Quick Note: Hi, I would just like to say, that I am sorry for any grammatical mistakes that I may make, during this story, I will try to be more careful. I would also like to thank Dr Huff Puff, Aperfectattitude, Wolven Rose, Rose Vixen, tajb and Breezya.k.aBreakaway for you kind reviews. I hope you enjoy the next chapter. I am also sorry it took me a while to update, I will try not to take so long next time
Chapter 3
Half an hour later Virginia and Wolf arrived at the cottage. Wolf wanted to live in the 4th Kingdom as he knew that is where he is safest thanks to Wendell. Although Wendell had pardoned all wolves and it was a noble half wolf that had saved the nine Kingdoms against the evil queen, some people were still prejudiced against wolves and were angry at Wendell for giving them a full pardon. Hundreds of years of prejudice was going to take a lot of work for people to change their opinions. Virginia didn't mind though she wanted to be close to her father and liked being close to Wendell. She had grown really close to him as a brother and as a friend. They had all been through a lot together and it has brought them closer.
Virginia and Wolf got out of the carriage and they clasped hands and looked fondly in to each others eyes. They both had high hopes for this place, although they agreed to live in the castle until the wedding, as it would be easier to make the plans. Virginia and Wolf then wanted to move out of the castle soon after the wedding. They wanted a place of their own.
"Hello, my name is Gabriel and I will be showing you around this pleasant cottage." Virginia and Wolf were startled back in to reality as a friendly looking woman appeared in front of them.
"Sorry to startle you, you must be Lord Wolf and the Lady Virginia" Gabriel said as she held out her hand to them.
"Yes, hi. Thanks for meeting with us" replied Virginia while she shock Gabriel's hand and then so did Wolf.
"Oh it's my pleasure, it's not everyday I get to meet 2 of the 4 who saved the 9 Kingdoms. I feel very privileged. If you would follow me inside" Gabriel led the way towards the front of the cottage as Virginia blushed heavily at what Gabriel had said about being privileged just to show them a cottage because of who they are.
"As you can see, the path leads straight up to the door and the front garden is a nice size. In the middle you see there is an apple tree that grows all year round that are just delicious to eat. Also the flowers have a spell on them so they never wither and die, that way your garden is full of life and colour all year round. It is so calm and beautiful to just come sit out here and if you look just over there to the west side of the garden there is a small pond with gold fishes in and a nice bench beside it where you can come outside to relax. From the back garden you get a lovely view of dragon mountain and there is a hundred acres of land that includes a forest which would belong to you and there you can do all your hunting if you wish. So certainly enough room for a Wolf to run" Gabriel turned to wink at Wolf who just smiled sheepishly at her.
Mean while back at the castle Wendell had received yet another letter from Burly the Troll King and his sister Blabberwort and brother Bluebell. They are demanding that he hands over the witch (they mean Virginia) other wise there will be trouble. They keep threatening they will start a war with the fourth Kingdom, killing anyone who gets in the way of them and the witch. Wendell is now fearing for his Kingdom and all that live in it, but he cant give them Virginia, after all they are related, he needs to protect her. They still think that Virginia killed their dad when really it was Wendell's step-mom the evil queen Christine. Wendell has tried to get the trolls to come for a meeting, but they keep refusing. Stubborn creatures! Wendell doesn't want to explain it all in a letter, they probably wouldn't understand they are so stupid, but they were making it really difficult. Especially as there were plans going on for the annual mask ball that was coming in just over a week. Wendell didn't want to worry Virginia about this so he kept it to himself. He knew it would just upset and worry her as that was stress she didn't need at the moment. She was really happy at the moment he didn't want to ruin that, not after what happened this morning with her mom. Wendell sighed as he finished the latest letter and reached for a scroll of parchment and quill and wrote another letter to the Trolls suggesting a meeting.
"Dear King Burly, Princess Blabberwort Prince Bluebell of the Third Kingdom
As I have mentioned before, I will not hand over Virginia to you, so you can torture her, and kill her. She is a national hero among the nine Kingdoms and I will certainly not allow it. I can understand how upset you are about your fathers death, and I give you my sincerest apologies. However there is some explaining that is needed to be done, on my behalf and on the behalf of Virginia concerning your father's death. I would greatly appreciate it, if you all would attend a meeting held at my palace. Please let me know when you would be able to attend, so I can prepare for your arrival. Many Thanks.
King Wendell Winston Walter White of the fourth Kingdom"
He finished his letter to the trolls and stamped his royal crest of the House of White on it, before handing it over to the servant to deliver it them in the Troll castle over in the third Kingdom where fear dared to go unless instructed to.
An hour later after looking over the whole of the cottage Wolf and Virginia stepped out of the cottage beaming.
"Wolf this is perfect, its not too small, it has 4 bedrooms, lots of room to run about, close to the forest and its close to Wendell and dad."
"You're right my dreamy creamy lamb chop, its perfect for starting a family, lets buy it now" Wolf said ecstatically, jumping up and down like a little child.
"We don't have the money to buy it right now, but we can put a deposit down and pay in chunks." Virginia smiled at her mate. Wolf and Virginia clasped hands again and waited patiently for Gabriel to return. They didn't have to wait long before they heard her voice.
"Have you guys made a decision then?" she asked
"We want to buy it please, but we can't afford it all at once we have 2000 gold Wendells, is that enough as a deposit or will you need more?" Virginia asked
"No that is fine, your next payment will be due in 4 weeks. Now if I can just take down a few details" Virginia smiled at Wolf who had a glint in his eye, she knew what that look meant. She took the form from Gabriel and started to fill it in. She handed the form back to Gabriel who then said goodbye to them and went to her horse, got on it and strolled off with a last wave at them.
"Virginia lets walk home through the forest," whispered Wolf. She knew what he meant. He wanted to play "Hide and Seek" again. She had no objection to that idea.
"Sounds like a plan to me", she winked at him seductively and then turned to the carriage to send it on telling the driver they will walk home to the Palace. As soon as the carriage was out of sight Wolf began counting, and Virginia ran off at top speed in the direction of the forest, soon she was crashing through the tress but she could still hear Wolf counting.
"27…28…52…..64…..65……78…….85……99…..100 COMING!" Virginia vaguely heard Wolf shout. Since being around Wolf all the time she was able to attune her hearing to hear things more and he also helped her to develop her sense of smell, though she was no where near as good as Wolf and she probably never would be, it was a talent only wolves and half wolves had, but it was still fun. It gave her more of chance to hide. She came across a big berry bush and crouched behind it, hoping the scent of the berries would throw him off slightly. Just so that she could make him want her more and more. She saw Wolf come into view stop sniff the air, look around slightly smile as if he knew where she was. She smiled knowing what was going to come next, but instead he just ran past. Maybe the berries worked. She got up to find another hiding place knowing it won't be long till Wolf comes back. As she was about to run away she felt a present behind her and turned around to see Wolf smiling at her. He took a step towards and Virginia took off, hoping for a little bit of a chase to get the adrenaline going. Suddenly Wolf's smile faded as he smelt what was hiding in the leaves just in front of Virginia. Who didn't even notice.
"Virginia wait STOP!" Wolf shouted at her hoping she would listen to him.
"You will have to catch me fi…. ARGH……!" The last bit Virginia screamed in pain as her foot connected with what Wolf had smelt. A metal animal trap with sharp points, similar to the one the huntsman had landed on when he and Wolf were fighting in his magical tree. Wolf ran over to his mate in a panic. He looked down to see her crying in pain, as the trap was still clinging to her ankle. She was struggling to get it off but she was too weak, she only made things worst by trying to remove it, now the trap was tighter than ever and where she had grabbed at it, it has moved up her leg slightly causing the cut to deepen and get longer. Wolf bent down and with all his strength opened the trap so Virginia could gently ease her leg out. Wolf looked over to see Virginia lying on the ground looking very pale. He needed to get her home and quickly. He scooped her up into his arms and ran off in the direction of the Palace of White.
