Chapter 3: The Blood Gum Ally

A/N: Suggestions and constructive criticisms are most welcomed and encouraged. Let me know if you find typos and/or grammatical errors. Attention seekers will be ignored.

If I owned The Inheritance Cycle, Myra would already be in it.

Recap: Before Blödhgarm's eyes, her appearance completely changed…Davis-Sanghvi? Alpha of the Davis pack?...the woman picked up her bags, turned around and began to walk away…he cast a spell to stop her in place while at the same time he reached out with his mind…sights washed over Blödhgarm in a kaleidoscope of colours and landscapes…

He heard a low growl that reverberated through his frame…the wolf stood within a foot of his face…the tone of the voice may have been threatening but the voice itself…it was Myra…

-{-}-

Myra's POV

For a few ego stoking seconds, the elf with the midnight blue fur only stared up at my wolf form in awe. Then he started laughing.

I'd just phased into the most gigantic wolf he'll ever see, I stood right above his face, I bared my long sharp teeth and asked the furry man to explain himself and he laughed.

Even his laughter was weird. It was deep and throaty like it should be given how his voice sounded, but it was also clear and ethereal somehow. I wasn't sure I liked it. Or rather, I wasn't sure I was ready to admit to myself I liked it.

I mentally kicked myself.

What's so damn funny, elfie? Giving into hysterics before I even sink in my teeth? I growled into his mind in the most menacing way I could. The elf sobered a bit, but his laughter didn't die down completely.

Yeah, I now believe the whole 'I am an Elf and I am not Santa's Little Helper'. Sure, it was weird. Also, sort of despair-inducing because that meant I was further away from home than I'd thought at first.

I had thought earlier that walking away from the furry man would be the end of my problems. That I would eventually come out of the pine forest, find a highway and hitchhike my way to some town and phone reception. One call to Uncle Nick and he would make arrangements for me to return to my cabin after trying to convince me to stay at the Compound.

Never have I ever been so incredibly wrong.

I'd started to daydream about a can of cola in my hands and being far away from manipulated trees and delusional weirdoes when I had heard a loud yell. I couldn't identify the word but I sure as hell felt the massive energy burst on the air. It took me a fraction too long to realise that the blue hippie had cast a spell. I had been about to summon my own magic to protect myself when I felt my mental barriers give away like they never existed in the first place.

Touching his protected mind with a tentative scan made me believe he was powerful. But feeling all of his mind encompass mine was positively overwhelming.

But those images…those flashes…the things I had felt…I had lived his world, his emotions, his thoughts, his life…

And it had all happened so fast.

Colours and emotions flash one after another. I try to hold onto something, anything. I'm afraid I would lose myself without an anchor in this whirl of memories.

An absolutely beautiful silver haired woman with kind, warm blue eyes who smiled such a wide, happy smile that I felt guilty for receiving it. Then I was looking at a crowd of people, all their eyes trained on me, I felt the nervous flutter of my blood. Then I felt the refreshing chill of cool water, the sky was an inky curtain of moonlight streaked clouds.

There is no order here. At least none that I could see. Then I notice it, there is a strange thrum under it all. That is the only thing that is keeping me together.

I stood in the distance looking at a burning city, thoughts of revenge stirred under the sadness and anger. My eyes roved across two contradicting texts written on fine, well-crafted paper. I felt relief flood through me when I was swept into familiar arms. I admired the smooth blade of a sword as it caught the light.

Uncounted seconds, hours, days and years race past me. Taunting me. It felt like chaos. Somehow, I know it is anything but that. There is still that thrum, that rhythm underneath it all; a strong force that gives me the subtlest support. Barely noticeable, yet much needed and appreciated.

A dense canopy was studded by brilliant lights, some were hung low and some were up high. A sweet, golden drink slid down my throat with delicious warmth as I looked around at friendly, happy faces. An eerie calm settled over me as I closed my eyes and felt runes under my fingertips, they meant so much. I moved with an easy grace to hypnotic music and felt the especially strong magic on the air.

Suddenly, I understand and everything is clear. What holds my sanity is the 'weirdo' himself. Blödhgarm. Maybe not consciously, I couldn't sense if he is even aware of me, definitely not aware of me, but in the deepest catacombs of his powerful, alien mind he is helping me through whatever is happening to me.

The elf's thoroughly amused chuckling brought me back to the present.

Oh, oh, I am so, so sorry, the man who called himself an 'elf' stood up, still trying to regain his composure. It is only that, after what I saw, I can tell you are from somewhere far away. But now this, this is incredible. This is the stuff of myths and lore. You still are Myra, Alpha of the Davis pack, are you not?

No, I am a walking talking killing machine now, I said in an even tone. Let him figure out if it was a joke or not.

He stared straight into my eyes. The guy might be a lot of things I didn't know, or even begin to understand, but he sure was brave. Or completely off his rocker.

It took a lot of effort to stay still when he – Blödhgarm, I reminded myself – started walking around me in a circle like I was a museum exhibit. I felt him reach out to touch the fur on my side but he stopped abruptly.

May I? He asked. I didn't turn to the side to see him, but I could still sense his hand hovering in the air, just a few inches away from my fur.

Go ahead, I replied without thinking much. The fact that I'd demanded he explain himself a while ago didn't seem to matter too much then.

He wasn't going anywhere. I could always claw the truth out of him if needed. That wouldn't be as useless as whatever spell he'd used before bombarding my brain with a disorienting collection of his own memories.

I tensed up when his fingers raked through the fur on my left shoulder with a long stroke, the claw on his middle finger lightly scraped my hide, which felt oddly comforting. Usually, the only reason why anyone's claws have ever come in contact with my fur is to rip me to shreds, be it in friendly sparring or an Alpha challenge. Being petted by Santa's little helpers isn't really a part of my everyday life.

So, digging my claws into the ground just in case the dude decided to go berserk was perfectly reasonable.

Calm down, Alpha of the Davis pack. If I wanted to go 'berserk', I would have done so when I was taken on a rushed tour through your memories, he remarked.

I had almost forgotten the elf's mind was still connected to mine. Which was really saying something because the dude's mind felt weird on a whole another level when our minds were in touch just enough so we could communicate. The magic was strong in this one.

Wait a minute!

What the hell do you mean weakling? I snarled as I turned to face the man. What did you see? I seethed. What if he got dragged through my memories like I did through his? I needed to know exactly what he saw.

He gave me a confused look. I thought you saw what I could see. I had suspicions of you being from the enemy lines. Thus, I had cast a spell to hold you in place and tried to reach your mind at the same time. I intended to break down your defences and see for myself if you were indeed truthful. It was a hasty and desperate decision. I apologize. Please, there is no need to growl in my face. All I could understand from what I saw is that you are from a vastly different realm. He finished his explanation.

I didn't want to trust him, but he was connected to my mind and I couldn't sense any fibbing. I got a little trip down your memory lane too while you went through my life, I told him as I took a few steps back to give him some space.

What still had me reeling was that sudden lash of memories I'd endured. When my vision had cleared I was in my wolf form. Blödhgarm-not-Santa's-little-helper had been lying on his back, blinking furiously. I could sense his confusion. That was when I realised his mind was connected to mine with a weak link. Those memories were definitely his.

Considering the guy's condition, he had not expected whatever the hell had happened. Serves you right, I had thought then and I thought it to myself again.

Indeed it does. I say again that it was a hasty and desperate decision. But I cannot say I entirely regret it. For I doubt there was any other way you could have convinced me you were a creature of legends. Neither would I have been able to convince you that I am not an aberration of a 'shifter' but entirely conform to an elf. Except for my appearance, of course.

Dammit, I'd forgotten again he was still in my head. Well, I sure as hell wasn't about to act all flustered just because he had read my thoughts.

Yeah, your appearance. What the hell is wrong with you? If all those people I saw in your memories were elves too-

The Blood-Gum dude cut me off. I am an elf through and through. Being an elf, I am very powerful in magic. Even more so than others of my kin are. I find beauty only in the sharp teeth of a wolf, the pelt of a jungle cat and the eyes of a hawk. It is my personal perception and so I moulded myself to it.

To say that I was looking for an excuse to believe that he was not an 'elf' would be an understatement. But I couldn't live in denial. Basically you did voodoo on yourself because you're a wildlife enthusiast. Got it. Good to know.

Also, considering how you could not recognise the spell from the word alone, I assume spells and magic are different in your country. Are they not?

I don't even care about that right now. I just want to know where I am so that I can find my way back home.

I have already told you, Alpha of Davis pack. You are near the city of Ellesméra, deep into Du Weldenvarden, in the realm of Alagaësia. At best, your New York is far, far away. The dude was at least trying to be sympathetic. Like a freaking first grade teacher.

Yeah, I understand that but…I meant, I need to know how far exactly home is and how I can get back and how the hell I got here in the first place.

I needed to get back home. Everything was wrong. I couldn't be in someplace called Ala-gasia when I was supposed to be in college, pretending to be about a third of my age. Until and unless America was called Ala-gasia around here.

It is not, I assure you. I understand that you do not want to believe this but there is a difference between being lost and being stubborn.

I glared at him and showed him the wolf canines that he thought were pretty. Different as his mind was, how come I didn't receive any of his thoughts like he heard mine?

Blödhgarm rolled his eyes. As for your query, you might not be able to hear my thoughts because of the considerable differences in our minds even at the surface. Or perhaps, you would be able to hear my musings if you would slow down your frantic thinking.

Then he continued in a more serious tone, I understand now why you doubted my very sanity when I told you I am one of the älfakyn, you are, after all, the one who is displaced while I am within walking distance of my own city. But, you have seen my memories in your mind's eye.

Though I do not know what memories of mine you saw but if it was anything like what I saw in your mind then I do not understand why disbelief still lingers in you. If you are still not convinced that I am an elf, that you truly are in a country which is worlds apart from yours then I will not be able to help you despite best intentions.

I turned away, snorting. Trust me buddy, my mind may be whip lashed but there's no doubt you're something different. That was just me and my wishful thinking. And sure, you and your country may be different but you don't know the entire world, do you? Have you travelled all over your Ala-gasia or whatever? Do you know everything there is to know? And anyway, if I'm here then it's not like I can't get back. If there is a way in there has to be a way out. I just need to find it. Somehow.

For a few seconds, neither one of us said anything.

I was mulling over the implications of not having a way to get back home for a while when Blue-Fur decided to speak. Or rather mind-speak. You are correct. I do not know everything that there is to know. I am not nearly knowledgeable enough to help you by myself. But there may be aid to be found with my people, in my city. Ellesmérais hardly a few hour's run ahead. It is the elven capital city. Our Queen should know about you. A lost werewolf is hardly a daily occurrence, he finished with a smile that showed his own respectably sharp canines.

I tried to take it all in stride. Of course you would have a Queen. No democracy around here?

A democracy? He sent me a questioning thought.

It was like I got a little further away from home with every single minute. You really don't know, do you? It's a type of government. I will explain it to you later if you want to know. For now, let's go meet Her Highness. Then I paused for a second. That is what she's called, right?

In this language, yes, Blödhgarm replied.

You elf people talk some different language?

Yes, we speak in the Ancient Language.

Right, I said. So, are you going to give me some physical privacy since you can't seem to give me the mental kind?

We are to walk to Ellesméra together. Once all formalities and explanations are over then of course, you will be given your own quarters and complete privacy. The Queen is just and fair, Blödhgarm said, not really understanding.

I explained. We're going to meet the Queen of elves, right. I'm guessing it'll be expected that I at least speak for myself. I can't speak in my wolf form, obviously. If I get a choice I would rather not open up my mind to a bunch of people I've never met before. So, I'll obviously have to phase back to my human form.

Indeed, that would be preferable. He paused. Is it forbidden for one who is not a werewolf to actually see this phasing, he asked.

Oh no, not at all. See, elf, I just shifted from my human form, which is comparatively tiny, to my wolf form which is comparatively huge. My clothes did not undergo the same transformation. And from what I saw in your head, you don't really seem like the nudist type.

Pardon? I did not need to be connected to Blödhgarm mind to sense his surprise over my choice of words.

At some point, my tail had started swishing playfully. I said nothing and let him figure it out for himself.

Blödhgarm looked to the ground, maybe just noticing the tatters that remained of my clothes. I could practically see the gears clicking into place. Shall I fetch you some clothes then?

No need. I keep a few sets handy in case I meet wildlife enthusiasts just like you. Some space would be just fine, I gave him an actual wolfish grin, all my razor-like teeth on display.

He was not taking the bait. And here I had started to think public nudity is common amongst your kin considering your wonder that it not so amongst my own, Blue Fur retorted with a smirk.

Sweetheart, if you want a show you can just ask. Although the answer might make you rethink about the beauty of the canines you like so much, I tried to be as condescending as I could be.

Do not fret, Alpha of the Davis pack, when I do ask for what you call a 'show', the answer will be favourable. The elf answered with a challenging smile.

I stared him down. He held my gaze. You got balls, I'll give you that. Start walking to Ellies-meera, elfie. I'll catch up.

Blödhgarm turned and started walking but then I felt him tug on the weak mental bond that I was honestly surprised was still there, I hope you would not mind if I-

You need to keep up the mental link to make sure I don't run away. It's alright. I understand. I would probably do worse if I were in your place, I assured him.

-OOO-

Blödhgarm had non-verbally agreed to running instead of walking all the way to his dearest city of Ellies-meera after I rushed past him with a challenge in my smile. As much as I wanted to, it wasn't the time to see exactly how fast he was. I needed to not freak out. Running was the best way to do it.

Even if I looked like a guitar fanatic running cross-country for a cult meeting. Carrying a rucksack on your back and a jumbo sized guitar case in your hands doesn't exactly make for elegant running.

Maintaining a pace that seemed to be comfortable for Pointy Ears allowed me to go into autopilot mode. The wolf in me prowled under the surface. I took in the foreign surroundings with the eye of the predator I always will be.

The forests of Do-well-done-garden were exactly the same in all directions. If things went badly with this elven queen, I'd have to rely on clear skies for navigation. And an accurate map. Ellies-meera was the capital city, Blödhgarm had said. So, there would probably be swarming with elfies. These were people I knew next to nothing about. They had the element of surprise, but so did I.

A break in the continuous rhythm of quick, near-silent feet had me glancing to my left where Blödhgarm had probably leapt over an exposed root. He showed no signs of exertion even after what had to be about an hour. If anything, he looked deep in thought.

I wondered for a second if he had read my thoughts through the tenuous link I could still feel in my mind. His face or scent definitely didn't show it. Clearing my thoughts, I decided this would be the perfect time to see if I could hear his 'musings' like he did mine earlier.

Base instinct made my legs continue with the wild dash to Blödhgarm's city while I felt his thoughts meld to my mind in the absence of my own.

…could not be from Alalea. Älfakyn had come such a long time ago I doubt the way is known to anyone or recorded…even though her skin is somewhat similar to the nomads who came after the first humans they had landed all the way to the other side of the country…Myra found herself in the middle of our lands with absolutely no knowledge of how she came to be here…she does not lie…she could be the first foreigner to step foot on this land in close to a thousand years…

Dropping my guitar case to the side, I turned and smacked my palm right in the middle of the elf's chest to stop him. He jolted back from the sudden impact. Bewilderment shone in his eyes before it turned into a glare.

"Humans? There are humans here?" I asked, no, more like yelled at him.

"Why did you…you read my thoughts, correct?" And so realisation dawned on Blood-Gum.

"Yes, now could you be bothered to explain why we are going to an elven city when there's humans around here?" Maybe I wasn't as far from home as I'd thought.

The elf rubbed at his temples. "We have to tell the Queen of your existence. How many times must I remind you that you stand in the middle of the elven kingdom? If you wish to live among humans then you may do so with permission from the Queen. I must warn you, however, there are a fair number of things to understand about this land before you make any decisions."

I ran my fingers through my hair. "Okay, if whatever you saw in my head didn't make it clear, most of us shapeshifters live among or close to humans. We have to disguise ourselves and keep moving around and keep our not-so-human characteristics in check for it. What I'm trying to say is, if there are humans, it is almost guaranteed there would be shifters around. If I can find them then they might know about my pack or maybe at least tell me something that helps me." I could hear the desperation in my voice. This being lost business was tough.

Blödhgarm just observed me for a few seconds. I already knew what he saw; a panicked woman on the edge of denial, trying to hold onto any thread of hope. Never have I felt so entirely useless. I was used to having too many choices, too many things to do, too many decisions to make. I felt bile rise at the image I knew I presented to him.

Out of nowhere I saw the image of fire raining down from the skies. I blinked to block it out.

"I do not like being the bearer of bad news but I doubt you will be able to find any others like you. Perhaps I am telling you this far too soon but, Alagaësia is not limited to elves and humans," the elf said slowly.

He frowned at the ground before looking into my eyes and speaking again, "I would like that the exact state of our jolly land be told to you when you are relatively well-adjusted and not standing in the middle of nowhere but I will tell you this: In your land those who are not humans may feel the need to hide themselves for whatever reason, but here it is not so.

"Among humans themselves, there are few who are gifted with magic and they are valued. The nature of magic and those who wield it is distrusted by ignorant ones but those magicians go on to serve the elite nobility. That is how much extraordinary strength and power is in demand here. Humans have been here for centuries, if there were any of your kind then they would already be known, believe me."

I let out a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. "Worth a try, I guess," I mumbled. Blödhgarm looked like he was about to say something more but I picked up my guitar case and continued the run. He caught up soon enough.

The day had been tough to say the least. Still, nothing could prepare me for the city itself. Though the silver haired elf who appeared out of thin air and then vanished into thin air again after the blue furball apparently persuaded him into letting us in should have been warning enough that things would only get weirder.

More and more of the city was revealed as we slowed to a walk. If the pine trees out in the forest were big, the ones in the city were dinosaur-sized. Also, they doubled up as houses and buildings. Talk about being eco-friendly.

As if that wasn't enough, there were also pretty flower bushes all around and a multitude of wild rabbits and deer lounging around with no fear. Nothing felt natural. Magic was heavy and almost tangible on the air.

And then there were the elves. Too many elves. All of staring at me. Apparently elven parents don't teach their kids that it's rude to stare. So, I obviously made it a point to stare right back at as many as I could.

It was tempting take the backseat and let the beast inside me deal with everything. But if I was going to meet a goddamn monarch, I would have to be at my diplomatic best which was obviously something the wolf wasn't very good at. Instead, I worked hard on being numb to everything. I tried to be neutral, to not let my confusion and curiosity show through.

This extended to the bond that connected my mind to Blödhgarm's. I pushed it away into the deepest recesses of my mind so the elf would only feel the most basic elements of what was going on in my head.

Then came the meeting with the queen and the nobles. Queen Islanzadí was dominant and regal and the noble elven lords and ladies were impressive. I had expected dull, greedy, corrupt people. Understandably, I was thoroughly grilled with questions. Who am I? Where am I from? How could I not know where I was? What did I want? How could they know I wasn't a spy? Yadda yadda yadda.

Answering their queries with a more or less pleasant demeanour felt like a Herculean task and would've been damn near impossible if Blödhgarm didn't pitch in every once in a while. I should have been offended when he reverted to using that musical sounding language, that was probably their Ancient Language and beyond my understanding, but it made the elves in the Tialdarí Hall shut up for a few seconds so I made a mental note to thank the furry elf for that later.

It took a lot of effort to stay expressionless when Maud showed herself. I caught a guilty look on Blödhgarm's face when the short, wrinkly faced woman with sharp teeth introduced herself as a werecat. She took particular interest in me because apparently she was intrigued by the fact that I was like her. I bit my tongue to not screech out how different I was.

It was yet another disappointment in the day to see that werecats in this batshit crazy world meant diminutive people who could shift into housecats and not perfect specimens of human form with the ability to shift into strong bodied panthers and leopards and lions and tigers. It was a disappointment that almost made me want to cry in frustration. I felt Blödhgarm tug on the bond and sent him sharp, shooting pain like a bullet through a shoulder.

Probably not the wisest thing to do to my only ally so far, but I could not bear his sympathy or any explanations at that moment.

At the end of it all, everyone believed me, everyone agreed I should be given shelter and whatever help they could and everyone decided that I should be given my freedom within certain limits, namely, reporting to some Fair-in elf every morning. Of course, I had to cooperate and tell them about my country and my people. All entirely for record keeping, in case another lost shapeshifter turns up. Sure.

I was guided away to a giant tree with two storeys which was going to be my humble abode. Or at least as humble as a pine tree with a sixty feet diameter can be. Blödhgarm told me that he would return that afternoon with lunch when we reached the base of the guesthouse (guest-tree?).

I sighed in relief when I felt the bond snip without any warning or having to ask for it. I realised just how easy it had been to keep a mental link to him, comforting even. Shutting down the part of me that was feeling slightly taken aback at the suddenness of it and maybe starting to regret the fact that I sort of mentally shot him, I thanked him vaguely and then allowed the dark haired elf named Gel-rain to accompany me to the second storey. He left me at the door with the barest nod of his head.

No locks anywhere. But there was modern plumbing. Plenty of open space and all the necessary furniture. Everything was wooden and flow-y in design. There were even some clothes in the wardrobe.

Keeping my rucksack and guitar case on the floor beside the bed, I flopped onto the soft elven bedcovers and pulled out my phone. It was just 10:18 a.m. No signal as before. I allowed my gaze to linger on the wallpaper which had Jules, Ry and me grinning broadly at the beach.

What wouldn't I give to see the two of them again, if I would ever see them again. They had to be safe and sound back home. Did they know I was in a city full of elves? Were they worried about me? Could the pack feel my absence? Were they looking for me? I hoped they weren't.

Putting away the phone, I buried my head into the soft pillows and let myself doze off. I will find my way back home, no matter what.

-{-}-

A/N: Here's hoping that the length makes up for the lateness. Thank you for reading and sticking around, people. I love you all.

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