Note: I made a few corrections to past chapters. I'm still open for suggestions for cute bonding scenes between Duke and Jennifer, like their first kiss.
Ch.4: A Night Out In the Woods
Vince and Dave haven't seen Jennifer this excited waiting for guests to arrive since she was a young girl, wanting to have tea parties with Audrey and Nathan (Nathan only attended so he could play the dashing hero who rescues them from kidnappers crashing the tea party). They knew something was up, but they had to wait until Jennifer was willing to share that information or they had some time to quiz on what's on her mind.
Jennifer fidgeted as she adjusted her dress and jewelry. Today was the day she found out if Duke was real or an illusion. Even though she was taught to be logical before making a decision, her heart was screaming that Duke had to be real. All she could do is remain calm, like everything was fine, until she had her answer.
The guests soon arrived as a servant announced them. First were Sir Bryon Howard and Princess Audrey Parker. Sir Howard always tended to be formal in social situations, so Jennifer just curtsied for him. However, when Audrey stepped forward, they smiled and hugged as they greeted each other.
"How have you been?" Jennifer asked when they broke apart.
"I've been busy, but I'll tell you later," Audrey said as they noticed Sir Howard glaring at them to hurry up.
Next were King Garland Wuornos and Prince Nathan. Even though Garland was a stickler for protocol, he let all that pass when it came to Jennifer. Jennifer seemed to penetrate Garland's hard shell. So it didn't come as a surprise the first thing he did when he saw Jennifer was to hug her and kiss her cheek.
"Still can't believe no one has put a ring on your finger," Garland said after the kiss. "What am I saying? No man is worthy of you."
Jennifer softly laughed and Nathan repeated his father's actions, except he kissed her on the opposite cheek.
"Looking forward to this camping trip," Nathan said. "But you didn't say where we're camping."
"It's a surprise," Jennifer quickly said.
Nathan then saw Audrey, making him smile, as they went to each other and kissed when they were together.
After the introductions were done, it was time for meetings, planning, and scheduling for future talks, which seemed to take forever to Jennifer. Finally, everything was done, and Jennifer tried not to run too fast to not trip over herself to get to her room to change clothes.
After she got on her clothes that were suitable for camping, Jennifer headed outside, where she waited with the horses for her friends. They soon arrived, wearing their own outdoor attire, and they brought their own horses. Nathan had a blue roan bronco which he had tamed and named Blue. Audrey had a dark bay Riding Pony named Lucy.
"Wow, Jennifer, I don't think we're going to need this much food," Audrey said, seeing the amount that was packed. She turned to a servant. "Please take—"
"No, no, it's fine," Jennifer quickly injected, causing Audrey to give her an odd look. "Um . . . it's a surprise."
She then remembered Duke's lantern and placed it in her saddlebag and Nathan noticed this.
"Didn't you already pack a lantern?" Nathan asked.
"Um . . . yes . . . but this is for the surprise," Jennifer feebly said, chiding herself how stupid she sounded now.
"Jennifer, if you say 'surprise' one more time, I'm staying behind," Nathan said with a teasing smile.
"Nonsense," Garland said, placing his hand on his son's shoulder, even though Garland knew Nathan couldn't feel it. "Someone needs to defend the women."
"Trust me, I'm capable of doing that," Audrey said, placing her hand on her own sword, then mounted her pony.
Audrey was privileged enough to be given self-defense lessons and was skilled as any male fighter. Jennifer also took some self-defense lessons, but was still an amateur compared to Audrey.
Once everyone was mounted, and the stuff on the pack mules was secured, they said their good-byes to their friends and families, and rode off.
"Here we are!" Jennifer announced when they entered the grassy area near the pond. Audrey and Nathan stopped their horses and Jennifer had to stop Autumn when she saw the scene as well.
Placed beautifully around in a flat grassy area were candles and there were lanterns hanging from trees. A snake and a duck were finishing places the last ones as the humans dismounted. Jennifer scanned the area.
"Duke!" she called out when she spotted him, waving at the otter carrying a candle in his mouth.
Duke dropped the candle he held and bounded to Jennifer. He joyfully bounced around her, making happy whistling and chirping noises, as she smiled and laughed.
"Jennifer," Nathan said, getting hers and the otter's attention. "What is—"
Nathan was interrupted when they saw a Sasquatch Bear heading towards them . . . carrying wildflowers in his mouth? Nathan and Audrey instinctively reached for their swords.
"Wait!" Jennifer exclaimed, standing in-between them and the bear. "Dwight's a friend! So are Duke, Claire, and Tommy!"
Nathan and Audrey removed their hands from their swords and watched in curiosity and confusion. Jennifer turned around and faced Dwight.
"Sorry, Dwight," Jennifer said. Dwight calmly shook his head, and Jennifer looked at the wildflowers. "I'll take those."
Dwight shook his head again and walked around Jennifer. He went over to Claire and Tommy and dropped the wildflowers next to them. They soon began spreading the wildflowers, decorating the area.
"That's so nice, Dwight," Jennifer said. Dwight shook his head and looked at Duke. Jennifer walked over to Duke.
"You mean this was your idea, Duke?" Jennifer asked and the otter nodded. "Why, this is sweet, Duke! Thank you!"
The otter smiled and Nathan and Audrey were getting impatient.
"Okay, Jennifer, start explaining, now," Nathan said.
"Can you wait . . . 5 seconds?" Jennifer asked, after checking the setting sun and Duke stood on his hind legs.
"Why do you want us to—" Nathan got his question answered when the sun set and Duke transformed. Audrey's and Nathan's faces were the perfect picture of astonishment.
"Jennifer, what's—" Audrey began.
"Wait, you can see him?" Jennifer asked, and both Audrey and Nathan slowly nodded. Jennifer's face brightened up with joy. She hugged Duke with all her might, once again, surprising him. "You're not an illusion, Duke! Oh, I'm so happy!"
"Yes, I'm happy I'm not an illusion as well," Duke said, returning the hug. "I'm also happy you now truly believe me."
Nathan clearing his throat got their attention, and they broke apart. Nathan then did an excellent impression of his father, waiting for an answer.
"Oh, right," Jennifer said, and brought Duke closer to her friends. "Audrey, Nathan, this is Duke Crocker. Duke, this is Audrey Parker and Nathan Wuornos."
"Madam," Duke politely greeted, bowing and kissed her hand.
"Hey! Why didn't you do that when we met?" Jennifer asked, a little offended and . . . she hated to admit this, jealous.
"I was too busy being prodded, remember?" Duke said with a teasing smile.
"Oh . . . yeah . . . sorry," Jennifer said, embarrassed.
"It's fine; I'm willing to make up for lost time," Duke said, and bowed while he kissed her hand, making Jennifer smile.
"Excuse me . . ." Nathan said, getting their attention.
"What? Do you want me to kiss your hand as well?" Duke innocently asked.
"You're a Crocker," Nathan said.
"Yeah . . . and I don't hold grudges, even against a Wuornos," Duke said, and the men began eyeing each other. Jennifer scooted closer to Audrey.
"What's going on?" she whispered.
"The Crockers and Wuornoses battled each other 81 years ago, remember?" Audrey kindly reminded.
"Oh . . ." Jennifer didn't really pay much attention during history class when the teacher talked about battles; in her opinion, they were always petty and stupid. She then brought her attention back to Duke and Nathan, glaring at each other.
"I heard about you, Duke," Nathan said. "How you woo the women. Tell me, is it true you bedded 7 women at once?"
"That's an exaggeration and I've changed!" Duke said, defensively, and jabbed his finger in Nathan's chest. He then thought over what he said, "Besides the whole . . . changing into an otter magic."
"Crockers don't change," Nathan said with a stubborn smile. Jennifer rolled her eyes. Not now . . .
She looked at Audrey who gave her a smile and a wink; they knew what to do.
"Say, Duke, I think we should light the candles now; I can help," Jennifer said. "We should also get your lantern."
Duke looked at Jennifer and smiled.
"Sure, Jennifer. I'll even show you where the horses can stay," Duke said and coughed. "Sorry; I must have a piece of wax stuck in my mouth."
Jennifer softly laughed and picked up the candle Duke dropped. She smiled she saw the otter teeth impressions.
"Come on, Nathan," Audrey said, grabbing his hand, while he continued to watch Duke and Jennifer interact. "Let's unpack."
Luckily for Jennifer and Audrey, everyone had plenty to talk about to prevent the men from bickering. Audrey and Nathan also found out that the reason Jennifer packed extra food was Dwight, Claire, and Tommy. She got Tommy some frogs, acorns for Claire, and for Dwight, a honey ham.
"So you have two curses," Nathan reviewed as Jennifer served cake for dessert. "You change into an otter when its day, and if a woman breaks your heart, you'll die?"
Duke nodded. "I don't really mind being an otter, except for the not being able to control the change part."
"And this is Rouge Pond?" Audrey asked in-between bites. "And you can understand animals?"
"Yes."
"And they can understand you?" Audrey asked.
Duke nodded again. "Like Dwight should understand that begging for food doesn't work when you're over 2 feet tall."
Nathan turned to his side to see Dwight looking at his cake longingly. Audrey chuckled.
"Don't worry, Dwight. I think there'll be enough cake leftover for you," Audrey said, as Claire took this opportunity to gobble up crumbs, while Tommy enjoyed the warmth from the candlelight.
"So you can't kill Arla because the curses will still remain?" Nathan asked.
"Yeah; it's one of those," Jennifer added after she swallowed a bite of cake, as Duke nodded.
"So your curse is that you can't physically feel anything?" Duke asked and Nathan nodded.
"Huh. So you're saying that if I punched you right now . . ." Duke began.
"It'd be the last thing you ever do, but yeah, I couldn't feel it," Nathan finished with a thin smile.
"Audrey? Are you okay?" Jennifer asked, seeing the pensive look on Audrey's face, bringing her back.
"Sorry. It's just the name 'Arla.' I know I heard that name before, but I don't remember where," Audrey said.'
"When you do, let me know. Anything I can use to defeat Arla and Wade and remove these curses, I'll take," Duke said.
"Don't worry, Duke. We'll all help," Jennifer said, putting a comforting hand on his, making Duke look at her. Jennifer then looked at her friends. "Right?"
Audrey immediately nodded in agreement, and a second later, Nathan nodded.
"Oh, you promise not to tell anyone about Rouge Pond?" Jennifer remembered.
"I don't like to keep secrets from my Father, but yes, I promise," Nathan said.
"You can trust me," Audrey said.
"Thank you," Duke said, truly appreciating having humans he can trust again.
"Duke, could you wake us up before sunrise? I want to say good-bye to you as a human. I don't mean to sound rude, I mean you're cute as an otter, but—" Jennifer attempted to sound polite.
"It's okay. I understand," Duke said, smiling. "I'll get you up."
"Thanks, Duke," Jennifer said, smiling back.
"Would you like to take a walk around Rouge Pond before you sleep?" Duke asked, as he stood up, and offered a hand to Jennifer.
"Sure," she answered as she took his hand and he helped her up.
"We'll—" Nathan started to say, as he placed down his unfinished cake and began to stand.
"Clean up," Audrey quickly injected, causing Nathan to look at her.
Jennifer and Duke smiled as they walked off.
"But—but—but . . . she . . . he . . ." Nathan tried to say when they were gone.
"Do not try to finish that sentence, Nathan Wuornos, or you're sleeping alone in the tent," Audrey warned.
Nathan was so stunned that he didn't realize Dwight ate his piece of cake.
Jennifer awoke to something tickling her face and it was a little shocking to wake up to see Tommy. The snake slithered to the opening of her tent a bit, before he stopped and looked back, signaling her to follow him with his flickering tail. Jennifer quickly got dressed and exited her tent to see Duke leaning against a tree. The morning mist gave the scenery a more mythic feeling as Jennifer walked up to Duke.
"Duke, what's going on?" Jennifer asked, curious and a little concerned.
"I wanted to talk with you in private, without interference from your Big Brother," Duke said. Jennifer laughed at Duke's appropriate nickname for Nathan. "I asked Claire to wake them up. So . . . walk with me?"
Jennifer nodded and they held hands as they walked. After some time, Duke stopped, turned around to face her, and held both her hands.
"Why is it so important that I'm real?" Duke asked, looking in her eyes.
"Well," Jennifer began, as she wiggled her fingers in Duke's hands. "Staying with you that night we met . . . I really enjoyed being with you . . . and I didn't want it to be a lie."
Duke nodded, understanding, even though Jennifer went about it her own style, and found himself smiling, remembering that night.
"I . . . enjoyed having you around as well," Duke said, causing Jennifer's eyes to light up.
"So, um, where do we go from here?" Jennifer asked.
"What do you want to do?"
"I would like to see you as much as possible."
"I would like that as well," Duke said, smiling. "So will you?"
"Will I what?" Jennifer asked.
"Visit me every night you can," Duke said and thought something over. "Or I can visit you. I think there's a river close to the castle; I better check my charts."
"Anyway, yes," Jennifer said, nodding and smiling. "I will visit you."
This time Duke hugged her.
"Thank you," he whispered in her ear with a grateful tone. After the hug, Jennifer thought of something.
"Wait; what if something comes up and I need to get in touch with you?" Jennifer asked. "I mean, I don't know how to contact Bowie."
Duke and Jennifer thought over how to solve this problem.
"I know! Remember the stump in the clearing? I'll write you a note and put it under a stone next to it," Jennifer said and Duke smiled and nodded. "And you can have your animal friends deliver your letters!"
"But what if I have to write a letter and it's daylight?" Duke asked and Jennifer's face fell a little, but Duke smiled. "Maybe I can take up finger-painting again."
This made Jennifer smile. Duke felt the sun was about to rise and he knew what he wanted to say to her next.
"Jennifer, thank you."
"For what?"
"Making me feel truly human again in a long time."
Before Jennifer could respond, the sun began to rise, parting the mist. Duke let go of Jennifer's hand and began backing away, but she held tightly to his other hand.
"Whaaawwwss . . ." Duke tried to say, but his vocal chords soon changed, denying him a change to finish his sentence.
Jennifer held onto Duke's hand as long as she could as he changed. She felt fur growing on his hand, the webbing spreading between his digits, his fingers shortening, and even his fingernails becoming little claws. Jennifer knew she couldn't hold onto him any longer as she saw his body shrinking, pulling his now paw with him. When the change was complete, Duke remained standing on his hind legs, giving Jennifer a curious look. Jennifer knelt down.
"I just wanted to show you, that from now on, I'll be by your side," Jennifer said.
Duke was really touched and did the only thing he could in this situation. He placed his front paws on her knees, and leaned in, and licked her check.
Jennifer laughed as Duke's whiskers tickled her skin. Soon Audrey and Nathan were calling for her, as they went to her, letting her know that breakfast was ready. Duke dropped down to all fours and dove into Rouge Pond, hunting for his own breakfast.
After breakfast, everything was soon packed up, and the humans headed home. Jennifer paused to look back at Rouge Pond one more time to see an otter happily leaping in and out of the water.