Chomper escorted them safely through his parents' domain, leading them to the border they had been heading for anyway.
"Do come by for a visit." He called, waving as the small herd of Swimmers was on their way once more.
"We will." Ducky promised, making up the rear of her family as she kept waving until she could no longer make out his form among the trees.
"I didn't think we'd see him again." One of her sisters mused as they maneuvered through the trees.
"Neither did I." Their mother agreed. "But stranger things have happened, have they not?"
"Like a Spike-tail becoming a member of a Swimmer-family?" Her oldest son asked sweetly.
"As if you minded." Ducky countered, poking him.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
If they were worried about how close Chomper's family hunted to their Courting-grounds, the Swimmer-family did not show it. The field was bordered by a wide Fast Water, the clear liquid cascading down the rocks forming the riverbed.
They were among the first to arrive, the field being mostly empty.
"Well, with Chomper showing us a short-cut we got here faster than I thought we would." Olophia said.
"Does that mean we can catch up on sleep?" The group scattered.
Ducky moved into the low waters, drinking of the fresh liquid. It was cold, coming fresh from the mountains. A small shiver ran down her spine as she moved deeper, her eyes scanning the surface for indications of Belly Dragger who might try and attack her.
She turned back to her family when hearing the abominable song of her brother.
"He needs some practice." She wheeled around, nearly slipping on the loose stones beneath her feet.
A male Swimmer looked in concern as she regained her balance. "Whoops, sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
"Then cough next time." Ducky suggested. "But yes, my brother needs some practice… and a miracle."
"I didn't want to say it." He smiled at her. "I am Paro, you?"
"Ducky." She returned the smile. "You're here early too, aren't you?"
"Oh, I am one of the resident herd." He pointed to the opposite side of Ducky's family. "We stay on that side of the river because of some Sharpteeth."
Ducky blinked, stopping herself barely from telling him that she knew these Sharpteeth in person and was friends with one of them. "Must be handy to live directly at the Courting-grounds."
"You would be surprised how much it is not." He chuckled. "There is always a terrible mess when all the other dinosaurs have left. And we're left to deal with it."
"That might be less good, yes." Ducky chuckled too. "But I always enjoyed the Far-walkers coming to my place, surely you do too?"
"You're stationary too?" He asked. "Yes, there is something nice about having new faces come along, but still. Just wait until Courting is finished. You won't believe your eyes."
"I am certain I have seen worse." She countered.
"Wanna bet on it?" He challenged.
"A branch of Treesweets." She agreed, grinning at him.
"Deal."