I have failed her, when she needs me most. She is so close to finding the pearls and ending the curse, returning me to my real form and saving the valley, and what have I done? I have fallen into a De Noir trap and then having managed to escape, I have allowed that thug to shoot me just when it was most crucial for me to protect her.
Now what is going to happen? Who is going to help her? I can't run, my paw is burning. That idiot De Noir boy seems eager enough but he didn't even manage to avoid her trap. What use will he be? His father will bark at him and he will go running to him.
The unicorn had guided her to the tree, I could sense that much, but I knew as soon as I heard that first gunshot that the De Noir man had found her. The boy knew it too. That's why he called her name. At least it gave us the opportunity to escape. Has he found her? Has he managed to help her escape? What will the man do? Will he take the pearls for himself? Does he realise that his own fortunes as well as hers and mine are reliant on those pearls being returned to the sea? They have to go back tonight. The alternative is unthinkable.
For 5000 moons, I have been bound in this body. I am a lion. King of the beasts and what have I become? A dog. I pretty fearsome dog, I will admit, but still a dog. Ha! That woman that came with her is frightened of me still, even though she pretends not to be. I can tell by the way she twitches and squeaks when I am near. And the De Noirs. A flash of my eyes in their direction and they are off. That's fun. It reminds me of a time when all men ran from me.
She isn't scared of me though. She puts her arms around me and I can smell her sweet perfume as she hugs me. She relies on me, she knows I will be there for her and now I have failed her.
I am so tired. I will just lie here and rest a while. Then I will find her. I will rescue her again and she will throw her arms around me and press her face to my neck and everything will be well again. Just a small rest now. The pain is growing. The burning is spreading. Then I will find you. I will.