Wenn & Wolf Tales

wwe0330
~~~ Wolf Run ~~~

Wenn did nothing for long minutes, then stood up suddenly and ripped the head from the flower. She cast the peach colored petals to the wind. She watched the upturned face of the wolf while she grasped the pendant, then closed her eyes to slip into the heart of the earth, into the warm comfort of the Mother, and change to the wolf form she'd only just learned. It did seem easier and, just now, she wanted to leave the other Wenn behind. She wanted to be anything but that woman whose heart still ached for Poet. So, she shifted into a red wolf.

When the light of her transformation faded, Ancient Wolf howled again but this time more brightly, in greeting. He repeated his urging to her, **Run with me** There was anticipation and excitement in his mental voice. He turned and was poised to leap forward. Within only a moment, Wenn felt the form pull her to run.

**Tis late.**

""Not so very. We have time, M'Lady. Now... Let's run!**

**I shall,** she thought to him.

Ancient Wolf smiled wolfishly at her and playfully nipped at her ear then sprang through the gates and toward the forest with Wenn close to him. They were two shadows against the snow, forming one. Wenn began to feel ever more comfortable in the wolf form. She began to feel the rhythm of her gait and gave into it.

They skirted the keep's bailey wall then the edge of the lake out behind the keep. The joyful run circled until once again the white wolf and his red wolf running companion passed through the gates and back into the courtyard. Their breath was quickened and heavy, making soft plumes of vapor in the chilled air. Wolf playfully nuzzled Wenn and rubbed against the fur at her neck. Wenn pounced away then playfully charged the white wolf, bounding around him like a puppy, quite charged up by the freedom of running full out. In turn, Ancient Wolf caught her standing still and leaped over her. Then she surprised him by taking off into a run again. Wolf yipped and gave chase.

**I like this! Delightful to have you for a playmate!** Wolf thought to her as they turned to cross the yard again. Of course, he could outpace her, but it was more fun to play at the pursuit.

**Takes a little getting used to!** she called back excitedly then yipped herself as she had to make a sudden reroute to avoid speeding into a hedge.

The arctic wolf took advantage of her momentary lapse. As she turned, he managed to leap at her broadside, certainly without injury. It knocked them both into a snow drift from which they then had to extract themselves. The smaller red wolf managed it first and shook her fur all over then took her own turn leaping on Wolf, thus pinning him on the snow. He took her playful nip at his ears then chuckled and gently though firmly tried to rabbit-kick her off him. It worked, the red wolf tumbled over then scrambled to her feet. She padded a few paces away, feigning disinterest, but truly she needed a chance to catch her breath.

She watched as Wolf sat up on his haunches then howled into the night sky. Wenn herself still didn't feel she had enough air for that, so she dropped onto the snow and rested her head on her paws. Ancient Wolf soon joined her, settling down next to her and pushing at the snow with his nose. **Refreshing. Have you tried it?**

Wenn licked at the snow and indeed it was nearly as good as getting a sip of water. She then looked up and found forest emerald eyes watching her.

**I must be a crazy old wolf.**

**I know.** Wenn hissed a snicker, still surprised that she could make such a sound with her wolf voice.

**You know not the half of it.**

**Pray tell, m'lord. I would hear the other half.**

**In time, but the hour indeed grows late now.**

Funny but though his words within her mind said very little and she'd thought he was merely teasing, it now seemed to Wenn that Wolf was speaking more seriously. The playful mood had apparently passed and Wenn was getting chilled laying in the snow, so she lowered her head to concentrate and return herself to her natural human form. Without a word, she stood up and walked back into the great hall of the keep. The arctic wolf padded closely behind her and watched her curl up next to the hearth for warmth. Again she was very tired and with hardly more than a heavy sigh, she fell asleep.

Ancient Wolf watched her for a moment, seeing the fire's light dance over her curled silhouette and playing especially brightly through the light auburn tresses pooled about her head. Quietly, cautiously, Wolf lay down beside her, his muzzle mere inches from the back of her neck. He closed his emerald eyes to mere slits and began to doze as well.

At some point Wenn began to feel the wolf's breath upon her hair. Floating tendrils teased at her face and woke her again. She turned her head and her eyes went wide as she stared into the face of the arctic wolf. She scrambled to get up and shivered... because something about this was unnerving.

She paced around the great hall then sat down upon the hearthstone. Wolf was awake by now as well and looked up to her, quite confused. Wenn couldn't sit still, especially under his questioning gaze. She sighed heavily and paced again, arms folded in front of her. A few times, she started to say something, but didn't and continued, until at last she seemed to need to find something out for herself, perhaps even about herself.

(dp/dj)