wc: 500

Man and pup clambered over tree and rock, both muddy and naked and happy. Frodo's fur was matted where it should have been curly, brown where it should have been black. And you couldn't even tell that Nate-River had once been very white. His pretty little fur had been soaked and dirtied until he looked like a chimney sweep. They were so muddy because they'd crossed the Mersey Lagoon on the way to the Ethereal Eclipse. Nate had begged his dad to go playing in the mud holes and various sink holes around the boggy once-been-lake, and Frodo had given in to the playful pup's begging. Frodo had promised a fun day out, and he figured he'd give his pups one. On that note, it wasn't just Nate that had come along today. Payne was riding in a basket on her adopted father's back, peeking out through blankets. She didn't say much; she only squealed when she wanted something, but Frodo had a pretty good idea of what she wanted when she did want something. He'd grown to know his children well over the past couple of weeks.

Frodo stopped walking through what was starting to look like dense forest, to peer back at Nate, who was trailing behind on his stubby legs. The pups were only just four weeks old, a few days older, and couldn't walk for very long without tiring. They were still suckling babes, he would do well to remember that. Perhaps in an hours time, he'd have to lead them back again, and end their little adventure. Yer comin', skipper? Frodo asked his boy, pausing to let the pitiful, mud-soaked pup answer. It was strange that Nate had started talking and understanding speech - especially names - far quicker than was normal for a child of his age. Fa? squeaked Nate in reply. Fa, fa, fa, fa, fa. he carried on, putting on an almost lazy burst of speed until he hit the back of his dad's legs. Frodo chuckled, squatting down so he could ruffle the boy's hair. Do yer wanna hitch a ride with Payne? he asked. At this, he heard a squeak of protest. The blankets and basket in which Payne was being carried in was so clean; of course she wouldn't want her muddy brother sharing with her! Nate shook his head though, and ran on up ahead, leaving muddy footprints in his wake. At this sudden display of energy, it seemed Payne too wanted to be set down. Frodo lifted the pup out of the basket on his back with much struggle, and placed her, wriggling, down on the floor in front of him. She ran up after Nate-River, her larger body more prominent now they were side by side. She'd been born first, and it seemed Nate was a tad runty. Mr Silvertongue watched them play with a grin on his features, ever the father as he sent stern yips to slow them whenever they strayed too far ahead.

wc: 400

The young man continued to keep a watchful eye on his son and daughter. Both ran up ahead happily, and he grinned in admiration. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt this content. Gemma and he might not be the normal sort of parents for Nate and Payne, but at least they got along well, and would raise the pups to have morals and responsibilities. He wanted to give them a childhood like he'd had - except for the bit where he'd been shunned from his family. Frodo actually wanted to go back and visit his family some time, but they were so far away, he'd doubt he'd even find them. In fact, it was probably impossible all together he'd find his family, as they were travellers. They'd probably moved location more than twenty times since the last time he'd seen them. That surely but a grim frown upon his face.

His thinking meant he had let the children out of his site for a couple of seconds, so suddenly, he lifted his head up, green eyes shining brightly. He saw that both of them stood stock-still, tails erect but wagging as they looked up at something that he couldn't see. Frodo spurred on to a light jog and skidded to a halt just behind the pups, to see a lady who was throwing a greeting at the group. Immediately, his thoughts went to how muddy he and his children was, and how wild they must have looked. This made him self concious, as he hadn't expected to see anybody new today, especially someone as pretty as this stranger. Allo. he grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. Payne looked from Eclipse to Frodo, and then leapt at her father's legs, scrambling at the knees and the thighs but not getting much of a grip. Frodo bent over and scooped her up, holding her at his hip. His eyes went to the bow on the stranger's shoulder and eagerness came into his expression. That's a dandy lookin' bow, is that. he said, motioning with his free paw to the weapon. Drandy. echoed Nate-River, the curious pup taking a step forward to sniff at Eclipse's legs. He then began licking at her feet, his pink tongue thin and eager. Nate! scolded Frodo, a bit embarrased, and Nate hung his head low and slunk off between his father's legs.

wc: 442

Frodo heaved a sigh of relief as the stranger simply giggled when his son licked her feet. You just couldn't be too careful these days, especially with two pups in tow. There were some sinister people about. Not that this lady looked sinister, or anything. In fact, she looked very pleasant. But it had been a risk to bring the young pups out into the open so shortly after their arrival to the world. That's alright then. he chuckled, and he untensed so that Nate could realise he wasn't in trouble after all. The boy looked up at his dad for another reassurance, to make sure it was okay to check out the fun, shiny-new stranger, and then decided that it was okay. He cautiously stepped forward once more, tail wagging as he ogled the young woman.

She seemed to either not realise they were filthy, or not care. Either way, it didn't look like she was going to comment on it, at least not in a nasty way, so Frodo's confidence grew. He scraped away some of the mud that had dried, mostly from his calves and neck, and shook out his shaggy ginger mane that was covered in knots and braids and feathers. That I do. he grinned in reply to her next words. I prefer to skedaddle a bow, rather than anythin' else, you follow? arrows were his favourite thing to wield, and his bow was almost like his best friend. He spent most of his time making repairs on the wood, polishing the fine surface with oil, and changing the string.

Nate-River leapt at the chance to come closer to a stranger, and when Eclipse knelt down he sniffed at her torso and her chest, his nose twitching very fast and repeatedly. He yipped excitedly and rested his paws on her, oddly friendly for some reason. Frodo laughed and placed Payne down too, who had started to wriggle, and she ran around the lady and her brother, sniffing the peculiar scents.
Nice to meet yer. I'm Frodo Silvertongue, this a-here's my adopted daughter, Payne Silvertooth, and my adopted son, Nate-River Silvertooth. he used the word adopted as it came naturally to him, although the words felt odd on his tongue. He wasn't allowed to tell anyone they were actually his. As far as everyone else knew, they were Matteo's. Even if Eclipse had never been to AniWaya before, he still had to keep up the lie. Nate and Payne were still too young to know what adopted meant, but eventually Frodo supposed they would learn the truth of the matter. We're uppin' down from AniWaya. How 'bout you?

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Frodo was beyond surprised to hear her next words. What else is there? He'd never heard of someone who didn't know about other weapons before, yet then again, he had to remind himself that not everyone was familiar with these things. He'd been a hunter most of his life, but he supposed most packs were set up so that some members didn't have to hunt at all. That truly was an odd concept, yet still, he wouldn't question it. There's lotsa tools a lady could use for 'untin, or self defence. A lady could use a spear, or a knife, or a sword. A boomer-a-rang, or a slinger-shot. he grinned, as he had tried out most of these weapons himself, many times. He'd actually started off with a slingshot as a child, to get his aim correct, and then had moved to a spear to focus on accuracy and strength. Eventually, he'd been able to master the bow, which was sort of like a slingshot and a spear thrown together as one.

His serious, thinking expression once more reverted back to a grin to see how happy Eclipse seemed to be around the puppies. Most of their pack-mates had just "cooed", and "awwwed" at the pups, but hadn't seemed as besotted as this young lady. He watched her giggle and interact with his children as they investigated her, and a warm feeling found its way into his heart. Thanks. I 'ope so. he replied swiftly, his tail wagging behind his back. Were yer in Ichika before it disser-a-banded? I saw the territory a moon past, an' it was a wasteland... he'd never been to the Cercatori pack, in fact, he didn't think he'd heard of it, but it sounded pretty cool. Well, the fact that she had forgotten she even lived there didn't exactly give a good impression, but he wouldn't hold it against the pack.

At this point, Nate and Payne had lost interest, and with a final series of sniffs and licks, they both sat down, tails thumping half-heartedly on the ground. They both looked just about ready to fall asleep, so Frodo picked them both up by the scruffs and plopped them in the basket on his back. No. Nate-River protested angrily. He pawed at the basket and lifted his head to yawn very loudly. Tilting his head back, he let out another protest Fa...! he mewed, and this set off Payne. Nate's sister too started to yip. Although it was clear they were both tired, they were both stubborn, too. Shh, squires. Frodo ushered softly.

wc: 428 ;'DD derp

At least she knew how to skin a deer. That was something not completely hopeless, at least. He wasn't exactly sure what she meant when she said that she used it "with my plants", but he assumed she must mix things up a bit when cooking. Frodo didn't personally know anything about flavours or taste, he just ate what he could when he could. Although, he did prefer his meat cooked. That was perhaps something a little more humanized about him. That and the fact he'd rather use tools to hunt than his teeth. But he had never been a big fan of clothes, unless they were practical. He loved his cloak, and sure, it looked good, but that had never been the aim of it. The aim of it had been to keep warm, not to make himself look better. He'd always been a very practical man, not caring much about his appearance but having quite a high self esteem anyway.

Odd. Plants, huh? he said, trying to edge her into explaining herself. Plants'r foods for herbies.. like my horse, Strider. he grinned, and then watched her expression as he gathered his children up into the basket. He wanted more than anything than to tell her - to tell the world - how they actually were his children, but how would that make Gemma feel? Thankyer very much lady Eclipse. Yer a nice girl. They've never known nobody different, so I'm a-thinkin' thence they'll match me as Dad up until heaven. Safe as milk.

It was probably the safest way for them, to think of Frodo as dad, at least until they were old enough to understand otherwise. Sooner or later they'd see mates with pups, and see how mates were loving with each other while Gemma and Frodo were just friendly. They'd work out something wasn't right, and Frodo supposed they'd have to tell the pups that their real father was Matteo. Or maybe just ask them to lie about it, and tell everyone their father was Matteo. Wait, that wasn't right... was he really the kind of person to make his own children lie? Everyone lied, but it was never encouraged. I know Jace! No sweat, didn't know she were a mommy. Send her my love and all that, squirt. he grinned. S'good idea. Aint goin' nowhere in particular, but might need to head back soon. We can tag along though. Match me, Sidney! he summoned, tightening the straps on the basket and walking forwards a little, his pace holding back to let Eclipse follow.

wc: 607 mreeeh..when people write a lot of stuff I tend to get more muse and write even longer. D:

He was quite surprised to know what exactly she used the plants for. He hadn't heard of those methods, so he made a mental note to try and mix and match some things for another time, when he had fresh meat to cut. He'd probably end up poisoning himself, but oh well. He just didn't know all that much about plants. He knew what plants horses were poisonous too - every horse owner knew that. He'd often pluck up Ragwort and other vicious greenery from around the pasture fields where his Strider and the other horses ate. The plant grew almost tauntingly wherever his legs found him, and he hated the very leaves of it.

He didn't mind she took long to answer him - he was used to that. At least she was actually attempting to work things out instead of full out saying to him she didn't understand what he was saying. He admired that, a sort of determination. Most wolves round here thought they were oh so brave, and determined, but bravery and determination didn't just come down to fighting, and saving loved ones. It came down to speaking too, and trying new things out. Could the same wolf save a life but then participate in a conversation with someone very odd and strange without deeming themselves a failure? I don't even know 'er very well. But, she saved me from eternal damnation. Death, so to speak. Along with X'yrin.

He'd met X'yrin months afterwards, and she'd saved him yet again. She'd made him stronger, taught him how to fight, and in turn he'd made her a cloak. It was a time since he'd last seen her. He supposed she was busy with her mate, or whatever. Frodo admired her mate, but he had sort of scared him, especially as he'd been a boy when they'd met. But he had still adored the way he had held himself. And Eclipse, too, Frodo was really starting to like her. She wasn't fussy, and she seemed terrible nice. She wasn't ashamed of not knowing things and actually eager to discover anything new. He grinned when she proposed him teaching her about his own bow. I'd like that. he smiled warmly. Call for me whenever, AniWaya's where I'll be, I'll keep my looker's peeled for yer.

A curfew? No way, holy ghost. he continued. Not a chopper of a curfew, but the littlies need their mother, their scrawny lil' chicken legs need fattenin' up. he smiled adoringly, tilting his head back to check on the pups in the basket. The mention of their mother might set thoughts off in Eclipse's head, though, he figured. What if she thought she was mates with her? Still, it would be embarrassing to explain. What would she care anyway? He snuck a look at his new friend - young, beautiful, and a nice personality, she probably had boys crawling all over her left right and centre before he could ever catch her eye.

His attention went back on the pups, then. He'd got a little bit suspicious that they were so quiet. And then he realised they were both asleep, squashed on top of each other, backs gently rising and falling with calm breathing. He curled round to stroke Payne's head with one finger, and did the same with Nate before turning back to face Eclipse. He talked to her in a low voice, still walking by her side on steady paws. My Eclipse, seems the lights are out for the boys and girls, we might have to talk in whisperings. he said softly, winking at her with a knowing smile.

wc: 327 poor awkward frodo x'D

At first, Frodo was a bit nervous, in thinking that Eclipse might have just been vaguely messing around when she suggested learning about his bow. But no, she seemed serious enough in her answer, and it was earnest so he figured he might see her again sometime after they both departed. This was beyond pleasing, his heart skipped a beat and behind him where nobody could see, his tail wagged vigorously. Their talk continued to run smoothly until he mentioned the pups' mother, and - was that disappointment - he saw as she looked away? He struggled to come up with some sort of words, but she spoke first, in words that hardly surprised him. She seemed to have composed herself but he hadn't missed that look on her features.

And so he rushed to defend himself instantly. It seemed almost embarassing once he was talking, but he didn't want her to think anything that wasn't true. He started, opening his mouth, but then stopped again, hesitating before he leapt to say anything too ridiculous. He needed to be careful this time. No, she's not... he wanted to get that out of the way first. It's a-complicated. he managed, fur bristling. Gemma's just a friend, skipper. I 'elp her out. Her mate was exiled, so her puppies aint got a real pa no more. I 'elp keep her spick an' span, on her feet, nooks and cranny's. his intense green eyes wandered from reality as they focused on a far-off picture of Gemma. He imagined her, and he couldn't see anything there other than friendship. He loved her, but it was a brotherly love. He was pretty sure that the feeling was mutual. He smiled tenderly, though it looked a little more like a wince, and made eye contact with Eclipse again. Have you gotta mate up an' about? he asked, probing into her own life. He felt like they had lingered too long in his own.

wc: 571 only reason I'm finishing this up is because I want us to get to the next one x'D

His movements were feeble as he remembered the moments in his life where he'd met another stranger around this place. He'd given a year of his life to the lands round here, to AniWaya, and a lot had changed. He'd met many people, but he never seemed to visit them afterwards. He always looked to the future though, and was confident he'd make some more permanent friends eventually. Like Gemma and Io. He considered those the friends he talked to the most often, and plus, he lived in the same pack as them. Io was a good friend of Gemma's, too, so it was all good. Sometimes it felt like he was forgotten elsewhere, though. Did nobody remember him any more? Especially those from his homeland...he constantly felt like he was crouching in a cold, dark room, always looking over his shoulder.

Sometimes he wished he hadn't met some of the people he had. Not because they were not nice people, but rather because he felt so alone when he departed from them. He was better off secluded rather than making friends only to leave them again. It didn't help that AniWaya was so far off to the South, compared to the other packs. Another door opened to him though, when Eclipse spoke back to him. He lifted his head, shaggy mane scraping back from his forehead so more of his eyes were visible. They lit up from a melting forest-green to a shining lime at her words. But then he looked down again. They were his pups...Gemma had said so... he couldn't bare to live under a lie. But at the same time, Eclipse's words had their own truth- he was still good to be a father to them, especially as nobody was allowed to know about their real blood. T-thanks. he choked out, spluttering a little as he tried to regain his normal expression. For once he had nothing extra to say, nothing to add on to the end. He had suddenly got all emotional. Warmth rarely reached him recently. Yer too kind. he continued, feeling flushed as he met her eye.

They'd walked quite a long way by this time, and he felt the forest break and saw the horizon up ahead. They were getting a long way away from his home. He felt the pups stir in the basket, heard a couple of yawns that reminded him he had ties that were starting to break if he pushed on any further. As much as he'd like to venture off into the unknown, he could not. His ears pricked at her latest comment. That's good. he said cheerfully, tongue lolling out of his mouth in a goofy manner. Than he realised the nature of what he'd said, and his smile vanished. I mean, it's bad...ehh, different story, morning glory. he winced, fidgeting nervously as his shaking fingers tousled his hair. He spotted the edge of the territory and he stopped walking. He actually noticed that his legs had begun to ache. It'll be lights out soon... he said, sneaking a glance at the sky. I think I'll have to dash like a frogger till I'm home free. Skimper up topside and I'm done. he explained awkwardly. He'd really enjoyed speaking to the younger female and it was a shame to leave. Still, if the feeling was mutual she'd be showing up at AniWaya sometime soon.