Philippa enjoyed walking about, even when she knew the wolves were there to protect her rather than for anything else. She saw much in how these people were suffering and wanted to help somehow, no matter the ways they judged her. She wanted to make sure everyone had food even if it meant giving up something of herself.
She paused at a tepee and put a hand to her heart, gasping for breath as she hadn't walked this much for a while. A wolf came up and rubbed against her, concerned for her well-being. She stroked his back and straightened up again, ready to return to where Bardulf was waiting.
However, when she turned, she saw three women walking towards her with hatred in their eyes. The wolves tightened their circle around her but made no sound or move of attack. Philippa clasped her hands in front of her and walked confidently, not wanting to seem weak in their eyes. But just as they came up to them, a woman took out a knife and pointed it at Philippa.
The wolf to her right growled in warning, stepping forward to protect their charge. The woman with the knife looked at the wolf and said, "You are not a part of this. I only want to talk to the woman and there will be no trouble as long as she heeds my warnings."
The wolf growled again, eyes narrowing into slits. Philippa stroked his back once and smiled, nodding for the woman to go on.
"King Bardulf is deserving of more than just a simple peasant girl. He is deserving of someone of the same rank, nothing less." Philippa nodded to show her understanding. The woman continued. "Before this goes too far, go home. Do not stay in this kingdom a moment longer. You will be hurt more than you could ever imagine."
Now, all three wolves growled in warning for the women to go away, but Philippa just waited for more. She already thought about going home, already thought about how Bardulf should have someone of the same status as he. She hadn't planned on staying, no matter how much she wanted to.
Now, she just needed a way of telling the women. Realizing they wouldn't understand her hand gestures and she had nothing to write with, she smiled, nodded, and began walking again. But the women wouldn't let her go.
"Do you think this is funny? Go with him and see for yourself what happens to those who think he cares for them! He does not! He is a beast with a heart of—"
"There you are!"
Everyone turned to see Wynona walk up smiling at them. The leader of the little group of women crossed her arms. "We were just giving the King's guest a warm welcome!" Her friends nodded agreement.
Wynona looked at me and held out a hand. "I think it's time for you to return back to the King, honey." Philippa took her hand and waved to the other girls politely, then followed the medic, wolves not far behind. When they had gotten a good distance away, Wynona turned to her and said, "Was Shiba bothering you?"
Philippa shrugged, not really understanding what the fuss was about.
Wynona frowned. "Honey, I know not everyone is nice here, but no one is supposed to be threatening a guest. I saw her knife. I also saw the wolves' hackles up. If something was said or done, you to say so."
Philippa could have laughed because she couldn't say anything. If she wanted to say something, she would have, a long time ago. But she was a silent wanderer who just happened to be with Bardulf in his kingdom for no reason other than he didn't want her in danger. Though, if she was being honest, she seemed to be in danger more often now.
Bardulf was waiting near the other ten wolves when he saw Philippa walking with Wynona towards them. Philippa looked like she was in a pleasant enough mood, smiling as she gazed about. But the medic and the three wolves seemed otherwise, making him suspicious.
Standing up, he walked over to the group. Philippa wrapped her arms around him instantly and rested her head on his chest. He held her close and started on Wynona. "What is wrong?"
"Shiba and her two friends were talking to your guest." Bardulf furrowed his brows. At seeing his confusion, Wynona added, "With a knife pointed at her."
The wolves started growling in agreement, but Philippa didn't seem affected by the event. He made her look at him and saw her curious look before she started gesturing with her hands in the form of, "She was loyal to her King. So what?"
Bardulf sighed. "They went against orders, Philippa. I told them not to do any harm to you. They were supposed to respect you as they do me. Holding you at knife point isn't respect."
She shrugged, then proceeded to tell him her status.
He shook his head. "You are no longer a peasant, no longer a servant for anyone. It matters if you are threatened or not, not just to me, but the wolves."
Philippa glanced at the three wolves behind her and gave them an apologetic smile, then looked at Bardulf and did the same.
Wynona said, "She didn't tell me what was said, but I know it couldn't have been good."
"Thank you, medic. You are dismissed." Wynona bowed and walked away. Bardulf signaled to the wolves they could leave, then pulled Philippa gently to his tepee where he sat her down on her blankets and cupped her face. "Tell me what happened, Philippa. No one can do anything to you."
The woman shrugged but started telling him anyways using hand gestures and facial expressions. Bardulf watched and understood but felt no fear from the woman in front of him. She didn't care about the women like she had with Prince Roderic's threats. If anything, he thought she was convinced they were doing the right thing.
When Philippa finished and had stilled on her blankets once more, he sighed. Giving a harsh whistle, he waited. Philippa gave him a curious look, but he said nothing. Then, a gray wolf walked into the tepee and sat beside them, looking at Bardulf for orders. The King said, "Philippa, I told you I brought you here for a reason. I as well as the wolves," he gestured to the wolf beside him, "see you as my Queen. The wolves see you as someone they love and cherish, as their Mother of sorts. We like to call it Luna. You are my Luna, my Queen."
She pointed to herself in question.
"Yes, you."
Philippa asked how the wolves knew anything about her and how she could be anything because of her status at home.
Bardulf shook his head. "Forget that status, my sweet Philippa. That does not matter anymore. And the wolves have good instinct. They know who the leaders are and they, as well as me, want you to be Luna."
She pointed to Bardulf and raised her brows.
He smiled. "I do lead them, but every male needs a female."
Philippa rolled her eyes and proceeded to ask him why he didn't have Jacqueline as Queen.
"She wouldn't be able to handle all this like you are. She wouldn't be as calm and intuitive like you have been."
Philippa snorted unladylike.
"There's something else you should know," he said. The woman looked at him. "Watch the wolf."
Philippa was confused and started to wonder what Bardulf was talking about. She was no Queen. She was no Luna. She was a maid, a servant. She was no one anyone would respect let alone follow into battle.
She looked at the wolf in question and crossed her arms. She heard Bardulf say, "Do it," then the wolf put its head between his paws and closed his eyes. In a matter of seconds, fur turned to skin, paws turned to feet and hands, ears shrunk and curved over. The muzzle flattened and the face became that of a human with deep brown hair and green eyes. He was also nude.
Her eyes widened before she covered them with her hands, mentally scolding him for being inappropriate in front of a woman who was not wed to him. After a moment, she felt hands grab her wrists and pull them away. She opened her eyes to meet those of the wolf-turned-human. "Hello, mi' lady."
Her eyes widened again before she scrambled backwards and stared at him. He was human. Not wolf. He had green eyes, not amber. He hands and rounded ears and a human nose. Her eyes glanced around just in case she missed something, but only found Bardulf sitting beside her, watching her intently. She gestured to the male with green eyes in question.
Bardulf smiled. "This is Flik." She scowled and shook her head in denial. "Yes, it is, Philippa. The man before you is the same wolf that you saw a second ago and the same wolf you were petting this morning. This is Flik."
Her heart raced in her chest as she stared at the so-called Flik. He smiled at her, a blanket wrapped around him and said, "You don't have to be afraid. I won't hurt you."
She gave him a doubtful expression.
Bardulf chuckled and grabbed her hand then kissed it. "All my wolves are human. They all understand human language as well as that of wolf. I am just like them."
She narrowed her eyes.
The King shook his head and moved back, then he shifted. It was the opposite of what Flik had done. This time, skin turned to fur, brown eyes turned to amber, hands and feet were made into paws. The only difference between Flik's wolf and Bardulf's was that the latter's wolf was black.
Philippa gasped and put a hand over her mouth in realization. Bardulf is the black wolf who brought her here, who comforted her, who she grew to love in the past few days. They were one in the same. Two parts that made up a whole.
Bardulf whined and lowered his head to the ground in apology, giving her a sad look. Flik snorted with laughter and said, "I thought I'd never see this!"
Bardulf gave a low growl of warning to the man before moving towards Philippa an inch. She stayed frozen to the spot and stared at him. She didn't fear Bardulf, not even when he had growled, but she didn't want to provoke him. He was a predator.
Carefully, she put her hand out for him to sniff, but got a lick instead. Smiling a little, she stroked his head then scratched behind his ears, finding her peace brought back to the surface once more when she accepted that Bardulf was a strong King with many strengths.