I had not truly given any thought to the prospect of my evident vandalism and the fact that I had been caught in the act by another pack wolf, young as she was. I was content to offer her another easy grin as she rolled about on top of my felled tree branch, even straightening up a little at her praise of my strength. So shoot me, I’m a boy- I like being told these things and I do come from blood infamous for it’s egotism. Not that I apologise for that, one day I’d truly have something to be egotistical about although for now I am content to keep my own beliefs of my significance to myself- if only for the more modest view it provides. Her mention of my tree breaking ability however only seemed to see me straighten up a little more, tail flicking from side to side in amusement and a little delight at being seen as so entirely powerful that I had managed to outdo her Father and Grandfather. I suppose, realistically, that chances of that are probably not great- but who am I to tell her otherwise, my grin quirking upon my lip once more in delight, shoulder shrugging as if my vandalism had been both intentional and yet no trouble at all before the little girl decided to bow at me, introducing herself as Zelda, Princess of the Plains and Forest. Another Princess? I must attract royalty. One day I would have that title for myself I was sure. I suppose technically I do, I am a Prince- by default, one who won’t ever see a crown, whatever royalty I have in my blood claimed through an Aunt and a Grandfather whom had actually ruled. Her mention of her Uncle Amo-something and my Aunt Shiloh however saw my head tilt. Hmm, maybe one day Zelda and I would share relatives, we’d have the same cousins. I didn’t wholly dislike that thought.

“Zelda is a good name, I like it, it seems familiar though, do you have another relative with that name, maybe in Diveen? I’m sure I’ve heard it before.”

I shrugged once more, head tilted in some manner of considerations- perhaps I had a relative with that name, an Angel. I shook the thought away for now, violet gold eyes meeting her own again as she continued to bounce on the branch I’d knocked down, the limb rocking slightly with the motion. Maybe it wasn’t entirely as heavy as it looked.

“It’s alright if you don’t know Solaris, I don’t know him either, I was just curious.”

I would meet him some day, I was sure, for now though my thoughts had drifted elsewhere, still considering the fallen branch and just how I was going to hide it, after all, surely someone would eventually come along looking for Zelda, that someone sure to ask question I had no intention of answering about what exactly I was doing here and how this branch had come to be felled, my thoughts tangling within my mind. Of all the things Heyel has taught me, covering up this sort of thing really is not one of them. Didn’t want anyone to know I was strong? My attention returned to Zelda then, another grin dancing across my lips as I chuckled.

“I think maybe I should keep my strength a secret until later, so I can surprise everyone whenever it is I decide to be….surprising.”

I grinned once more before my attention returned a final time to the branch, Zelda at least seeming in agreement to this plan as my gaze narrowed slightly in thought and I moved to point towards some bushes that were fairly thick at the bottom of a small slope.

“If we both push it I think we can just roll it into those trees and plants over there, how about that? Then it’s out of the way and no one will accidently fall over it.”

Yes, my entire thoughts were worried about someone accidently falling over it. Sure. For now however it would have to do as I waited for Zelda to jump down beside me, pressing my shoulder into the side of the branch before giving it a shove, gesturing for Zelda to do the same. I was surprised when it actually moved, throwing my shoulder back into it a second time until it rolled forward and onto the slope. What was more surprising though was how fast it actually started to roll, picking up more and more speed as it rolled……right past my intended bushes, crashing towards the centre of the pack land at a rather impressive pace- destroying most everything in its path.

“I didn’t see that coming.”

Both eyes widened slightly before I suddenly leapt after it, paws slapping against the earth as I ran.

“Come on Zelda! We have to catch it!”

Before it ran anyone over.






h y r u l e
The Once and Future King