A Long way. part 3
#3 of A Long way.
here you go. Thank you for all the Faves, votes and watches.
Scott and Dusk followed Aelric, Scott rather reluctantly. Every time he walked to close to him, Aelric would let out a growl forcing him to retrat to the safety of Dusks protection.
"So...your name is 'Ulf'?" He asked Dusk, careful to keep away from Aelric.
"That's the name my parents gave me." Dusk winced after this comment, 'Parents' wasn't the best topic of conversation for Scott. "It means 'wolf' in old Norse and Saxon." He continued, trying to change the subject.
"Should I call you that then?" Scott asked, also trying to forget the 'parent' comment. "Instead of Dusk. Should I call you Ulf?"
"No, I like 'Dusk' better. Please call me Dusk." Dusk smiled. Until Aelric broke in.
"What? You can't abandon your name! The pack didn't raise you for so many years for you to jus-"
"I STOPPED BEING A PART OF THE PACK WHEN THEY LEFT ME TO DIE!" Dusk roared in response. Causing Scott to jump back in fright and cower on the ground. Noticing his distress, Dusk calmed himself and lowered his voice. "I've lived with Scott for two years, he saved my life, fed me, kept me safe. He's as much my family as any other." He paused. "...Perhaps more so."
Aelric shut up at this. While Dusk turned and helped Scott to his feet, apologising for scaring him.
"We thought you were dead Ulf, we really did." Dusks outburst seemed to mellow him. "If we'd known you were alright we would have come for you. Truly."
Dusk growled at this "My name is Dusk. And if you thought I was dead than why weren't you surprised to see me?"
"I WAS surprised, but my anger of seeing that human overcame that emotion." He gestured at Scott. "Also, you forget that you howled to me. That gave me time to think."
"Think about what?" Dusk asked cynically.
"...how much I missed you." Aelric answered sheepishly. At this Dusk smiled and lunged forward, hugging the darker wolf.
"I missed you too. But if you want me to forgive you. You have to do something for me." Dusk said finally, before turning back to Scott. Who was still standing at a fair distance, scared of the two Wolves. Dusk reached forward and pulled him closer, placing Scott in front of him with his paws on his shoulders.
"I never introduced you earlier. Scott...this is Aelric. He's my Brother." He now looked at Aelric. "Aelric...this is Scott. He's my closest friend and as close to me as any family member." Now he spoke to them both. "You may not like each other, you may even fear each other. But if for no other reason other than my sake. Please tolerate one another."
They were both silent at Dusks request. Scott tried to break away from Dusks grip fearfully, but Dusk only held him tighter.
Aelric looked his brother in the eye, though no more words were spoken he knew that this was of great importance to him. He now looked directly at Scott, who still tried to struggle.
"I promise that I will treat you as Ul...Dusk has, no harm will ever come to you in my presence and I will accept you as family. You need not fear me any more." Dusk could see that he was sincere, his hate for humans was nothing compared to his love for his brother. And If Dusk had any doubts they were swept away by Aelrics next action.
As soon as Dusk released Scott, Aelric stepped forward and pulled Scott into an embrace. Scott immediately stopped struggling and simply accepted the turn of events. Aelric released him.
"Thank you Aelric." He whispered. Prompting a small smile from the wolf.
"Come on." He said turning away. "We're almost there."
.......................................................................................................................................................................
"Almost there" turned out to be another two hours of walking. But at least the three were more comfortable with each others company, the topics of conversation varied from Dusks time with Scott to the circumstances leading to Scott finding Dusk.
"Well." explained Aelric. "The pack were up near Inverness at the time, scattered mind you. We didn't want to draw attention. Anyway, a group of hunters found out and began an assault. Most of the pack escaped safely but Dusk got cornered just outside Fort George. That's the last we heard of him. I guess you know the rest." He nodded to Dusk.
"I was cornered. And badly hurt, I was lucky that the garrison in Fort George were firing that day so the Hunters were scared off. I's never been so happy to hear a rifle." He chuckled at this. Then smiled at Scott. "And then you found me."
Scott smiled back. "What about this 'pack'? Is that where we're going now?"
They shook their heads. Dusk explained _"Not yet, the pack stays seperate most of the time. Only getting together in times of Crisis or war. We'll have to call them together, but for now we can be content with having somewhere to stay." _
"War?" Scott enquired.
"Not wars as humans see them, there are several packs throughout the United Kingdom, and plenty more throughout the world. Sometimes, occasionally we have territorial disputes. But they rarely end in bloodshed." Aerlic explained.
"I see..." Scott pondered. "In some ways your culture is more civilised than ours." Dusk nodded sadly at this.
"How old is Scott, Ul...Dusk?" asked Aelric.
"He's Seventeen years old." Dusk answered, glad to see that Aelric was staying true to his word.
"Well, Dusk and I are now Nineteen, so I suppose we all fall into the same niche."
"Nineteen?" Scott smiled stupidly. " I always thought werewolves would age slower and live longer."
"Well, we do a little. But the difference is rather small and not much to bother with." Dusk relented. "Biologically w_e're probably about your age."_
He wasn't sure why, but this comforted Scott. Knowing that these 'creatures' were not so different from him.
They walked in silence for a few more minutes before, to Scotts utter relief, Aelric announced thier arrival. By now it was almost light, just before dawn when they saw it. It wasn't much, a small croft. But then again, Scott had half expected a cave.
"So where are we now?" Scott enquired as they walked towards the small cottage.
"Down in the Grampians." Answered Aelric.
"Cairngorm?"
"No, we're further west." Aelric answered as he struggled with the door knob. "On a clear day and if you're up high you can see the Ben." He now began to grow frustrated with the door, and barged against it.
"This. door. Is. A. Pain." Aelric growled, each pause doubled with a shoulder barge. The door finally gave, almost sending Aelric toppling inside. Embarassed, he ushered in the others.
"Feel free to sit down. I'll get a fire going."
Scott and Dusk did as told, sitting on the crumpled couch. Scott leaned into Dusks warmth. Dusk put an arm around him.
"This is...cosy." He chuckled.
"Aye." Dusk agreed.
"I hope you two are comfortable." Aelric interjected from the stone fireplace. Where a small kindled fire now burned_" Because that's where you're sleeping."_
Dusk and scott both looked around the small one-roomed croft. The only other pieces of furniture were a low wooden table and another worn couch, this one looked like Aelric slept on it frequently.
"Here." said Aelric tossing them a couple of blankets. "I need to go and get some peat and water." At this he picked up an iron pot and walked towards the door. "there's a stream nearby. I'll set the water on to boil so that we can have tea when we wake."
"Where do you get tea from?" Asked Scott. Dusk answered for his brother.
"The pack has human friends. Sometimes they get supplies for us in exchange for favours." He chuckled softly. "Where do you think we get the peat from?"
Scott chuckled back, partly at his own question and partly at the thought of Aelric digging peat like a farmer of olde.
"Anyway, you two had better get some sleep. Especially you Scott, you look half dead." At this he left them alone.
"He's right you know." Said Dusk. "You need rest. Get some sleep."
"What about you?" Asked Scott, already yawning and snuggling up to Dusk. Who now lay on his back.
"I can wait. I want to talk to Aelric." He pulled Scott up so he was lying on his chest. "Now sleep."
....................................................................................................................
Dusk lay in silence for several minutes, pehaps hours. The only sound breaking the calm was Scotts soft breathing. Dusk smiled down at him, glad he was finally safe.
It was then that Aelric entered, quietly so as not to wake his sleeping guests. He walked over to the fire and strategically placed a pair of peat blocks to burn. Followed by the Iron pot which now sloshed with spring water. He paused when he saw Dusk looking at him.
"You're supposed to be asleep." He scolded. Quietly of course
"I know." Dusk answered. likewise quietly. "I wanted to speak with you."
"About what?" He enquired. recieving only a glance at Scott in answer.
"You...really care about him. Don't you?" He sighed.
Dusk nodded. "He's my best fiend, and I can't help but feel guilty for all that's befallen him."
"But there's more than that. Isn't there?" Dusk looked up, alarmed. But before he could respond Aelric continued. "Don't try and hide it brother, I know you. I know what you feel for him." He paused to let that sink in.
"And...what do you say to such emotions?" Dusk asked, rather fearfully.
"I cannot say, for they are not my emotions but yours." He moved closer to Dusk now. "But if they were my emotions. I'd embrace them." Dusk looked into his eyes while he continued. "Do not attempt to deny these feelings Dusk. One cannot deny ones self."
"Bu...but such a union. Surely it cannot truly happen." Dusk protested.
"I don't see why not. You love who you love, there is no room for the limitations of your own doubts." Aelric moved away from Dusk now. Settling into his own 'bed'. "Sieze the day brother."
Dusk looked down at the sleeping human in his arms before closing his own eyes.
"Sieze the day."