Balto’s Love

By Aljan (Sam) Copyright 2006-Forever

The events that took place in this story are property of Sam Dochoda (Aljan)

This story was inspired by Balto, (copyright 1995), Balto II: Wolf Quest (copyright 2000) and Balto III: Wings of Change (2005) by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.  The following: Black, Laren, Baltheis, Lahania, Kellan, Marcus, Denifence, the elven language (in my story), Larkan, Lucinda, Lucind, Jerec, Prince Roan, Veavles, Renodain, Snowfoot, Jenika, Larnia, When, June, Jenna, Nikoe, Lyon, Decem, Illion, Curn, Sahen, Ruen, Rob, Vorgan, Rinaurora, Moonlight, Janius, Verdai and the titles and ranks(Dragon captain ex.) and the events that take place in this story are copyright 2005 by Sam Dochoda (Aljan).  The original characters and original story remain copyright property of Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.

Note from the author:  This tale is told from two different views: first-person and third-person.    

Balto sat upon his ship, watching the night lights dance in the air.  Amber, blue, and white, flew past as the lights twirled and weaved across the sky. 

            Beautiful…he thought. 

            Then he felt ache in his heart and he knew why.

            Years had passed since he had shown the aurora borealis to a close friend who had passed on.  She had been more then a friend to him.  She had been his mate and raised with him many pups. It was she who saw the true side of Balto and befriended him when others refused to. 

            The hybrid felt a tear run from his eye and down his muzzle.  It ran down the same path where many tears before it fell on the day Jenna had died. He closed his eyes and let his tears fall.  As he wept, he remembered the day Jenna passed on…   

            I still feel the tears that I shed so many years ago when my love died before me. For many years we have shared our love for each other, face many challenges, personal and adventurous, and experienced things that could never be believed if told.  I do not deny that I do wish I could relive the past; undo what was done for the good of others and myself but alas, it is but a wish that no one can grant. 

            I do remember the day I first met her, Jenna, a Siberian husky of Nome, whose owner was Rosie.  Her fur was a beautiful rusty red while her under belly was white as newly fallen snow; her gentle eyes never lacked compassion or kindness; her voice was like soft wind across the plains. 

            Many years passed, Jenna and I learned of each other through the words of others but never from our own.  Then the day came. 

            It came when a race was in motion and Nome’s representing sled team was nearing the finish line.  Jenna’s owner waved her musher’s hat cheering her sled team on.  Suddenly, a gust of wind stole the hat from her hands and set it in the path of the oncoming sled dogs.  Knowing what I had to do, I waited until the sled team had passed; then with a leap, I joined the race.  Within a thrice, I passed all but lead dog.  He lunged at me with his teeth but I evaded his attack and a second later grabbed Rosie’s hat from harm’s way. 

            Though Rosie’s parents showed no sign of gratefulness, Jenna was.  The thankful look in her eyes said more then a thousand words any could’ve said in a decade.  Our relationship strengthened with each passing day ever since that day. 

            We shared adventures some even more dangerous then the last; our friendship and love for each other never faltered. 

            There was always a day that feared for the most, the day that I knew comes for everyone in the world, but I knew I would never accept.  Jenna feared the same as day after day passed before our eyes. Soon both of us grew grey hairs on our muzzles and we no longer had the energy to do what we used to do.  Our sons and daughters helped us through this part of our journey, but it was mostly Jenna who helped me.  Her words and songs calmed my spirits and I did the same in return. 

            Then one evening, while we were watching the sun go to its rest, Jenna collapsed and her breathing came out in rasps.  I remained at her side and comforted her until the seizure passed.  I held her limp form close.  Our eyes locked.  Her eyes were filled with pain, weariness, and anguish, and at that moment, I knew that not even the greatest healer in the world could save her. 

            As she lay against me, she softly told me her love for me, the same love she had felt ever since she had met me.  I whispered the same in return.  With a sigh of pain, she asked me to help her look towards the sun that was setting behind the forest of pine.  Magenta rays filled the sky, and was followed by a soft breeze that blew our fur together, intertwining them in a dance with the wind.  As the sun began to set behind the distant forest, I felt Jenna’s life force begin to fade away.  She sagged against my shoulder and I lowered her to the ground.  She did not have the strength to lean any more.  As the sun began to fade, she looked into my eyes one last time.

 “Though my body is weak and feeble,” she said.  “I feel like a pup inside.  The same…pup whom you loved…so many years ago.”

“You are still beautiful, Jenna,” said I. “I…love you…”

My last words were soft and saddened.  Jenna smiled kindly.

“And I…you, Balto,” she said, using the same words I used so many years ago when I confessed my love for her.  I nuzzled her close and looked deep within her eyes as long as I could.  I saw memories fly past.  Two pups playing joyfully on the beach, two pups, now half grown, prancing and dodging in the snow, and two grown ups nuzzling each other lovingly with pups playing in front of them. 

Then the sun disappeared behind the trees and her eyes closed forever…

Balto his muzzle to the moon and howled mournfully. His song echoed through the sky and into the town.  His sons and daughters perked their ears as his call reached them.  They closed their eyes as memories flowed through their minds. His loss was theirs as well.  His time has come…

He didn’t feel any pain nor did he feel anguish. 

“Balto…” called a gentle voice.  It was a voice of one whom he knew; one he never thought he would hear again.  He looked up. Jenna stood there.  Her fur and muzzle now almost faded from waiting.   White light surrounded her slender form.

“Come…” she said, her voice echoing distantly. She lowered her fore paws, her eyes sparkling, inviting him for a romp. Balto was game.

With a bark, Balto leaped after her as the husky ran away.  Strength flowed through Balto’s limbs and he felt age recede from his body.  As he watched in amazement, Jenna’s grey fur and fading color also receded.  They were young once more!  Jenna laughed and began to run upward.  Balto gave chase. 

They passed through the clouds, atmosphere, and the moon.  Balto looked back and saw a wonderful piece of art.  A blue, white, green, and grey orb floated before thousands of stars. He took one last look at the world then ran to catch up to Jenna, who was waiting for him.  When he reached her, she nuzzled him compassionately then together ran toward the thousands of stars.  Then one star seemed to open up before them.  Green grass waved with each passing wind, wolves, dogs, and pups alike ran, rolled, and wrestled.  Crystalclean water flowed passed the rocks of the rivers and waterfalls.  The sun and moon shined together for no rift existed here.   Balto looked at his mate, who in turn nuzzled him and ran towards the awaiting land.  The hybrid smiled and gave chase.  Together they entered the land filled with happiness, joy, and love.

On a boat, stranded on the ice, which lay on the out skirts of a town, a lone brown hybrid lay on the deck.  Balto had passed into eternity.