Drama R is for Running Deer

Authors note: I would like to personnally thank Little Cloud (Cloudy) for helping me with the translations used in this story. It was my hope to better personalize it, as well as authenticate this story for your enjoyment. So again, my thanks to her for doing this for me.

It was nearly time. He would soon make his own way to the place of his fathers. A place where his father once had gone, and his father before him, and his father before that. It was time.

As a young child he had always wondered why his father and grandfather could journey there together when he could not.

"Your day will come Adatlisvi Awi Inage Ehi or (Running Deer)," his Grandfather had told him. And after that day, you will journey there with your father to visit and speak with me, and my father, and his father before then. But until that day comes, here you must wait until summoned. And come to understand, that no one knows when that day may come, only when it does, you will know it is your time."

It was early fall. Running Deer had turned eighteen only a few weeks ago. Strong, eager, yet anxious for he had felt that he was indeed a man, though his father still treated him much like a child. He had gone for a long walk, the feel of summer's heat still making it's appearance though the wild flowers now held the morning dew of the chilled night before.

He had spent the better part of the day making his way up a steep slope of a nearby mountain. The rocks, crevices casting images in shadow as the morning sun appeared making it one of the favorite places to hike and explore, letting the imagination run wild and free. Just as he himself still was.

Having followed a narrow deer trail for the better part of an hour, he'd soon come upon some fairly recent tracks. He knew by what he could see that a young small-sized doe and fawn seemed to be traveling a short distance ahead of him. Though he wished for his bow, he grew eager to hone his skills, see if he could approach them without notice, within kill-shot, and thus claim in his mind anyway a successful hunt. Quieting his steps even further, which at times was not easy for there were places of loose shell-rock beneath his feet, Running Deer eventually read the signs well enough to know by the not yet turned dirt coloration that he was slowly gaining on the pair. Which is when he also came across even fresher sign. Sign that both excited as well as alarmed him. Cougar. "Tlvdatsi" Running Deer thought to himself.

It had been a very harsh winter, and as such, there had been a great loss of life amongst both the deer as well as the elk in the area. But it was nature's way of thinning the heard and ensuring that only the strongest would survive, giving even greater chance for better healthier populations to come. As Running Deer now hunted the hunter, he forgot one of the most important lesson's he'd been taught.

"Respect the determination of those who also have the will to survive," his father once had told him. "For it may be greater than your own."

Armed only with the bone-handled hunting knife his father had made for him, Running Deer still felt himself safe. He knew that the likelihood of being discovered first was greater than even his ability and skills to take the stalking cougar by surprise. And once discovered, the cougar would no doubt flee, wishing to have no contact with humans.

He had nearly made the summit of the rock and boulder strewn mountain he'd been climbing, carefully as well as silently winding his way through narrow passages, lifting himself up and over small ledges where necessary in order to short-cut, and thus gain ground even more rapidly on the hunter who's trail still followed that of the deer. He made it to a place where he would have a better vantage point to very possibly spot his prey, the warmth of the sun now high in the sky beating against his back as he cautiously stood to gain a better look. When he did, he heard the shrill cry of a bird, closer than what he could have possibly imagined. He began to turn, his intention of seeking the source, as it no doubt would now be alerting not only the deer he'd been following, but the cougar as well.

The sun was blinding, Running Deer automatically lifting his hand in some attempt to shield his eyes when he felt the sudden surprised sting of talon's raking his shoulder. Spinning in an effort to protect himself from the bird's unwarranted attack, Running Deer lost his footing. Moment's later he felt himself free-falling as he slipped going over the edge of a small cliff overhang. With a thump that knocked the wind from his lungs momentarily, he lay dazed trying desperately to catch his breath. When he finally did, he sat up grateful to discover he'd not broken any bones. It had only been a ten foot fall, but one in which he could have easily cracked his head open on any number of loose rocks and sharp-edged stones and boulders below him which he now lay beside.

The sound of the Hawk "Tawodi" he thought, circling overhead reminded him of why he was sitting here in the first place. Glancing up, he shook his fist at the great bird both in awe, as well as defiance for he had not heard of such an unprovoked attack such as this ever before.

Running Deer finally stood brushing himself off with nothing more than a bruised ego as injury. And then he saw her. Not more than two feet away, the badly mangled hindquarters of a young doe. Oddly, she was wedged between a pair of boulders in what appeared to be a very small opening, almost as though she were frantic to get away, taking the only possible course of escape, and there now stuck. Running Deer quickly scanned the area, but there was no sign of the cougar, nor did he see any tracks other than those of the cougar leaving the area.

"But where is the fawn?" he now asked himself. Once again realizing that surely there would be sign of the cougar's dragging the younger easier to carry carcass away. But there wasn't. Above him, another cry, another screech as he stood watching the magnificent Hawk above him go into a shallow dive, swooping downwards then peeling off, disappearing behind the ledges above him, reappearing moments later, once again circling.

He began to scout for a way out, an easier climb up than the one he'd taken to get down. Then he heard it, like the sound of a baby crying. He stopped, listening. Even the Hawk had ceased its almost incessant calling. Once again he listened, only now realizing that the sound he was hearing was coming from the direction of the badly mangled doe still wedged between the two rocks.

He pulled on her with some effort, his hands coming away bloody as her hide tore revealing even more of the mutilated muscle and bone, but eventually she came free. And when she did, Running Deer stood in surprised wonder at the frightened wild-eyed look on the young fawn that barely had enough room to even stand inside the small dead-ended crevice beyond.

He moved out of the way, out of eyesight of her, now sitting down, quiet, and unmoving for long moments. Movement caught his eye and he saw the young deer tentatively poke its head from between the rocks where its mother had once been wedged. Once again he heard the cry of the Hawk, looking up in its direction. But where the sun had stood moments ago near blinding him, a great form now stood in silhouette with the suns rays sparkling around it as though on fire. The great Stag stood tall, proud and majestic. He had neither heard it, nor seen it nor even knew of it's presence for their had been no sign whatsoever telling him so. And yet...there it stood. Running Deer heard a brief gentle snort, saw the younger fawn as it suddenly scrambled from it's place of concealment, scampering away like a frightened child up along a barely recognizable trail towards the great animal. Moments later the fawn stood quivering, shakily by its father's side. The great beast then moving away from the edge of the cliff disappearing without so much as a sound as though a ghost.

Running Deer scrambled up the same trail reaching the copse of boulder and rocks where the Stag had stood only minutes ago. A short distance away he saw the enormous animal cautiously making it's way down the narrow trail, silently without so much as single twig cracking beneath it's feet as though somehow magically walking on air. The younger, attempting to do the same, less successful, catching occasional glimpses back from its father as they continued on. As the great Stag made the crest of the hill across the ravine from where Running Deer now stood, it stopped looking back. The younger fawn continuing, soon disappearing from sight altogether. He watched as it shook its massive head, the crown of antlers looking almost too heavy and burdensome to bear. Then like the fawn gone before it, slipping silently away over the rise until it too disappeared from view.

Running Deer had been gone far longer than his intention. Without the same caution he'd just witnessed, he soon found himself sprinting homeward hoping he would arrive before the suns final setting.

Luckily, he had made it home before the sun had fully set. Unluckily, his father Angry Bear, "Uhahnalv Alisoqualvdi!" Running Deer acknowledged as he approached, stood just outside the entrance of their teepee waiting for him. There was a good reason for his father's name. For he was indeed a large man, easy to anger especially when time was spent in foolish, unproductive ways. Running Deer slowed his approach, now meekly not wishing to catch his father's eye though fully expecting a hard cuff to the side of the head upon his passing.

"We leave in the morning," he heard his father say instead. His tone of voice gentle, calm, reassuring.

"What?" Running Deer faltered stumbling briefly as he now stood in front of his father.

Without anyway of knowing, he felt the touch of his father's hand upon his shoulder, the wince of pain coming to him as the minor wound left by the Hawk reminded him of the birds sudden unexpected, unanticipated attack.

"It is time," his father added. "Go...into your mother who waits to feed you. Then sleep for she awaits us...you," he amended quickly.

"She?" Running Deer asked, but his father pushed him none too gently towards the door telling him that he'd said all he was going to. For the moment anyway.

Before the sun was even up, Running Deer had readied the horses for their journey. A full day's ride, they would camp at the base of Eagle Mountain. The following morning, Running Deer would make his way on foot up to the meadow. He had never been there of course, but just through his father, and grandfather's description, he knew he would find it, and know it when he did. Since it was his first time, he would be going alone. Forever after that, Running Deer knew that he would then be considered a man, and as such, privy to whatever secrets and mysteries once shared by his father, and now passed grandfather.

That evening, his father shared with him for the first time the sacred smoke. Running Deer watched the flickering flames of the campfire, and in it saw the Ghost Dancers as they mingled with the spirits past. He saw the image of the Hawk, his companion, he met for the first time his guardian the Wolf, or Waya, who would journey with him though remain hidden. And he learned of his sacred spirit, the Skunk, Dila, that had become a part of him, sharing his thoughts, his feelings as well as his innermost fears. He never slept. As the first tendrils of sunlight began to spread their fingers across the mountaintop, Running Deer shed the last remnants of his clothing. Naked, he began the arduous journey up the mountain towards the meadow of his fathers.

He walked slowly, steadily up the mountain. Looking back, he could not see a trail, but looking ahead he could see one easily. "How is this possible?" he wondered. "Any fool could find his way to the meadow if this is indeed the right path."

"Ah...but can anyone ever find their way back?"

He had heard the words. Running Deer stopped looking about, but saw no one, not even a bird in flight. Yet the words had come to him clearly as though someone stood by his side.

"Where are you?" he asked in a loud clear voice, though he feared his uncertainty would be heard in the quiver of his words. But there came no reply. He walked a bit further on seeing movement out of the corner of his eye for the first time. He turned towards it, but again saw nothing. And again he called out. "Is anyone there?"

"Anyone, and everyone," came the response from somewhere up ahead, sounding now more like a woman's voice rather than a man's the first time he had heard it.

"Who are you? Where are you?"

The only reply came from the sound of a circling Hawk high up above. He looked up, watching it slowly circling, yet heading off to the right. He looked down, saw what appeared to be a split fork, and followed the pathway right.

Minutes later he broke through the thick trees he'd found himself wandering around in. Beyond, a meadow filled with color beyond the minds imagination. Every color of wildflower known to exist had to be within this meadow. A kaleidoscope of brilliant hues that weaved itself like an ever changing blanket, the breeze gently blowing as colors formed, changed, and reformed once again into differing magnificent patterns.

At that moment he saw the Hawk descending from the sky, the sun once again at it's back. Reminded suddenly of the still fresh wound upon his shoulder, blinking in an effort to maintain his sight upon the approaching bird, but with the glare simply too bright to hold, and within the blink itself, he lost her.

Running Deer felt the brush of wing as she passed. He anticipated yet another rake of talon upon his flesh, surprised when none came. He turned spinning in the direction she had flown anticipating to see her soaring skyward into the clouds. Instead, she stood before him, part woman, part bird, and both so very, very beautiful.

"Welcome," she spoke, though her voice sounded more like song than mere words. Melodic in her enchantment, which Running Deer realized it must be.

She stood half a hand shorter than he, her hair long dark though braided, was filled with feathers each interwoven carefully without breaking, nor splitting a single one. He noticed too that her breasts were full, yet concealed within a downy covering that allowed his gaze to peek admiringly at the soft coppery-toned flesh beneath. Full hips, taut belly that rippled with muscle more defined than his own. Her sex clearly prominent, unashamedly, just as he himself stood, only then realizing it as he absentmindedly drew his hands over, covering himself. She laughed.

"Oh adageudi," meaning beloved she spoke, "Do I take you as lover or as asgahah aninela?" she giggled suggestively.

"Husband?" Running Deer spoke, finally finding his voice. "What do you mean husband?" Once again she laughed, the appearance of folded wings upon her back stretching out briefly as she made them even more comfortable, folding them once again.

"Of all that I have known, I truly find you the most curious of all. You as well so curious, adventurous and brave, yet so...so naive!" Once again she laughed, and her laughter filled the air like the wind whistling through the trees. For a moment, he thought he could hear the beating of wings reverberating all around.

"Why am I here?" he asked her, the quiver of voice now gone as he found his courage, and in that, the strength to challenge that which he did not understand, but had come to accept.

"You are here, because I am anidohi," 'The Messenger' she had told him. "Here to teach, to show, and to guide you into manhood."

Running Deer paused considering her words. "Where you here for my father, and his father, and his father before him?"

"I was...and I wasn't," she said cryptically.

"You speak in riddles," he retorted with an edge of anger in his voice.

"I was for each of them yes. But even as I am for you now, I am different. What you see, is what you want to see. Not what I am. The image I have allowed you to create is how you believe me to be, to look, and to act. I have no control over that, so it differs from man to man. Does this make it easier to understand my meaning?"

"But you seem real," he replied quickly, confused.

"I am real. Just as you are. At this very moment, I am more vulnerable than you can even possibly imagine. For while you hold me in this form, here...within the confines of this meadow, I am as flesh and blood, just as you are. I can only revert back to my true self, the Hawk, once your mind and heart releases me to do so."

"Why do that then?" he asked.

"Because it's to gain your trust. To prove to you that I am more than a mere fantasy of thought, that I am with you always, in ways you can't even begin to imagine."

"So that was you!" he said incredulously. "You caused me to fall off that ledge!"

"Yes...because only you had the power to free the fawn, as great as the Stag was, he was powerless to help. But like the fawn, you are not yet full grown, not meaning in the physical, for in that, you are more than ample," she grinned. "But it is of the mind to which I speak. There is much yet you must learn, accept, and give greater reasoning to."

"As in trying to understand why a beautiful woman also half bird now stands before me?" he questioned. She smiled, stroking his face with the feathery touch of her hand.

"Which half do you like better?" she asked. Her feathers ruffled across her breasts, her hardened nipples protruding prominently when they did. "Or...would you prefer that I simply fly away? All you have to do is release me now...and I will. And it will be the last time I shall come to you in this shape ever again if I do. It is your choice to make."

He felt his face flushing. Admittedly, he was becoming aroused, and she sensed it, staring directly, purposefully at his manhood as it rose.

"Come with me to the meadow," she beckoned to him, taking his hand. She looked as they walked, nodding her head in recognition. "I see as well that your guardian is here. That is good, for we are both vulnerable to danger here," she told him.

"Danger? What danger? I thought this place was enchanted!"

"It is! But as it is magical for us, so is it for spirits not like us. Spirits that would seek to do harm, to destroy."

Running Deer glanced about as they walked deeper into the meadow, but he could not see his guardian the Wolf. He'd barely seen him last night, just out of his peripheral vision, never able to see him fully, always one step ahead of him remaining just out of sight. The fact that Hawk could see him clearly did give him some measure of comfort however, especially if they were indeed in danger.

Running Deer happened to glance down at himself, stopping suddenly in mid-stride, shocked at what he now saw. His coppery-toned skin was now covered in white splotches. "What is this?" he asked worriedly.

Hawk smiled. "Like the fawn, when you first entered the meadow you did so as a child, when you leave it, you shall do so as a full-grown adult."

As they walked deeper towards the middle, Running Deer was relieved to see his spots gradually fading away, at last reaching the middle of the meadow itself, he saw that indeed his spots had now faded, his skin having taken back it's original color and sheen.

Hearing, then seeing movement, Running Deer glanced over towards the far edge of the clearing. There stood the great Stag he had seen only yesterday. It shook its massive head, antlers long, thick and challenging, scraping the ground.

"Will you meet this challenge?" she now asked. For a fleeting moment Running Deer felt fear, doubt, anxiety. For surely he was no match for what stood before him. Then he answered, honestly, truthfully, committed.

"I will die for you if necessary," he told her.

And with that, Running Deer saw the magnificent beast raise its head, turn...then disappear back into the thick line of trees. Hawk was smiling. "It is enough that you would," she told him. "Now come, come to me."

Hawk seemed to shimmer, momentarily becoming translucent. He had trouble focusing on her for a moment as she did this, then clarity reappeared becoming sharp, defined. She now stood before him as a complete woman. Her feathers gone, her long dark hair now braided into a single braid just as his was. She reached out, taking his within her hands and none too gently pulled him down to the blanket of wild grass beside her. There she began to undo the tight braid, releasing his hair to fall free. As she did, he felt the tingle of excitement, the rapidly increased arousal surge through his loins like wildfire. When she had completed his undoing, she turned her head slightly, offering her braid to him. Slowly, ever so slowly, he began to unweave the near perfect folds of her hair, feeling as he did, her increased arousal, now adding it to his own.

Once he had finished, he ran his fingers through her hair like a comb until it fell smooth, un-entangled. Only then did she lie back, melting into the soft petals of the wildflowers that cushioned and caressed her nude form like a thousand tiny hands. She looked into his eyes, and there for a moment, he saw a world he did not know. Such beauty, such incredible beauty that he sat mesmerized, even in her eyes did he see her standing there, shimmering white in a cascade of soft flowing feathers that molded her body like a second skin.

"Come to me," she whispered, the wind now echoing her words. "Come to me."

His fingers still caressing her hair, her scalp, he leaned forward, his lips now meeting hers for the first time as they embraced. He drank from her sweetness, felt her tongue upon his as they danced lightly, playfully together like children running, tumbling amongst the flowers. He devoured her with his mind. He sought out the softness of each lip, sucking it, tonguing and caressing them with his kiss, each one becoming something more, powerful, urgent...needful.

At last he began to move upon her, lips blazing a trail of ecstasy upon her perfect flesh. He soon reached the summit of her exquisite breast, the aroused tip awaiting him, which he suckled as though a child, then kissed, as he became the man he was destined to be.

There they joined in perfect embrace, the warmth of her self, encompassing him, the pleasure beyond any he had ever known as they slowly moved together becoming one.

Each thrust of his manhood intensified, each welcomed greeting of her femininity becoming more urgent, more demanding until there was no longer a difference of thrusting nor accepting, merely combined mutual attainment of spiritual bonding.

How long they made love mattered not, for had it been but a few moments, or an eternity, all Running Deer wanted at this moment in time was that it never end, never reach that glorious climatic explosion which even now hovered on the edge of sanity as she sought out his eyes, and he hers. Together, they reached bliss simultaneously, the universe, the world he had first glimpsed, as he now became a part of, as he looked into her soul, and she his.

Rapturous bliss seized his soul, imprisoning it. When he opened his eyes, he could see himself as well as the Hawk still joined, still entwined within the comforting blanket of color that now covered them entirely. The sensation was odd, for he knew then that he was flying, looking down up the lovers still together. Beside him, the Hawk majestic in her flight as she led him on a dance of air high within the sky. His body now molded in feathers, his wings straight strong and true as he allowed the current of air to take him towards unimaginable heights.

It was the sudden piercing cry of alarm that broke his revelry, fear, panic as he felt himself free-falling now rather than flying. Tumbling, spiraling out of control. And there, now entering the meadow, not one, but perhaps a dozen or more fierce powerful cougars as they surrounded, then charged the two of them below.

Running Deer saw the Wolf now for the first time as it intercepted the first cougar before it could reach them. A blur of fir, the snarling growl as it sank it's massive teeth into the throat of the first cougar killing it instantly. But even as powerful and as great as the Wolf was, there were too many, and soon it was pounced upon by the others, each attacking, lunging separately, then together, thwarting the great Wolf's ability to protect itself let alone the two lovers.

His eyes opened, no longer the Hawk, he sat, and the bone-handled knife his father had given him now somehow within his hand. He leapt at the first cougar that had finally broken away now charging the Hawk who struggled to transform unsuccessfully. Even as his blade sunk deeply into the chest of the beast, he felt the searing of heat as fangs tore into his shoulder, numbing it. The pierced cry of distress, the anguish and pain of the Hawk as she cried out. Unable to see her, reach her, he felt a surge of superhuman strength surging through his being. He pushed with all his might, his arm near useless as he struggled to free himself from the cougar now dead pinning him down. Off to the side, he watched as though frozen in time the valiant, but useless struggle as the Wolf too went down with three of the Cougars now coordinated and working together against his guardian. Running Deer nearly made it to his feet when once again he was rocked, his breath knocked from his lungs by the impact as yet another, the biggest of the Cougars first appearing. It now sunk its mighty fangs into the flesh of his back. He saw briefly, and only for a second as a flutter of loose feathers rose into the sky, the wail of sorrow coming from the Hawk as her captor tore her flesh asunder.

He knew then that all was lost. He felt the coldness of his spirit giving way. And still he fought, weak and weary, his only thought now of the Hawk who must by now be dead, or near death with nothing more he could do to prevent it.

It was then in disbelief he saw the mighty Cougar suddenly tossed skywards as though a plaything. Weakened by loss of blood, it was all he could do to roll over lifting his head, watching as the Great Stag charged again and again.

Those that had brought down the Wolf now joined together and began their coordinated deadly attacks against the Stag. Already the rip and tear of flesh could be seen on the Stag's flanks, yet it turned not away from it's victim, choosing instead to impale it upon its horns, tossing it aside, only then turning to face a new and separate challenge even though he grew weaker himself with each passing minute. One by one, he met them all until none were left, though he stood on unsteady legs, dripping with blood, pawing the earth before him, now speaking.

"Go to her Running Deer, quickly now, go to her!"

He could only crawl, but he did. Swimming through the matted once beautiful wildflowers now torn, destroyed, the coppery stench of blood filling the air, no longer the fresh fragrant smells of beauty, but of death as he clawed his way towards where he knew she lay dying, if not already dead.

He nearly turned his head to vomit when he first saw her. Her once beautiful form lay broken, bleeding. Her smooth silken feathers now matted with the stickiness of her blood. Her eyes already partially glazed, darkening even now as he clawed his way the last few feet to her side.

The skies had turned dark, black. Thunder, now lightning filled the sky. A crescendo of anger and pain adding to that which Running Deer himself felt. Helpless to do anything as he picked up the near-lifeless body of the once beautiful Hawk he now held within his arms. He could only cry out in desperation.

"Unitsi! Unitsi!" He called again and again. "Mother! Mother! Please save her Mother! Please...do not let her die!"

And Mother Earth spoke to Running Deer in the rustle of leaves from the trees all around, speaking clearly above the still fierce boom of angry thunder in the now near blackened sky.

"I cannot," she said with sadness. "But you can if you're willing to give the greatest of all gifts," she cautioned him.

"Tell me!" he pleaded as tears flowed freely down his cheeks, mingling with the blood that flowed from a myriad of wounds upon his body.

"Give to her the gift of your undying love. Only then can she be healed. Only then will she be made whole, new again. But know...even in this there is a price to be paid, a sacrifice to be given. Do you still wish it so Running Deer?" she asked.

There was no hesitation in his answer. "Yes...please, tell me!"

As he spoke, the rains began to fall covering the ground. The soft rich soil beneath him soon soaked.

"Take from me the richness of the earth," she began, give unto it the life force of your being. Knead it together, then wrap her in it's essence, replenish that which is lost before it is too late," she instructed urgently.

Running Deer knew immediately what had to be done. Taking the knife of his father, he cut deeply into the flesh of his arm. He watched the renewed flow of his life pour forth from the fresh wound, and there he wrapped it into the soil around him, and began to smear it thickly, lovingly around the too still form of the Hawk. When he was done, all he could do was hold her to his breast, rocking back and forth as the rain continued to fall washing away the blood, then the mud, which he'd caked upon her.

He felt himself growing colder, it became more and more difficult for him to concentrate, but he willed himself to do so anyway. And with each breath becoming harder, he began to notice a change, he saw the first real intake, then exhale of breath as the Hawk's breast rose in a renewed fight to survive.

Running Deer saw the glaze of her eyes begin to dissipate, becoming clearer, even as his own began to fog. Once again he saw her shimmer, the light of her change now encompassing them both.

Looking up, he saw her as he'd seen her only a short while ago. No longer the bird, but a woman now, full in the flesh, yet somehow still the Hawk. She, now holding him, and he knew without seeing that he had become the Hawk. And though he lay dying, he was made new. His feathers full, magnificent upon his new form. And the Hawk cradled him in her arms now as she gazed into his eyes for the last time.

"No longer will you be known as that which you were once called. For as you have changed, so has and will your name be changed forever more. For though many will be the days before we are again joined together, know that for each feather that must be shed in waiting, and there will be many that will be...know that I will smile and remember always that which you gave to me, know that I will always cherish the greatest gift of all, your love."

And thus Running Deer became Many Feathers, for it would indeed be many years before their hearts and souls were once again united. And though she went from being immortal, to mortal, she too learned the lesson of sacrifice and hope.

Two Hawks entered the clearing, the sun just up over the horizon overlooking the meadow. They stood quietly, waiting for the sun to fully rise over the mountain bathing the meadow in its full glory. Only then would it be safe to enter.

"Grandfather? Grandmother?" Two Hawks questioned. "I have brought someone for you to meet," he told them. "Someone very special to me, my wife!"

Above, a pair of circling Hawks appeared, swooping, diving joyfully as the sun sparkled and glinted off their magnificent forms.

"Welcome home grandson," came the whisper of the wind. "Welcome home, and to you as well little one," came their voices. "We hope you will enjoy your stay here," came the sound as the two Hawks continued circling, and then slowly faded away.

And though it has been many years now, decades and decades of time having passed. For those fortunate enough to stumble across the still powerful magic of the meadow, they have but to look into the sky, and there they will see the circling of Hawks above them, as well as the cry of the Wolf though unseen. Hold still and be patient, for so too will the great Stag himself come to you in greeting, a reminder of the power and magic of the meadow, and the sacrifice of love that made it possible.​