Log Date: February 1994 Log Intro: Several elves have come to the Willowholt as of late: Rillwhisper, Woodhawk, and Trollkiller's son No-fur, who has returned from his soulname quest, and bringing with him Rowanberry of Wolfhaven for a visit. Windswhisper, also of Wolfhaven, who arrived at Willowholt asking for aid for a broken arm. Leaf, her sister Skyflame, and LeafRunner, all solitary wanderers. And a large party from Wolfhaven, including Blackwolf, Vandalia, Torrent, Strider, and WindDream -- and shortly thereafter, the Glider Tyvol. These elves are invited into the Holt, but only Strider is brought in by Silversong, and from him the Willowholt learns that he had been imprisoned in the Cage in Blue Mountain, and that he had escaped. Concerned about whether the Mountain will be sending the Chosen to seek Strider, he is sheltered outside the Holt in Silversong's private tree, along with 'his friend' -- who turns out to be WhiteBright, Strider's other mate. With all these elves in the Holt the mood is somewhat tense -- but not tense enough that Rillwhisper will not allow a Howl in honor of the return of her son, a Howl to which the visitors are all invited. ---------- Dawn drops down from the branch above. Rillwhisper scans the clearing again, and her gaze settles on Leaf, the visitor. "You're welcome to Howl with us, cousin... " Leaf takes dreamberries very modestly, but also a less familiar mushroom. Leaf says "I was wondering, if there are spare dens here in the holt..." Leaf says "?" Dawn lets herself down from the branch at the mention of mushroom, smilng cheerfully. No-fur hmms. No Autumn, or Rowanberry. Pout. Trollkiller takes several dreamberries, for eventual use... No-fur winks. No-fur snatches a few dreamberries himself. No-fur sends openly *Well, Leaf, you can stay with -me-... :)* Dawn ruffles Joys hair in passing, and walks over to help herself to some dreamberries, as well. Rillwhisper arches an eyebrow at that, to Leaf, but chuckles. "Ask me after the Howl, maybe... " She tilts back her head, and lets out a loud clear howl... a summons. Dawn giggles at No-fur.. Leaf smiles at No-fur *Me, and Skyflame, Rowanberry and... Autumn, was it?* On the hill, more of the wolfpack slowly comes into view, lupine forms melting out of the trees. They gather, watching, as their elf-friends join together in the clearing. Greylegs stands up, yaawning..then he joins the pack in the shadows. No-fur laughs... Woodhawk doesn't touch any of the dreamberries, at least not yet. His gold-brown eyes occasionally watch the sky, alertly, even as he allows himself to smile at his tribesmates, and to allow the mood to show in his gaze. No-fur sends openly *Something like that...* No-fur gulps down a dreamberry. No-fur grins. Trollkiller giggles. Leaf shakes her head, turning her head to the mushroom. Leaf looks around to see it is used. Rillwhisper looks around to you all. "We will Howl, then... and I daresay we'll wake up those who are sleeping, they'll join us when they're ready!" No-fur winks at Leaf, his eyes glazing over a bit... *Mmmm...* Dawn waves up to the watchful Zalen above, smiling happily, and sits down on the log, tucking her feet under her. Dawn sends openly *We will wake the forest...so all will know the Holt howls!* Joy looks up and waves to her father. Joy tucks Dawn's sleeve... Rillwhisper lifts a hand, and sends to you all, *Howl, Willowholt! We Howl tonight, for the return of our tribesmate No-fur... and for the joining of many elves that we are!* Woodhawk tilts back his head, and howls, a low husky tone that catches attention despite its low volume. Dawn giggles under her breath, sending briefly to Joy. *You are too young, my cubling..but howl!* No-fur grins, and throws his head back, howling out energetically! Dawn joins in the howl, in a high, somewhat wavering voice which grows more steady. Leaf tilts her head back, joining the howl, somewhat quietly. Rillwhisper smiles warmly to her tall young son, and howls again, brightly, clearly. The wolves join their voices to the harmonies, making the clearing ring with sound. Trollkiller arches back and howls loudly, sharply into the night. Rillwhisper sends openly *This night's Howl is for who and what we are... the gathering of elves of many bloods... in a place of warmth and solitude and shelter. Elves who have chosen to come from many corners of the land, to make new ties of tribe and Holt...* Leaf closes her eyes, straightening her back, her voice getting more depth. Greylegs howls, his voice rising above the others...then slowly dying away. Trollkiller howls again, keening proudfully towards the stars. Rillwhisper sends openly *We Howl for the Gliders who have chosen to follow our Way... for Zalen, and Areeya, and for the cubs they have brought us. For Farwalker and Duskshadow and Fhen, who know the blood of the floaters as well.* No-fur munches another dreamberry, and then howls again. Dawn breaks of briefly to giggle, and shake her head at Joy. *Nope!* Sweetleaf howls, somehow fuzzily but happily, between mushrooms. Dawn smiles proudly.. *That is you, Joy..and Simmel.* Joy smiles, but wants to pout. She wants a berry! Rillwhisper sends openly *We Howl for the blood of Cat Elves and Plainsrunners in our veins... for Duskshadow and her cub.* Dawn pops a dreamberry into her mouth, smiling.. Leaf carefully tastes a mushroom, chews some, raising her voice again, full of emotion. Trollkiller howls brightly though the sendings. Rillwhisper sends openly *We Howl for those whose only ties are with us... for Chitter, and for Brightmark.* No-fur giggles at Joy. Dawn howls again, more strongly. Rillwhisper sends openly *And we Howl for the Wolfriders who have come from all parts of the land....* No-fur giggles at Joy. *C'mere, cub!* The voices of the wolves build, weaving a complex net of harmonies, a song of affirmation and joy. Joy folds her arms in front of her chest, then spots Nofur and runs to him. Dawn nods to Joy, nudging her over to No-fur. Rillwhisper sends openly *We Howl for the chieftains who have led us!* No-fur picks up Joy, lifting her into the air. *Howl cubling!* Rillwhisper begins to send, flame-bright images, alive and powerful.... Timmorn Yellow-Eyes.... Dawn watches Rillwhisper with fascination, her lips forming the names even as she joins in the send. Woodhawk weaves his own sending of fire into Rillwhisper's, his gaze glittering faintly with sparks of gold. Rahnee the She-Wolf.... Joy folds her arms on her chest, for a little while before they straighten as her small and angry voice joins the howl. Prey-Pacer.... No-fur joins in with Joy. The voices of the tribe join in unison, sending and speaking the names. Bright as the chieftess's hair, strong as the roots of the Old Willow, the sendings of those who led Before fill all minds. Other shadows of elves appear on the fringes of the clearing... roused tribesmates of the Willowholt, alerted by the building noise. Two-Spear.... Huntress Skyfire.... Dawn blushes, glancing at No-fur, then laughing again as she weaves her own images into the send. No-fur winks at Dawn. Leaf howls with the tribe, moving to sit in middle of others, tears glimmering in the corners of her eyes. Freefoot.... Trollkiller howls highly. Rillwhisper's next send is of a tall, massively built elf, with curls and beard the color of low-flickering flame... with the demeanor of Skyfire. Redbear....! Woodhawk and Sweetleaf howl on high, for the memory of their former chief. Joy squirms to sit on No-fur's knee, holwing with others. Rillwhisper sends openly *We Howl for these chieftains and for those who have led the tribes we all have come from!* No-fur holds joy tight, howling again. Dawn sends openly *And for Rillwhisper...our Chieftess!* Dawn smiles happily, howling with the others, her voice matching perfectly with Greylegs. No-fur grins. *My mother!* Rillwhisper sends more bright images... of elves only vaguely familiar yet whose heritages all weave together into this joining of elves: Tanner. Goodtree. Mantricker. Bearclaw. Cutter. The chieftains of Wolfhaven... and the leaders of the Sun Village... and even Lord Voll of the Gliders.... No-fur howls hapilly! And the tribe Howls at last, for the green-golden figure standing proudly on the log. Rillwhisper's green eyes shine. Rillwhisper sends openly *This night's Howl is for who and what we are! For our origins... and our time now.* Rillwhisper jumps down off the log, and turns with a bright flashing grin to Woodhawk. "Woodhawk, fire-maker, and one of the eldest among us... you speak first." Dawn blinks as Joy manages to grab a dreamberry..and jump down to grab her daughter before smiling back up at Rillwhisper. Woodhawk smiles lopsidedly, and inclines his head to his mate and chieftess. Joy munches. Woodhawk's low husky voice, carrying well despite its softness, speaks up as the howls fall into silence. "Origins, then. I've one origin story that means the most, to me... " From the branch above, Autumn climbs out of Autumn's den carefully. Autumn drops down from the branch above. Autumn drops down from the branch, landing silently. :) Dawn listens solemnly to Hawk..pulling both her cubs close. Trollkiller nibbles the skin off a dreamberry, then licks at the inside a little more, then pops it into his mouth to suck on it for a while. Dawn smiles up at Autumn, and winks to No-fur. No-fur jumps up, and tackles Autumn. :) Woodhawk stands, and smiles with that same quietly rueful look. He lifts one lean hand, and his fingers are suddenly lit with a flurry of tiny golden sparkles. Autumn oofs and lands not so silently. :) Trollkiller ooooooohs. Rillwhisper grins over to Autumn and No-fur's greeting of her. Woodhawk says "This is my origin, you can probably say. I'll speak of that." Autumn kisses No-fur quite thoroughly, then gives his nose a lick. :) No-fur kisses autumn, and takes the opportunity to curl up in her lap to listen to the tale.. Woodhawk says "I was a reed-thin little cub, all mophaired and big-eyed..." Trollkiller fuzzles Woodhawk's hair. *Still mop-haired!* Dawn holds her own cubs, her eyes dreamy with berries and other memories as she looks up at Woodhawk. Woodhawk smiles briefly at Joy and Simmel, and sends an image: himself, as a cub, with wide brown eyes and hair that constantly fell into them. He winks at Trollkiller, and continues. Autumn plays with No-fur's hair and grins at Woodhakw, settling comfortably to listen. No-fur mmmms, smiling up at Autumn and sighing contentedly. Joy looks at Woodhawk, pointing her him and looking somewhat fuzzy. Woodhawk says "My father was one of Freefoot's finest hunters, and there were very little thoughts in my head those days save the need to be like my sire. He hit what he aimed at, and he missed very little." Dawn sighs at her befuddled cub, sendwhispering *Dreamberries are for grownup, cubling..* Leaf is listening, her face peaceful and relaxed even if she against her isn't smiling. She listens intently, or watches and only thinks intently. Woodhawk sends again, of a slightly older version of himself: taller, still thin as a marsh-reed, with his first trademark headband keeping his unruly hair out of his eyes. No-fur offers Autumn a dreamberry. Autumn grins and takes it, happily. Dawn slowly nibbles another dreamberry, watching Woodhawk distantly. Woodhawk says "To prove myself, I went out for my first lone hunt, intent on winning the same renown that my sire did. I had only my spear, for in those days, we hadn't yet dreamed up the bow for bringing down our prey...." No-fur grins at Autumn again. Windswhisper arrives from the side of the Old Willow. Woodhawk goes on with the tale... how his younger self ventured warily into the deeper woods away from Freefoot's crowded Holt, refusing to acknowledge the curious sends directed to him by the other younglings. This was *his* hunt... and one he'd be successful on. Rillwhisper, as Woodhawk speaks, glances over to the new arrival and nods affably. Windswhisper nods greetings Woodhawk smirks a bit, and says wryly, "Thing is, elves that age aren't nearly as big as bears... " Autumn chuckles quietly, helping herself to another dreamberry. Woodhawk sends out another image... of young Woodhawk crying out in shock, as a bear easily several times his size comes crashing through the underbrush. Dawn oohs softly..*Bears...like Zalen..* No-fur laughs, finishing off his last dreamberry. It *IS* a big bear, sharp and bright of tooth and talon, and growlingly aangry. Woodhawk continues the tale.... Woodhawk says "I threw my spear, of course. Even grazed the beast. But not much, and that only angered him. It spotted me, and lunged...." Dawn holds Joy close, eyes wide and cheeks flushed as the images seem all too real. Another send-image: the frightened youth being charged by the bear... and suddenly, the youth's brown eyes flaring golden, without his knowing. There is a stench, of singed fur and flesh... the bear roars, and the elf-youth staggers back in astonishment. Woodhawk says "I had no idea what I did... but it distracted the bear long enough that I was able to get my spear back... and to deal it the death-blow." Friendly grey wolf appears from the nearby pathway. No-fur reaches up and skitches Autumn. Friendly grey wolf is attracted by the howling..melting into the shadows with the rest of the wolves, its eyes glittering. Woodhawk says "I must have sent, for my father, and other hunters, came running... *they* didn't really believe what they'd seen, either, but the smell of fire was all over the place, on me, on the bear, and everywhere. They also couldn't deny the sight of the spear through the big beast's gullet, either!" Dawn holds Joy tight.. *Making fire..* Rillwhisper grins softly at her elder mate. Joy tries to squirm out of Dawn's lap. Woodhawk says "That got me my father's attention, although it also got me some nervousness from the other hunters, too. But that's another tale!" Woodhawk settles back, once more making a few small golden flickers of flame dance around a casually gesturing hand. Autumn smiles at No-fur, kissing the top of his head. Dawn holds her cubling firmly, still paying attention to Woodhawk... Oooing softly.. Dawn sends openly *Can you really do that whenever you want, now?* No-fur giggles. Woodhawk grins a bit. "I can do small things, like this... I still have to fight to make big flames, though!" Dawn's curls straighten, swirling around in the air, as if in middle of storm. Rillwhisper smiles, and stands once more, looking around the circle. "Welcome, Windswhisper," she greets the new arrival, "be welcome to Howl with us! Who speaks next, then, tribesmates?" Dawn looks down at Joy and Simmel...*When I was as young as Simmel...* Dawn starts.. Dawn pushes her hair back.. *I..* Joy stills squirms, looking angry, glancing up at her mother, and giggling, pointing to her hair which settle, to only start again, with even more wild manner. Rillwhisper turns to smile to Dawn encouragingly. "Speak, cousin!" Joy laughs and giggles. Dawn sends openly *Joy...do you want to hear my story?* Joy continues, having great fun, her mother looking really wild. Dawn looks solemnly at her squirming daughter, and the calmly watching Simmel. Windswhisper smiles Dawn strokes Joys hair, and starts to send, slightly fuzzy with dreamberries. Woodhawk grins quietly to young Dawn and her cubs. Trollkiller giggles. Rillwhisper grabs that pouch as it passes, swiping a couple of dreamberries herself. Joy starts listening, Dawn's hair settling down, being in anything but good order. Trollkiller looks halfway as dazed as Sweatleaf. Dawn sends openly *When I was Simmels age..and younger..I lived in another holt. Not this one..a smaller one, yet.* Windswhisper blushes slightly Dawn runs her fingers distractedly through her hair, and sends an image of a single tree..as remembered by a very small cub. Joy stares her mother, her anger and wildness swept away by the story. Trollkiller giggles again and splashes a little water from the fountain at the now-mud-free Windswhisper. Dawn sends openly *.* Windswhisper giggles and slips in by Trollkiller splashing him back Leaf follows the story, seeming somewhat separate in middle of others, quiet, thoughtful, still holding the dreamberries and half the mushroom in her hands. Dawn sends openly *We lived there..my mother, my father, I...and two other little families. Or so I remember..* Dawn looks thoughtfully at Woodhawk. *Then...there was fire...* Autumn keeps up a steady flow of dreamberries, rather unaffected by them still. :) Woodhawk inclines his head softly. *Fire can harm, even as it aids.* Dawn draws a deep breath, pulling Simmel tight. *I do not know what happened...We awoke in the middle of the night, and the tree...was burning.* Trollkiller rubs Windswhisper's back, since he's close now. Joy gets scared and starts crying quietly, hugging Dawn. Windswhisper leans back into the scratching Rillwhisper sends gently to the cubs, an assuring sense of safe-here, only-a-story. Dawn smiles softly at her daugher, the brief flickers of fire in her mind quieting again. *It is long in the past, cubling....but when the fire was gone...so were the others.* Dawn sends openly *All but my mother and I...though I could still feel them, close..* Woodhawk nods softly, as Rillwhisper sends, *The spirits of Wolfriders stay with us.* Joy stays against Dawn, obviously not crying anymore. Dawn sends openly *I..could very well feel them, even then...those who were there, and those not..* Dawn frowns slightly. *See, I do not think they were dead..not all...but there was a great Anger.* Rillwhisper tilts her head at that, trying to envision. Autumn grins at Trollkiller and Windswhisper. Dawn strokes Joys hair gently. *I have thought, since I came here...and tried to understand. And my though is this..* Dawn glances at Woodhawk again. *I think..perhaps there was a firestarter there..whether of my tribe, or from elsewhere...* Dawn sends openly *And a fight...an Anger great enough to turn the tree to ashes.* Dawn nods quietly to Joy, releasing her. Silversong smiles, listening quietly from where she sits next to Woodhawk. Woodhawk inclines his head in solemn acknowledgement. Dawn frowns..thinking a little longer. Then she smiles. *Though I may have been mistaken...a skyfire storm...a careless human...I was so little then.* Joy drops down on the ground, is staggers and continues towards her den. Rillwhisper sends openly * Perhaps, someday, you'll know, cousin.* Joy slips down the path around the Old Willow. Dawn sends openly *I only know my mother fled, afraid ever to go back..and ever since then, we stayed by the great waters towards sun-goes-down.* Dawn smiles at Rillwhisper. *Perhaps..I still hope, someday, that I will find others of my tribe. No, that is not right...this is my tribe, now.* Rillwhisper's eyes are warm as she smiles to Dawn, and Woodhawk, too, smiles. Sweetleaf beams at *everyone*, dreamily passing brightly-hued mushrooms to the nearest hands. Dawn looks after Joy with a small smile, and cuddles Simmel. *This is _our_ holt...and you are all my tribe.* Windswhisper pensively scritches Trollkiller's back Rillwhisper smiles to Dawn affirmingly, and stands again, scanning the circle. "Who will speak now, cousins?" In a send for all to hear, Dawn sends an image of the willowholt, and of the tribesmembers...and a warm, all including feeling. Leaf remembers she is still holding the mushroom and berries, starts chewing on the mushroom. Dawn settles back, smiling quietly. Sweetleaf tilts his head and looks like he's about to say or send something, but his attention falls on Sunruff's fur and he gazes dreamily at it. "Pretty wolf... " Rillwhisper laughs, glancing at her brother, and scans the circle again. Autumn giggles at Sweetleaf. Friendly grey wolf whurfs! Trollkiller sends, *I could talk about the trolls again...* Rillwhisper looks to Trollkiller, and nods softly, encouragingly. Friendly grey wolf ambles closer, wolf-grinning in a friendly way. Woodhawk reaches over to skritch Trollkiller's nearest shoulder. Autumn ducks as a chittering treewee leaps from the tree, aiming for her head. The treewee lands, tumbles, turns and scolds Autumn, who grins. Dawn sends openly *Speaking of fire, though..* Trollkiller tilts his head to one side. *Well, it was a long time ago, before I'd finished growing up.* He sends a picture of a younger, even _bouncier_ Trollkiller - the word you're looking for is "hyperactive" - out, alone, wandering through the woods where he probably quite shouldn't yet... Dawn glances at Autumn...and decides to listen to Trollkiller. Rillwhisper passes the dreamberry pouch around, and smiles quietly, remembering the cubling called Fuzzy. Silversong smiles over at Rill... ``Brightmark is bringing my.. visitors.. to this howl...'' Dawn takes another dreamberry...and smiles at her own, no longer quite so fuzzy cub. Rillwhisper looks over to Silversong, and nods to that. Woodhawk thoughtfully looks up at the sky. Windswhisper giggles looking at Trollkiller *fuzzy?* Trollkiller sends, *This was in the before time, of course, before the preservers. I was the first born in Redbear's time, and it was _very_ cold those years...* *But I was warm! Because I was furry already.* Trollkiller nods to Windswhisper. *My cubname.* Dawn giggles again, fuzzling Simmel. Autumn chuckles. *Very nice fur it is, too.* Windswhisper giggles Brightmark appears from the nearby pathway. Woodhawk hehs. "Round and cuddly as a wolf cub, too." WhiteBright appears from the nearby pathway. Brightmark smiles, and waves. -(Hi!)- Windswhisper sends openly *Aww.. that's sweet* Trollkiller sticks his tongue out at Windswisper, slap-slap-slapping his back. Then he bites his shoulder. Woodhawk looks over as his daughter emerges from the trees, with a visitor in tow. WhiteBright enters with Brightmark, shyly holding Striders hand. Windswhisper gets very limp and very quiet Rillwhisper looks up, as well, and nods cordially to the newcomers. Trollkiller sends, *Anyway. We hadn't met the trolls yet. We didn't even know about them.* Rillwhisper sends openly *Join the Howl, cousins.* Strider nods quietly to the chieftess, finding a seat with Whitebright. Trollkiller sends, *Oh, right. But I was in the woods.* Brightmark smiles, sitting down beside WhiteBright and NewHope. Rillwhisper settles back as Trollkiller continues to send. Dawn sends openly *Oh...you could not have been Trollkiller then..* Trollkiller sends, *Well, we're always in the woods. I mean, I was in woods I didn't know. I had gone off chasing butterflies and frogs and stuff.* Dawn giggles, a brief image of chasing frogs at the pond crossing her mind. Rillwhisper chuckles softly. Autumn grins. *Nothing wrong with frog chasing.* Woodhawk grins. "Fuzzy's always been partial to frogs." Dawn sends openly *Nope! I like that! Joy too, except she cheats...* Silversong smiles. Rillwhisper passes Brightmark the dreamberry pouch if she wishes it. Woodhawk continues to avoid the dreamberries, keeping half his attention on the sky. WhiteBright shyly peers up at Strider... Brightmark looks curiously into the pouch, and picks one out, peering at it. -(Whassit?)- No-fur peers at his father as if trying to imagine him as a cub. "Nope. Can't see it, fur-father." He giggles. Trollkiller sends, *Anyway. I wasn't _too_ far from our holt, when I was suddenly attacked by three trolls! They grabbed me and konked me on the head when I wasn't looking.* Dawn sends openly *Dreamberries, Brightmark...is nice..* Dawn angles for some more berries herself, and pops one into her mouth. Trollkiller nibbles dreamberries. Windswhisper yips! Brightmark pops it into her mouth, and munches it. She giggles slightly. -(Tastes neat...)- Trollkiller thinks. *OH. Right.* Dawn sends openly ** Rillwhisper nods gently and encouragingly to Trollkiller, as he slowly tells the tale. Dawn sends openly *Trolls are scary..* Autumn shrugs slightly, *Depends on the troll.* Trollkiller sends, *I woke up in this dark place. It was like a den, but bigger, and all made of rock. It smelled _bad_. There were bars at the entrance, and I couldn't open it.* Dawn shudders, and moves closer to Rillwhisper, holding the solemnly listening Simmel still. WhiteBright says "A..cage..." Leaf has finished her very modest handfull of berries, her look quiet dreamy, from elf to elf, studying all the new faces, enjoying being in middle of elves, which she has not for so long time done. Brightmark picks out another berry, and pops it into her mouth. Silversong looks over at WhiteBright, concerned. Rillwhisper's gaze and expression are relaxed, but not muddled, and she too catches WhiteBright's brief comment. But she does not interrupt her mate. Trollkiller sends scents of iron and steel, things for which he has no words; there is also the scent of sulpher, coal, fire, and, everywhere, troll. The room is bare, and small; the bars thick, grey, cold, and smooth. There's a pile of old blankets and scrapcloth in the corner... Dawn glances up at Rillwhisper, and sits quietly near the chieftess, listening to Trollkiller. Woodhawk nods to the fire-scent... it is present on him, too, but purer and cleaner, intermingled only with the smells of wood and open air. Rillwhisper reaches over and clasps Dawn's shoulder. [Windswhisper departs OOC, but remains IC to listen and to snug Trollkiller.] Trollkiller sends, *Um. Berries...* Dawn smiles gratefully at Rillwhisper, looking very young herself for a moment. Brightmark hmms? She ohs, and passes the pouch towards Trollkiller. -(Sorry...)- she sends, and giggles a bit. Autumn smiles briefly at Dawn. Trollkiller sends, *What was I saying? Oh. Right. Okay. I was there for what felt like a long time. There wasn't any food, or any water, and the room beyond was mostly dark. All I could see was a little glow from the room beyond...* WhiteBright leans her head against Striders shoulder, smiling dreamily. No-fur scowls briefly at the notion of his father imprisoned. Sweetleaf absently ponders a mental image of shaping vines around the bars of the rock-and-steel cage, but is distracted by the sway of the willow fronds blowing in the breeze. Strider frowns at the image of a cage..but does not speak. Silversong gently sets her hand on Woodhawk's shoulder, listening. Trollkiller sends, *Anyway. I fell asleep after a while, and then woke up when it got brighter. A big green thing was carrying a candle in the dark room, and lighting other candles to make it brighter.* Dawn sends openly *A big green thing?* Trollkiller sends, *I didn't know it yet, but this was a Troll.* Simmel giggles at that... "Squirrel!" Leaf smiles slightly. WhiteBright shivers a little, pulling her thin clothing closer around her. You say "No squirrel, my Fuzzy." Silversong grins, remembering the little squirrel friend of hers she left back at the mountain... Wondering how much havoc he's caused since she left. Rillwhisper smiles. Trollkiller sends, *Anyway. I grabbed it, and when he hit me again, I swing it at him, wildly. I wasn't yet trained in the sword at all; I'd been playing more with the pike, and the bow. But somehow - I got lucky.* Firestar frowns faintly at Dawn's suggestion. The frown little more than a pressing together of her lips. Her eyes are shadowed. Trollkiller sends, *I don't think he was expecting anything. The sword cut deep into his neck; I felt it scrape against bone.* Woodhawk murmurs softly, *It would not have been pleasant, Dawn... * He continuees to listen to Trollkiller. Trollkiller snivvers. *It had kind of wedged there. He stared at me, eyes bulging, gasping at me like he was trying to talk, but he couldn't. I tried to take the sword out, but it was stuck, and then I heard this snap and he relaxed and fell over.* Rillwhisper solemnly nods, in acknowledge of the conflict. Trollkiller curls up a little, sending the scene, the thoughts, the fear and revulsion... Trollkiller sends, *He dragged me down with him, but he wasn't holding on anymore and I got loose. He was dead, with his blood all over everything.* LeafRunner looks up at Leaf with a bit of anger but keeps very quiet. Silversong shivers slightly, and leans close into Woodhawk's side. One or two of the wolves, picking up on their elves' moods, howl softly. Dawn blinks slowly, looking at Firestar and Woodhawk...and blushes softly. Brightmark just blinks with wide eyes, listening to the story. Trollkiller sends, *I picked up the sword again and ran to the bright spot. There was a... tunnel, of dirt and rock, mostly rock. I picked a direction and ran.* Dawn winces at the last images from Trollkiller, and turns to hug Rillwhisper briefly, then staying close to her. Rillwhisper puts an arm around Dawn, to provide something for her to lean against. Sweetleaf seems to rouse a little out of his daze, murmuring something about how the trolls would have been ever so much nicer if they'd just had a tea. LeafRunner grits his teeth holding back. Trollkiller sends, *The running was horrible. I saw all these things, some of which I'm only beginning to understand now. I saw what I later figured out were _Forges_, which the Trolls use to make Metal. I had to hide there for a little while, and watched how they worked. But I was too scared to pay as much attention as I now wish I had...* Leaf turns quickly towards Leafrunner. Trollkiller sends, *By this time, some of the other trolls were out looking for me, because they'd found the dead one. They didn't seem to hear very well, though, or pick up scents, because they couldn't tell where I'd gone if they didn't see me.* Woodhawk nods sagely as Trollkiller sends, in agreement with his assessment of the diggers' abilities. Trollkiller sends a collection of images; a slave pit; a zig-zag chamber filled with forges; a water-wheel; barrel upon barrel of sludge, rock; rooms of hammers and tools; and other such things. No-fur leans forwards, looking eagerly at fur-father. LeafRunner growls softly as to not interupt then stands and sits down on the ground. Trollkiller sends, *At one point, I found a place where they stored their weapons. I stole some, in case I had to drop the big sword I was carrying. That's when I almost got caught.* Dawn shivers at the images, the dreamberries adding menacing dimensions to the already dire sendimages. Dawn buries her face against Rillwhispers shoulder, murmuring something. Dawn sends *Sometimes I don't think I should eat dreamberries at all. * Trollkiller sends, *I was wrapping them up into a carrysack when a troll saw me and shouted for the others. I howled and ran at him. He shrieked, and jumped - I hit him with the sword, digging it into his stomach. He fell over, grunting; I yanked it back out and ran. I heard him cursing after me, but he didn't follow.* Rillwhisper cradles Dawn a little bemusedly, smoothing her hair. You send ** to Dawn. Trollkiller sends, *Then I caught my first whif of real air, and followed it. I could hear them chasing me, so I ran faster!* WhiteBright's red eyes are wide and solemn. Trollkiller rocks back and forth a little. Leaf is sending too heatedly to pay attention to others. Rillwhisper glances at Leaf and LeafRunner thoughtfully, but does not interrupt Trollkiller's tale. Trollkiller sends, *After a while, the air stopped getting more fresh, and I had to back up. I remembered how the trolls that had gotten me had appeared, and I looked for a little hole or a crack or something.* No-fur nods firmly! "A maze, right, Fur-father? All twisted and such." Dawn takes a deep breath and sits up, blushing just slightly. Trollkiller nods. *It was very twisty and confusing. But I could follow my own scent back. Eventually, I found a crack, and tried to push it open. As I was trying, _another_ troll came shouting after me, and he had friends! "Kill it!" they yelled. I threw one of the hammers at them, and managed to push open the... door.* Trollkiller sends, *The daystar was up, and it was very bright and hard to see.* Leaf reaches and takes Leafrunner's hand into hers. Dawn puts her hand over her mouth, looking at Trollkiller. LeafRunner looks at Leaf anger still showing in his eyes. Trollkiller sends, *The trolls yelled again and backed up away from the light while I scrambled out. They threw things at me; something hit me in the calf. I yelped, but got out and slammed the door behind me...* Rillwhisper keeps one eye on the two hot-eyed visitors, but smiles to Trollkiller. "We knew he'd been gone too long by then, of course... " Silversong lightly scritches behind Firestar's ears, looking at her. Dawn looks involuntarily down at Trollkillers calf.. Firestar listens quietly, closing her eyes at the scritching. Her expression is still closed, looking almost as if she grew up with the GoBacks. Trollkiller sends, *I ran back home as best I could, but it hurt a lot. I managed to get there and hit in my den for a long time. Rillwhisper came in and started cleaning me, then stayed with me for a while.* Sweetleaf studies a stray mushroom growing next to a willow with professional interest. Trollkiller sends, *Eventually, I _really_ started liking the cleaning! And we ended up joining. That was _my_ first time for that!* LeafRunner looks away from Leaf and back to the ground. Rillwhisper, eyes gentle with the recollection, nods softly. "A full day." She smiles. Woodhawk puts in, "And I told the Holt what had happened, at least enough to get by until Trollkiller was ready to speak, himself." Dawn blushes again, and peers towards the willow where Zalen is keeping his watch.. Silversong watches Firestar quietly, gently scritching. Trollkiller sends, *And that's how I found out how much I liked _that_!* Dawn giggles... *Bathing?* Rillwhisper and Woodhawk exchange fond glances, and both smile at Trollkiller. LeafRunner snaps his head up and looks right at Leaf's eyes. Trollkiller giggles. *That too. But also joining. Later I slept with Woodhawk, too, and anybody else I can find. :-) * Trollkiller giggles. Dawn smiles happily, images of a swimming Trollkiller in the pond flashing briefly..then she giggles. Trollkiller sends, *Later I told everybody about the trolls and all that stuff, and they gave me my adult name. And that's how I became Trollkiller.* No-fur howls! You say "And after a tale like that, we need more dreamberries, I think." WhiteBright says "How brave you are...just like Strider." Rillwhisper grins, and leans over, pokling Sweetleaf. "Brother?" WhiteBright smiles quietly at the oddly furred elf, gently holding Striders hand in her own. Sweetleaf smiles hugely and fuzzily to his sister. *?* At Rillwhisper's chuckled request, he settles back contentedly, a dreamberry in hand. He buries it, and shapes it... making a tiny dreamberry bush spring up from the ground. Trollkiller giggles ate WhiteBright and nibbles her shoulder. Dawn oohs, admiring Sweetleafs work! Sweetleaf sends placidly, *Dreamberries for everybody!* WhiteBright starts, backing off. "I.." WhiteBright. o O (I dont wanna be ate!) Trollkiller nuzzles WhiteBright's neck instead. *Better?* Silversong smiles, watching Trollkiller. Rillwhisper looks over, and says cordially to WhiteBright, "Ah, Trollkiller's friendly." She grins to her brother, as in a swirl of pale violet sparkles, fresh dreamberries come into being on the bush. She plucks some and passes them round. WhiteBright ohs, looking slightly startled, if not unpleased..until Strider scowls. Trollkiller ooohs! and hops over to Rillwhisper. He sits in front of her and opens his mouth. Brightmark looks up at Trollkiller as he nibbles on her friend... :) Rillwhisper eyes Leaf and LeafRunner, and murmurs wryly, "Those two, I think, are occupied... who else will tell us a tale, then?" She laughs, and pops a dreamberry into Trollkiller's open mouth. Leaf watches to the forest, not to Leafrunner. Trollkiller looks at Strider. *Hum?* Trollkiller chomps the dreamberry and looks happy. LeafRunner growls. Dawn sends openly *Firestar?* Dawn looks solemnly at her long gone tribesmate. *Would you tell us..about your travels?* Leaf turns to Leafrunner, her fist clenching Rillwhisper stands once more, and smiles at No-fur, her boycub. But she looks back to LeafRunner and Leaf, and sends, still mildly, but in a tone brooking no argument, *If you two are going to come to blows, take it away from the Howl, hey?* Firestar looks up, lifting one brow in question. Dawn hesitates..and finally picks a dreamberry as well, sniffing it. You sense LeafRunner is sorry. Trollkiller nuzzles Rillwhisper's breast. Leaf looks at the ground for a while, and turns to Rillwhisper. "True, we should have left a long time ago." Leaf stands up and stalks towards the pond. Dawn smiles dreamily...*It does not matter...it is good to have the tribe here.* Leaf vanishes into the trees, going around the nearby pond. LeafRunner nods to Rill.."Sorry." Trollkiller yawns and lies back on the grass. He ends up back at WhiteBright's legs, which be begins rubbing. WhiteBright smiles up into Striders violet eyes, touching his cheek gently with pale fingers. "It is all right.." Rillwhisper inclines her head to LeafRunner. "You both will be welcome, but I'd prefer you didn't fight here." Firestar watches Dawn quietly, waiting for her question. :) LeafRunner says "Sorry again.." LeafRunner vanishes into the trees, going around the nearby pond. WhiteBright looks solemnly down at Trollkiller...and hesitates briefly before touching his fur curiously. Dawn sends openly *You have been gone long, Firestar...* You send to leafrunner leaf, Rillwhisper touches both your minds, informing you that you will be welcome if you resolve your conflicts outside of the Howl. Rillwhisper sighs a bit, murmurs something under her breath, and looks back around to the circle. You say "Interesting days we're in... but then, we still have a Howl to finish. Firestar, cousin, speak when you're ready..." You sense in a send, LeafRunner nods frowning.. Rillwhisper grins once more at No-fur, and says wryly, "Cub, you want to tell us some of those tales of your travels?" No-fur blinks, and giggles. "Ah, Mother, I haven't gotten them all straight yet for tale-telling... " Trollkiller sends, *Yes! Yes! Cubtalk!* Dawn smiles, turning her attention from the quiet Firestar to No-fur. *Yes...did you travel far?* Firestar nods slowly. *It's a long walk.* No-fur grins lopsidedly. "I went way far... up towards the cold places. Saw the caves where Splinterfire came from, but hardly any of the Cavedwellers!" Rillwhisper smiles, holding up a small crystal. "My cub brought me this." WhiteBright says "Cavedwellers.." Trollkiller runs his hands up WhiteBright's legs, gently carressing her thighs. No-fur tilts his head to WhiteBright? "You know about the Cavedwellers?" He smiles, though, to his mother's words. "They have a big cave there full of crystals like that. They all shine." Autumn watches her mother quietly... Dawn peers at the crystal curiously. WhiteBright says "I..I was a cavedweller once..I think..." Firestar pulls down the scarf wrapped loosely about her throat. Beneath it can be seen red stained bandaging, surrounding her throat. WhiteBright looks vaguely thoughtful..then blushes at a touch. Dawn gasps! Rillwhisper suddenly blinks, and peers at Firestar. Dawn sends openly *Firestar...your throat!* You send * ..! What...!* to Autumn. Trollkiller sends, *Huh?!* Autumn sends *Troll.* Trollkiller sends, *Why haven't you had that healed? When did _that_ happen?* Silversong's jaw drops, looking at Firstar. "WHat... what happened?" Dawn covers her mouth with both hand, eyes very wide...*What..what happened? Oh, poor you..* Firestar shrugs. *No healers with the GoBacks. I had a run in with an unfriendly...* Silversong returns her hand to Firestar's shoulder. "It hasn't been too long, it appears... May I, Starlight?" Trollkiller sends, *There are healers _here_! And you're home now.* WhiteBright looks solemnly at the wounded wolf-rider, distractedly stroking Striders cheek. Dawn sends openly *How awful... No healers at all?* Rillwhisper says firmly, "We certainly *do* have healers here! Timmorn's Blood, cousin, I wish you would have told us...!" Firestar straightens up a bit, giving Trollkiller a stubborn look before nodding to Silversong. Trollkiller snorts. *Silly go-back nothing-ever-hurts pride... it's going to get you killed someday, cousin, and _then_...* Dawn places the wide-eyed Simmel on the ground, and stands up slightly shakily to move over to Firestar. Kneeling, she looks at the wound in wonder. *Can you make it well, Silversong?* Rillwhisper nods quietly and approvingly to Silversong and lets the healer attend to Firestar. She sends to all, including Firestar, *We are tribe... we care for one another.* Firestar sticks her tongue out at Trollkiller. *And then you wouldn't be able to tumble me into the furs.* Sweetleaf nods in silent agreement. Silversong moves closer to Firestar, carefully peeling the bandages away from Firestar's neck, and setting her hands upon the closed wounds, her fingers beginning to shimmer slightly. "I can try, Dawn..." she murmurs, closing her eyes and concentrating.. Rillwhisper sends openly *I think, that to close the Howl, one more tale is in order...* Brightmark watches her Mother curiously. Dawn moves back so as not to be in the way..and sits next to Rillwhisper again, nodding silent agreement. Woodhawk watches wordlessly, eyes sympathetic as he glances at Firestar. Firestar's neck is covered with scratches and bruises, most of which are fairly minor. Except for one where it looks like someone attempted to cut her throat. WhiteBright touches her own throat briefly...when Silversong starts the healing, she flinches noticeably, as if of a memory. Trollkiller sends openly *You had problems with an unfriendly what?* Autumn disengages herself from No-fur and slips over to Silversong's side, laying one hand on the healer's shoulder and closing her eyes. Silversong winces softly at feeling the bad wound under her fingertips... her magic encouraging each cut to close, each bruise to fade. Dawn sends openly *It is not safe to be outside the holt so much...* Firestar's gaze slides to Trollkiller. *Troll.* Her lips quirk in a faintly feral smile. *Things keep up and I'll rivel you for your name.* WhiteBright looks at Brightmark, frowing vaguely. Rillwhisper stands once more, and moves round to each elf in the circle, quietly clasping shoulders as she passes... and sending calmly, assuringly, of the bonds that bring those of the Willowholt together. This in a way is a tale in and of itself... a tale that finds its shape in the circle of elves around Firestar, and the shimmer of Silversong's hands. Silversong opens her eyes, looking over at Autumn... and she smiles... doubling her healing efforts... reaching under the wound, mental fingers searching for Firestar's voice, to bring it back. Brightmark looks back up at WhiteBright, not understanding the frown. Rillwhisper faces Firestar, with No-fur coming over to stand beside her and Autumn. The chieftess's eyes are bright... her gaze and her send speaking of Tribe and Holt and safety. *Firestar, you know that we all care for you. You need not ever shy from us.* Dawn smiles up at Rillwhisper as she passes, and murmurs softly to Simmel as she cradles him in er arms. "It is all right, cubling..all is safe and well, here..." Dawn sends quietly *We are all tribe...in one way, or the other.* Sweetleaf even rouses a bit, and rummages through his pockets absently. "Now didn't I have some willowbark here somewhere....?" Trollkiller sighs. *I'd hoped they'd... stop doing that sometime...* WhiteBright looks increasingly uneasy at the healing glow, and tugs slightly at Striders sleeve. Brightmark looks back and forth between WhiteBright and her mother... looking increasingly confused. Firestar relents slightly. *It was hungry. I had food. Unfortunately for it, I was hungrier, and had nasty tricks up my sleeve. Just like Trolls, I don't fight fair.* Trollkiller nods. *Well, that, at least, make sense...* Firestar sends **I know, . I did not want to wake anyone, and I did not want to face anyone.** WhiteBright starts to tremble...and slowly gets to her feet, a frowning Strider standing as well. Rillwhisper looks over to the two quiet visitors. She pads over to them, and murmurs, "I am sorry that the Howl has not ended as expected, but sometimes that happens." She smiles a bit. "You're welcome to stay or go, as you wish. I think Silversong may be at this, for a bit." Firestar gives a rough growl as her voice begins to return. *Besides, it broke my bow. The bastard.* Dawn sends quiet sympathy to Firestar. Silversong slowly lowers her hands from Firestar's throat, leaving it healed behind.. but with a visible scar. Small, but there. Rillwhisper glances at Firestar briefly, a look of quiet acknowledgement to her, and a look of approval to Silversong. Trollkiller rubs WhiteBright's legs, and toys with Strider's as well. *Relax...* WhiteBright nods solemnly...without thinking, she kneels once again to the chieftess. Brightmark looks up at WhiteBright, not understanding. -(Why?)- Autumn removes her hand from Silversong's shoulder, looking visibly drained. WhiteBright says "I thank you..we..will stay while Silversong is needed." Rillwhisper tsks, and reaches to hoist the white-skinned elf to her feet. "Hey, now, none of that kneeling." She smiles solemnly. Silversong looks over at WhiteBright... and frowns. Leaf emerges from the trees by the nearby pond. WhiteBright stands up again, smiling shyly. "As you wish..I am..most grateful." Trollkiller nibbles WhiteBright's ankles. *Hey, but when she was kneeling, there was more to reach while lying down!* Trollkiller giggles. WhiteBright blushes down at Trollkiller, and seems to relax slightly again, now the healing is done. Leaf walks from the direction of the pond, her face well controller, and sits down nearby. Rillwhisper smirks faintly, and smiles to Trollkiller, but looks up again at Leaf's return. Dawn looks very serious. *Firestar..please to not go there again..you could get really hurt!* Silversong looks over at Rill. "I think I need to talk with WhiteBright and Strider... in a quieter place... would you excuse us?" Firestar looks at Dawn. "I could get hurt standing right here in Willowholt as well. You can't wrap yourself up in furs and hide from life." her voice is rough still. Rillwhisper nods quietly to Silversong, and tells you all, *I think now is simply the time for us to share one another's company... so let's do so, cousins.* Rillwhisper, with that, closes her log.