Rating: T
Couples: none
Warnings: Blood, Character Death (Same level as first Movie)
Chapter: 2
Author's Note: Since I thought that one chapter a week is gonna take forever if I want to do all my stories, here the next one. I think one every few days is gonna be ok too 
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Depression did not even begin to cover what Littlefoot felt that evening. He had been ushered back into the Valley by Mr. Threehorn while his grandfather remained behind at the ravine. Cera's father had been firm that he should give his grandfather some alone time: for a little while the pain the older longneck felt had to be dealt with alone.
Over the day Grandpa Longneck didn't move, seemingly frozen in time as the roars of the Sharpteeth quieted, leaving terrible silence in their wake.
Later that day Petrie's mother flew over the walls separating the Great Valley from the Mysterious Beyond. The news she carried to the other grown-ups was not good: the body had been dragged off by what seemed to be big Sharpteeth who had stolen the Fast Biters' kill. The only good news was that the death of Grandma Longneck had carried a terrible price for those same Fast Biters too: seven would not get up again and only two of those carried bite-marks.
It was late that night, when the Night Circle was high in the sky that the older longneck returned to his resting-spot. Littlefoot was still awake, having been unable to sleep after what had happened. Neither spoke as they laid down together, the child resting in the bend of the grown-up's neck.
"Grandpa?" The soft voice quivered with held-back tears.
"Yes, Littlefoot?" Profound sadness answered him as the massive head turned.
"I don't want to sleep." The little one confessed.
"Do you remember what Grandma did when I was ill?" Grandpa Longneck softly asked. "She sang you a lullaby, didn't she?"
"She did. About the Circle of Life." Littlefoot remembered it. "Why?"
"It's something of a family tradition to sing it when the time calls for it." A weak smile appeared on the older one's face. "While now would certainly be such a time, I want you to remember the message behind it instead. Can you do that for me?"
"The message behind it?" Littlefoot repeated.
"Yes." Grandpa Longneck nuzzled him.
"That… that these things are part of life?"
"Exactly." His grandfather nodded. "And while it will hurt terribly to lose someone we love, they never fully leave us as long as we remember them. So try to get some sleep. Remember how your grandmother lived, not how she died."
"I'll try…" Littlefoot curled up, snuggling against the massive body of his grandfather.
Grandpa Longneck stayed up all night, despite his advice to his grandson unable to banish the memories from his own mind. Instead he looked out over the Great Valley, trying to remember the good times he had had with her.
The Night Circle illuminated the landscape, throwing long and deep shadows in the surrounding forests. The far-away watering-holes sparkled in the in the silver light, the waves created by a soft breeze making intricate patterns on their surface.
He closed his eyes, thinking back to the days of their youth when neither yet knew the meaning of the word 'loss'. It was so long ago, but he remembered many days as if they were yesterday. He had been the member of a traveling herd when they had met. Both of them had just entered the Time of Great Growing as it was called and had just started to get interested in the other gender. He had felt so awkward around her!
A smile crept on his face, but at the same time a tear left his eye, dripping down on the ground. She had been lovely, her colors having dulled as she grew older. It was a beauty their daughter had inherited.
He sighed, recalling the day their first nest had hatched. Two boys had vied for their attention, until that fateful day. Their oldest had been much like Littlefoot was now, having the same pull for trouble. Sadly, on that day his parents had not been there to save him. He had strayed from the herd and a Sharptooth had put it to good use. He was dead before he knew what happened. Their other son had managed to reach old age and had long ago left for another herd when he fell in love with the herd-leader. He had visited at times, but with the changing outside-world those visits had become less and less. By now years had passed since he even had had news of his child.
Their second nest had been luckier: two girls – one of which had been Littlefoot's mother – and one boy had all survived until old age. Littlefoot's aunt had joined their older brother when he had visited once more and their youngest son had died early during the journey that would later take their remaining daughter.
He looked down on Littlefoot, noting the resemblance between him and his uncle. Now if the young longneck had been a bit more like his uncle personality-wise, he would not take a few years of his grandparents' life-span every week.
He chuckled softly, realizing full well that he wouldn't want Littlefoot to be any different than he was. Life would be terribly boring without the occasional clash with Sharpteeth for the boy's safety.
Wrong thought.
Pain laced through the old one's heart as his mind reminded him exactly why he was being awake instead of sleeping right now. Grandpa Longneck pressed his eyes shut, but the image of his falling mate did not disperse. Her smile when she had looked at him… it had been the kind of smile that said 'sorry about that one, forgive me?'
She shouldn't have been the one to ask that, he should have. He should have joined her. What had he been thinking anyway? He had once told Littlefoot Grandma had lost a significant amount of the strength she had had in her youth and he let her go into the Mysterious Beyond by herself! No, if anyone should have been begging for forgiveness it should have been him, never her. Never her…
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I'm usually late in welcoming people, but I guess two days isn't too bad.
However, if members complain about it being too disgusting/revolting you may have to remove/edit it. Feel free to include a warning nonetheless for sensitive readers.
