Disclaimer: I own nothing…

Warning: Unbeta'd…slight angst…Mary Sue. You know the basics.

CHAPTER 14: The Art of Time and Kidnapping

Seasons pass…and seasons go. As time often does. The Wolfrider's made a home for themselves in the Forbidden Grove. Redlance twisted trees to make dens (Moonfell was delighted to have one of her own with the twins often visiting) for them. The wolves easily adapted to their new environment and Frostbite grew up, accepted in the pack with a position right in the middle. He wasn't an Alpha or a Beta—but he was still there. Crystalwater and the other Preservers helped the Wolfrider's whenever they could. Although, many times they were more of a hindrance than a help. Their insistent ways of making "wrapstuff" tended to get in the way. Dewshine grew healthy and happy and eventually birthed Windkin, who quickly showed signs of being a Glider.

It truly was a time of peace. In the time of peace everyone felt safe and with all the cocoons around they hardly went hungry. It birthed times of happiness and creativity. Moonshade was the one mostly affected with creativity. She set to work on new leathers for everyone. These leather's were not only useful—but beautiful. They reflected those inner personalities of the tribe. The whole tribe. New such as Windkin, Skot, and Krum. And old such as Treestump, Clearbrook, Strongbow, and everyone else.

Even Moonfell got new leathers. She had always been partial to black and white colors. She thought them simple, clean—pretty. Moonshade had different ideas though. Instead of following Moonfell's requirements of simple black and white color's—Moonshade went a little crazy. Instead of black she decided on a soft silver grey color and instead of white she decided to be bold and dye some leathers red. Her stitching was playful and light as she made Moonfell her clothing. Long red thigh high boots to protect Moonfell's legs with a short layered and frayed silver skirt that sat low on her hips with a matching off the shoulder silver and red top vest fitted to her frame that stopped just above her belly button. Moonfell instantly fell in love with them and thanked her by practically worshipping the ground Moonshade walked on for a week.

Yes, it was three turns of complete and total peace for the Wolfriders. There were no worries other than trivial day to day things. Everyone got along with everyone else (apart from Strongbow occasionally being pig-headed, which was normal). Food was plentiful. There were literally no worries other than the occasional Blue Mountain worry. Everyone was happy and everyone was content with the peace after traveling and fighting for so long.

A time of peace that drove Moonfell completely batty. Just because it was time for peace for everyone else didn't mean so with her. Her mind was still going over what they had learned. She was still worrying over why she was so different from the others. She worried constantly about her powers. And after Windkin was born and she was proven right by him flying circles around her because he was born a Glider and she was not, Moonfell only worried more.

It got so bad that it actually started to affect her life. Cutter was forced to have a small private talk with his sister to help her. He disguised it fairly well. Cutter decided to have a private howl with Moonfell where he basically told stories of their parents. Moonfell hardly remembered Bearclaw and Joyleaf at that moment. She had vague memories of reading of them mixed with memories of interacting with them before she went missing. She listened to her brother with rapt attention, relishing in the stories. Eventually it got late and Cutter just decided to den with Moonfell for the day so they could continue talking.

Finally, long after everyone else had already fallen asleep, Cutter paused between one story and the next to speak of what was bothering his sister. "Moonfell…something is bothering you, sister."

Hugging her furs closer to her body Moonfell shrunk into herself, resting her chin on her knees. "I guess there is. I'm…worried, I guess you could say."

"About what?"

"Myself—my powers." Moonfell finally admitted, refusing to meet her brother's eyes. They were polar opposites, her and Cutter. He looked very much like their mother; blonde haired and blue eyed. Meanwhile she favored their father greatly with dark hair and dark eyes. Even their features were a mix of their parents. "Timmain said I was too powerful. I fear exploding—or worse. What if I become something like Winnowill? What if, over time, I become greedy and evil?"

"I doubt it." Cutter snorted ever the blunt one. "Winnowill chose what she is. Her choices in life led her to where she is, by her own making. You worrying about it just proves that you won't be like her."

"That still doesn't help with the power and greed."

"Well, the way I see it." Cutter muttered as he laid down on the furs, readying himself for sleep. "In time we'll learn more so there's no use in worrying yourself to death about it now. It isn't The Way."

For a long moment Moonfell just sat there, thinking over her brother's words. He was right, of course. It wasn't really The Way to worry over the past and the future that she really had no control over. Or, at least, she wouldn't have any control over it until she learned more about her situation. It was best to just push it to the back of her mind until she had all the facts. She must keep up the thoughts of The Way.

With her decision firmly in mind Moonfell settled down next to her brother. It was awkward at first considering they were both naked. She wasn't used to sleeping as such. On Earth she had normally slept in shorts and a tank top—both of which weren't around here on the world of two moons. Eventually she got used to it though and was able to snuggle against her brother for the day, her dreams for once not plaguing her.

She got better after that. Cutter reaffirmed The Way inside of her. Moonfell fought with herself to keep that mind-set. Especially because she really had nothing else to do. Frostbite helped greatly considering he was always thinking of now. She would still have moments of deep worrying depression as the thought up different possibilities of her fate—but for the most part she was better.

Currently Moonfell was out hunting with Clearbrook and Treestump. While the two elders were out hunting big game, Moonfell had separated with Frostbite to hunt smaller game. Her goal was a few rabbits. They weren't much but the meat could be dried and saved while the fur could serve for small clothing repairs or patches. Frostbite was ecstatic! He loved the taste of rabbit for some reason and always jumped at the chance of hunting them. He was fairly good at it as well. In seemingly seconds of separating from the two elders Moonfell found herself three rabbits. One of which Frostbite was gnawing on while the other two Moonfell was tying together to take back to the holt.

Moonfell had just finished tying the ears of the two rabbits together when she heard her name being sent. Looking up as if listening to something Moonfell quickly identified the sending as her brother's voice. She frowned slightly as she slowly stood up, thinking of possible ways why her brother was calling council at seemingly such a random time. There was no way for her to tell for sure in the end so Moonfell just urged her wolf friend to take the rabbit with him and made her way back to the holt.

On her way she happened to pass Skywise teaching Ember about his lodestone necklace. "Do you know why Cutter's calling council?" She asked the light haired elf as he and her niece stood up to travel with her.

"No clue." Skywise shrugged, easily placing Ember behind Moonfell on Frostbite's back before walking beside them. Unconsciously his hand reached out to grasp Moonfell's that was buried deep in Frostbite's fur. "Maybe Strongbow started something again…"

"That would make sense." Moonfell snorted with a smirk that quickly turned serious as they broke the bush that revealed the entrance to their new Father Tree. As everyone gathered around Moonfell slipped from the back of Frostbite. Ember was seconds after her, not even accepting her help down. The small red haired elf child had grown even more head strong in the past few turns and now hardly accepted help from anyone. She much preferred to do things for herself.

Settling herself next to Clearbrook with a smile, Moonfell settled in as her brother started the council. "Well…We're all here and yet not all. We have blood kin in the sun village. Woodlock and Rainsong had another cub on the way when we left them." Cutter told them, leaning forward with his family on each side of him.

"And they've probably had four more since!" Skywise snorted as he leaned on a branch of the Father Tree.

"Now that's recognition!" Pike joked as his lovemate, Krim, snorted out a "so what?"

"That's just it!" Moonshade ignored the joking three as she brought the attention to herself and Strongbow. "We've known nothing of them or our son, Dart, for three turns of the seasons!"

"Said!" Cutter quickly jumped in, "Now let someone say why!"

Ember quickly jumped at the chance to be able to speak at a council. She jumped into her father's lap happily as she firmly told the tribe why exactly they hadn't heard anything from the Sun Folk in so long. "I'll say! Because old "winnow-wicked" might, um, try her old, dirty tricks again if, um, Savah—"

"The mother of memory, who would also be in danger…" Treestump quickly interrupted to hurry things along much to Ember's chagrin.

"And Suntop "went out" to find each other." Cutter joined in, looking at each of them in turn.

"I was going to say that!" Ember pouted to her father.

With a small chuckle Cutter told her she'd have her say next time. Skot only shook his head though, spinning his fingers around his temples as he spoke his own frustrations. "What's all this "went out" slush?" The former Go-Back asked, "I still can't get it!"

Suntop smiled slightly as he explained for Skot once again. "We elves have spirits inside us that we can send out to talk to other spirits far away. Don't you remember the Scroll of Colors, Skot?"

Moonfell certainly remembered the Scroll of Colors. So far that was her only clue to finding out more about herself. Or, better yet, it was linked what was really the answer to her questions about herself. Timmain, the High One, was currently linked up to the Scroll of Colors and Moonfell longed to be able to talk with her to learn more about herself. As it was, though, it was impossible at the moment. So Moonfell decided to bide her time. Cutter was right, she would learn about herself in time.

"Listen to Suntop!" Cutter interrupted whatever fighting might have been happening between Pike and Skot while also interrupting his sister's inner thoughts. "Especially you, Strongbow! You want to be rid of Winnowill?" he asked the archer, who scowled but remained silent. "Well, you can't do it by destroying her body—she's an elf! Kill her, and her spirit will live on free to do whatever harm she likes to any of us forever!"

"It is so!" Leetah spoke up, "Winnowill's web of power must be cut while she lives, one thread at a time! Then, perhaps, we might even become friends with the Gliders."

Beside her, her lifemate quickly caught on to what she was thinking. "And use their giant birds to visit the Sun Folk, or the Go-Backs…"

"Or other tribes we don't even know about yet." Moonfell smirked with a shrug, looking around her. "It's a possibility and we won't know until we do something."

"Well said." Cutter nodded to her as a thoughtful expression appeared on his features. "It is time to stop living afraid…But which thread to cut first?" Cutter hummed before an idea seemed to come to him. "the Hoan G'tay Sho worship Winnowill! If we convince those humans that they must not serve her…"

"I know that look!" Skywise quickly picked up on his soul brother's thoughts, "Nonna and Adar, yes?"

"Well, she is one of them, isn't she?" Moonfell leaned forward, "I met them when I went to Crescent. They seemed like a nice enough couple. I taught them how to defend themselves to pass the time."

"How'd they take to it?" Skywise leaned down to loom over the dark haired girl.

"Pretty well, if memory serves right."

Cutter smirked at his chuckling sister. "She'll help us talk to her kind, though. It worked once before—why not again?"

"Sort of…" The silver haired male didn't sound as sure as Cutter was, but at least he looked thoughtful of the idea.

"It's worth a shot." Moonfell shrugged as the council continued on. They decided that Cutter would go to Nonna and Adar and at least try to convince them to help him. The tribe tried to convince their chief to not go alone, especially Leetah—but he would hear nothing of it. In the end Treestump was left in charge and Moonfell stood with Strongbow and Skywise as they watched Cutter ride away on his wolf friend.

"He's an idiot." Moonfell sighed, crossing her arms and shaking her head as she watched her brother ride away. "It's not safe to go alone. He should have let at least someone follow him and make sure he'll be okay. As back up or something."

'Agreed.' Strongbow sent.

"Don't worry." Skywise whispered back, probably not wanting others to listen in on their conversations. "he gets along with humans just like Bearclaw did with trolls! It's a knack."

"Which is another thing I don't understand." Moonfell snorted, her nose wrinkling as she turned away from the direction her brother had went. "Who'd want to get along with Trolls? They're mean." The two men said nothing to this statement. They understood that she was still a little bitter about being a slave for a good portion of her life. "But I don't deny he has a knack for it. It must be genetic or something."

"That would explain you and the Preservers." Skywise joked, throwing an arm around the dark haired woman's shoulders as he led them away. "I swear you and those little bugs get on better than Leetah does with Cutter."

"That's an awkward thought." Small white fangs appeared as Moonfell grinned at her friend. "You're a very awkward elf, star gazer."

"All the better!"

"Oh go star gaze and leave me alone!" Moonfell chuckled as she slipped from his grip to go to her den. She had been meaning to clean it for several days' now. It was getting cluttered and she should at least air out her furs for one night just to freshen them up. She wasn't normally an overly neat person—but living in filth wasn't her idea of fun. She always made sure her den never reached that level.

Crystalwater quickly found her moments later, happily babbling about something or another. Moonfell listened half-heartedly as she folded up some leathers, pushing her furs to the side so she had room. A contented smile lit up her face as she did this, just happy with the moment to herself. She really was grateful to Redlance for making her a den for her own. She really had gotten tired of denning with Cutter and his family.

Moonfell was just thinking of ways to repay Redlance to show her gratitude when she heard Treestump's send. 'Den-hide!' It told her and Moonfell was immediately in a flurry of movement. Stumbling into the air (she was still learning take offs) Moonfell glided herself to the den next to hers, Cutter and Leetah's. It was a rule that in a den-hide no one must be alone in one den. Safety in numbers and all that.

Not saying a word Moonfell dived under the furs with Leetah and the twins. Suntop immediately went into her arms, twisting on his aunt's black braid in his hands to keep himself busy. Briefly Moonfell thought about cutting her hair. It was getting pretty long. But then she realized that this moment wasn't the time to think such thoughts and slipped out a silver colored dagger from within her skirts. Moonfell had taken to daggers as weapon choice. They were easier to lug around than swords plus from the air they could be deadly weapons. Plus she just liked throwing them.

Together the four huddled and waited for Treestump's send that everything would be okay. It seemed to take forever in coming. Moonfell was just starting to get antsy when they heard it—but it wasn't the send that everything was okay. Instead Treestump sent for Leetah to meet him outside the Father Tree. Leaving the twins with their aunt Leetah hurried to follow the orders.

With one child on each side, Moonfell strained her ears—trying to hear and remember what was going on. But, alas, she had no clue. She was forgetting things every day. At least now she wasn't terrified every time it happened. She had just gotten so used to it by now. It still scared her slightly and probably always would—but at least she had grown somewhat used to it.

"What's happening?" Ember whispered, probably trying to strain her ears to listen for something just as Moonfell was.

"I have no clue, cub." Moonfell told her honestly. She felt as if she was experiencing de-ja-vu or something. She knew she knew what would happen without actually knowing. It was downright frustrating.

And then, just when Moonfell was about to go crazy from the silence, they heard shouting from the entrance of the Father Tree. The darker haired woman waited no time in grabbing at her daggers and rushing outside. She was met with the sight of Dewshine crying into her hands, reach up into the sky for something she couldn't just reach. Frowning confusedly Moonfell trailed her hazel gaze to Dewshine's waist, then the harness where Windkin was attached, then, finally, to the broken tether cord laying helplessly on the ground.

Growling in outrage, Moonfell took to the air violently. Flying straight up into the canopy of the trees and eventually into the sky. She quickly added up what had happened. They had to den-hide because of a glider; that much she knew from Treestump. Someone must have broken the den-hide to bring the glider back to Father Tree. The glider had somehow caught sight of Windkin and had kidnapped him. Breaking through the tree's Moonfell's assumptions were proven true as she saw a great bird flying off at top speed in the distance. There was no way she could catch up with them.

Once again Moonfell screamed out her frustrations. Down below everyone heard her and knew…

They were too late.

End Chapter

A/N: So…I've decided something. I'm going to do a comic chapter for each chapter I do. It should probably be easier for me to keep up with. Or at least, that's what I'm hoping. It'll also help me with chapter lengths. I've always either had them too short or too long, I don't really know where to end it. I figured I'd go by each chapter of Elfquest as a guide. It should be pretty fun. Lol

Well, as usual: Read…Review…tell me what ya think! I normally try to reply to most if not all the reviews I get. I'm just kinda awkward like that! lol

Ninja