Who Doesn't Love A Good Fairytale?

Soooo, who wants to hear about how much life sucks from me again? Better question! Who want's another chapter!!! Well here you go! I hope you all like it!!!

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Who Doesn’t Love A Good Fairytale?

Ch.4: This never would have happened in my fathers day.





    When one life ends, the world dose not. We pick up and carry on. Be it with heavy hearts or heavy minds, we all keep going. The world as a whole knows this. So why can we, as individuals, not acknowledge it?

   

   The many candles that lit the circular meeting room should have cast a warm glow to the figures seated at the ancient table. But with how cold Snowflake was inside, the room felt more haunted then anything. She didn’t even try to distinguish the different voices, each addressing pointless fact after pointless fact. The mourning mother’s mind drifted in its own haze of misery. Until a key word caused both of the limp ears to perk up… Apprentice.

   

  Pink eyes finally looked up and scanned the seated members until they landed on the clearest face in the candles shadows. “Could you say that again counsel member Static? I fear I misheard you. It sounded as if the counsel just decided I was taking on an apprentice. Which, I am sure, the counsel as a whole knows, would be highly inappropriate with everything in the state it’s in.” Several fresh tears began to fall as the healer fought to keep her voice level.

   

  The bird who Snowflake had addressed by name set the healer with a steady gaze and spoke with a nearly bored tone. “Lady Snowflake, we all know the pain that you are feeling. We’ve all lost thing’s. And if you had been paying attention, My Lady, you would have heard that we are only pushing for a hunt for your successor. The training would not start for another 2 years, just as you had planned for your late son.” The bird hybrid took a breath and his crown of feathers raised and his orange cheeks poofed a bit before he continued. “But to ensure that the best is chosen you must start you search now. Your old mentor had you spotted and was already speaking to you of your training before you had reached your 35th year! And yet that was STILL not enough time for your complete training. There are no two ways about it. You must uphold ALL parts of your oath as a healer. Now, moving on to new business. What do you have to add Roug? I believe you had something of importance you wished to bring to note?”

  

  An the elderly female tortoise hybrid with sunken eyes and countless wrinkles and chips on her shell rim began talking to the slate faced male that appeared to be running the meeting. Snowflake, despite the pain it caused, was unable to control her left leg as her foot thumped the dirt floor rapidly. The clear sign of her distress caused not only every seated member of the higher counsel to stop and look, but all of the standing higher hunters, tracker units, law holders and peace keepers as well. And the unusual actions from the rabbit didn’t stop there. Her teary eyes held a steely quality as she said, “No.” And turned to make her exit.

  

  A female voice called to her from the right of  Static at the table. “Halt! You have NOT been dismissed Snowflake.” A few deep breaths were drawn at the clear sign of disrespect the most eccentric member of the counsel had just made.

    Snowflake was careful to pivot around on her good foot to stare down the feathered offender. “THAT,” she hissed out, “is LADY Snowflake to you, ECHO. And I dismissed myself.” Before the healer could make her exit the albino bird raised her little wings and her red eyes pinned the furred healer in place.

    “You, My LADY, will do just as you are told. These woods need a healer at all times. So you can’t shirk your duties just because you lost a child. Others have lost more then that and still must do their duties. Now hop to it Bun-bun.” Echo’s smug smile said she had clearly been waiting to tell Lady Snowflake off in any way she could for sometime. And Snowflake may have been a passivest by nature, but even she had her breaking point. Which she was finding was much closer then it had been once upon a time.

  

  “You are right, of course, counsel member.” As the white rabbit spoke her ears angled back. “Many have given more then just a child. And I am one of them. I have lost many a friend since my early childhood. I lost my teacher before I had even finished my training. I lost my first home to the third great fire. I lost my first born before she even drew her first breath. I even lost my beloved mate. And threw all of these trials I have kept my head high and my nose low, determined to do my duty and raise my son to be the best of my ability. But not this time. I just can’t. I can’t just walk outside and pick a replacement for my son. I just announced his passing an hour ago! I just- I can’t- I…” And the rant was over and the tears were silently descending.

    While many in the room looked unsure about how to react to what had just happened, one hybrid could no longer hold himself back. The solid form that came up behind the crying mother was so completely comforting to the little rabbit that she didn’t have to look to know who it was. The large hand that landed on her shoulder should have knocked her form her feet from the looks of it. Instead it held her strong on her feet better then any looking could have guessed.

    The mighty voice that filled the room echoed in the silence around them. Snowflake couldn’t help but think that Trapper always did know how to command focus, no matter how often he disliked the talent. “I am sorry counsel members but I can not stand by and hear this verbal bashing of our beloved healer any longer. I move that this meeting be postponed to a more appropriate time. Who will second me?” Trapper didn’t move his line of sight from the table the higher members sat at as he questioned the room. Snowflake wasn’t sure if that was a good sign or not. After a moment of no one speaking Trapper began a low grumble deep in his chest. Many feared what that sound could mean was coming. One, however, did not.

    The white feathers were bristled on both Echo’s back and head as she stood and began her screeching, “Trapper! What has possessed you?! If you can not conduct yourself in a manner befitting the head Peace Keeper then you can remove yourself from this room!” Trapper’s incisors, which were beyond impressive for a leaf eater, made a fast appearance and every little light in the room danced on its wick. 

    Trapper’s display did little to dissuade the bird from her righteous stance. Nor did her mate pulling at her arm as his cheeks turned even deeper shade of orange then they had been. “You. Are a Peace Keeper Trapper. And a Peace Keeper should do just as the title implies!”

    “You’re right, I should.” Trapper said as he raised his other hand to set on Snowflakes head, “I here by forbid the head counsel from attempting contact with the healer, our Lady Snowflake, for the next complete lunar cycle. Be it counsel business or otherwise.” Trapper looked down at dear Snowflake long enough for her to realize what he was about to do, and not long enough to give her time to protest. The large tanned Badger’s knees bent just slightly and swept the pale rabbit from her feet. Then he was off towards the door and before anyone could offer to open to open it for him, the door was off it’s hinges with one powerful kick that didn’t even slow him down.

    “I suppose this meeting is postponed for the time. You are all dismissed.” Static stood regally, but his face spoke of loss as he ran a hand over his face and muttered, “This never would have happened when my father ran the counsel.” And with that, the hybrids in the room slowly departed.

    Some yards away a well muscled Trapper was giving rather unmanly little squeaks as he carried on walking with full arms. “I was just *squeak*. Would you just *squeak* I was trying to help.” Every time he tried to defend his actions instead of putting the healer down he received a sharp pinch. Snowflake didn’t look to enjoy the ride or the pinching she was giving, as she normally did. But her eyes did look warmer out in the light of day… Or maybe Trapper was just being wishful.

    The healer didn’t stop her assault on her friend until they reached the den she called home. Trapper finally set her on hr feet and looked down at the red marks that now littered her chest and upper arms. “You know, I’ve half a mind to pick your little cotton tail back up and carry you home and let YOU explain to my mate just where these marks came from. I swear I’m  tired of her laughing at me every time I explain to her how you’ve injured me.” The words sounded almost rehearsed. Like he has said them a million times. When it reality he had most likely said it a trillion times.

    Pink eyes looked up and him and Snowflake had a half smile on her face. “You know I think that may be a good idea. I haven’t had the joy of embarrassing you in front of Tizzy in a while. And I can have her kick some since into you for me after that little carrying stunt you pulled in front of the council.” Trapper’s eyebrows went past his dark hairline in shock. Oh boy, just what he needed. Both key females in his life driving him up a wall. He was tempted to tease his dear friend, as he always did, when he realized what she was doing. She was trying to escape. But what? His answer came when his eyes drifter past her, to the door. Her home, with no sick waiting to be treated and no child waiting to be nurtured... It must have felt haunted thinking about going in so soon. Trapper wasn’t sure if his home, filled with a happy mate and many young would be the best place to go to escape the pain, but it would have to do.

    The Peace Keeper and healer made eye contact and he nodded reassuringly. Lady Snowflake released a breath that neither knew she had been holding.

    The healer pulled on a worn string attached to the tree above her home and a little weather worn sigh fell to hang by her door. It bore a symbol that no human would have been able to understand but every hybrid in the forest, weather they read or not, knew was a reference to the Peace Keepers. Even the littles in the area knew that the healer was visiting her friend when that sign was in place. Feeling that she was upholding her job as healer properly the rabbit gave a little nod. The Lady and her personal protector started walking slowly away.

    A shadow overhead had Peace Keeper Trapper crouching into a defense stance and Lady Snowflake looking up to the sky, with hope blooming in her chest. Even when that hope was crushed upon seeing Apowl descend alone, it did not fully die. The flyers head turned in an inhuman way and cocked to the side as he look at the big man he had learned to respect as the word of logic in the area Apowl called home. His voice was light as he asked, “What do you plan to use that weapon upon, trusted Peace Keeper?”

    Trapper rolled his eyes and pushed the knife he had drawn back into the concealed sheath in the wrappings around his massive thigh. “Strangest thing. Could have sworn I had seen a meat eater I needed to stick. Must be seeing things I suppose.” The barely concealed competent in the larger mans voice was ignored completely by the snowy female at his side. For she could not even keep up with the words, to busy waiting for Apowl to give her his focus.

    Covered eyes finally turned fully to Lady Snowflake as the male bowed to the pale healer. A timid voice asked, “Well?” Before an answer could be given Trapper stepped in and asked, “‘Well’ what? My Lady, why is he here?” Without looking away from her bringer of news she said, “Apowl is here on business, my friend. I asked a favor of him. And I hope he brings news with him.”

    Displeased eyes went from furred to feathered person as Trapper tried to figure out what he has missed. Apowl shuffled his taloned feet as he addressed Snowflake. “My Lady I am sorry to say-” And that was as far as he got as the healer hit the dirt sobbing and became a morning mother all over again. The badger kneeled before her and pulled the timid woman against his chest. He turned darkened eyes to the bird who he held a special hatred for in his heart and hissed out “LEAVE! You are clearly of no use here.”

    Looking oddly disheartened the owl turned to take his leave. But before he could take off an awkward cooing sound cause all three members of the little circle to freeze. Snowflake worked quickly to clean her face as her pride refused to let that annoyance see her as weak. The two males both braced themselves for what was sure to become a headache.

    “Helloooo my flying god.” Another coo was heart at the end of the first word as an all to familiar bird made her way to them. Apowl squared his shoulders as his feathers all stood up. He spoke with respect that lacked any hint of passion, “Greetings council member Echo. I hope the new day finds you well.” Echo, one of the few who pushed for the right for Apowl to stay in the area, was not one of the members that Apowl could afford to be rude to.

    The albino poofed up and looked like she just wanted to preen. Even her tail feathers stood up. It was instantly clear what the bird brain had in mind. And since it had nothing to do with Trapper and his declaration of a months peace for the healer, he decided to just enjoy watching the other bird squirm, instead of hightailing it out of there as he had first planned.

    Echo’s to sweet voice just kept droning on, “It feels like forever since you graced me with your lovely company. How are the sky’s looking this fine day my dear? The breeze is lovely I would think this is perfect flying weather. You know, you still owe me a fly around the area sometime sweetheart.” Trapper couldn’t help but snort at her. So much for her kind wanting to mate for life. The snort drew the female birds attention just long enough to let Apowl get a word in. “I am sorry but it is not a particularly good day for flying I’m afraid. But what of yourself counsel member? And your charming MATE? Both well I hope.” Apowl stressing of the word mate worked like near magic.

    “I think we have all been better then we find ourselves today. I know I was feeling better before I saw my mate linked in arms with another.” Static said looking as if he had given up on fighting anything for the rest of the day. Giving a crestfallen look to her dream owl Echo released the arm she had been clinging to and walked back to Static. Trapper and Static nodded to each other and then the mated pair was off. But not before one last backward glace from the female at the remaining bird.

    Feeling oddly awkward after the intrusion the mini group went separate ways as if nothing had happened. While Apowl was settling into his favorite spot in his shaded home of silence and thought, Snowflake and Trapper were just reaching a place full laughter and happiness.

    A large double door that looked to carved into one of the most massive trees that was set against what looked to be a large rock formation. Even with both doors closed the giggles and yells could be heard clearly. The sounds were both a comfort and curse to wilted bunny ears.

    Trapper looked down when Lady Snowflake has halted in her slow steps. Just as he was about to suggest that they go somewhere else if she wanted a rather deep female voice boomed inside of the house “Just you wait till I get my hands on you, you rotty little snipe!” A crash was heard a second later and Trapper’s eyes widened in worry. His lovely mate was known to get carried away. And she had a hard time keeping all of her legs in order when moving quickly about the confined home they shared. There was no telling what had just been broken.

    Despite tears in her eyes Snowflake couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of her.     Trapper looked at her with a roguish grin and asked, “Shall we go weather the battle and see the damage?” The smaller of the two wiped away a tear and said, “Lets.”

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So how was that? I'm not that happy with it mainly because I didn't get tot he part I wanted before it got to long :( But on the upside I am already part way done with the next chapter :)