Foulkes

          The mottled dark pup watched his unwieldy brothers tackle each other, biting ears and pulling tails. He shook his head, gave them another minute, then charged into the middle of the fray, shouting at them to stop behaving like angry bull moose. The knot of fighting pups came to a standstill, looking with heads cocked to the side at their brother. One failed to suppress a giggle which caused the others to burst into laughter, too, but no one went back to fighting.
         "You all are a bunch of idiots," the young peacemaker laughed, "come on, Celwynn and Rime are probably getting worried. We've been out all day."
         The five pups all looked up at the darkened sky and realized for the first time that night had fallen while they were goofing off. Each brother shook himself, then bounded off to catch up with their more conscientious sibling who had already made off for home.

-

         Foulkes trotted through the underbrush of a windblown copse of trees, nose to the ground, eyes on a swivel and ears poised to catch the smallest noise. After a while of smelling, seeing and hearing nothing, a familiar smell drifted to him and a pretty, reddish she-wolf nuzzled her face alongside his. The dark wolf gazed sidelong at her with a sigh and stood up straight.
         "You know, you're supposed to hang back until I actually catch a scent. You've probably scared everything off now," he said in a mock stern voice. He couldn't help but grin at the she-wolf, though, and it ruined the scolding tone.
         "Darling, it's been an hour. I really think you would've found something by now if there was anything to find here. Besides, I wanted to tell you how regal you looked stalking through the forest," the she-wolf— Foulkes' new mate, Deina— said with a glint in her eye.
         Foulkes shook his head, rolled his eyes at her with another smile and bumped his head against hers. About that time the rest of their party emerged from the bushes and they all rested a bit before heading back to swap places with the primary hunting team. Foulkes was always anxious when he had to go back to camp— and his lead hunter mother— empty pawed, but he knew it would take some time to get as good as her, and she would doubtless only have good advice waiting for him.

-

         Foulkes and his five siblings emerged from the healer's den where they had just settled Abutilon into his new nest. He would be a pupsitter from now until he rejoined Foulkes' recently departed mother. The dark wolf stood a bit taller, trying to give his sister, Celbrimm and his young siblings some courage. Celbrimm smiled reassuringly back at him as the young ones trotted off to find something to occupy their minds.
         "They'll be alright eventually, and so will we, you know," the red and brown she-wolf told him as she leaned into him.
         "Of course. You sound just like her. All about you until it comes to your kin," Foulkes grinned, then added, "or that Narquelion." He shot her a sideways glance that showed his disapproval of his sister's regard for the new herbalist.
         "He isn't so bad, brother. I think you'll find him much more agreeable now that you don't have to manage him as part of our team. You'll warm up to each other eventually," Celbrimm said, unfazed by her brother's scorn.
         At that moment, the two were interrupted by a golden furred she-wolf. They immediately lowered their gazes and tails as she spoke.
         "Foulkes, might I have a word with you?" Fenn did not wait for an answer before continuing, "I am sorry about your mother, she was a dear friend. I hope it isn't too soon, but I must work with the immediate needs of the pack. Domhara and Vonnegaine have each refused the offer and told me that they would rather have another among the ranks of the Strong and Wise. So, I am here to offer you your mother's old role of lead hunter and a place among the Strong."
         The Alpha hardly waited for Foulkes' shocked and silent nod before steering him away from his visibly impressed sister and launching into all the details and duties of his new role.

-

          Foulkes trotted out of his den, instinctively heading toward the place he and his hunters used to meet up in the morning. When he realized they had already left and that he was no longer an active hunter, he stopped and shook himself, looking around for something else to do so early in the morning. He saw Hakaan sitting with Trill in the morning sun, a couple of pups in the process of trying to sneak out of the hollow, and an overnight scout coming back from making the rounds.
          "Hey, why don't we go out just the two of us and try to catch something?" A voice sounded behind him, and he looked round to see Deina standing there.
          "That sounds nice," he smiled back at her, "it's been strange not having to go out there every morning now. Nice, since we get to relax and enjoy the day, but odd in terms of... routines. Anyway, shall we?"
          Deina smiled at his little nervous laugh and shook her head. She gave him a nudge and they headed off toward one of their favorite old hunting spots.

— — — — —

[Starting ~262]