The dark veil smothering Luna's senses was slowly lifting. The light was
thankfully dim, and from the sounds and scents she could tell that it was
raining lightly, and that she was somewhere sheltered. The world smelled
fresh and new. The pain in the back of her head was intense and throbbed
incessantly, yet a tender hand stroked her brow, making the ache subside.
So that was it - the villagers hadn't captured her after all - it had all
been a vivid nightmare. She was surely back in the home she had always
known and her mother was comforting her out of the terrors of the delirium
of her accident that had happened while hunting. She grunted contentedly;
'Mama,' and rolled more onto her side in her accustomed sleeping position.
She stretched her bruised body complacently as the caress moved to her ear
root, a sensitive and pleasurable spot. A tickle on the tip of her ear gave
the irresistible desire to itch. It was now that she realised something was
horribly wrong. Every time she moved a paw the opposite one jerked like a
puppet on a string, following every unknowing command with a lifeless
motion. Opening her heavy eyes, Luna gaped at her strangely-behaving paws.
She yelped and jumped with fright, falling off the carriage seat onto her
swollen side.
Snow White had been keeping a personal eye on Luna ever since they had left the Red Bear. It pained her to see the prostrate form being loaded onto the carriage like a piece of luggage. She had insisted on keeping the wolf with her, despite the risks it posed to her personal safety. On this part journey it had been the first time she had been able to examine Luna properly - every scar, every blemish, every silver hair amongst the black, the fangs that were so capable of dealing death with every snap of the powerful jaws - and she had found so many human attributes that she had never noticed before. It gave her a rare thrill to feel this dangerous wild creature relax under her hand as she began to come round, yet with it came a deep feeling of guilt. Luna's sleeping face looked so much like Jasmine's when she was young. Once she could have even sworn she said, "Mama." The reaction of Luna as she awoke startled Snow White as much as it did the wolf.
The dread and unfamiliarity in Luna's eyes, like a child awaking from a graphic nightmare, brought the motherly nature of the Queen to the surface, 'Ssh, Luna, it's all right. The danger's over, you're safe now.
Luna's terror transformed into a mixture of denial and dejection. Tears sprang to her bloodshot eyes and her head shook from side to side as she pressed as she pressed herself against the farthest side of the claustrophobic coach. The nightmare had come true, 'No, no, it can't have happened. No, it can't.' The change was severely distressing.
Snow White held out her hand, 'Come on, Luna. Sit down.' But Luna had reverted to the mad, terrified animal she had found in a circus beast- wagon. Backing off as far as she possibly could, she grimaced as if expecting punishment. Just as she was about to reason with the wolf, disaster struck. The carriage wheels hit a fallen branch, jolting the passengers sharply. Luna was thrown off-balance and tumbled backwards against the door. The handle clicked open against the weight of the falling wolf, sending Luna plunging out of the door with a wail. She had disappeared into a field of yellow rape with the force of the fall before the carriage had a chance to stop.
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It was midnight before Luna was found. A mist had fallen on the land, plastering Luna's hair flat against her skin. Her leather leash had caught on an old tree root, but she had made no attempt to untangle it. She had been standing in the same spot for hours, staring vaguely at the hazy stars, her face filthy and streaked with tears.
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Her jarring descent from the raised road continued unchecked as she cut a pathway through the golden flowers. Bruises had been made on top of bruises when the madcap roll finally slowed and halted.
'Quick, find it before it goes too far.'
Still dazed and dizzy from the fall, Luna stumbled off into the golden swathes of rape, leaving a less obvious trail in her wake. She didn't stop until the sobs had made it impossible for her to breathe. Her whole head was a swirling mass of confusion. Nothing seemed right at all. Suddenly overcome with light-headedness, she dropped to her knees and vomited into a small rut.
'Have you been hurt, my dear?' The voice was polite and formal. Luna's head twisted from side to side, trying to locate the speaker, yet her eyes seemed to travel slower than the rest of her senses and her vision was blurred and bleary. Finally she closed them to ward off the giddiness that engulfed her.
'Who said that?'
'I'm down here, missy.' At her feet was a small dark-coloured mouse. His eyes were white and sightless and he had no tail. 'Are you hurt?'
'I don't know. I'm all confused, I.'
'Say no more. I can scent it on the air. It's your head, isn't it? Don't worry, my dear, a bit of rest and you'll be right as this fresh spring rain.'
'But what's wrong with me?'
'It's called concussion, my dear. Just a little side effect of that nasty bump on your head.'
Luna's eyes had finally caught up with her head and she trusted herself to open them. She examined the mouse more closely; his fur was a deep grey- blue, flecked with white on his flanks, and an ivory belly. Hid formal manner was surprising for a rodent and he was unusually intelligent.
'This sickness, is that part of it too?'
'Yes, it'll pass.'
'Who are you?'
'Ah, so sorry, terribly rude of me. I'm Souris, last of the Blind Mice Brothers. You're half-human, and female, that much I can tell.'
'It seems odd to be called half-human instead of half-wolf.'
'But which side do you favour, friend?'
It was a question Luna had never been asked, but the answer was nonetheless forthcoming, 'I don't know, wolf I guess.'
'Why?' Souris' blind eyes stared at her ardently.
'I suppose because I am accepted by other wolves as what I am, where as the human side wants something more, and can never be welcomed by other full-bloods because of the wolf.'
'So you still think of yourself as a wolf, despite your mixed heritage.'
'How do you know?'
'Let's just say when a creature is blind, he cannot make a visual first- impression. I may not be able to read script, but I can read other creatures like a book. That's why I'm glad you favour your lupine half. Humans can be more, how shall I put it, unpredictable. A wolf has courage and honesty, where as a human can feed you a slice of the finest cheese one minute and chop your tail off the next!' Souris fell to grooming himself.
Luna picked up more than a hint of irony in this speech, but eventually remembered her manners, 'I'm the one being rude now. My name's Luna, daughter of Ara and Polaris. Oh dear!' She gasped and vomited again into the rut.
'Rest here, my dear. You'll be quite safe. I must be on my way now. Look after your little ones, teach them what you told me and don't go getting into too many scrapes, eh?'
With a cheery wink of one of his purblind eyes Souris scampered off into the golden field, his sensitive whiskers guiding him faultlessly through the swaying stalks. Luna stared after him, speechless at the startling revelation he had given her. One by one the stars lit up the sky like tiny candles. The wolf looked up at them gratefully, savouring the serene feeling of happiness and maternal pride as she felt her belly with wonder at the tiny lives already growing there. She could almost see her Tamm playing with them in the golden field. Her eyes glowed with new vigour and, more importantly, hope as she wept tears of joy. When she was finally found she made no protest as she was led back to the carriage.
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Spring was well advanced when the entourage returned to the castle. Luna had seen with new eyes the blossoms and burgeoning beauty of the season, which was in full swing as much inside her body as outside of it. She could feel them kicking and stirring now, one especially during the full moon. That one was going to be trouble, no doubt.
The new collar around her neck seemed of little hindrance when the chain was loosed from the carriage in the castle grounds. Snow White smiled benignly as the wolf sped away with all the loose-limbed grace of wolf and youth combined, cherry blossom falling around her like snow in May. Her daughter and grandson had come out to greet her, the young boy latching onto her flowing skirt. Snow White scooped him into her arms. 'And how are you, young man? My, you've got big since I've been away.'
'I'm fine, Gran'ma. Is Luna back?'
'Yes, I think she's gone to say hello to Arc. Do you want to see what I brought back for you?'
The juvenile Prince Wendell jumped about with delight as Snow White presented him with a beautifully carved wooden horse, with a complete leather bridle and saddle. He ran off to flourish his new toy. 'You didn't have to, he's got enough toys.' Jasmine chided her mother gently.
'I saw it and couldn't resist. He's my only grandson after all.'
'I know. I would've done the same thing myself. Did you enjoy your trip?'
'It's been nice, although I'm beginning to feel my age.'
'Well, you're not a young woman any more. And, the wolf?'
'Found a new peace. It's been a good experience for both of us.'
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The sun was high and warm, resplendent weather for mid-May being almost as hot as July. Light shimmered invitingly off the surface of an ornamental lake in the castle grounds, the only ripples breaking the glassy stillness were those emanating from the back of the swimming wolf. Unable to withstand the appeal of the temperate water, she slid noiselessly into it, relishing the coolness of it, unaware of the unblinking eyes watching her from the weed-meshed depths.
Propelled by its thick tail, the creature accelerated towards the dappled sunlight, breaking the surface in a cascade of shining droplets and breaking clear of the lake. Luna shrieked as the reptilian form crashed down beside her. She lashed out at the grinning, horn-surmounted head bobbing like an iceberg in the calm water, 'What did you do that for?'
Both wolf and dragon burst into gales of laughter, splashing water at each other like children before settling down into a comfortable swimming pace. Luna used all four limbs whilst Arc tucked his legs into his body and swam like a crocodile, the thin sheet of ice that formed around him cracking as he powered along.
'You enjoyed your journey, then?'
'I ran off some of my pain.'
'And you made a pleasant discovery.'
'How do you know?'
'Oh, come off it, Luna. I knew you were pregnant as soon as I saw you grinning like a daft duck at the edge of the lake.' The dragon's voice was devoid of any scrap of jubilation or joy.
'What's wrong, Arc, you're worried?'
'This has made you so happy, but I don't know if you realise what this means, what could happen.'
'Like?'
'The might take your cubs away, Luna.' His eyes were sorrowful, he had seen it all before.
'Why?'
'Because they're not in their plan. Wolf cubs are of no consequence to them.'
Luna's face set like granite, 'I won't let that happen. You know I won't.'
'Damn it, Luna. When will you wake up and grasp the fact that you're not in control here. They can do what they want, with both you and your little ones. While we remain wolves and dragons we will always lose. Too many have died, and died horribly, in the attempt to rectify the situation. This is the world into which your cubs will be born.'
'Not if I can help it.' She backed water and swam in the opposite direction so the dragon would not see the salty tears that spilled into the lake.
'Luna, there's a banquet tonight. Don't do anything you might regret,' Arc yelled after her before submerging to let the waters wash away the uncomfortable anxiety in the pit of his stomach.
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Night fell quickly and without warning. From a hidden vantage point Luna had watched the steady stream of guests arrive in their grand carriages drawn by teams of sleek, arrogant horses - Lords, Ladies, Dukes, Duchess, Viscounts and visiting Royalty.
The food being prepared made her salivate, even at a distance the odours finding their way to her sensitive nose - spiced chicken, fresh fish and lamb - oh the lamb! Gently spit roasted over a fire, taking in every juice and flavour. Luna closed her eyes in rapture, fighting the gobbets of spittle that threatened to roll down her chin. Having already been chased away twice from the kitchens, it was pointless trying to gain entry a third time - for now anyway.
In her short period of freedom around the castle ground, Luna had discovered many hidden nooks and crannies. Suddenly bored of watching the arrival of the visiting aristocracy, Luna shook free of the fallen blossoms and left to take another scout round the kitchens, just to see if anyone had been careless enough to leave any food about.
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A series of yelps and a rapid scuffling of paws brought the awareness of Luna's futile third attempt to gain unlawful access to the castle kitchens to Snow White. It was an hour before the due start of the banquet and the guests were already dancing in the Ballroom. Upon noticing that her mother was missing, Princess Jasmine excused herself and slipped away to find her. When she entered Snow White's chambers, she saw the missing Queen staring wistfully over the balcony.
The revelations of that fateful March morning in the carriage had haunted Snow White. Perhaps after all her judgement had been as clouded as Becks'. She had only seen the wolf and not the woman.
'Mother?'
She had been so deep in thought that she had not even noticed her daughter's entrance. Smiling, she took Jasmine's hands and led her over to the balcony rail.
'What do you see down there?'
Luna was now in full view, a torrent of ribald curses emanating effortlessly from her lips aimed at the vigilant catering staff who threw small, hard, round potatoes at her retreating tail at every opportunity.
Jasmine looked disdainfully down her nose on the cussing animal, 'A wolf without a curb on her foul tongue.'
Snow White shook her head reproachfully, 'Look again. At first I saw her as you did when you first saw her, as a beautiful little creature I wanted to own. Since spending time with her alone I discovered something, something I think few ever dare to see. Look at her face, no not her eyes, her face. Is that the face of a vicious beast, a wolf? No. That is the face of a troubled young woman, plagued by fate and despised by all. Alas, I begin to think of that young woman as a daughter, almost as much as I do you.'
Daughter hugged Mother tightly. 'Let's see if she is worthy of such an honour, for I'm not sure that I am. We always have too much, anyway. I'm sure one more place at the table won't make much difference. What do you reckon, is she about my size?'
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Luna was shocked when a door opened next to her and she was beckoned inside by the bejewelled hand of the Princess Regent Jasmine.
'Come on. We've got a surprise for you.'
'As long as it's not my head on a wall I don't mind.'
Filled with suspicion, Luna followed her up to the Queen's chambers. Upon entering, she saw Snow White standing beside a long red velvet dress with a conspiratorial smile hovering about her lips.
'What's all this about?'
'Cinderella, you're going to the Ball!'
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The trio arose gasps from their guests. Two were clad in the traditional white of their House, but the third was dressed in a simple carmine velvet evening dress with a plain diamond necklace and long, black hair streaked with silver flowing in a shimmering river down her back. Her face was paled and creased with nerves.
Luna hadn't seen so many people since the circus and it made her distinctly apprehensive. Summoning up all her courage, she sat in her place between the young Prince Wendell and one of the Lords of the Fourth Kingdom. Few men could keep their eyes off her, and if it weren't for the oddly pricked ears on the top of her head they would've been fighting each other to speak to her. Almost directly opposite was a woman with a sharp, spiteful face and arrayed entirely in a scarlet cape and hood, fiery curls dropping from either side of the cowl. Luna didn't need any introduction to know one of her most powerful adversaries, Queen Riding Hood II.
To try and take her mind off the woman's loathsome sneer at her twitching silver-edged ears, Luna looked down at her dining cutlery and blanched at the sight. Knives, forks and spoons seemed to extend for miles down the table. There were at least four different types of glass and countless plates and bowls. This was as far removed as you could get from the customary hand and fang method of dining common to wolves.
A small hand patted her knee gently, 'Don't worry, Luna, I'll help you.' She looked into the sincere brown eyes of Wendell.
'Thank you, Prince. I'll fell much better knowing you're here if I should need you.'
The meal passed uneventfully, Luna sating her enormous appetite on lamb and new delicacies she had never even heard of and would certainly not have been able to afford in her previous lowly existence. She occasionally grinned wolfishly at member of the staff who had thrown potatoes at her earlier in the evening. The young Prince was always ready to point out if she used the wrong fork or glass.
It was in the latter stages of the evening, after all the toasts and speeches had been made and everyone was settling into pleasant conversation, that everything fell apart. Queen Riding Hood had been waiting all night for an excuse and she leaned over to Snow White, 'Tell me, your Majesty, who is your unusual guest?'
'That is Luna; a very good friend of mine.'
'A dragon Captain of the Guard and now a wolf confidante, you do have a court full of beasts. What next, a troll maid or perhaps a griffon butler?' A hearty roar issued from the guest, but it did not extend beyond Queen Riding Hood's lips - her eyes remained as cold as ever.
'If they proved worthy of service I would not refuse either of them a position in my staff.'
'And you, my dear,' her contempt-ridden gaze turned to Luna, 'How did you fall into such illustrious company?'
Luna returned the stare while racking her brains, trying to remember where she had smelled the disturbingly familiar scent of the Queen before, 'Queen Snow White was very gracious and saved me from the wrath of some Kingdomfolk, may the fates preserve her good judgement, your Majesty.'
Unwittingly Luna had provided the weapon that Vermeil Riding Hood had been searching for. Finally her eyes smiled along with her mouth, 'Really. That is most unusual. The good people of the Kingdoms rarely vent their anger without just cause.'
'Yeah, well, this is one of those times.'
'Are you sure? In my experience wolves are seldom proved innocent.'
Riled by the insult, Luna glared at the Queen, 'And in my experience humans are extremely prejudiced and any crime will be put down to wolves.'
'You were accused of one, then?'
'I didn't say that.'
'You see, wolves haven't gained their reputation for nothing. My own mother, Queen Riding Hood I, was threatened twice by the same vile wolf. I believe she met that flagitious creature a third time and he took her life,' her eyes blazed hatred and her cheeks flushed.
The absolute conviction and righteousness in her voice and face made it click. Everything started to fall into place and Luna almost laughed, 'What makes you say that, dear sister in blood.'
'The last day she was seen alive was when she went out hunting. She was never seen again, but her horse was - it had been torn apart by the fangs of wolves. And it's your Majesty to you!'
'Perhaps she did meet that old wolf again, but made her peace with him and left to live a quiet life elsewhere away from the shame and guilt of what she had done to wolfkind, your Majesty.'
'Absurd!'
'No more so than your suggestion.'
'My mother would not have demeaned herself by speaking to such a despicable creature as that wolf who ought to have been drowned at birth!'
Luna's ears laid flat against her head and lips slowly drew back off her teeth, 'If that benevolent old wolf had been I would not have been alive today!'
'Much to the good, I say. The less wolves in this world the better, especially of such an odious bloodline.'
The wolf stood, banging her fist against the table and knocking over several glasses of wine before pointing straight at the spiteful woman, 'I don't have to take this abuse, not from you, or anyone, no matter who they are!' Luna did a sharp pirouette and stormed form the dining hall, her tail peeking from underneath the velvet dress.
Snow White sighed, perhaps it hadn't been such a good idea. A scraping and clatter of a chair followed by a quick pattering of shoes on the marble floor signalled another guest's departure. Looking up she saw two empty chairs side-by-side.
Wendell had gone to follow the wolf.
Snow White had been keeping a personal eye on Luna ever since they had left the Red Bear. It pained her to see the prostrate form being loaded onto the carriage like a piece of luggage. She had insisted on keeping the wolf with her, despite the risks it posed to her personal safety. On this part journey it had been the first time she had been able to examine Luna properly - every scar, every blemish, every silver hair amongst the black, the fangs that were so capable of dealing death with every snap of the powerful jaws - and she had found so many human attributes that she had never noticed before. It gave her a rare thrill to feel this dangerous wild creature relax under her hand as she began to come round, yet with it came a deep feeling of guilt. Luna's sleeping face looked so much like Jasmine's when she was young. Once she could have even sworn she said, "Mama." The reaction of Luna as she awoke startled Snow White as much as it did the wolf.
The dread and unfamiliarity in Luna's eyes, like a child awaking from a graphic nightmare, brought the motherly nature of the Queen to the surface, 'Ssh, Luna, it's all right. The danger's over, you're safe now.
Luna's terror transformed into a mixture of denial and dejection. Tears sprang to her bloodshot eyes and her head shook from side to side as she pressed as she pressed herself against the farthest side of the claustrophobic coach. The nightmare had come true, 'No, no, it can't have happened. No, it can't.' The change was severely distressing.
Snow White held out her hand, 'Come on, Luna. Sit down.' But Luna had reverted to the mad, terrified animal she had found in a circus beast- wagon. Backing off as far as she possibly could, she grimaced as if expecting punishment. Just as she was about to reason with the wolf, disaster struck. The carriage wheels hit a fallen branch, jolting the passengers sharply. Luna was thrown off-balance and tumbled backwards against the door. The handle clicked open against the weight of the falling wolf, sending Luna plunging out of the door with a wail. She had disappeared into a field of yellow rape with the force of the fall before the carriage had a chance to stop.
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It was midnight before Luna was found. A mist had fallen on the land, plastering Luna's hair flat against her skin. Her leather leash had caught on an old tree root, but she had made no attempt to untangle it. She had been standing in the same spot for hours, staring vaguely at the hazy stars, her face filthy and streaked with tears.
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Her jarring descent from the raised road continued unchecked as she cut a pathway through the golden flowers. Bruises had been made on top of bruises when the madcap roll finally slowed and halted.
'Quick, find it before it goes too far.'
Still dazed and dizzy from the fall, Luna stumbled off into the golden swathes of rape, leaving a less obvious trail in her wake. She didn't stop until the sobs had made it impossible for her to breathe. Her whole head was a swirling mass of confusion. Nothing seemed right at all. Suddenly overcome with light-headedness, she dropped to her knees and vomited into a small rut.
'Have you been hurt, my dear?' The voice was polite and formal. Luna's head twisted from side to side, trying to locate the speaker, yet her eyes seemed to travel slower than the rest of her senses and her vision was blurred and bleary. Finally she closed them to ward off the giddiness that engulfed her.
'Who said that?'
'I'm down here, missy.' At her feet was a small dark-coloured mouse. His eyes were white and sightless and he had no tail. 'Are you hurt?'
'I don't know. I'm all confused, I.'
'Say no more. I can scent it on the air. It's your head, isn't it? Don't worry, my dear, a bit of rest and you'll be right as this fresh spring rain.'
'But what's wrong with me?'
'It's called concussion, my dear. Just a little side effect of that nasty bump on your head.'
Luna's eyes had finally caught up with her head and she trusted herself to open them. She examined the mouse more closely; his fur was a deep grey- blue, flecked with white on his flanks, and an ivory belly. Hid formal manner was surprising for a rodent and he was unusually intelligent.
'This sickness, is that part of it too?'
'Yes, it'll pass.'
'Who are you?'
'Ah, so sorry, terribly rude of me. I'm Souris, last of the Blind Mice Brothers. You're half-human, and female, that much I can tell.'
'It seems odd to be called half-human instead of half-wolf.'
'But which side do you favour, friend?'
It was a question Luna had never been asked, but the answer was nonetheless forthcoming, 'I don't know, wolf I guess.'
'Why?' Souris' blind eyes stared at her ardently.
'I suppose because I am accepted by other wolves as what I am, where as the human side wants something more, and can never be welcomed by other full-bloods because of the wolf.'
'So you still think of yourself as a wolf, despite your mixed heritage.'
'How do you know?'
'Let's just say when a creature is blind, he cannot make a visual first- impression. I may not be able to read script, but I can read other creatures like a book. That's why I'm glad you favour your lupine half. Humans can be more, how shall I put it, unpredictable. A wolf has courage and honesty, where as a human can feed you a slice of the finest cheese one minute and chop your tail off the next!' Souris fell to grooming himself.
Luna picked up more than a hint of irony in this speech, but eventually remembered her manners, 'I'm the one being rude now. My name's Luna, daughter of Ara and Polaris. Oh dear!' She gasped and vomited again into the rut.
'Rest here, my dear. You'll be quite safe. I must be on my way now. Look after your little ones, teach them what you told me and don't go getting into too many scrapes, eh?'
With a cheery wink of one of his purblind eyes Souris scampered off into the golden field, his sensitive whiskers guiding him faultlessly through the swaying stalks. Luna stared after him, speechless at the startling revelation he had given her. One by one the stars lit up the sky like tiny candles. The wolf looked up at them gratefully, savouring the serene feeling of happiness and maternal pride as she felt her belly with wonder at the tiny lives already growing there. She could almost see her Tamm playing with them in the golden field. Her eyes glowed with new vigour and, more importantly, hope as she wept tears of joy. When she was finally found she made no protest as she was led back to the carriage.
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Spring was well advanced when the entourage returned to the castle. Luna had seen with new eyes the blossoms and burgeoning beauty of the season, which was in full swing as much inside her body as outside of it. She could feel them kicking and stirring now, one especially during the full moon. That one was going to be trouble, no doubt.
The new collar around her neck seemed of little hindrance when the chain was loosed from the carriage in the castle grounds. Snow White smiled benignly as the wolf sped away with all the loose-limbed grace of wolf and youth combined, cherry blossom falling around her like snow in May. Her daughter and grandson had come out to greet her, the young boy latching onto her flowing skirt. Snow White scooped him into her arms. 'And how are you, young man? My, you've got big since I've been away.'
'I'm fine, Gran'ma. Is Luna back?'
'Yes, I think she's gone to say hello to Arc. Do you want to see what I brought back for you?'
The juvenile Prince Wendell jumped about with delight as Snow White presented him with a beautifully carved wooden horse, with a complete leather bridle and saddle. He ran off to flourish his new toy. 'You didn't have to, he's got enough toys.' Jasmine chided her mother gently.
'I saw it and couldn't resist. He's my only grandson after all.'
'I know. I would've done the same thing myself. Did you enjoy your trip?'
'It's been nice, although I'm beginning to feel my age.'
'Well, you're not a young woman any more. And, the wolf?'
'Found a new peace. It's been a good experience for both of us.'
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The sun was high and warm, resplendent weather for mid-May being almost as hot as July. Light shimmered invitingly off the surface of an ornamental lake in the castle grounds, the only ripples breaking the glassy stillness were those emanating from the back of the swimming wolf. Unable to withstand the appeal of the temperate water, she slid noiselessly into it, relishing the coolness of it, unaware of the unblinking eyes watching her from the weed-meshed depths.
Propelled by its thick tail, the creature accelerated towards the dappled sunlight, breaking the surface in a cascade of shining droplets and breaking clear of the lake. Luna shrieked as the reptilian form crashed down beside her. She lashed out at the grinning, horn-surmounted head bobbing like an iceberg in the calm water, 'What did you do that for?'
Both wolf and dragon burst into gales of laughter, splashing water at each other like children before settling down into a comfortable swimming pace. Luna used all four limbs whilst Arc tucked his legs into his body and swam like a crocodile, the thin sheet of ice that formed around him cracking as he powered along.
'You enjoyed your journey, then?'
'I ran off some of my pain.'
'And you made a pleasant discovery.'
'How do you know?'
'Oh, come off it, Luna. I knew you were pregnant as soon as I saw you grinning like a daft duck at the edge of the lake.' The dragon's voice was devoid of any scrap of jubilation or joy.
'What's wrong, Arc, you're worried?'
'This has made you so happy, but I don't know if you realise what this means, what could happen.'
'Like?'
'The might take your cubs away, Luna.' His eyes were sorrowful, he had seen it all before.
'Why?'
'Because they're not in their plan. Wolf cubs are of no consequence to them.'
Luna's face set like granite, 'I won't let that happen. You know I won't.'
'Damn it, Luna. When will you wake up and grasp the fact that you're not in control here. They can do what they want, with both you and your little ones. While we remain wolves and dragons we will always lose. Too many have died, and died horribly, in the attempt to rectify the situation. This is the world into which your cubs will be born.'
'Not if I can help it.' She backed water and swam in the opposite direction so the dragon would not see the salty tears that spilled into the lake.
'Luna, there's a banquet tonight. Don't do anything you might regret,' Arc yelled after her before submerging to let the waters wash away the uncomfortable anxiety in the pit of his stomach.
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Night fell quickly and without warning. From a hidden vantage point Luna had watched the steady stream of guests arrive in their grand carriages drawn by teams of sleek, arrogant horses - Lords, Ladies, Dukes, Duchess, Viscounts and visiting Royalty.
The food being prepared made her salivate, even at a distance the odours finding their way to her sensitive nose - spiced chicken, fresh fish and lamb - oh the lamb! Gently spit roasted over a fire, taking in every juice and flavour. Luna closed her eyes in rapture, fighting the gobbets of spittle that threatened to roll down her chin. Having already been chased away twice from the kitchens, it was pointless trying to gain entry a third time - for now anyway.
In her short period of freedom around the castle ground, Luna had discovered many hidden nooks and crannies. Suddenly bored of watching the arrival of the visiting aristocracy, Luna shook free of the fallen blossoms and left to take another scout round the kitchens, just to see if anyone had been careless enough to leave any food about.
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A series of yelps and a rapid scuffling of paws brought the awareness of Luna's futile third attempt to gain unlawful access to the castle kitchens to Snow White. It was an hour before the due start of the banquet and the guests were already dancing in the Ballroom. Upon noticing that her mother was missing, Princess Jasmine excused herself and slipped away to find her. When she entered Snow White's chambers, she saw the missing Queen staring wistfully over the balcony.
The revelations of that fateful March morning in the carriage had haunted Snow White. Perhaps after all her judgement had been as clouded as Becks'. She had only seen the wolf and not the woman.
'Mother?'
She had been so deep in thought that she had not even noticed her daughter's entrance. Smiling, she took Jasmine's hands and led her over to the balcony rail.
'What do you see down there?'
Luna was now in full view, a torrent of ribald curses emanating effortlessly from her lips aimed at the vigilant catering staff who threw small, hard, round potatoes at her retreating tail at every opportunity.
Jasmine looked disdainfully down her nose on the cussing animal, 'A wolf without a curb on her foul tongue.'
Snow White shook her head reproachfully, 'Look again. At first I saw her as you did when you first saw her, as a beautiful little creature I wanted to own. Since spending time with her alone I discovered something, something I think few ever dare to see. Look at her face, no not her eyes, her face. Is that the face of a vicious beast, a wolf? No. That is the face of a troubled young woman, plagued by fate and despised by all. Alas, I begin to think of that young woman as a daughter, almost as much as I do you.'
Daughter hugged Mother tightly. 'Let's see if she is worthy of such an honour, for I'm not sure that I am. We always have too much, anyway. I'm sure one more place at the table won't make much difference. What do you reckon, is she about my size?'
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Luna was shocked when a door opened next to her and she was beckoned inside by the bejewelled hand of the Princess Regent Jasmine.
'Come on. We've got a surprise for you.'
'As long as it's not my head on a wall I don't mind.'
Filled with suspicion, Luna followed her up to the Queen's chambers. Upon entering, she saw Snow White standing beside a long red velvet dress with a conspiratorial smile hovering about her lips.
'What's all this about?'
'Cinderella, you're going to the Ball!'
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The trio arose gasps from their guests. Two were clad in the traditional white of their House, but the third was dressed in a simple carmine velvet evening dress with a plain diamond necklace and long, black hair streaked with silver flowing in a shimmering river down her back. Her face was paled and creased with nerves.
Luna hadn't seen so many people since the circus and it made her distinctly apprehensive. Summoning up all her courage, she sat in her place between the young Prince Wendell and one of the Lords of the Fourth Kingdom. Few men could keep their eyes off her, and if it weren't for the oddly pricked ears on the top of her head they would've been fighting each other to speak to her. Almost directly opposite was a woman with a sharp, spiteful face and arrayed entirely in a scarlet cape and hood, fiery curls dropping from either side of the cowl. Luna didn't need any introduction to know one of her most powerful adversaries, Queen Riding Hood II.
To try and take her mind off the woman's loathsome sneer at her twitching silver-edged ears, Luna looked down at her dining cutlery and blanched at the sight. Knives, forks and spoons seemed to extend for miles down the table. There were at least four different types of glass and countless plates and bowls. This was as far removed as you could get from the customary hand and fang method of dining common to wolves.
A small hand patted her knee gently, 'Don't worry, Luna, I'll help you.' She looked into the sincere brown eyes of Wendell.
'Thank you, Prince. I'll fell much better knowing you're here if I should need you.'
The meal passed uneventfully, Luna sating her enormous appetite on lamb and new delicacies she had never even heard of and would certainly not have been able to afford in her previous lowly existence. She occasionally grinned wolfishly at member of the staff who had thrown potatoes at her earlier in the evening. The young Prince was always ready to point out if she used the wrong fork or glass.
It was in the latter stages of the evening, after all the toasts and speeches had been made and everyone was settling into pleasant conversation, that everything fell apart. Queen Riding Hood had been waiting all night for an excuse and she leaned over to Snow White, 'Tell me, your Majesty, who is your unusual guest?'
'That is Luna; a very good friend of mine.'
'A dragon Captain of the Guard and now a wolf confidante, you do have a court full of beasts. What next, a troll maid or perhaps a griffon butler?' A hearty roar issued from the guest, but it did not extend beyond Queen Riding Hood's lips - her eyes remained as cold as ever.
'If they proved worthy of service I would not refuse either of them a position in my staff.'
'And you, my dear,' her contempt-ridden gaze turned to Luna, 'How did you fall into such illustrious company?'
Luna returned the stare while racking her brains, trying to remember where she had smelled the disturbingly familiar scent of the Queen before, 'Queen Snow White was very gracious and saved me from the wrath of some Kingdomfolk, may the fates preserve her good judgement, your Majesty.'
Unwittingly Luna had provided the weapon that Vermeil Riding Hood had been searching for. Finally her eyes smiled along with her mouth, 'Really. That is most unusual. The good people of the Kingdoms rarely vent their anger without just cause.'
'Yeah, well, this is one of those times.'
'Are you sure? In my experience wolves are seldom proved innocent.'
Riled by the insult, Luna glared at the Queen, 'And in my experience humans are extremely prejudiced and any crime will be put down to wolves.'
'You were accused of one, then?'
'I didn't say that.'
'You see, wolves haven't gained their reputation for nothing. My own mother, Queen Riding Hood I, was threatened twice by the same vile wolf. I believe she met that flagitious creature a third time and he took her life,' her eyes blazed hatred and her cheeks flushed.
The absolute conviction and righteousness in her voice and face made it click. Everything started to fall into place and Luna almost laughed, 'What makes you say that, dear sister in blood.'
'The last day she was seen alive was when she went out hunting. She was never seen again, but her horse was - it had been torn apart by the fangs of wolves. And it's your Majesty to you!'
'Perhaps she did meet that old wolf again, but made her peace with him and left to live a quiet life elsewhere away from the shame and guilt of what she had done to wolfkind, your Majesty.'
'Absurd!'
'No more so than your suggestion.'
'My mother would not have demeaned herself by speaking to such a despicable creature as that wolf who ought to have been drowned at birth!'
Luna's ears laid flat against her head and lips slowly drew back off her teeth, 'If that benevolent old wolf had been I would not have been alive today!'
'Much to the good, I say. The less wolves in this world the better, especially of such an odious bloodline.'
The wolf stood, banging her fist against the table and knocking over several glasses of wine before pointing straight at the spiteful woman, 'I don't have to take this abuse, not from you, or anyone, no matter who they are!' Luna did a sharp pirouette and stormed form the dining hall, her tail peeking from underneath the velvet dress.
Snow White sighed, perhaps it hadn't been such a good idea. A scraping and clatter of a chair followed by a quick pattering of shoes on the marble floor signalled another guest's departure. Looking up she saw two empty chairs side-by-side.
Wendell had gone to follow the wolf.
