fic: Wolf Hunt part 1
Title: Wolf Hunt part 1
Author: darthbatgirl
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Characters: pre Roy/Tim, Kyle, Jason, Damian
Summary: Continued attacks on cattle draws Prince Roy and guardsmen Kyle into the Forest, where they find more that the wolves they are hunting for.
Word Count: 1521
Warnings: AU, minor violence
A/N: written for my h/c bingo card, for the prompt werewolf: silver poisoning and also for bradygirl_12 Halloween challenge using the prompts werewolf, moonlight and red silk
“My Prince, I have always been faithful and have never questioned your judgment,” Kyle grumbled as he and and Prince Roy walked quietly through the forest. He pulled his cloak tighter around him even as more rain seeped down his back. “But this is not even close to a good plan.”
Roy snorted as he pulled his hood tighter about his head. “Never questioned my judgment? Kyle you live to be able to say 'I told you so,'” he said giving his guardsmen and his long time friend a tight smile. “And I'd say blame the wolves that's decided our cattle makes a tasty meal.”
“We've been out here for hours. Still say we should have waited till dawn to hunt the beasts down,” Kyle said as he suppressed a shiver.
“And risk losing the trail? The King is livid enough about the loss of the cattle, I was not about to suggest we wait till the morning to track them down.” Roy said as he shook his head.
Kyle snorted, “As if you wouldn't be able to pick up the trail. Just think it would be more prudent to do it closer to dawn. It's not smart venturing into these woods hunting for wolves. You never know if the wolves are actually wolves or . . something else.”
A silence descended on the two as neither mentioned the fact the damaged to the cattle was more than what even a whole pack could do. “Relax,” Roy said as he shifted the quiver on his back. “I've brought along some added bite.” The silver from his arrowheads glinted in the limited moonlight of the forest.
A snap of a twig made Roy twist his head, “There,” he said and ran after the sound.
“No, wait!” Kyle called as he hurried after him, “Roy!”
A few frantic minutes had Kyle running in the darkened woods, that had seemed to have swallowed up Roy until he found him kneeling by a bush. “Don't do that!”
“Here, “ he pointed at some trampled grass. “They've come through here.”
A low growl brought Kyle and Roy to their feet, Kyle drawing his sword and Roy lighting a torch. Cautiously they took a few steps forward into the brush, and by the light of the torch they see the carcass of a cow and a huge wolf hunching over it. The wolf was bigger than any that Roy or Kyle had seen before, a rust brown color and he was sitting back on his haunches. The wolf snarled when he saw the two men.
“Werewolf,” Kyle hissed raising his sword higher.
The wolf jumps from the carcass he was devouring, landing on all fours in front of the Prince and his guardsman. Roy swung the torch at the beast only to have it slapped out of his hand by a paw.
“Roy your arrows,” Kyle yelled as he charged forward with his sword. The blade came down heavy on the werewolf's shoulder, making him growl in pain as he turned to Kyle. With teeth bared he jumped on Kyle knocking him down and going for his throat. Without thinking Roy charged the wolf, trying to use his weight to knock the wolf to the side. The wolf rolled to his side and regained his feet and jumped at Roy, sharp claws sinking into the leather armor that the Prince wore.
Suddenly a black shadow leaped from the trees and onto the back of the rust color werewolf. From the flickering light of the fallen torch Roy could see a small black werewolf sink his teeth into the larger ones back.
Roy grabbed for his bow and strung an arrow and let it fly. A flash of silver through the night was all that Roy saw before he heard an agonized howl. Not knowing which one he hit he quickly strung another arrow and let it fly hitting one of the beast again, followed by three more.
The wolves tumble to the side, each making whimpering sounds. The Rust one regained his feet first and clawed at the black wolf before crashing through the under brush of the forest. Slowly the black furred werewolf regained his feet and growled at Roy, who raised his bow. With a final snap of his jaws the other ran after the rust.
“Kyle! Are you well?” Roy asked as he went to his friend's side.
“Yes I'm fine, just got the wind knocked out of me. That was . . eventful,” Kyle motioned to the fleeing werewolves.
“Yes, but I got them both. I know it. Are you up to following them?” Roy asked as he pulled Kyle to his feet.
“Just try to stop me,” Kyle said as he retrieved his sword.
Quickly the two followed after the trail the werewolves left behind. Every once in a while they would catch a glimpse of one, the sound of footfalls, a restrained howl, or a shadow moving faster than the others. Till they reached a clearing and the smaller black werewolf stumbled into a clearing.
For one moment the werewolf stood up right, the moonlight streaming down on him. Then slowly he began to change and where one was a werewolf, there was a naked youth, ebony hair falling in his face, his pale skin looking like porcelain under the moonlight. Roy's heart clenched as he looked on at the youth and couldn't remember seeing anything as beautiful.
Then the boy swayed, falling to the ground with Roy's arrow sticking out of his shoulder.
“No,” Roy choked out and ran to the fallen youth's side, cradling him close. “I'm sorry . . .I'm sorry.”
“My shoulder . . .like fire,” the youth whimpered, his face scrunched up in pain.
“It's the arrow,” Roy whispered. “The silver arrowhead.”
The boy looked at him with fear filled eyes and struggled to free himself from Roy, only to have Roy hold tighter.
“Roy what are you doing?!” Kyle exclaimed as he grabbed Roy by the shoulder.
“I'm going to help him,” Roy said over his shoulder then turned back to the boy he held and loosened his grip a little, “Shh I'll help, I promise.”
“Why?” Kyle asked as he sank down to his knees. “We should just leave him. Go back to the castle.”
“No. I can't leave him. The silver will kill him.”
“ . . Roy,”
“Just go get the horses. Please Kyle. I can't leave him.” Roy looked up with pleading eyes.
Kyle looked at Roy for a long moment. He had known the Prince for his entire life and never had a closer or better friend. Slowly he nodded. “I'll be back,” he said as he stood and left the clearing.
Roy looked after Kyle for a moment then turned back to the boy in his arms. “It'll be okay. I promise. Tell me your name. “
“T- Tim - Timothy,” came the reply through a gasp of pain.
Roy gives a small smile as a feeling of warmth shoots through him at knowing the boy's name. He
ducked his head down and brush his lips over the forehead. “I'll take care of you, I promise”
He laid the boy on the ground and pulled the arrow out. Timothy screamed out in pain then his eyes rolled up in the back of his head and he passed out.
“Timothy,” Roy whispered as he wrapped him up in his arms again momentarily and then Roy yanked off the red silk scarf around his neck and bound the wound with it. For a moment Roy watched as the silk turned darker with the blood and then wrapped the boy up in his cape. “Please forgive me.”
It wasn't long till Kyle arrived with the horses. Roy only let go of Timothy long enough to pass him to Kyle and mount his horse and took the boy back.
Kyle mounted his own horse and eyed Roy, “Well this is going to go well at court.”
* * * *
At the edge of the clearing two young men watched as Roy and Kyle left with Timothy. The younger of the two pulled a dagger and made to chase after the departing group, only to be stopped by his companion with an arm around his waist.
“What do you think you're doing Damian?” The older one hissed into the boy's ear.
Damian twisted out of Jason's grasp and pushed him away. “I'm following after the ones who dared to steal Timothy from us.”
“You'll just end up getting making everything worse, “ Jason said shaking his head.
“So we just let them steal one of our brothers - to steal from the pack?!” Damian snarled.
“No. We go back and tell the Alpha. The pack will bring Timothy home, and heaven help them if he comes to harm.”