Wow Chapter ten and as of today 28 reviews, 89 followers, 46 favorites and 7,081 views. Thank you to everyone for taking to the time to check this story out. Rather you liked it or not.

A/N:

"Are you sure it's alright?" She asked for what had to be the hundredth time. The concern in her voice gave it a faint waver as she gently rubbed the bony knuckles under her paw.

'I will have it no other way.' The old vixen replied. Her fur more grey than white in her advanced age. 'It will be a loose fit for you but you can make up for that with more padding. You'll be hot for sure but you'll be well protected.' Despite her lack of physical strength her mind was as sharp as an arrows broadhead, as she redirected the conversation from herself back to the young one in her charge.

She leaned down to nuzzle the old vixen across the muzzle before gathering the armor, now hers, and making to the door with tears in her eyes. She looked back at the old eyes, nearly blind from age, as they looked in her general direction. It was hard to remember that she was once a fierce warrior that taught her everything she knew, enough that Gilah could best several of the male warriors. Now she could barely lift her head off her own pillow. She knew deep down this would be the last time she saw her in this life as she closed the door behind her.

Gilah stood on the docks watching as all the other foxes of their company made their way through the town up towards the gates of the biggest, also the first, fortress she had ever seen. She and a pawful of others had been tasked with watching the boats as the others went to the fortress.

Seems the old vixen was right about being hot. The extra padding needed to make the armor fit properly doubled as extra insulation. Despite the cool morning, she felt comfortably warm. As the sun began to warm her further, she started to worry that she may get hot enough she needed to pant. Fortunately, before that happened, the majority of the foxes returned with orders to break out the tents.

Hearing that the rabbits had accepted their proposal for an alliance made the entire group feel more energetic. She wasn't sure if it was because they could finally get off the boats after nearly a week or because they didn't have to row their way back home.

She quickly removed her armor and lent a paw in setting up camp. Noticing a light brown bunny in a dark blue uniform with silver trimming watching them. She watched him for a moment as he simply stood by watching them. With her team's tent pitched and her gear stowed, Gilah donned her armor once more, minus the extra padding. Stepping out of the tent, she walked up to a group consisting of the other females that would live in her tent and the rest of her team members. Including their team leader, an old red fox named Avrid.

"Now that camp has been established we need to find the nearest source of fresh water." Avrid said to the group as he started glancing around.

"What about that rabbit?" Gilah said pointed to the brown bunny that had been watching them. "He could help us." He had started walking back towards the gates when she caught sight of him again.

"If you think you can talk to him, give it a try." He said crossing his arms over his chest and gesturing with his muzzle towards the retreating rabbit.

Gilah took off right away chasing him. Catching him quickly before he entered the gates. After a brief conversation, she was able to convey the need to find drinking water and he led her into the open gates. She looked around, amazed at the beautifully constructed stone palace within. It wasn't long before her guide pointed to a well and then turned around motioning for her to leave with him.

She stayed where she was for a moment and took in the sight of the courtyard, admiring the structures. She then noticed all the rabbits within, staring at her. Some were more than staring, most were sneering with obvious contempt. Feeling awkward and unwelcome, she quickly turned and outpaced the rabbit that led her to the water supply. She wasn't thrilled with its location after seeing their reaction.

"There's a well just inside the gates but…I don't think the rabbits are too keen on us using it." She said with hesitation.

"What makes you say that?" Avrid asked.

"The way they looked at me." Her voice carried the worry she felt. The number of scowls and sneers she had seen directed at her had unnerved her slightly.

Avrid was about to respond, when they heard a voice calling. He looked over to see the rabbit from earlier calling and waving them over. Without looking away from the rabbit he addressed Gilah's concerns. "Your guide doesn't seem to mind our presence." He cheerfully stated.

Gilah was surprised to see the light brown bunny waving them to follow as he walked toward the village. Intrigued, the group as a whole followed after him. They made it to the village where he stood next to a well. It was good walking distance further from the one he had first show her. He patted the stones lining the top of the watering hole he said "Uisce".

He then walked towards a building nearby and stopped at the door, waiting for them to gather around him. They all looked on curiously as he grasped the handle that opened the door. A smile on his lips as he spoke his next word as though it were the name of a secret lover. "Leann!"

The group watched as he pressed the door aside and started walking in. Even though they had started to follow as soon as he had moved, their eyes were widening as the scent of sweet alcohol began to bombard their sensitive noses.

Inside what was obviously a tavern was a large room that span the entirety of the building. A mixture of round, rectangular and square tables of varying sizes, though most were bunny size, scattered the room. To the left of the door was a stairway that led to a second floor. At the far end from the door was a bar where an older rabbit buck was cleaning clay mugs before stacking them beneath the bar top. He froze in place when he saw who had just walked through the door. Being nearly noon, the tavern was empty of nearly anyone else.

"Ocht mbliana ar mo thaobh." Their guide called out. Which set the rabbit behind the bar into the motion of collecting and filling mugs.

A pair of bunnies sat at one table. They merely glanced at the group for a moment before returning to their conversation. Gilah was surprised, she had expected the same treatment as she received at the castle. Further behind them were a male wolf and female whitetail doe. If the way she giggled was any indication, he seemed to be flirting and succeeding.

They were led to a round table that was just slightly large for him and slightly small for them but was comfortable for everyone. They watched as mugs were placed in front of them. Their guide stood and spoke to them.

"Is é an chéad bhabhta seo domsa." He made a gesture to indicate towards himself and then held up one finger. Everyone nodded in response, to which the bunny raised his mug towards the middle of the table. "Ceannairí!" They all raised their own to match and repeated the word as best they could before they taste the amber liquid within their mugs.

Soon more foxes appeared in the door of the tavern. With even more joining them as the day progressed into the evening. As night began to fall, more mammals of all species present in the village joined in. Mixing with each other and communicating in foreign tongues. Striking trade deals and making friendships.

That was the day before.

The next morning Gilah found herself splayed out on her bedding in the tent she and the others had setup the day prior. With a pounding headache. Slowly sitting herself up, she began to rub her temples to ease back the pain when the scent of food started to draw her attention. Easing out of the tent she found Avrid sitting by the fire stirring a cauldron that smelled of vegetables and gravy.

The day was still bright but clouds had started to move in. A storm was beginning to approach. She sat next to the older fox and watched as he used a ladle to scoop out a portion of the stew for her. Handing it over so she could sip its contents from the bowl. The warmth and richness did wonders to ease the pain in her head and body.

"You and I have watch tonight." He spoke softly. Well aware of the affect a night of celebrating could have on one.

"So, are the rumors true? Did Nicholas really marry a bunny?" He nodded in response. He then reached down and handed her a mug that was sitting near him. Gilah took it and sniffed its contents.

"Ale?" She asked.

"For him." He replied with a smirk as he pointed behind her. Gilah turned and found the same rabbit that led them to the tavern stumbling out from between two tents. He rambled over to her and she offered him the mug. He accepted the offer and sipped its contents. With a dopey smile on his face he waved his thanks and weaved a path to the palace.

"How does he do it? He easily drank double what any of us did." She asked. Turning back to face Avrid once again. "I never would have imagined a rabbit having that kind of tolerance."

"He's actually a hare." He noticed her wide eyes at the revelation. "Or half of one anyway. They tend to be larger than rabbits and have the tolerances to go with it."

She looked back at the retreating rabbit, or hare? Whatever, he walked past a couple of other bunnies leaving the gates and noticed he was slightly taller than them. His ears were also longer making him seem even taller next to them. Disappearing behind the stone walls.

"Hares and rabbits have a history between them." Gilah looked back at Avrid as he continued to tend the stew. "Bad blood that has stained their relationship for generations. His ability to drink must come from practice."

The rest of her day was slow as she allowed Avrid to nurse her back to health. Plenty of stew and even more water. It was still early evening when she laid back down to sleep. Avrid said he would be by to wake her when it was time for their shift. The old Tod always moved at his own pace and seemed to be able to keep up with the fastest without leaving the slowest behind.

She pulled the blanket up over her head, the rain had begun to move in and the clouds were only growing darker. The storm could be bad and she just hoped the rain stopped before they had to run to their post somewhere within the palace walls. Standing guard would be miserable enough at the early morning hour they drew, she didn't want it to be worsened by being soaked to the bone.

Fortunately, the storm passed sometime during the night. The sound of thunder rolling on in the distance. Gilah had tossed and turned throughout the night. The sound of thunder clapping nearby along with rain striking directly overhead made it difficult for anyone to sleep. After the rain had finally stopped for a short time a new sound made its way to her ears.

The crackling and hissing of wood as the fire's flames consumed its hardened flesh. Drawing forth the warmth it held within and shared it with the world. Knowing her time to rise was soon approaching, Gilah stood from her sleeping place and pulled the flaps of the tent aside to see who it was that had bothered to rise so early and bring heat and light to this small part of the world.

She was surprised to see Avrid sitting near the fire. Perched on a log that had been drug up from the shore to provide a sitting area. She grabbed her armor and weapons, then proceeded to exit the tent and sat next to him. They sat in silence for a few moments pointing their gaze towards the dancing flames before them. Watching as the remnants of a life longer than their own faded into ash.

The storm had brought the cold with it. The moisture beneath her feet felt like a whirlpool that syphoned warmth from everything around it. Pulling it down into the earth. Gilah debated in her mind rather she should wear the extra padding she had for the added warmth. Her mind pondered the decision for a moment until it was interrupted.

"Why are you here young one?"

Gilah looked over at him. Studied him for a moment. Hazel eyes never leaving the fire. Despite his age he still had a strength about him. He had not withered with time, instead seemed as hard as stone. Physically larger than she, yet his presence was never overbearing. His voice always calm and collected. Whenever he had touched her it was always gentle and reassuring. Only when he glanced towards her did she realize she had been staring without answering his question.

"I…I want to be a warrior." She stated proudly, holding herself up to show it.

"Yes, that is what you want but why are you here? Why join this group to the unknown? I can tell you are far younger than you appear."

Gilah felt her heart beat quicken as she swallowed nervously. "H-How…"

"How did I know?" He finished for her. She nodded in response. If he knew he could have her sent home and that was something she did not wish for. "You're too skinny." He said with a shrug.

"Too skinny?" She repeated. He nodded once then stood and donned his equipment. Seeing him prepare to leave she did the same, deciding to leave the extra padding behind. "How am I too skinny?" She asked as they approached the open gates to the palace.

"You're wearing the armor of an arctic fox, yet it is too large for you. You're only shorter than average but clumsy meaning you recently had a growth spirt but haven't quite gotten used to it. Once you fill out you won't need to wear that extra padding anymore, you'll need new armor and your balance will improve greatly."

'New armor?' She thought to herself. She ran a paw over the protective garment over her torso. The small indentations along its surface, a reminder of what the previous owner had suffered. Before that night, wearing the armor without the extra padding hadn't bothered her. But now that someone had noticed it didn't fit properly, caused her to fidget with the straps and strings. Trying to hide the imperfection that wore it.

It wasn't until a loud noise in the room they guarded drew their attention did they speak to each other again. After leaving the room, she finally broke the silence.

"What was that about?" His chuckled for a moment before answering.

"You'll learn after you're married." He hummed in a delighted manner before returning to silence with a wide smile and a look in his eye that said he was remembering happier times.

A moment later and the door to the room opened.

Judy stepped out into the hallway to find the guards still standing outside. She made a mental note to ask Nick if they could be dismissed soon. She found the gesture to be endearing but unnecessary now that they had had a chance to speak to one another.

Proceeding down the hall, the guards followed her as expected. She led them down the passageways to the kitchen area. As expected, the room was alive with bakers and cooks preparing meals for those staying in the palace walls. The kitchen was long and the food preparation began at the back of the room and worked its way forward. Everything from preparing batter and cleaning vegetables worked its way from rear to the front. At the front was a long table that separated the entrance from the cooking area. A rabbit sat here with trays and plates for those that chose to come and retrieve their food themselves or for those that asked for special orders.

In the corner she noticed her brother Nathan and a couple more rabbits. She didn't know their names but she did know one of them. Samuel Shortgates. Judy's mood had already felt gloomy from this morning's incident. Seeing this arrogant pile of fur only made her fur bristle. She quickly stepped up to the table and asked for two meals to go with one having extra portions. She then stood back and tried to listen in on the conversation her brother was having.

"He's a commoner, no one will miss him." She heard Samuel say.

"He's a member of the Royal Guard. They'll notice if he goes missing." Someone she didn't know said.

"What do we care? It's not like anyone will suspect us." Samuel said back.

"I agree with David. I'm all for roughing him up and teaching him a lesson but that's all." Another of the group spoke up.

"And if he violated her?" Nathan said angrily.

"Then we can turn him over to your father and have him publicly executed." That last bit caused Judy to look over at the group. Samuel went to speak but noticed her watching them out of the corner of his eye.

"We should continue this elsewhere." He said to the group before walking toward the table to grab a tray of food and take it with him. The others following after, each eyeing her and the fox guard that stood by her side. As Nathan passed she called out to him.

"Nathan," he stopped and looked at her, "can you talk a minute?" He looked at his friends as they left the room. Only looking back at him for a second before continuing on.

"For a moment, yes." He said after looking back to her.

"What's going on? And don't tell me nothing. I heard what you were talking about. Who is it you're worried about?" Nathan seemed to consider her questions for a moment before speaking.

"It's…Eileen. She ran off with one of the Royal Guard last night and hasn't been seen since. We're going to look for them as soon as there is enough light."

"Are you sure that's wise? If she chose to go with him then-

"He's a commoner Judy. She's a princess. There's no way she chose to go on her own free will. He coerced her into it. Had her drink more than she could handle and sweet talked her away. Samuel saw the whole thing."

"Then why didn't he stop her?" Judy asked accusingly.

"He said he tried but lost track of them once they left the palace and went outside."

"They went out in the storm? We have to find them! It's freezing outside! She could be ill!"

"It's also too dark to see. We have to wait till first light." Nathan reasoned.

"Fine. But I will be helping and I'm sure Nicholas will help as well."

"Are you sure it's a good idea to get foxes involved? I mean, are you sure we can trust them?" He cast an accusing glance at the guard behind her.

"I'm certain of it." She firmly replied. Nathan then looked at her questioningly. "I can't explain it now but I know I can trust him. If it will ease your worries I'll ask him for a small group no larger than four."

"Alright," he relented, "I'll go tell the others." Judy watched as he left the room to catch up with his friends. She then retrieved her own tray and ensured the guard took one for themselves as well. She walked quickly back to the room.

Walking in she found Nick fully dressed and sitting on the couch in front of the now roaring fire. It filled the room with much needed warmth. She watched as he stood and turned to face her a shy smile crossing his lips before dropping to a concerned frown. Judy then placed the tray on the table and walked over to him. Wringing her wrist in a nervous display.

"I need to ask a favor."

A/N:

I hope you enjoyed this little bit of character building. I know Gilah probably leaves more questions than answers but she's supposed to be a bit of a mystery at this point. Let me know what you think and any suggestions you may have.