He was Happy

Chapter Five. Torn apart

Two days; it had been two days since Antony and his men left. A few men remained to watch over the rest of the tribe, mainly consisting of the elderly, women and young children. Other than that, everyone seemed to try to carry on as normal. Olivette had taking up teaching again. Lillis joined her occasionally, but mostly stuck to housework. Imee saw this as her chance to sneak off and start training.

"Imee, where are you going?" Lillis called after her when she noticed Imee leaving in the early hours of the morning.

"Go back to bed, Lillis." Imee whispered.

"No," Lillis tossed backed the covers and pushed her chocolate brown curls away from her face.

"Lillis..." Imee dragged out with annoyance.

"You can't leave. Mother says we need to stay in the village where it's safe and only leave when it's necessary." Lillis argued.

"I'm not going far. I just need to run, my legs are tired." Imee explained.

"I don't know Imee..."

"I'm not asking for permission and you will not tell mother." Imee said and left. Lillis sighed as she watched her go, unable to stop her.

Imee was out of the door in less than five seconds and she didn't dare to look back. She glanced at the men as they were changing shifts, and made a mad dash to the gate that was a little distance away. She looked back when it was safe and they hadn't noticed. At least she didn't think so. They weren't running behind her so that was a good sign.

Imee took off for her familiar running grounds.

The sun was now up and shinning down its heated rays. Imee looked around to ensure no one was around and removed her clothing. She then shifted into her wolf form. She really did need to stretch her legs before she attempted whatever ludicrous idea she had in mind.

She allowed the grass to hit against her skin and took in large breaths of air as she ran; faster and faster until she was content.

Circling around, she made it back to her clothing and dressed just in time to see a familiar face coming from the distance. He hadn't noticed her yet, but she'd recognize that face anywhere; it was Happy.

She smiled as she waited for him to notice her, but he didn't. He wore an uncharacteristically frown on his face and held his head down as his axe dragged on his side.

Imee found herself sadden by his glumness. She walked forward.

"Patrick?" She said just loud enough for him to hear. His head jerked up at the sound of her voice, his smile still hadn't returned though.

"Imee? Should you be out here alone?" He asked worriedly.

"This is safe land. I'm fine here." Imee said a little too defensively.

"I'm sorry I just don't want anything else to happen to you." Happy apologized. Imee waved off his apology.

"Are you okay?" She asked as she tilted her head to the side and looked at him. He was short in stature, naturally so since he was a dwarf. However, Imee was of similar height. A trait she inherited from her short mother no doubt.

Patrick smirked a bit, but it did nothing to ease her concern.

"You needn't worry about me, Imee." He replied.

"But I do. I can't have my hero looking so down, now can I?" She joked as she reached over and touched his shoulder.

"Imee..." He whispered.

"Yes, Patrick?" She said softly.

"I wish I got there in time, Imee. I'm so sorry I didn't get to you sooner."

"What are you going on about? You saved me."

"Not soon enough. They should have never laid a finger on you." Patrick held his head in shame.

Imee reached out and forced him to look at her.

"Patrick, you can't beat yourself over this. You did saved me and it wasn't the first time. I'm forever grateful to you." Imee smiled at him. 

Before Happy could form a reply, someone called him from behind.

"Happy!" Bossy yelled. Happy whirled around and saw that he wasn't alone. Stealthy stood by his side wearing a look of guilt.

"What are you two doing here?" He asked as he looked between the two of them.

"I could ask you the same thing." Bossy spat back at him. Stealthy said nothing, only looking away to avoid Patrick's accusatory gaze.

Imee shifted on her feet uncomfortably as she watched their exchange.

"I am not always to be at the mines. I have a life outside of there you know." Happy spoke up.

"You do, do you? Says who? You belong with your brothers doing what you were born to do, work in the mines. You aren't to be running out here with... Bossy looked over at Imee, -a wolf" He whispered the last part so that Imee couldn't hear. However, he underestimated her wolf hearing.

"Say that again, won't you?" She cut in. She didn't approach them though. She remained where she was.

Bossy ignored her and sighed, waiting impatiently for Happy to respond.

"Don't speak of her that way," Happy warned through gritted teeth. Bossy's eyes widen with shock. He nervously tried to laugh his fear off.

"So you would side against me and stand by her?" Bossy accused.

"You know what Bossy, I am an adult. I can make my own decisions about who I can and can't spend my time with." Happy huffed.

Bossy shook his head.

"It's answers like that which make you such a child. Come back with us now Happy and I may be able to overlook this display of disrespect."

"Go, Patrick. It's okay." Imee told him sadly. She didn't want to cause issues between him and his friends. She would rather him leave than to do that.

Happy turned around. He opened his mouth to protest, but she shook her head.

"Really, I need to be on my way. Go on." She smiled despite the sadness she felt.

He gave her a tight nod before following Bossy and Stealthy back to the mines. He only walked a few steps, but he had to see her once more. He turned around but she had gone. Would he ever see her again? Would he ever get the chance to tell her just how much she meant to him? He tried to will the pain forming in his chest away, but he couldn't. It was persistent and refused to ease up.

_

Imee hid behind a rock until she was certain that they were a good distance away. With a heavy sigh, she looked around to make sure they were gone. They were; Happy was gone. Her emotions were now a mixture of sorrow and rage. How dare they just take him away from her? And why did she let him go so easily?

Her eyes turned a shade of yellow-brown and she felt heat course through her body. She was about to change, yet she hadn't willed herself to.

"Imee," She said aloud. "Calm down, calm down," She whispered.

Her body temperature was slowly returning to normal and she felt her eyes change back. Her plans would have to wait. She needed to get back home. Pushing thoughts of Patrick to the depth of her mind, she ran home.