Tigerkytti Eltiri- Chapter 2

Years Later....

"Kytti, hey, Kytti!  Look up here at what I'm doing!" she looked up as her friend called down to her. Her face lit into a worried smile as she saw him standing on a thin branch high up.
"Karvek, you be careful, you're still a clumsy caterpillar!  You'll hurt yourself!" She called up to him, brushing her golden silk hair out of her face to watch him.  
"Oh don't worry so, Kytti.  Just because we can't all be taught to be a graceful butterfly like you doesn't mean I'm that dangerous to myself!" He walked casually along the branch, making her giggle at his easy going nature.  
"Karvek, you're a goof..." smiling good natured up at him, it quickly turned to fear as the branch cracked and started to give way underneath him.
"Oh crap...." he said looking down at the ground, frozen for the moment before the rest of the branch gave way and he started to tumble head first through the trees.  Reacting quickly, almost without thought, Kytti's eyes began to glow a bright green and a large, flat leafed tree bush grew up out of the ground to meet her falling friend and catch him.  There was a crashing sound as he hit the branches and was cradled in them.
"Karvek.....you ok?" She peered up at the tree bush branches to try and see him.  After a moment the boy poked his impish face through the leaves to look at her and grinned sheepishly down at her.  
"Yea, I'm fine.  Thanks for the save Kytti...." he seemed abashed at his near fall.  She sighed seeing he was okay and shook her head at him.  He rustled around in the branches for a few moments and standing up to climb down the trunk of the quickly grown plant they heard a familiar sound.  Cracking.  Kytti's face turned horrified as the top of the tree split and he began to fall with it, Karvek's face matched hers as well.  
"No, Karvek!" Familiar words spoken, seemed to spur once again a saviour for the boy.  A blur of white and black went through the air, catching the boy by the back of his shirt and getting him to safety.  He lay prone on the ground a moment, as Kytti then approached him, worry etched on her face.  
"Karvek, are you okay?" her voice was barely above that of a whisper as she stood above him.  He lifted his head and turned an embarrassed face towards her and he nodded.
"Yeah, everythings fine 'cept for my pride...was just catching my breathe after that second near fall," he laughed softly, brushing himself off as he stood up.
"Thank goodness!" Kytti exclaimed stepping quickly towards him when the white and black blur appeared between them, this time stopping so that they could both see what it was.  Standing in between the friends was a young leopard, not a cub, but not quite into adulthood yet.  It watched Kytti carefully as she stood there contemplating it.  The leopard seemed to be protective of Karvek but when it looked into her deep blue eyes it relaxed and went up to her, purring in the deep way the larger felines do, brushing up against her.  Kytti, who had been watching it with reserve at first broke into laughter as the big cat nearly pushed her over with its affections.  Karvek just watched, his mouth hanging open.
"I'll never get used to the way animals respond to you Kytti...you don't even have to spend time with them, or lure them with food to win them over," he shook his head and looked back over to the split tree and then back to her, "They still don't know about how powerful you are, do they Kyt?" She looked up at him from having been scratching the cat and then looked down, shaking her head.
"Why not?  They would train you to be a Guardian and who knows, maybe you would be able to be a 1st Class Guardian!" he sounded excited as he approached her, giving the leopard a friendly pet as well.
"No, Karvek, they can't know..." she shook her head, speaking quietly. "I don't know why, but they just can't know yet."  He shrugged and looked down at the happy leopard, receiving attention from the both of the two young elves.
"Hey, it's about time we found our animal companions isn't it?" Karvek asked looking at Kytti, and she nodded in answer, looking confused. "Well, maybe she's your animal companion, you should ask her name.  You know how they will only tell their companion their real name first before any other!" The leopard let out a low growl at his words and look affronted.  They both were surprised and after giving Karvek a look, she turned to the leopard and spoke in the Animal tongue.  Although young she had already mastered it easily.  After a moment of conversing Kytti broke out into laughter and shook her head at Karvek.
"No wonder he was affronted.  Karvek, he's a he, not a she!" She could barely keep herself from falling over for laughing so hard, and Karvek managed to look a bit contrite through his laughter.  
"Well, what's his name Kytti?" he asked her after their laughter subsided. Laughter shook her once again as she was surprised he had forgotten.
"Karvek, I can't be his companion...he's male.  Plus he won't tell me either.  Ask him yourself!" she stood back and waited for Karvek's face to light up with realization and then redden with embarrassment.  After taking a deep breath he kneeled down so that he was level with the big cat and tried to speak in the Animal tongue himself.  He faltered a little, for he was not as advanced as Kytti, but he was fairly fluent for his age as well.  The leopard seemed to grin in amusement.
"My name is Lepador. Although you can call me Dor if you want, it's easier to remember," All three of them looked surprised as the leopard spoke in Elven. Although the two elves and now Dor knew, that once a companion forms it's bond with an elf, it could speak in their tongue, they still hadn't seen it happen yet.  They were usually a few years in between when elves would gain companions due to their long lives, so never saw for themselves the bonding.  And this would make Karvek the first of their generation to bond with his companion.  After that, the two friends spent time playing with their new friend in the forest and eventually headed back to introduce Lepador into the Elven village.  
There was a party that night, welcoming Dor into the Village Family and everyone made a complete fuss over Karvek and Dor.  It was a great night for all, for everyone loved when their was a new addition into the Village. In fact no one even seemed that surprised that Karvek had been the first one, his parents being a great Tamer and Healer.  

Over the next few months all of their generation found their companions, and closer to a full year from the time Karvek had become bonded, the ones who had to go on journeys to find theirs came back with their Animal Companions.  That was, everyone except for Kytti herself.  Although she wasn't prone to jealousy, eventually she came to dislike the welcoming parties.  She never let anyone know, for she was too kind to ruin the joyful occasion for her friends and peers, but inside she felt alone and left out.  Eventually she became the only one in her village, except for the youngest children to not have a bond animal.  Though no one said anything, she knew they were worried and even a few thought her strange, the incident from when she was a child not helping. The night of the last welcoming party for the last Companion, the Healers of the home she had been taken in at decided to sit down and speak with her.  As they arrived at their house they asked her into the living room and sat down on the couch across from the chair she had taken.
"Kytti, we're worried about you.  You're the only one in your generation that hasn't found her Companion yet, and you've even gone on a search for one as well...," The Matron, which was the proper term for female Healers, started off.
"Yes, Kytti.  You should have found one by now. There's no reason why we can think of that you wouldn't have.  You are the first in all your classes, you are talented in all fields," The Patron, which was the term for Male Healers, continued.  Both their brows were furrowed as they sat in silence for a little while contemplating their next words.
"As you know, this is generally unheard of for someone to not have their Companion by now, but there have been a few times it has occurred throughout history and we may have to consider the two options that are available, " The Matron started again, hesitating slightly before going on, "The first option is having you go into School of Enlightenment, so your not finding an Animal Companion wouldn't be so strange and your talents would not go to waste..."
"And the second option is having you do an Extended Journey, which means that you leave the Village, and go further than ever before, into the Deep Forests to find your Companion, meaning you wouldn't be able to come back until you have a Companion, unless you were going to join the School of Enlightenment," Finished the Patron. Kytti sat there silently for a few moments watching the two Healers that had brought her up.  She knew that they were adverse to doing either option but they couldn't forsake they're duties.  They both knew that she really didn't want to join the School of Enlightenment, because that would mean she would have not be able to ever get married, and start a family.  The School of Enlightenment also focused mainly on Healing magicks, and usually neglected everything else including Nature and Animal Magicks.  And she knew they didn't want her to have to leave the Village and go far out because there were many stories of young elves leaving and never coming back. Finally she nodded, showing she understood.
"I understand Matron, Patron.  When does this choice have to be made by?" Kytti looked to them both, speaking quietly.  She knew which choice she would make, and she suspected they knew as well, but she wanted to see how long she could hold off on it, to see if she could possibly get her Companion before being forced to choose either option.
"Not for awhile now, the exact amount of time has to be determined, but at least a year from the last youth to find their Companion which was tonight," The Matron let out a sigh of slight relief as she smiled at Kytti.  She smiled back in response and rose from her seat with a sigh of her own.
"Was there anything else Healers?  If not I am exhausted from the Celebration and would like to retire," Kytti stretched as she said this, flashing them both a smile. The Patron shook his head.
"No, Kytti, that was all.  We had to let you know as soon as possible so you have time to come to a decision.  Have a good sleep dear," the Matron responded to her question, getting up herself and embracing Kytti.   Kytti returned the hug to her Matron and gave one to her Patron.
"Good-night then," she turned and walked up the stairs to her room.  As she ascended the stairway she heard the Healers start a whispered conversation.  She knew the two were really worried for her, and she had become worried as well. So far she had not formulated a plan of what she wanted in her life, but she knew that in the very least she wanted to eventually get married, and she couldn't do that without an Animal Companion.  In their society the Companion served as more than a bond friend and protector, they also had the ability to peer into the very heart of their Companions betrothed to see if they truly loved them, and if they were meant for each other.  Elves that were not able to find bond companions or who chose not to had to enter the School of Enlightenment, which ontop of being completely specialized in Healing, were not allowed to marry or start a family because of being unable to know their lovers true heart as well they wanted the Enlightened to focus all attention on their studies. Although it was a very honored position, many and especially Kytti did want to start families, and be able use all Magicks.  Kytti crawled into her bed, pulling the blanket up to her chin, after having the Sun Tree dims it's light orbs to darkness.  Tears ran down her face, because as much as she would rather leave the Village than enter the School of Enlightenment, she did not relish the idea of leaving either.  It would hurt her Healers very much, but it would be the choice she made.  Eventually she drifted off to sleep.

The next day after Kytti had gotten up and finished with her chores and breakfast she went out to her and Karvek's favorite grove right outside the Village. She was sitting alone in a tree, swinging her legs back and forth, her thoughts occupying her completely.  Suddenly Dor was stretched out on the branch beside her, his head resting in her lap.  Realizing he was there she was startled out of her reverie and gave a little jump, but then she giggled, putting her hand on his soft head.
"Wow, Dor you scared me. What's up?" She asked him as she gave him a loving scratch between his ears.  He peered up at her with big eyes.
"Not much, just out to play.  I can't believe you didn't even notice me Kytti, I think this is the first time I ever successfully snuck up on you," he purred, satisfied with himself.  From above her came a laugh as Karvek swung down from the branch right above her, his knees hooked on it so that he peered at her from upside down.
"Ya, I don't think anyone has ever been able to sneak up on you Kyt!" He exclaimed, grinning at her, "Losing your touch I see?" He was teasing her, she knew but she couldn't find it in herself to return his smile. He saw the grim look on her face and immediately became serious. "What's the problem Kyt, this isn't like you at all."
"My Healers had a talk with me last night about what I will have to do if I don't find my companion," she sighed out her words, looking very depressed. Karvek then swung down from his branch to sit right beside her.
"What do you mean, what you'll have to do?" He looked genuinely concerned since it was almost completely unheard of for this kind of thing to happen.
"I mean, I'll either have to immediately enter the School of Enlightenment, or go on an Extended Journey to find my companion and keep going further until I located my Companion, and if still unsuccessful, I could only come back under the terms that I immediately enter the School," she explained this to him, putting her arms around herself as she thought about it.  They sat in silence for a few moments together and then Karvek looked to her.
"Wow, Kyt.  That's a hard thing to contemplate.  Let me guess though, you would choose the Journey so that joining the School could be your last resort?" he smiled softly, knowing that he would hate to be in her position right now.
"Yes," she nodded along with her words, her eyes downcast. Suddenly Karvek smiled widely at her, pulling her close for a hug.
"What do you have to worry about Kyt?  Your the most powerful out of all of us, I just bet your meant for a very special Companion and that's the only reason why you haven't bonded yet.  You'll have no problem once we find them.  Until they decide you have to make this Journey we'll search out every animal in the vicinity and see if we can find your Companion!" he tried to sound as cheerful as possible. She gave him a shaky smile back.
"I guess your right Vek, we'll just have to become dedicated to searching!" Her face brightened, and gently moving Dor's head off her lap she jumped off the branch, landing in the branches of a Pillow Leaf tree that grew to meet her.  Karvek followed her with Dor right behind them both.  Karvek laughed, shaking his head, always amazed at how skilled Kytti was, he knew she could do anything she wanted in the Village, all they had to do was make sure she got her Companion.

Over the next few months Karvek, Dor and Kytti spent all their time trying to search for and track down her possible Companion, but each day came back empty-handed.  And each day that passed that they came back without results Kytti became more and more sad, feeling hopeless and defeated.  Approximately six months after the last Youth that had bonded, however, something happened that cost her the ability to make the choice.  It was another unsuccessful day that Karvek and Kytti had come back from and they were in the the Main Gathering area when a severe event occurred.  They were walking along chatting underneath the large trees that were everywhere when someone gave a loud cry.  Drawing their attention they noticed everyone pointing up to the higher branches of a particularily big tree. Craning both their necks they peered up to see a Young Naturalist on one of the branches.  What probably was supposed to be routine work to check out the trees health seemed to have turned ill.  The Naturalist looked as if they had slipped and were barely hanging on.  So far they had gathered several Naturalists together that had already begun work on growing a Pillow Leaf tree to catch the one in the large tree, but they weren't able to go very fast.  Everything seemed fine though, with the Naturalist hanging in the tree successfully and the few they had gathered so far working as fast as possible.  But then, once again something unexpected happened again, the endangered Naturalist lost their grip and began plummeting towards the ground.  As this happened the elves gathered let out a collective gasp and knew it wasn't going to end well.  So far the Pillow Leaf tree wasn't large enough and would break under the momentum of their fall, and the Naturalists wouldn't be able to get it large enough.  
"Karvek, I'm going to have to show them all now to save him," Kytti cried out to Karvek and ran towards the Pillow Leaf tree.  Karvek gasped and put his hand over his mouth, knowing that everything was going to now change for her, but he also knew that Kytti could never allow another to get hurt so long as she had the power to stop it.  By this time which only had lasted a second, many elven eyes were drawn to her as she ran up and did what she could.  She stopped near the already maturing Pillow Leaf tree and put her hands out towards it to channel energy better.  Her eyes began to glow bright green, brighter than anyone they had ever seen, even in a Naturalist.  As this started, the Pillow Leaf tree rapidly grew up to meet the falling elf, successfully stopping their fall before any major damage could be done.  After she knew that he was safe in the leaves, her eyes began to glow green once again and the Pillow Leaf tree began to shrink just as rapidly and gently let him on the ground as it went back to being just a seed. At first everyone stood where they had been, shock evident in their faces before everyone began to move again.  Other Naturalists went up to the one she had saved and led him away to make sure he was okay, while everyone else went about their business, whispering in hushed tones about the event that just happened.  Kytti stood with her eyes closed her hands hanging at her side, with her long golden hair hanging over her face, she knew that her whole world was going to change again and she didn't relish the thought about how it was going to change this time.