Chapter 1: "Is it really you....?"

The sun was setting on White Deer Park. It cast it's dying red rays over the pond of Edible Frogs. It was so peaceful and quiet. So silent. Nobody noticed the traveller's return.

The stocky body of the young fox slipped from shadow to shadow. Even the disabled leg which he held above the ground did not slow him down as he made his way to one place. He stopped in front of a fox's earth, concealed in a bush. He studied the area with his eyes. The scar he bore down one of them and the raised hind leg, lamed by a farmer's bullet, proved his name to be a worthy one. A movement caught his attention. A fox, younger than him, had arrived. He carried a hare in his mouth. He went into the earth and the scarred watcher waited for him to emerge again before he made his appearance. He stepped out of the bush just as the face reappeared. The other fox stood stock still, staring silently at his face. Finally, he spoke, his breath coming in gulps,
"Is it really you....Bold?" he gasped.
A smile spread across his brother's face. Ha came forward a little, face-to-face with his shocked sibling.
"Yes, Friendly" he said "It's me Bold. I've returned".
The younger male sat back down, still having difficulty in taking in what was happening.
"But how?....... when?...... what?....... we thought you died?" he said confused.
Bold smiled again, even wider.
"So did I" he replied "But I just fainted".
"But then....who....how did you hunt?" asked Friendly.
His older brother looked up at the sky.
"Ahhh.... yes, Crow. Bless every feather on him "He sighed "He looked after me, just like before. It took me a while to recover my strength and memory".
Friendly still couldn't believe it. A shocked gasp nearby caused him to look round. Vixen, their mother, had just come out. Her face was pale.
"Bold" she whispered "It can't be!"
She took a few steps closer to her son and touched his muzzle with a shaking paw. Tears filled her eyes and she nuzzled him. She looked into his eyes and then at her mate who had just surfaced.
"Fox, look!" she cried "It's Bold! He didn't die! He's alive!"
The old fox approached the younger one hesitantly. He stopped, smiling nervously.
"Bold" he said shakily "Please...do you..?"
"I forgive you, Father" issued Bold readily "I do".
Fox beamed at him.

"Welcome back Bold, old son" he greeted the traveller "Welcome back!"