Homeward Bound [Rockpaw]

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Brooke could hardly believe it! They were going home! The femme never realized just how much she would miss Fort Emerald Bay if she left it. The season or so that she was gone was like torture. Oh sure at first she thought that the home sick feeling would pass but it never did. Now they were beckoned back home via a letter of request by Bliss Belle, Brooke's trusted friend that she left in charge of the Fort. Bliss didn't give to many details of what was going on but surely there was trouble on the home front.

The blond otter tried not to think of anything but positive. She focused on the fact that she was going home and the most important creatures are with her. Rockpaw was at the helm and their children were running about the ship, having a merry old time.

Brooke stood at the bow of the ship, the wind flowing through her fur and long headfur. Everything was perfect. The day was a warm summer one, already warm for the morning. The waves were perfect, not to big and not to small. Surely later the kits would want to take a swim. It would be then that they would perhaps anchor in a cove so that they could partake of a meal and quality time together.

The femme took a deep breath, smiled and then joined her husband at the wheel. Tenderly she wrapped her arm around him and then rubbed her cheek on his arm. "I can't wait to get home. I never want to leave again. How are you holding up? Do you want to rest? We can get one of the crew to take over for you for a little while." Rock could tell by the glow coming from Brooke that she was really, honestly and truly happy.

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

"No," Rockpaw answered. "Not quite yet." His voice was content and quiet, a deep reverberation through his chest that Brooke could undoubtedly feel. His name was an apt description. He was usually slow and steady, always strong and dependable, a true rock that the family could be built upon. But his paw was gentle and his gaze steady, mixing the iron will of a fiercely protective mate with the tender love of a caring father. He glanced down at Brooke as she leaned against his arm, and kissed the top of her head on impulse.

"I love this," he said. "And I love you." He sent his gaze across the deck, where their children were bugging the rest of the crew with questions about everything from masts to block and tackle to how the anchor worked. They were all happy and healthy, and his mate was alive and without a care in the world. When she was happy, he was happy. He left one paw on the wheel to wrap the other one around Brooke's shoulders, resting his cheek on her head.

He was captain of his own ship, back home in the place he had missed for so long, and he was the proud owner of a beautiful family. And they were going home. Home! It was such a beautiful word to him, he had nearly forgotten it.

"I'm so happy to be here, Brooke," he murmured. "I want to take us in. I'll bring us back home, just like I said. It won't be much longer. And then we can enjoy all the things we missed."

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Rockpaw was tender when in the presence of Brooke. Really the femme otter rarely saw her mate upset or angry. In fact she could not remember the last time that they had a fight. Oh sure making up was the best part of a fight but it was far better to feel loved and matched perfectly all of the time. And so Rock was a comfort to her. He eased her stress without even realizing it.

Brooke smiled and leaned into him. He sure did love the sea and being at the helm of his very own ship. She could never deny him that, though she did plan on putting restrictions upon how long he would be gone and how many missions she would allow him to go on. It was time that he spent more time with his family. His children needed him. They needed a strong paw that only a father could offer. It also took the load off of Brooke. She felt much better when he was around.

His words melted her heart. He was filled with pride and he loved his family very much. Brooke was more than happy to have given all of these things to him. It was the least she could do for his love. And so he wanted to be the one that brought the ship in, the ship that carried the most precious things to him. This did not surprise Brooke. Not one single bit and it was just another thing that added to the love that she had for him.

"I love that you love this but I love 'you' more." She chuckled, squeezed his waist and the looked up at him with a smile misted over her features, just before she would gaze out at their children and then at the horizon that held in it's warm embrace the place that they called home. Brooke could hardly stand the wait. To step on the land of Fort Emerald Bay would be a very happy day for her.

Brooke knew that her mate was watching their children as well. She could feel the pride beaming from him as he did so. "They are simply beautiful aren't they? We have some wonderful kits... Do we not my love?" Of course Brooke was saying such things because they were their kits but she honestly thought that they were the most gorgeous otters in the world.

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

"Of course," Rockpaw murmured. "They are the most beautiful children I've ever seen," he said, taking his eye off the horizon to watch the kits play across the deck and nag the crew. Logan himself bravely went up to the bow as the final bend before Emerald Bay came into view. Fearlessly, he grabbed onto a bow line and leaned out over the front of the ship, keeping his sharp emerald eyes on the horizon. Rockpaw smiled widely as he watched his son, his only and first son, displaying his willingness to go where others might consider it foolish. Even though he was only ten, he was turning into a fine young otter, with boundless energy and a need to challenge himself like all healthy young males should have. He'd have to start teaching him how to wield a ship and sword properly. Logan was a respectful little spritsail, but in his eyes was a fierce sort of independence. It was the same kind of energy that Rockpaw had once had.

Yes. He knew his son would be a part of great things one day.

"I know they are beautiful," he said, looking down into Brooke's eyes, "because they came from the most beautiful otter in the world."

He kissed the top of her head as Shylah ran around them, laughing as she raced a sea bird that was flying by. Rockpaw's free paw slid down around her waist, resting on her hip. His powerful tail slid around hers.

"You are... without a doubt... the most wonderful creature I've ever seen," he said quietly. "Once we get some free time, I'll take you out on a picnic. Just the two of us. We'll watch the sun set and go for a swim."

"Look!" Logan called out from the front of the ship. Rockpaw raised his head and stared over the bow, following Logan's pointing paw. There around the bend were the familiar stones of Emerald Bay, brighter than usual in the sun. The familiar pearl white cliffs, the sight of the small fleet displayed proudly in the docks. Rockpaw's grip on his mate tightened, and the crew let out a short cheer. There was no mistaking it. Brooke and Rockpaw had come home at last.

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Brooke and Rockpaw displayed signs of affection. Any beast that laid eyes upon them could see that they were very much in love. Only they themselves knew that with each passing day their love grew and grew.

Their children dashed about the ship, never seeming to run out of energy. Never was there a dull moment. Brooke and Rockpaw knew this but what would happen next would fully confirm this....

Logan was leaning over the railing at the bow of the ship. The young male otter was rather brave but he certainly didn't know his limits as he foolishly crawled on top of the railing, practically jumping up and down as he saw that FEB was just ahead.

Brooke gasped, knowing full well what was about to happen. Tightly she gripped her mates arm just as their son fell into the ocean. The waves were rather choppy and even the strongest swimmers would have been pulled to deep depths, especially being ran over by a large ship.

The blond femme ran to the bow but then quickly realizing that he would not surface there she ran at top speed to the back of the ship, yelling her son's name at the top of her lungs as the twins trailed in their mother's wake. Brooke then grasped the back of their clothing and pulled them back, issuing them orders just before she dove in.

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

Fortunately for little Logan, he had two strong and brave rescuers on paw to grab him up and out of trouble nearly the moment he fell in. Rockpaw's heart was gripped with ice when he saw his son stumble and fall, and in a moment he was up and after Brooke, commanding the lieutenant to take the wheel and turn the ship about, to drop anchor and put down lifeboats, everything possible that would help bring his son back. For the moment, he was busy shouting orders, and collecting his daughters, who were very much confused and frightened. He ordered two more crwebeasts to watch over them and keep them from doing anything foolish, throwing off his tunic with full intent to jump in... but Brooke got there first.

"Wait!" he shouted after her, but it was too late. With a curse, he ran to the side and leaped off the railing with one swift, fluid motion, cutting through air, and then water, slicing through the ship's rough slipstream, diving deep to avoid the slipstream of the Wave Stalker. It was a shallow drafted ship and made to run fast and silent, meaning Logan would already be rather far behind the ship by now. The poor little tyke was a good swimmer, but he hadn't faced a disaster like this yet. Rockpaw glanced around in a panic, searching for his son in the fortunately clear and blue waters of Emerald Bay. And there he was. Floundering with the currents and trying to figure out which way was up. Brooke was already nearby.

Rockpaw steamed forward, determined not to lose his son something so trivial as this, hoping his rapid movements would catch Brooke's eye and lead her to their prize.

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

This was just crazy! If Logan gets out of this alive Brooke vows to kill him! Or at least give him a good paddling on the behind with her strong rudder-like tail... after she hugged and kissed him to death.

The current was so strong. Brooke was usually a very good swimmer but a of late she's felt just a little more tired then usual. She could usually hold her breath pretty long but she found that she really longed to break the surface so that she could take a gulp of that nice refreshing sea air. But no! She couldn't! She wouldn't let herself! Logan was down here! Somewhere.

Rockpaw then shot past her like an arrow from a bow and of course she instantly followed him. Perhaps he saw their son. Brooke could not nothing but hope that he did because quite frankly she didn't see a thing down here! Frustration rang through her brain as she continued to look and to fight against the overwhelming desire for air.

Her heart began to race and pound in her chest. An expression of panic etched across her face....

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

Well, this was interesting. Rockpaw had just passed Brooke in the water as he made full steam for their son. He had noticed the look in Brooke's eyes, the panicky, strained movements in her body, that said she was short of breath and short of rational thought. She must have been close to a panic, but it was odd that as an adult even she was finding it hard to swim. Was she tired for reasons he didn't know yet? Fortunately, Rockpaw had the situation well in paw. He could see Logan, or at least, Logan's movements, thrashing about as he tried to find his way to the surface. He zoomed ahead of Brooke for now, leaving her to her own devices while he aimed for Logan. The poor child had only just got his bearings, but hadn't quite filled his lungs with air before plunging in, and his panicked shouts had done little to help matters. Rockpaw didn't let the situation bother him. His mind and body were focused as a knife when it was driving down to its target. When he had a mission, nothing could dissuade him from it, even if the sea was drying up around him. His mission was to rescue his son. Hoping Brooke was still behind him, he reached out with his strong arms and yanked his son into his grasp, ignoring his kicks and scratches.

He wheeled around in the water and sped back to his mate, pointing up as he made for the surface, which was not too far away, but far enough that Rockpaw might worry for his son. He could only hope he had not inhaled any liquid when he fell. When he broke the surface, it wasn't with a gasp. That was Logan's doing. Already the crew had set down a lifeboat with the intent to rescue their captain and his family. Rockpaw spied their rescue rowing swiftly their way.

"Captain!" the mouse on the prow of the boat shouted. "I'll throw you a rope, captain!"

And throw he did, once he was close enough. Rockpaw, for now, was concentrating on keeping his son close. Logan was hacking and gasping for breath, shuddering even in his father's strong, firm grip. Thankfully, the water was not cold this time of year, with warm currents being brought from further south and west, in from the sea. But that made it choppy.

"Hold on, son," he muttered to the boy in his arms as he spun in the water, looking out for Brooke. He handed Logan the rope once they were close enough, and prepared himself to dive right back under should Brooke not prove hasty in joining them at the surface.

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

What in the world was going on? Brooke couldn't recall ever having such a difficult time doing what otters do best... swim. Immediately after she gets to the Fort, if there's a healer beast on duty anymore, she planned on getting a checkup. Perhaps it was that batch of shrimp that she had as a late night snack last night? Either way the femme was glad that Rockpaw dove in after her.

She did note that he retrieved Logan and then was heading back to the surface, followed by a pointing of his finger toward that direction. Thank the gods! Brooke began to also amble her way up. Her muscles were literally spent, so tired but she managed to slowly come up and then to merely bob on the water as she slowly turned on her back, floating there in a favorite otter position as she gasped for breath, the waves not making it easy on her.

Brooke was patiently waiting for them to get Logan to the deck of the ship but it also afforded her some breathing time, time to relax and gain her thoughts in order to bring them in-line with her body. Perhaps it was just a bit of stress from the long journey or the thrill of knowing that she was going to soon be stepping foot on FEB land once more. It was never an easy thing to travel on a ship with children, that could be it as well. There was so many things bouncing throughout her mind.

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

"Get him back to the ship!" Rockpaw gasped as he plopped Logan onto the deck of the lifeboat roughly, without much ceremony. "Get on shore, and make sure he stays there!"

"Aye sir!" cried the crewbeast who retrieved the cub, and saluted as he grabbed the oars of the boat again. The rest of the crew looked on anxiously from the deck.

Logan was coughing up a storm, teary-eyed and regretful. He hadn't meant to fall off. He just wanted to look brave and put on a show like his father did. "I'm sorry, Dad!" he gasped out, but Rockpaw was already wheeling away, back on another mission. His mate hadn't come back quite yet, and now he had her to worry about. He'd deal with his son later. Though, he wasn't angry at him. He couldn't be; it was an accident and nothing more, though the look on Logan's face said that he felt more guilty than if he had intentionally jumped off. At least he had handled himself as well as a ten-season old otter could in such heavy, churning water. He dove back under the waves and looked for Brooke, his heart still racing. He wouldn't be happy until they were all back together on shore, and safe. Where could she be? No adult otter should have this much trouble in the water!

And there she was... not under water, but on top of it, floating as serenely as she could given the sea's conditions. Confused, he drifted upwards and came up alongside her, resting his paws on her back to support her as he tread water. What was wrong? Was she hurt? Out of breath? Was it something else entirely? He looked over her with a single rake of his warm blue eye, which could be so frosty when it needed to be, but was the color of calm seas when it looked on his mate.

"Love, what are you doing?" he asked her quietly. "The ship's back that way. Come on, I've got you." Gently, carefully, he began guiding her back to the waiting Wave Stalker. He didn't know what was wrong with her, but was ready and willing to carry her all the way if he had to, letting her wrap her arms around him and allow him to do most of the work. It was slow progress, but he didn't mind. The waters were warm and he had swum in worse than this. For his family, anything.

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Brooke chuckled lightly when Rockpaw asked her in a quiet voice what she was doing. She then felt his paws guiding her as she looked over at him. In her eyes were tears of frustration. The blond otter 'hated' feeling so helpless. "I'm sorry Rockpaw. I should have thought before I dove so quickly into the water but normally I wouldn't have such a difficult time." The time that it took them to get back to the ship gave him just enough time to talk a little. Brooke managed to roll over but her paws still clung to her mate as she spoke in a hushed tone. "I've been so unusually tired as of late. I don't know what's gotten into me. Perhaps it's just the stress of the trip and being anxious to get back home." Lightly now her udder tail began to sway back and forth. Ever so slowly she was helping Rockpaw so that he didn't feel so bogged down by her additional weight.

Brooke nuzzled her husband, knowing full well that she just may hear his disapproval for jumping into the drink so quickly, while not giving it an ounce of thought. But Rockpaw also knew that the femme would do anything for her children even if it meant jumping into the sea when the waves were unusually high. "How's Logan? I expect that he's upset and probably scared out of his mind." Softly the otter chuckled as she laid her head on Rockpaw, now beginning to kick her footpaws. Slowly her strength was coming back as her breathing eased.

From the ship Logan waved to his parents. By this time the crew had gotten a blanket wrapped around him and the girls were drying off his fluffy headfur with smaller drying towels. Brooke waved to them, just to let them know that she was fine as she softly smiled up at them.

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

Rockpaw had no idea what to make of Brooke's condition. She had been energetic enough to leap off the ship after their son, hadn't she? And now she was too tired to swim? That seemed more than a little suspicious. He held onto her nonetheless, ever supportive, ever strong for her sake. They were still quite far from shore, so swimming her all the way back in these waves wasn't an option. They'd have to get back to the Wave Stalker before doing anything else. When Brooke asked about their son, he had to smile kindly.

"Poor child was more sorry than anything else," he said. "Scared, yes, but more of what we'll do to him for not staying aboard rather than the fact that he could have drowned. He is an otter, after all." He clenched his paws tightly around her so they could swim together, jointly using the power of their legs and tails. He returned her nuzzle quietly. "Listen, love, if you're tired, just let me do the swimming." They were already near the ship as it were, and the crew was throwing down a lifeboat that they could lift their commanders back up in. He wanted Brooke to rest after all this. He wanted her to settle in and get some sleep, so he could curl up next to her, keeping her warm and safe after tucking the children in for bed tonight.

"You don't have to worry about being tired now that we're home," he murmured into her ear, giving her a short, affectionate nuzzle as he grabbed the side of the lifeboat and hauled them both aboard with one swift, strong movement. He sat her up and kept his tough, warm body wrapped around hers, encouraging her to rest against him and the firm cushion he provided. There was no way he was going to do anything except bring Brooke straight home for a good, refreshing dinner after this, after plaing with the children and getting Logan calmed down after his adventure. Oh, that boy.... he couldn't help but be a little proud of him, for even being so adventurous in the first place.

"Where do you think he got the idea to try and look like such a suave sailor?" he asked with a grin as they were pulled back up to safety.

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Brooke did indeed allow herself to rely on her mate. She was small enough in frame to do so. The femme trusted him and so she gentle leaned into him until they got back on the deck of the ship, where they were greeted eagerly by their girls and then by a rather solemn looking Logan.

Tenderly Brooke stroked Logan's headfur as she smiled and then looked back up at her husband. "Oh.... I don't think that our son takes after anyone strange." The femme laughed as she pulled her sobbing son into a hug and at the same time allowed Rock to support her.

The consoling female just couldn't bring herself to be angry with Logan. When Brooke looked up at the horizon Fort Emerald Bay was now even closer but it would still likely be morning when they'd finally dock. Brooke leaned down and patted her son on the rump, speaking firmly to him, before turning back to her mate. "Go get into dry clothing and on the way inform the cook that we are going to be needing a nice sit-down dinner." Brooke shuddered lightly. She to would be needing to dry off.

[Rockpaw Steeleye]

Rockpaw hovered over his mate and child like a protective cloak. A suit of armor that he could wrap around them. If he could have, he would have cloistered them all in the safest fort in the country and never let them leave... oh, wait. That was Fort Emerald Bay. After this, no, he wouldn't leave again. He wanted to stay here, forever, to keep an eye on his family and make sure that nothing bad would ever befall them. He wanted to never let them out of his sight. Rockpaw was generally never shaken by anything. His name even showed how determined and stalwart he usually was. But when his son had stumbled overboard... in that slight, vague instant before he jumped off the ship to get to his son, he had felt just a slight, instant twinge. A flinch in the beat of his heart that he hadn't felt in a long time.

Fear. He had been afraid for his son in that instant. Afraid that he would lose one of the most important things in his life. Afraid that he could have been caught slacking. Been caught unawares. And when that came to the safety of his son, he knew he would never forgive himself if he had allowed harm to come to his child, any of them. And when Brooke had jumped after him... well, that had nearly been the straw that had broken his back. Whenever he thought of them in danger, his stomach twisted and his head got light. He couldn't stand thinking about them being in danger. He couldn't even stand the thought of one of his daughters scraping their knee, much less his son falling off of a ship and drowning!

Yes. He vowed right then and there that nothing would keep him away from home. Nothing would make him go away from them again. He sat down next to Logan and gently ruffled the space between his ears, smiling reassuringly. It seemed to work a bit; Logan at least stopped sniffling as he was led down to get cleaned up. Rockpaw, however, stood back and looked to the sky when Brooke spoke to him.

"We'll be back in the fort in time for dinner," he reminded her. "I would like to let the sun dry me off, if you don't mind. It's been a while since I've actually had a good dip... even if it was in a moment like... like this."

[Brooke Briar Steeleye]

Brooke nodded toward Rockpaw when he stated that they would be in the Fort about the time that dinner rolled around. She should have thought about that herself but she perhaps was still to distraught about what had just happened. "That will be wonderful. Perhaps we should have our first meal in our bungalow. The kits can eat and then play in the hot tub for a while so that we can have a bit of peace while 'we' eat. I'll inform the staff immediately upon our arrival." Brooke never thought of herself as royalty or anything but she 'was' the commander of FEB and so with that came some perks. One of them was that they had an on call staff that would be at their beck and call twenty four - seven. They got paid very well for their diligence and reliability.

The female otter nodded per her mates request. Yes a nice sun bath would do nicely after such a trying time but the femme had to make things clear to her children now. She gave them each a firm gaze and then wagged a finger at them. "No one! I repeat... No one is allowed to stand on the railings anymore. Keep your footpaws planted firmly on the deck or next time there will be punishments pawed out. Is that clear? Shylah? Shayna? Logan? All of them looked up at her with a sad and submissive expression in their eyes, especially Logan, but Brooke felt no mercy for them, mostly due to the imperativeness of this whole situation. They needed to know how important her instructions were and of course they all nodded.

Brooke then looked to her mate. She wondered if he would have anything further to add to what she had just said. Time would tell but for now Brooke listened as she plopped down on the deck and then laid back in the sun. Logan would follow her example, not really wanting to leave his parent's side now, at least not for a while. But he still stayed in the line of sight of his father, just in case Rock had anything further to add.