Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC Numa and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.

Wolf Princess Chapter 21

Firenze and I then left the Hospital Wing without any further hindrances. Upon reaching my new quarters we had to go past Firenze's in order to get to them.

"Here they are," said Firenze, hand on the door. Before he pushes it open he turns to me. "Before I open this door, Numa, I want you to prepare yourself. The rooms you will have here are far different than the living arrangements you are more used to."

"I'm fine with it," I said.

"Numa," said Firenze. "I'm saying that not everyone's rooms are the same as mind. There will be no trees, no grass, nothing to represent the forest."

Firenze then shoves the door open and went inside.

I follow him and as he has stated nothing inside was what I had expected to see at all. Indeed there are no trees or grass anywhere inside. Instead there were objects I had seen in order sections of the castle.

I meander around the living area examining everything that was there. I notice an opening to another room. Curiosity gets the better of me and I went inside to check it out.

The only things inside I find were a large bed, a wooden dresser, a nightstand, vanity table, a mirror hanging above the dresser, and a desk on one side of the room.

The whole time Firenze has been standing in the doorway as I was observing everything in front of me.

"I told you it would be a change," reminded Firenze, softly.

Now standing in the midst of the room, staring at everything, I murmured "So this is to be my new den."

"I know that it's not what you're used to, but as time goes on you'll become accustomed to it."

"Yeah," I said. "I doubt that."

Sighing, Firenze said "Why don't you go clean yourself up. It might help you relax and may take your mind off of today."

All I did was nod slightly not saying a word.

"I'm right down the hall fi you need me," said Firenze, turning and walking right out.

After that I go into the bathing area Firenze had pointed out to me. Like everything else nothing inside is as I thought it might be.

I'm not used to anything in here so I decide to use the tub. I took off my skins and place them next to the tub.

As I lower my legs into the water the warm temperature surprises me. Whenever I went to bathe myself in the forest the water was nearly always old except for during the summer. I just got used to it.

I sunk into the tub until the water reaches my shoulders. The water immediately soothed my body. I take my time cleaning. As soon as I was finished I realized that I am far cleaner than I have ever been in a long time. I always am able to bathe regularly at the river, waterfall, and the den, but it was a god feeling. The only reason I got out of that tube is because the water has turned cold.

I let the water drain out as I dry myself off with a towel. I got back into my clothes and return to the bedroom. I brush out my hair and wrap it back into a large intricate braid so it wouldn't know out during the night. I tug the sheets and blankets down and crawl into the bed.

The bed and the sheets are so soft. Not even the relative fluffiest moss and leaves in the forest would be able to compare to this. Smiling I shut my eyes and try to settle down to drift off to sleep.

Unfortunately this doesn't last for very long. I guess I am just too used to sleeping on the forest floor in order to quickly adapt to this change in sleeping arrangements.

Eventually I gave up after three hours of struggling.

I then travel to one of the highest points of the entire castle.

The Astronomy Tower.

I go straight over to the edge of the wall and crane my head to stare at the stars. Even from where I am the stars and the moon are still shining as bright as ever. This is one big thing I am grateful for that isn't about to change.

On the grounds it appears as if the Black Lake is sparkling with the light radiance from the moon and the stars shining down and reflecting off of it. The same thing can be said of the Forbidden Forest. I have always looked at the trees from below, but not I get a whole other perspective view. I can see it go on for miles and miles with absolutely no end in sight.

A wave of homesickness suddenly comes over me. I miss their voices and want to hear her family again. I brought my hands to encircle around my mouth and release a long deep howl. A call I normally use to speak to my family over long distances. I listen keenly to it as it echoes through the breeze on the air and kept getting farther and farther away.

Cupping my ears for added range to hear I await a response. For a few moments that is all I did, hoping to catch my mother and brothers.

I don't receive an immediate response in reply from any of them. I seem to deflate into a state where I am standing. I guess the grand distance is simply too far from them to hear my call this time around. With disappointment going through me I pick up my bow and arrows heading for the exit.

I'm about to admit defeat and walk away when I hear it.

A second howl was moving through the air to my own. A moment later two more follow through echoing and joining the other first.

I recognize all three of them instantly.

My mother and brothers have answered my call. Smiling I can tell from the sorrowful tone in the howls they're missing me as well. I unleash another howl allowing them to know that I can hear them and then left the Astronomy Tower.

In the courtyard in the castle it is deserted and quiet. A beautiful willow is in the center of it.

I hadn't realized someone is approaching me until he was right there. Also, in his translucent state put a delay in turning aware of his coming.

"Hello there, Miss Numa," he said.

I turned to my right to find the ghost called Nearly Headless Nick, although he prefers to be known as Sir Nicholas, floating a few feet above me. He's one of the many ghosts that yearly reside in this castle. Right now he was looking down at me with a pleasant smile on his face.

Returning it, I said "Hello, Sir Nicholas, lovely night, isn't it?"

"Yes, yes it is," agreed Sir Nicholas. "Shouldn't you be in your chambers?"

"Yes, but I decided that I'd rather sleep out here tonight," I answered.

"Are you sure," asked Sir Nicholas.

"I'm not yet used to the sleeping arrangements I've been provided and this feels more like home," I said, gesturing toward the open, spacious, and welcoming courtyard.

"Wey well," said Sir Nicholas, "if that is what you desire."

"It is," I confirmed.

"Then I bid you good night," said Sir Nicholas, giving a slight bow and floating down the hall.

"You, too," I said.

When Sir Nicholas was out of sight I then continue my way into the courtyard. Reaching the willow I climb it until I claim a good spot in the branches. Soon I get the perfect spot and lean back without any problems.

I'm not concerned about the height or falling down from it. I sleep this way in other trees many times that I know how to keep myself situated in place.

I gaze back at the moon. It's a challenge to peer around the branches of the willow, but it was there. I smile softly, my mind going back to my family.

"Good night guys," I whispered, solemn, "I miss you."

Back at the den my brothers Brokefang and White-fang have long gone inside the den to retire for the night. Moro decides to stay up a bit longer. At one point she brings her head up from its position on her paws and grazes her feet.

Staring at the glistening stars and moon herself, Moro said "Good night, My Daughter."

Moro then ducks inside the den in order to rejoin her two sons.

Authors Note:

Merry Christmas! Here's your present!

Hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D

I've been meaning to get back to this one for a while and only now I've managed to find time and inspiration for it. I'm very satisfied and happy about it.

I recently put up some other works I've put out at titled Secret Of Bristol Cove, Predators Redemption, A Revolutionary Romance, Fantine Tezla: Hot Wheels Acceleracers, Magic And the Brave Little Toaster 1, Lavinia: Princess Of Edelweiss, Rorschach's Legend, Watchmen Meets Avengers: The Newest Defender, The 8th Loser, Naomi Poldark: Mistress Of Nampara, Serenity: End Guardian To The Moors, Dido Cruger: Power Rangers SPD, and Nuala: The White Lioness. I highly recommend them. ;D

By the way Rorschach's Legend and Watchmen Meets Avengers: The Newest Defender are the newest additions to my profile. If you're a fan of Watchmen and the new series on HBO coming up soon then I recommend that you check it out. Since it was just recently uploaded I really would enjoy hearing other peoples thoughts on the subject matter so far. So feel free to do so if you have the time.

I have other grand news! I was a patron at New York Comic Con! Ah! I'd been dying to go for years and now I had the opportunity. The Jokers from Impractical Jokers have been here along with Tom Hiddleston and so many others. Over those few days I actually got my picture taken with a couple of other actors/actresses and some really great panels. It really is so exciting there. This is an opportunity of a lifetime so there's no way in hell that I was going to waste a single second of it. No one ever should with something like this. Ever! ;D

For future preferences I highly recommend that you all keep an eye out for when tickets for New York Comic Con are available for purchase again for next year. This is a huge event and you should jump on it whenever you have the chance.