane’s infant-soft hair and consider having one of his own, though perhaps not just like Grey Mane, who was annoying now and then.

Mane was growold old enough to toddle, and Eyes would hold his little hands, supporting his weight, and let the infant practice. At six weeks he was capable of bouncing up and down on Eyes’ chest, as long as somebody held his upper body for him. He was also quite used to being weaned, and favored Eyes over Sia now.

Seeing that it was growing dark, Eyes shifted his grip from Mane’s hands to his underarms and picked him up, settling the baby against his hip while brushing off his little feet.

“Aaaiiiar?” He called to Turtle.

Turtle yapped and appeared by his knees.

Eyes laid a hand on Turtle’s head and steered him back to camp. Turtle let him, one arm lazily around Eye’s thigh.

The three brothers made quite a sight: Eyes nearly grown, Turtle with his twisted legs that made him lope along on his knees like a small child, perpetually treated like one no matter his age, and Grey Mane, bane of his eldest brother; all naked and streaked with dirt, their long hair wet.

They were within sight of Sia and his mate when a loud rustle in the brush beyond them startled Eyes. Eyes paused, peered into the thick bushes. Wolf’s eyes met his and slowly he leaned forward, straight toward Eyes’ mystified face. When they were so close as to feel one another’s breath on their skin, and Wolf was half-standing, half-hiding in the brush. Wolf smiled and licked his jaw.

Mane giggled, and the moment was broken. Unknowing of whatever mind game Wolf was up to now, Eyes gathered up Mane higher on his hip and offered Turtle a hand to help him walk.

Wolf stayed in the bush, apparently going to wait for his return.

When they reached camp, Sia took Mane from him and gave the baby a piece of leather to chew, as he was still teething. Turtle ambled over to the shade for a lie-down; his back was hurting him again. The sun was setting, bathing the world in honey-red glow. Sia’s mate was putting away the winter hides that he and Sia had been working on all day. Eyes sneered at him.

Sia’s mate growled back, and Eyes turned on his heel and left.

Wolf wasn’t in sight as he walked up to the bush where he’d previously been. Eyes leaned down to peer into the bush, and Wolf’s strong arms leapt out and grabbed his shoulders, pulling him arse-over-elbow atop his friend.

“Wolf!” He huffed, brushing weeds off himself.

Wolf grinned, lying on his side.

Eyes paused in his weed removal to look at Wolf a moment.

Wolf was naked, as usual, but his skin seemed to shine in the twilight glow from the sky. His dark eyes were dilated and bright, and when Eyes glanced between his legs, his cock was tucked up against his belly, not quite at full arousal.

“What is it?” He asked in a whisper.

Wolf looked away from him, picked at the grasses. “I saw my Sia and Rock Goat mating today, Eyes. I watched them; they didn’t know I was there. Sia’s belly was so full with baby; he had to get on his knees. Rock mounted him from behind. I…” Wolf’s guilt-jaded eyes rose to meet his. “I was so jealous. I wanted him for myself, I wanted my own Sia.” Wolf whispered, ashamed.

Eyes had watched his own Sia mate with Mane’s father. He’d heard their grunts, seen their members surge high and penetrate the other. He’d seen light glisten off the backs of Sia’s thighs, shine on Lost One’s cock. It had made him hot more than once, but he’d never wanted either of them. Only Wolf.

He looked at the other. “I want you like that.” He whispered, picking some grass out of Wolf’s hair.

“Do you?” Wolf whispered back, eagerness and hope in his voice.

Eyes blushed, and answered in the same tone, “Yes.”

Wolf leaned into his face, took his mouth. Eyes kissed him back, hunger increasing. Wolf began to crawl toward him, and Eyes back-crawled away, until Wolf pinned him down, still kissing him. Eyes spread his legs wide, holding to Wolf with them. He expected Wolf to rub his cock against his, like before, so he was puzzled when Wolf whispered, “Please, please, I need…”

Wolf’s hard cock pressed against his opening roughly, and Eyes understood. There was a sensation of fear in his belly, but ity cuy curbed his arousal a little. “Yes…all right.” Eyes agreed.

Wolf kissed him thankfully, held Eye’s face between his hands. “Shhh.” He whispered, as Eyes whimpered from the penetration. He wasn’t ready yet, had never come into his first heat. His body didn’t know to produce lubricant like more mature males’. “No, stop.” He whimpered.

“Shh, it’s okay Eyes, almost there.”

Eyes whimpered in reply.

When it was fully sheathed, Wolf stopped moving and just watched Eyes’s face. Eyes panted, mouth open in pain. Gradually the pain eased off as his body began to relax and produce. Having Wolf’s cock as deep as possible did help, especially when he began to slide in and out, first a little at a time, then longer and longer strokes as Eyes moved back against him, moaning in pleasure and nipping at Wolf’s shoulders.

Their eyes were locked on one another’s when Eyes arched his back and came. Seeing the rapture on his face, Wolf also lost his grip and fell over the edge into bliss. They moved slowly against one another, panting. Gradually Wolf eased out of him. Eyes held him close, snuggling up to the other for warmth. The sun had set; it was dark now, and cooler. “Sorry.” Wolf whispered in his ear.

Eyes licked his neck tenderly. All was forgiven.

*****

When Eyes woke, it was to the familiar sensation of Wolf sprawled half over him, as Wolf liked to do. Only…it wasn’t a warm afternoon nap he was sharing with Wolf, his body reminded him. It was morning, and he’d mated with Wolf last night. He looked at Wolf, still peacefully asleep.

They mustn’t ever do this again, his body told him, with pain. He got up and walked gingerly down to the creek, where he washed himself. Then he went back to camp. Wolf was still sleeping in the bush when Eyes passed.

Sia and Lost One were snuggled close,tle tle and Mane sharingur nur near them. Eyes felt a twinge of regret; Turtle and Mane had probably been cold without him there to warm them. He wondered if Sia would be angry with him for not coming home. Taking one of the finished winter furs – they were all finished now, they would be leaving for the big cave soon – Eyes curled up in it against a tree.

He must have fallen asleep, because it was midmorning when he woke. Sia was squatted next to him, offering him food and a pile of furs. “Take.” Sia said, and turned to finish rounding up his family. Eyes yawned, and ate the food as he put on the furs Sia had given him. Then he got up, aware of some residual soreness in his rear.

Well, it would have to be ignored. It looked as if they were leaving today, so he and Sia would have to carry Turtle on a pallet. Turtle would have to hold Mane.

Eyes sighed. Perhaps it was for best that he wouldn’t see Wolf anymore until winter, when everyone would be crammed inside the big cave. At the very least, Eyes could make himself so busy he wouldn’t miss him.

*****

Eyes didn’t see Wolf Hunter again for a long time, at least two months.

It was late fall by then, and the big cave in the north was half-full. Frost decorated the ground thickly in the mornings; Sia had made Eyes new boots. Sia and he cared for Turtle and Grey Mane, and hunted with Lost One and the others, stockpiling food for winter. Turtle’s health was declining rapidly. The hump on his crooked back was more pronounced, and his legs were too weak to carry him. He’d also fallen ill, and was sick out of both ends all the time now.

Eyes had caught whatever sickness Turtle had, but he was the only one. Sia held his hair back for him when he was sick in the evenings, when he got tired and the nausea set in.

The other families in the cave didn’t like Turtle. They hated his mess, his smell. They didn’t understand that Turtle wasn’t just Sia’s crooked child; he was a person like them. The others in the cave had made Sia and Lost One take one of the places by the door, so that their family suffered the cold. Turtle grew sicker because of that, and Eyes and Sia developed a sniffle.

One night, as Eyes fed Turtle, Turtle said to him, “I’m dying, brother. I’ll be dead soon.”

“Shh, Turtle.” Eyes tried to comfort him.

“Tell Sia not to mourn me?”

“Turtle…” Eyes didn’t know what else to say. Turtle opened his mouth, making an effort to eat. Eyes sighed and obliged him.

The next morning when Eyes woke up, Turtle was dead. Sia was off somewhere grieving. Lost One was washing the body for burial, and Grey Mane sat silently at the edge of the fire, sucking on a wooden spoon.

Desolate, Eyes got up and took his blankets with him. He didn’t want to fight with Lost One on this dark day, so he didn’t talk to him at all.

He went outside on the ridge overlooking the big cave and sat huddled in the snow. His stomach hurt, like it often did when he got cold. He hadn’t eaten yet, but couldn’t bring himself to care, really. He curled up and dozed off.

He woke to voices, someone shaking him. It was night, and he blinked at his savior stupidly. He was too cold, but long numb to it. “Get up.” The other said.

Eyes shook his head. He couldn’t and didn’t want to.

He saw other figures behind the one talking to him. He thought he recognized Wolf amongst them, but surely Wolf would have been the one to save him?

“Come on, little one.” His savior said and picked him up, numb limbs and all. He was very big, and strong. An adult male. Eyes shivered with a prickling of warmth. Sia said he’d come into heat this year, that he’d probably have that reaction to anyone. He began nodding off.

His savior shook him again. “Stay awake, little one. Don’t go to sleep.”

Eyes felt like crying. All he wanted to do was sleep.

The light and warmth of the cave nearly blinded him after the cool dark, and he realized it had been snowing outside. He curled tighter in a ball; the heat from the fires and other elves stung him after the cold.

He whimpered restlessly as he was laid down on his back on a bed of furs, and his savior firmly but gently straightened his curled limbs, looking for injuries. When he found none, he lay down atop Eyes, yet supporting his own weight. Eyes wiggled, trying to curl up in pain as his limbs prickled with returning warmth.

“Shh, little one. Lie still.” The other whispered. “What is your name?”

“Eyes-On-Horizon.” Eyes managed.

“Ah, Stargazer’s son. I am Red Leaves.”

“Red Leaves.” Eyes murmured, nuzzling, feeling sleepy again now that the pain had passed.

“Eyes-On-Horizon.” The other said with a smile, stroking his hair.

Eyes smiled back as he fell asleep.

*****

When he woke, it was to being laid down again in his own bed in his family’s space near the door. There were voices nearby, too. Sia sounded upset, as did Red Leaves. Lost One would break in sharply now and then.

Eyes sat up, as much to clear the fogginess in his head as to hear better. He was aware of dampness in his rear and cramps in his belly, as well as the taste of herbs in his mouth.

“I told you, I onlund und him and brought him in to save him from freezing. I have never touched him before this.” Red Leaves insisted.

“Then why is he miscarrying?” Lost One snapped.

“Because of the cold, you fool. The question is, who got him pregnant?” Sia growled at his mate, then scowled pointedly at Red Leaves.

“Sia?” Eyes butted in quietly.

Sia came to his side immediately. “Lie back down, you’ll be alright. You didn’t know.”

“It was Wolf, Sia.” Eyes said.

Sia’s lips tightened. houghought it might be. I take it he doesn’t know?”

Eyes shook his head.

“Just as well, then. Lie down, go back to sleep. Red Leaves is willing to mate with you come spring. Now, be silent, and I’ll work them over.” Sia smiled, touched his cheek.

Eyes went back to sleep, and Sia went back to arguing with Lost One and Red Leaves.

*****

After the first snowfall, Eyes’ miscarriage and Turtle’s death, things settled down considerably.

Eyes and Sia became very close, even if Eyes still disliked Lost One and Grey Mane. Red Leaves came and took Eyes out for walks in the afternoons, and Eyes helped Sia tattoo a turtle onto his shoulder, in remembrance. Eyes’ tattoos were better than Lost One’s, so Sia sent Lost One out with Grey Mane whenever he wanted Eyes to ink his skin.

Just before the first blizzard of winter, the last arrivals came. Among them were Wolf Hunter and Rock Goat, carrying the heavily pregnant Grass Blade, Wolf’s Sia, on a pallet. He was due to deliver any day, which was why it had taken them so long to arrive. Their section was near Eyes’ family and Wolf came to visit him, giving a friendly growl and tackle.

Still tender in places, Eyes yelped and fought him off.

Wolf looked hurt, and Eyes reminded himself that he didn’t know.

“What’s wrong, Eyes?” Wolf asked, sitting back on his haunches in confusion.

Eyes took his hand and led him outside, away from Red Leaves’ watching eyes, and told him. Wolf had looked afraid, then happy, then lost. He settled for wrapping his arms around Eyes warmly. Eyes had let him, and returned the embrace.

“You’re not angry?” Wolf asked.

“No.” Eyes answered.

Red Leaves came out of the cave and growled at Wolf Hunter. Eyes pulled out of Wolf’s embrace, and Wolf growled and tried to pull him back. Eyes snarled savagely at the both hem,hem, who would have grabbed his arms and played tug-of-war.

Red Leaves looked at him appeasingly. Eyes sighed forgiveness. Wolf stepped closer to Eyes, as if staking claim, and Red Leaves gave a bluff charge. Startled, Wolf leapt back, then growled at the trick. They might have fought over him then and there; a whole three months from spring, early of all other contests for mating, had Eyes’ Sia not come outside.

“Eyes.” He said, daring Wolf and Red Leaves to challenge his claim on Eyes.

Eyes obediently followed his mother, and Wolf and Red Leaves let him. Stargazer’s days in mating battles were legendary, especially given his small stature.

*****

Wolf would come and talk to him under the watchful gaze of Stargazer, Eyes’ Sia, or Grass Blade, Wolf’s Sia.

One morning, as they sat togethnd cnd cracked walnuts, Wolf pointed out to him Sky Scar, a slender young one about their age. His first heat was a few years away.

“He’s sleeping with Elder One’s mate, Earth Mother.” Wolf whispered, dropping his rock atop an unsuspecting walnut.

Eyes looked at them. Elder One was old, and wise. But surely he was still capable of loving Earth Mother and didn’t need Sky Scar? Sky Scar was a beauty, though. His eyes were darker green than anything else, and wide. His hair grew as long and thick as everyone else's, but his seemed to shine more sleekly. Surely he was vain and combed it?

Earth Mother was young, between their Sia’s ages and theirs, a decade or so of age. He had a babe at his breast, despite the season, and more at his knee. Eyes shhis his head in wonder at the thought of Earth Mother conceiving and bearing another this spring, along with the rest of them.

Eyes whispered back, “He shouldn’t be.”

“I know.” Wolf replied, with a little smile.

“How?” Eyes asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

Wolf’s smile broadened. “I caught them at it the other night. They were in a crevice of the rock, just past the ridge that way.” Wolf gestured vaguely with his thumb. “Earth Mother’s a rather noisy bottom, you know?”

Eyes smacked the grinning Wolf, despite his own smile and the enticing imagining of Earth Mother and Sky Scar together.

Their heads bowed, they went back to their task, smiling to themselves. Eyes watched Wolf out of the corner of his eye, and about the point he decided to kiss him, Wolf had grabbed his shoulders and was already doing it.

Stargazer appeared, moving loudly to get their attention. They pulled apart. Eyes hadn’t even noticed his Sia had gone.

“Eyes, come help. Wolf, finish this. Grass Blade’s gone into labor.” Stargazer turned on his heel and went back down the agewageway to the inner chamber of the cave, to the birthing area. Eyes got up and followed him, giving Wolf a charming smile. Red Leaves was out on the hunt, so they’d had a bit more freedom today.

In the birthing chamber, Grass Blade paced. Eyes’ Sia and several others sat around. One was baking grass seed bread, another was boiling water and chatting with a third who was making up alet let with worn furs. From time to time, Grass Blade would moan, and pause to lean on the wall. Whoever was nearest, sometimes he and sometimes his Sia, or one of the others, would go quietly to his side and support his weight for a while, until he grew restless again.

After a while, he stopped, and when he let Sia hold him up, he didn’t appear to want to keep pacing. Sia signaled to him Eyes, and he helped carry Grass Blade, with the aid of the others, to the pallet. They took turns supporting his weight as he shifted positions: onto his knees, onto his back, squatting. When Sia became entirely focused on Grass Blade, several of them left, and the few that remained were quietly helpful.

Eyes shifted his feet to hold Grass Blade up better, and wished he weren’t here, despite his sick fascination with what he himself would surely be doing this fall.

*****

When Eyes and Sia came out of the chamber at dark, leaving Grass Blade and his new infant asleep on fresh furs, Wolf was waiting. Eyes let Sia tell him the good tidings, and went to lie down and be glad he wasn’t still pregnant.

Sia came over with some cracked nuts, and they shared them, lying on Eyes’ pallet together. It was almost like before Turtle was born; to lie beside Sia and silently look at one another as they ate. “You’ll probably bear yours in an open field. Most of us do, in summer or fall. Not many deliver here where there’s others to help.” Sia saiietlietly.

Eyes nodded. “What was my birth like, your first?”

Sia sighed sadly, and cuddled up to his son. “Hard. It’s always hard, but it gets easier to bear after the first.” He stroked Eyes’ hair. “I miss having little babies. Turtle never did grow up, and Grey Mane takes after me, and he’s grown so fast. You weren’t ever little, I think, sometimes.”

They fell silent, and after a while Eyes smiled to realize his Sia had fallen asleep. He pulled some extra furs over them, and settled down to sleep himself.

*****

Winter was long and cold. Red Leaves made sure Eyes was well fed and warmed, and Wolf Hunter made sure he never lacked companionship. They befriended the beautiful Sky Scar, and had wrestling matches. Once Earth Mother had weaned his latest, he’d join them occasionally, and Elder One seemed oblivious to Earth Mother’s relationship with Sky Scar.

There were several others that Eyes and Wolf played with: the burly Bear Hide and the slender yet deceptively strong Summer Grass, Bird Egg and River Rat. They were all fairly good wrestlers. Summer Grass was coming into his first heat alongh Woh Wolf’s delayed one and Eyeimelimely one. Earth Mother was a great help to them; after all, he was one of the rare ones who went into heat yearly, instead of every few decades.

When spring came, tensions were high due to the younger ones. They didn’t play much, or eat much, just sat still and eyed everyone. It was a way of controlling themselves and their mating urges. On the third day of spring, when the snow finished melting in front of the cave, the first battle was held.

Summer Grass was sitting with Eyes and Wolf and Green Sprout, rocking back and forth, enjoying the warming air and looking outside when two of their suitors, Tall Tree and Little Den, started growling at one another. Those in season warily moved away as the fight escalated into a brawl. After that, fights were daily, as they tried to prove themselves to those gone into first heat. The adults who were in it were tamer about choosing mates, for most already had one. For those who were in season and not too young to accept a mate, all one had to do was prove oneself a provider by hunting and bringing home the largest game possible.

Summer Grass was the first to turn on those near him in season. Before a certain point they could sit amicably together, but after it, well… Wolf was the recipient of his attack, and found himself fighting off the other, whose intentions were unclear – either to mate with Wolf or kill him. Rushing to Wolf’s defense got Eyes bitten, and Summer Grass calmed down considerably after that, because they all avoided one another.

When the ground was green with grass outside, the time came to make offers and choose mates, before the cave emptied. Eyes received two offers.

The first was from Red Leaves. With Eyes’ already-proven fertility, Red Leaves wasn’t the only one interested, but no other would challenge him. He came to eat with Eyes and Sia and Grey Mane and Lost One two nights in a row. The second night he looked at Eyes meaningfully and said, “I would provide for you.” Eyes had blushed and looked down, feeling his body stir for the older male. He murmured something about deciding later, and fled outside to clear his head.

The second was from Wolf. Earth Mother and Wolf Hunter were sitting outside, sharing a bowl of sprouting roots. Eyes came up and sat with them. Earth Mother was so mellow-tempered that he felt safe sitting e toe to him, unlike the volatile others. Taking a handful, he leaned on Earth Mother’s shoulder and sighed. Wolf sighed too. Earth Mother chuckled, but said nothing. After a while he got up and left.

Eyes and Wolf, alone, looked at one another warily. “Eyes.” Wolf said softly. “I would bear our children.”

Eyes looked at him a long moment, not ready to answer. Red Leaves hadn’t promised him that, and Eyes knew he was at risk, bearing so soon after a miscarriage. He needed to talk with Sia about it, really.

But he knew Wolf so well, had grown up with him. And Wolf would be kind to him, he knew that much. Besides, they’d had one together; there was no promise of that with Red Leaves, nor that Red Leaves would treat him well. There really wasn’t much of a decision to make. Wolf was his best friend, and yes, he did love him. Not like Sky Scar and Earth Mother loved each other, with great forbidden romance, but still love.

“Very well.” Eyes replied, shyly moving closer to Wolf. Wolf grinned happily and put his arm around him, sharing the warmth of his fur blanket. Eyes snuggled close, relishing the scent of them both, stronger now in heat.

Wolf would be good for him.

******

Wolf grunted in his sleep and rolled up against Eyes’ back. Eyes opened one eye and looked around, then closed it again.

Wolf lay there, slowly roasting atop the furs laid on the grass, their summer bed in their new territory, and squinted against the rising sun. There were antelope on the horizon. Perhaps Eyes would catch one later.

With a hefty sigh, Wolf rolled awkwardly to his feet, belly in the way. He strolled over to the tree-shaded stream, and relieved himself, not bothering to reach down around his belly and hold himself. It was too much of a hassle some days. The little one stirred, swirling nd and as if swimming. The movement was ponderous; soon it would be born.

Wolf climbed into the water, glad it was cooler than the air. It was a hot fall, which promised a mild winter. They probably wouldn’t go to the cave this year, but rather go and visit one of their families. They’d have the new one by then, surely. Wolf rubbed his own flat chest, careful not to touch the swollen nipples. That always hurt to do.

With a jaw-cracking yawn, Eyes got up, looking every inch the alpha male. Wolf admired him absently. Eyes ignored his mate and re-marked the spot he’d used, then climbed into the stream with him, and cradled him against his chest. Wolf smiled serenely, enjoying Eyes’ protective nature.

Eyes made an excellent mate. Wolf just wished he had made a better young-bearer. His hips were too small, Eyes’ Sia, Stargazer, had said. It made the baby ride quite high in his abdominal cavity. This wouldn’t have been a problem in a male who’d already borne one, but this was Wolf’s first.

*****

“Eyes!” Grey Mane shrieked happily, racing through the tall grass toward them, dark gray hair flying behind him and blue-green eyes flashing. “And Wolf!”

Stargazer and Lost One rose out of the grass like phantoms. Apparently they had been lying down, talking. Stargazer gave a big smile at the sight of the bundle in Eyes’ arms. Wolf still looked shaky and weak, but happy.

Gray Mane attached himself to his older half-brother’s leg and giggled.

When they reached Lost One and Stargazer, Stargazer hugged his son and Wolf, and then peered eagerly at the kicking bundle. Eyes handed Fawn to his mother and scooped Grey Mane up playfully. Wolf smiled wanly at his mate, and went to lay out their furs so he could rest after the journey.

That night, over a dinner of field mice and leftover antelope with autumn grass seeds, Stargazer inspected Wolf thoroughly and declared that he shouldn’t bear any more little ones for a while - perhaps never. Eyes agreed that he would have the next ones, glad that his Sia seemed to know how to help his sickly mate. Wolf had nearly died in the birth. It was lucky Fawn wasn’t breach or they both would have.

Later that evening they lay down in their furs near Lost One and Stargazer, Fawn between them, nursing quietly. Grey Mane, in classic hero-worship style, slept at their feet. “You know,” Wolf admitted, “I like your family.”

Eyes laughed. “They’re not so bad.”

“Not even Lost One?”

Eyes looked over at the snoring hulk in question. “Not even Lost One.”

Wolf smiled.

*****

“Fawn!” Eyes called, halfway through with skinning the fallen deer. Wolf labored beside him. They both looked around for her.

Fawn came bounding out of the bushes to their left, a baby rabbit in her arms. “Kitty!” She showed them her prize.

Wolf giggled. Eyes swatted at him. Ever since Wolf had once told her a story about the cats of Men, she’d become obsessed with the idea of a pet.

“That’s not a cat, that’s a dust rag. Give it here.” Eyes said.

The rabbit was very furry and limp, as if the child had been playing with the poor thing for a few hours. Fawn handed it over, eyeing him warily as if he would eat it. Eyes handed Wolf his bloodied skinning knife, picked the rabbit up by the scruff and held it up to his face.

Well, it was still alive. Whether it would remain so or not was anybody’s guess. If he were to turn it loose it’d be gobbled in a heartbeat, but if he gave it back to Fawn she might get sick of it and eat it herself soon. Ah well. Rubbing his swollen belly absently, he gave the rabbit back to the child.

She stuck it under her arm and leaned her head against his belly. “I can’t hear him anymore.” She complained.

“That’s because he’s very big in a little space. He’ll be born soon, so he’s just going to stay still and nap until he decides he’s ready to come out.” Wolf explained, still engrossed in his task.

“Will he play with me when he does, Sia?” Fawn requested of Eyes.

“Not right away, no.” Eyes answered, rubbing his aching back.

“Oh.” She said, disappointed.

“Go away and play with your kitty, Fawn.” Wolf said, going over to his mate and laying a hand on Eyes’ belly.

“Soon?” He asked.

“Yes,” Eyes nodded. “Let’s try to finish this hide first. I’ve waited all day, a little longer won’t hurt. Besides, we can tan it later, winter’s coming. It’ll be cold, we’ll need it in the cave.”

Wolf looked concerned, but obeyed, giving Eyes back his knife.

*****

That fall Eyes found a new name, one that suited him.

He had gone walking with Fawn and the new baby, Sparrow’s Nest, in a nursing sling against his chest. As he walked, he sang a song he made up on the spur of the moment. He knew that his voice wasn’t much, but it was enough to comfort children. Like a raven, he sang alone, a sad, pretty, sweet song.

Or, he though was alone, at any rate. He scowled at Wolf, who had appeared from the grasses.

Wolf grinned at him, like his namesake.

Eyes huffed.

“You have a new name, Eyes-On-Horizon!” Wolf teased.

“Pray tell, what is it?” Eyes snapped. He couldn’t believe he’d been caught singing, of all silly things.

“Raven Singer!”

‘Raven’ glared.

Wolf scooped up Fawn. “Come on, I’ve got us a deer. Come help me carry it back.”

Raven sighed and began obediently trug tog toward his mate.

*****

“Eyes!” Stargazer’s joyful shout echoed through the cave, and Raven smiled to see his Sia again. Fawn hid behind Wolf’s thigh.

Red Leaves and Summer Grass were sitting by one of the fires, their child playing with Grey Mane, despite the age difference. Summer Grass smiled to see his old friends. Red Leaves just scowled at Wolf Hunter.

Stargazer embraced Raven, who hissed in pain as the sleeping infant in the sling against his body bumped into his chest. Sparrow’s Nest was weaning, so naturally they were extra tender. While males didn’t develop breasts or long-term milk production, there was enough to transfer immunity and bond Sia and child. “I’ve got a new name, Sia.” Raven informed him. “I’m called Raven Singer now.”

The baby woke at the disruption and began crying. Fawn climbed up her father, and Wolf sat her on his hip. Stargazer’s face lit up, and carefully he peeked into Raven’s sling. Raven grinned, and handed the baby over. Stargazer seemed thrilled, but Sparrow’s Nest was not amused at being taken from his Sia.

Lost One appeared beside his mate. “So, you have two now? I thought you were to be marked this year.”

“I am.” Raven replied defensively. “Sparrow’s Nest is weaning.” Lost One and Stargazer looked at Wolf’s marks. Grass Blade had put them on him last winter, when he reached a century in age.

“You know that no one will mark a new Sia.” Stargazer said, cuddling the baby.

Raven scowled. “Than I would mark myself.”

“Not the briar.” Stargazer said in a definite tone. No one drew their own sacred briar. Only one’s Sia drew that.

“If Sparrow’s Nest is fully weaned by midwinter, then Raven shall have his marks.” Wolf said peaceably.

“Fine.” Stargazer said, tucking Sparrow into the curve of his shoulder. “You two should take a place and rest. This will be a cold winter. The last was too mild, and summer too warm. We are in a drought, so there will be no fires. The animals are growing thick furs because the season's rains will come as snow.”

Raven obediently followed his chatting mother. Wolf pried Fawn off his hip, and she went straight to her Aie at his beckon. Stargazer took her outside to catch grasshoppers, and Raven lay down with Wolf to talk, Sparrow between them. The baby fussed at the decrease of milk and his Sia’s stubborn refusal to let him have as much as he wanted.

Wolf and Raven talked for a while, then fell asleep.

When Raven woke to the patter of Fawn and Grey Mane’s running feet, Wolf had gone, and taken Sparrow with him.

“Sia!” Fawn cried jubilantly. “Aie gave me a new name – would you like to hear it?”

“Of course, little one.” He said, sitting up groggily.

“I was in the trees, feeling the wind blow, and Aie asked me what I was doing. I said, “Riding the wind, Aie!” and so he laughed and said for me to go tell my Sia that my new name was…” Here she paused for dramatic effect, and Grey Mane giggled.

“Wind Rider.”

They both began laughing.

“That is a good name.” Raven said, getting up and going outside to make use of the bushes. “It suits you.”

Wind Rider laughed and towed Grey Mane off by the hand, Summer Grass’s child toddling after.

*****

Even though Stargazer and Elder One were known for accuracy in predicting the weather, no snow fell, even as the winter grew later and colder.

One morning when Raven woke, the entire cave was standing at the edge, looking at smoke rising on the skyline and sniffing the wind worriedly.

“Should we flee?” He voiced the question on everyone’s minds.

Purple Flower put his hand to his still-flat belly. “Perhaps.”

“Some of us can’t run.” Elder One stated, looking at Purple Flower and Earth Mother.

“There is nothing to stop it coming here. We will die from the smoke.” Earth Mother replied.

“If we leave now we can carry the children.” Red Leaves said.

“Then we will go.” Wolf said.

Lost One nodded, and turned to gather up needed things. Everyone else did as well.

The flames were as high as the treetops, and less than a mile off when they all left the cave, coughing from the smoke. Sparrow rode in his sling, Wind Rider on Wolf’s back. Grey Mane rode on Stargazer’s shoulders, and Red Leaves carried his and Summer Grass’s child. Sky Scar lagged behind with Elder One and Earth Mother, making sure everyone fled to safe
T
They smelled the fire at their backs the whole way to the river, and waded across it with hundreds of fleeing animals. Corpses of fallen deer, birds, rabbits, lizards and coyotes who had not made the crossing choked the waters, and fish nibbled at the living passing through.

They crept around the places of Men carefully by night, and no Man ever saw them.

Exhausted from their journey, they headed toward their ancient home, the seashore, where they had lived before Men came. Where Wolf and Raven were born.

They arrived, scratched out hollows in the sand dunes to sleep, and curled up in family groups. Even Sky Scar curlp wip with his Sia and father, despite the fact that he was coming into heat for the first time this winter.

When they woke, they were burned by the sun, hoarse from the smoke, and exhausted. Earth Mother did not miscarry, but Purple Flower lost his little one two days later. It was out of season anyway, and unfortunate.

For the next week, more new arrivals, some wounded by the fire, or without their families, appeared and joined their ragged number. Stargazer set ink Rav Raven’s skin, and no one contested it, not even Lost One.

They hunted crabs, and fish, and sea creatures. They wove sea grass into mats and built shelters from the wind and cold - and indeed the snow, for it snowed on occasion. The shore crusted with ice some mornings, and they all shivered around feeble fires built with driftwood. Earth Mother went into labor with Stargazer and Wolf to assist him, and bore Elder One a th sth son. Well, Elder One got the credit, at any rate.

His affair with Sky Scar was far from common knowledge, but there were those that knew what went on. Elder One was lessless, so it was quite a shock to him when he found out about them.

Sky Scar, Raven, Summer Grass, and Purple Flower were fishing, wading into the icy water with a large woven net. The purpose of this was to scoop up and capture all the fish that they could, for fish liked to hide in the shallows near shore. The only trouble was that their predators lurked just beyond that point where the land shelf dropped off into freezing cold, deep, dark water.

Sky Scar was fully in heat, with two suitors already. He had actually come fishing to avoid them, but said suitors were moping ashore, glng ang at him hopefully from time to time. Sky Scar had eyes only for Earth Mother.

Raven and Sky Scar were holding the net underwater, waiting, when Raven felt the bottom give under his feet. Frightened that he might be at the very edge of the shelf, he glanced down and moved to shallower water. When he looked back up, it was because the net had gone slack. “Sky!” Summer Grass complained, and then gasped.

Sky Scar was nowhere to be seen.

They just stared for a moment, careful to remain calm and not panic, lest they be next. “Get ashore.” Raven said very quietly. They all began wading calmly to shore, towing the net with them. It seemed as if they moved in slow motion, such was their fear and shock. As soon as they reached the breakers where the waves only crashed around their knees, the three broke into a run, screaming.

Instantly the entire camp came to their side, and they stood in the ankle-deep waters and looked for him. Earth Mother began to try wading out, but Stargazer caught him. “No. No, Earth Mother. He’s gone.” Earth Mother shook, but remained silent, tense in Stargazer’s arms as they both looked on.

The entire clan watched the waters until it was too dark to see, then began to turn away, one by one. Stargazer gently drew Earth Mother away, last to give up watching. It was very cold, and they stumbled back to their fires. Stargazer wrapped Earth Mother up warmly and sat with him, concerned. Elder One walked by, and then paused as he passed his mate. “I know he was your friend.” He said comfortingly.

Earth Mother did not respond, and Stargazer did not tell him that they were anything more than that.

Near midnight, as Stargazer coaxed Earth Mother to eat, a strange wailing cry was heard from the shore. The elves froze. It was one of their own, weak and waterlogged, but recognizable as the ‘aaaiaar?’ or ‘where are you?’ cr
E
Earth Mother rose and began running toward the shore as fast as he could. Stargazer went after him, as did Raven and Wolf and the rest.

Earth Mother shrieked when he saw the crumpled heap at the waterline, both in the ‘missed you’ cry and in upset. He kept doing it, and as he hit his knees in the sand beside the beautiful Sky Scar, it became a keen. Sky Scar weakly wrapped an arm around his neck as Earth Mother wept on his chest. Elder One arrived, and his features hardened in realization at the scene.

He jerked Earth Mother free of Sky Scar by his hair. “Don’t touch him!” He hissed to Earth Mother. He looked around at them all, gathered. “Nobody touch him.”

In the weak light they could see that Sky Scar was d, md, mauled and bitten, ruining his beauty. His opening gaped and seeped thick black liquid and a little blood. He whimpered and shivered, coughing up salt water. Stargazer scowled at Elder One, and everyone watched the two. Elder One was the only Elf older than Stargazer left. The rest had disappeared from all knowledge since Men came. Raven waited to see if Stargazer would disobey Elder One.

Stargazer lowered his eyes and turned on his heel. Everyone went with him. Elder One dragged Earth Mother along after, spitting in the sand beside Sky Scar as he left. Raven stood and stared, until Wolf took his arm and led him away.

Elder One was surely chief, if even Stargazer obeyed him.

*****
After that day, Sky Scar was an outcast.

The next morning he managed to wash himself off as the tide came in and crawled back to camp. Even his parents did not look at him or speak to him. They wouldn’t even touch him. When he slept in their bed, they made a new one somewhere else. His Sia brought food to him, under the guise of forgetting and leaving it out.

When he felt better, he would wander the beach. Earth Mother looked at him sadly all the time, but when Elder One caught him he always pretended to be merely playing with their babies or cooking or tanning the hide he was working on. Sky Scar never told anyone what had happened to him, whatever horrors he had experienced, because he never spoke to anyone again, reed aed and forlorn.

Sky Scar was taken sick shortly after. They all knew the symptoms of pregnancy, and the idea of him being so brought such fear that his Sia stopped feeding him. They didn’t know what kind of creature he would bear, and thus didn’t trust him. Once he healed fully, and his belly grew unusually large, he went away to live in one of the caves in the rocks, alone. This set the camp more at ease, but Raven felt pity for Sky Scar.

Eyes would go and bring him food, leaving it for him to find, especially as the pregnancy grew later. Sky Scar hid in the depths of his cave, wracked with pain as the creature ate him from the inside out. One day Raven came to check on him, as the food hadn’t been touched, and was extremely disturbed and frightened to find Sky Scar dead, his middle a hollow cavity burst open from an inside force; still-beautiful eyes in his once-lovely face wide with the horror Raven felt.

He fled the rock c and and didn’t return.

Summer came, and they made the journey back to their lands. Earth Mother was weak and sad. Stargazer and Raven and Wolf had to help him walk, supporting his weight. His hair was slack and eyes hollow, his ribs prominent. He would probably die, Stargazer told Raven one night. Grief. Elder One seemed to think all Earth Mother needed was another child, and was always attempting to sire one on him. Earth Mother wasn’t in heat, and too far-gone to mind his mate’s attempts.

On the day they left the shore, Raven was helping Earth Mother across the rocks, Sparrow boundalonalong ahead and distracting him. Raven had caught his foot on a slimy rock and fell, Earth Mother atop him. He landed on his hip and shrieked in pain, then lay still, panting. Stargazer and Wolf helped Earth Mother back up, and Wolf tried to pick Raven up as he tried to get up, but he yelped again and lay perfectly motionless.

“Eyes?” Stargazer said, habitually using his old name, letting Wolf prop Earth Mother up. More of the clan gathered around. Raven whimpered plaiely ely and let his Sia inspect him. “The leg’s not broken. Maybe his hip?” Stargazer said.

Elder One bent down to help. With much pain and yelping on Raven’s part, they determined that yes, his hip was broken. Raven cuddled Wind Rider and Sparrow, concernor tor their Sia, as he lay still, waiting for Stargazer and Lost One to finish making the impromptu fur carry. When they loaded him onto it, Stargazer was very gentle, and let the little ones ride along on the condition that they stay still.

Earth Mother distractedly mumbled an apology, his voice hoarse from disuse. Raven forgave him, as it wasn’t his fault. He had slipped, that was all.

This slowed down the journey considerably. About the point where Raven was able to walk a little each day, Earth Mother’s condition really began to deteriorate. His children were afraid of the gray, sad creature that had replaced their sunny, happy Sia. Earth Mother himself didn’t recognize them, nor his mate. Elder One ceased his attempts to impregnate Earth Mother altogether when Earth Mother began to just lie there and take it silently, moaning in pain now and then. Eldne wne wasn’t heartless.

Two days from home, Earth Mother died. He went to sleep with them at night, and just didn’t get up and move on the next morning. It was hard for his children to understand, but probably for the best. Elder One seemed more angry than anything else over it, and split off from the group, leaving his children under Summer Grass and Red Leaves’ care. Earth Mother was left where he lay, unburied.

He was not yet dead, and none wanted to stay and sim dim die.

Raven and Wolf took their children and went to their home territory the next day, Raven hobbling carefully with Wolf for support.

The grasslands were high green again, and Sparrow’s Nest and Wind Rider frolicked ahead of their parents, joyful to be alive.

*****

Many had died among the elves as well as the animals. Despite the trees growing bright new leaves and the ground blossoming with fresh greenery, there weren’t many animals to be found. Those that were, were thin and lank, making up for the lost number in the mating seasons. The elves became vegetarian to allow the animals a return to full number, and there was no need for the cave in winter this year.

In spring, however, many young elves came to maturity a bit early and all the adult ones went into heat. The way of things in their society had changed, as well.

Mateless, heated elves roamed, and those settled in a territory took them on as new mates. Wolf Hunter and Raven Singer captured two that year, one named Kit Fox and one named Spotted Bird. Spotted Bird stayed until early summer, and theen hen he knew he was pregnant he bade them farewell, and left the shelter of the family.

Kit stayed. Wolf and Raven did not mind; they were the alphas of their little pack. The children loved him, and Kit made life easier on Raven. So much easier, that Raven once sat down beside Wolf at twilight in Wolf’s usual thinking spot and said, “Let’s have anr chr child.”

It was getting on toward summer. Spotted Bird was long gone, and Kit was playing with the children in the grass near the camp. Wolf watched them a moment, then sighed and turned toward his mate.

“Alright.” He said, with a smile.

Raven grinned happily. “Good.”

They kissed, Raven leaning over and running his hands through Wolf’s hair. It was sleek, for they kept one another well groomed, and Kit was a master at unraveling knots. “Are you in season?” Wolf asked in a hushed tone, after the kiss had ended.

“Not this year. But all the world is full of little mothers, I’m sure I will be in spring.”

“Then your hip will heal more, and you and I will wait for spring. Then I shall harvest you.” Wolf said, running his fingertips over the bramble tattoo, tapping the empty places where berries could be inked.

“You must till the soil all winter, then, to keep warm. It will be a cold winter again.” Raven replied.

Kit called from the camp, Wind Rider and Sparrow yipping as they undoubtedly tussled in the dirt. Wolf grinned at him. Raven grinned back.

“Race you.” Raven said playfully.

Wolf winked, and set off.

******

That winter going to the cave was like a reunion. Summer Grass was there, with Earth Mother’s children and a second of his own. Earth Mother’s children called him Sia, despite the fact that he told them as often as they liked to hear about Earth Mother, and his love for Sky Scar.

Elder One was there, but Summer Grass was wise enough to say nothing of him, and Elder One left him be, forsaking all claim to his children. Red Leaves was a fine father, at any rate. He’d taken a second mate, a shifty-eyed fire survivor named Hawk. All those who had lived through the fire had a certain traumatized look about them, and as much as Raven disliked to admit it, he saw it every day in his mate and children, and knew it was in himself.

Kit had it too, but unless you mentioned his lost mate or child, he was so bright and cheery that one simply didn’t notice. He’d never told Raven and Wolf the names of his dead family, not even after he’d accepted a role of co-mate, but there was the markings on him of a fox, a bear, and one berry on his bramble tattoo, which was marred by burn scars, like his legs.

It took a certain kind of elf to live with a baby name like kit fox, and being that type, Kit never asked for a new name, and nobody ever gave him one. It was just who he was.

Wolf Hunter had gained his name from watching wolves hunt, and adapting their style to himself. He would take a pack, organize it, and go hunting, leading his elf pack with remarkable success. Raven had been awarded his for his clever song, sung only to the children.

Stargazer and Lost One were some of the last to arrive at the big winter cave, but their reason became apparent when Raven saw the sling on his Sia’s chest. A late season baby! He bounded out and clamored alongside his children for attention, and received a swat and a squirmy bundle of his latest sibling.

Grey Mane had grown up a bit, as had little Wind Rider. They scowled at one another. “I’m gonna mate you.” Grey Mane threatened her.

She laughed in his face. “No, I’m gonna mate *you*, anthill.”

“You can’t mate each other, he’s Sia’s brother.” Sparrow interjected.

They both scowled at her. “So? I can still whup him.” Wind Rider boasted.

“Care to try?” Grey Mane asked confidently, as he thought Lost One was still behind him. Unbeknownst to he, Lost One was setting up their camp.

Wind Rider growled and attacked.

Grey Mane flew through the air and landed on his back with a thump, then grabbed Wind’s flailing limbs and wrestled her, shrieking when she bit him.

Sparrow watched them and shook her head.

*****

Purple Flower and his mate Bear Den arrived three days later, bringing with them an old friend, long thought lost.

Raven and Wolf, crushing grass seeds with Stargazer and Lost One, glanced up to see another couple arrive; and stared in shock. Bear Den quietly moved to an empty section and began setting up camp, Purple Flower shyly following, holding the hand of a third elf, obviously a co-mate. There was distinct familiarity to the lines of his body, the shape of his nose, his downcast, flitting eyes.

His hair was white from the roots, grown out over unstreaked black. He stood with his face under his hair, shoulders slightly hunched. He had scars, but none they recognized. Raven lifted his head to catch the scent of this mysterious stranger, and whimpered as if he had been wounded. He and Stargazer rose and crept over warily. Purple Flower nodded his head in greeting to them, settling the other down on the bedding Bear Den had laid out, and checking on the infant in the other’s sling.

Raven crouched beside his Sia before the other Elf. The Elf did not look at them, but kept his eyes on the ground at his feet. The only sound was that of the cave and the soft noises of the infant seeking sustenance in the sling. Purple Flower began preparations for a meal, watching them quietly. Raven was the first to speak. “Earth Mother?” He questioned.

The other elf gave no answer, not even a twitch. Stargazer took his hands in his own. “How came you to yet live?” He asked.

Earth Mother didn’t answer.

“He has never spoken.” Purple Flower said quietly. Stargazer and Raven looked at him.

“He came wandering into our territory, heated and wailing. The ‘where are you?’ cry, over and over again. He would not let Bear anywhere near him, only I, for a long time. And he never stopped calling. One night he crept into our camp and crawled into our furs with us. We were…ah.” Purple Flower’s whisper faltered, and he blushed. “He made his wishes to be impregnated known to me, but rebuffed Bear’s touch. He never seemed to mind Bear mating with me, however. That is how we came to be co-mates. He bore this child a month ago.”

Stargazer glanced at the bundle on the other’s chest. Earth Mother’s eyes were closed, as if he were asleep. “He is still nursing it?”

Purple Flower nodded. “I have been trying to feed it solid foods. I even named it, as he hadn’PurpPurple Flower flushed at his own daring, taking over a mother’s sacred rights. “I call him Sky, in memory. I would teach the little one to speak, but Earth Mother clings to him so.”

Raven touched the infant through the sling, and Earth Mother’s eyes searched his face for aggression, avoiding his own. “What of your other children, Earth Mother?” He asked. Earth Mother’s eyes darted to where they played at Summer Grass’s knees, but he did not reply.

Raven did not ask about his mate. Earth Mother’s eyes shifted uneasily to Elder One’s corner, then away again, frightened.

Stargazer sighed heavily. “We will return tomorrow, perhaps he will feel more friendly then. In time…” He let his sentence trail off.

Purple Flower nodded sadly.

Stargazer took Raven’s arm and led him out. “Tell no one that it is Earth Mother.” He whispered.

“So what *will* we tell them?” Raven understood what his Sia meant by this.

“That Earth Mother is dead. This is another, Crowned Stag. Like the buck in winter he has seen the snowfall, and his antlers are crowned with it.”

Raven nodded in agreement, glancing sorrowfully back at the curled Elf, who seemed like an invalid, with Purple Flower efficiently handing him food and making him eat it, brushing his long hair back.

Yes, Earth Mother was dead. This was another, surely.

*****

(Please defer to 'chapter' two, for the story length has exceeded AFF chapter limit.)