Tenderhearted Youth

It was midday when the King received word that one of their patrols near the ancient ruins had failed to report back to their post. It was not like for them or any patrol entire to be late or held up by any means not unless that meant trouble. King Ram and his Queen after a quick consideration ordered that more patrols be sent out. They had to find the wolves that were missing. None of their people should ever be left to fate and answers were in need. Was the missing patrol merely slacking by sleeping around dilly dawdling about? If that was the case each one of that patrol would suffer the consequence by flogging and stripped of their rank and be put at half ration with heavy work.

No one in their right mind would want that punishment. When or if it ever did happen to anyone they would know never to do it again but the patrol that went missing were wolves that were part of the guard for many years. They had partook in the attack on the Ancient Ruins to save the Prince and the missing wolf girl, Karina and brought an end to the Primates secret hold and their hidden smuggling tunnels stealing from the Wolf Kingdom itself. Something was amiss with the patrol missing and the Royals needed answers.

But when the Captain had delivered his report and was dismissed with his orders, King Rama needed time alone to think. This was very troubling. A Missing patrol meant that jungle maybe once again showing signs that something dreadful was building but he prayed that would not be the case. He had made doubly sure that no one could invade and build another sanctuary in the jungle and have all the time necessary to build a force that could become a problem for the Wolf Kingdom to deal with.

Queen Raksha respected her Kings wishes. Being in such a position he would need time to clear his mind. Being one such as him carried many great weights on his shoulders but he never had let anything bring his rule into question. He always discovered a problem and would be quick to correct. If a mistake is made he would take his fault and correct it. He still held it against himself for the allowance of the Primates to make a fool out of him by creating their sanctuary with plans to eventually overthrow his kingdom along with never seeing how his eldest would take their treachery to a height he would have believed.

When Queen Raksha left the throne room she went up to the next level to find, Karina standing in the hall looking out the window that showed the great lake outside it.

"Why, hello Karina, dear." Greeted the Queen alerting Karina to her majesty coming up to her with a warm smile.

"Hello, my Queen." Karina bowed hastily her breath huffing showing that she had just recently finished doing some heavy work that she was still recovering from. Queen Raksha smiled knowing exactly what it was.

"Excelling in your training, I presume?" Asked Queen Raksha teasingly. "With your skills growing to such a peak I think you may just best my son, Exon."

Karina blushed at such praise. "Forgive me, your highness I think that is far-fetched."

Queen Raksha chuckled standing near the wolf girl seeing that she is outfitted in the attire that she gifted her six seasons ago. Still to this day she looks ravishing in it. Certainly, fitting for someone like her.

"I see your feeling rather upset. Why?" Asked the Queen picking up, Karina's shifting mood. She not only was tired from her training sessions but the past few weeks it seemed something troubled the poor girl.

Karina didn't know how to express it. She already had her talk with, Captain Lance. He made good points in his own story about how he gained the courage to become the wolf that he is, but the difference was that she simply wasn't part of the kingdom to begin with. Once a traveling nomad whose life was on the endless paths and roads with no clear vision of the future. Never in her life did she believe she would have a title that would befit her as a royal. Even after all this time she still had doubts and worries of not being worthy of any of it.

"Walk with me, dear." Said Queen Raksha taking, Karina's hand and put a hand on her back gently pushing her down the hall walking with her. "Why do you still doubt?"

Karina sighed. "I know you have all said I earned this. I earned it all and you have given me rights and privileges I never imagined but am I truly worthy of it? I never would have asked for it. I moved away from someone who was a second mother to me. I try my very best to be worthy of all that you have given, my Queen. But I…" She was silenced when a hand came over her muzzle.

"Hush now, dear. Whatever doubts you have. Don't. Karina you have proven where you stand. You went far beyond what any subject loyal as they are would do for both, Mowgli and for us and the Kingdom itself. You were not born in the kingdom, yet we welcomed you to it when you half dead at the front of the gate. You fought your way back to your health. You worked hard without complaint and dedication to the festival dances. You looked after, Mowgli and brought him home that day when he ran off. You did more than what anyone could have asked you. If anyone else, Mowgli surely would have been lost multiple times. You protected him. You have always been truthful and compassionate. Your skills in hunting and your dancing is near unmatched. You faced the trials of adulthood and managed to escape your own captors twice and helped protect this kingdom and its heir. You did more than what anyone could have expected. You make me proud, Karina. You're like a third daughter to me and I speak for the King when he would say the same. Everyone in our family looks to you as an equal and not someone unprivileged. Please cast aside those silly doubts of yours and embrace who you are among us. You have nothing more to prove. Only just by staying who you are is more than enough." Explained Queen Raska hoping that she could cheer the poor girl up.

Its true that one does not simply become close as a royal and eventual one by being told so by a royal themselves but, Karina had proven herself. Not only did her heart and that of, Mowgli become as one during the time they were getting to know one another but they been through so much in a short time that their lives intertwined with that of their hearts and the spirits had blessed their union of the most unique that was more of a sign than what any could be shown.

Karina slowly smiled as the Queen kind and gentle words touched her heart. The Seeds of doubt were still within, but they were now not grounded anymore. What the Queen said was true. What more could she have to do to earn her place when she has been among the castle and royals themselves for so long now. No one else in her time or before she came did anyone come to live and reside in the castle with the Royal Family.

Karina was led to her room and when they stopped at the door the Queen embraced the girl. "We're proud to have you, Karina. We are privileged to have you with us, and I look forward to the day when you take my sons hand and unify with him. I say the title of Princess suits you well." Giggle Queen Raksha and, Karina blushed again but hugged her back.

"Thank you, Queen Raksha. I will forever do my best to continue to be worthy." Vowed Karina.

"I have no doubt but please do relax every so often." Laughed the Queen letting go of, Karina stroking the side of her face affectionately. "Do rest up for lunch will be prepared soon." Queen Raksha left, Karina's side leaving her to go to her room. She admired the wolf girl for all her words about her were true. But the only ones who can give themselves any true worth it is the one who possess the doubt in their minds and hearts but she believed that, Karina even after six seasons she would find acceptance and if the arrival of her son, Mowgli who bowed and embraced his loving mother his pace going fast for, Karina's door, Queen Raksha could only grin knowing that young love was a beautiful thing.

Mowgli had finished his latest sparring session with his brother and a few soldiers that were quite eager for a spar. Mowgli managed to evade and deflect many of their attacks but after a good struggle his defense was finally broken a few fists and blunt tips of staffs managed to strike him, but he had returned those blows with many of his own. The Bruises across his chest and side of his body were clear but he was standing strong. All the training he was doing was paying off. By now he could take many blows and not just only one. He could counter and evade and stay out of range for a time. His skills were building up nicely and when the sessions of the day were over there was only one person he was most eager to see other than his family when he returned to the palace.

A Knock came on Karinas door when she was sitting on the bed. "Come in!" She called and the door opened up to reveal, Mowgli.

"Mowgli! How great to see you!" Beamed Karina standing up from her bed while, Mowgli shut the door behind him and rushed for his betrothed hugging her tightly.

"Its wonderful to see you too." Mowgli replied but when, Karina hugged him he winced, and she let go of him fast. She looked him over to see he had many bruises and marks along with some grass stuck to his shorts.

"I see your sessions were quite rough." Smile the Wolf girl putting a hand under, Mowgli's chin lifting it up to see a small purple mark just on the side of his neck showing it had to be a strike from a blunt weapon that gave that to him.

"I admit they got me good." Chuckled Mowgli sheepishly. He could not lie if he wanted to. The Markings across his body were too clear but least he was not defeated too easily.

"I have a remedy for that." Karina snapped her fingers going to a table nearby that had many of the alchemy ingredients and materials given to her by, Shaman Liara shortly after, Karina first moved in. She would need everything she could to live amongst the royals and using the knowledge taught to her by the shaman in her days of living with her then the royals would be good hands as a proficient healer would be closer by to help them should any need attendance.

Quickly with crushing up and mixing some herbs in a mortar and pestle she created an whitish ointment that had a thick smell about it that twitched, Karina's and Mowgli's noses but when the wolf girl returned to, Mowgli she applied the creamy substance across the bruises on, Mowgli's body.

He gritted his teeth as the touch of, Karina's fingers made him twitch but the ointment quickly worked its ways across his purple marks. They sent cooling waves through his body making him shudder and the pain was subsiding fast and when, Karina was finally finished she put back her tools and looked over, Mowgli one more time.

"How do you feel?" She asked.

"A lot better. Thanks to you." Smiled Mowgli thankfully. "I saw, Mother on the way up here did you and her have a talk?"

Karina nodded. "We did. She certainly is more wise than anyone. It matches, Liara's own wisdom."

"Well, I say your just as brilliant if not better. Your healing techniques have gotten tremendously better over the years. If what you just did now isn't a sign I would say your on the way to becoming the next shaman along with being a princess." Mowgli winked and, Karina let a soft giggle escape her lips.

"Your too kind, Mowgli but we shouldn't jump to conclusions. I am just glad I am able to help." Karina assured standing by the young man. He still was smaller than her, but he has grown so much that only now he stood nearly at level with here.

"You do more than most. I am glad to have you, Karina. I wish the years would just leap on by and we can finally become one." Said Mowgli taking Karina's hands. She was always on his mind. Seeing her was a joy and delight. She made him see the light through the darkness when it had nearly overwhelmed before. She taught him so much that the skills he gained from her helped save both of their lives. He owed her a tremendous deal and he couldn't be happier with her.

Karina sniffled as Mowgli too was a blessing in her life. He was much like her in many ways. They suffered and gained in the time they knew each other. They been through more than any could say in their lives. He gave her a reason to hope, and he too had taught her so much that even he was unaware of it yet.

"Oh, you." Cooed Karina taking her arms and wrapped them around his neck and pulled him into her lips. Mowgli's own lips collided with hers and they passionate kissed every moment with, Mowgli holding onto her waist.

The two of them continued to kiss both showing how much their hearts have desired for one another and built up across the seasons. They had came up through a tremendous ordeal that changed their lives for good but the events that transpired from it gave them something to believe and hold onto and that was each other. They loved each other so much and with only two more seasons to go until, Mowgli would take the trails to adulthood and after that to have a ceremony that unify them in matrimony.

The Two passionately kissed on until a knock came to their door stopping them as they awkwardly chuckled their cheeks red, but they had quickly adjusted themselves to make sure they didn't look messy or that they were interrupted which they were.

"Come on." Karina called though the sound of a disappointment was clear in her tone. She and Mowgli didn't always have moments like that daily, but she wished that they both could have some more quality time without fear of interruption.

It was a guard on the door with a rather grim look on his face. "You two are needed in the throne room. Your presence has been requested." Said the Guard hastily his voice very low.

"What is wrong?" Asked Mowgli.

"Something has been discovered in the jungle and requires the royal family's attention, my Prince." Answered the guard. "Hurry as, King Rama is expecting you both."

Karina and Mowgli looked at each other in surprise. The News already sounded quite bad. Why else would a guard be telling them in such need when lunch was not ready yet for all of them to gather. It was still early but if their presence was needed they had no time to waste quickly exiting, Karina's bedroom and headed for the throne to see what the matter was and could only hope it was not as dire as the guard was making it sound as.