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

Chapter 10

In the den, Ruby chatters on and on about Penny to her sister.

"Awww, Ruby, are you in looooove?" Yang teased.

"I-I don't know...maybe." Ruby mumbled shyly.

"Do you really believe that she can help us? She's only been a wolfwalker for a day." Yang asked.

"Yes. I do. Penny is strong and brave...I have faith in her." Ruby replied.

Ruby looks over at her uncle's human body sleeping, wondering where his wolf form is and if he's safe. In the town, Penny lays in her bed, staring at the ceiling, with bags under her eyes.

"Penny, it's time to get up." Clover said, getting ready for the day.

"Okay, Uncle Clover." Penny replied, sitting up.

She opens her window and lets Merlyn out of his cage. Merlyn perching on her arm, Penny leans out the window.

"Merlyn, I can't get out to Ruby. Find her, tell her to leave. Lead her away. She must go." Penny told her falcon.

"I'm not strong enough to stand up to Ironwood...but that doesn't mean she has to die because of it. So, please make sure she leaves and never looks back." she said before sending her falcon away.

As she watched Merlyn fly away, Penny wished she could be free like him. With a heavy heart, Penny walks to the scullery to do her duties. Meanwhile, Ruby waits for her at the spot they promised to meet up at.

"Come on, Penny, what's keeping you?" Ruby huffed, a little bored.

She hears a chirping noise and saw Merlyn land on the tree branch she was standing under.

"Oh, hi, birdy! where's Penny?" Ruby asked the bird.

Merlyn chirps, telling Ruby what Penny told him to tell her.

"What do you mean she can't come out of the town!? There's no way I'm leaving without her! She made me a promise! Help me find her, Merlyn!" Ruby demanded.

Following the bird, Ruby sneaks into the town and tracks Penny's scent. She slips into the castle and finds Penny alone in a room, folding linens.

"Psst, Penny!" Ruby whispered coming up behind Penny.

"Ruby!? What are you doing here!?" Penny replied, startled.

"I waited for you to show up, Penny. Why didn't you come?" Ruby asked her.

"Because I just couldn't. And you can't be here. You're supposed to be gone by now, I sent Merlyn to tell you." Penny told her friend.

The girl heard someone coming and quickly shoves the wild girl into a linen basket and covers her head.

"Who are ye talkin' to?" the head scullery maid asked.

"N-nobody." Penny answered nervously.

When the old woman walked away, Ruby pokes her head out and glares at Penny.

"You must go, Ruby! Lead the pack to safety." Penny whispered pushing the basket towards the window Ruby came in through.

"I told you! I'm not leaving without my uncle!" Ruby whispered harshly.

"You promised you'd help me find him." she added with pleading eyes.

"Ruby, you have to listen to me. You must leave the forest. Take the wolves, and go!" Penny said firmly, her hands on Ruby's shoulders.

"But...y-you promised." Ruby said voice breaking, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

"The Lord Protector will burn the woods. He will kill all the wolves by sunset. You have to get them out." Penny explained.

"Do you understand?" she said cupping Ruby's cheek.

Ruby stares at her with a hurt expression, like she was being betrayed. Tears running down her cheeks, Penny turns her back on Ruby and starts walking away.

"I don't understand...I told my sister you were strong and brave." Ruby said, frowning angrily, but there was sadness in her eyes.

"Well...you were wrong. Now, please....go!" Penny cried, not even turning to face Ruby.

"You said you would help me! You promised!" Ruby snapped, the tears finally falling.

"Go, Ruby. Take Merlyn with you....goodbye." Penny wept continuing to walk away.

After Penny leaves the linen room, Ruby growls angrily and climbs out of the window she came in. Heartbroken, Ruby walks through the town, unnoticed by the townspeople because they were busy gathering around a large stage.

"I hear the general's got a wolf." a boy told another.

This made Ruby pause and listen carefully.

"Was it the one that was in the town last night?" the other boy asked.

"Nah, this one he's had caged for weeks. Locked up in the castle." the first boy replied.

"Do ye suppose he's goin' to kill it?" the second boy giggled.

"Hehe, hope so, won't that be a sight." the first boy laughed excitedly.

Something deep in Ruby's gut told her that the wolf they were referring to was her uncle.

"Uncle Qrow." Ruby gasped.

She runs, pushing and shoving her way through the crowd, trying to get to where the people were gathering at. Her uncle was in danger, she had to save him. Penny may have abandoned her, but Ruby wasn't gonna do the same to Qrow.

"Come on now, ladies. Everyone is to go to the courtyard." the head scullery maid told the other scullery girls.

As Penny followed the other girls out of the servants' entrance of the castle, she heard that a caged beast was being brought out onto a stage. Penny paled...and almost felt sick to her stomach. She knew what was about to happen and hoped Ruby was far away so she wouldn't see. Her heart shattered when she saw that betrayed look in the eyes of the one she loves.

"What's wrong with me? Why do I keep letting everyone I love down?" Penny whispered to herself, sniffling and wiping her tears with her sleeve.

Standing in the crowd, Penny saw the familiar tarp covered cage containing Ruby's uncle on the large stage, with three guards on each side. Also on the stage was General Ironwood...and Clover. He still looked upset from the events of last night. Penny didn't know if she could feel any worse about all the horrible things that are going on. That is...until she saw, out of the corner of her eye, Ruby sneaking through the crowd towards the stage. Fear struck the redhead's heart, if Ruby got on that stage, it would be a disaster. She had to stop her...she had to stop Ruby from rescuing her uncle...it was the only way to save her life.