© 2001- 2024 Linda Aarts
Part 2

He was shocked by the way he was welcomed. Goldstar simply refused him the chance to be with the birth of their child, and Talon had totally agreed with her. They hadn’t given an explanation, and that hurt his feelings. It struck him so badly, that he called for his wolf friend of that time, and disappeared in the woods for a while.

He returned after one turn, and came to know that Goldstar and Talon had named their little girl Stormsong. He hadn’t dared to come near them, he would save himself the chance of being refused – again. Over the years that he grew older and wiser, he had accepted their way of living without him. He had found other things of his interest, and eventually lovemated to some girls, but often not that long. Goldstar had been too much in his mind. And every time that he tried to forget her, she appeared again. It simply was no use to avoid her, or Talon.

But now…

He smiled. Maybe she, at some way or another, had forget the things, or felt sorry for them. She was coming nearer, and his heart simply began to beat faster. Although the refusal from many turns ago, he still had strong feelings for her.

Just when he wanted to show himself, he froze. After her, a red-brown haired male elf appeared, loud laughing. Hawkeye followed the male with his eyes. And he noticed that Goldstar ran past the tree. She never looked up. He sighed, and went back. He had to try to catch some sleep.

A few weeks later

**Hawkeye!**

He woke up with a shock. Goldstar sat beside him, pulling on his arm. **Wake up, Hawkeye! Talon is ill… very ill… you have to help us! He asked for you.**

Immediately, he stood up. Although his friends had treated him badly, he would not do the same. "Where is he?" he said with a voice thick of sleep.

Without talking, Goldstar walked out and went to Talon, as fast as she could. He followed her, did not ask her any questions. He just followed.

Their den was somewhat away from his, it was not a great distance, but it seemed to be an age until they got there. Stormsong appeared in the entrance, and she looked relieved when she saw him. She disappeared as quickly as she had shown up.

Hawkeye gasped when he entered. Wildlight was already there, with a grim look on his face. Stormsong quickly informed him, since Goldstar was already sitting again near her beloved lifemate.

**He is suffering from the wasting illness, Hawkeye. Since we haven’t got a healer in the tribe, we… are not able to heal him. Herbs can soften the pain he suffers, but it will not cure him.** A deep grief spoke from her sendings, and he felt so sorry for her. But soon an other sending interfered, and he turned his face to Talon.

**Hawkeye…**

The sending was weak, but clear.