Wenn & Wolf Tales

wwe0260 - (from June 5 1997 rp)
~~~ Unlikely Trio ~~~

As he was shown into the great hall of Wolf Keep by the chamberlain, Sir Poet looked across to Lord Wolf seated in his ornate chair and to Wenndolyne seeming very comfortable in a fine cushioned chair before the hearth. Poet thought she looked very much at home in the Keep, with its finery. He had not spoken with her, else he might have known this was only her second visit. He was given only Wolf's invitation. Still the sight of Wenn there, sitting with Wolf before his hearth and within his grand home, pricked at Poet's heart. It also gave him more resolve to complete his duty this evening.

Poet gestured on approach that neither of them should rise on his account. He slipped the strap of his satchel from his shoulder then lowered it to the floor. He nodded to Lord Wolf and bowed to Wenndolyne. "M'Lady..."

She suddenly felt she shouldn't be here or at least, it felt awkward for Poet to find her in Wolf's company and in his Keep. Why had he not arranged for another location? Why had Poet not consented to let her ride out with him? For that matter, why had he not visited her nor sent any more word than to specify this meeting in this place? Wenn nodded respectfully while trying to read Poet's expression but not wanting to be caught doing it. Her reply was whispered, "M'Lord Poet."

"Might I have a moment of thy time?"

"My time?" She could not gauge what he might want with her alone, not now. The three of them were finally together, needing to tend to the urgent matter of the challenge to be met on the morrow.

Lord Wolf started to rise, making it clear he felt he should leave the two of them but Poet stopped him with his words. "No, please stay, for this includes thee as well, M'Lord." To which Lord Wolf arched a brow but sat back again. He too was unsure what this visit was about.

Poet spoke as though to both Wenndolyne and Lord Wolf, but he was facing her and caught her gaze. "I would talk to both of you concerning my offer for thy hand, M'Lady."

Wolf commented, though he had not been addressed directly, "We were just speaking of that very thing, M'Lord Poet"

Wenndolyne swallowed hard, still watching Poet's face. "And for what purpose? To renew it? To revoke it?"

Poet stepped between them and to the hearth then turned, clasping his hands behind his back. He regarded both of them thoughtfully. "That... will depend on a few things."

"And they are?" Wolf questioned. There was a bit of indignation in his voice. He ignored Poet's sharp glance to him as well as the soft smile Poet put on for Wenn who had sat up in her chair and made to speak but closed her mouth again. Her brow furrowed as she scanned from Poet to Wolf and back. She felt the tension between them and had no notion what might come of it.

Poet seemed to be waiting for Wenn's consent to continue, ignoring Wolf's prompting, so Lord Wolf took another angle. "What is your wish, M'Lady? Shall we hear him out?"

She was fidgeting idly with a fold in her skirts until she caught herself doing it then smoothed her hands out and willed herself to relax, at least a little. "I think it best we hear him out. There have been enough surprises already." She practically glared at Wolf who showed no change in demeanor at all.

Sir Poet watched the exchange then found himself under Wenn's concerned gaze again. He looked away from her, unable to meet her sapphire eyes.

"If you have a thing to say to me, Sir Poet, please say it." Wenn was fidgeting with her skirts again and felt her throat tightening.

"M'Lady, what I have to say is for thee to hear, but mostly for Lord Wolf to know and understand."

"Please continue then." Wolf seemed unaffected by any of the tension in the room, by virtue of many years' practice in negotiations perhaps. Besides, he'd heard nothing yet, but the bard's posturing.

"Wolf, I do not know thee as well as I would want to, nor do I think I ever will. So, for what I am to ask of you, I will have to trust to your honor, that ye will answer in truth."

Lord Wolf nodded "Aye, I will, upon my honor answer in truth."

Poet swallowed heavily then with quiet reserve, asked, "Do... do you love her, M'Lord?"

Wenn sat back into her chair, looking between the two of them. Now her hands grasped at the cloth of her skirts. She otherwise barely dared to breathe.

With a solemn nod, Wolf answered. "Aye, I do." Even this brief profession brought a blush to Wenn's face.

Wanting to see his truth, Poet locked his gaze with Lord Wolf. "Do you love her enough to let her go?"

Wenn searched Poet's face as Wolf paused and considered. There was nothing revealed by the bard as he kept a blank expression on Wolf, awaiting his response. Wenn could only guess at the intent of Poet's question. Her gaze drifted then to watch Wolf, wondering herself what his answer might be.

After a long moment, Wolf slowly nodded as he replied. "Aye, if that is what would make her happy and I did believe it was of her own free will... Aye, I would have to let her go."

His words locked Wenn's throat, she began to rock lightly in place, considering herself both lucky and cursed. Wolf's forest emerald eyes fell upon her, his heart evident in them.

Sir Poet nodded then cleared his voice to speak against the knot growing in his own throat. He turned his gaze to Wenn once more. "M'Lady..."

With some effort Wenn drew her gaze from Wolf. She answered in a hoarse whisper, "Aye, m'lord Poet?"

"M'Lady... Wenn..." Poet stepped to her and knelt before her. He needed to see it in her face, in her eyes, in her heart. Lord Wolf could do naught but watch them. Wenn took a deep breath as Poet knelt close to her.

"Do you love him?"

She opened her mouth to speak then shut it again. Wolf's breathing faltered now as he watched her and listened with much hope.

Finally her voice drifted out in a halting whisper, "I... I care for him."

Sir Poet regarded her but he needed more assurance than this. Wolf flexed his jaw, not knowing what she'd say as Poet pressed her. "But do you love him?"

"I cannot say that love... is the exact word, as yet."

"Then, could ye love him?"

Wolf was heartened but still unsure, still waiting. He knew that she cared but was there more? Poet also waited to see and hear if there was more depth to her feelings for Lord Wolf.

Wenn stared at Poet then looked aside to Wolf for a long silence. So much had gone through her mind and heart, not just in the last days but since this whole mess began and Poet had never seemed to be in the right place at the right time, yet Wolf was at her side on every turn. Still, it was Arin who had swept her into any idea of courtship at all. It was her Poet whose presence she'd craved. Then again, he had been away. He managed to escape every seeming opportunity to capture her. Was this an indication of some truth that even Poet did not know? And hadn't she herself become more and more accustomed, even comforted by Lord Wolf, enough to spare him from the Admiral's wrath.

Finally she turned back and nodded, though it was hard for her to profess her feelings for another while looking into Poet's face, his eyes. "Aye, Poet. I feel that I could... possibly, in time, come to love Ancient Wolf."

There was a quiet sigh from Wolf and silent thanks to the Powers That Be. Poet closed his eyes for a moment and released the breath he hadn't realized he was holding til just then. With his eyes still closed, he forced another question from his throat. "M'Lady...Wenn... do you love me?"

As his eyes slowly opened to look at Wenn, he saw a tear slip down her cheek. "I have loved you more than any I have ever known, my Poet... and yet..." She had to stop and find her voice again and some way to express what must be said.

Wolf's heartbeat quickened, he wanted to go to her and comfort her, no matter whom she loved, but he resisted the urge. She had to be left alone to speak what he and Poet must hear. Poet was still firm in his knowledge of what must be done but she had more to say and he would let her continue. Both Poet and Wolf were now hanging on her every word.

"I cannot do a thing that causes another harm. I would forsake taking any love to myself if it must cause death to any. And to be truthful..." She shook her head and lifted a hand to wipe the tear from her cheek. "I cannot completely forgive you for not standing up to Lord Wolf's challenge yourself." How it hurt to have to say this to him.

Poet slowly nodded. "Aye, I understand... but do you love me?" His eyes and voice were almost pleading. Wenn searched his face but could not decipher what else he wanted from her. Wolf wondered as well but kept silent watch on them.

"Wenn... answer, please." Poet pressed.

Again she shook her head then lowered it. As she spoke, she closed her eyes on more tears. "I have." Why did he have to push her for this confession? But she owed him the truth of her heart, if naught else. "Too tainted to be restored, perhaps." She took a shuddered breath against her thumping heart.

Swallowing hard, Poet lowered his head and a tear slid down his face as well. He could not fault her for this and did indeed understand how his failure to stand up for her had wedged between them. When he looked back up, Wenn's sad eyes were on him again. She reached instinctively to wipe the tear from Poet's cheek. He caught her hand, a mere inch from his face. Wolf dared not move for fear the moment would be broken.

Even through his tears, Sir Poet smiled softly, "I love you, M'Lady... as surely as night follows day and the sun rises in thy eyes and sets in thy smile." He rose to stand then, still with his hand wrapped around hers. She looked at him curiously as he gently pulled her to stand with him. Even more so as he looked aside to Wolf and gestured for him to join them. Wolf's curiosity, for what Poet thought to do, was nearly overcome by his wish to soothe Wenn's tears or at least be close to her for support.

Much to Wolf's surprise, Poet extended Wenn's hand to him and he was grateful to touch her, to squeeze her hand with all the comfort he could give her just now. Poet paused at the sight of their joined hands then lifted his gaze to Wenn. "You see, I love you enough to let you go." Then to Wolf, with all sincerity, he offered. "We have that in common, M'Lord." Poet placed his hand over theirs. "Love her as you said you would. Be true to her... and she will love thee for all time."

Wolf had to swallow against his tight throat too now, unable to speak at the moment. Wenn's heart ached for the pain she heard in Poet's voice, but she realized that there was little pain in her own heart over this. At some point in recent events, she truly had pulled back from her love for Poet, even as her feelings for Wolf began to emerge.

At last Lord Wolf found voice to reply, "Aye, M'Lord Poet..." He shifted his gaze to catch Wenn's sapphire eyes and whispered, "Forever and a day." Wenn had to smile softly to Wolf for his words and the truth of it she saw in his eyes.

Slipping his hand away from theirs, Sir Poet stepped back and bowed to them with a flourish. Then he stepped around them to where he'd set down his satchel. He lifted it and drew the strap over his shoulder as Wenn and Wolf turned toward him, standing closer to each other now.

Again the sight of them together pricked at Poet's heart, but he was not yet ready to leave. "M'Lady, one more thing I ask of thee."

"Aye, Poet?"

Tears glistened upon Poet's cheek as he quietly asked, "The gauntlet. May I have it?"

Wolf understood the significance of this almost immediately. To remove the symbol of the conflict might indeed nullify it, particularly when given to the possession of the third man in the dangerous triangle of honor. Perhaps this would give Cartwright a face-saving out for finally leaving Camelot to join his Lady Morvil elsewhere. This could indeed relieve Wolf of all his responsibilities in the matter.

Lord Wolf nodded to Wenn and squeezed her hand reassuringly as her expression seemed to seek his council. She and Poet both watched while Wolf stepped away to get the bundle from the mantle. He then extended it to Wenn. She looked down at the soft cloth she'd used to wrap the Admiral's gauntlet. She hugged the bundle to her a moment. What a small thing, how trivial, but what import it had carried in their lives.

Gingerly, Wenndolyne passed the bundle into Poet's extended hand. All three of them felt the weight of the thing as Sir Poet slipped the gauntlet into his satchel.

Wenndolyne smiled softly to Poet as Wolf extended a hand to him. "M'Lord, I..."

Poet shook hands with Wolf and nodded, "Enough said, M'Lord. Just remember thy promise."

"Indeed, I shall." Lord Wolf nodded as Poet looked once more upon Wenn then turned to leave the great hall.

Sir Poet paused at the door and turned to bow to the both of them. "May you both know all the happiness that life has to offer. May you always remain true to each and share thy hearts." He had to swallow to continue his bright blessing. "May ye, Lord Wolf, and thee, Lady Wenndolyne, truly know love as I have."

Wenn's eyes sparkled with tears as she watched his smooth bow and listened with her heart to his words. She blinked away the tears to see the last of him as he opened the door. He took one more look at them, standing together. Wolf's arm was around her and the other hand had slipped back to hers. He thought they might make a good pair after all. It was his hope. Sir Poet took a deep breath and added, "The road awaits." before slipping out into the night.

Reluctantly pulling her gaze from the door, Wenn looked up to Wolf then turned to rest her forehead against his chest. His arms wrapped protectively around her and she slipped her arms around him as well. He felt her relieved sigh then rested his cheek against her soft hair.

Wolf whispered, "A gracious gesture."

Wenn replied through tears, "Yes, Poet has ever been gracious."

(dj/dj/dp)