It was a sad parting as Sir Poet bade his farewell and left Wenndolyne to turn back to the firehall. She was unusually quiet as she took up her place near the hearth. Sipping her tea and looking again at the drying rose in her journal, she would allow herself a bit longer to miss her love, then she must put more thought into her new post. It would be a helpful distraction.

Very shortly, another distraction came along, one whom she'd seen earlier, but now it was his wolf form that padded through the firehall doors. His emerald eyes scanned the faces of those gathered within.

Wenn looked across at the white wolf with a smile. Just as noble and graceful on four legs as two, she thought, maybe more so. She called greetings to him then watched as he made his way to her. He paused briefly here and there to nod respectfully to a few others who acknowledged him.

Immediately as the wolf came within reach, Wenn scratched behind his ears and into the scruff of his furred neck. "Good afternoon to you, Ancient Wolf. How fare you?" she giggled. "Since this morning." It was still strange to have spoken to this 'person' as a person and now to be speaking to him as a wolf. She felt so much more at ease with this form and would never deign to be so familiar with him as the honorable mage in white robes.

Wolf appreciated her attention then sat back on his haunches before her, his deep emerald eyes glittering up to her. She saw the same wisdom and intelligence in them, as in the elder mage. Wenn expected his thoughts to come to her mind this time, so she was not startled by them. **I am well, M'Lady. How was your visit with the Chancellor?**

"OH! Yes, the Chancellor! I found him just as you said, burrowed in the shelves." She grinned. "But he made time to speak with me and what a wonderful man he is. I also met with Minister Whitcomb. Seems I shall be trying to fill M'Lady Morvil's slippers very shortly. I do hope I will serve well."

**Ah, I would imagine you shall. They've made a fine selection, I would say.**

Covering her blush with a brief sip of tea, she then patted the hearthstone bench beside her. "I do thank you. Won't you make yourself comfortable here by the fire, Wolf?"

In response, he did just that, but rather than leaping to the bench, he curled up at Wenn's feet, laying slightly on them. She giggled because his fur tickled her skin. Without thinking, she slipped her feet from her shoes and idly scratched in his warm fur with her toes. Another sip of tea had her looking at her journal again, where it lay open in her lap.

**Nice flower you have there, M'Lady.** Wolf continued to turn his gaze past her as he reviewed the others in the hall, all cloistered in conversation or other diversions.

Wenndolyne appreciated the soft warm fur on her chilled feet and was becoming accustomed to this odd manner of conversation, her voice and his thoughts. She spoke quietly though, now wondering if any in the hall might think she was talking to herself. "I'm sorry. My mind drifted. Tis a rose from Sir Poet and, well, I've only just seen him off on a journey."

**Seems you've had quite a full morning. Sir Poet... hmm. I have heard of him. An honorable man is what I hear tell.**

"And so he is, m'lord, so he is. A fine poet, an entertaining bard, and a trusted scribe, which is what has called him away today."

Wolf paused for a moment before commenting further, **Then you are lucky for the knowing of him, M'Lady.** And he is lucky for having your attention, Wolf thought, but to himself only.

"Ever so lucky, I am. Very grateful. Perhaps I shall introduce you to him sometime."

**I would like that. I think he and I would have much to discuss, yes I do.**

This comment reached her mind and made her pause but then she quickly decided it was nothing and went on. "I don't know of that, but it would be nice to have friend meet friend."

A minor commotion at the entrance of the firehall drew their attention. It was a chorus of greetings and congratulations to Simon as he entered. Word had traveled and many had not seen him to relay their happiness over his recovery from the spider bite and return of memory. He was glad to see all of them too, now that he knew who they were again. He cleared the initial ambush then made his merry, smiling way around the hall.

Lady Raenthrea was on Simon's winding path. "SIMON!! Are ye feelin' better, lad?"

"Yes Ma'am." He smiled with a wiggle. "I remember it all! It's all back!" He then graced Raenthrea with a big hug.

Ancient Wolf raised his head and watched Simon. Wenn's face was brimming with the pleasure of seeing the boy again and watching him work the room as only a bright and cheerful child could do, she thought.

Raenthrea giggled and gratefully returned Simon's hug. "Well then, I'm glad. But ye should remember, I'm not a ma'am. I'm a Raen!" She smiled happily at him and nudged him toward Wenn. "Looks like ye've someone waitin' fer ye, lad. Yer girlfriend? Hmmmm?" She smiled impishly. Wenndolyne giggled at Raen's teasing. Simon blushed.

"Nah!" he said, but he went over to the hearth to see Wenn anyway. "Have you seen the Admiral?" he asked her.

"Sorry, no. I've not seen him today, but if you've another hug to spare..." She grinned. He turned a bit shy, then grinned back and leaned in to hug her tightly.

"I am so glad you have your memory back and the Admiral is once again a paladin." Her words were soft and sincere.

Simon closed his eyes and lingered in the hug. "Me too."

Ancient Wolf grinned to himself, still laying at Wenn's feet. He hoped he wouldn't get stepped on and thought as much to Wenn, though quite in fun. When Wenn leaned back from the hug, she ruffled Simon's hair playfully. He looked down at the wolf and giggled. "Sowwee!"

While Simon's attention was turned, Wenn straightened his collar. "Do you remember Ancient Wolf from our journey?" The wolf's glittering green eyes looked up to Simon, who smiled with a blush.

"Uh. I dunno." He looked the wolf over. Other than being all white, he didn't see anything remarkable about it.

"He helped protect us during some of the awful fighting." Wenn prompted.

**Hello, there, little one. Glad I am to see your memory returned. I did worry.**

"Oh!" Simon's face lit up with recognition, now that it was the wolf that talked in his head. "I remember you too!" He giggled and knelt low to hug around the wolf's neck.

Wenn smiled at them then looked up and said quietly, "Poet", just as he made an appearance in the doorway. Simon stood and turned to see him too. They both grinned brightly as he approached but then Simon's smile faded. Poet first addressed Wenn, taking her hand and kissing the back of it, before sitting next to her. Simon, in fact, did not wait for any greeting. He wandered away and out of the hall, seeing that Wenndolyne was now preoccupied with 'her Poet.'

She called after him but it was too late. Wolf watched the boy go as well, wondering what was wrong.

"Well," Wenn looked to the wolf at her feet then smiled to her love's eyes. "Sir Poet, please allow me to introduce you to Ancient Wolf."

Poet leaned a little, his hand still wrapped around Wenn's. He arched a brow then smiled and nodded at the wolf laying on the stone floor just to the other side of her. "Beautiful. He is simply beautiful."

"I believe I told you of Wolf's help to me and to Simon, during our journey?" Wenn reached down to rub the scruff of the wolf's neck.

Wolf raised his head and regarded Poet then sent his thoughts. **Greetings to you, M'Lord Poet. At last we do meet.**

Startled, Poet blurted out, "He speaks?" Ancient Wolf just chuckled and it was not for the mind only. Wenn heard it, a sound from the wolf's throat that ended in a snickered hiss.

"Oh, yes, in his way. I'm sorry, I thought I mentioned it." She looked apologetically to Poet again.

"No, Dear Heart, you did not." Poet was still staring at Wolf.

**Do not always believe only what your eyes see, M'Lord.** Wolf spoke to the minds of both Wenn and Poet. Wenn wondered if all within some range could hear it or if he controlled this in some way, person by person. Still, she smiled knowingly to Wolf, for she had seen him as both wolf and man. She knew how Poet felt. It took some getting used to.

Sir Poet finally looked away and began to search through his satchel for something. Wenn wondered if he was really in need of whatever it was or if he was just trying to do something else while he got accustomed to this new acquaintance. She wanted to ask Poet about his unexpected return, but he seemed so diligently hunting in the satchel, that she let it go for now.

"Ancient Wolf, would you not be more comfortable up here on the bench and not so much under foot?" Wenn was truly concerned for him. The firehall began to get a bit more crowded as the day wore on.

**Nae, M'Lady. It has been a busy day for me as well and I do enjoy the cool stone.**

"Well, my chilled feet certainly enjoy your warmth."

**Then I serve a purpose, M'Lady.**

Wenndolyne smiled softly, "Oh, indeed you do. Although you owe me nothing but I owe you my life."

Sir Poet, still searching, glanced up at this exchange then continued. He was in fact searching for a key, whose habit it was to find its way to the very bottom of all the parchment and such.

**Nae, M'Lady. Twas my duty and pleasure to help you and the child.**

"Well, I do thank you, Sir." Finally with furrowed brow she leaned to Poet. "Your filing system leaves something to be desired, m'lord."

When he looked up, she was grinning at him. He chuckled and produced the key he'd been searching for. "Yes, but I do eventually find things." Hastily he took up her hand and kissed the back of it then gathered his open satchel in his arms and stood. "I cannot stay. The journey was delayed and I had time to come back for more records I may need for my tasks, but... well... I thought I could spare a few more moments with you while at it." He'd forgotten about the wolf now and nearly everything else. He shared one more look with her then hurried off down a hallway to fetch his missing documents. Wenn called "Safe journey!" after him, but she doubted he could hear it.

Wolf looked up as he heard her sigh, rather sadly, he thought. She closed her journal and sipped at her tea, looking out across the firehall. Again her toes idly rubbed the wolf's neck. He pondered. He closed his eyes. They were both silent for a long moment, letting the hum of conversation and music in the hall gently fill the space.

Finally Wolf turned his head and playfully nipped at Wenn's foot to break the solemn mood. It did indeed, for she giggled.

**All will be well, M'Lady.**

Wenndolyne looked down at him, still with a smile on her face. "Yes, of course. All will be well. I am fine, m'lord Wolf. No worries."

**One does always have worries, M'Lady**

"Nae m'lord, not with you here to protect me."

**As M'Lady does say, though I think Sir Poet may want that honor too.**

She was surprised to hear another voice answer the wolf.

"No doubt, he would at that, M'Lady." Poet pointedly addressed Wenn and not the wolf.

Wenn smiled up, taking in his handsome face. "Yes, he might Wolf, but who shall protect me from Poet?" She giggled then stood to curtsey as Poet took her hand again.

"I have what I came for, " he said then leaned in to whisper, "but had to come here once more, for what I truly want." He lingered there so close to her. "Back at first opportunity, to speak with the Admiral." Poet's words and his flourish thus delivered, he was gone again, out of the firehall and on to his journey at last.

Ancient Wolf said nothing during the exchange, but he heard all of it. It confirmed the rumors he'd heard. It set him pondering again.

(..)