He was just minding his business when suddenly, some bitch jumped him. The nerve of people, right? He felt weight on his back as the small wild cat pinned him to the ground, making him eat Ashen’s dirt. Bran gave a mighty snarl for someone so little, trying to roll over and face his attacker. This is what happened when he roamed a bit far from Ma and Pops. Stuff like this happened. He didn’t even notice the cat until he was jumped by it. How pathetic… Off! he snapped in his mind, twisting his body awkwardly and feeling claws that once dug into his side pull away. Long scratches were left in his shoulder blades.  An angry face was what he stared back into as he looked upon the feral beast. He was scared shitless but what scared him even more was the thought of the cat raking its claws against his family.

Pop and Ma could handle themselves but not his siblings. As the oldest, it was Bran’s job to protect them. Ma had told him as much herself! So, he didn’t need anyone to help him. He could do this. He would try his very best. Swiping weakly at first at the cat’s face, he was met with a cheek of fluffy proportions. Part of him was still scared of hurting anyone, even if he was being hurt, but the feline whacked him back with much more force. Bran cried out in pain, churning his back legs against the cat’s belly to try to dislodge it. he thought he saw a brown streak coming toward them before the cat did let go. It flew off him, and Bran panted before trying to stand. His cheeks were streaked with tears, his eyes blurry from them. He didn’t see his younger brother battling with the cat.

But Gimli’s scent hit the air strongly. Bran shook his face, trying to clear his mind and help his little brother.

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A screech and the sound of a scuffle captured his attention, the dwarf child lifting his head and forgetting about the mouse hole he'd been investigating. He tried to peek over the bushes but he was too darn small to do that, but just the right size to get through them unscathed. He pushed through the bushes, short legs avoiding the sticks and mouse holes as he tried to get there quickly to investigate further. It probably wasn't his best idea, but curiosity always spurred him to check out the unknown and usually against his better judgment. Ma always said to be careful, but careful wasn't in his vocabulary let alone his repertoire of sense. No, he was Gimli the Great! And he'd show them all just how great he could be! As he came out of the bushes, he spotted his brother getting attacked by...what he thought might have nee one of the other pups in the pack, but this thing smelled different and didn't look like a pup at all. Keen eyes spotted sharp claws on its toes, pointed ears and a flatter face than a wolf had. A mutant puppy then? Nah, definitely not one of his own kind, that was for sure.

He pumped himself up for a moment, dancing in place like Rocky Balboa as he debated gunning it to help his brother. The claws on that thing looked like they hurt, but he couldn't just sit by and watch his brother get his ass beat. With a mighty roar (as mighty as the pup could manage), he charged at the creature like a bull running headlong down the streets of Spain, Gimli raced as fast as his short little legs could take him until he smashed into the little nasty beast and knocked it off his brother. He too, went rolling with the cat and landed on his back. The feline had not expected the attack and had momentarily been stunned, which allowed Gimli the opportunity to kick it away with his hind legs. The cat went head over heels over his own head, and with little grace the young lad scrambled to his paws and shook out his shaggy coat. "Aaarggh! If'n it's a fight ye want foul beast, fight with someone yer own size!" He widened his stance as he squared up with the little beast, yellow eyes blazing with ferocity and determination as his tail lashed against his hocks. My body is ready! He cried in his mind.

WC: 417

once his head cleared, he could see his little brother taking on the cat. the feline itself was a bit bigger than both of them put together, or maybe it was because the cat had puffed itself up at the wolf child's bravery. Godbrand would whoop from his spot before charging, hoping to repay the favor the small predator had given him. he felt his head connect with chest bones, throwing the cat to the side before he backed off to allow his brother some retaliation too.

but not before he got a few good cuffs in. rearing back, he lashed out with both paws to smack the feline upside the head. the creature spit and smacked him back but this time he barely felt the graze of little nettle claws. somehow, Godbrand was renewed at the chance to fight alongside his sibling. he'd holler again, a pre-victory dance, as he leaped backward. his paws were a bit unsteady from losing a bit of blood, but it was nothing a healer couldn't fix. he would wear scratches for a bit, but he was relatively unscathed.

"get it, Gims!" he yelled, puffing up his own fur. he'd wait for his chance to join the fray again after his brother was through with the cat. he only hoped to help him again, beat the thing senseless. nobody touched the Ahlberg-Klein brothers!

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He heard his brothers battle cry before he charged in at the cat. Gimli grinned, stance ready for another assault while he let Godbrand get in a few good whacks. "Ahh nice te see ye join the fray Godbrand! Give 'em a good smack! A left an' a right!" He cheered him on, wincing slightly as the cat smacked his brother back. Godbrand was bigger than him, but despite their size the cat looked bigger still. That wouldn't put Gimli down! He was more than eager to fight someone bigger! He was going to be the best damn warrior the world had ever seen! Tearing his enemies down and renting them asunder! Starting with this cat! He would wait for the opportune moment to attack, allowing his sibling to tire the cat out before he would decide to join in. He observed first how the feline fought and how his brother fought, it would do well to show him their fighting styles respectively so that one day when he and his brother went at it, he'd know all his brothers tricks and the like.

Finally, when it seemed the cat was getting tired, Gimli let loose another battle cry and charged at the little beast. "Aarrghh! Ye think ye can best the Ahlberg brothers!? Nay foul beast! Ah may be small but ah'm the best warrior the world has ever seen mark me words!" He would boast as he charged towards the feline. He'd show this cat what for and he'd give him hell for starting a fight with them. No creature would be able to best thr dwarf in combat and he'd keep true to his promise of being the best damn warrior anyone had ever seen! "Aaaarrhhh!" He cried out as he charged, head down as he headbutted the cat square in the face! A yowl of pain sounded from the cat, and Gimli hardly felt a thing when his hard head made contact.

The cat went flying backward and landed with a thud, but the dwarf child wasn't done yet! He continued his assault, charging forward like a raging bull as he headbutted the cat again and again, sending it rolling around the ground like a bowling ball as he sought to keep it from getting to its feet. The cat lashed back, smacking Gimli on his lower jaw but its claws would get tangled in the mess of fur that grew longer there. His head was jerked downward but it didn't deter the child. Instead, he used the opportunity to wrap his jaws around the cats paw, sharp pointed teeth digging into the tender flesh of the cats paw pads. The other paw swiped at his ear, nicking the tip and caused Gimli to wince but he would not release his grip on the cats paw. He twisted and shook what he had in his mouth, batting at the cats head with his own paws before leaping forward and stomping on it, driving the air from the cats lungs as his feet made contact with the beasts stomach.

The cat wrenched its paw from his grip, wriggling around until it managed to get to its feet and darted off into the trees. Gimli made a victory cry, a loud bellow as he shouted at the cats retreat. "An' don't ye come back here little beast or we'll finish what was started aye! Mark me words! You ain't seen the last 'o the Ahlberg brothers!" He bounced in place before returning to his brothers side, a wild grin spreading his jaws as he wagged his tail. "Aye we did it Godbrand! We chased away the little monster and all is well now! Ye certainly have it a good fight ye did!" He praised his brother, offering a lick to his cheek before looking back to where the cat had taken off to.

Gimli had more of a penance for fighting than Godbrand's weaker attempts earlier. it was only when he was backed by his brother did his fighting spirit really shine. he was a bit jealous, not gonna lie, that his littlest sibling could be so brave. he was supposed to be the big brother, and here he was being rescued by this tiny pup. Godbrand had whimpered and recoiled at the pain - he knew he had a long way to go before he felt ready for a fight again. though stubbornnes ran in the family; he'd probably pick a fight down the line quite soon. trying to make himself tougher than he felt.

as his brother finished off the cat and it fled, Godbrand mimicked the spitting of the feline and bounced on his paws. "yeah! yeah, you better run!" he howled after the feline, still uncertain what it had even been but not caring the least. they'd have a good story to tell their Ma and sister though! except his ears pressed against his head when he realized the fit Ma would get at their bloody faces and bodies. shit, he didn't stop to think about that. Gimli's tongue rasped his cheek where the scratches were, and he felt renewed stinging. but the boost to his ego caused him to puff out his chest. "yeah! we're the best."

though one day he wanted to be the best. him. singular. "let's go find Beryl and tell her! we saved her butt, chasing that monster away!" he sneered before darting off.

/ EXIT

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