Dark Moon Brother
Part Fifteen
Cub's Naming Day
Virginia clucked at the old pony and jangled his reins as the cart prepared to move off from the castle. In the back were Wolf, Elias and Cub, along with several packages of gifts from Wendell (he always lavished them on her whenever she came to visit). Most of the presents were highly impractical ball gowns and the like, but she didn't like to slight him by refusing anything. He had been more than generous already, after giving them the cottage and it's lands and bestowing upon Wolf a sizeable salary for his work in the disenchanted forest. It was the least he could do, he had said on many occasions, and in fact he felt that she and Wolf should be living the priviledged life in the castle with him. He stood waving at them from the balcony above the gravelled drive.
"Farewell, my friends! I'll see you soon, for the naming ceremony! Bye!" he shouted, rather un-royally as they drew away. They trundled down the massive drive and through the gates, leaving the waving and the cheering behind them. Virginia glanced back to see Wolf still waving back to the crowds happily, quite unembarassed by the display. She shared a laughing look with Elias, then turned back to concentrate on the road ahead, though there was no real need, as Jed the pony knew the way well enough. But it was just as well they weren't in a hurry, she thought, seeing as the pony rarely went faster than a slow walk.
After a time they began to draw near their farm and the forest grew in size as they approached it, seeming to loom menacingly over the fields. At the far gate was a very excited James who was jumping up and down as he called greetings to the travellers.
"Oh, Miss Virginia, and Mr Wolf, it's so good to see you back safe. And Cub too! All is well here, you wait till you see what I've done to the place!" he rushed out breathlessly, hopping up on the back of the cart. Virginia looked closely at the boy, sure that he had grown another inch since they'd been gone. She wondered what state the larder was in, but she had to smile when she caught sight of the immense chicken house he had built next to the woodshed. Wolf snorted appreciatively and Cubs eyes lit up with excitement when they saw it. As everyone scrambled out of the cart, Wolf put Cub down for a second and he was off, as fast as his little legs could toddle. The adults had to laugh at the sight of the squawking chickens who lifted up their feathered skirts and ran hither and thither through the gardens. Wolf ran after his son, scooping him up and gaining a shriek of indignation from Cub. Virginia sighed goodnaturedly, thinking that a careful eye would have to be kept on Cub (and his father as well, no doubt) until he learnt that chickens only came served on a plate from his mother. James came forward to give her a sturdy set of keys to the coop, which she added to the ones that kept her flock safe in the barn, plus the one to the meat cellar. She supposed that other women with wolfen mates and children had much the same collection.
"Thank you, James. You've done a fantastic job. Here, I brought you something back from the 10th Kingdom". James' eyes bulged with gratitude when she gave him the package, but he needed some encouragement to actually open it. Inside were some fine sable hair brushes and many tubes of acrylic and oil paints. Virginia knew that they used only natural pigments for paints in the 9 Kingdoms, but she had thought that the boy might get some enjoyment from the man made colours.
"Oh wow, I mean, how fantastic! Look at all the colours! And the reds and blues, you don't know how much time it takes to make really good pigments, these are amazing! Thank you so much, I can't wait to use them!" he gasped, looking like he wanted to sit down in the grass right there and then.
"You're more than welcome James. And I can get more, anytime you want. They're not really all that rare or expensive in my Kingdom, you know"
"Oh, don't say that. I'd spend my whole life working here for you if you could get me more of these paints!" Virginia laughed and reached to tousle his blond hair.
"No no, don't go making any rash decisions, young man! You've got your whole life ahead of you, and your works are going to be in much demand, regardless of what you use to colour them. You've got a great gift, James"
"Oh, thank you Miss. You're too kind to me. But, umm, who's the man, the one who came back with you?"
"His name is Elias. We met him in the 10th Kingdom. He asked for help in removing a, curse, and it has worked. He's a nice man, James. He'll be staying here a while, I think"
"He's a lucky man then, to have his curse removed. What was the rebound?"
"The rebound?"
"Yes, you know, the after effects, the balancing. It's always in a circle, is magic. Something always comes back"
"Oh, I see. Well, I don't know if there has been any, or if there has, he hasn't told me about it"
"Ah well, here's hoping it'll just be a minor accident or something. But you never know. Keep an eye on him though, I would"
Virginia had listened to the boy's words carefully, but now, nearly two weeks later, it seemed that Elias would indeed avoid any unpleasant rebound effects. Virginia had ceased worrying about such things anyway, since they were all in the throes of organising a naming ceremony for Cub. Wolf had sent out many invitations within days of returning home. Some were the traditional, hand written types on fine parchment, complete with dainty little portrait illustrations from James, and these went out to the King and several of the courtiers that had come to befriend the family, and to Tony. Other missives had been scratched into various tree trunks throughout the forest by Wolf, inviting the neighbouring wolfen families to attend the gathering. Naming ceremonies were a common event in the lupine community, and often the only time when many would be gathered together in the one place, so very few invites were ever refused. Even old feuds were forgotten, and in fact many new pairings were brought together at such events. In some parts of the 9 Kingdoms, such as the 2nd, many wolf familes dwelt together in villages, for protection against humans, but for the most part, the race was a scattered one, with carefully monitored boundaries and lands protected in varying degrees from unwanted incursions. They had no Kings, no royalty or class system as a whole, although most knew instinctively just who was the dominant pack or pairing of their particular area. Special consideration and respect was usually given unquestioningly to any base pairing, that is, the human-fullblood wolf couple, since all knew that they were the foundation of a new line and that meant new blood.
Virginia had wondered vaguely if there would be any human-wolf couples attending on the day, but Wolf had told her that that was unlikely.
"No, love, I don't think so. At least, I haven't heard of any living in this forest at least, only half-wolfs like me, or fullblood packs. You have to understand, such couples are rare indeed. It takes a lot for a human to give up their life and go live with a wolf. Generations ago, it was more common, cause the humans didn't hate wolfies so much, and that's where people like me came from anyway. But these days, well, I at least have never met a human-wolf pair, and I am well travelled for a half-wolf. It's even becoming hard to find humans living with half-wolfs. Cub is quite a novelty, being a quarter wolf. Many will come just to look at him, I'm sure!"
"But they'll accept him?"
"Oh, of course. He has the blood in him, that will be obvious to all when they meet him. But they would have seen him before anyway. I'm sure you've both been well spied upon when I'm not around"
"I see". Virginia didn't know whether to feel comforted or alarmed. Wolf put his arms around her and held her tight for a moment, kissing the top of her head.
"Don't worry now. They'll like you, and you'll like them, I'm sure. They're not all hyperactive, suspicious, moody individuals like me!" he huffed gently in her ear, making her spine tingle.
"Oh really? But I like you just the way you are" she breathed back, allowing him to guide her backwards towards the bedroom. "You're my very own Big Bad Wolf. Those prudish 9 Kingdoms girls don't know what they're missing..." she added, feeling him rouse against her as he pushed her down to the floor.
Now, the day of the ceremony had arrived, and Virginia patted a cool cloth to her flushed cheeks as she made the final preparations. She gazed out the window, seeing that Elias was keeping Cub occupied whilst Wolf was slaughtering a number of chickens and a couple of lambs with James' help. It was apparently their responsibilty to feed all the wolfen guests at any rate, although Wendell had promised to bring enough human fare to keep the other guests well satisfied. They would be arriving soon, she thought, checking the clock on the mantle. The actual ceremony would take place within the forest, and the human guests would walk there from the cottage, meeting the wolfen people at the appointed grove.
Virginia tried to fight down her growing sense of excitement and nervousness. She mentally went over the part she was to play. Wolf had given her the responsiblity (and honour, he said) of choosing Cub's human name, whilst he would announce his pack name, although Wolf had been using that name almost since birth. He had told it to Virginia on numerous occasions, but she had had to admit finally that most of it was incomprehensible to her human ears. To her it sounded just like a long rumbling half growl, a name she could barely begin to say, let alone hear. It had upset her, at first. It was an all too obvious indication of the side of her son that she would never really know. She hoped he wouldn't grow up to pity his poor deaf and mute mother. But this morning, she had asked Wolf to try and translate what the name meant into human speech. He'd had to think carefully before he came up with a response that made sense.
"Well, it sort of goes like this, I think" he said. "First son of Wolf, the second son of Caelum and Sarah, of 2nd Kingdom lineage and Virginia, daughter of Tony and Christine of 10th Kingdom lineage. Born midwinter in the 4th Kingdom, first year of King Wendell's reign"
"Oh my! That's his whole name? It sounds just like a birth announcement that you put in the newspaper" Virginia had replied in astonishment, trying not to laugh. Oh well, it would make an effective scolding tool, should she ever need one, she had thought at the time. She pictured herself rattling off his name whilst trying to look stern about it, and giggled, which had made Wolf go stalking out of the house, huffing to himself about rude human manners. After a while, she had calmed somewhat to focus on what information Wolf had unconciously let slip. Sarah. So, that was his mother's name. And, what did he mean by second son? He had an older sibling then? Where were they now? Why did he never mention such a person? Virginia was well accustomed to Wolf's reluctance to share his history with her, but this revelation made her begin to feel slightly angry at him. Too many questions! She felt that she would have to put an end to this somehow, no matter how much pain it might cause at the time. Maybe he had good reason not to acknowledge his brother or sister, but she wanted to know why. She spoke the name she had chosen for Cub softly, getting used to it's sound. She had racked her brains for months, but she hoped Wolf would like the one she had picked out.
She stared out into the garden, seeing her mate coming around the corner of the barn, a lamb carcass dangling from under his arm. She watched as he dumped the body into a large barrow, fitting it in next to the chicken bodies and fish that Elias had caught that morning from the stream. Elias picked up Cub and came to stand near the grisly barrow and Virginia saw them nodding as if in mutual appreciation of their hunting skills. Men indeed, thought Virginia wryly, seeing Wolf clap the older man on the shoulder. Virginia had been faintly amazed at how well Elias had fitted in here. They had converted the downstairs storeroom into a bedroom for him and he had been the perfect houseguest. Polite, well spoken, helpful, he had been good company for Wolf especially. He had taken Elias into the disenchanted forest nearly every day in the past two weeks and they had come back to the house in the evenings full of tall tales and recountings of the things they had seen and done. Virginia had rarely seen Wolf so animated and trusting wth anyone but herself, and it pleased her to know he had become so close to Elias. The two spent many hours talking at night in the garden. It was men's talk, she knew, and though she was never excluded deliberately, more often than not she left them to it, knowing that the trade off was a far more relaxed and talkative Wolf for her. Little things, like his mother's name just this morning, had begun to slip into their conversations and Virginia knew it was because Elias was willing to push Wolf about them more than she was. She didn't mind, not really. Wolf treated Elias like he was a brother, even referring to him as such. Perhaps there were topics that a brother could broach, that Wolf could confide in him about without feeling like he was presenting a less than perfect image to Virginia. He was still so keen to please her, to be the perfect mate for her, even after all they had gone through. It bothered Virginia that he still doubted his worth to her, but she didn't know how else to let him know that he was the love of her life, her one and only, other than just to be there when he was ready, finally, to open up to her and reveal all his long forgotten pain.
She sighed. Not today, anyway. Far too much to do, she thought, even as she heard the rattle of a carriage approaching the house. Wendell and her father, for sure, she knew, smoothing down her clothes and hair as she went out to greet them. The great gilded carriage pulled up smoothly and a very richly dressed Wendell and Tony alighted, followed by Rupert and three other court advisors who had come to know the family. After the greetings and hugs, the group stood about in the gardens whilst they waited for Wolf to clean up the blood and gore from his clothes and hands. Elias came to bow deeply to the King and Virginia took Cub into her arms, smoothing his curls and trying to keep his attention from the barrow of fresh meat. Presently Wolf and young James returned from the house, and Virginia felt her breath catch as she caught sight of her mate. He was tricked out in a dark, long tailed suit, similar to the one he had worn at Wendell's ill fated coronation ball. He stood tall and proud, winking at her as he posed, knowing full well how much she loved to see him in a formal suit. Virginia was glad suddenly of the nice dress she was wearing. Wolf greeted Wendell, Tony and the others very politely, before turning on his heel and leading them out over the fields towards the forest. After a time he relinquished the lead to young James and gradually slipped back through the column.
He just loved looking at Virginia from behind. Granted, she looked amazing from any angle, but today her well fitted dress gave her an irresistable sillouette. Plus, walking behind someone gave you the best of a person's scent, and his beloved mate's wafted over him in great waves as she moved along. He strode along in a daze almost. Cub peeked over his mother's shoulder from time to time and giggled at his father. The baby babbled along in his own cubbish language, occasionally adding the more human "ma ma" and "da da" to the mix. Wolf smiled indulgently at him. Eventually, he realised that he couldn't just lope along ogling Virginia. He had work to do yet, so he slipped off the trail, leaving the party and making his way through the tangle of vines and trees, searching for that elusive scent. Within minutes he had picked it up, and soon he had captured what he sought. He backtracked to the party, quickly catching them as they bumbled through the trees. He snorted softly. No wonder humans had had to invent such unfair methods of hunting, like arrows and traps, since they made so much noise when just moving around. The wolfish participants in the ceremony would be well aware of their approach, at any rate.
After an hour of ambling walk, they came at last to the small grove that Wolf had selected. It was bounded by myrtles and pines and had a deep soft floor of mosses. A small brook ran nearby. It was truly a beautiful place, and Wolf smiled to see the humans gazing about them in appreciation of it. He took a deep breath and turned to welcome the wolf families who were now showing themselves, one by one stepping out from behind trees and bushes. He knew most of them by scent and mark, but he went forward now to learn their names and give his own. He looked them over just as keenly as they studied him. There were three half-wolf families and one fullblood wolf pack. As was customary, he bent to greet the fullblood alpha's first.
"My kin" he said simply in the wolf tongue.
"We have come. We would know your cub" they replied with the formal response. Wolf stood then and moved to meet the half-wolf families. He saw Virginia and the others watching with great interest, but he sensed from the wolfen people that their stares would not be considered impolite. They knew how rare it was for both races to sit together in peace, and they knew who Wendell was and what he had set in motion with his royal pardon. Firstly, there were an older couple who gave their human names as Stephen and Elsie. Then, Wolf met a younger couple who had two small cubs and learned that they were Giles, Wendy, Peter and Mary. Lastly, a lone male, but mated, whose name was Sam. He appologised profusely for his mate's abscence, explaining that she had gone to her sister to await the birth of a new cub. All the half-wolfs stared at Wolf with something akin to hero worship, but this made him uncomfortable in a way that human adoration did not. These were his people. Things that he could get away with when living with the humans, things he could hide and deflect from them, none of these would stand with his own folk. He wondered if any of these half-wolfs knew of his full, bloodied history. No point worrying about it now, though. He turned and beckoned to the human folk, and was pleased when his Virginia made the first move towards him. She showed not a particle of fear, only curiousity and friendliness, even as the fullblood wolf leader unexpectedly gave her the complete wolfish greeting by taking her throat gently in his jaws. Wolf heard Tony gasp in horror and had to scowl fiercely at him to prevent him from making a disgrace of himself. The man calmed somewhat when he saw that Virginia was quite unharmed, but Wolf silently cautioned the fullblood not to extend the same greeting to Tony.
Over the next few minutes, Wolf introduced the humans to the wolfs, and vice versa. It was certainly a most unusual situation and all parties knew it, going to great lengths to avoid any unknowing slights or insults. Finally, Wolf beckoned Elias forward, and the only upset happened. The fullblood wolfs recoiled as a group, though they did so unobtrusively, when he knelt down to meet them.
"Ahh, what is this thing? It is a man, and a wolf too!" they hissed in silent confusion at Wolf. He glanced curiously at Elias, but the man seemed not to notice anything amiss. He tried to reassure the pack members.
"No, no, he's alright now. He has cast out that which made him lupine. He is no danger here. He's just a man now, but he is friend to me, has become like a brother" he replied in the silent language.
"He is no man, this one. Cannot you sense this?". Wolf paused, staring hard once more at Elias. He used all his senses to scan the man, but discovered nothing different. Just Elias, his friend, as he always was. A little voice in his head spoke now though, reminding him that even when Elias still had the curse within him, Wolf had been unable to tell it was there. He shook his head, confused. What did the fullbloods see that he did not? He glanced around, seeing that the others were watching him curiously. He couldn't get to the bottom of it now anyway, but he reminded himself to ask about it later. He straightened, and gave Elias' name to the pack, seeing that they remained wary, but welcomed him all the same.
With all the introductions made, the official part of the ceremony could begin. They stood in a loose circle around Wolf, Virginia and Cub and the older male half-wolf, being the nominal leader by rank of experience, stepped forth and made the traditional gestures calling the spirits to attend. Wolf whispered to Virginia what was going on and she smiled back in gratitude.
"Now, he calls the spirits, of Wind, Earth, Forest" he whispered, adding "these being the most important to wolf's", as Stephen made the graceful movements with hands and feet. Cub was staring in rapt attention. A gentle breeze ruffled though the clearing and Wolf looked around with superstitious awe. He was brought back to attention when Virginia nudged him gently. Stephen stood there expectantly and Wolf suddenly remembered what was happen next. He bent to whisper to Virginia to undress Cub, which she did, and he felt around under his jacket for the small bag, drawing out from it the wriggling rabbit he had caught earlier. Stephen took the rabbit solemnly, speaking to it in both human and lupine languages.
"When you return to the Great Goddess, take with you the names, and the Blessings, of this cub" he intoned, before swiftly breaking the animal's neck. Taking a small knife, he made a small incision in the rabbit's neck and bright blood spurted forth.
"What is the wolfen name of this cub?" he asked, leaning forward to let the blood run down over Cub's head. Wolf drew himself up proudly and spoke the name. Then Stephen turned to Virginia.
"What will be the human name of this cub?" he asked her, and Wolf looked down with admiration on her as she answered with a steady voice despite the bloodbath her baby was receiving.
"Caelum. This cub's name is Caelum" she said, strong and clear and Wolf felt tears start in his eyes. The blurry face of Virginia looked up at him and he caressed her cheek gently. Caelum, his father's name, lived again. He was barely aware of the others coming forward now, as one by one they greeted his son, whispering or growling his name, kissing either his bloodstained head, or his rosy cheek, depending on one's dietary preferences. Finally, all had welcomed the new Caelum and Stephen stood forth once more, lifting up the baby high in the air.
"We welcome you, Caelum, son of Virginia and Wolf. May the Goddess continue to Bless you and yours, all of your days. May Her light lead your feet onto safe paths. May Her heavenly cycles teach you all that you need to know of the cycle of life" And with that simple statement, the formal part of the ceremony was completed. Stephen handed Caelum back to his proud parents. Wolf held them both close to his chest for a long moment, hearing the fullblood wolf's begin singing the naming howl-song, the new pack name being included in the ancient words.
Presently, a party of sorts started, with rugs being unrolled to sit upon, and platter after platter of human food brought out from the wooden boxes that the group had carried with them. The wolfen folk retreated just a little to partake of the meat that Wolf had killed for them, but the humans were not really offended. A truce there may be, but nobody expected them to be unaffected by the gory scene going on behind the bushes. Just the sound of the carcasses being ripped to shreds was enough. But there was plenty of good food all round and even a few bottles of wine were passed around. The fullblood wolf's looked on with disdainful amusement as the humans and half-wolfs each imbibed a measure of the smelly stuff in the bottles, some well more than others. But the two races were all sitting companionably round a roaring fire now, talking and joking with each other like they were all litter mates. The wolf pack laughed quietly to themselves. Their leader glanced up at the late afternoon sky. The shadows were deepening in the forest and game stirring. Silently they conferred amongst themselves. No need to hunt tonight, thanks to their gracious hosts, but then, nights like these usually bore little fruit for hunters. It was a night of concealment, of secret hearts beating in the forest. The new moon, and the dark of the moon.