Strength of the Moonlight

Family

           

I opened my mouth and closed it. So much came to my mind, some many questions and apologies and yet not a single sound came out. I broke eye contact and looked back down at the she wolf laying in my lap. I should start with her, start with the apology that he deserved. I opened my mouth again but I froze. I couldn't take the pain of her death away. Would my words mean anything?

            "I'm sorry that I couldn't keep my promise." I choked half way through my sentence and I couldn't look him in the eye. It was bizarre enough that I hadn't hallucinated him the night of the massacre, that here he stood, talking to me in my head? I had to be losing my mind

            You are apologizing for a promise you made when you were fourteen? The leaves beneath his paws crunched as he crossed the distance between us. He stood close enough now that I could feel the warmth from his breath on my face, his nose mere spaces from my own if I just looked up. Many years now we have lived in peace. You made a difference. You cannot vow to keep each of us safe, it is unrealistic Mia.

            He pressed his nose to my head and whined. Finally, I looked up into his eyes. They were as full of emotion as they had been that night. Except now, I could understand them. They were ones that I saw reflected in my own. There was worry and sadness, there was happiness, and yet I couldn't place the last one.

            "I told you that these woods would be safe. And for so long, they were. And now she left this realm too soon, and her pups? What kind of life will they have?" I stumbled over my words as they fell from my mouth like water from fountain.

            You cannot control the actions of others my dear. But if you wish to avenge her, let us go find the bandits and save her pups.

            "Will another be able to care for them? I do not even know their age." My voice trailed off while I continued to rub her fur down, stilling my shaking hands and grounded my raging emotions.

            They are old enough to be fed meat and to run on their own. Without their mother to protect them, I fear for their place among the pack. But they could return with you, could they not? They would have freedom, they could make a pack with you. I looked at him then.

            "You could help them acclimate in the pack, couldn't you? Why would you want them to come with me?"

            Their mother was alone because she was cast aside by the pack. I do not belong to the pack Mia. He took a step back and sat on his haunches watching me, waiting for me to decide.

            "Is that why you are bigger? And can talk to me?" He nodded his large head, turning it to the side. We both heard it then, the crunching of a twig. Turning to our sides, we saw a young boy, maybe six years of age staring at us with wide eyes. His clothes covered in dirt, a small cut on his face but he looked otherwise unharmed. For minutes we all stood there staring at one another. Finally I spoke, keeping my voice low so that I did not frighten him.

            "I am Queen Mia young one, what is your name?"

            "Georgie."

            "Georgie, do you have an older sister?" The small boy nodded his head at me and glanced between me and the wolf across from me. This had to be the girl's brother. Finally I knew what I had to do. "Georgie, I want you to come meet my dearest companion Cedric. How do you feel about letting him take you to the castle?"

            At first the little boy shook his head and shrank away. Cedric whinnied and dropped down so that he was resting on the ground, a position that the boy could easily get into the riding saddle. Minutes of gentle coaxing later, I managed to get Georgie on the saddle atop Cedric.