Berganashio - Chapter 22

Jovie had been flying above the three totters. Her eyes scanned the layers of rocks. The four of them had woken up early. They were in search of fresh water.

"I don't know if the caverns of Mem will be the best home after all."

Sister totter mumbled from below Jovie's fluttering wings.

Jovie smiled, her cheeks rosy. She loved the cool air outside.

"We'll see, dear. I have a feeling we'll find some fresh water soon!"

Papa totter looked up with admiration at Jovie's response. He scrunched his eyebrows, as he continued to think about the situation.

"If we find fresh water, then how would we know?"

Jovie looked down at the three totters.

"I suppose I will be the water tester myself. If I can drink the water, then the rest of the fairies should be fine too."

"Sounds like a plan!"

Brother totter blurted and scampered on ahead of his Papa and sister. The sun was rising and dried the rocks that were still wet from the dew of the morning.

Papa totter thought of a question.

"What if we find fresh water, we have no way to bring it back to the caverns. I just keep thinking that if we find water and it's out in the open, the queen won't approve because it would make everyone vulnerable to the arrows again."

"This is true."

Brother totter agreed.

Sister totter's eyes lit up as she remembered the fireflies.

"But the fireflies are back now!"

Jovie smiled again. She thought of the fireflies and the swirls and light that they brought. Her shoulders were pulled back with an attractive air of confidence. Pulled back into a messy bun, her blonde hair shone as a haystack in the sunlight. Sagely, she stated.

"Yes, our protectors have preceded us."

Brother totter added,

"Yes! So if we find fresh water somewhere. We'll go back and let the queen know and then we can come to the water for the fairies. The fireflies should come too if someone stays quiet..."

He looked at his sister who trying hard to ignore him.

Several hours went by. It became hotter and hotter. Jovie grew exhausted. She flew down to the ground and said dizzily.

"I'm so parched."

She licked her dry lips. Papa totter stopped walking and held up his paw.

"Lets take a break and eat some sandwiches at least."

They all nodded in agreement and sat down for a picnic on a large flat rock. The four of them were so natural together. Jovie had grown to have such great affection for the three totters. In the past, she had struggled to connect with any of the male fairies in her own vine village. Despite their attempts to glean her attention over the years, she had never felt interested by their advances. Though they were a different breed of creature, being with the totters felt more natural for her somehow. The four of them finished their break and continued to search for water. It was nearing sunset, when finally they heard the sound of rushing water.

"Hear that?"

Jovie asked them.

The children totters looked at one another and nodded. Papa totter shook his head no.

"I cannot hear anything."

Jovie motioned.

"Let's keep walking that way... toward the sound. It sounds like a waterfall to me!"

They hiked some more and finally they saw a large waterfall. As the walked closer toward it, the sound became almost deafening. Jovie, with a burst of excitement and new energy, flew to the edge of the water and took a gulp of water. The three totters followed behind and took a drink too. They waited a few minutes to see how Jovie felt from drinking the water. While they waited, the totter children played in the water as if it was their first time ever playing in water. Of course, they had been in water plenty of times in the past. After the full day of hiking, it felt extremely gratifying to finally find fresh water.

"How do you feel Jovie?"

Papa asked her. She smiled her sweet, sensitive smile and stated.

"I feel fantastic! We did it! We found water!"

"Hurray! Hurray! Yippiee!"

Shouted the totter children. Papa totter gave Jovie a warm hug.

Because they were exhausted, they decided to spend the night near the waterfall. The sound of the falling water helped lull the four of them to sleep. The next morning they awoke early and filled the small containers that they had in the backpacks.

"We must take a sample of the water back to the queen to try herself."

Jovie declared, as she filled the last container that they had.

With new vigor, from a great night's rest, they began their journey back to the caverns of Mem. They could hardly wait to share the good news. Along their journey, they heard a very loud boom. After the boom sound, they felt the ground rumble several times.

"What was that?"

Screamed sister totter.

Jovie and papa totter shook their heads in shock.

"I have no idea!"

Jovie responded.

"But we must get back to the caverns as quick as we can!"

The totters started running. Jovie flew at a much quicker pace. Within an hour or so, they made it back to the caverns.

"Uh oh..."

The three totters and Jovie's mouths were aghast in shock. Papa totter broke the silence.

"The boom caused an avalanche!"

Sure enough, there were dozens of boulders that now covered the entrance to the caverns.

"We must check the other entrance to the caves! Surely both entrances are not blocked!"

They rushed to the other end of the caverns but it was in even worse condition.

"This is not good at all..."

Jovie sat down, with tears welling up in her eyes.

Brother totter swallowed, adding,

"There is no way we could move those rocks... They are huge!"

Jovie finally lost it, letting out mournful, despairing sobs.

"I just don't know what to do now! How could this happen?"

The sound of her sobs reverberated off the rocks and the four travelers sat down in utter shock and defeat.

~~~~~

Author's Note:

To read chapter 23, please follow the link below: