Merlin

Merlin was born with nothing but his beauty and his gullibility, and suffered for both. He was a clumsy little brother, with fur the color of the sun and an irrational sense of optimism.

His coloring wasn't meant for blending in. He's one of the more unique wolves who walk with the Leaftreaders. He's grown accustomed to dwelling in the underbrush since being taken in by two young dispersal males: Obed and Cal.

He was at first presented to them as a helpless nitwit, and it almost seemed as if Merlin himself believed that. However, he was merciless in tumbles - sick of being trodden on, but never bit nor bore his teeth to any of his siblings. His daily fights for food and harsh words from his pack taught him how to stand up for himself.

Obed, seeing Merlin's potential, took him in gladly in spite of Cal's initial protest. He drove him to train and harness his untapped strength. As a pup he worked until he broke his baby teeth, tore his muscles, and lost feeling in his own paws. By the time he reached adolescence, he was but a tremendous machine of the hunt. He brought down his first whitetail with Cal's guidance, and he was celebrated, commended by his mentors. But Merlin had turned bitter; he refused his own kill, saying he felt too angry to eat, and his stomach had turned.

As far as adolescents go, this is not unusual behavior; but Merlin had increasingly become less of the soft-spoken, empathetic, and determined puppy he once was, and had all at once become a shell, hollowed out by Cal and Obed's gnawing expectations.

The young leaders, as they were, overwhelmed with the promise of a fresh start and great success, had forgotten Merlin. They loved him as a son, but they were blinded.

Merlin grew older, and with him also grew Obed and Cal. They spent weeks travelling together, scouting different lands. Though Merlin's paws still felt nothing and his teeth grew blunt and strong, Merlin himself softened. He became meek and humble, and even after taking down mighty elk bulls, felt plenty happy lying down and letting pups tumble all over him, asking to see scars and hear of the excursions which caused them.

And now he and his proud fathers often lie together in the sun, wordlessly licking each other's wounds, both old and new.