The Ice Storm

Chapter Thirty

Spring seemed in a hurry this year, thought Wolf. Not that anyone particularly minded, not even in the Eighth Kingdom where snow and ice had ruled for generations uncounted. It would not be an easy task for the people of that Kingdom to adjust, he knew. They had long prided themselves on their survival skills in that harshest of lands. They did not know the simple pleasures of warmth and green things growing. Perhaps they would grow to like such things. Besides, there would always be the vast frozen north of the Kingdom. The Ice Queen had never held sway there, for she'd had no need to. Wolf wondered if many ghost-wolf packs and clans would leave their lands, but inwardly he doubted it would happen anytime soon. Wolf hoped they would come to see the softening of the land as a challenge in itself, and part of the price of having their new Queen amongst them. His daughter.

Word had spread quickly following the battle at the Ice Palace. Even before he and Virginia had left the place, pack after pack had come to see the child for themselves, to marvel at the magical transformation that happened every time she was placed in the moonlight. Wolf had found himself also at a loss sometimes. He didn't know what to make of her, this tiny little girl who looked like her mother but with eyes of silver gray. Wolf did not know of the legend of the moonshadow child, but that did not suprise him. He had grown up mostly in isolation from his kin. What education he had had come from his parents, and Sarah and Caelum had been practical before all things, teaching their sons how to live at peace with those who had eventually killed them.

What did surprise him was the level of devotion the people of this land had shown. There were scarcely any full blooded humans amongst them, he came to realise. Lupine blood and lupine traits flowed freely here, and yet they were human enough to have formed an army, to have followed a single leader. They had buried their Queen simply, and many had mourned her, but with a pragmatism of wolf folk. Now, they looked upon his daughter as their future. In the immediate aftermath of battle, Wolf had grasped at the protection his daughter had garnered for the survivors and for herself, without even speaking a word. Wolf didn't know how he would feel when his child came of age and all the expectations of a Kingdom fell upon her shoulders. But that day was a long time away.

The journey back from the Ice Palace had not only been a passage from one clime to another, but of winter to spring. Warm winds had followed them wherever they went, melting and sweeping away the last traces of death from the lands. Wolf had laughed to see the green fronds of ferns poking up from the snow as sun bathed the earth once more. There had been few horses that had survived, and so the bulk of the party had walked the roads, taking their time and making several excursions out to the outlying villages, letting the people know that the storm was over. Elves and fairies flew over the Kingdoms once more, taking word to the remote areas, bringing back tales of the changes they saw.

In years to come it would be called the Great Melting, this time when the vast store of water raged down the rivers and streams, coursing down mountainsides in roaring falls. There was damage done, to be sure, but no one really minded, not even those who had to clean up afterwards. They were just happy to be able to clean up at all. It had been a close call for the Nine Kingdoms. Everyone knew it, and yet in the renewal of life many found that bonds between them were strengthened. Covered in snow, all lands and all peoples looked exactly the same. All had suffered and all had had to work together to survive and rebuild.

And so the moonshadow child, who was also his daughter, would grow up in a more tolerant world. At least for a while. Even the hardest learnt lessons would be forgotten in time. The Circle of Sisters knew that. Wolf hoped that time of forgetfulness would be a long way off indeed.

The rising sun flashed in his eyes for a moment. From his position at the window, he saw colour return to the world and the bustle of activity begin anew. He scratched his head in bemusement. He was surrounded, literally, his little cottage adrift in a sea of tents, pavillions, makeshift kitchens and quarters for all manner of guests. True, it was an important day, but who knew just how much organising such a day would need?

The familiar beseeching tones of Lord Rupert, Wendell's castellan and now an honourary wolf-brother, floated up from below. Wolf craned his neck to peer down, seeing the back of the man's head as he pointed and drew theatrical circles in the air to a veritable army of assistants. Rupert walked with a decided limp nowadays, the legacy of a wound gotten in the Ice Palace battle. He had languished for weeks in Castle White (after all, a knife wound was far more excruiating than a sprained ankle), but the very idea of someone else taking over his organising duties had roused him well enough.

Wolf laughed quietly as the flurry of assistants dispersed in all directions, but then his heart grew still and cold in his chest as yet another came into view. She still went cloaked and face shielded from the sun as if it burned her, but Wolf knew nothing would ever hide her from him. Rhoswen. No, it was Rose now, wasn't it? She paced the lawn, back and forth. Did she know he saw her? Probably. She was a sharp one, this throwback of the Riding Hood line, the babe that the former Queen Auburn had birthed and then discarded. Left on the windowsill to die. But she hadn't died. Someone, some quick thinking servant perhaps, had retrieved the infant girl, bringing her across the border into a Kingdom not her own, to be given into the care of someone who would raise her to be but a shadow of a princess, a meaningless parody of what she had been born to be. A sad story, so many said.

But Wolf bought none of it. Tragic forgotten child or not, she had killed his brother.

Tears burned his eyes and he wanted to brush them away angrily. It had been Wolf who had found Willems body, hours after the fighting had ended and that strange calm had fallen over the land. Nose to the ground, he had followed the trail to it's end, an already frozen body crumpled against the wall, looking for all the world as if asleep. Wolf had called his brothers name over and over. Virginia had joined them, adding her tears to his, but Wolf had never felt more alone in his whole life. After years of believing himself the sole survivor of his family, to find himself bereft once more had seemed a cruel blow. Will's arms had still been curled in the universal shape of holding an infant.

He had died protecting his brother's daughter. Wolf knew that he would afford Alice no less honour. The little girl-cub had been typically silent in her grieving, but in the way of children she had moved on with far greater ease than the adults around her. But then Alice was not like any other child Wolf had known. Full of secrets and surprises to come, he was sure of it. She had grown surprisingly attached to Virginia, and Wolf knew the love was returned tenfold. There would be no danger in this step-mother and daughter relationship, he knew. If only they could keep track of the child! She disappeared all too frequently, coming back with her face brimming with untold adventures and clandestine conversations with who knew what. No one knew where the dragons had gone, but Wolf suspected that their secret location was known by at least one small soul.

As the woman below stooped to breath in the scent of a new rose bloom, Wolf felt his anger crest and ebb away just as quickly. He knew in his heart that he would never really be able to sit at ease with this woman, nor she with him. She regretted her actions, he could tell, and perhaps that was enough for Wolf to live with, but they would never be friends. Wolf wondered for a moment what had transpired between Rose and her mother Auburn. She and Scarlett had gone back to the Second Kingdom directly after the Ice Storm battle; Scarlett to wrangle the throne from her errant brother and Rose to seek out their mother. Scarlett had been successful. It seemed that she had been putting his wolfish lessons about the Rule Of Pack to good use, and the boy had capitulated with barely a fight. Besides, the people had apparently been insisting that he himself be the one to seek out and kill the dragon they had seen flying over the city one evening. Suffice to say, the general populace, thoroughly chastened by the long freeze had welcomed their Queen home and rejoiced at the potential they saw in her now. And the wolfs of the Second Kingdom smiled secretly behind their hands as the long hidden blood finally showed itself.

Wolf did not know what had happened between the two daughters and their mother Auburn. He did know that no announcement had been made to the Second Kingdom as to the true identity of Rose. Being the firstborn child, she could have by rights made a claim upon Scarlett's throne, but she had not. Wolf doubted if she ever would. She had had her share of political high places and was now but a shadow of her former self. Wolf shook his head. No, he would not pity her. No.

The morning breeze made the pennants atop Wendell's pavillion flap gaily. It had taken up a prime position just metres from Wolf's front door. Wolf suspected that the King would be looking a little bleary eyed this morning, but then, hopefully not as tired as he would be looking tomorrow morning. Wendell had spent most of last evening pacing worriedly across the ground. Yes, Scarlett had indeed arrived safely with her retinue. No, they certainly didn't need any help in setting up their tents, thank you, and yes, it really is bad luck to see the bride before the wedding! Wolf and Tony had laughed and cajoled the poor man for hours until one of Scarletts maids had arrived to shoo them away and mutter under her breath about keeping the husband to be awake all night. Her mistress was insisting upon a bright eyed King being presented to her tomorrow, she said.

Evicted from the tent of worried looks, Tony and Wolf had prowled the grounds for a while, taking note and comparing the various pavillions that had taken up residence in the fields. Cinderella, Leaf-fall, Olaf the Dwarf King, even Gretchen from the south of the Second Kingdom. They were all there to witness the ceremony. Wolf folk filled the forest beyond the fields.The merry sound of King Cole's fiddlers and the Naked Emperors feather dancing cheered Wolf immensely and helped allay his own fluttering heart. Finally he had bid Tony goodnight and walked back to his empty cottage. The quietness of the house was a blessing to his senses, and more because of what it signified.

Now it was morning all too soon. He had barely closed his eyes before the sun had woken him. He yawned and stretched, casting aside his cares as easily as any wolf might do. He was not alone in his losses, he knew, but surely no one in the Kingdoms would ever be about to gain as much as he would today. He hummed a little wolfy tune under his breath as he went to get ready.

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Everything was in readiness. Somehow, someone had found a supply of bluebells of the exact right shade of blue to compliment his already stunning colour scheme. Rupert was in his element once more. His leg ached dreadfully, of course, but the sight of his perfectly laid out seating plan banished all such trivialities once and for all.

The guests were arriving, each bearing a gold inked invitation to be presented to the usher. Normally, Rupert knew that he would entrust to no one but himself the important duty of greeting and seating such important people, but he had trained the man personally, and Rupert had a far more pressing role to play today. He sighed and looked skyward once again as the two figures in front of him started fidgeting once more. If they didn't settle down, their wonderfully pressed suits would be crumpled, and then where would they be, hmm?

He looked between the two of them, trying to master a stern expression but failing ruefully. Both Wolf and Wendell had pinched white faces, sweaty palms and hopelessly askew neckties. Well, it was too late now to brush them into shape. Fortunately, Rupert knew for a fact that both of them had already been seen by their brides in considerablely less appealing turn-outs. The tinkle of a silver bell announced that the final guests had taken their seats. In the front row sat the crowned heads of the Royal Houses of the Nine Kingdoms (excepting of course the Troll Kingdom, for who could ever trust a Troll to behave in decent company?). They were decked out in all their finery, jewels and mantles gleaming in the afternoon sun. Side by side with human royalty sat most of the alpha leaders of wolf folk from all over the lands. Bare of all tokens and symbols, still they had that special aura about them that made any sensible man (or wolf) want to lay down and prostrate themselves in obescience. Rupert gazed proudly over the gathering. Surely no such mingling had happened in years uncounted. Maybe, just maybe, he thought, Wolf and Virginia's little as-yet-nameless cub would not have all that great a problem in uniting the races in years to come.

The child in question was sitting on the lap of her grandfather, Lord Antony, in the front row closest to the aisle. Caelum, Wolf and Virginia's oldest son, was squatting on the ground near his fathers feet, looking clearly bored with the events and peeking around furtively as he tried to wriggle out of his specially tailored little suit. Rupert guessed the boy would much rather be off chasing and killing something. But then, like a finely tuned weather vane, he stood suddenly, gripping the back of Wolf's trousers as he peered down the row of people.

"Mama" he said.

It was indeed, and of course, she wasn't alone. Rupert heard many an indrawn breath as the two brides strolled easily down the grass carpeted aisle. Fairy folk from the Elf Kingdom preceded them, showering guests with tiny rosebuds and sparkles. Magic Birds from the Disenchanted Forest danced around their heads.

Scarlett was glorious in her flowing red gown that trailed a full ten feet behind her. A pale rose-tinted veil covered her face, but no one missed the happy tears that flowed down her cheeks. By her side, Virginia wore a stunning white dress that clung to her figure and flowed out from her hips to brush the ground lightly as she walked. She had no veil, just a simple garland of wildflowers bound into her hair. Both ladies walked unaccompanied, confident and glowing with beauty. And yet, just for a second as the setting sun dazzled his eyes, Rupert was sure that just behind the two women walked yet another pair. A red clad girl with a hood pulled close about her, and an older woman with skin as white as snow and hair the colour of ebony.

Someone pinched his elbow gently. Rupert shook his head a fraction, but the vision was gone. Before him stood two couples, Wendell and Scarlett, Wolf and Virginia, hand in hand. Waiting for him to begin. Rupert drew himself up and with all the nescessary flair for a great production, he started.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Kings and Queen, friends, wolf's, let us begin..."

In a flash, it seemed, the ceremony was over. It had been a traditional ceremony in the manner of most human weddings in the Kingdoms, but Rupert knew that somewhere in the Forest tonight, both these couples would gather once more, and in the moonlight there would be yet another, the wilder and less decorous marriage of the wolf folk. But that was for later. Right now, as the afternoon sun cast pink and orange light over the fields, the new husbands and wives were greeting their wellwishers.

Scarlett and Wendell were both giggling madly as they introduced each other formally for the first time, but a sudden overlooked concern struck Rupert just as he was downing a well earned cup of tea. By the Kingdoms, but this was a marriage between the House of White and The House of Red! Heavens no, would that now make them the House of Pink? It didn't suit either of their complexions, but in his turmoiled mind Rupert was already designing the new colour scheme.

Meanwhile, Wolf and Virginia were being equally silly with their antics. Virginia was blushing deeply as Wolf whispered in her ear. Rupert couldn't quite catch what he said, but he did hear the word 'succulent' many times. Rupert sighed. All too typically, Wolf was already thinking about dinner, obviously.

Now, as they stood together, Rupert heard Wendell turn to Virginia.

"Virginia, dearest sister, I know you don't like to talk about things like this, but really, you're about to become a Queen. Your daughter is heir to the throne now of the Eighth Kingdom. She is their chosen one, but it will be many years before she assumes her place amongst them. It will be to you and Wolf that the people will turn for leadership and stewardship"

"I know" replied Virginia. "I can't say I'm at ease with all this. It frightens me. I don't feel worthy, at all"

"Ah, well then be welcome to the life of royalty, sister. But don't forget, you're not alone! Look at Scarlett and I. Now we have two Kingdoms to manage!".

Virginia laughed. "Well, I suppose you're right. I guess a reluctant Queen is better than one who would trample over the world to be one. And I've got the best King, don't you think?" she said, hugging Wolf close to her.

"Yes, I agree completely. But, there's really just one thing you need to figure out today Virginia"

"What's that?"

"Well, I am the House of White. Scarlett here is the House of Red. What then, will be the name of your new House?"

Rupert watched as Virginia leaned in to Wolf. Their eyes met and he saw the love mirrored between them. Completely fortuitously, there was a lull in the crowd as she spoke.

"We will be...the House Of Wolves"

The End

Epilogue To Follow...