A Wolf In A Stoat's Body

It's almost comical, the wolf-stoat trying to stop Rudyard from speaking.  It was Rudy’s best talent, talking and he had plenty to say on this subject!  Still, his mom-in-law appeared to be serious so he listened.  The long night was a time Rudy truly wished he could forget.  So many horrible things happened at that time.  Fern had left the castle due to Rudy screwing up.  Between the madness of the sickness and the state of mind he’d already been in Rudy had hurt Fern.

She’d have had the right to not forgive him.  Not only had she forgiven him but she had returned and become his wife.
Follow in Meadow’s pawprints?  “Well, Fern has a lot more confidence now than she did then.  Things were bad and,” he bit of how much more fresh the wounds to Fern’s heart had been with Meadow back then as well.  

Rudy gave Meadow a small smile but it was hard to not turn into amusement when he had Puff’s little arms hugging his neck.  “I wish I could have known you.  You are right, I love Fern with all my heart.  I’ll protect her while you’re gone, and our children.”  She wanted him to tell Fern she was proud of her and Rudy easily nodded to this, “I’ll tell her of course, that you are proud and that you love her.”

The kiss on the nose was also amusing and yet, tears welled up in Rudy’s eyes.  No matter how funny it seemed, this was a mom sharing her love both for her daughter and for himself.  Before she left Rudy raised one of his paws, carefully shifting his wait to catch the little stoat in a hug of his own.  He had to be careful not to crush her, but still a squeeze of affection.

Rudy lets Puff go and the little stoat is back to its basket and asleep.  Rudy watches it for several minutes before laying his head back down.  Closing his eyes Rudy tries to relax but it takes a while.  When he does there is a soft smile on his face.  Even tiny hugs from moms can be good ones.

"Rudyard"