Part 1 chapter 1 First meeting

The meadow was disserted, a heavy fog covered the grass like a blanket, making it hard to see where he was going.Sky dug at the ground with his forepaw, he could not get over the feeling that, finally, something good was going to happen to him. His ears lowered as he heard a crunching of dried grass and twigsunderfoot.

Sky turned to face the form behind him, "Who's there?" he said, "Show yourself, or be..be killed."

"Hey" answered the form, "it's only me! Jumper! Remember?"

Sky relaxed, "Jumper, you're going to get yourself killed one of these days!"

"I know." Jumper answered calmly, "But I have you as friend!"

Sky did not bother to comment about that.

"What are you doing up here anyway?" Jumper continued, "Looking for ants?"

Sky knew he couldn't tell his friend about his feeling, Jumper wouldn't understand.

"No," he responded, "I'm-I'm just being up here that's all."

Sky had a feeling that Jumper wouldn't buy that. Jumper grinned, "No, I mean what are you doing up here outside your head."

Sky laughed a little, and acted as if he didn't care what his friend had just said. He turned and faced Jumper, "You little.."Then sprang on him.

They rolled dowm the hill, laughing all the way. When they landed at the base of the hill, his friend turned and smiled, "I knew it would work!!"

"What?"

"My plan."

"What plan?"

"MY plan."

"Never mind."

Just then, they saw a glimpse of another Norn walking towards them."Oh goody." Sky whispered, it was Nyela, a young female Norn with a shiny gold coat.

"Hi!" she said.

Jumper smiled, "Hello! and how might you be fairing this day?"

"Oh, fine"

Sky siezed this moment to slip away, he couldn't stand it when Jumper and Nyela started talking to each other. Jumper was "in love" with Nyela, and she pretended to know nothing. Sky wanted to shake her and say, 'Will you please put my friend out of his misery?'Sky wouldn't deny that she was pretty, gold fur, bright eyes, but she was always coming around and when she did, Jumper didn't act like himself.

"You just don't know what it's like to be in love!" Jumper had said one time when Sky had complained about her, "Someday you'll find a match, and won't act like this at all!"

Sky's attention was caught by a quick movement out of the corner of his eye. Another brief flash, he wasn't sure what it was, almost looked like a Norn, not one he reconized,though.

"Hello?" He said, he heard a sound like a gasp, before the unknown Norn dissapeared.The following afternoon, Sky found Jumper sitting under an old tree, eating a pieceof fruit.

"There you are!" said Jumper, getting up quickly, "I was looking all over for you."

"So I see." said Sky.

"No, really I was, then I saw this nice looking fruit...and I said.."

"There was a strange Norn out there."

"What?"

"After I left you and Nyela, I saw and heard a strange Norn."

"Well, did you get a good look at it?"

"Her."

"What?"

"It was a female."

"Okay..Did you get a good look at her?"

"I said 'Hello' and she gasped,then ran."

"Uh, Sky?"

"Yes?"

Jumper paused, "Do you think she could've been a..well, you know.."

Sky finished it for him, "A Renegade?"

"Yes..but I was trying to think of a less blunt word."

"Well, when you get down to it that's what they're called."

Jumper sighed, "Ah, well...We should go back and tell the others."

"Why?"

"Why? because we've always done that! You of all Norns should know that!"

Sky looked up at the clouds, "Please don't bring my bloodlines into this!"

Jumper studied his friend's face, "I suppose you're right. But we are entitled to tell the others."

"All right," Sky said.

chapter 2 Strangeness

To Sky's surprise, most of the Norns took the news of a stranger in the area quite well.The asembled clan didn't seem to really care, once they heard it was a female. Actually,some seemed to take it as a blessing! As the afternoon turned into evening,Sky waited for some sign of the stranger. His thoughts were broken when Jumper suddenly came running out of the woods. Jumper was a blue-green color with patches of tan running through it. Some found him annoying and loud-but he was Sky's best friend-a true friend, not the kind that befriended you because you were related to a powerful Norn.

Jumper smiled at Sky, "Jenir's coming with us tonight." Jumper announced.

"And...?" said Sky.

"Well, I just wanted to make sure you were fine with that."

Jenir had a mix of reds, blues, and blacks running through his coat. Sky smiled at the thought of the Elders trying to teach Jenir, especally when he was just a Nornling. The Elders had given up on him because he was too eager sometimes, and so he became annoying.

"I'm here!!" Jenir's young voice rang out over the noiseof the crowd below. Panting, he stopped by Jumper, who almost matched his color. Sky's color was more of a grays and blues than all mixed together, like Jenir and Jumper's.

"Well," said Jumper, "are you ready?"

Sky nodded, "I am."

"Wait!" said Jenir, "Let me catch my breath!"A few minutes passed. Then: "All right, I'm ready!"

The three took off accross the valley, as fast as they could go.

"Come on, old one!" Jumper teased Sky, "Am I going too fast for you?"

Without a word, Sky threw himself ahead of his friend, "No," he said, "I think I can do just fine!"

Jenir was behind them, but coming in fast,"I'll pass you both!" Jenir cried, "You're both too old for me!"

With that, he shot ahead of them, the moon lighting his form, and casting a shadow. Sky and Jumper stopped far behind Jenir. Panting, Sky turned to Jumper,"Maybe we are too old!"

"Nonsense!" Said Jumper, "He just runs more than us!"

Sky laughed, "You think it's funny that we're slower than him, don't you?!"

Before Jumper could respond, there was a brief flash of something out of the corner of his eye. "Did you see that?" Sky asked.

"See what?" said Jumper. Jumper looked around, "Ahh.. You're just trying to scare me!"

"Shhhh!" Sky warned, "Something's out there!"

Jumper stopped laughing. He realized his friend wasn't joking. "Do you think it could be a Simrya?"

Sky shuddered at the thought of meeting one of those."I hope not." he said.

Simrya were a type of Ettin that didn't like anybody, even their own kind. They mostly lived alone, but when they did meet up with another creature, they would try to pick fights. The Norn Folk tried to skirt this part of the woods when looking for fruits at harvest time. The Simrya were very different from their cousins, the peaceful Swamp Dwelers. They were called that because the Norns coudn't pronounce their real name. Sky waited a moment, holding his breath. Nothing.

Just as he was about to say something to Jumper, he saw more movement in the woods, "It's still here." Said Jumper.

Sky paused, "Hello?"

Jumper gave him a look as if to say, "Are you crazy??"

Sky waited for a reply, "If any one's out there come out now!"

There was another quick flash of movement,then something took off running. Sky whooped with surprise, then lunged after it. He gave Jumper barely enough time to think, "Wait!" He cried, "Sky! Wait!"

Then ran after his friend, the sun was just rising as Jenir followed them, wondering what was happening. Sky turned the bend just as the strange Norn ahead of him dissapeared behind a large boulder. As Sky ran, he suddenly remembered who this was- The stranger he'd seen earlier. But he couldn't stop now. No, he was a on the brink of learning the stranger's idenity. When he had completely turned the bend, he saw the stranger standing there, on the river bank. She seemed at a loss as to which was better, being captured by strange Norns, or to jump into the river.She jumped. She's crazy, thought Sky, no one can live in the water for more than a minute. But she proved him wrong, there she was, swimming like a fish. For a moment Sky just stood there, shocked. Finally, he gathered his wits and decided to forget about going after her.

She swam to the other side, and leaped out. Sky couldn't just let her get away like that, so he followed her into the river and struggled his way through the rushing water. He felt the river bed slowly falling away from his feet, he knew he was going to die. For a brief instant, Sky thought he saw the stranger jump into the water, and start swimming towards him. Immpossible, he thought. Then Sky felt a tugging at his neck, and turned to see the stranger pulling him out of the water. He soon felt the ground under his feet again.Blessed ground, he thought. As soon as he was safely on land, the stranger left. Sky got up, and mustering all his strenth, followed her.

Suddenly, he heard another's foot steps behind him, and turned to see Jumper laboring after him. Sky looked ahead, and saw that he was gaining on the stranger.

Seeing this, Sky redoubled his speed, then when he was close enough, he sped up and jumped. He heard Jumper stop suddenly.Sky landed on the strange female, stopping her.

chapter 3: Jenna

The young female landed hard on her belly, a rush of air escaped her lungs.As soon as realized she was being pinned down, she tried to wriggled out from her persuer. She succeeded in escaping from underneath him. The darker male with tan streaks in his fur cried out to her,"Stop!"

Once free, she gasped for breath, then realized she couldn't run anymore. The tan streaked male walked slowly toward her, "We don't want to hurt you," said the grey-blue one. "We just want to know who you are."

They were both walking to her in the trapping way, a way she had picked up on quickly. She turned and faced them, backing up. Sky's breath caught when she turned and facedthem. He eyes were like nothing he had ever seen, they shone like Shee-Stones. a wintergreen color, green witha frosted look. Like ice on pale moss, Sky thought.Just as he was going to say something to her, Jenir came running up behind them, scaring her to trying to run again.

The young female turned and ran.They're going to kill me, she thought. Going against the pain in her foot was getting harder by the minute. Finally, her pain grew into a throbbing, and she fell. Even though she couldn't walk, she could crawl.And she did.

Jenir stopped in mid run, "Who's that?" he exclaimed.

"I don't know!" answered Sky, "I wouldn't be chasing her if I knew, now would I?"

Jenir didn't move or utter a sound, he seemed too shocked, transfixed was a better word, by the young female. The blue-gray male was catching up to her. She pushed harder with her good foot and dragged her hurtfoot along.

"We don't want to harm you, we just want to know who you are." the blue-gray repeated. She stopped, turned and faced him, and started to back up again.

If only she could get him to follow her backwards just a little more, she would be able to escape. Suddenly, she felt the rim of the pit, and she stopped. bracing herself as best as she could with one foot,she jumped.

Sky leaped toward her just as she jumped. When he did, he wished he could pull himself back down on the ground. He looked down to where they woud land, he felt a little better knowing he might have a chance of living through the fall. It was a leafy bed of the lower level jungle, all weeds and ferns, along with tangled vines.

They wouldn't have fallen into the pit at all, had it not been for his stupidity, jumping at the same time had caused him to collide into her and instead of landing on the other side,fall straight down.

The female screamed as she realized she was going down. As the ground rushed up to meet her, she thought, I am going to die, and save the strangers the trouble.She landed with a whumping noise. A second later she heard another whump sound, and realized one of the males had fallen, too.

Sky landed hard, the air driven out of his lungs. But, he quickly got up, and looked around.The stranger was gone. "Sky!" he looked up, Jumper and Jenir were looking down at him, "Are you okay??"

Jenir asked."Yes I'm fine," He answered, "She's gone!"

"What??" Jumper said, then he grabbed the side of the pit, and began to climb down.Jenir watched him a moment, then followed. She tried to make her breathing go back to normal,and quiet down.

Please don't find me, she thought, don't look for me anymore. The blue-gray one passed by her, followed by the tan streaked one, she held her breath.

The red-blue-black one stopped, "Wait," he said, "I thought I heard something."

"What?" the tan streaked one asked.

Please, she said inwardly, don't find me. She pressed herself closer to the stone behind her."What did you hear?" Sky asked, coming closer.

"It sounded like a gasp or something," Jenir responded. Suddenly, and without warninig, something took off runningthrough the brush.

"It's her!" cried Sky, charging after her.

Jenir was about to follow him, when Jumper said,"You go ahead and follow him, I'm staying here."

"Why?"

"I'm tired of chasing her." Jenir paused, then ran off to find Sky. Jumper watched as Jenir loped off in search of Sky. When he had dissapeared, Jumper sat down on a bed of soft ferns. He had almost fallen asleep, when therewas a crunching noise. The kind of noise Norns not wanting to be heard made. He knew instantly who it was.She had outsmarted her pursuers. She turned around a corner, and stopped and waited. When both of the males had turned, she ran back the way she came, being as quiet as she could.It never occured to her that only two had passed. Jumper stood up, maybe I can end this little adventure once and for all! He thought.When she had passed directly in front of him,he leaped at her. And succeeded in pinning her down.

She remained as still as a rock, so still he began to wonder if he hadn't knocked the life out of her.Jumper looked down, "You all right?"

She sqeezed her eyes shut and nodded.With that, he called out to Sky and Jenir. Sky stopped, it sounded as if Jumper had called him.

"Hey!" said Jenir, "Didn't you hear Jumper?He said he caught her!"

"He did??" Said Sky, he could hardly belive it.

She knew as soon as the other males arrived, she would die. Of that she was certain. The tan streaked male looked down at her, "My name's Jumper." She remained silent. "I guess you're still too scared?"

Oh Shee, she thought, let me die now! "Ahh..Well, we'll get to know everybody soon, and then we can stop running around screaming.

"Please, She begged inwardly, please let me die!

Sky hurried back the way they had come, Jenir said, "Why didn't you belive Jumper caught her?"

Sky didn't have enough words to explain the way he was feeling, so he remained silent."You know," Jenir continued, "If she comes back with us, I wonder what the others will think."

Sky did not want to think about that. As he turned the corner, he saw Jumper, who stood up as Sky approached. Sky weas just about to ask where the stranger was, when he saw her sitting half-hidden from view. As Sky came closer to her, she backed deeper into the folagebehind her. Jenir stopped, he seemed uncertain as to what he should do.

Sky turned to him, "Stay there." He said."Are you alright?" Sky asked, she pressed herself as close as she could to the cold rock.

"I don't want to hurt you."Silence. Sky waited a moment to see if she would say anything."What's your name?"

There was a pause, then:"Jenna..Sir." She stammered.

"My name is Sky." He said. He waited a few minutes, studying her face."Where are you from?"

"The ocean" He heard Jenir mumble something to Jumper.

"Will you come back to our home with us?" Jenna looked up at him, she seemed surprised."Will you?"

"Yes,"

"I'll introduce you to my mother," said Sky, "she can get that foot healed in no time."

It was past noon when they set out for home.

chapter 4: Newcomers

"Where have you been??" Said Sky's mother, "I was so worried you were hurt!"

"I'm fine," he answered, "Mother, I want you to meet Jenna."

"Flying Shee!" exclaimed his mother,"Where on Albia did you come from?"

"She's a swimmer!" piped Jenir, "She saved Sky from drowning in the river!"

Some of the other Norns poked their heads out from their homes to see what this newcomer looked like.

"Come with me," Sky's mother said, "Are you hurt?" Jenna nodded. "Oh, you poor thing!" She said. "I'm afraid in all the excitement I didn't properly introduce myself!" "My name is Ran Teki, but everybody calls me Rain.You can, too, if you like."

As Rain fixed Jenna's foot, she told Jenna as much as one can in fourbreaths. "Thank you," Rain said, "For my son's life."

Rain reached up and grabbed a pawful of dried herbs. "We hardly have any swimmers amongst us!" Then added, "You're a welcome addition to our clan."

Jenna looked down at the floor, "Thank you." She said in a slight wisper.

"What was it like where you came from?" Rain asked, "I've often wondered what it's like down there." Jenna was silent, then said, "In the winter it gets cold."

"What do you do for warmth then?"

"There's a tunnel that leads to a flooded volcano."

"Ahh...I bet it's so nice and warm down there."

"Yes, and we bring lots of our fish."

"Your fish?" Rain asked.

"To eat in the winter." "It's very colorful in the summer," Jenna said, "And the fish eggs hatch, so there's an abundance of fish to eat."

"Do you eat only fish?" Rain asked.

"No, we learned how to grow plants down there without them dying."

Rain smiled, "If I could do one thing, it would be to go down into the ocean. See what it is like down there."

"The swamp dwellers visit us," Jenna said.

"I didn't know they could live underwater!" exclaimed Rain.

"They don't. We have strange bubbles that can carry anything, they hold air, so land dwellers can visit us."

"How delightful!" said Rain. After Rain had finished bandaging Jenna's ankle, Rain want to go do something else and left Jennato sleep in her home.

Jenna dreamed of the ocean, and of the seabirds that calledin the early morning. When she woke up, it was night. Jenna didn't realize how tired she was. Her foot felt as if nothing had ever happened to it. She could hear voices talking outside, Jenna peeked out.

Rain, and two young females, Jenna's age, were talking happily. The gold female looked up, "Oh, Hello!" She said smiling, "I'm Nyela," she gestured to the white female behind her, "This is Birdy. Rain was just telling us about you! It's so wonderful that you saved Sky, and that you can swim! I've never met a Norn that can swim!"

Jenna wondered if she could ever say entire speeches in one breath. Birdy smiled, "Yes, it is wonderful that you can live in the water!"

"Let's not overwhelm her in one moment!" said Rain, "She hasn't even met half the clan."

Rain walked a few paces, then stopped, "Come, Jenna. You must meet the others."

Jenna's eyes widend at the sight of all the Norns living in this area. She stopped several times, staring in wonder at the structures.

"Come," said Nyela, "Sky's been wanting to see you."

Jenna caught up with her, "Why?"

"I'm not sure. He said something about wanting to thank you,and apologize."

"Aplologize?" Jenna asked. "Yes. about scaring you and chasing you."

Rain stopped, "I'm going to see where Solestice and Craig are, I'll goin you later."

"Alright." said Nyela, "Meet you by the Tree."

"Who are Craig and Soestice?" asked Jenna.

"They're Jenir's parents."

Jenna trotted up by Nyela, "Who's Jenir?"

Nyela turned a corner, "Jenir was with Sky and Jumper. When they c-followed you."

"Oh," said Jenna. Nyela stopped by one of the homes, "Sky's hut."

"His what?" asked Jenna.

"Hut. It's a little home.And the name we use for it."

Jenna paused, "Well?" Nyela said, "Aren't you going in?" Jenna looked down.

"Oh, I'll go in with you, if you're uncomfortable."

"Thank you," said Jenna. Nyela went in first.

"Jenna is here," Jenna heard her tell Sky. Jenna slowly walked in to Sky's hut.

"I'm sorry we scared you." Was the first thing he said to her.

"It's...It's fine, it is over now." Jenna replied.

"I'm also thankful you saved me." She nodded. "Well," said Sky, "Let's go meet the others."

Jenna felt a wave of relief to be outside again. With Nyela leading the way, Sky knew it was only a matter of time until Jumper saw her, then they would start talking and Sky would want to gag.

A gray Norn rushed up, "Nyela! I'm so glad you could make it!" She turned to Jenna, "You must be Jenna!" She laughed, "Stupid me! I'm Ki-Ki, Sky's sister."

Nyela's giggle caught her attention. Jenna reconized Jumper, he looked over to her, "Hi!" he said. "Glad you could come!"

An older reddish black male tottered over, "Greetings all!" He hailed, turning to Jenna, he said, "You must be Jenna, I'm Craig. Jenir's father." She smiled, "Greetings."

Jenna was begining to like the ways of these Norns. When Jenna saw Jenir and his father standing together, he could see the family resimbalance.

Ki-Ki turned to her, "So, Jenna, what's it likewhere you come from?"

"Colorful," Jenna answered.

"That's it?" Ki-Ki sounded doubtful.

An emerald green female walked over, "You must be Jenna," she said, "I'm Solestice, Jenir's mother. Did you meet his father?"

"Yes," Jenna replied. "Good, good." Said Solestice, as she wandered off.

"Well," Said Ki-Ki, "Do you like it here?"

"Of what I've seen, yes." Jenna said, "It's so different thanwhat I'm used to."

"Oh, you'll get used to it! And then, maybe we'll be best friends!"

Sky came over, he seemed as if he'd just eaten some thing bad. "Jumper and Nyela again?" Ki-Ki asked.

"Yes.." Sky answered, "I don't know why she does it!"

Ki-Ki turned to Jenna, "Sky can't stand Nyela."

"Why?" Jenna asked.

"Sky says Jumper doesn't act like himself!"

Ki-Ki giggled, "If you ask me, I think he's just jealous of Nyela."

"But, why would he be?" Jenna said. "Because Jumper and Sky have been best friends since they were eggs!" Answered Ki-Ki.

Sky said, "I'm not jealous, I just don't like the way they act around each other!"

"Sure," muttered Ki-Ki under her breath.

Sky playfully batted his sister on the head,"Don't you have some ants to chase?"

Ki-Ki dashed off, Jenna was about to follow her when Rain called to her. "Jenna? May I speak to you a moment?"

She followed Rain to her hut, "What is it?"

"I see you still don't trust Sky." Jenna was silent.

"Why? He apologized, and I see he wants to talk to you." Rain asked.

"I've learned not to trust." Jenna said.

"Do you trust me?" Jenna didn't reply.Rain studied her face, "Ahhh...I see now."

Jenna hung her head low. "Look at me," said Rain, lifting Jenna's face. A single tear trickled down her cheek. "Come here." said Rain, gesturing to her bed of grass, she said, "Sit there, I'll bring you something to eat and drink."

A moment later Rain returned with the food. "Dear child, I see how horrible your past is. When you first came here, I saw your pain, but now it cannot hide." She lifted Jenna's face to meet hers, and wiped her tears. "Jenna, you cannot distrust everyone, you must learn to trust again."

"I-I can't." Jenna said. "Yes, you can." Sky sat wondering where his mother and Jenna had gone. Just my luck, too, he tought, everytime I go to speak with her, something happens!Nyela and Jumper were babbling at one another, and Ki-Ki was attacking a pile of fruit and nuts.

Shee's skyfire! Sky thought, Where's my mother and Jenna?? Sky walked off, leaving the groups of boring adults and herds of hatchlings. He walked to his hut, he doubted they went there,but it was worth a try. Then he went to his mother's home, and looked in, he saw them. Jenna was sleeping on his mother's bed.

"Is she okay?" Sky asked in a wisper.

Rain led him outside, "She has a horrible past, and that is why she not speaking to you or Jumper or Jenir."

"No one hardly speaks to Jenir!" Sky laughed.

But his mother's face remained serious, "She doesn'ttrust anyone."

Sky's face was grim as he said, "Will she try?"

"Only if we help." Rain answered. Two days had passed since Jenna's coming to the clan, and she found herself, unknowingly, trusting them. Nyela was a cheery, talkitive Norn. Ki-Ki was a inquisitive, Norn, and eager to be anyone's friend.

But Jenna liked Rain the best. She was the kind of Norn to mother anyone who needed a mother. She resimbled Sky's color, blue-gray with silver lined ears and eyes. Birdy and Jenna were sitting on the floor built on the Tree, watching the sun rise, "Isn't it beautiful?" said Birdy.

"Yes," Jenna aggreed, "It is."

Birdy looked back towards home, "Shee-Stones!!" she exclaimed, "I've got to get back! My mother is going to have my head for this!"

And hurried off.Jenna stayed to watch the sun, when Rain walked up. "Is too beautiful a sight to run like a Grendel with a bee on its tail!"

Rain said, laughing. Jenna sat, watching a fish swim by in the pond next to her. "Why are you up here, anyway?" Rain asked.

"It feels warm, the sun. And as you said it's too beautiful to ignore it." Jenna answered.

Rain smiled, "Did you not know that Sky has been looking for you?"

"No...Why?"

"He's been looking all over the place, I think he'll start looking for you out here now." said Rain, as if she hadn't heard Jenna's question.

"Why is he looking for me?" Jenna persisted.

Rain only laughed, "I'm not sure, maybe you should go see!"

Jenna stood up, and walked away. But instead of going to find Sky, she went to the woods. Jenna had always found the woods the best place to go and think. The river running by sounded so beautiful she decided to swim for awhile. Since her coming here, Jenna hadn't been in the water at all.

Jenna sat down as best she could, with the water running by her. The sun made golden ripples on the surface. Suddenly, she heard a sound, like the sniffling of a lost child, or the crying of a hungry hatchling. Jenna looked around, nothing, not one sound. Then, something white and small caught her eye. Jenna looked directly at it, and at once knew what it was, a lost Ettin-child. She walked out of the water, and slowly approached it, making little clucking sounds between her teeth as she did.

It ran to her, sniffing. Its dark eyes were glassy, and tears trickled down its face. "Come here, little one." said Jenna. The little Ettin took a few steps toward her, "Come," she said outstretching her arms to the hatchling.

Finally it came ot her, she cradled it like it was her own. It was covered in mud and grass, the hair on its head was matted. "Can you speak?" asked Jenna, the Ettin nodded. "What's your name?"

It looked at her a moment, "Niki" the Ettin answered, and Jenna knew that it was a female.

"Are you hurt?" Jenna asked.

"No," Niki answered.

"I'm going to take you back home with me, all right?" Jenna said, the Ettin nodded.

Jenna held Niki most of the way, the little Ettin told her how she had been lost for two days, eating what little she could find. "What happened?" Jenna asked.

"My mother fell into the water...And never came back."

"Where is your father?"

Niki paused, "He died when I was born."

The rest of the way was in silence. Soon, Niki was soundly sleeping in Jenna's arms. Jenna heard a sound, and looked up to see Sky walking towards her.

"Jenna!" he said, "I've been looking all over for you! Where have you been?" Sky stopped, seeing for the first time the Ettin. "Who's that?" Sky asked.

"She's lost, her parents are dead. And her name is Niki." Jenna answered, "I found her when I was swimming."

Then, she told him the Ettin's story. By this time Niki woke up and said, "Who's that?" looking up at Sky.

"I'm Sky," he answered.Finally, they reached home. Niki was greeted warmly by Rain, who took her from Jenna.

Smiling, Rain said, "I'm going to see if she's hurt. And, judging by the looks of her,she's hungry."

Jenna followed her into the hut.chapter 5Autumn Sky sat by the edge of the dock, the fish had hatched from their eggs, and just below the surface, Sky could see something big and blue-gray swimming. Jumper suddenly sat down by him, "What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing," Sky said. "No, something's wrong. You haven't been yourself since Jenna arrived."

"Nothing's wrong. Everything is fine."

"Sky, I'm your friend! you can tell me anything you want." Jumper persisted.

"Well...Everytime I go to talk to Jenna, she somehow manages to go somewhere else."

"Aha!" Jumper exclaimed, "I knew it had something to do with her!"

There was a long pause, "Ahh yes, she's avoiding you.""But why?"

"She doesn't trust you."

"I apologized to her."

"But you haven't talked to her, and tried to earn her trust."

"Shee spaceships!" Sky exclaimed, "I've tried to speak to her, but all my efforts are to no avail!"

"Shhh," Jumper said, "She might hear you."

"Well, maybe then she would understand."

"I know, I know."

Sky plucked a blade of grass from the ground, and began to figet with it. Sky suddenly felt his mother's touch on his shoulder, Jumper bowed respectfully, and left.

"My son," she said, "What ails you?"

"Jenna won't even let me talk to her!" He answered in a loud wisper.

"Sky, she hardly trusts any of us..What makes you any different?" Sky remained silent. "Ahhh...I see now, I see." Rain smiled, "It took forever for me and your father to get up the courage to even say hello to each other!" She sighed, "Perhaps you should just ask her why she won't talk to you, see what she says.See what happens."

Sky broke a twig in half, "See what happens??" He stood up, "See what happens?! I've been doing just that!"

"Calm yourself," Rain cooed, "Anger does not get us anywhere."

Sky looked up at his mother, his eyes always turned dark green when he was upset, her eyes remained calm and clear. Sky remembered those eyes when he was a hatchling, when he was afraid, her eyes comforted him. Clear, lavender color with a dark peacful center.

***************************************To be continued..... *Rhianna Mentkowski*1999 july***************************************