The Finding

 Vala glanced north. Her stomach rumbled like some wild bear.

  A waterfall hammered down to form a large lake there. Before it countless trees huddled.

  In the South were more mountains. There also a tall hill that watched over the entire valley.

 In the west a gap could be seen if one looked. The trees seemed to be longing to get through the gap. They all pushed each other for sunlight.

 "Is it good enough?"
she asked. Her brother winced behind her. He rubbed his aching body.
 "I don't know. What do you think?"
 Vala sighed. She thought over what a village would need.
 Fresh water, game, shelter, protection from invaders, and, what else? Vala frowned. Her entire face screwed up as she thought.
"I think... this place is perfect."

Brother and sister looked about them. Mountains offered protection. The waterfall and lake water. The forest seemed to be bursting with wild game.
 "We should check the water first,"
Vala said.
Her heart stirred. Was it the feeling of belonging? Vala sighed. For over ten years her and her people had wandered. Over seas and land both they had gone. Not once had they stayed in a place longer than a few months.  What was it like to have a home?

"Vala?"
She snapped out of her reverie.
"Let's go!"
she said.

  The two ran as much as they could.
"It's going to take days to get there!"
Doik said.
He panted, leaning over. His shield almost touched the ground as he gasped for breath.

"Oh, ho! What's this? Is my big great brother out of shape? I think you've been spending too much time with the babes and not enough with the scouts!"
 Vala said.
She pushed her brother from behind. He fell forward, sprawling on the ground.
"Hey!"
Vala giggled.
"Catch me if you can!"

 

 Vala's feet hit the ground hard. 

Her legs pumped. Wind blew over her head covering. She laughed aloud. Behind her she could hear Doik gasping like a fish.

"We have to get there soon!"

she yelled over her shoulder. It was true, she thought. The chief expects us to return by tomorrow eve. If we're late he'll put us on water and bread rations!

  The two young ones ran as never before. They ignored all pain and lack of breath. Their bodies protested. They refused to listen. Leaves brushed past. Sticks and brambles stuck in clothes and hair.

Five long hours later they arrived. The waterfall.

It thundered even from across the lake.

 

 Vala and Doik stood on the bank.

 They stared. So much water! Vala's eyes remained wide despite the sun reflecting off the water. A fish splashed farther out.
"Tis lovely!"

  At the waterfall they could see birds flying past.
"You think they nest there?"
Vala asked. She thought of roast bird over a fire..
"Doubt it. Too wet for their young."
 Doik smiled. He knelt and put a hand to the water. It was cold. He tasted a bit.
"It's lovely,"
he whispered.

  Ever on the waterfall grumbled and roared across them. Falling from unknown heights to crash into the lake.

From the lake a river wound its way through the valley.

"This is like heaven on earth,"

Vala said.

She hugged her brother.

"We have found our home!"

The strange stirring made Vala giggle. It feels wonderful, she thought, to have a home. A place where we belong. We shall have houses! Land... farming!

 Vala turned her face to the way they had come. What would this land look like once it was settled with houses built and all?

She smiled.

How she wished she could see that day!