alternative version under the cut

Grug and Nordah did not return that night.

Nimue and Leelu were already over the last night’s drama by the time they had returned home. It took very little to distract them from their father’s lack of presence, although, Una wasn’t sure how to feel about the girls asking about “Nada”. Since she didn't know exactly what to tell them, she instead dragged Leelu into her lap and listened to her tell a story that was little more than an assortment of babbling and giggles from both girls. 

Poor Ashkii was not so simply swayed, however. He insisted on his mother and Una didn’t know him well enough to comfort him. He spent most of the night sobbing histerically until, finally exhausted, he fell asleep inside the cave with Una and the girls, hiccuping in his sleep. The next morning, his heartache began anew when he remembered his mother was still missing.

“Shhh..” Una said gently. “Nordah come back. Not cry..” But her words were little use against the never ending tears that drizzled down his cheeks. 

Meanwhile, Ashkii and the twins had left the sounds of arguing behind to explore. Eventually, Leelu noticed something in the distance, something bigger than them and quite furry. That was about all Leelu needed to know before she cooed at her siblings and started heading in the beast’s direction, stumbling awkwardly still when her balance temporarily failed. As usual, Nimue and Ashkii followed along, babbling the whole way.

The beast, noticing these small, loud creatures, immediately spun around and started away from them, it’s ears flapping wildly. 

“There!” Said Una, Grug’s hand around hers feeling almost like a lifeline to reality. This couldn’t be happening! If her babies ended up hurt or... worse.. because her and Grug were arguing... 

As they flanked around the beasts to the west, Nordah had already began her approach from the east end and, in her panic, she couldn’t formulate a good plan. She just knew she had to rescue Ashkii, who she could see cowering inside the ring of enormous creatures. All three children sobbed hysterically, clinging to each other, sending those surrounding them into a frenzy. Her gaze snapped toward the largest one, its head beginning to thrash aggressively, feet stomping toward them like thunder. 

“NOOOO!” Nordah screamed, grabbing up a rock before she had any idea what she was doing. She threw it with all the desperation she could muster, hitting the monster in the cheek. The mammoth hesitated, blinking in obvious shock, his large amber eyes searching for the culprit who had dared to assault it. Nordah started yelling, frantically waving her arms to keep their attention off the babies who looked like they were about to start moving toward her. 

“No, Ashkii!” She chided, still waving her arms. “Stay!” 

Ashkii’s eyes were full of tears and hesitation as he debated whether to listen or be safe near his mother. “Stay!” She repeated firmly, picking up another rock and flinging it haphazardly at the nearest mammoth. The group’s leader lifted his trunk in the air, calling out a war cry that was loud enough to make her ears ring.