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Hero limped to the only place he ever really called home. His mother lounged by her water-lodged hole, watching through the leaves as the clouds pass by. As usual, she was oblivious to the world - pining for the buck that took her heart with him when he left died.

He watched, waiting to see if she would see him. Meanwhile, he contemplated what brought him here. After the accident, the foxbun-Legendary (he was sure) nursed him the rest of the way to health. She did all she could, but his leg did not heal quite right. He had a prominent limp, he looked like a one-legged crane when he ran, and he was fresh out of pride.

Gone was the optimistically-cheery, swamp-saving buck that left this area so long ago. Returned was a broken knight. He still saw the good in the Swamp, and he was somewhat optimistic that he could still help but he was greatly limited. At least he was not alone, Adventure never left his side. It kept returning and brought game that was too quick for Hero to catch. He was losing weight from less protein and more berries. He was not talented enough to crack open the nuts, though he did try often.

It would have last well beyond night time if he didn't make his presence known. Hero cleared his throat and walked closer. "Mother."

Heart Shatter's clear eyes cleared. "Oh, Hero." She smiled and lifted to her feet. Even with her strange habit of submersing herself in water, and her lack of exercise - the doe had grace and youth prominent in her movement. "Were you not going to wait for the sun to come up before going out again?"

Hero could not help the frown and looked up at the setting sun. "Mother, the stars will be out soon..."

"Oh," Heart Shatter did not look the least bit phased. "In that case, what brings you here? You know you are always welcome - I wish you'd stay more. I think I have some snacks nearby..."

There was a pile of withered berries between the roots that stuck out of the ground. They even had some strange fuzzy blue stuff sprouting. Adventure waddled over to sniff them, but sneezed and ran for some cover. The buck crinkled his nose.

"Well, I may stay awhile longer this time," he mumbled and took a step forward.

His mother's eyes widened. "You're hurt!"

"Was hurt," Hero threw himself to the ground with a sigh. "There was an accident...I don't know if I can continue on my Quest... I don't feel like I accomplished all I had hoped for..."

"So... you'll be staying!" Heart Shatter did not even attempt to show remorse. "Wonderful! There is this buck I met...."

Hero rolled his eyes and groaned.

Adventure was more than happy to trail Doom, the rabbit held just out of its reach. Dark eyes watched it carefully, but the caiman kept a respectful distance.

Hero's ears perked up, and he turned to face the newcomer. His eyes lit up for just a moment but then he frowned a little, biting back the bit of shame he felt at the rabbit in her mouth. He should have brought some meat when he came to see his mother...if only...

Heart Shatter had no such qualms. "Oh, who is this, Hero? Is this a friend of yours?"

Hero would have blushed if his cheeks weren't already redder than cherries. "Um, no, mother; I mean yes, I mean... this is Bloom."

He turned to the doe. "Bloom, this is my mother, Heart Shatter." His eyes widened after a moment, "...and you're....bigger!" Hero was amazed at her changes and limped over to look her over. For at least a little while, he forgot his misfortune.

Hero was still 'inspecting' her changes... she was taller, her hair was longer, her eyes downright flamed... He barely even heard her comments until the tree came thundering down.

The buck flinched, his reality crashing down along with the tree. He quickly replayed her words so he could answer them, but still paused as he pondered how to explain it...

"Um... I had an accident and broke my leg." Hero was trying not to make too much eye contact. "It didn't heal right."

Heart Shatter waited patiently as she also eyed the larger doe. "Well, of course she's bigger!" His mother rolled her eyes before lumbering to her feet. "She's a Legendary, am I right?" Without waiting for an answer, she kept on going. "I met this buck, Hero, I am sure it is really him this time... I think I am going to meet him again." She looked to the other doe, she didn't think she looked much like a Bloom but who was she to question the Mother-Father's choice in Dreams? "I heard Legenaries can Bless others - is that true? Would you Bless me and his babies? I would be forever grateful. We would be reunited again! It would be so glorious..."

"Mother!" Hero's jaw dropped in shock. "That is not appropriate, nor the timing." The buck was not at all comfortable talking about breeding (even his mother's) with Bloom (especially not her and breeding) around... and looked to the larger doe again, "You don't have to answer her, we can go somewhere else if you'd prefer..." he sent his mother a nasty look.

She just stared back innocently, "...oh why not. He will take such good care of me and I really think he'll stick around... and..." Heart Shatter got a slightly dreamy look.

"We could leave now and she would completely forget everything..." Hero looked conspiratorially at Bloom.

Heart Shatter hadn't moved, or even twitched, when the two started leaving.

Hero glanced at his mother once more, glad the awkwardness could be over so soon. He really wanted nothing to do with females and breedings....

His limp was noticeable, but besides a short intake here and there he was not really in any pain. Once they were safe away, Hero had to sit. It wasn't the most regal pose, but it relieved the pressure off his leg. The buck looked again at Bloom, but it didn't appear she would relent. "The current was swifter than I thought. There was a little one.... an acha... I was able to take her to safety but... well, my foot got caught." Hero shrugged, as if to make the situation a little lighter. "I was lucky. Wood Spider found me and helped me heal."

"I am getting stronger, but I doubt if I can travel as quickly as I could, and," he bowed his head, "I cannot help anyone anymore. It'll be enough to just stay fed." The last bit was evident by his loss of extra fat and some muscles that wasted during his recovery.

Nevermind that what she accused him of (aka, feeling sorry for himself) was exactly what he had been doing, but that wasn't the reason he came to see his mother. At least, that isn't what he thought. Maybe it was because no matter what happened, he felt she would always see him as her little Hero.... It didn't matter that he wasn't quite so fast or strong as before. That, and even his melancholic mood seemed much more cheery and optimistic compared to his mother's eventual lapse into depression.

Hero opened his mouth to deny Bloom's last words but he closed it again. He couldn't lie and deep down, he felt that she was probably right.

But, he didn't want to be that type of buck... he may be a little broken, but he wasn't useless - even if Bloom was the one to bring him a hare. He chewed through fur, bone, and sinew as he contemplated all of this.

Finally, the rabbit gone, Hero looked up and into Bloom's flaming eyes. He grinned, a remnant of his foolish, usual self shining through. "Why, Bloom... when did you get so wise?"