Shadow of the Day

The snow had been falling for hours now, but the big lazy flakes had been easy to ignore. That is, until just a few moments ago, when the wind picked up and everything suddenly went white with snow. Gwenevere gasped with a sudden giddy laugh as the wind took her breath away. Wow, that had come up quickly! And her in unfamiliar territory. If she wasn't careful she'd fall in the lake, and then she'd really be in trouble! Especially since the temperature was rapidly dropping. What had been a pleasant jaunt on a warmish winter day was suddenly taking a dangerous turn.

Despite the danger Gwen laughed aloud with exhilaration as she pushed through the blinding wind and quickly-accumulating snow. She needed to find somewhere to shelter, and fast. Luck was with her, though, when she literally stumbled into the entrance to a den. She didn't know if it was someone's current home or if it was long abandoned, but she wasn't about to question it and dove into it. Instantly the wind stopped sending icy pellets through her fur, and she felt herself relax in gratitude. Her body heat alone wasn't doing much about warming the roomy den, though now that she was sheltered the cold didn't feel as intense. This must have been a healer's den, big enough to house the healer, the plants of their trade, and a patient besides. It would be a pleasant place to wait out the storm she could still hear howling overhead, if she could get it to warm up. She breathed in the dry scents of herbs long gone to dust, and curled up with her tail tucked over her nose. Man, she felt bad for anyone else caught out in that mess.

When she was back home, with Lanse, the two of them would have been frolicking like puppies out in the snow until it got too cold. Then they'd have retreated to their den, bigger than this one but still cozy and dry, and warmed each other up - and then got their blood pumping hot with more private activities.

Gwen felt her throat clench at the sudden crushing weight of emotion. She missed him so, so much. He'd have loved it here in Ardent, with its diversity and interest. He wouldn't have wanted to her mope about, though, and she knew full well that crying didn't solve a thing, so the flame-pointed woman swallowed back her sorrow and just listened to the storm above her. She'd had her one true love and all that meant, and that was better than most wolves got to have. Life went on.