Chapter Text
The traveling party of Arcadia made its way together across the seemingly never-ending kingdom landscape of dirt roads and forest.
The family and their immediate party travelled in a line of horse-drawn carriages. Everyone else in the vanguard traveled on foot or by horse outside. They all made for a strange sight, no question. But they had all embarked on a mission together. Marita was pleased to be included. Now she finally had a place to belong. And she had a family who loved her. Being part of the main traveling party was also interesting.
So when she learned that the carriages themselves were to be designated by gender, she didn’t mind that. Especially because she had Queen Margaret as a traveling companion. She had wanted it this way because female company in her life was very lacking, at best. All the same? Queen Margaret also just wanted to talk to her new surrogate daughter uninterrupted.
Once things were moving again after a break, Margaret said to Marita, “I have been told that we will be passing through Aenon because that is just the nature of the highway design.”
“Oh. I understand. Thank you.” said Marita. “Will we be stopping there?”
“No. We have remembered your warning about how it is best to keep going.” said the queen. “I believe that not stopping is just as well.”
Marita asked in surprise, “Why?”
Margaret answered, “Because my husband would just as soon kill that Typhon character if given a chance.”
“Would you be able to stop him?” asked Marita.
The queen sighed, “I doubt it. He has been in my life since we were infants and I truly cannot remember a time where he was not deeply protective of the people he cares for. My husband even served in the last war.”
Now Marita felt impressed. “Wow. But I suppose things changed after you first became parents?”
While the queen gave a nod, she then changed the topic. “Do you remember anything about your life before your parents died?”
Marita spoke after a pause. “There is one thing. But even saying it feels preposterous.”
Her companion said, “Try me.”
So Marita gathered herself. “While I have never had any idea why, I have always loved wolves for as long as I can remember. And felt safe around them. Do you find that peculiar? Most people would…”
“I personally find it fascinating.” then Margaret winked. “I promise you that I am not ‘most people.’ But we have always believed that wolves are noble creatures that only kill because that is the natural order of things. Understand?”
“I do.” Marita said seriously.
Now Margaret asked, “Have you ever told anyone what you just told me?”
“No. But I suppose I chose to tell you because this is the first time in a tremendously long time where I have been safe while even having a family. Being alone… Well…” the younger woman’s words trailed away when she couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“It isn’t something you would wish on another soul?” guessed the queen.
“Correct. Right now, I suppose I am just getting used to this new life that you and your husband have given me so graciously.” Marita paused briefly. “Is it bad that I only just realized any of this?”
“No. It just makes you human.” said Margaret.
Relieved, Marita finally offered her a kind smile. Then she looked out the carriage window. There was nothing to see but an open road ahead. But she still found comfort about not being alone.
As time wore on and the journey progressed, it eventually became clear that the entire party would be staying the night in the woods. Marita didn’t mind. The outdoors were her forté. Everyone felt relieved.
Marita cheerfully assisted with helping to make camp in the first clearing big enough to hold everyone. She even helped to cook the fresh game that the men brought back. The others were pleasantly surprised when Marita proved to be an expert at outdoor survival skills. What surprised them the most was when she remained unconcerned about the howling wolves they all heard in the distance.
Slightly ruffled, Charles paused in his task of wood-collecting to say to Marita, “Just how are you so calm when there are wolves about?!”
Marita shrugged. “They are far enough away that they are not even thinking about us at all.”
Charles looked at her in surprise. But so did everyone else in their entire immediate company. They were constantly learning new things about her. All the same, none of them had ever met someone this casual about wolves. Ever.
When the wolves howled again, Marita said, “Hm. There are ten wolves, including one alpha, and a pup.”
Now she was met by even more bewildered stares than ever.
Surprised, Marita said, “But can’t everyone tell?”
The others shook their heads as Charles answered, “No.”
Unnoticed by the others, Margaret watched in amusement from the distance as the conversation unfolded. She even observed Marita reassuring them that they were safe of all predators. The group even returned to the food. But every last wheel was turning fast in the queen’s head.
She also found herself wondering, for the umpteenth time, if her daughters would ever meet. And if they would get along. Both were a little more unique than the male members of the family. Just as she was.
Then Margaret became distracted when she noticed the moon in the sky. It was full. Almost. From there, the queen moved on to suppressing a shudder. Every full moon brought back memories she would sooner forget.
Nearby, King William returned to the campsite with some of his men. They had been surveying the general area around the clearing to see what was there. While his men went to see what there was to eat, the king went to see his wife. She seemed a million miles away.
Still arriving in time to see Margaret shudder, William asked her, “What’s wrong?”
She offered her hand a fleeting smile. “I was just thinking about why we dislike the full moon. Did you see…?”
William nodded. “Yes. And I thought of those memories, too.”
She looked up at him. “What now?”
“You and I keep our minds in the present,” William said seriously. “Because we cannot afford a distraction. Especially since my men and I heard wolves…”
Margaret laughed. “You are never going to believe this…”