In her long life, she had seen quite a lot of things. Among them, the majority were quite ordinary, but some were not. Many turned out to be somewhat simple, but there were also those that were difficult to understand. There were those that could be dangerous to her and her own, but equally those that she had not had to pay much attention to.

But no matter what it was that she faced, she would remember everything and she would pass it on to her family. Even when she was still young, she had already understood that to know meant to survive, not only for her, but also for her children. If she wanted to live a long life, and if she wanted to enable her offspring to do the same, she had to strive to teach them as much as possible.

Herself and her partner had already been granted such a - long - life. They owed this not only to her alertness, but also to the fact that she had always heeded her mother's advice. And had never forgotten anything.

This had also led her to choose the place where she and her family were now living with the utmost care. She knew every patch and spot in the area, she was familiar with each tree and plant, she had explored every rock and stone, and she had not forgotten the ponds and creeks. But of course she did not neglect the creatures that called this place their home as well.

Now she had reached an age that made her believe she - who was always so attentive and did not dismiss even the smallest details as trivial - could no longer be surprised by anything.

How could she have known how wrong she was in this regard?

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It had not escaped her notice that the days had gotten shorter and therefore she knew that the warm season was coming to an end. As long as the sun was in the sky, it was still very comfortable, but even the nights were not yet so cold that she could not spend them in her favorite place.

Even before the darkness had fallen over the woods, she had walked to the small clearing from which she had so often admired the full moon. She had been able to do this partly because this area between the trees was open on one side to a slope that was so steep that anyone who carelessly set foot on it would be in trouble.

On some other side a brook babbled and sang - before it plunged into the depths - its soothing song. And if the wind enjoyed it, it caused the leaves of the tall trees to add their voices.

There were some flowers growing in this place that left their petals open until after dark, and therefore it was filled with a pleasant fragrance even now. This also led to attract those among the insects that were still out at that time. Their buzzing and humming also contributed their part to the song of the woods.

This was a special place for her, which always imbued her with a sense of happiness and contentment that she otherwise did not receive to this extent in her life. Unfortunately, despite all her efforts, this often was more of a struggle than anything else. It was not always a struggle to survive, but instead one for a life that was more than just an ordinary one.

In this glade, however, she was able to get away from this struggle, she was able to rest from it, also since it was known to the members of her family that they should not bother her in this place. This was true even in the case when she spent the entire night here and only returned to the others at dawn, full of new vigor, able to face once again the problems that were presented to her. Which now were never anything but variations of those she had already solved in the past.

But then a day - or rather a night - arrived, which showed her that she could be surprised after all, and that even at her age there were still lessons to be learned.

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It all started with a rustling in the bushes, just at the very moment she was watching the day begin to give way to night. It was a very quiet rustling, something that others might well have missed, but not her. And she also knew right away that this was a noise that did not belong here. She turned her gaze away from the sky and pricked up her ears, although she also realized at once that there was no danger coming from the creature that was approaching the glade and herself. Therefore, she did nothing else but listen.

But when the creature, which had rustled in the bushes, finally emerged from the undergrowth, she was amazed beyond measure. Not only that it had absolutely nothing to do in this area - its kind had never before ventured so deep into the woods - but it should never have found its way here on its own. She had not seen its kind for many years - it was one of the reasons she had decided to settle here - but she had no problem recognizing that it was a cub, and one of an age when it should never have been out here on its own. Did not every kind take care that the cubs were safe? On the other hand, she was also quite sure that no one else was around, for there was no way she would have missed that.

As soon as the strange cub caught sight of her - someone unknown to him in an unfamiliar place - she expected loud screams and cries, and perhaps an attempt to run away from her. But none of that occurred. The cub approached her without any shyness, even though he seemed old enough to have learned to approach members of other kinds with caution. Again astonishment arose in her, but also the notion that it might be sick and therefore behave so oddly.

She got up to be ready for anything, although she could not imagine harming a cub - of any kind.

But when it got close enough to her that she could really see it - despite the darkness - she forgot from one moment to the next what she had just been wondering about. Indeed, that moment had been sufficient to make her realize that it was by no means sick, but that it was nevertheless not well. It was actually in such a bad shape that she was immediately overcome by her maternal instinct, which until then had been solely for her own offspring. Even if she had wanted to, she would not be able to react differently, but she also did not want to. Although the cub's kind had always caused her nothing but trouble throughout her life so far, this young one touched her heart.

It would only be reasonable to chase it away from her glade, and yet she could not bring herself to do so. Even more, as soon as she realized that it was shivering - and most certainly hungry - she even took it to her family's dwelling and, upon her arrival, made it perfectly clear to her partner - and their offspring - that they would have to accept this. But she also told them that this would remain an exception.

And so it came about that she tolerated a creature next to her that actually had no right to be in this place. But she had understood that this cub was different from the other members of its kind which she had already encountered. In fact, it reminded her more of her own children and therefore she could not consider it a threat. Of course, its young age also played a role in her assessment, but only to a small extent, for she was also certain it would not pose a threat to her and her own even when it was fully grown. It was as if, for a moment, she was able to look ahead to the years to come.

But she was also aware that she would not be able to give it more help than to let it sleep that night in peace - and satiated. She would have to bring it back to its kind the following day, for it would not be able to survive with them, even if she was willing to take it in. For one night, however, she could give it security and love and watch over its sleep.

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When the older woman caught sight of the little blond boy who was just entering the courtyard with tentative steps, she let out a shrill scream that immediately drew the attention of everyone else.

More servants came rushing out of house and stables to learn why she had screamed, but by then she was exclaiming, "He's back! The young Master is back. Praise the Lord, the boy is back."

This outcry carried with it a tremendous sense of relief, which was not surprising considering that everyone had been searching for the boy all night. They had started as soon as they were sure that the Master would not return, who had left for a journey the previous evening. However, at that time he had not been sober anymore and therefore there had been a strong likelihood that he would return to his home.

But he had been seen heading off down the road from the estate without looking back, and so the manservants, the maids and the stable hands had dared to go in search of the boy who had fled from his father's drunken rage. Although he was only four years old, he had already learned that in this state the brutal man was a danger to his life - and that no one at the manor would be able to help him. The previous day, the knight had been drinking heavily, for he had had to embark on a journey that he did not really want to undertake. He would have vented his impotent rage on anyone who crossed his path. Without any exception.

"How lucky that the Master didn't notice the boy's absence," the older woman - who was the boy's nanny - murmured softly, but this had nothing to do with the fact that she feared for herself, although she, too, had already suffered the knight's heavy hand. Never, however, to the extent that he was always lashing out at the boy, in fact, yesterday had unfortunately not been an exception. But the boy had managed to escape, and apparently this time he had sought refuge in a place that no one had been able to find. So, if the maidservant nevertheless whispered, it was only because no one was supposed to speak like that about their Master, no matter how he acted.

However, the woman was also certain that the Master would probably not have minded if the boy had remained missing, even if he would have made it felt to the servants. But the Mistress - who already had to suffer so much as it was - would have been heartbroken if her little darling had not returned.

"Young master ...", the nanny sobbed once more before cradling the dirty child in her arms.

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All of a sudden Sir Guy of Gisburne got the distinct impression that he was being watched and without giving it a second thought he placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. Although he was not in Sherwood, there were certainly outlaws in this forest as well who would try to rob a lone traveler. Moreover, unlike with Hood, who at least until now had always spared his life, he could not assume anything like that about other bandits.

Then, however, the knight gazed into a pair of eyes that by no means belonged to an outlaw. As soon as his view fell on the proud beast, which looked at him attentively out of intelligent yellow eyes, he knew right away that he would not have to expect being attacked. He also knew, however, that this was not due to the fact that this denizen of the forest feared him, the man. Later on he would never be able to say how he had been so sure about this, yet there was not even the slightest doubt in his mind that this was not a foe. He was equally certain, though, that he would never be a foe to this creature.

The two of them - the man and the beast - gazed at each other for another moment, unblinking - and unafraid - then the wolf turned away and vanished back into the forest, while the knight continued his journey.

But for the rest of that day, Guy reveled in the feeling of having been for a moment so secure as he rarely had been in his life.