Is it to good to be true?

Fern has to agree with the timing of this event but there is another side to that coin. A smile tugs at her lips as she catches his eye, softly saying, “You know, it seems fitting. We met during the Long Night. When the darkness took hold and fear reigned. Now, our children are going within me during this.” She gestures a paw around before watching Rudy glance up to the sun, wondering if he too, falls asleep worrying that the sun will not raise in the morning.

So far, there have been no signs of it but, last year, there had been no real signs either. The sun rose less and less until it finally did not and night encompassed the land, holding the wolves in its icy grip of dread while the strange illnesses took hold. He is right, where the other had been creepy and sometimes scary, this is the opposite. Bees and butterflies occupy this land, fliting from pollen laden flowers and sweet-smelling plants. This is life, joy, and the cycle that all of them are bound to.

Even the skeletons are bright with life, flowers growing where there once vacant eye sockets, each skeleton full of color after so many years. Where there should be worry building in Fern at the strangeness of it all, there is only a gentle peace that comes with the knowledge that, no matter what happens, Rudy and Fern are going to facing it together. A content sigh rolls out as Rudyard offers her the flower and, after her question, he leans in to whisper to it.

Of course, he speaks loud enough for her to hear and a loving smile pulls her lips wide as she moves to press gently into his side. He suggests they head back to the castle before addressing their flower as ‘Willow’ and the gray woman’s heart melts even more for the motley gray man with the puff tail. A joyful laugh bubbles out as he speaks of the new pups that reside in the castle and she nods in agreement.

Fern concedes, saying, “That sounds good. And the nice thing is, if we get them too wound up, we can send them back to their mom and dad.” Happiness gleams in her gaze but she does not turn back just yet. Before they move to head back to the magical autumn trees that surround the castle, she reaches out to tenderly run a paw pad as carefully as she can on the purple leaves of their flower. Softly, she says, “We will be back Willow. I hope you know how special and loved you are.” Blue eyes flick over to Rudyard as she smiles warmly at her love.

With that the couple set out back toward the castle and Fern bites back a sudden feeling of regret as she leaves Willow behind. However, with Rudy by her side, she knows that tomorrow they will be here. Bright and somewhat early.


"Fern Carpathius"