The Braver

I race through the forest, my deerskin boots crushing the dry leaves resting on the forest floor. My ear twitches. "Over there, I think to myself. I pull back my bow and release the string. My heart beats fast. I can see the injured creature thus I now know I have made a terrible mistake. I rush to the animals side. There is pain and sadness in its deep blue eyes. "No!" I cry. Its heartbeat slows. I grab cobwebs in hope that they could cover the wound, but the blood just keeps rushing. I feel the an animal sorrow as it's heart stops. There's a rustle in a bush which inclines me to lift my head. A tiger cub pokes its head out. This only makes my tear run down my face even harder. The realization hits me like a twenty ton weight, I killed its mother. I scoop it up in my arms. "I'm sorry" I whisper "I didn't know." It looks at me with eyes like a mysterious ocean and purrs as if it can see my intentions. I smile and ruffle its fur. "I'll call you Ivan. He brushed against me as if he liked it. We burry Ivan's mother under the great oak. The stroll home is long but peaceful. Ivan stays by my side the whole way. Ivan rushes towards the sound of rushing water. "Oh fine" I laugh playfully. It's hard to resist his beautiful eyes. He splashes my face and playfully meows. The water droplets look so pure against my blue elven skin. I swing from a damp vine and plunge into the lake. The midday sun warms my face. Before I know it the sun is setting and the forest falls silent under the blanket of night. "Ivan" I call and I am pleased to hear a faint purr as something soft brushes against my leg. We follow the last rays of sun westward towards camp.