Running With The Wolves (A Nuts-and-Dolts Wolfwalkers AU)

Chapter 6

Ruby had ran off, chasing the scent of something she called a "town tastie". Of which was something Penny figured to be a manmade food item that Ruby would be unfamiliar with. Penny eventually finds Ruby sneaking up on the two farmers from earlier.

"The guards must've sent them out here to look for me." Penny mumbled to herself.

Penny sticks to the trees and bushes to avoid being seen by them.

"We've been searching forever and haven't seen a single sign of that girl." one of the farmers grumbled.

"Let's just say she ran home, so we can get the h*ll out of these woods." the other replied.

While they were too busy talking, Ruby swipes a small basket next to one of the farmers' feet. Giggling mischievously, Ruby runs back to Penny and in the cover of the trees, they make their way to the forest's edge.

"So, what did you risk getting us caught for?" Penny asked as her and Ruby sat on a large tree branch.

"Town tasties!!" Ruby said excitedly, throwing off the lid of the basket.

Inside the basket was a bunch of loaves of bread.

"Really? All that trouble for bread?" Penny asked.

"Is that what this stuff is called?" Ruby asked, her mouth full of a huge chunk of bread.

"Mhm." Penny nodded.

"Want some?" Ruby asked, holding the basket out to Penny.

At this moment, Penny's stomach growls. She hadn't ate anything since lunch and was just now realizing how hungry she was. So, she shares the basket of bread with her new friend, Ruby.

"How can you stand living there? It kinda stinks...and it's dull." Ruby said looking towards the town of Argus.

"Yeah, it is kinda smelly. I don't like being stuck in there behind those dumb walls. I miss Atlas." Penny sighed.

"What's Atlas?" Ruby asked her.

"My uncle and I used to live there. I could go where I wanted, play with my friends...it was really nice." Penny answered.

"Merlyn and I used to even help Uncle Clover hunt for food and stuff." she added.

"Why don't you just stay here in the forest. It's great! You could run and play and hunt whenever you want. And you wouldn't have to follow any of those stupid townie laws. You could be totally free." Ruby suggested.

"I...I can't....I can't leave my uncle. He has to work for the Lord Protector and..." Penny began.

"*gasp* Ruby! You can't stay in the forest, either! They're cutting it all down and the Lord Protector wants the wolves gone...dead! You have to leave!" she warned.

"We are leaving, that's why my dad and uncle aren't here. My dad actually did find a new home for us, but Uncle Qrow hasn't returned yet, so Dad went back out to look for him." Ruby explained.

"Do you think he got captured or something?" Penny said.

"Pfft, no way. Uncle Qrow's too awesome to get captured...especially in his wolf form. He probably just got lost, he does that sometimes." Ruby said.

"But what if the hunters find the den before your dad and uncle return?" Penny asked worriedly.

"Ha! They won't, nobody has." Ruby scoffed.

"I did." Penny pointed out.

"Only because I let you." Ruby chuckled.

The two climb down from the tree and brush the bread crumbs off their clothes.

"I'll have to tell my uncle about you. Until today, we didn't know that wolfwalkers were real. And Ruby....I'm gonna help you and your pack. Meet me by this tree tomorrow, I'll bring you some bread. Or as you like to call it...town tasties." Penny told Ruby.

"Yay, can't wait! Smell ya later, townie!" Ruby replied as Penny began to walk away.

"Not if I smell you first!" Penny called back, waving goodbye.

Penny carefully sneaks back into town and heads home. On her way home she passes by Robyn, who was in the stocks.

"Hey! You found your bird, and he's all better." Robyn said.

"You were right about that wolfwalker girl, she healed him. And she's really nice...wer're friends now." Penny replied.

"Well, that's good." Robyn said with a smile.

"I better get going." Penny told her.

"Okay. Ya know where to find me if ya ever need someone to chat with." Robyn replied waving her hand.

Luckily, when Penny gets home, Clover wasn't there. She changes out of the clothes that were covered in dirt and leaves, and changes into fresh clean clothes. Then she makes dinner and waits for her uncle to come home. Clover walks in, looking tired and frustrated. But, he immediately smiles when he sees his niece.

"Hi, Penny." Clover said hugging the girl.

"Hi, Uncle Clover." Penny said hugging back.

"Are you alright? How are you after that wolf attack? A bit shaken?" Clover asked, cupping Penny's face gently.

"No, I'm fine. Sit down, Uncle Clover, you look exhausted." Penny answered.

They sit down at the table and have dinner.

"Uncle Clover...there's something I have to tell you. Promise you won't get mad?" Penny said shyly.

"What is it?" Clover asked cautiously.

"You see...I went back into the forest to find Merlyn..." Penny started.

"You did what!?" Clover said, slightly angered.

"Uncle Clover, listen, that girl was a wolfwalker. They're real, just like the woodcutter said." Penny told him.

"I can't believe it. You left the scullery!?" Clover asked, getting more upset.

"Well...I, uh...never actually made it to the scullery." Penny mumbled looking at her feet.

"What!?! But General Ironwood ordered you to. You have to follow the Lord Protector's rules! He gave you a direct order and you disobeyed him!" Clover shouted.

He takes a calming breath and places his hands on Penny's shoulders.

"Have you no fear of the stocks?" Clover asked, his voice much softer.

"We need to work together to stay in this town, sweetie. I'll bring you to the scullery tomorrow myself." he added.

"Please, I thought you would understand. I-I can help you, if we just..." Penny protested.

"Help me by doing your work and staying in town...away from danger. Please, promise me." Clover interrupted.

Sighing in defeat, Penny promises her uncle then heads off to bed. The cottage was very small and really only had one room, so Penny's bed was in a little loft above Clover's. Penny doesn't even say goodnight to Clover as she climbs up the latter to her bed. That night, Penny had a strange dream about a wolf that...vaguely looked like her.