~~~ Journey Begun ~~~

Wenn awakened to a tapping on her cheek, a tapping and a soft voice. As her eyes drifted open they were met with bright emerald eyes very close, so close in fact that Elandra's nose was nearly touching hers. The little voice was whispering "Momma? Momma? You 'wake? Momma?" Wenn blinked her own eyes, trying to force sleep from them and focus on the little face that was a bit too near to really see. She smiled and softly replied, "Yes, my Angel, I am now."

Rachel appeared in the doorway to catch Elandra sitting up on the bed, nearly on top of Wenndolyne actually, and started to admonish Elandra and apologize. "Beg pardon, M'Lady Wenn. I had thought she was occupied in her room. M'lord Kraath has asked that you be allowed to get as much rest as possible."

Rolling onto her side beneath the covers and curling around Elandra sitting next to her, Wenn smiled to Rachel, "Nae worry, you do a fine job and tis time for me to be up and about. We've a busy day today." She was trying not to get sad over today's scheduled activity. Simon was about to embark on a journey that would be a new adventure for him and in any case, was necessary. "Perhaps Elandra can see that I get properly dressed and we may all collect for some... hot chocolate in a few moments, hm?" Rachel smiled warmly and took her cue, leaving mother and daughter all snuggled up together.

Elandra leaned over and nestled against Wenn, whose fingers gently toyed in long red curls. Mother could not resist pressing a gentle kiss to such a precious cheek. "Well, what shall I wear today?" Elandra leaned her head back and curled her hand beneath her chin thoughtfully. "Geen. I like geen. Same as my eyes." Wenn snickered as Elandra pressed her little fingers under her eye and drew her cheek down in a ghastly mask, holding the eye wide open, presumably so Wenn could see just what green looked like. "Yes, grrreen..." Wenn growled out the word playfully to accent the 'R' Elandra had neglected. "I think green will do nicely. Let's get to it then, hm?"

After enjoying the promised hot chocolate, Elandra and Rachel raced out to the courtyard to play tag, which they were still doing when Wenndolyne followed later. She paused at the edge of the bailey, for there in the center of the yard, between herself and the gate, was Simon's horse. Star was already burdened with Simon's things, particularly the satchel containing his art box, some of his drawings and one pocketful of rocks, selected from his collection.

Cuin`Kraath was tending to the horse, checking its legs and seeing that the bundles and saddle were set securely. Wenn could just hear his whispers to the horse, enough to know he was instructing it, to mind its steps and always take an easy gait, caring for its rider. He finished with a whisper Wenn could not hear, a gentle pat to the horse's neck and a treat presented, which the horse managed despite the bit and bridle.

Finally, Cuin`Kraath looked up and smiled to Wenn. "Seems the Master's horse is being reluctant to take the stable hand's lead today." Wenn's thoughts were scattered but she nodded back. "Aye, young Malcolm has complained of such since their arrival. Is that where M'lord Ellinstar is now? In the stable?" A nod told her it was so, but ere too long the elderly mage appeared in the courtyard, on horseback. Simon was trailing along beside him.

As Ellinstar and his mount approached, he reigned in the errant steed and added some obscure words to the demand. Finally, the horse relented and Wenn walked cautiously toward them, not wanting to prompt the horse to any further disturbance. Cuin`Kraath was giving Simon a bit of advice, presumably on horsemanship, as Wenn looked up to Ellinstar. "Beg pardon, m'lady." Ellinstar said. "I dare not leave this one to his own devices, now that I've finally talked him into the journey." He chuckled and Wenndolyne smiled. "Nae worry, but I did have one thing to do ere you go."

The old mage arched a thick white brow as Wenn drew out a small pouch from a pocket in her dress. She held it up to Ellinstar, something quite somber in her expression. "Coin for your journey and after. Please take it." Ellinstar waved off the pouch. "No, stars, no." He smiled. "Taking young Simon to train is a debt long owed which I am pleased to pay. Trouble not over expenses."

Wenn reached up to the saddle horn and slipped her hand over Ellinstar's then turned his palm up and pressed the coin pouch into it. Her voice was quiet, near breaking and she was glad she was on the other side of the mage's horse, out of Simon's view. "Please..." She whispered. "If not for the journey, then keep it for my son. He may have need of gold from time to time, should peddlers come by the tower perhaps, or for drawing supplies..." She swallowed hard to maintain her composure, but barely managed it. "Whatever... whatever he likes."

Solemnly but with a soft smile, Ellinstar nodded and took the pouch. He tied the strings of it, then with a gesture and a small sweep of his hand, the pouch disappeared. Wenn managed a grin as the mage patted her hand, still resting on the saddle. He leaned forward a bit and the old but vibrant voice whispered to her, "Do not worry for your son, mother. I know how precious my young apprentice is and I'll see that he's well taken care of." He leaned back again and spoke more brightly. "Besides, you've an open invitation to visit and see how he's treating me." He chuckled and Wenn joined with her own laughter, however weak.

Stepping back then, she quickly brushed her hand across her cheek and put on a bright smile before rounding the mage's horse to Simon and Cuin`Kraath. Simon looked up from their conversation. He was excited, anticipating this journey and the bigger adventure he was embarking on. Before they could exchange even a word, Elandra came rushing in, having tagged Rachel last, and ran right into Simon. He giggled and caught her, helping her balance back on two little feet. Her big bright eyes looked up at him and Wenn was again surprised at how grown up Simon seemed. He smiled amiably back to Elandra as she piped up, "You leavin' today? Gonna see the magic tower?" Simon nodded his silliest nod for her and Elandra giggled, as she always did. "Yep. Gonna learn some magic too."

Suddenly, Elandra batted at Simon and took off running, yelling over her shoulder through bobbing red curls. "Tag! You're IT!" Off she went, soon to be tagged by Rachel. Wenndolyne smiled until she turned back to look at Simon. He was looking at her, both of them in silent concentration now, jaws set against a tearful farewell. Simon nodded, not at all his silly nod, quite a slow and subtle, knowing nod. Even though Wenn was not purposely thinking any words to him, he knew, for he was thinking the same things. So much they had shared together, more than mother and son. They had both in their own way been lost, adrift, til they found each other. Before Elandra, before Wolf, even before Poet, Wenndolyne had struck up a friendship with a young, bright, redheaded little lad, who looked very much like herself.

Wenndolyne and Simon may have been like older sister and little brother in the beginning, then later, more like mother and son. Now, it was left to the two of them to see to the House of Wolf and Ancient Wolf's legacy. They had not been separated in a very long time. They had come to depend on each other for comfort and support and a laugh, when needed. All of this passed between them silently.

Wenndolyne took a long deep breath and sighed softly. Simon paused a moment, then took a long deep breath too, very exaggeratedly, making his shoulders move up and down with it, and a grin started to grow on his face. Wenn shook her head slowly and she began to grin too. Simon stepped in closer to Wenn and wrapped his arms around her for a hug. She curled to hug him back, noting she didn't have to lean as far as she used to. They started to release the hug then Simon embraced her tightly again and Wenndolyne was ever so grateful that he was not too grown up to give her a few more moments with her arms wrapped warmly around her little love.

When Simon took a half step back again, she brushed her fingers through his hair and genuinely smiled to his sparkling blue eyes. Simon nodded, "I'll be fine. I will. And you can come visit me and I can come home for visits on the winged horse. He said so." Simon looked up with a grin at Ellinstar then back to Wenn. "And it'll be alright 'cause I don't even have to clean my room there." Ellinstar broke in quickly. "Says who?" Simon giggled and Wenn joined in. "Worth a try, eh?" she said, and looked up in time to see a kindly wink from the mage.

With this, Simon turned to look at Cuin`Kraath who stood ready to help him up into the saddle. There was another silent exchange as Wenndolyne looked up to Simon, sitting so high and ready for his adventure to begin. The horses were turned and paced out toward the main gate. Simon turned to wave back at Wenn, Cuin`Kraath and Elandra who was running past with Rachel hot on her trail. Master Ellinstar waved as well and called to Wenn as they passed through the gates, "Worry not, mother. I'll do my best to survive!"

Wenn watched for a long while, til the riders faded and disappeared from sight. Only then did she loosen her tight jaw and close her eyes on quiet tears. Cuin`Kraath had moved in beside her and slipped an arm around her waist. He pressed a gentle kiss to the side of her head and whispered. "Might I suggest, daughter, that you go now to your desk and set a date for your first visit?" She nodded, eyes still closed. "Yes. Yes... a visit." she repeated, but it did not help the feeling that her once happy life was slipping away, one love at a time. The only saving grace from this moment, was a little green-eyed redhead who came barreling between them screaming. Wenn was jolted from her sorrow and reminded that there was still someone here who needed her. Life at Wolf Keep must continue and Wenndolyne would have to see that it did.