Customs Remembered
Part two
"What?" Virginia was the first to ask. "What?" Wolf echoed confused. "I'm.?" "Betrothed Wolfie Dear. Intended." Wolf looked at Virginia's horrified face. He didn't know what was going on, only that it was BAD. "Intended for what?" He asked, his brows arched up in question. Riding hood laughed. "For Marriage." Wolf reeled back in shock. And Virginia's face lost all its color. "But I'm Marrying Virginia" He insisted. Riding hood began to speak but Virginia finally found her voice. "No wonder.." She said more to herself then to anyone else. They all looked at her. "That's why you wanted to get married so quickly back in New York isn't it?" She questioned her voice deathly calm.
Wolf didn't know what to say. He shook his head bemusedly as if to clear the fog. "No.. Of course not." He began but Virginia would have none of it. "Oh yes it all makes perfect sense to me now!" She cried turning herself around and walking back a few paces. "What shall we do today.go to the park, out to eat. Get married?" She said mimicking Wolf's voice. He shrank back as if bitten, as he always did when Virginia was angry with him. "No" He said firmly. "I didn't know about this Virginia. Huff Puff, if I did do you think I would have come back to the Kingdoms at all? YOU are my soul mate," he said taking her hands in his. "The one I want to spend forever with. You are my mate, and as I told you once, Wolf's Mate for life." He smiled down at her and for a moment she softened. "Wolf."
"You mean to say you don't remember me Wolf?" A silky voice asked from behind him. Wolf turned and came face to face with an extremely beautiful woman. She was tall and willowy, with skin as pale and smooth as that of a new born babe. Her inky black hair fell almost to her knees in a mass of onyx waves. Her eyes were large and gray, like the color of an early morning fog. Her rose red lips curved into a sensuous smile and showed off her perfectly pearly white teeth. Although wolf would never allow himself to even contemplate any woman being as beautiful as his Virginia, he had to admit she was a close second.. A REALLY close second. He peered into her eyes.. There was something warm and familiar about them and suddenly his lips began to tingle. "Genieve?" He asked slowly and her smile widened. "You DO remember me!" She laughed softly and hugged him. Wolf smelled her apple scent and was strangely aroused. He took in a deep breath. "I haven't seen you since we were children," She said walking around him in a circle, her forefinger tracing a line from one arm, over the shoulders and back to the other. "Mmm Mmm.. My goodness you have changed since then." "So have you" Wolf said, his eyes still wide.
Virginia watched this exchange her face beginning to redden. This woman was obviously Wolf's "intended" She was so beautiful and poised, so elegantly dressed. Virginia stared down at her dirty clothes and slightly rounded stomach feeling fat, ugly, and out of her league. "Well you two seem to know each other well" She spat and Wolf jumped back to attention as if he'd been burned. He looked at her guiltily. "Genevieve and I were good friends growing up." Virginia looked Genieve up and down. "Apparently very good friends. How could you not tell me about this?" She said, her voice rising ever so slightly. "What am I, some kind of whore to you? Whom you can impregnate and toss aside?" "Impregnate?" Tony echoed. His dark eyes flashing. "What have you been doing with my daughter?" He started to come forward but Wendell put a hand on his chest. "You may have your battle later Tony, let this one be fought first" he warned and Tony backed off, his rage showing plainly on his face.
"You're a what? Oh Virginia, My creamy dream.. My delectable soul mate, of course not! YOU are my intended." He stated fiercely. "I INTEND to marry you." Riding Hood spoke up this time. "Hush your mouth Wolf, you'll do no such thing. You know the rules of the 2nd Kingdom. To refuse your betrothal is to refuse your birthright. And therefore you shall be banished. Is that what you want? To never be allowed back into the 2nd Kingdom?" She asked Harshly.
Wolf didn't know what do, so he did what he knew best, he began to whimper and scratch his ear. He couldn't bear to loose Virginia, but he didn't want to be banished from his homeland either. Virginia saw his hesitation as a sight of his knowledge of the betrothal. "Oh I see how it is. You think you can just use me do you? God how could I have been so stupid, I thought you actually loved me!" Tears began streaming down her face. Wolf went to wipe them but she smacked his hand away. "How could you do this to me?" She screamed angrily. "Oh I hate you wolf. I hate you!" With that she turned and fled in the direction of her room. After a stunned silence Tony took off in pursuit and Wendell Ridding Hood Genieve and Wolf were left in the great hall.
Wolf looked pleadingly at Wendell. "Help me your Majesty." He growled softly. "I can't loose my Virginia. Wendell smiled sadly. "I wish I could my friend, but I have no jurisdiction when it comes to Traditions. This is a custom that has been preserved in your Kingdom for generations, and I can't interfere with that. Wolf hung his head. "Thank you Your highness" Riding Hood said smoothly, taking Genevieve by the arm. "Now we ladies must be off to get ready for dinner." The two were calmly escorted out of the room leaving a struck Wolf and a silent Wendell in their wake.
Virginia did not make an appearance at Dinner, and it was a grim affair. Genieve lighted the table with tails of their youth, the pranks they used to play and of Wolf's upbringing. Riding hood and some of the others laughed at the tails, Wendell allowed himself a few smiles, but Tony sat stone faced and Wolf.. Well Wolf just looked lost. He made no objection when Genieve took his hand in hers and rubbed it gently, but he also made no attempt to kiss her creamy cheek. He just sat their, no expression on his face, giving only the vaguest of answers to questions. Wendell furrowed his brow with worry.
The moment Dinner was over Wolf raced up to Virginia's room. "Virginia?" "Virginia!" He cried pounding on the door. "Go away!" Came her muffled reply and Wolf leaned against the door. "I'm not leaving until you open this door!" He growled out. "We have to talk!" "I have nothing to say to you." Wolf made a low grumbling noise low in his throat and pounded his fist against the door. "Virginia Please! Open the door.. I'll.. I'll.. Oh I don't know what I'll do. I didn't know about this I swear it! Huff Puff Virginia how could you even think I would do something like this to you Cripes!" Wolf slid down into a sitting position on the floor. "Virginia open the door." His voice was tired, ragged and he sighed. "Let's leave, go back to New York and get married. I don't care if I ever come back to the 2nd kingdom; it doesn't matter as long as I'm with you. YOU are my home." Wolf waited for Virginia to say something, anything, but she remained silent. Wolf finally stood. He rested his head against the door. "I love you" He whispered brokenly before slowly making his way down the hall.
Virginia waited until his footsteps faded away before allowing herself the luxury of tears. She rested her own forehead against her side of the door and large tears rolled down her pale face. She had never felt so lost in her life. Wolf had been the only person who had ever made her feel special, ever made her feel safe. And now she felt he was lost to her. How could he possibly expect her to believe that he had not known about this betrothal? How could anyone not know when they have a pre-arranged Marriage? Virginia made her way to her bed and sat down. She had always been a bit self-contious of her looks, but nothing compared to this. Genieve was breathtakingly lovely, and she had seen the fire that leapt behind Wolf's dark eyes. She looked at herself in the mirror. She didn't look too bad. Her wide blue eyes were deep and clear and her soft brown hair nearly touched her shoulder. She didn't look bad; Virginia could just barely make out the slight formation of her stomach beneath her clothing. So why did she feel so ugly? Wolf would most certainly have himself a lovely bride. Virginia began to angrily wipe away her tears when her ring began to hum. "Wipe away your tears, 'tis what you must do, the wolf he only wants to be with you." It sang airily. Virginia glared. "Oh shut up you." She said taking off the ring and setting it down on the intable with a loud "thud" this is the last thing I need to hear. She mumbled. Virginia opened her curtain and looked up at the moon and sighed, she knew what she had to do.
Wolf was up with the sun and at Virginia's door. "Virginia?" He asked tentatively, hopping that a good nights sleep had brought her to her senses. "Virginia?" He called again. Something was wrong. Wolf took in a weary breath. And then she stopped, and sniffed again. "Virginia!" He cried. Her scent lingered.. But it was NOT active; she wasn't in the room. Wolf began sniffing madly tracking what was left of her scent. "Virginia!" He called. He sniffed up and down the hall. "Virginia!!!" He cried running in out and around the castle. He followed her trail and was led to the Magic Mirror. Suddenly everything became clear. Virginia was gone. "Oh Cripes" He whispered. He leaned over and turned the handle on the mirror. In a blinding flash he could see Central Park. "I'm coming Virginia" He muttered and leaned forward to step through the mirror when an arm pulled him back. "Stop right there my friend"
Wolf turned around to find a saddened Wendell standing there. "What are you doing, let me go!" He cried, his dark inflamed. His face was twisted in anguish and he looked positively wolfish. Wendell strengthened his grasp on Wolf and pulled him farther from the Mirror. His attendants came behind and turned it off. "What are you doing?" Wolf asked his voice cracking with rage. Wendell took in a deep breath. "Virginia asked that I detain you. She doesn't want you following her through the mirror."
Wolf stared at his friend in wonder. "I.I don't believe you." He said hoarsely. Wendell handed him an envelope. "She left this for you." Wolf turned it over in his hands and sniffed it. Her scent lingered their.. Like a distant memory he could never forget. He opened it and withdrew the singing ring. No good-bye note, no nothing, just the ring. He looked into the pearls sweet face and saw tears lingering there. It began humming. "Her heart's grown cold; you were wrong. There's nothing you can do; for she is gone." It sang sadly.
"Wolf..I'm so sorry. I would give anything to fix this for you." Wendell started, but wolf was gone. Off and running. He ran and ran, out of the Castle and yards and into the swamp. He ran until his legs gave out on him and he sank to his knees. "Virginia!!!!" He cried. He threw back his head and let out a howl so long, so sad and heartbreaking that the swamp went silent. Many a patron throughout the nine kingdoms heard the sound, and many shed a tear, for none had heard a sound so heartbreaking. A last hurrah to a love unquestioned, and the beginning of a humble acceptance.
End Of Part 2
Part two
"What?" Virginia was the first to ask. "What?" Wolf echoed confused. "I'm.?" "Betrothed Wolfie Dear. Intended." Wolf looked at Virginia's horrified face. He didn't know what was going on, only that it was BAD. "Intended for what?" He asked, his brows arched up in question. Riding hood laughed. "For Marriage." Wolf reeled back in shock. And Virginia's face lost all its color. "But I'm Marrying Virginia" He insisted. Riding hood began to speak but Virginia finally found her voice. "No wonder.." She said more to herself then to anyone else. They all looked at her. "That's why you wanted to get married so quickly back in New York isn't it?" She questioned her voice deathly calm.
Wolf didn't know what to say. He shook his head bemusedly as if to clear the fog. "No.. Of course not." He began but Virginia would have none of it. "Oh yes it all makes perfect sense to me now!" She cried turning herself around and walking back a few paces. "What shall we do today.go to the park, out to eat. Get married?" She said mimicking Wolf's voice. He shrank back as if bitten, as he always did when Virginia was angry with him. "No" He said firmly. "I didn't know about this Virginia. Huff Puff, if I did do you think I would have come back to the Kingdoms at all? YOU are my soul mate," he said taking her hands in his. "The one I want to spend forever with. You are my mate, and as I told you once, Wolf's Mate for life." He smiled down at her and for a moment she softened. "Wolf."
"You mean to say you don't remember me Wolf?" A silky voice asked from behind him. Wolf turned and came face to face with an extremely beautiful woman. She was tall and willowy, with skin as pale and smooth as that of a new born babe. Her inky black hair fell almost to her knees in a mass of onyx waves. Her eyes were large and gray, like the color of an early morning fog. Her rose red lips curved into a sensuous smile and showed off her perfectly pearly white teeth. Although wolf would never allow himself to even contemplate any woman being as beautiful as his Virginia, he had to admit she was a close second.. A REALLY close second. He peered into her eyes.. There was something warm and familiar about them and suddenly his lips began to tingle. "Genieve?" He asked slowly and her smile widened. "You DO remember me!" She laughed softly and hugged him. Wolf smelled her apple scent and was strangely aroused. He took in a deep breath. "I haven't seen you since we were children," She said walking around him in a circle, her forefinger tracing a line from one arm, over the shoulders and back to the other. "Mmm Mmm.. My goodness you have changed since then." "So have you" Wolf said, his eyes still wide.
Virginia watched this exchange her face beginning to redden. This woman was obviously Wolf's "intended" She was so beautiful and poised, so elegantly dressed. Virginia stared down at her dirty clothes and slightly rounded stomach feeling fat, ugly, and out of her league. "Well you two seem to know each other well" She spat and Wolf jumped back to attention as if he'd been burned. He looked at her guiltily. "Genevieve and I were good friends growing up." Virginia looked Genieve up and down. "Apparently very good friends. How could you not tell me about this?" She said, her voice rising ever so slightly. "What am I, some kind of whore to you? Whom you can impregnate and toss aside?" "Impregnate?" Tony echoed. His dark eyes flashing. "What have you been doing with my daughter?" He started to come forward but Wendell put a hand on his chest. "You may have your battle later Tony, let this one be fought first" he warned and Tony backed off, his rage showing plainly on his face.
"You're a what? Oh Virginia, My creamy dream.. My delectable soul mate, of course not! YOU are my intended." He stated fiercely. "I INTEND to marry you." Riding Hood spoke up this time. "Hush your mouth Wolf, you'll do no such thing. You know the rules of the 2nd Kingdom. To refuse your betrothal is to refuse your birthright. And therefore you shall be banished. Is that what you want? To never be allowed back into the 2nd Kingdom?" She asked Harshly.
Wolf didn't know what do, so he did what he knew best, he began to whimper and scratch his ear. He couldn't bear to loose Virginia, but he didn't want to be banished from his homeland either. Virginia saw his hesitation as a sight of his knowledge of the betrothal. "Oh I see how it is. You think you can just use me do you? God how could I have been so stupid, I thought you actually loved me!" Tears began streaming down her face. Wolf went to wipe them but she smacked his hand away. "How could you do this to me?" She screamed angrily. "Oh I hate you wolf. I hate you!" With that she turned and fled in the direction of her room. After a stunned silence Tony took off in pursuit and Wendell Ridding Hood Genieve and Wolf were left in the great hall.
Wolf looked pleadingly at Wendell. "Help me your Majesty." He growled softly. "I can't loose my Virginia. Wendell smiled sadly. "I wish I could my friend, but I have no jurisdiction when it comes to Traditions. This is a custom that has been preserved in your Kingdom for generations, and I can't interfere with that. Wolf hung his head. "Thank you Your highness" Riding Hood said smoothly, taking Genevieve by the arm. "Now we ladies must be off to get ready for dinner." The two were calmly escorted out of the room leaving a struck Wolf and a silent Wendell in their wake.
Virginia did not make an appearance at Dinner, and it was a grim affair. Genieve lighted the table with tails of their youth, the pranks they used to play and of Wolf's upbringing. Riding hood and some of the others laughed at the tails, Wendell allowed himself a few smiles, but Tony sat stone faced and Wolf.. Well Wolf just looked lost. He made no objection when Genieve took his hand in hers and rubbed it gently, but he also made no attempt to kiss her creamy cheek. He just sat their, no expression on his face, giving only the vaguest of answers to questions. Wendell furrowed his brow with worry.
The moment Dinner was over Wolf raced up to Virginia's room. "Virginia?" "Virginia!" He cried pounding on the door. "Go away!" Came her muffled reply and Wolf leaned against the door. "I'm not leaving until you open this door!" He growled out. "We have to talk!" "I have nothing to say to you." Wolf made a low grumbling noise low in his throat and pounded his fist against the door. "Virginia Please! Open the door.. I'll.. I'll.. Oh I don't know what I'll do. I didn't know about this I swear it! Huff Puff Virginia how could you even think I would do something like this to you Cripes!" Wolf slid down into a sitting position on the floor. "Virginia open the door." His voice was tired, ragged and he sighed. "Let's leave, go back to New York and get married. I don't care if I ever come back to the 2nd kingdom; it doesn't matter as long as I'm with you. YOU are my home." Wolf waited for Virginia to say something, anything, but she remained silent. Wolf finally stood. He rested his head against the door. "I love you" He whispered brokenly before slowly making his way down the hall.
Virginia waited until his footsteps faded away before allowing herself the luxury of tears. She rested her own forehead against her side of the door and large tears rolled down her pale face. She had never felt so lost in her life. Wolf had been the only person who had ever made her feel special, ever made her feel safe. And now she felt he was lost to her. How could he possibly expect her to believe that he had not known about this betrothal? How could anyone not know when they have a pre-arranged Marriage? Virginia made her way to her bed and sat down. She had always been a bit self-contious of her looks, but nothing compared to this. Genieve was breathtakingly lovely, and she had seen the fire that leapt behind Wolf's dark eyes. She looked at herself in the mirror. She didn't look too bad. Her wide blue eyes were deep and clear and her soft brown hair nearly touched her shoulder. She didn't look bad; Virginia could just barely make out the slight formation of her stomach beneath her clothing. So why did she feel so ugly? Wolf would most certainly have himself a lovely bride. Virginia began to angrily wipe away her tears when her ring began to hum. "Wipe away your tears, 'tis what you must do, the wolf he only wants to be with you." It sang airily. Virginia glared. "Oh shut up you." She said taking off the ring and setting it down on the intable with a loud "thud" this is the last thing I need to hear. She mumbled. Virginia opened her curtain and looked up at the moon and sighed, she knew what she had to do.
Wolf was up with the sun and at Virginia's door. "Virginia?" He asked tentatively, hopping that a good nights sleep had brought her to her senses. "Virginia?" He called again. Something was wrong. Wolf took in a weary breath. And then she stopped, and sniffed again. "Virginia!" He cried. Her scent lingered.. But it was NOT active; she wasn't in the room. Wolf began sniffing madly tracking what was left of her scent. "Virginia!" He called. He sniffed up and down the hall. "Virginia!!!" He cried running in out and around the castle. He followed her trail and was led to the Magic Mirror. Suddenly everything became clear. Virginia was gone. "Oh Cripes" He whispered. He leaned over and turned the handle on the mirror. In a blinding flash he could see Central Park. "I'm coming Virginia" He muttered and leaned forward to step through the mirror when an arm pulled him back. "Stop right there my friend"
Wolf turned around to find a saddened Wendell standing there. "What are you doing, let me go!" He cried, his dark inflamed. His face was twisted in anguish and he looked positively wolfish. Wendell strengthened his grasp on Wolf and pulled him farther from the Mirror. His attendants came behind and turned it off. "What are you doing?" Wolf asked his voice cracking with rage. Wendell took in a deep breath. "Virginia asked that I detain you. She doesn't want you following her through the mirror."
Wolf stared at his friend in wonder. "I.I don't believe you." He said hoarsely. Wendell handed him an envelope. "She left this for you." Wolf turned it over in his hands and sniffed it. Her scent lingered their.. Like a distant memory he could never forget. He opened it and withdrew the singing ring. No good-bye note, no nothing, just the ring. He looked into the pearls sweet face and saw tears lingering there. It began humming. "Her heart's grown cold; you were wrong. There's nothing you can do; for she is gone." It sang sadly.
"Wolf..I'm so sorry. I would give anything to fix this for you." Wendell started, but wolf was gone. Off and running. He ran and ran, out of the Castle and yards and into the swamp. He ran until his legs gave out on him and he sank to his knees. "Virginia!!!!" He cried. He threw back his head and let out a howl so long, so sad and heartbreaking that the swamp went silent. Many a patron throughout the nine kingdoms heard the sound, and many shed a tear, for none had heard a sound so heartbreaking. A last hurrah to a love unquestioned, and the beginning of a humble acceptance.
End Of Part 2