Mune Olo'eyktan [NeteyamxAonung]

Part 17

Neteyam's eyes begin to open as Lo'ak gently taps his face. Jake hands the small boy that was resting on his son's lap to Spider, who's still on his direhorse.

Since they couldn't risk being shot out of the sky, they went searching by land instead.

As his brother's consciousness returns, Lo'ak observes the blood on the side of his head, coming from a wound Neteyam didn't know was there.

Neteyam- Lo'ak . . .

Lo'ak- I've got you, bro.

Neteyam- . . . Ronal.

Lo'ak- (sighs) We know. Save your strength.

Since Neteyam is still only half conscious, and weak, Lo'ak prepares to carry him over to his ride. He pulls the boy's arm over his shoulders, and hooks his arm under his legs.

Neteyam- I failed . . .

Lo'ak- It's not your fault.

He lifts Neteyam securely into his arms, and heads over to his direhorse while their father is watching out for any enemies that may be nearby.

Neteyam- But . . . Aonung . . .

Lo'ak- Dad, little help here.

Jake comes over to his sons with a bit of annoyance, wondering why Lo'ak announced that he would get Neteyam if he knew he couldn't get him on the horse by himself.

With his help, they get Neteyam onto the back of the six legged creature, then Lo'ak climbs on in front of him while Jake has a hold on him.

Once he's secure, Lo'ak holds his brother's arm over his shoulder.

When Jake is ready, and Spider has Wari secure, they head back to the village.

Once there, Neytiri is the first to come up to them, checking her son, while Tsireya and Rotxo come up to Spider, who hops onto the ground with Wari. He hands the small boy to Tsireya, who gladly takes him, but gives Spider a confused look.

Tsireya- Where is my mother?

He gives her the most sorrowful expression and shakes his head, and her face drops, along with her heart.

Tsireya- No . . . No, that can't be.

Her tears waste no time filling her eyes, and trailing down her cheeks. Rotxo quickly brings her into a tight hug.

Now down on his feet, with Lo'ak helping him stand, Neteyam looks over at Tsireya and Rotxo, instantly feeling guilty.

His attention is pulled away from the scene as he's led to Mo'at's den, but his guilt only worsens at the sight of a still unconscious Aonung. He can only imagine how his marine boy will react when he finds out what happened to his mother.

Lo'ak helps him sit to be inspected, and his parents walk in while Mo'at tends to him.

Jake- Do you know what hit you?

Neteyam- A spear.

Jake- (sighs) I knew it. It's that machine they made.

Lo'ak- Machine?

Jake- It shoots spears way farther and faster than anyone could ever throw.

Neteyam- I heard them talking. The rebels.

Neytiri- They were there?

Jake- What did they say?

Neteyam- They won't let anyone go back to Awa'atlu.

Jake- Damn it.

Jake paces a bit, and Neteyam's gaze remains low, staring at the floor.

Jake- Tsana's afraid we'll get help.

Neytiri- A foolish thought, since you told him he was nothing you fear.

Lo'ak- Why would he think you'd go to the reef people for help when you have the whole rest of the clan?

Jake- That's a good question. One I'd really like the answer to.

Something about it unsettles him, but for now, he leaves it be, and dismisses himself from the den. With a scoff, Neytiri follows him, and Neteyam lightly hears her speaking to him.

Neytiri- Couldn't you even ask how your son is doing?

Jake- Let him tough it out.

He sighs, and Lo'ak sits next to him.

Lo'ak- You okay, bro?

Neteyam- I saw it coming.

After cleaning his wound, and stitching the short but deep cut, Mo'at goes to grab the bandages.

Neteyam- But I couldn't move my Ikran out of the way in time . . . because my hand slipped off.

Lo'ak looks down to Neteyam's hands, specifically at the one their father squeezed.

Neteyam- This was my fault.

Lo'ak- Neteyam-

Neteyam- If I hadn't acted so foolish, I never would've had my hand hurt, and I would've been able to avoid that shot.

Lo'ak- Or maybe you still would've been hit. You don't know for sure things would've been different.

Mo'at wraps his head well, then he looks over at Aonung.

Neteyam- How am I supposed to face him when he wakes?

Lo'ak- If there's anyone that won't blame you for this, it's him.

He sighs, and Lo'ak pats his back.

Lo'ak- Come on, I'll keep you company while you get some rest.

All patched up, Neteyam leaves with Lo'ak, not saying a word to Mo'at since her silence spoke volumes to him. She's not pleased with him for how he acted before, and he can't blame her.

He isn't pleased with himself either.