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So who was Moire? Several years older than Grandma Longneck, but not as aged as the Old One, Moire was a female longneck who harkened back to a bygone era.
Despite her advanced years, she was still the picture of gracious beauty. Moire was similar in height and build as Grandma Longneck but of a more delicate shade of gray. Her big brown eyes could cloak themselves in smiles to greet a friend or darken in righteous frowns to repel anyone she did not like. The voice was strong, sharp, able to bark commands that demanded immediate attention. Genteel, always a lady, and born with a streak of imperiousness, Moire was held in – Well, let us say she was held in guarded high esteem by other longnecks. That is, she was both loved and feared. Her grand manner and dogged adherence to everything traditional made her famous far and wide. She had outlived most of her family, including her own children. An elderly aunt to Dvora and Thora's mother, Moire doted on her great-nieces, always hoping each girl would choose a worthy mate and produce strong healthy children.
Thora did that by pairing with Bron. Moire, at first, regarded Bron as not quite good enough for her niece, but she accepted the brave gentleman longneck as part of the family. She was overjoyed upon hearing the couple was expecting their first baby, but she never got around to visit her niece. When word came to her that Bron had taken Thora to live with his parents, Moire was more than a little perturbed. Now while she understood Bron's reasoning, she never did quite approve of the move. What's more, when she heard what happened to Dvora en route to their new home, Moire grieved for the one niece of whom she had so many high expectations. Alas, Dvora, at that time, had yet to choose a suitable mate, resigning herself to pine for an unknown male who Moire assumed was surely and totally unworthy of her niece.
She mourned the death of Thora and fretted over the fate of Littlefoot who she had yet to meet. She could not quite understand why Bron would leave his family at the worse possible time. Said he was finding a new, more safe, home for all of them. But when he returned the great earthshakes had changed everything. His mate, parents, and son was no where to be found. Moire assumed Bron heard of Thora's passing from someone else but never found out about his parents or son. She knew the herds were traveling to the Great Valley yet she never made the trip herself. Preferring to remain in her home near the deep forest where the earthshakes had not touched, Moire relied on messages relayed by many a wanderer. She learned of Littlefoot's survival and his arrival in the Valley. How remarkable this mere child, accompanied by the oddest assortment of young dinosaurs, managed to survive earthshakes, a persistent Sharptooth, and other dangers unimaginable. The boy obviously inherited both mother and father's courageous streak, and a strong determination.
Dvora...
Moire never heard what happened to Dvora and assumed, like most, the girl had died in that landslide. Odd still that Moire never quite made it to the crater those many months ago. Oh, she had those sleep stories about the Great Circle but was forced to stay home due to an arthritic flare-up in her knee. If she had traveled the great distance to the crater, she would have seen Littlefoot, Bron, the elderly Longnecks, and Dvora. She would have also met Pat, the gentleman Dvora had chosen as life mate.
Moire did not relish the idea of her surviving niece wandering about, going under an assumed name, not letting her family know she was alive and well. It also disturbed her that Dvora, despite being in the presence of loved ones during the Great Longneck Migration, never bothered to make herself known. Not until she "bumped into" Bron and the Old One during one of her wandering did Dvora finally reveal herself. Well, as reported to Moire, the girl simply had no choice; she had to come clean or be at the mercy of that dreadful Daddy Threehorn and his threats of exposure.
Still no knowledge of this Pat, the gentleman longneck with whom Dvora fell hopelessly in love. Any other time, Moire would have simply stayed home in the comfort of the deep forest and not make the long journey to the Great Valley. However, inquiries had to be made, and Moire felt her niece may be making a big mistake. What manner of gentleman is Pat? Is he their sort? Would he treasure Dvora, accept and appreciate the girl? Or would he be one of those old longnecks too set in his ways, never able to allow himself to understand a lady longneck of Dvora's caliber? Oh, Moire was aware Pat was several decades older than Dvora, and such things – older males taking on much younger females as mates – are not unheard of. However, such relationships are rare, and Moire took it upon herself to see just what her niece was getting into. She also wanted a few words with Bron who, by all accounts, had given his blessing to the union. How typical of him, despite his good sense, to get too caught up in the anticipation of a lavish wedding not to examine more closely a potentially heartbreak.
"Angus!," she barked, "How much farther?" She was tired, in need of rest and refreshment.
"Only a few more steps, madam," he replied as the pair reached the bluffs. "The Great Valley," he said, indicating the green expanse below, "is within easy reach."
Moire surveyed the Great Valley, even made out several familiar forms even from this distance. She could see Bron, the Old One, Dvora, the elderly Longnecks, and one gentleman she assumed was Pat. She could also see many little ones scampering about, including one longneck she was sure had to be Littlefoot. Hmm...Obviously a happy gathering. At least the children appear to be well-adjusted...
"Well, Angus, let us not waste precious time. I want to see my niece – and her intended – before it's too late."
[TO BE CONTINUED...Go to Part Two]
Copyright©2006 by PRP.