© 2001- 2024 Linda Aarts
Part 4

**You did help me,** the golden haired elfess sent after a while.

Hawkeye answered with one firm nod. "We have to go back. Mudspatter can manage to walk when he is careful. It’s not that far as what I thought it would be."

Goldstar answered with a slight hesitation. But when she saw that Mudspatter could walk with three legs, she agreed. Hawkeye offered her to ride on Coldnose, and she thankfully accepted that.

A long part of the journey was made in total silence. Hawkeye sometimes helped Mudspatter with walking, and Ripple helped at his own way by pointing the way. The forest had changed after the Earthquake.

After a while, the Hurst got in sight, and Hawkeye suddenly felt relieved. He had felt very uncomfortable the last couple of moments. He had the strong feeling that there was still something that bothered the female, and that she wanted to ask him something that he didn’t want to answer. Not now.

He began to walk faster. The sooner that he was back, the better.

**Wait.**

Hawkeye stirred, and slowly turned around. He hold his breath at seeing the thoughtful look in his eyes. **Before we go back…** She sighed deeply. **Why have you always looked after me?**

The distance between them gave Hawkeye some time to think. Coldnose slowly walked to him, and when he had almost reached him, Hawkeye turned around and began to walk to the Hurst. The feelings within him were all swallowed by something that seemed to be a hurricane.

And suddenly it didn’t matter anymore what he felt and if he would keep them for himself. He simply was too tired to hide things, and he didn’t felt the urge to keep them silent. Why couldn’t she know it? In fact, he believed she already did.

**I’ve always loved you, Goldstar. And you know that.** He disappeared fastly after the words, leaving her behind with her own thoughts…