It was spring. Spring meant new families, it meant budding flowers and new beginnings. It also meant the end of winter, and with it, hibernation.
Ivan stretched, yawned, turned over and stretched again. It smelled like flowers. Ivan picked his head up and rubbed his eyes. The darkness of his cave made adjusting to the outside brightness a challenge. After getting up and dressed, he walked out to greet his land now renewed from winter's harsh grasp. Ivan took it all in. He then turned to look behind him, he heard his subject's small chittering mix with a babbling brook and a light breeze to top it off. Ivan close his eyes and put a hand over his beating heart.
"Ivaaaaaan? Hey, Ivan!" A happy wolf barked from a distance. Ivan opened his eyes.
"Feliciano!" He smiled. The page ran up to him.
"My king! I bring great news from across the sea ve~!"
Ivan chuckled "You know you don't have to call me king Feli. But, do continue." Another wolf trotted up beside Feliciano.
"A King is coming to propose, one from a jungle." Ivan's smile faded.
"Ludwig... is this true...?" He whispered to the wolf beside Feli.
"Your majesty, I thought you would be happy with this news." Ludwig retorted. Ivan shook his head slightly.
"At least... At least tell me his name..."
Ludwig replied gruffly "Arthur. Arthur Kirkland."
