Flashback: Dinadan

Elaine puffed at her hair in exasperation. They were supposed to be going shopping today in the market, not slogging through the stinking kennels to find Fergus a war dog. If this went on much longer, she was going to demand a new pair of shoes. Or two. And a bonnet.

Finally, they stopped in front of a small stall. "Here we are," the kennel master announced. "These 'ere are the pups what've just been weaned. Come let'em get a whiff of you, sir. See if they like you."

Fergus opened the gate and walked inside, then knelt down and offered his hand to the puppies who immediately began vying for his attention. All except for one, that is, who made a beeline for the open gate.

"Whoa, there, little feller," cooed the kennel master as he scooped up the puppy. "Can't have you runnin' off now." He glanced over at Elaine who had flounced against the wall, arms crossed and glowering at her brother. "Would you like to hold'im, m'lady?"

Elaine studied the small animal. He was cute. Well, he was a puppy, after all. "Is he going to pee on me?"

"Er – I don't think so. No promises, though. He's a wee little thing."

She contemplated that for a moment. The puppy, meanwhile, had taken notice of her and was struggling to get out of the kennel master's grasp. Finally, she held out her hands to the kennel master who placed the warm little body inside them. The puppy immediately squirmed around and tried to get at her face. "Oh!" Elaine squealed and laughed as she pulled the puppy into her chest. "No, no! Don't lick my face! Oh, stop it!" She giggled and made no effort whatsoever to stop the puppy's enthusiastic kisses. She grinned at the kennel master. "Does he have a name yet?"

"No, miss," he replied. "He'll get a name once he imprints on someone."

"Oh? When will that happen?"

The kennel master chuckled. "Well, I suppose he's just done it."

"What? Do you mean on me? He's imprinted on me?"

"Aye, looks like."

Fergus stood up and glared at his little sister. "What? He likes her? He's supposed to be a war dog, not a lap dog. Elaine, you can't keep him."

The kennel master looked a bit sheepish at this remark. "Well, to be honest, sir, he ain't much good to us now. Once a dog's imprinted, he won't pay much mind to anyone else. He'll be very hard to train without his mistress."

Elaine smiled smugly. "I think I'll name him Fergus."

Fergus hurried out of the puppies' stall and turned to his father. "I can't believe this. You're not seriously going to let her keep a war dog, are you, Father?"

Bryce looked at his daughter, nuzzling the puppy, full of warmth and contentment. How could he deny her this small indulgence? He looked at his astonished son. "I don't see how I can stop her. And I don't want to. Let her have a pet. It can't do any harm. Besides, every noblewoman needs a good bodyguard."

Fergus threw his hands up in defeat. "Fine, fine. We came here for a war dog for me, and here we are leaving with a pet for Elaine. Typical. You'd better not let it get fat eating bon-bons all day."

"Oh, Fergus, you don't mean it. I'll take good care of him. Besides, there'll be more puppies in a month or so. I'm sure one of them will imprint on you."

The rancor slid from Fergus' expression as he reached over to pet Elaine's new puppy. Elaine's new war dog puppy. He smirked at her. "And my dog will kick your dog's arse." Elaine smirked back. "We'll see about that."