Wolf Princess Chapter 5
Finally refreshed Remus headed right for the Forbidden Forest. Earlier in the day, once he had left Firenze in his classroom, he went straight to his own living quarters. There he immediately went to sleep and remained like that for hours. His body was completely worn out requiring time to regenerate the same as always after the full moon.
As soon as Remus had awakened from his deep slumber he immediately made sure he cleaned himself up. He really needed a shower. Ha had a decent meal in his rooms while checking he had enough within the bag he made ready. The moment he had checked everything he went up to the Headmasters quarters to notify Dumbledore he was heading out. Somehow Dumbledore seemed to already know everything that was going on in the castle since he was waiting at his desk when Remus came up to visit him.
"So you're leaving then," said Dumbledore, moving around his desk toward Remus.
"Yes, Headmaster," said Remus, shouldering his bag.
Giving Remus an encouraging pat on the back, Dumbledore said "I wish you the best of luck in you search."
"I'll do my best, Albus," said Remus, smiling. With that Remus had turned leaving the office.
Now Remus found himself standing in front of the Forbidden Forest. For a few minutes he stood there staring at the trees. After a little while he took in a deep breath clutching his wand as he walked right into the forest.
Deep inside the forest I was sitting alone in my favorite tree. I had been there for hours thinking things over trying to figure out what to do next. So much had happened in the last day with brand new information that had come to light. I wasn't the only one of my kind like I'd originally thought. There were probably thousands of others out there and I never even knew that they existed. The problem was I needed to figure out what to do from here. I knew I wasn't a wolf so I must've had some other family out there. At some points I kept looking up into the sky trying to picture the faces of my human family…the ones that tried to get rid of me.
This was how my brothers found me when they came looking for me. My bothers sniffed me out as they were passing under the branches. The two of them looked up and saw me there a dazed look to my face. They grinned at each other having the exact same idea. Brokefang nodded to White-fang. With that signal the two of them took in a huge gulp of air.
"Hey Numa," the two of them shouted at the top of their lungs.
I swear I nearly fell out of the tree from surprise and that had never happened before. I had to latch onto the branch I'd been sitting on so that I wouldn't drop. Unfortunately, I still managed to end up on the underside of the branch.
I glared down at my brothers from where I was hanging. "You guys are such jerks," I shouted, angrily. I went to take out my knife from its sheath. While hanging onto the branch with one arm and my legs wrapped around it I threw the knife straight down at them.
Brokefang and White-fang instinctively jumped out of the way when they saw the knife coming right for them. The knife ended up wedged in the earth exactly where Brokefangs paw was at. The two of them ended up laughing their heads off being on their backs paws waving madly in the air.
"Yeah, yeah," I said, annoyed, "laugh it up you two." I jumped from branch to branch until I reached the forest floor. I went over to where the knife was yanking it out of the ground. I remained glaring at my brothers as I returned the knife to its sheath. "You two finished yet or are you just going to keep making fools of yourselves?"
At my words the two idiots began to settle down. Their laughter eventually subsided, but the grins remained on their muzzles.
"Our apologies, Sister," said White-fang, smiling, "we just couldn't resist such a temptation or good opportunity."
"That's what you say all the time," I snarled. "Now why were you guys looking for me?"
"We were heading back to the den," said Brokefang, "We wanted to know if you wanted to come hunting with us before we returned there."
"Well, well, well," I said, smirking at my brothers, "couldn't catch anything either now, could you?"
My brothers flinched at my statement the grins left their faces. They mumbled something about not being able to find anything appetizing and whatever prey they did locate was just too fast for them. This time I was the one who burst out laughing. The two of them not being able to catch anything was completely hilarious. Fortunately, unlike Brokefang and White-fang, I knew when to stop. These two seemed to be embarrassed enough as it was and I was the big sister after all.
"All right," I said, sighing, "let's hunt together. We'll probably have a better chance of making a catch if the three of us are working as one. Also, I don't think any of us want to go without a meal tonight."
My brothers didn't really take to well to the option I threw at them. They'd usually hunt separate from me and we'd try to best each other by catching the most prey. Whatever wasn't needed at the moment would be buried and stored for another day. What happened next was completely against their pride.
"All right," growled White-fang.
Releasing a small giggle only seemed to irritate my brothers even more. They just growled at me, but didn't comment about it. White-fang began to trot away while Brokefang knelt down a bit and I leapt up onto his back. Once I was secure Brokefang ran right after our brother following him through the forest.
In the meantime, somewhere else in the Forbidden Forest, Remus wasn't having that much luck finding his way around. He'd managed to locate the waterfall where he had originally found the girl, but didn't really know where to go after that. He went around for hours trying to find at least one clue, but he could not find even the slightest hint. Realizing he wasn't really getting anywhere Remus settled for a rest. The spot he found was nice and secluded where he thought he would be somewhat safe from any of the number of predators in the Forbidden Forest.
Remus took out some food he'd packed and began eating. While he was having his meal he was trying to figure out his next move. If he couldn't find the girl by the end of the day then he'd probably have to head back to Hogwarts to start again tomorrow. Remus sighed as the thought came to mind and he continued on with his meal. Little did Remus know he wasn't completely alone there. Hidden in the shadows was a predator that was keeping an eye on him with much intensity staring at Remus with its large number of eyes. This creature was large, but not only was it huge it was hungry, too, and it had located its next meal.
Finishing his meager snack Remus cleaned off his hands standing up from where he was sitting. He was adjusting his pack when he heard something. It sounded as if something was moving through the forest. A bad feeling went through Remus so he pulled out his wand. He stood there trying to figure out where the noise was coming from. As he was figuring out what it was it came without any warning at all. It pounded out at him from behind. If Remus hadn't heard its approach he wouldn't have been able to move out of the way in time. With it now in his sights he could now figure out what had been watching him.
It was an Acromantula which is the largest species of spider on the face of the earth. Remus had heard that these were in the forest, but he hadn't seen them until now. It was quite amazing and frightening gazing at this creature. Remus didn't have any remaining time for further observation. The Acromantula didn't give him a chance to. It jumped forward and Remus had to use his wand shooting a spell directly at the creature.
Further away Brokefang, White-fang, and I were continuing our hunt. Progress was made with the three of us working together one as a team. We'd managed to take down a very large buck which was now lying dead in front of us.
I was now teasing my brothers, saying "I told you guys we'd be successful." Brokefang and White-fang just growled, but didn't talk back to me about it. Laughing all the while I began to pull the buck our way. "Come on let's take it back."
The two of them agreed with me and one of them going to pick up the buck to put it on the others back. Just as we were doing this a loud shriek filled the air. That shriek startled the three of us actually causing them to jump a few feet.
"What was that," exclaimed White-fang, startled enough to have dropped the limb he'd been carrying in his mouth.
"It sounded like one of those Acromantula," said Brokefang, ears twitching, quickly dismissing the sound. "It's not worth our time."
"Probably right," said White-fang. The two of them then returned to picking up and arranging the buck. When the animal was properly placed on Brokefangs back another scream rang out, but this one came neither from an Acromantula nor from any other creature living in the forest.
My eyes widened instantly recognizing the cry for what it was. "That's no Acromantula," I exclaimed. Without any further thought on the matter I began to run in the direction of where the cry had originated. This action seemed to startle Brokefang and White-fang from their stupor.
"Numa," shouted White-fang, "Numa, come back! We have to head home. We don't have time to…" White-fang growled realizing I wasn't paying any attention to what he was saying. A moment later he went rushing after me with Brokefang directly behind him while working extremely hard to keep the dead animal on his back.
As I was running I took our one of my many arrows knocking it onto the bow preparing for whatever was to come next.
Remus was somehow managing to hold his own against the Acromantula, but it was giving him a hard time. He was able to wound the Acromantula, but his attacks weren't slowing it down in the slightest. This Acromantula was very determined to get a meal out of its target and Remus was stuck being the only thing in sight for it. The Acromantula did get a few blows on him, but the wounds weren't anything serious. They could easily be treated with the use of a wand later.
The Acromantula was chasing Remus through the forest not giving in. Remus was beginning to run out of breath beginning to slow down. The Acromantula was wearing him down big time. In order to survive Remus was going to have to end this here and now.
At one point Remus turned to confront the Acromantula, but he lost his footing as he tripped over a tree root. As this happened his wand slipped from his hand landing a bit away as he hit the ground. He was completely defenseless in this state. Sensing this crucial moment of vulnerability the Acromantula knew it had won. It came closer rearing up on its hind legs clicking its pincers together excitedly. It then lunged forward preparing to kill him with Remus having absolutely no way to retrieve his wand.
An arrow shot through the air hitting the Acromantula directly in the stomach. The Acromantula let out a sheik landing on its side, but the wound the arrow created didn't kill it.
Remus turned in the direction of where the arrow came from. Out of the brush leapt the one person he was looking for, Numa.
Numa already had another arrow knocked onto her bow. She jumped right over Remus while shooting another arrow at the Acromantula. It hit right in the side. By now the Acromantula managed to get back on its feet refusing to perish without a fight. It charged toward Numa, but she easily dodged the attack.
At the same time two huge wolves came bursting out into the open. They were snarling with a murderous glint in their eyes showing that they meant serious business. They didn't waste any time immediately tackling the Acromantula. One of them went for the side while the other bit deep into the neck.
The Acromantula shrieked trying to get away, but the wolves had on him was far too strong. As the wolves were holding it down Remus saw the girl jump onto the spiders back. She had an arrow knocked onto her bow. She placed herself over the creatures head, took aim, and fired. The arrow went clean through. The Acromantula ceased struggling, let out a final shriek of pain, and completely dropped to the ground now as a corpse.
While Numa and the wolves had been fighting the Acromantula Remus had been able to retrieve his wand with its attention no longer focused on him. He was on his feet now watching the three of them gathered around. He had a careful eye on the wolves, but his main focus was only for the girl standing on the spider. He watched as Numa jumped down from the back of the spider a large grin on her face. Immediately the two wolves surrounded the girl while beginning to rub up against her. She returned the attention y scratching their ears while petting their heads. At the same time the wolves seemed to remember his presence there.
As soon as they spotted him the male wolves began to growl showing their large and sharp teeth. After a bit of an observation he could make out they were only males. Their growls were what brought the girls attention over to him. Numa's eyes locked with his and Remus knew she realized who he was by the recognition in her eyes. The two of them stood there staring at the other. After a little while Numa moved away from the two wolves returning to the Acromantula. She was retrieving her arrows from the spider's corpse.
It was at this time Remus decided to make his move. He took a step forward, saying "Thank you for saving me. I appreciate what you did to assist."
Numa didn't say anything in response to his words, but Remus did know that she did give a sight nod of acknowledgement.
"You're one hard person to find," said Remus, "I've been going through the forest for hours searching for you."
Numa halted in what she was doing, but after a few seconds she continued with her work. "I don't know why you would," she said, softly.
A small smile came onto Remus's face at hearing her voice. It was soft and silky with no trace of any hostility. It sounded quite soothing to him. "I came here because I want to help you," he said, moving closer.
The wolves growled in warning and Remus stopped where he was. He could see that the wolves were prepared to pounce if he came any closer. Remus held up his hand in a defensive manner attempting to give the message that he wasn't going to hurt any of them at all. The wolves didn't seem like they were getting the message for they were still growling fiercely at him. Fortunately, Numa was the one that was getting it.
"Leave him be you two," I commanded, calmly, taking out the last of the arrows, "he doesn't mean us any harm." At her words the wolves seemed to visibly calm down. But they were still eyeing him with their faces full of suspicion and hostile intent.
Finished with her task Numa placed her arrows back with the others and moved back over to the wolves. As she placed herself in between the two wolves Numa turned back to face him. "What makes you think I need your help," she demanded.
"You're alone here in the wilderness," said Remus, "with no family or others of your own kind to be around."
"I've been doing just fine," said Numa, "and I haven't been on my own. The wolves have been my family, the forest has been my home, and the creatures of the forest are my friends. They have provided me with shelter, strength, protection, and life. They have been giving me all I have ever needed in life and so much more."
Remus could see he wasn't really getting anywhere with her in this situation. He tried to remember what advice Firenze had given to him attempting to figure out what to do next. While he was doing this his focus had removed from the girl along with the wolves so he hadn't noticed the girl come up to him. It was only when there was a tug on his clothes did he realize she had moved closer. He looked and saw that she was wearing a curious expression on her face. He then realized she seemed to be a bit curious of his clothing. She was probably wondering why he was wearing any at all.
Grinning, Remus said "Curious?"
Numa nodded, plucking at his clothes. "Yes," she said, "why are you wearing all of this?"
"It's not really that strange of a thing," said Remus, "I wear clothing like this every day."
"Yes," said Numa, "but what is their purpose for you to wear such things?"
"Well there are many reasons why humans wear these kinds of clothes," said Remus. "They keep up warm, comfortable, and covered."
Numa cocked her head to the side continuing to look somewhat confused by what he was speaking of to her. It didn't seem like she was actually getting it just yet.
Remus sighed "Don't worry you'll get it, Numa."
As soon as I heard my name come out of the stranger's mouth my entire body froze with my hands coming to a halt in their exploration. How the hell did this guy know my name? I stepped away from the stranger beginning to slowly walk away toward my brothers while still facing him. My brothers didn't like this either. They were growling whole hostility in their faces had seriously increased.
"How do you know my name," I demanded, suspicious.
"There's no need to be alarmed," said the stranger, "I just learned it from an old friend of yours."
"He's lying, Numa," growled Brokefang. "No one in this forest would tell an outsider about you."
"Not even Firenze," Asked the stranger, brow raised.
That got to all three of us. My brothers stopped growling and the three of us shared a shocked look. Firenze had left the forest a few years ago and no one had really heard from him since. As soon as I'd found out he had gone I tried to find out where he'd gone from his herd. They refused to tell me where he went and when they spoke his name some of them had worn expressions of disdain and hatred I instantly knew something quite serious must've taken place.
Hearing this outsider say Firenze's name managed to catch my interest. "How do you know Firenze," I asked, suspicious yet intrigued.
"I work with him up at the school," said the outsider. "Like Firenze, I'm a teacher."
"How is he," I asked, eagerly. Despite the situation I wanted to know how my friend was doing.
"He's doing just fine," said the outsider, a soft look of understanding in his eyes.
White-fang let out a growl, saying "Don't listen to him, Numa. He's probably just lying to us."
"Yeah let's rip him apart," growled Brokefang. "Can we eat him?"
I frowned smacking them both on their noses, hard. "No, you may not," I reproved. I gazed up to the sky to try and figure out the time. "We should be getting back to the den. It's getting late the sun is beginning to set."
At my statement a shocked expression appeared on the strangers face revealing he, also, checked out the sky. Beyond his notice he realized the time had passed faster than expected. "Damn it," he whispered, "I'll never be able to make it before nightfall."
That instantly got me thinking. Leaving this human with not protection or shelter would end up in eventual disaster. By the sound of things his was never going to make it to his own den in time. So I came to a decision.
I sighed "You're coming with us."
This seemed to shock both the human and my brothers.
"Excuse me," said the human, not quite believing what he just heard.
"We can't take him with us, Numa," objected Brokefang, bringing him to our den will only cause trouble."
"Numa, Brokefang is right," agreed White-fang. "You know that Mother will never allow it."
"Whether Mother allows it or not I will be taking this human with us," I said, firmly. "I will not leave him alone here in the forest where others can do him harm." I then looked away from my brothers and over to the human a softer look on my face. "That is if he wishes to come with us."
The human seemed to look like he was carefully thinking it over then a bright smile formed on his lips. "If you will allow it I would love to come with you," he said.
Brokefang and White-fang looked like they wanted to object to his statement, but one reproachful look from me shut them right up. Grudgingly White-fang moved forward and over to the human. He remained perfectly still as White-fang came over to him. White-fang circled the human until he was on one side and facing us. He then lowered himself down onto his front legs so to make it easier for the human to get up onto his back. The human hesitated, but only for a moment before he accepted the invitation climbing up top his back.
I could easily keep up with my brothers so I didn't require an actual ride from Brokefang. At least not this time anyway. Besides he would have enough to carry alone by dragging the carcass of the Acromantula along.
Just as we were about to head out a thought came to mind. "By the way," I said, turning to the human, "what is your name?"
"It's Remus," said the human, smiling, "Remus John Lupin."
I nodded acknowledging his answer and began running with Remus Lupin along with my brothers following me. Returning to where we left the buck we took it with us. Any extra meat would be very useful. It would manage to keep our pack sustained for a while.
Remus hung on tight to the wolfs back as they were bursting through the forest. He couldn't really figure out how they were moving so fast. The one he was riding was carrying a huge deer in its mouth. By the antlers on its head he could tell it was a buck in between its teeth. The other was literally dragging the carcass of the Acromantula on the ground while still being able to move freely at a pretty quick pace. Eventually he figured out it had to be the muscles in their well-built bodies allowing them to do all of this. The same could be easily said for Numa. From his position he spotted her running a distance in front of them. She was moving quite easily through the trees and brush around them without making a single mistake. It was obvious to him she was very used to this.
He, Numa, and the wolves had been moving for some time when the four of them reached their destination. He began to notice the trees getting bigger, thicker, and closer together. He was trying to figure out where they were. Before he had run into these three he hadn't been looking in this area.
"We're nearly there," called Numa.
A few minutes later their group started to slow down eventually coming to a stop. They had to squeeze in through the remaining trees to get to their destination. What Remus saw made his jaw drop and his eyes nearly pop out of his head. They were standing at the edge of an extremely large clearing that almost looked like a meadow. The light of the moon was shining down through gaps in the branches above them. There was water everywhere more than enough to drink and bathe in. Looking further Remus could see that in the middle stood a large stone shaped cave. He figured this had to be their den.
Without any warning the wolf Remus was riding suddenly threw him off. Remus was launched through the air landing hard on his side. Instantly the wolves started laughing like crazy. Remus gave them a glare as he righted himself. He wasn't the only one who wasn't happy about what had just occurred. Seeing the commotion Numa turned around rushing straight at the wolves. She smacked the two both hard on their heads especially the one who threw him off.
"What was that for," demanded the wolf which threw him.
"For that stunt you just pulled," scolded Numa. "You will not harm him. He is our guest here." The wolf growled at her, but not intimidated she growled right back. "I mean it, White-fang." The other wolf growled, too, and she turned right on him. Don't even think about it, Brokefang!"
Brokefang and White-fang…Remus cocked his head to the side bearing a confused expression as Numa spoke those names. It was soon replaced with a thoughtful one as recognition hit him. He soon realized those names were what the wolves were called.
Seeing the wolves had at last settled won Numa turned back to him. "I apologize for my brother's behavior," she said. "They get carried away sometimes."
"Excuse me," said Remus, not knowing if he heard correctly, "but did you just say they're your brothers?"
"Yes they are," said Numa, casually. The wolves as her brothers didn't seem as strange to her.
"We must keep going," said Brokefang, coming beside his sister, "we can't keep her waiting." He took the Acromantula in his grasp and started moving again. White-fang and Numa followed their sibling with Remus bringing up the rear. He was on foot with White-fang not offering to have him on his back again. Remus had to move quickly to keep up with them.
In order to reach the den their group had to leap over certain pieces of water that got into their way. Remus struggled to do so, but he did manage to do it without getting wet. When they were only a few feet from the den entrance Remus received a shock. A third wolf far larger than the other two jumped up appearing at the top of the den. He realized Brokefang and White-fang were just pups when compared to this giant.
Numa ran ahead of their party at the same time the over wolf leapt from her vantage point. He could tell it was a female from where she was standing to meet us. Reaching her, Numa with her arms around the wolfs neck rubbed her face into it. After a few moments Numa drew apart from the wolf.
"Good evening, Mother," said Numa, voice laced in affection.
Mother…? Then this had to be the wolf goddess Firenze had spoken of, Moro.
"I'm guessing your hunting trip went well," said Moro.
Numa said "It certainly was." She gestured with her arm signaling and Brokefang and White-fang came forward with what they had caught. At reaching Moro they dropped what had been caught in front of her.
Moro examined both of the bodies when she was done with her emanation she was nodding in great satisfaction. "You've done well," she said. "This'll last us for quite a while."
Remus could see Numa, Brokefang, and White-fang grin at their mother's words. As fast as Moro had seemed satisfied with their kills it soon turned to disapproval at one of them.
"However," said Moro, poking the carcass of the Acromantula with a paw, "I honestly don't think it was a good idea for you three to have killed this one. Aragog will to be happy to learn that you'd killed one of his descendants."
Numa said "We didn't really have a choice in the matter."
"You mean you didn't have a choice in the matter," said Brokefang. "You dragged White-fang and me into it."
"I didn't drag you guys into anything," retorted Numa, "you guys followed me. Besides we ended up with a good meal in the end."
"Hold it," said Moro, catching something, "what do you mean when you said you had to. You could've moved off to find something else to kill in order to bring back here."
Numa sighed "We attacked the Acromantula…in order to defend him." With that Numa turned pointing directly at Remus.
Up to that point Remus had been standing there without getting noticed by any of the others. He'd stayed quiet going completely unnoticed, but now the attention was on him.
This certainly was going to be interesting.
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