Two Birds of a Feather

Chapter 58

Harry had been minding his own business when a young red tailed hawk ran up to him and hugged him. "I was so worried about you and Mommy," Wendy whimpered, nuzzling the hawk who was her father, "But now we're back together again." Everyone in the clearing turned their attention to the happy little reunion. Most were so touched that they couldn't help but purr in unison, "Aww..."

"That's so sweet," Mercury remarked, wiping a tear away from his eye. He turned to look at Tiberius. The old hawk stood beside his friend, watching the scene silently. "Hey, are you okay?" the bald eagle asked. Nodding his head quietly, Tiberius mumbled, "Uh, yeah. I'm fine." He was happy that Wendy had found her father and reunited with him. He knew that she needed her real parents and not some old bird like himself to look after her. But why did he feel so sad? Sighing, he murmured, "If Wendy asks, tell her I'm sleeping."

"Alright, good night," Mercury replied.

"I'm sorry little one, um... who are you?" Harry asked. The young hawk, probably about two and a half months old or something, had caught him off guard. Gazing up at her father with excitement, Wendy chirped, "Daddy it's me! Your daughter!" Frowning slightly, the hawk muttered, "You must have me confused with someone else."

"No, I'm the daughter of Harry and Harmony," Wendy informed Harry. An owl who was watching nearby remarked, "She does have your eyes sir." If one looked closely, they could see that both hawks had the same shade of yellow eyes. Wendy was so happy that her tail was wagging. Her father, however, was the opposite as he pushed Wendy off and snarled, "Where did you learn that name?!"

"It's my mother's name. And you're my father," Wendy squeaked, startled by his reaction. Wasn't her father happy to see her? "Daddy, it's me," she pleaded, begging him to remember her. By the looks of it, the other birds of prey were wanting the same thing. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Mercury making his way through the crowd. Looking up at her father, she whimpered, "Remember the storm? Our tree fell down."

"How do you know this stuff?!" Harry demanded with a shriek. Everyone jumped with fright. Leaning down towards his little sister Elisa, the talonless hawk Eisenhower whispered, "Get Tiberius."

"Sir, what's going on?" Mercury asked, walking up beside Wendy. The two month old hawk trembled at his side. Pointing at her accusingly, Harry hissed, "Who is this?! How does she know about my mate and kid?!" His yellow eyes were wild with anger and fear. Patting Wendy gently on the head, Mercury stated, "Wendy here speaks the truth. She was found by humans and feared that she lost both you and her mother."

"Oh yeah! Where's the tree?!" Harry demanded. Stepping forward, Wendy was the one to answer as she trilled, "Up near Albany, on the Tribe of the Fire Talons' territory! It was a great dead oak that was brought down during a week of thunderstorms. Mommy was crushed underneath the tree and I couldn't find you anywhere-"

"Shut up! My mate and child died! You know nothing!" Harry let out an ear piercing screech that echoed throughout the clearing. Remaining calm, Mercury pointed out, "Sir, please. Your daughter is right here." Bounding over to her father, Wendy cried, "I'm right here Daddy! I'm alive!" His angry eyes turning to her, Harry growled, "If it really is you, then you should've died with your mother."

Wendy's heart plummeted.

"Now sir, you're stressed out from grief. Look, if you can just-" Mercury spoke softly. He was interrupted however as Harry turned on him and lashed out with his talons. The bald eagle yelped in pain as they struck his face. The blow had been aimed for his eyes. Everyone quickly backed away from the scene. They could all see that he was mad. He wasn't right in the head. Her eyes brimming with tears, Wendy begged, "Daddy, stop please! I'm right here!"

"You should've died!" Harry screeched furiously, raising his talons to strike Wendy. He never got the chance though when a flash of red body slammed into him, knocking him over with ease. Harry tumbled head over heels before rolling to a halt. Frightened, everyone looked up at who the attacker was.

It was Tiberius.