Skugga ❆✒️

When Skugga was too young to even comprehend it, her father, Ygg, fought bravely to save her from a wolf that tried to abduct her. He was almost killed in front of her eyes, but the alpha Borg saved them! Her father survived, for some weeks, but he was old and died. Skugga was told the story from her aunt, Agi, who also died shortly after. Her other aunt and uncles took care of her and her brother, Sken, as well as her cousin, Agis daughter named after Ygg. But none of them were like parents.. One wolf in their cave wasn't their aunt, but she still cared for them and let them sleep next to her. She made sure they knew the story, too, of how bravely Old Ygg fought that day. She was there, she said. Her name was Kalla, and the pups didn't know why she lived there at all, but they didn't ask either. Kalla often tried to make Härje, another uncle, take responsibility and teach Skugga and Sken about some wolf named "Skade", but to no avail. Often, a wolf with glowing yellow eyes would visit them and play with them.
-
"What's a legacy?" Skugga asked carefully. She had overheard Kalla talking to Härje.
"Um, well," Kalla walked into the cave, "it's something you get from your ancestors - like your father or grandmother or great grandmother."
"What is it Härje doesn't want to tell us?" Skugga persisted.
Kalla took a pause, then she went to light some candles. Skugga followed her, while Sken and Ygglill played.
"Come here pups, it's storytime," Kalla sat down in the corner and the three pups surrounded her, "I'm going to begin this story with a question. Who lives in these caves?"
"Us," Sken answered.
"Härje," Skugga continued
"And the lills!" Ygglill finished.
"That's right. Ygglill, do you know who you got your name from?" Kalla asked.
"Duh, Ygg! Ygg was my moms brother!" She replied. Ygglill was older than the other two pups, and had known Ygg and Agi when they were alive, she remembered them.
"Precisely. But who did Lilltola and Lusselill get their names from?" The pups all tilted their heads.
"Someone named Tola and Lusse?" Skugga guessed, and Kalla nodded.
"Pay close attention now, so that you don't get confused," Kalla warned them, "You are cousins and your parents are Ygg and Agi, their siblings are the other ones living in this cave right now. But there were wolves living in these caves before us."
That evening, Skugga learned that her grandparents were named Lusse and Tola, and that Lusses mother was named Skade. Skade used to live in this cave, and Skade was the beta of the pack, the daughter of the very first alpha, the great alpha Tyr. Appearently, Tyr had four pups who grew up and created the four royal families! And Skugga was of Skades descent.
"But there's more to know about Skade that I can't tell you, because I don't know that much about this cave and this family," and Kalla ended the story, "that's why I want you all to ask your aunts and uncles about it more, okay?"
The pups nodded.
-
"Borg?" Skugga called out into the cave and soon heard steps coming her way.
"Little pup, what are you doing up this late?" Borg sounded very concerned as he ushered her into the cave.
"I need to talk to you," Skugga said as seriously as she could, "to.. the alpha."
Bort looked at her, a bit confounded, but he sat down respectfully and nodded for her to continue.
"Everyone in our cave wants Härje to be head of the cave," Skugga explained and Borg nodded, "even though Tola and Lusse are older than him! What do you think?"
"Most of the time, it is true, the oldest wolf of the family will be the head of the cave, but it doesn't always have to be that way. Although your family is in a special situation.." Borg paused and seemed to ponder something before continuing, "there's a wolf from your family that is older than Lusse and Tola, and that wolf is.. isn't around here anymore. That may be why your aunts and uncles are arguing over this. It's a shame to not have your family included in the council meetings right now, though."
Borg moved to a corner and laid down, and Skugga hopped after him, laying down next to him and immedietly dozing off to sleep.
-
Another wolf? A wolf older than Lilltola? Skugga was intrigued. This wolf must know more about their familys history. But why hasn't Kalla told them about this wolf? Nothing made sense. Skugga went to her brother.
"Sken," she whispered from behind a tree, appearently scaring the boy, who jumped and then looked around, "over here."
"What's going on?" Sken followed her as she hurried to a hiding spot.
"Sken, you gotta help me," she started, but changed her mind, "I mean. Aren't you interested in our history? Our legacy?"
"Of course, what do you need help with?" Sken was always willing to help his sister.
"There's a missing wolf in our family,"
"Woah what?!" Sken interrupted, and Skugga nodded eagerly.
"I think that wolf is the key to learning about our familys past," Skugga whispered to him.
"Well, how do we find him?" Sken asked.
"Um.." Skugga sat down, "I don't know.. but- but that's why I need your help!"
So the pups went on a mission to get information.
-
Skugga walked through the territory and toward the cave, she took a deep breath and entered the cave. Inside was her whole family, spending the evening together.
"I'm going to the council meeting," everyone became quiet and looked at her, "as the head of our cave."
"You're just a pup," Härje scoffed and as Skugga looked around the room she saw in their faces that they found her ridicolous.
"Well, none of you are going, are you!" She growled at them, "Härje refuses, Tola and Lusse haven't even considered it, Kalla isn't allowed to, Sken doesn't think it's for him and Lill is too shy!"
They all looked mildly embarrassed, except for Kalla, who smiled brightly at her. Skugga turned around and left, heading for the council meeting place. As she came into the light from the firepit, the first thing she saw were the big eyes painted on the wall. Tyrs eyes. The firelight made them come to life. Below the firey eyes were another pair of eyes, real eyes this time, just as yellow and firey. Borg was smiling at her.
"Everyone, welcome our newest council member," he said.
-
"What were you doing out there?" Borg had never sounded so strict. Skugga felt guilt like a pain in her chest.
"I- I was," Skugga stuttered, "I wanted to.. to know more about our family."
"You thought that Himle might know?"
Skugga nodded and started tearing up, "no one else in my family is interested in history."
Borg pulled her closer into his warm chest and sighed.
"Little pup, you should have come to me first. I just don't want you to get hurt," Skugga nodded and dried her tears. Borg took a long pause, "I will allow you to go there-"
"You will?!" Skugga looked up at him with big eyes.
"Yes, but only after you finish training with me, so that I know you're safe there, and I will have someone watching over you as well."
Skugga started jumping around out of excitement!
"But in the meantime," Borg stood up and started moving, "there's a wolf I want you to go talk to."
-
As they approached the river, Skugga started hearing a melody, and soon she could make out the words, too. She looked up at Borg, nervous.
"Is that the stream wolf singing?" She asked, and Borg chuckled.
"No, no puppy, it's not the stream wolf, I promise you."
- come lovely mint, come hearty joy. Out in our meadow there's flowers and berries, come hearty joy. But out of them all I like you the most. Come lillies and columbine, come roses and-
The wolf looked up.
"That's Skald, he's in the council!" Skugga whispered to Borg, who nodded and led her to him.
"Skugga, you've met Skald before," Borg stated and Skugga nodded as a greeting to Skald, "Skald is the son of Ull."
He's.. He's what?! But Ull has been dead for so long?? Confused, Skugga looked up at Borg and then at Skald.
"Ull, the brother of Skade?" Skugga asked, in doubt. But both males nodded calmly.
"I'll leave you to it," Borg said and walked away. Skugga turned to Skald, then she stood tall.
"I'm here to find information about Skade and her family," she said and looked him in the eye. He smiled and gestured for her to come sit with him by the river, so she did.
"When I was born, Skade had just died, and my Pappa missed her a lot," he started explaining, "some even said they had a stronger bond than any romantic couple. Ull was brightly coloured with bright yellow eyes, and Skade was dark with white eyes. They set the tone for all royal sibling pairs that came after them!"
Skugga listened intently, she learned all the Skade-related things that Ull had talked about to his son.
"and of course, my Pappa liked to sing, just like me, and he sang a lot of Skades favourite songs, always stating beforehand that they were," Skald chuckled a little at the memory.
"Will you teach them to me?" Skugga asked and she saw Skalds yellow eyes light up even more.
-