I cold wind was blowing, carrying with it a few, brown leaves, the last remainders of fall. In the creek, the water had shrunken to a mere trickle, fighting against the frost, the edges long fixed in solid ice. Trotting along this icy edge, leaving behind blurred footprints in the faint, white rime, was a single figure, her already slight body even more diminished by the impending winter. Her head was hanging low, ears turned back against the wind, eyes half-closed, her focus only on the path immediately before her, brain circling around the one, paramount thing that it had been for the past several days; I need a pack! But that one thought, brought with it so many others; Where should I head? What if they won't have me?! What if they ATTCK ME?! She knew of several packs in the Wildwood, but she had no idea how to decide where to try her luck.






There was one thing though, that, more than any other, stirred in the depths of her very being, whenever she considered seeking out a new family; the one wolf of the many she had met and befriended on her journey, that had made the biggest impression on her. For a long time, she had managed to push him out of her head, but every so often, he resurfaced, and now that she was looking for a home, the memory was even more pressing; Coal... She couldn't stop thinking about him, even though she wasn't entirely sure why; especially now, moving through the land where they had met. For some reason, the thought of him rimed with security and happiness in her mind, along with regret. I shouldn't have... Why did I leave like that?! I didn't mean to... The strong feelings he had brought forth in the orange lass had been nothing like she had ever known before, something so wonderful; and scary! However as soon as she had left him, she regretted the decision, feeling pain at the thought of never seeing him again, and she had spend many days forcing the spinning thoughts of him out of her head.






Now he was back, and there was no way to push him out. Whenever she thought of family the sight of his large, gentle face appeared in her head, and her eyes burned with tears; This is stupid... You're stupid Aideen! You didn't even know him that well! But it was no use. The memory of him was so vivid, that she could almost smell him on the wind... Wait a minute! Jerking her head upwards, the tri-colored dame lifted her snout to the sky, breathing in deeply. No, it wasn't imaginary, a deep, musky scent, that she could never forget, was being carried towards her by the freezing breeze, and it was mixed with blood; COAL!






Before her brain could finish processing the trail, her legs started moving, sprinting over the hard ground along the water. She wasn't thinking, just moving, eyes wide open and darting back and forth, searching for him; rapid heartbeat pumping adrenalin swiftly through her veins. Had she had any time to think, she would have been hoping he wasn't hurt, wondering why he was still around here, worrying about seeing him again... Instead, feelings ran wild under her tri-colored fleece, fear, anxiety, excitement... All enhanced by the adrenaline pushing her forwards. It took several, nerve racking moments before she finally caught sight of him, his large, light-brown form, huddled under a few bushes on the other side of the water.






<b style="color:#c7470f">"Coal!" She called, desperation lacing her vocals. Heart pounding violently, throat closing up in painful fear, she stopped for just a second, breathing heavily, staring wide-eyed at the blood-soaked form. Then she jumped down the bank and splashed through the water, ignoring the sting of the ice and the freezing temperature. With a grunt she dragged herself up beside him, panting heavily as she stared down on his body, covered in wounds; What happened to you?! He was lying so still, the faint shaking of his fur from the rising and falling of his chest, the only sign that he was still alive. Tears filling her eyes, Aideen lowered herself down on the cold soil next to him, pushing up against him to offer what small amount of warmth she could. Stretching her neck across his shoulders, resting her chin against his jaw, she whispered pleadingly, voice shaking; <b style="color:#c7470f">"Coal..? What happened to you?"






Word count: 746




I'm not stupid <b style="color:#c7470f">”I've got bark!”

He was so cold, so still... While she waited for him to respond to her, she noticed his slow breath, his quiet heartbeat, so opposed to her own, racing pulse. What has happened to you..?! She felled the tears press behind her eyes, but held them back, swallowing hard, she had to be strong now, had to make sure... It took so long, so heartbreakingly long before he showed any reaction, the girl was starting to fear that he might be too badly wounded to do so. But finally his voice sounded, low and croaking, barely audible over her own breath and the weeping wind; his body vibrating with the words. She gasped a breath, pulling slightly back, half-standing over his wounded form, tear-blank eyes watching him closely.






The question made her choke up, his so full of pain... She stayed silent for a while, waiting for more, but nothing came. He kept still, his breathing shallow; What if he's dying?! The though made a strangled sound escape her maw, a tiny, painful whelp; no! He couldn't die. Cautiously, she lowered her head back down, carefully nudging him lightly under the ear; <b style="color:#c7470f">"Yes. It's me..." The tears muffled her voice, the lump in her throat making it sound small and strangled; <b style="color:#c7470f">"I... I'm here." She didn't know what else to say. Thoughts and feelings were running wild within her; I have to do something... I have to save him! But what? How?!






Lying back down next to his wounded body, Aideen pulled her head back and looked over the gashes in the brown fur. The sight made her stomach churn, her eyes burn, and pain run through her body, like it was herself who was wounded. But studying the lesions closely, it did appear that they were not too serious. Leaning her head in closer to his shoulder, she whispered shakily: <b style="color:#c7470f">"Don't worry... We'll fix you..!" Then she carefully began licking the gashes, silently apologizing for the stinging it would cause.






Word count: 331




I'm not stupid <b style="color:#c7470f">”I've got bark!”

She progressed slowly, carefully moving from one wound to another, thoroughly cleaning every bloody scrape. As she moved, she noticed his body relaxing under her gentle touch, uncurling from its tight position, his breath steadying a bit. Warmth filled her, he wasn't dying, she was helping; Don't worry, I'll get you patched up! The orange girl was vigilant to get to every injury, cleaning every single scrape, and time passed silently between them, the squeaking wind and the slow trickle of the creek, the only sounds mixing with the two wolves' quiet breathing, and the rustle of their small movements.






When she finally finished, her neck felt stiff, but her heart was lightened, she felt like she'd done something important, even if cleaning him up was all she could do. She pulled back a little to look him over, a painful grimace twisting he face at the sight; his wounds might be clean, but the rest of his fur was still caked with blood and mud. She contemplated starting on the pelt, but dismissed the idea quickly, shaking her head; Not now, it wouldn't be of use. Eyes still glowing with concern she turned her gaze to his face, stomach twisting when she saw his lifeless expression. But what could she do then? She bowed down and gently nudged the boys head, licking his snout lightly; <b style="color:#c7470f">"Please wake up..." She whispered, tears still making her voice sound strained, <b style="color:#c7470f">"Please, I... I don't know what else to do!"






Raising her dome once more, she desperately searched the horizon, ears flicking in rising panic; But I NEED to do more! He needs to be healed, but I can't..! Coal needed an able healer, someone with knowledge and experience; like Ashanti! For a second the young femme thought about calling the young healer, but then shook her head, growling lowly at her own stupidity, it had been many days since she met the white dame at bramble falls, she would be long gone by now, back to her pack. HER PACK! Of course, Secret Woodlands, that was the solution! She needed to get Coal to Secret Woodlands where Ashanti could care for him, and hopefully they could spend the winter. The small fae looked back down at her wounded friend, brows furrowing; Coal was clearly in no condition to move now. She snarled in frustration, starting to pace back and forth over the frozen ground, next to Coal's, still lifeless, body. She needed to get him to shelter and care, as fast as possible, and Secret Woodlands was the closest pack she knew of, but... Unless we find some way to regain your strength...






That was the exact moment when luck smiled upon them, as the freezing breeze brought with it the scent of fresh blood. Snapping her head around, in direction of the smell, Aideen raised her snout, breathing in deeply to identify the origin of such wonderful an aroma; A deer! PERFECT! <b style="color:#c7470f">"Yes! " She exclaimed, joy swimming over her as she started off towards the dead animal, heart racing. This was just what they needed, food! If Coal could just gain enough strength for them to make the trek to Secret Woodlands, everything was gonna be alright. She never allowed herself to think of the possibility that the leaders of the pack would reject them, she couldn't! She needed a good plan, and this was the one she had forged.






It didn't take many leaps before her eyes fell on the carcass, a half eaten pile of bones, skin and meat! Hardly a day old. The petite lady bared down on her target, scaring off the birds that had been feasting on the remains, and quickly grabbed hold of it, dragging it with her back to the riverbank. It took some doing, but in the end, she managed to drop the load near Coal, who didn't look to have moved an inch in the time she'd been gone, and she stood panting for a little while, watching their surroundings to make sure no other predator had set eyes on the carcass.






When she was satisfied they were safe, and had regained her breath, she dug into the deer, the meat easily accessible after, what looked like a bear, had opened the hide. The tri-colored wolfess tore out a small strip of tenderloin and carried it over to her friend, hoping that the scent of food would wake him up enough to eat some. She dropped the meat in front of his nose, and bowed down to nudge him again with her bloody muzzle, leaving a fresh patch of crimson in his fur. <b style="color:#c7470f">"Look, I found food!" She whispered warmly, swallowing hard, and awaited his response with fear lining her features. If he didn't react to this she didn't know what more to do; Please, PLEASE Coal! I can't do more for you... She again had to hold back tears, he would wake up, he had to wake up. Otherwise... Otherwise she would be all alone again...






And it was as she stood there, trembling in her worry, that Aideen's final decision was made; She did not want to be alone anymore! She was done wandering aimlessly, she wanted a home, a family, a pack! Somewhere to always return to, with other wolves who would welcome her cheerfully and ask about her adventures, a place to feel safe, part of something... And she wanted him to be a part of it too, this large, handsome male who had awoken such strong feelings within her simply by his presence; the kind boy who had given her new hope when all of her own was lost, and cheered her up in a time of deep despair. She was not done with adventures, but her new ones were gonna be different. On her journey, she had made several friends, good friends, whom she hoped to see again, but Coal was something different, something more! So please, PLEASE WAKE UP! <b style="color:#c7470f">"Come on Coal... We'll get through winter together!"






Word count: 1,002




I'm not stupid <b style="color:#c7470f">”I've got bark!”

Watching him struggle sent stabs of pain through her heart, and she ached to reach out and help, but she held back; She didn't want to hurt the strong lad's pride, and besides, her skinny frame could hardly support his corpulent muscles. Still, when Coal's legs gave in and he slumped back down, she half-jumped forwards, a small, strangled sound escaping her. He was so weak, not even able to stand... What on earth has happened to you?! Staying silent as the sand-brown wolf tried again, Aideen was just about ready to throw herself underneath him, to break his fall, should he trip again. But the man took it slower this time, eventually making it to a relaxed seat, eyes closed, face slightly distorted in a grimace of exertion.






The orange lass watched, teeth clenched, unmoving, afraid any motion would somehow disturb Coal, sending him back to the lifeless state he had been in. She felt her heart thumb against her ribs, struggling to keep her breath under control; He's up now, that's good... I hope! Then he turned to her, his deep brown eyes meeting her cobbers, and her heart skipped a beat, a nervous smile curving her lips. He returned the gesture with a crooked grin of his own, and her smile grew bright and confident, he was ok! ...Or at least, not dying! The girl's joy grew when he bowed down and started eating, a small chuckle of relief leaving her maw.






Silence stretched between them as Coal ate, and Aideen sat by idly, watching his every movement, wondering whatever could have left him in such terrible shape. So far, he didn't seem to eager to talk though, which she understood completely, so she contented herself with having to wait for an explanation. The quiet however, innerved her, pushing them further apart with every second that passed; And she longed to fill it, to reach out to the wounded man with warm words and gentle caresses. Something was holding her back though, a memory, kept at bay by the pressingness of Coal's condition up until now, but slowly starting to press on the young lady as she watched the tan wolf eating; I ran away... I ran away from him! And why exactly, because she was confused..? Scared? Aideen shook her head lightly, she didn't understand her own actions, all she knew was that she had run away from this perfectly nice, no more than nice, wolf and left him... To this!






Feelings were fighting each other inside the young fae, tangling like vines, or branches in a thicket, tears pressing behind her eyes. Casting down her gaze, she blinked rapidly, staring at her paws while trying to get her thoughts together; I can't... I... I..! She wanted to run, get away from all these confusing thoughts and feelings, but she couldn't, not now, not again! Glancing up, she looked for comfort in the large wolf opposing her, tried to clear out her feelings by facing them head on. Searching for his eyes, she felt her heart contract, the pressure tightening her throat, making her words small and squeaky; <b style="color:#c7470f">"I... Coal, I'm sorry... About last time... I... I'm sorry!" That was all she could say right now, anything more would just be senseless. All she knew was, that this wolf made her feel something she'd never felt before, something stronger than anything, anyone else had ever made her feel; whether that was good or bad, she couldn't say...






Word count: 581




I'm not stupid <b style="color:#c7470f">”I've got bark!”