Chapter Text
There is a strong smell coming from the surrounding tall oak trees and a cool light wind that brushes Bill’s cheek; the hairs on his arm stand up as the breeze passes by. It was a refreshing reminder of when Bill used to travel around the countryside of England. With the arrival of autumn upon Ireland, the sky fills with an array of colors that surround the travel wagon. Shades of orange and yellow leaves litter the bumpy road
Bill is lulled by the soft crunches of the leaves when the wheels of the wagon and the hooves of the horse stomp over them.
It reminds him of his time in England as a hunter, traversing across the countryside bringing home game. During his long hunts, he would often have to camp to wait out unexpected storms or tricky prey. Hunting never really seized for Bill, each season often brought out new animals from the quick rabbits to the sly fox. Of all the seasons, autumn was, still is his favorite, especially back in England. His late wife, his sweet dear Elizabeth, was never too fond of it. She would often complain about the leaves in her hair and the constant raking that needed to be done. It also meant more time away from Robyn and her.
It’s why Elizabeth adored winter. A blanket of snow would cover the fields and hills. Winter would bring Bill home as more animals would be hibernating, which meant more time with his wife and daughter. During this season, he would show Robyn his new tools of trade, crafting new and faster arrows; much to Elizabeth’s dismay. Their house would often smell of sweets, or “town tasties” as Mebh often called them. On rare occasions, Elizabeth would bring out her small hidden harp and play soft lullaby’s putting Robyn to sleep and sometimes Bill.
“Father look out there’s a potho-“
“Guah!”, Bill hissed, he sat up straight in the wagon rubbing his forehead. A bump was already forming right in the middle.
He could hear Robyn and Mebh laughing from in the wagon.
“Aye..that’s gonna leave a mark,” Mebh said.
“OH maybe he’ll grow a horn like a unicorn!” she added, Robyn laughing.
Rubbing his forehead still, the bump started to feel hot to touch and tender. Mebh was right, it’ll be swollen for a day or so.
Robyn and Mebh returned to laying down in the wagon. From the corner of his eye, Bill noticed a faint glowing light. The girls must really want to run off and play.
Sure enough, two figures dashed towards the front of the wagon now side by side the horse. The horse remained calm continuing at the same pace, not even phased being next to two wolves.
The kids were waiting; waiting for the okay from their parents to join the rest of the pack. Their tails wagging in anticipation. A glee in their eyes.
Bill smiled looking at Robyn. His nod was indication enough that she was free to roam. Both sprinted away towards the front of the pack.
“You okay there?” Bill looked over at Moll, she held the wagon steady making sure not to lose sight of the girls as they ran off. There’s a smirk on her face, no doubt she laughed along with the children at his lack of attention.
“I’m alright…just a small bump. Nothing a few days of rest can’t heal.”
“For such a grand hunter, you sure miss the small things.”
“I was just a little distracted…”
“By?”
He doesn’t respond right away. His eyes were focused. Not on anything in particular, just lost in thought it seems. She realizes she doesn’t want to force an answer out of him. Quickly she changes the subject.
“She’s a natural you know.”
That seems to snap Bill back into focus. Moll speeds up the wagon noticing the girls are moving quicker.
“Your daughter I mean, she seems to be adjusting to her wolf form fast,” Moll continues.
“That’s thanks to Mebh of course, wild little spirit, isn’t she?” Molls feels a wide smile spread at his comment.
“She will always be my wild little wolf.” Bill thinks the same of his Robyn.
There isn’t much said after that between them.
The silence doesn't ease Bill but he accepts either way.
________________________________________
Sunset is rolling by, and Moll can sense the restlessness of the pack. She surveys the area noticing a cave not too far ahead.
“I think it’s time to rest for the night.” pulling the wagon to a stop she lets out a howl, calling the wolf pack back to its alpha. The pack congregates back to the wagon, Robyn and Mebh jumping out in front of the dark grey wolves answering the call first. They circle the wagon finally sitting near their individual parents.
“Mammy you should have seen it, Robyn and I were racing to see who was the fastest, and I won of course-“
“No you didn’t! You had a head start!”
“Oh yeah? Well, you had your little bird to help you find shortcuts!” Mebh sticking her tongue out at Robyn.
“Merlyn was just looking out for me,” Robyn states as a matter of factly.
“Yeah! Looking for a shorter way through the forest!” Mebh retaliating by jumping on Robyn nipping her ear. Robyn laughing, playful bites back.
“Alright Mebh that’s enough” Moll said as she jumped off the wagon.
Mebh releases Robyn and heads to her mom. Moll goes up to her daughter pulling her into a hug. Mebh is laughing with her tailing wagging nuzzling her mom. Bill gets off the wagon kneeling towards Robyn. She goes up to her father licking his face. Bill relaxing more around his daughter.
“Robyn time to return back,” Bill says as he rubs Robyn's ear.
“But father, the night has just begun can’t Mebh and I go out for a bit?”
Bill chuckles a little, “Not tonight Robyn, not yet, now back to your body alright.”
Robyn let out a little whine, shoulders slump. “Yes Father.” She walks towards the back of the wagon where her and Mebh’s bodies lay.
“Ha! Me mam would always let me go with her at night hunts!”
“You have to return to your body too Mebh.”
Mebh lets out a little noise her tail straight up now, “Mammy why can’t I go with you?! You always would let me go with you!” Mebh’s ears lay flat against her head.
“Because Mebh,” Moll rubbed her forehead against her daughters, “I’m ye mam and I said so.” Mebh makes a little pout and looks up at her mother, putting her best puppy eyes on display. Moll, seeing this millions of times before, isn’t swayed.
“Now Mebh, your mammy needs to scout the area. I won’t be long I promise”
It hits Mebh differently when her mammy says that. Worried that she won’t come back like last time.
Moll can see the distress in her daughter’s eyes. She pulls Mebh into a big bear hug.
From behind they hear, “Don’t worry Mebh, I’ll make sure your mammy comes back home.”
Bill says as he comes from around the wagon. His words don’t calm Mebh down much, her trust for him still on edge since the incident. Bill can't blame her either. He would be the same way if it were Robyn.
“Look at me Mebh,” Moll’s green eyes swell with love as she looks at her daughter.
“I’ll just be a quick look around and come right back. The pack needs you and so does Robyn. I need you to watch over them for a little bit. I don’t want anything bad happening to ya. Okay?”
“You promise to be back this time mammy?” Her eyes searching her mothers.
“Of course, my little wolf” Moll gives her daughter a tender kiss on her forehead, reassuring her daughter that she will return. Mebh tail resumes wagging, and she heads to the back of the wagon to join Robyn.
Bill lights a torch and heads into the cave, checking the occupancy. He notes the dirt, it’s matted…doesn’t look like anyone’s been inside this cave for some time. Moll is not far behind also looking for any signs of distress.
“The cave looks like it hasn’t been used for a while.”
“You’d be right’ Moll takes a deep inhale “The cave doesn’t have any scents of other animals in it.”
Moll lets out a howl, the pack of grey wolves’ head toward the empty cave for rest. They slump onto the floor, panting clearly tired from their long trip. The now human version of Robyn and Mebh follow into the cave carrying supplies. Bill sets up a little area inside the cave for them to rest on. He throws down some blankets and puts up some rocks and woods to start a fire.
The fire roars to life with a flick of his wrist against the flint. The wolves near the fire jump back letting out a small whine. They back up against the edges of the cave away from the flames.
Robyn and Mebh sit close to the fire warming their bodies. Bill continues to set up a bed for Robyn to lay down on. Moll finds a spot among the pack to nestle down. Mebh noticing her mom joins her laying in her arms. The pack surrounds their alpha sharing their body heat for warmth.
Moll pulls Mebh close, cuddling her daughter before closing her eyes. A gold hue fills the cave as Moll appears in her wolf form. Her giant frame casting a shadow in the cave from the fire. Bill watches from the other side of the cave. Staring.
He can see how much larger she is compared to her pack. The fire brings out the green in her eyes and the deep rich color of her brown fur. Her frame is much larger than those around her. Her presence commands attention. As she starts to exit the cave her eyes catch his.
Her eyes linger on him.
They ask for company he thinks…Bill isn’t too sure yet.
“Father I think she wants you to join her.”
“Huh?” Bill turns looking at Robyn now, she’s picking some stray feathers out of Merlyn. He must be molting.
“I said she wants you to join her.” Robyn repeats herself looking at her dad in earnest.
“Oh um… I will Robyn. I just need to grab some weapons from the wag-“
“No father,” Robyn sits up grabbing her father’s arm. The same arm where Moll bit him. He almost flinches away, almost.
“She doesn’t want a hunter joining her she wants another wolf.” Robyn’s eyes sparkle, the thought of being a wolf again making her happy.
He contemplates for a moment, “I’m not too sure Robyn, I’m not much of a wolf as much as I am a hunter.”
“Is a wolf not a hunter father?”
She had a point. Always has a point, just like her mother. Bill lets out a sigh. He looks back at Moll. She is sitting near the entrance of the cave now.
Waiting.
For him?
Not the human him but waiting for his wolf.
Robyn taps her father on his shoulder, and he turns to look back at her. Robyn pats the spot next to her on the bed that he made.
“Go on father, before she leaves.”
Sitting down he pulls Robyn to his side. She welcomes his embrace. Bill thinks about how he did this last time.
Except well it’s not the same anymore. Robyn isn’t in danger, she’s safe. He thinks how easy Robyn makes it look to change.
“Relax, just sleep you’ll know what to do.”
He does. Bill lets out a deep breath. The tension in his body relaxes and his eyes close.
Inhale…Exhale…just like before. His shoulders slump, and his back slacks.
He opens his eyes again and he’s looking at himself.
His human body.
Robyn giving him a reassuring smile.
Bill takes a deep breath his nose fills with a fury of scents. The smoke from the fire, the floral scents of Mebh and Robyn, the cool mildew smell that the cave gives off. The pack has its own smell. It’s musky and earthy, all their scents mingle together like one big cloud.
A breeze comes by and a unique smell is brought with it. He picks up the new smell, its earthy like the pack but sweet too, like wild berries and fresh soil, with hints of amber wood. Bill thinks it’s just the forest. His nose is following the green hue. It points him to the entrance of the cave. He realizes then that it’s Moll. He opens his eyes and looks at her, as a wolf now. She finally looks back at him.
“About time hunter.”
She stands to her full height. He’s big only slightly bigger than Moll. His gray fur is like the rest of the packs, with dark patches here and there. It’s his eyes though, those blue eyes, deep-set and filled with many stories to tell. They make him stand out amongst the others.
Bill heads over to her. Wabbles a little, thinking too much about walking on four legs instead of two.
“Sorry still getting used to this part. Haven’t done this for fun yet.” His lop-sided grin reassuring Moll.
“You’ll learn, if you’re anything like your daughter, you’ll catch on quick.”
Moll sprints outside the cave already heading towards the forest. Bill without thinking follows, not sure when he allowed his body to move. Moll is far ahead. Bill follows her scent; he closes his eyes and focuses on the smells around him. He can see the green hue she leaves behind and follows it.
Instinct takes over and he runs after her. Doesn’t think just runs, following the green hue, leaving behind a blue trail.