Mallory and Mina

~by Rowena~

"This was your idea, you know," Guy grunted, his legs sinking into the snow up to the knee. Every step was agony and his muscles begged for rest.

"Your point being?" Mallory yelled against the howling wind. He was just as frightened, but annoying Guy was always a good distraction.

"My point being that when we die of exposure out here in the forest, miles from shelter, in the worst storm in living memory, you'll be the one to blame." A gust of wind knocked Guy off his feet, and Mallory had to pull him up out of the soft, powdery snow. They could barely see where they were going in the fading daylight, and the snow was so deep they weren't even sure they were still on the road.

"You can't deny I did say it'd be an adventure," Mallory reminded his friend, deliberately goading him. "And it's not like anybody forced you to come along."

"You dung-breathed, pig-shagging..." The rest of Guy's abuse fell on deaf ears, as Mallory tripped on a log concealed in the snow, and fell flat on his face. He was soaked through to the skin. Most of his body was numb, and the rest was agonisingly painful. Even if they managed to find shelter and survive the night, he was certain frostbite would take his fingers and toes. And maybe half his face. There was snow caked all over it and he couldn't feel his lips when he tried to speak.

He and Guy had traveled together for over three years, and had had some exciting and dangerous moments, but there didn't seem to be any way out of this one, and for the first time in years, Mallory offered up a prayer to whichever god might be listening.

"Don't waste your breath, demon-spawn," Guy groused. He pulled Mallory up out of the snow and onto his feet. "The gods don't listen to the likes of you."

It was too hard to stand up, and Mallory fell back down to his knees. "Need to rest a bit," he mumbled. His eyes closed, and he let himself roll onto his side with relief.

"Not bloody likely," Guy growled, as he dragged Mallory back up again. "We walk til we find shelter, and we don't stop til we do."

"It's too dark now," Mallory sighed. He was right too. The last of the daylight was trickling away, leaving Guy barely able to see his friend.

"Then we walk in the dark."

Guy had to drag him a short way, but soon Mallory was walking again. Trudging may have been a more apt description. They were crawling along, keeping the wind at their backs as much as possible, but their progress through the storm was still painfully slow.

Mallory's teeth chattered as he spoke. "You can have my lucky rabbit's foot if I die, old friend. And my silver toothpick." He attempted to pull his furs up around his face more, to keep the snow from filling his eyes, but it was so dark now, and he felt so numb, he couldn't tell if it was doing any good.

"Thanks, Mallory," Guy coughed. He wanted to smile, but he couldn't feel his face muscles. "And if I die, I will leave you all my worldly goods."

"Your clothes and your knife, you mean?" Mallory laughed weakly.

"Hey, it's all I've got, and I want you to have it."

They were walking blind now, the moon not yet risen, and the darkness almost complete. Strangely, the more numb their bodies became the easier it felt to move, and they crept on doggedly, refusing to stop in case some shelter appeared close by.

"Maybe we should try to light a fire again." Mallory had to wait for a lull in the wind to repeat himself, as Guy couldn't hear him the first time.

"No point. Too windy. Need shelter." Guy was finding it hard to speak now, and even breathing was difficult. The wind seemed to snatch the breath from him before he could drag it down into his lungs.

They walked in silence for what felt like hours, and finally, without a word, they both stopped. Nobody needed to say anything. They just couldn't take another step. The moon was just rising now, giving them a tiny bit of light whenever it peeked through the rushing clouds. The two young men just looked at each other and sank to the ground, sinking into the snow with relief and resignation.

Guy was nearly asleep, and his body felt warm and comfortable at last. He murmured at Mallory to leave him alone, but his lips wouldn't move, and all that came out was a soft mumble.

"Guy, wake up!" Mallory insisted. He couldn't force out more than a whisper, but he shook his friend roughly. "Look! There's lights!"

Guy tried to open his eyes. They felt so heavy, and he couldn't drag them open more than a slit. He realised he was half covered in snow, and thought to himself that freezing wouldn't be a bad way to go all things considered, if only Mallory would just shut up and let him sleep again. "Lights, you lazy git!"

He tried again to open his eyes, and he thought he did see lights, but they were small and dim and a long way away. He tried to move, but his body wouldn't co-operate, his limbs to heavy to move. He mumbled unintelligibly to Mallory, who wanted to scream in frustration. To be so close to salvation and unable to reach it! There were little lights like torches, dancing along through the trees, and the sound of voices singing, coming from a long way off.

Straining to hear the sounds, Mallory realised how much the storm had eased since they'd stopped. The snow was just drifting lightly onto them and the sky was clearer, the moon shining through more often. He tried to yell, but he couldn't get his voice to work. It came out as a whisper, and occasionally a croak.

He was so cold and numb now that every movement was a huge effort, but he crept closer to the dead tree they were sheltering beneath, and reached up to snap off a branch. He couldn't feel it in his hands, but he managed to get a good grip anyway, and it made a satisfying echo when he swung it against the hollow trunk.

He swung it again and again, hitting harder each time, as he started to get his muscles moving again. The sound traveled a long way in the quiet after the storm. He carried on trying to yell too, to get the attention of whoever it was that was out there, and he sobbed with relief when he realised the lights were getting closer. "They're coming, Guy," he whispered, patting at his friend's fur-covered head. He carried on hitting the tree a bit longer, until he was sure the lights were coming right for them, and at last he let himself sink into the snow once more, and within seconds he'd slipped into unconsciousness.

* * * * * * *

Mallory snuggled deeper under the covers, trying to block out the noise that was dragging him from his comfortable sleep. But it was loud, and burying his head under the blankets was making him too hot to sleep anyway. With a miserable groan, he peeked out to see what the noise was. Birds. Lots of birds, sitting in the branches around him, singing and chirruping by the hundreds. There was sunlight filtering through the branches above him… and beside him… and his gaze moved down further, and there were branches below him too…

He sat up with a gasp, and took in his surroundings fearfully, finding himself on a platform resting on a wide tree branch. Leaning over the edge, he couldn't even see the ground through all the leaves, and he had no idea how high up they were. There were screens on two sides, shielding them from the wind, but the other two sides were open to the air. Despite this, it was quite warm, and Guy was sleeping soundly beneath a woolen blanket beside him.

The events of the night before came crashing back on him now, and he had another quick look over the edge of their platform. It made him dizzy to look, but he had to see where they were. There seemed to be other platforms and actual buildings nestled amongst the branches all around them. Ladders and stairs wrapped round the trunks, and dropped from branch to branch, and there were narrow, delicate bridges spanning the distances from tree to tree. There was an entire village living in this wood, high above the forest floor.

A head popped up suddenly over the edge of the platform, making Mallory leap back with a cry of surprise. He landed on Guy, who mumbled in sleepy annoyance.

"Fear not, good sir," the face smiled. "You are safe here, and your companion too. We found you on the brink of death and brought you in from the storm."

Mallory remembered the cold with a shudder, and instinctively wiggled his fingers and toes. They were all still there, and felt pleasantly warm and tingly. As if reading his mind, their host said, "We have given you a draught to bring warmth back into your body. You need fear no ill effects from your night in the snow."

"You're an Elf," Mallory said at last, finding his tongue with difficulty.

"I am," was the smiling response. "You may call me Will. My Elvish name is much longer, and the humans I meet at market find it difficult."

"Will," Mallory repeated. He was still in shock, amazed they were alive and well, confused by their surroundings, and dizzy with the height they were sitting at.

"I've come to see if you and your companion are ready for breakfast. My lord Erlend wishes to greet you."

Guy mumbled from under his blankets, "Breakfast?"

"How do we get down?" Mallory asked. He realised he was shaking, and he wasn't sure if it was hunger, or fear, or just relief that they were alive.

"There is a short ladder, and then wide stairs, which even humans can manage easily. And then a bridge across to my Lord's house. You will not find the way difficult."

Guy had woken up with all the talk, and his hair poked up untidily as he looked around in confusion. "Where are we?"

"You are safe in the realm of Erlend," Will replied. "We call our village Taur-in-Edhel. We brought you here when you called to us in the storm."

Guy looked scared, but Mallory was beginning to look around at the village with interest. He wasn't comfortable, but he was intrigued. He tried to flatten down his hair with his hands, and straighten his clothes, but it was fairly hopeless. "We're not really presentable for meeting Elven Lords," he pointed out.

"Just follow me," Will replied with a grin, and he dropped down below the platform again. Mallory shrugged the blanket off his legs, and slung his little bundle of possessions over his shoulder, ready to follow.

"You're not going with him, are you?" Guy hissed in fear.

"Course I am, and so are you."

"But they're Elves! They could magic us!"

"They could have done that last night if they'd wanted to. And one way or another, you have to get down off this platform eventually, so you might as well get moving now."

He dropped over the edge to the ladder and climbed down carefully, trying to keep his eyes on the rungs, and not the long empty distance below him.

Will was waiting at the bottom of the ladder, on a stair that ran around the trunk of the huge tree they were in. The stair was wide, nearly 4 feet across, but there was no rail, and Mallory kept himself up against the trunk as they waited for Guy to follow.

Guy had his eyes shut tight as he climbed down, and clutched at the smooth wooden ladder in obvious terror. "How the hell did they get us up here?" he hissed at Mallory when he finally reached the relative safety of the stair.

But Will was already leading them forward, singing softly to himself as he went. The stair wound downwards a long way, making both the humans dizzy. They clutched at the smooth bark of the trunk, and sighed with relief when Will stopped ahead of them at last.

A wide bridge arched out in their path, leading across to another tree, even larger than their current perch. It was of a kind Mallory had never seen before; pale, smooth bark like a new birch, but vast in size, and its curiously shaped leaves were a dark, silvery green, even in this, the depths of winter.

They crossed the bridge without incident, despite Guy's nervousness, and Will began to lead them upwards again. Soon they arrived at a huge iron-bound door, which swung open at their approach. It led directly into the trunk of the tree itself, Mallory was surprised to discover. The tree was completely hollow, but very alive, and a huge hall had been built inside it. It wasn't dark inside at all. There were little windows peeking out through knotholes at intervals, and many lights scattered about the room.

The Elf Lord sat at one end of the room, at a table surrounded by his friends, or advisors perhaps, and they approached him nervously. He was tall, beautiful, and serene, as were all his people, but there was a grimness to his manner which hinted at a heavy weight of duty. His hair was dark, and his skin pale, and finally looking into his eyes they saw the vast age in them. Mallory realised then how young an Elf Will must be, maybe only their own age even. Filled with awe, the humans bowed low, and waited for the Elven Lord to speak.

"Your business must be grave indeed to take you out into the Forest during so severe a winter," he suggested. "I hope, however, that you may be able to delay your journey, and remain here with us until the weather clears and travelling is safe once again for your kind. I am Erlend, Lord of the Elves of Ashby, and you are welcome in my house."

Mallory swallowed hard, but answered politely. "I am Mallory of Ravenscrag, my Lord, and my companion is Guy, son of Sir James of Ely. We are at your service."

"Tell me of your journey, Mallory."

Guy was suspicious, and wanted to stop Mallory saying a word to this Elf, but Mallory ignored his friend's discomfort.

"We travel to Ashby Town, my Lord, but were surprised by the turn in the weather. We had hoped it would stay fine until we reached the town."

"I am sorry to say you are unlikely to reach Ashby now in safety," Erlend replied. "If I read the signs aright, these storms will stay with us now for several months at least."

"Then gratefully do we accept the offer of your hospitality, my Lord." Mallory bowed, ignoring Guy's urgent elbow to the ribs.

"Actually, my Lord," Guy blurted, "I believe we must continue with our journey, regardless of the peril."

Erlend glanced between the two young men and nodded. "Then I will leave you to discuss the matter." He turned to Will and ordered, "Take them to the room above, and give them some breakfast." He then nodded politely to the humans. "You may return to me when you've decided."

"You must be insane!" Guy hissed.

"Not as insane as you, wanting to go out in that snow again. It's a week's journey to Ashby on foot, and that's without 3 feet of snow to trudge through! How would we ever make it? It's suicide, Guy!"

"Better the devil you know," he replied. "I'd rather take my chances with the snow than trust these Elves."

"Yes, Guy… Elves. They're not devils."

"My mam told me tales of Elves years ago. They're not to be trusted. They're enchanters, Mallory. They could do anything to us!"

"Old wives tales! I've met some Elves over the years, and they've never tried to turn me into a toad, I promise you."

"I'm not staying in this cursed place a second longer than I have to."

"And I'm not going out to die in that snow."

Both were silent, waiting, expecting the other to budge, but neither would.

Finally, reluctantly, Mallory broke the silence. "Then I guess this is it." Every trace of anger was gone from his tone. He couldn't imagine parting from Guy. They'd traveled together for so long, and had trusted each other with their lives. He was Mallory's only friend, and he loved him like a brother.

"Are you sure you won't come with me?" Guy asked hopelessly.

He just shook his head. He didn't want to die, and he knew he couldn't survive the weeks of travel in that cold. He didn't expect Guy would either, but voicing his fear only made it seem more real. Better to live with some sort of hope, at least until there was no alternative. "I'll meet you in Ashby before the Spring Fair, Guy. I'll come as soon after Imbolc as I can. Look for me when the snows begin to melt."

* * * * * * *

The wolf snarled at Mallory and swatted at him with her huge paw. The human gasped and leapt back, rubbing his scraped hand and eyeing her fearfully.

"She won't bite you, lad," Odo laughed, amused by the young man's fear. "She just needs a while to get used to your scent. She's not used to mixing with humans, you know."

"Except when she eats them for dinner," Mallory muttered under his breath.

His first few days in the village without Guy had been terrible. He worried about his friend constantly, and when the next storm hit three days after he'd left, he'd begged Will to take him out into the Forest to search for him. It was hopeless, of course, and Will had talked him out of it. There would be no finding Guy now. All he could do was pray for him.

Instead he spoke to Erlend about employment, to keep his mind occupied, and hopefully to repay the Elves for their care of him.

"Where do your skills lie, Mallory?" Erlend had asked.

"Well, I'm considered a fair cook amongst my own people, but I couldn't do anything half so lovely as what your own cooks make here. I've done a bit of building and carpentry. And I'm good with animals."

And so now Mallory found himself in a warm, dark building on the ground, inside the base of an enormous hollow tree on the edge of the village. This was where the Elves housed the wolves they loved so much, and who terrified Mallory so greatly. They called the place the Wolf Hall, naturally enough. Mallory had never seen a wolf up close before. He'd seen them at a distance from safe inside a building, and heard them howling to each other in the night, and the sound had always chilled him to the bone. Up close they weren't making him feel much better either. He'd always been taught to believe wolves saw humans as dinner, and it wasn't going to be easy to change his opinion of them.

Bravely, he took a step closer to the wolf again, but she bristled and snarled at him, forcing him to take two steps backwards.

"Other folk just keep dogs…" he grumbled at Odo.

The Elf just laughed. "We don't 'keep' animals the way humans do. We befriend them, and share our homes with them. And wolves are more intelligent and faithful than any dog could ever hope to be."

"They still eat people," Mallory pouted, never taking his eyes off the wolf.

"If you ever bothered to learn their language, they would greet you as friend, rather than food, when you meet each other in the woods."

"How do you learn to talk like a wolf?" Mallory asked, not quite sure that the Elf wasn't teasing him.

"To begin with, you must put aside your fear of them. Wolves smell fear as strongly as you would…say… wood smoke. It makes them jittery and nervous of you. Open your heart to her, Mallory, and show her you will bring no harm to her and her cubs."

Odo knelt by the wolf fearlessly, mumbling to her softly and stroking her thick coat to calm her. The little ones rolled around him playfully, headbutting his knees and nipping at his already tattered trousers. Mallory was watching with fascination, and had knelt down to pet one of the cubs, so he didn't notice the quiet entrance of a third person.

"Mina!" Odo greeted cheerfully. "Come and see. The babies are growing fast!"

Mallory looked around from his undignified squat on the floor and found his mouth suddenly dry.

There stood the most exquisite creature he had ever seen in his life, and his eyes drank in every detail. She was tall and pale, and moved with the graceful elegance all the Elves possessed, but in her face there was a beauty that surpassed every other member of her Race. Her hair was long and dark, and her eyes a blue so dark they bordered on black. In her form there was perfection such as Mallory had never dreamed possible.

He flushed with embarrassed shyness as she came closer, and slid backwards on his rear out of the way as she tried to approach the wolves while eyeing him with obvious distaste.

Odo's eyebrow raised, the closest he ever came to a frown. "Mina, this is Mallory, a guest of your father's. Mallory, Mina is my Lord Erlend's daughter."

"Good day to you," Mina said at last, civil but cold. The human smelled awful, and he seemed coarse and ugly to her. She hoped he wouldn't be spending too much time here with the wolves, as it was her favourite haunt.

Mallory was having trouble finding his voice, and he stuttered terribly. "Good day, m'lady." He fell silent immediately, quite lost for words.

"Mallory is going to help with the wolves this winter," Odo informed the elf-girl, much to her dismay.

"But I thought you wanted me to help you, Odo!" The wolves were her passion, and the thought that she'd have to share them with anybody as revolting as this smelly human peasant was insupportable.

"That I do, Mina. But there'll be rough work you'll not want to do, and the young man will be a great help to us."

She could think of no good reason to object to this, and pouted her way through the short visit, even more suspicious of Mallory than the wolves were.

* * * * * * *

The following weeks were difficult for the human. He spent long hours with Odo, learning about the ways of wolves, and earning himself more than a few scratches and frights. The wolves gradually adjusted to him though, and he began to enjoy himself at last. The Wolf Hall was a warm, comforting place to spend his days. The evenings he usually spent with Will, the young Elf who had greeted him on his very first day in the village, and who had now become a firm friend.

The bane of Mallory's life was Erlend's daughter, Mina. He learned that she was young also, not many years older than himself. He also learned that nothing he could do would ever please her, and her opinion of him was irretrievably low. He asked Will about this, and his friend just shook his head.

"She doesn't like humans," he explained. "Don't know why, except perhaps that she hadn't met many. She only went into Ashby Town with us for the first time last summer, and she said she thought the humans were all smelly and uncouth. I heard some man slapped her on the backside and made her scream."

"Well, I've been to Ashby Town, and I have to admit she has a point," Mallory laughed. It wasn't the quietest of towns, and even he had been nervous of the place the first time he went there. Compared to the peaceful Elf village it was a place of violence, disease and poverty, although for a mainly human town, it was considered reasonably comfortable and safe.

Mallory had learned to love Ashby, the energy of the place, and the excitement. He knew there were supposed to be towns ten times larger and busier many hundreds of miles away, but having grown up in the tiny village of Ravenscrag, Ashby was more than thrilling enough for him. He longed for Spring, so that he might follow Guy there.

But for now, he had to tolerate being ignored by the delectable Mina, and try to make the wolves like him. They still snarled when he came near, but he was beginning to think they were doing it out of habit now, or just to test him. They certainly didn't seem frightened of him any more. He was feeling much braver around them too, and had lost his fear of them. The cubs adored him, and he played with them every day, much to Mina's annoyance.

She did her best to be there only when Mallory was absent, but it was impossible for her to avoid him entirely, and she made no real attempt to hide her dislike of him, especially when they were alone.

He did his best to brush it off, but the endless rudeness grated on Mallory. He was a sociable fellow by nature, and got on well with his new friends amongst the Elves. The fact he found Mina so very attractive only made matters worse, as he couldn't seem to speak to her without tripping over his own tongue. No doubt this cemented her view of him as impossibly stupid.

Her disdain was the only thing that marred his happiness in this place, and it began to weigh on him heavily. Why should she dislike him so? He was clever, and young, and women had always found him pleasing up til now. Did she think he was beneath her, since she was the daughter of the Elven Lord? That certainly didn't cause her to be rude to the other people in the village. To them she was uniformly charming and sweet. Maybe Will was right… she just had a problem with humans.

Finally, after almost two months of tension, his worry boiled over into frustration, and then anger.

Mina was cheerful that day. She had the Hall to herself, as Odo and Mallory were out on a hunt with two of the wolves. She cooed and petted her favourites, basking in their presence, and singing to them softly. When a shadow blocked the light from the door, she turned with a smile to greet whomever it might be. But the smile fell from her lips when she recognised the stocky, human shape.

Her frown triggered something in the young man. He'd tiptoed around Mina, treated her with all deference and respect since his arrival, and had done everything in his power to please her. He was tired of her contempt, and his eyes flashed angrily.

"Do I disturb you, my lady?" he asked coldly.

She could not ignore a direct question from him and maintain her pretence of politeness. She answered uncomfortably, as though reluctant to taint herself by having conversation with him. "I was enjoying a moment alone here, yes," she replied.

"Well, since we have this moment of privacy, I would speak with you."

She was surprised. The man had barely spoken two words together since his arrival. At least not to her. "Regarding?

"I would know what it is I've done to offend you."

"Offend me?" Mina had not thought him capable of challenging her on her behaviour, and she barely knew how to respond.

"Offend you," Mallory repeated clearly, as though she were deaf or stupid. "You avoid me as though I were diseased. I assure you this is not the case."

"I do no such thing!" she gasped indignantly. "You and I are here often at the same times." She had no intention whatsoever of admitting to any fault.

"You do not even speak to me if you can avoid it!" Mallory complained. "You ask Odo to tell me things even when I am within hearing distance!"

"Because the few times I did speak to you, you just stuttered back at me like an imbecile! I couldn't understand a word you said!" A slight exaggeration, but it made a useful excuse.

"Small wonder I've been afraid to speak to you when you treat me like something you might scrape off the bottom of your shoe!" Their voices were rising sharply, and the wolves began to stir and growl.

"Well, that's exactly what you do smell like!" Mina snarled, angry at his challenge, and suddenly sick of pretending.

"I what?!" Mallory howled. "How dare you!?" He was furious, amazed he'd ever seen anything beautiful in this evil little demon.

"You smell like a dung-heap, you… you… human!" she spat, making the word into a curse. "Do you ever bathe?!"

"What do you think? It's midwinter for God's sake! I'd get pneumonia!"

"Ugghhh!" she shuddered. "No wonder you're so disgusting!"

He didn't know how to respond to this, but he wasn't going to let that stop him. Bathing in winter? The girl must be mad. "Well at least I'm not some spoiled, stuck up little child with no idea how to treat a guest!"

That stung. She knew her father prided himself on the hospitality of his home. The fact that Mallory's jibe had a hint of truth to it only made her angrier, and she seethed. "I'd rather be stuck up than be ugly and coarse and as foul as you are!"

"Harpy!" he bellowed.

"Filthy peasant!" she screeched, and she started picking up anything within reach and flinging it at him. He couldn't duck everything, and he cried out when a bucket hit him on the shoulder, and a hard brush on the head. The wolves were whining now and backing away.

"That's enough!" Odo roared, striding into the Hall. "How dare you upset my wolves in this manner?!"

Both of them looked terrified, and Mina gazed at Odo pleadingly. "He started it! He called me stuck up and a harpy!"

Mallory might have defended himself here, but he could see the cold fury in Odo's eyes and knew the Elf wasn't interested in excuses.

"I don't care who started what," he replied, dangerously quiet. "You will behave appropriately here, or you will no longer be welcome."

Mina looked stunned, and her eyes filled with tears. Odo took no notice and strode off to settle the wolves. Mallory just slunk out quietly, hoping to escape notice.

* * * * * * *

He lay in bed that night, thinking it all over, replaying the argument in his mind, and thinking of all the clever responses he should have made at the time. Surely she couldn't really think he was ugly! For a human he was considered reasonably attractive, and several female admirers had shared his bed during the course of his travels.

Filthy peasant, she'd called him! Well, he couldn't deny his lowly beginnings, but nor did he wish to. His family were well respected in Ravenscrag, if not wealthy. He sniffed at his armpit though. The Elves all seemed to smell of herbs and cloves and pine. He just smelled… human. It wasn't a bad smell, surely. Everybody else he knew smelled just the same way, even Guy, and he was from a noble family. The wolves knew his smell now, and they seemed happy with it. And Odo or Will had never said a word…

* * * * * * *

"A bath?" Will asked with some surprise. "I didn't think humans liked bathing in the winter."

"We don't, in general, but it's been brought to my attention that perhaps I should consider it." Mallory blushed fiercely but if he couldn't ask Will, he couldn't ask anybody.

"Some of us bathe in the stream, and some heat water and bathe in a tub in their houses. I guess that would be better for you."

Mallory agreed. The stream would be freezing, and he feared he really would die of the cold if he tried it.

His bath that evening was amazing. The water was hot, there was soap that smelled of herbs and Will surprised him with an armful of clean clothes, so that he could wash the ones he always wore. He sank under the water again and sighed happily. "Perhaps I'll do this again sometime."

Will grinned. "You may do it every day if you wish."

"Every day?" Mallory laughed. "even in summer I bathe only once a week."

The Elf just raised an eyebrow. He had a fairly good idea what had prompted Mallory in this, and guessed he would take it up regularly.

"Well maybe …" Mallory smiled.

* * * * * * *

Mallory felt quite shy the next day, arriving to greet Odo and Mina in his new Elven clothes of green and grey, his usually matted hair shining and tied back with a strip of leather.

The cubs ran up to him at once and whined, not sure why the earthy-smelling one now smelled more like a tall, shining one. But they soon got used to it, and rubbed up against his legs in greeting.

Neither of the Elves commented, but Mina flushed with embarrassment. She couldn't understand why he'd done this, after how rudely she'd abused him two days ago. She was heartily ashamed of her behaviour, and vowed to herself to make up for it somehow.

Odo put Mallory straight to work, refusing to acknowledge the fight he had interrupted. Either they learned to get on together or he'd kick them both out. They understood this perfectly without having to be told again. Neither spoke to the other, but neither were they rude, both too embarrassed to say anything at all.

The weather turned stormy again that morning and they all stayed in, which was fortunate, as one of the she-wolves went into labour much earlier than expected.

Odo was calm as he helped her settle comfortably, but Mina fretted and was obviously worried. They all stayed with the wolf that day, and long into the night as well, and finally she gave birth to two tiny cubs. The first, a male, seemed healthy, if small and weak, but the second was sickly, and Odo declared she would die.

Mina tried to be brave, and didn't cry, although it was clear she was quite heartbroken. Mallory was upset too, and begged Odo to try and save the little cub. "She's breathing well, Odo! Surely if we can get her to feed she'll be alright."

"If she can't feed herself, her mother won't bother with her," Odo insisted. "And she's just too small to do it, Mallory. It's the way these things were meant to be."

"Well, why can't we feed her?"

"With what?"

"I don't know! Goat's milk or something? Surely there's some way we can help the poor little thing."

Mina glanced eagerly between the two of them, hoping the Elf would agree. "Please, Odo!" she begged.

"It's can't be done," he declared finally. "You can try it if you like, but it would be kinder to let it die."

"She's not an 'it'," Mallory said firmly. "She's a she. And her name's… Evelyn." Evelyn had been his sister's name, and she'd been a sweet, delicate little creature too.

Odo just shook his head and tended to the new mother and her male cub, leaving the young ones to their project.

"I know I can do this," Mallory whispered to Mina. "But how can we get her to drink?"

In the end, they managed to get the tiny Evelyn to suck on a piece of cloth soaked with milk, and Mallory made a warm little bed for her close to the fire. She settled into it at once and fell straight to sleep.

"I'm going to stay here with her," he told Mina, long after Odo had left. "Why don't you go off to bed? It's very late." He smiled down at the little cub and tickled her with his finger. She wriggled and growled and didn't wake up.

Mina's smile turned into a yawn and she nodded. "I shall return at dawn with more milk for her." She paused and gave Mallory a look, one that he'd never seen from her before. He waited for her to continue, curious. "Will you be warm enough?" she asked. "I could bring you a blanket."

He was astonished, but did his best to hide it. She'd never shown him such consideration before. Somehow, during the course of today's events, he'd forgotten to be afraid of her, and even that he was angry with her, too busy with the cub to think about it. Suddenly, with her looking down at the ground, blushing shyly, he remembered how beautiful she'd seemed the first time he saw her.

"I'll be fine," he stuttered at last, the butterflies back in his stomach. "I'll just sleep close to the fire. Thank you."

She nodded and left the room in a hurry, embarrassed, but unsure as to why.

* * * * * * *

The mood in the Wolf Hall changed dramatically from then on. Mallory's care of Evelyn touched Mina's heart, and she devoted herself to making amends for her cold welcome of him. Her embarrassment made her shy, and quite unconsciously she used her sweetness and charm to make him forgive her.

Mallory learned to speak to her without tripping over his own tongue, despite the flip-flopping of his stomach every time she smiled. He bathed every day in the Elvish fashion, even though it seemed the most decadent luxury, and Will even showed him how to braid his hair. Gradually he began to realise he was dreading the end of winter, and his departure from this place. He still longed to know whether Guy had survived his journey, and how he was faring if he had. But the thought of leaving the wolves, and his new friends, and most especially the beautiful Mina, made his heart ache. For the first time in his life, he had found a place he could truly love, and he wished he could call it his home.

But the winter showed no sign of releasing it's grip on the land in any case, and Imbolc came and went with a fresh set of furious blizzards, the worst even Erlend could recall. Mallory relaxed and tried not to think about having to leave. He had over 6 weeks before he was due to meet Guy for the Spring Fair in Ashby, and perhaps he could persuade his friend to return with him.

Evelyn quickly grew stronger, much to Odo's surprise and pleasure, and soon she was gamboling about as happily as any of the other cubs. She was utterly devoted to Mallory, and wouldn't sleep unless he was near. Once Odo declared her completely out of danger, Mallory started taking the little cub out to play in the Forest whenever the weather allowed it. Sometimes Mina accompanied them.

The day was sunny and bright. It was a welcome change after a solid week of storms and snow, and the little group made their way out to a favourite grove they often visited. Mina and Mallory pelted each other with snowballs, laughing and squealing madly, while Evelyn tried to chase them, running between the two. She was only little though, and the cold got to her quickly. Mallory picked her up and cuddled her into his coat, ready to take her home.

"Do we have to go yet?" Mina sighed. "We haven't seen the sunshine in so long! I want to stay out a bit longer." Elves have no problem walking light as a feather on snow, but Mallory was sunk up to his knees in the powder, and getting quite cold himself. "It's a bit chilly," he admitted. "Perhaps we could sit up in the trees for a while."

Mina's eyes lit up happily, and she climbed onto a low branch above them. Mallory passed the cub up to her, and climbed up himself, settling with his back against the trunk. The tree was huge, and the branch wide, so Mina sat next to him, close enough for the wolf cub to crawl back into Mallory's coat, her favourite spot.

He chuckled at her and scratched her ears, turning to face Mina a bit so she could see the cub too.

Evelyn bit his finger, making him protest loudly and laugh, and he grinned up at the Elf girl.

Mina's eyes met his, and the familiar ache threatened to overwhelm him. She was so beautiful, so gentle and sweet, and he could smell the scent of the soap she used on her skin, so close, and so tempting.

Mina saw the desire in his eyes and almost backed away, but then she noticed what a beautiful deep brown they were, and wondered why she'd never seen it before. Her eyes traveled over his face, really seeing him for the first time. His skin was darker than hers, but clear and warm, and his lips were full and inviting. He bit the lower one, as though trying to stop himself from doing something else with it, and Mina's parted with a breathless gasp.

"Mina," he whispered longingly, and she trembled, confused by the intensity of the moment.

She didn't reply, but neither did she break the gaze, and ever so slowly he leaned closer, and gently brushed his lips against hers.

She ceased to breathe, and pressed against him, inviting more. He deepened the kiss, his fingers sliding into her hair, his tongue parting her lips.

Evelyn's growls for attention interrupted them, and Mallory pulled away, smiling gently into her eyes. "Mina," he whispered again, not sure what else to say.

The Elf was stunned, by her own reaction to the man as much as by his action, and she had no idea what to say either. "Perh… perhaps we should get Evelyn in out of the cold," she whispered at last, and she dropped down out of the tree before he could object.

He followed her home quietly, seeing she didn't want to talk, and in any case, his own mind was spinning. He'd never dreamed she might love him the way he did her… had never even considered the possibility. But she hadn't backed away from him in the slightest, and he stole another glance at her, uncertain what he should do. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and declare his passion to the world, ask her father for her hand, and stay here with her forever.

They were both subdued when they returned, and Mina left at once, anxious to be alone and wonder about what she'd done.

Mallory spent the night in the Wolf Hall again, curled up close to the fire with Evelyn beside him. He found the company of the wolves comforting, and knew he wouldn't sleep alone in his little room up in the trees.

* * * * * * *

Mina avoided him the next day, and the day after that. Mallory was in agony, and even Odo commented on her prolonged absence. Little Evelyn picked up on Mallory's depressed mood, and snuggled up to him constantly, whining whenever he tried to move away to work.

Finally, on the third day, she appeared. It was almost dark, late in the afternoon, and Odo was leaving for the day. "Good evening, Mina," he smiled, serene as ever. There were no questions about where she'd been. He was just glad she was back and welcomed her.

"Good evening, Odo," she replied. "I've just come to visit with Evelyn."

Mallory couldn't speak, tongue tied all over again. She looked more beautiful than ever, and he was afraid if he tried to say anything Odo would guess his secret. The elder Elf excused himself, and left the other two alone in the firelit hall with the wolves.

"Mina," Mallory gasped out at last. "I've missed you these past days." His voice cracked with emotion. She approached tentatively, seeing the cub at his side as always.

"I… I thought it best to stay away," she began, just as afraid as he was. "I mean, it was wrong of me… and you'll soon be gone… but I had to at least explain…"

She wasn't making any sense, and he just gazed at her adoringly. She knelt to pet the cub, and he reached out to touch her hair. "Mallory, no," she whispered, backing away just a bit. "It cannot be. You're human… and even if you weren't, you're leaving soon."

It was the first time he'd never heard his name on her lips and it sounded divine. "Mina, I love you," he breathed, inching forward. "I'll stay here with you forever if you'll have me… please."

"Mallory…" she whispered softly. He kissed the palm of her hand, and pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her as he'd dreamed of doing. His kisses were tender, but passionate, and she returned them willingly.

* * * * * * *

Dawn found them curled up in each other's arms, under Mallory's blanket by the remains of the fire, and Evelyn crawled over Mallory's body to snuggle between the two of them.

He mumbled sleepily, and laughed at the cub, leaning over her to kiss his beloved Mina awake. She might have responded more passionately, had Evelyn not leapt in to lick her chin at the same time.

"Good morning, love," he laughed, and Mina smiled up at him.

"What a lovely way to wake up," she smiled. Her fingers slid into his hair, and she guided him down for another kiss. Evelyn interrupted again though, anxious for breakfast.

"Odo will be here soon," Mallory whispered. He didn't want her to go, but thought that perhaps she may not want to be found here with him yet.

"I know," she sighed, and she kissed him once more before she pulled away. "Mallory, did you mean what you said? Do you wish to stay here… and be with me?"

"Always, love," he smiled. "I shall speak to your father today, with your permission."

"We shall do so together." Her smile was radiant.

* * * * * * *

"Absolutely out of the question!"

Mina was devastated, Mallory wanted to die.

"But father, what objection could you possibly have?! Mallory has proven himself to be the best of Men! There is no-one here who would disagree with this."

"Exactly," Erlend retorted. "Of Men. I would not have you give yourself to a mortal, Mina, and torture yourself with the brief span you would share together."

"Better to have that brief time together than none at all!"

"My lord, I beg you to reconsider," Mallory pleaded. "Mina and I are devoted to one another. I beg you will not make us part."

"Mina, you are young yet, and do not understand the gravity of what you ask. Sharing your life with a mortal Man may shorten the span of your own days, and you may die a mortal death."

She was shaken, true, but steadfast in her love. "I would take that risk," she replied softly. "I do not wish to live without Mallory as my husband."

"I will not yield in this. You are too young to take such a step, my dearest. If, ten years from hence, you both still share the same feelings, you may come to me to plead your case once more."

"Ten years?!" they cried in unison.

"But father!" Mina wailed. "Mallory is already 22! Think how old he will be when we finally have children!"

"That is precisely what I'm thinking of, daughter, and I wish you would consider the matter more fully yourself. You wish to tie yourself to a man who will wither and die before you have even reached your full maturity. You may die with him. Do you expect me to allow such a thing?! My only child?!"

Tears filled her eyes, and Mallory stood motionless in shock, completely unable to grasp what was happening.

"My mind is made up. You may go." The lovers stumbled out in a daze, Mallory guided by Mina, and automatically they headed for their haven with the wolves.

They sat there alone for hours, whispering, talking it through, still barely able to believe they'd been refused. Mina offered to run away with him, but he wouldn't have it, knowing that Erlend would be able to track them down before they'd gone ten miles, and then all hope of ever being allowed to marry would be dashed.

Mina begged Mallory to stay in the village for the next ten years; they couldn't marry, but at least they'd still be together. Mallory could bear that thought even less. "No," he said. "I'm going away."

"Please no, I beg you."

"I can't bear to stay here, love, and not be able to call you my own. Your father could find someone else for you to marry. How could I bear to see that?"

"I should refuse, Mallory!" she insisted, indignant that he'd think her so easy to sway.

"I know you would, angel," he sighed, slumping with defeat. "But I still can't stay. I couldn't stand to have you so close but not be able to touch you." His fingers brushed over her cheek tenderly as he spoke, and her eyes filled with tears yet again. "I'd give in, I wouldn't be able to resist you, and then your father would banish me anyway. No, love, it's better if I just leave."

She sobbed quietly, curled up in his arms, hearing the finality in his tone. They spent most of the night awake, talking softly, crying until there were no tears left, and finally they made love, in the dim firelight of the Wolf Hall once more, and slept in each other's embrace.

* * * * * * *

The next day was cold. The sky was clear, but a harsh wind blew from the east, threatening more storms. Mallory refused to wait any longer for the warm Spring weather, and was leaving at once.

He'd woken early and gathered his few possessions together, along with a good store of food to keep him on the road for a fortnight, and a large wineskin full of the warming draught the Elves had revived him with the night they found him in the snow.

Mina gave him her cloak, and insisted he wear it and think of her. "It will keep you safe from prying eyes, as well as keep you warm, my love." She kissed his cheek and began to step back, but Mallory pulled her close for one final embrace.

He kissed her hair and breathed its scent, trying to memorise every detail. "I won't promise to return," he told her gently. "Ten years may be but a moment to such as your father, but to a mortal man it can be a lifetime. And I do not wish for you to hide yourself away for all those long years, my love. But know that as long as I have breath in my body I shall love you. And if I am able to return, then I will."

Both of them cried when he left, and Evelyn whimpered and chased after Mallory. "Stay with Mina, little one," he told her, but the cub growled and nipped at his trouser leg, and wouldn't be left behind.

Mallory couldn't bear it. The thought of having such a living reminder of his love was too much, and he growled at the wolf, telling her to leave him alone. He strode off into the Forest, and Evelyn fell back, but just followed him at a distance instead. Mina watched until his shadow disappeared into the trees.

* * * * * * *

He ignored the wolf cub, although he could sense her presence behind him, barely able to hear her padding through the snow. He hoped she'd just get tired and turn back, but she was determined, and many hours later was still following him.

He found himself a sheltered spot under a rock ledge to camp in for the night, and started gathering dead wood for a fire. Evelyn still hung back, but once he had the fire lit, she approached cautiously, whimpering softly.

"It's your own fault, you know," he grumbled. "I told you not to follow me. You're too little for this sort of journey. You're not strong enough to keep up. You should turn around and just go home to Mina." The wolf sat down beside him and rested her chin on his knee, gazing up at him pathetically. Mallory sighed.

"I'm not carrying you, you know," he said at last. "You're too heavy for me now. You'll have to walk the whole way on your own." Evelyn seemed to perk up, and she licked his hand. "Yeah well," he growled. "Just don't blame me when it all goes horribly wrong."

* * * * * * *

The Road was anything but easy, but at least the weather seemed to have improved a bit, and for the most part the storms left them alone. Most nights they had nowhere dry enough to light a fire, but they had the wine to keep them warm enough. They lost the Road in the snow only once, and they found it again the same day, much to Mallory's relief. More than ever now he longed to know if Guy had fared well on his journey all those months ago, and he prayed his friend would be in Ashby to greet him.

Evelyn was thriving, happy to run in the snow all day, and by the end of a week she had no problem keeping up at all, and Mallory didn't need to stop to let her rest.

It was a cold day, but bright and sunny, when they finally wandered in through the South Gate of the town. It was still two weeks short of the Equinox, and the town hadn't yet started preparations for the Spring Fair. It was therefore reasonably quiet, and not as crowded and hectic as it would be once the traders began to arrive. Still, quiet as it was, Mallory still found the crowds hard to deal with after a winter of perfect peace and tranquility.

He made for the Taylor's Arms, the Inn at which he and Guy had always stayed. The stares he was getting as he walked through the town unnerved him. Was it the fact he was walking in company with a wolf? Or had he really changed so much in the short months he'd spent in the Forest? He was clad in the Elves' woven cloth of green and grey, his hair gleaming and braided. He carried a bow across his back, and the wolf padded quietly at his side, eyeing everything with suspicion. Perhaps the fact he was obviously human and dressed in this manner interested them.

When he entered the Inn, the landlord looked just as wary, but was polite.

"I'm looking for a friend, Mallory said. "Guy of Ely."

"Aye, he's staying with us. But he's out for the day and you'll not see 'im back 'here til nightfall, m'lord." Mallory was so relieved to hear Guy was safe that he didn't notice the 'm'lord' until a moment later, and he was shaken by the title. Yes, he must have changed.

"Do you have a room for me?" he asked at last.

"Aye, m'lord. Things'll be quiet round 'ere for the next couple o' weeks til folk start comin' in for the Fair. Will you take a bite to eat once you're settled?"

"Yes please. And a pint of your best. And a bath in my room, if you can manage it."

"A bath, m'lord?" The nobility were peculiar, there was no doubt of it.

Mallory almost blushed. He had changed. His skin felt itchy after 9 days on the road, and he longed to get clean and change his clothes.

"A bath," he replied clearly. "A tub of hot water and some soap, if you please."

"I'll see to it, m'lord. Might take a while. I'll bring your dinner up while the water's heatin'."

Several hours later, Mallory was washed and fed, and was feeling much better. He lazed in the last of the sun outside the Inn, nursing his third pint. He'd missed his beer, that was certain. Evelyn chewed contentedly on a bone at his side.

He found that not having to worry about surviving on the road in the snow, or whether his friend was safe and well, was actually a disadvantage. He had the leisure now to let his mind relax, and it wanted to rest nowhere but on thoughts of Mina. It was painful to think of her, what she might be doing now, whether she missed him, or whether he was already forgotten. Perhaps Odo had some new helper in the Wolf Hall now, someone who could make Mina laugh just as he had.

It was in this melancholy mood that Guy found him an hour later. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and it was beginning to get cold. Evelyn nudged Mallory, hinting that it was time to go in by the fire, and he looked up to see Guy striding past, right into the Inn. He would have gone by and ignored the Elvish character by the door entirely, had Mallory not spoken up and called to him.

Guy peered at him suspiciously in the half light. "No… it can't be."

"Tis I, old friend," Mallory smiled. Finally seeing Guy again made it all seem so real. He had survived, they both had, and now perhaps everything would be alright. He threw his arms around his shoulders, hugging and slapping him on the back.

Guy pulled back after a moment, to drink in the sight of him. He'd been convinced Mallory would have been murdered by those demonic Elves, or magicked in some terrifying way, but the man seemed well, if strangely altered. His eyes were dark and sad, which didn't surprise Guy after what he imagined the man must have gone through there, and he was no longer the scruffy boy he'd left behind last year. He looked regal, strong, and suspiciously Elvish.

"What have they done to you, man?" Guy asked in shock.

"They gave me a bath," Mallory teased. "Come, let me buy you a drink and we can catch up on everything." He slapped Guy on the shoulder, and led him into the Inn.

The pair talked long into the night, Guy's adventures no less exciting than Mallory's. He had spent nearly two weeks on the road to Ashby, four days of it trapped in a cave by a snowstorm. "I was half dead by the time I arrived, but I did it. I was more worried about what would become of you."

Mallory smiled, but it wasn't the pure, childish smile Guy remembered. Now it seemed sadder, older, and he worried about what had befallen him. "I was safe, and it was a wonderful place to live. And of course if I hadn't stayed, I'd never have found my Evelyn." He reached down to scratch her ears fondly, and she responded with a happy growl.

"I was wondering when you'd explain that," Guy admitted. The wolf was clearly still young, but big enough to take a hand off if pushed, and she made him a bit nervous. Actually, a lot about Mallory now made him nervous. His friend had changed more than he'd ever have dreamed possible in the months they'd been apart, and Guy was finding it hard to adjust to.

Mallory laughed. "That's what I did there, Guy. I tended the wolves. The Elves love them, and I must admit, I care for them more now than I did this time last year. And I saved Evelyn when she was born. She's been mine ever since." He couldn't remember Evelyn's birth without visions of Mina filling his mind, and he ached for her. She'd been there with him every minute of Evelyn's first days, tending her, helping him keep her alive, and every memory he had of the Wolf Hall involved her. He'd never be able to look back on his time there without sadness and happiness in equal measure.

Guy had carried on speaking, but Mallory didn't hear a word of it until his friend kicked him. "Well?"

"Sorry, Guy," he smiled. He massaged his forehead, suddenly tense and exhausted. "What did you say?"

"I asked why you're here so early. I thought you weren't coming back til the weather improved, and it only got warmer a couple of days ago. Did they kick you out or something? Or did you finally escape their clutches?" He was only half teasing with this last comment, and Mallory frowned to hear it. Guy would never trust the Elves, would he?

"No..." he began, not sure what to say. Even thinking about it made him ache all over. "There was a woman…"

Guy nodded, understanding at once, and not asking him to explain further. At least that explained the change in Mallory's manner, in part anyway.

"You'll be surprised to hear what I've been doing since I got here," he said, wanting to ease Mallory's sadness by changing the subject.

"What's that?"

"Working as a squire." He was slightly embarrassed about this, and he grinned sheepishly. As a young man he'd left his family to travel the world, not wishing to follow in his father's footsteps and become a Knight. He was a naturally gentle soul, and didn't wish to devote his life to warfare and fighting. He'd met Mallory after having traveled all alone for the first three years, and the two had been inseparable until their recent disagreement.

"There was no work here over the winter, and things were getting desperate, so I ended up at the Castle offering my services. Fortunately for me, the Earl knew of my father and agreed to let me try out as a squire to his son."

"But you're 18, Guy. Isn't that a little on the old side for starting out as a squire? You left your home at about 13 to avoid it, didn't you?"

He just shrugged. "The younger ones like to tease me, true. But I'm bigger than them," he grinned. "And a hell of a lot stronger. I'm actually quite enjoying myself. Edward's a fair man to work for. He's younger than me, you know, and we get on pretty well."

"Anyway, I'm there only for the Winter for now. My future will be discussed around Fair time. I haven't decided if I want to stay on, and the Earl wasn't sure I would be able to do the job, so we agreed to discuss it again at the Equinox. I knew you'd be coming back by then, and the decision would need to be made."

Mallory listened to Guy's description of the Castle and its inhabitants, especially about the Earl Owen and his son Edward, with great interest. Surprised as he was by Guy's choice of employment, he didn't have the heart to tease him. After all, Guy had been kind and not teased him about his failed love affair.

Still, he was worried at the thought of Guy staying on in Ashby. He had relied heavily on finding his friend and being able to move on from this place, feeling far, far too close to Mina for comfort. The thought of having to travel alone was not one he wished to entertain.

* * * * * * *

Five long years Mallory spent on the Road after that evening with Guy, alone but for Evelyn's company. It hadn't taken much time at all for Mallory to realise Guy was unnerved by how he'd altered since the year before, and the easy friendship they'd shared was now lost.

Several days later Guy was accepted permanently into the Earl's service. He'd been reluctant to tell Mallory about his decision, but he'd come back to the Inn one evening and found him packed and ready to leave.

"It's time for me to move on, my friend," Mallory said. "I don't suppose I can persuade you to come with me?"

Guy shook his head silently, not sure what to say.

"Then I'll bid you farewell. I shall be gone before dawn, and I should get some sleep while I can." He hugged Guy, and said goodbye, hiding the deep sadness he felt. True to his word was gone long before anyone woke the next day.

* * * * * * *

Completely lost and directionless, Mallory had traveled the lands around Ashby for hundreds of miles, and even crossed the Sea to visit the strange lands to the South. He took up trading once more to finance his travels, and became quite wealthy over the years, building up a fine reputation for himself. The ache in his heart dulled somewhat over time, but he never, ever forgot Mina, and often when he sat by his campfire in the woods, talking softly with Evelyn, he'd think of her and sigh.

Evelyn grew into a great beauty, the most intelligent and faithful of friends. She was the only creature in the world Mallory allowed himself to completely trust and rely upon.

For those five years he'd avoided Ashby and the Elf Village completely, unable to bear the thought of revisiting the scenes of his agony. But finally he was offered a commission too rich to refuse, and he found himself on the Road again, heading west towards the Town. All the way there he thought about Guy; if he'd see his friend, if he was a knight yet, if the Earl had sent him off to some other place. He'd heard that Owen, the 16th Earl had died, and been succeeded by his young son Edward, and he wondered if Guy were happy with his new overlord. More than anything he wondered if Guy would be pleased to see him, or if he would still be afraid.

He rode into the town late in the day, and found himself lodging once more at the Taylor's Arms. He had stayed in places far more fine over the years, but he couldn't resist wallowing in memory, and staying again in the old familiar place. The landlord hadn't changed a bit, though now his son and daughter helped him run the Inn, and there was a new wing added to the north end of the building.

He was remembered there also, especially once he'd asked for a bath to be made for him, and he was greeted very warmly.

Just before sunset once more, he found himself all clean and well fed, sitting in the last rays of sunshine outside the tavern, a pint of the Inn's finest ale in his hand. The landlord's pretty daughter Barbarella came to sit outside at his invitation, as the evening wasn't busy and the warm sunshine pleasant.

He asked for news of the Town, which she supplied readily, quite flattered by the attentions of such a fine, attractive gentleman. She knew of Sir Guy of course, and could tell him some news… that he had been Knighted only a year before, and that he served in the new Earl's army up at the Castle. Mallory decided he would visit his friend the next day, not in any hurry to leave the company of so pretty a young woman.

"Tell me of this new Earl then," he asked her, curious as to what manner of man he was.

"Well, he's young, not more than 20 years old, and fearful handsome," Barbarella blushed. "An' most folks like him well enough, though the old Earl's still missed o' course. He's just got himself married, this Spring just gone, to an Elf woman of all things! Most folks thought it was all a bit queer, as you can imagine, sir, but they're gettin' used to her now. Very polite lady she is. She actually spoke to me once, you know."

Mallory felt the familiar ache, but it didn't bother him any more. He was quite used to the pain, and welcomed it. He just patted Evelyn's shoulder and carried on with the conversation.

"An Elf woman?" he asked. "Not from Taur-in-Edhel by any chance? I lived there for a while, years ago."

"Is that right, sir?" she asked with a shy smile. "I hope you'll not think me forward, but I thought there was a hint of the Elvish about you. And your pretty friend here completes the picture." She was too shy to pet the dignified wolf, but she smiled at her, apparently not afraid at all.

She remembered the question then and continued. "Oh yes. The Countess Mina. She's from that Elf village, as you say. Never can manage the name of it meself. Gets me tongue all in a knot," she laughed.

Mallory was stunned, completely speechless, and the tankard in his hand actually shook. Barbarella looked worried suddenly. "What is it, sir? Shall I call for the healer?"

Mallory took a breath at last and shook his head, trying to find his tongue again. "Mina, you say?" he whispered at last.

"Aye, sir. She's the daughter of the Elf lord himself, they do say. Do you know the lady, sir?" She was certain he must do by his reaction, and hoped she hadn't spoken out of turn.

"Yes," Mallory said at last, and he took a deep draught of his ale. "Many years ago I knew her." He was subdued, his thoughts in complete confusion and he didn't even realise Barbarella had gone until she was back and pressing another tankard into his hand. "It's the strongest we got, sir. Take a drink, I beg you. You've gone as white as a sheet."

Mallory drank down half the tankard in one go, and his head was spinning, from the drink or the shock he couldn't tell. It just wasn't possible… Erlend wouldn't allow her to marry another human, would he? Why would she agree to it? Too upset to care about appearances, he wasn't even embarrassed when his eyes filled with tears. "You can't mean the same Mina," he insisted to the girl.

Barbarella felt awful for having upset the man so terribly, and she spoke to him in her most gentle tone. "I hope not, sir, if it makes you so sad. She's the Lord Erlend's daughter, a tall Elf lady, with black hair and blue eyes. She brought lots of wolves with her when she come. Perhaps Mina's a common name amongst the Elves. It might be some other woman."

Mallory just shook his head, utterly devastated. "I never promised her I'd return," he whispered, more to Evelyn than the barmaid. "It's my fault." The wolf whimpered, and rested her chin in his lap comfortingly. "I thought ten years was too long to wait, that she'd forget about me and marry one of her own people. And Erlend said she wasn't to marry a human! Why would he allow this… this… boy to have her when he said no to me!?" He bit back a sob and drank off the rest of his beer, heart in shreds all over again.

Five days Mallory stayed in this state. Barbarella had eventually convinced him to go to bed, and he passed right out from the drink. As soon as he woke, he started again, and he refused to leave his room. He tried to get the lovely barmaid to sleep with him when she brought his food, but she slapped him, and he was too drunk to try any harder. Since she couldn't stop him drinking, and her father wouldn't let her stop delivering the ale, she made Mallory eat as often as she could, hoping that he would come to his senses soon. But he wasn't interested in anything but crying into his beer. Evelyn sat with him the entire time, howling when he sobbed, and encouraging Barbarella to help her friend when she came in with food, nudging her gently with her nose.

On the sixth day, Mallory woke with a scream, soaked through with icy cold water. Barbarella stood by his bed, dripping bucket in hand, glaring down at him.

"Wha'?" he gasped breathlessly, wiping water from his eyes.

"It's time you got up, Mallory. I've had enough of your wallowing. You can't stay in bed and drink yourself into a stupor every day for the rest of your life. Now be a man and get up."

"You used to call me sir," he grumbled. He was chilled to the bone, and his head felt like lead.

"That was before you threw up all over your blankets," she growled. "Do you have any idea how long it'll take to get that stench out?"

"I'm sorry," he moaned. "I'll buy you new ones." He rested his aching head in his hands, trying to dull the pain. "Just let me sleep a bit longer."

"Oh no you don't," she glared. "You'll get out of that bed, sober yourself up and stop behaving like a spoiled child!"

He winced, trying to get her to lower her voice. "Alright, alright… just… be quiet… please."

There was hot water waiting for him, and she made him bathe and wash his vomit-scented clothes. When he came downstairs afterwards, there was food waiting for him, and Evelyn was already enjoying her own breakfast. He petted her ears and muttered, "I've neglected you, precious. I'm sorry." The food made him queasy when he smelled it, but Barbarella stood there brandishing a soup ladle menacingly until he ate it all, and he did feel a bit less sick afterwards. She made him drink a foul-tasting herbal tea, which she insisted would help his hangover, and to his great surprise it did.

He almost felt human again, apart from the gaping hole that had been torn open in his heart. He'd never dreamed Mina would be here, and the thought of seeing her, hearing about her even, married to another man, had broken him in two all over again.

Still, he felt better now, having given in to his grief in a way he hadn't allowed himself all those years ago, and he felt lighter, stronger, if exhausted. He patted the bench next to him, asking the barmaid to sit with him. She gave him a measuring look, and did so cautiously. He took her hands in his, and brought them to his lips very gently. "You're a good woman, Barbie," he said softly. "You have my undying gratitude for looking after me as you have done."

She blushed, not sure what to say.

"I was just makin' sure you didn't wreck the place," she answered gruffly. "Dad's sellin' up and lookin' to buy the Seventh Stranger. Doesn't do to have it a mess when we've got buyers lookin' at the place. And don't call me Barbie."

He smiled weakly and squeezed her fingers, then gave her a friendly kiss on the cheek. "In any case, I'm sorry for my behaviour. I wanted to tell you that before I left. I shall go up to the Castle today and see my friend, then I expect I'll head east and not trouble you again."

She was surprised to find herself sorry to see him go. All washed and not smelling of beer, he looked very much like the lovely Elvish man she'd admired when he first arrived. "I hope you'll come back again one day," she smiled.

"If I do, you'll be the first person I visit, my sweet."

* * * * * * *

Mallory wove his way through the town, up the hill towards the Castle. He told himself it was so he could visit Guy as he'd always planned, but deep in his heart he knew he hoped for glimpse of Mina while he was there.

He asked at the gate for Sir Guy, the title sounding unnatural on his lips, and he was shown in to a wide hall where he could wait. Guy was there within minutes, a huge grin on his face.

"Mallory!" he laughed, grabbing him in a bear hug. "You always appear when I least expect you to."

"You know me," Mallory grinned. "Always love to make an entrance.

Guy had grown up in the last 5 years, and seemed stronger and more sure of himself. He greeted Mallory warmly, with no hint of the discomfort he'd obviously felt last time they'd met. He led Mallory to a quiet corner of the barracks, and for hours the two of them talked about Mallory's travels, and Guy's knighthood, sipping their ale while Evelyn drank water daintily from a bowl at her friend's side.

"Still got that wolf following you round, I see," Guy teased.

"Aye, she's a loyal friend." As always, thoughts of Evelyn turned his mind to Mina. "I hear your Earl married someone I knew at Taur-in-Edhel."

"The Countess? You knew her?"

"Indeed I did. We were good friends. She helped me to save Evelyn here." He patted her shoulder fondly.

"She'll wish to see you then, while you're here," Guy suggested. "I think she misses her home."

"Understandable. I miss it too, and it was my home for only a single winter. It's the most beautiful place in the world, Guy."

"If you say so," he laughed. Mallory's mood had turned serious, but he didn't notice. He sent one of the boys off to ask the Countess for an audience, and they followed after him a few minutes later, still having a thousand things to discuss as they walked.

They wandered slowly towards Mina's rooms, but the boy came running back towards them out of breath. "Sir Guy, her ladyship's out in the wolf building, and will see you there if you please." He bowed and ran off full of childish energy when Guy dismissed him.

They changed direction and walked outside instead, Mallory's stomach churning with nerves. The building was inside the Castle walls, as the Earl feared the townsfolk might not be comfortable having wolves kept amongst them, though he knew his wife wished she could have them out in the Forest. He had a low, wooden building made for them, with fireplaces at either end of a huge, warm room. Guy and Mallory were announced by the Countess' maid, and entered the hall.

Mina was pale, but outwardly calm. But Mallory knew her every mood, and could tell she was shocked by his arrival. He was pleased that for Guy's benefit she managed to maintain a mask of politeness. She was seated at a rough wooden table, and there was a young wolf curled up at her feet. She smiled at them both, her voice slightly shaky as she greeted them. "It is a pleasure to see you here, Mallory, after all these years."

"Likewise, my lady," he replied, bowing formally. "I had not expected to find you here either. It was a great surprise to hear of your marriage to the Earl."

A gentle rebuke, but one that affected her greatly. To cover her emotion, she focused on asking her maid to get them some refreshments, and addressed Evelyn.

"I see you two are still inseparable." The wolf took this as an invitation, and padded across to the lady to sniff at her knees in greeting. Tears pooled in Mina's eyes as she ran her fingers through her fur, and Guy cleared his throat with some embarrassment.

"Shall I leave you, my Lady?" he enquired. "No doubt you and Mallory have a great deal to talk about."

She wondered for a moment if Guy knew of their history together, but a glance at him told her he was merely uncomfortable.

"Thank you, Guy. No doubt tales of people you've never met will hold no interest for you, and I have much to tell Mallory and Evelyn of their old friends."

He bowed and left, after promising to see Mallory again that evening.

Mallory was in agony. Not one part of his body escaped the ache that filled him in her presence, so close, but unable to touch her again. The instant they were alone, he dropped his mask and his voice turned chilly. "You married a human after all."

"I did," Mina whispered, no less effected than he was. "Edward is a good man, and I am very fond of him."

"Erlend allowed this, when he refused me?"

"He saw that I had matured much since you left, and decided he could not refuse my request again."

That it was Mina's choice to marry this boy hurt more than anything else he had heard thus far. He was silent a while, unable to speak while in such turmoil.

"I know I didn't ask you to wait," he managed at last, voice thick with emotion. "But I admit there was a part of me that always hoped you would."

This was as difficult for the Countess as it was for him, and she scarcely knew what to do when the maid returned with food and drink for them. She smiled through her tears, and assured the girl she was merely happy to see the wolf, and her old friend. Knowing her mistress' fondness for the animals, the girl was satisfied and left them alone again.

When she was gone, Mina finally replied.

"I did wait, in the beginning. I heard not a word about you the first two years, although I always asked about you when we went to the markets in Ashby.

"I think it was the summer of the third year I heard news of you finally. That you had returned from a dangerous sea voyage, and there were tales being told all over of the wonders you brought back with you. After that I began to hear tales about you regularly. You made quite a name for yourself, Mallory." Her voice was growing harder, and there was a hint of accusation in it now.

"I wanted to make something of myself, so that your father might think me worthy of you after all."

"He never thought you unworthy, Mallory. He simply didn't want me throwing my life away on a youthful folly. He didn't understand the depth of our attachment. He didn't think it possible in so young a couple."

He stalked over to the fire, doing his best to control his anger at the Elf lord. "You were telling me why you didn't wait," he prodded, looking into the flames, rather than at Mina.

There was a pause before she continued, and he knew she was troubled, but he couldn't bring himself to comfort her. He needed to know why she'd abandoned him.

"I was happy to hear about you to begin with, but the stories began to trouble me. More often than not they mentioned your female conquests, and the tales about your travels seemed overshadowed by those. Eventually it seemed clear to me that you must have truly abandoned hope of returning, and when Edward asked me to marry him, I agreed."

Mallory paced the length of the hall, not believing what he was hearing. She'd decided to forget about him because of gossip?

"Yes, it's true, many women have shared my bed these past few years," he admitted, the disbelief clear in his voice. "But not one of them has ever shared it twice, Mina. My heart has always belonged to you, and no other."

Her tears spilled over now, and she turned away. With shaking hands she poured a goblet of wine and took a long sip, trying to calm herself.

"You never promised to return," she said at last.

"Ten years on the Road is forever, Mina. I had no idea if I'd even live that long. I told you I'd return if nothing prevented me. I've always intended to come back. I thought you understood."

She shook her head tearfully. "I thought I did at first, and then when I kept hearing about your… prowess," she spat the word, "in bedding every woman in sight, I thought I'd been wrong. That you never felt the same as I did. That you didn't promise because you never intended to come back. So I married him."

"You married him just to spite me?"

"Of course not! I was fond of the man, and he was gentle and kind. I believe I actually do love him."

"Keep telling yourself that and perhaps you'll make it come true," he replied bitterly.

"Don't you dare judge me, or the choices I've made! When you couldn't have me straight away you ran off into the wilds and had your way with more women than probably even you can count! If I lost hope it was your fault!"

This stung, but Mallory's anger couldn't last. He sank wearily onto a wooden bench, and wondered fleetingly if the draught Barbarella had given him was wearing off. His head throbbed. "I really don't want to fight, love," he sighed. "Please let's not fight."

He felt her sit on the bench beside him, and when she laid a hand on his arm, he looked up into her eyes. They were red and teary and infinitely sad, and he wondered just how much more pain his heart would stand.

Without even thinking, he pulled her into his arms, and cradled her against his chest, kissing her hair.

"I'm sorry, Mina love."

* * * * * * *

Long hours later, it was dark, and the sounds of a heavy Summer downpour came to them through the windows. Thunder rumbled close by and the wolves were nervous.

Mina hugged her arms around herself and stared at Mallory in horror. "No! You must leave now!"

Mallory moved towards her, arms outstretched. "I can't Mina. I love you. I can't leave unless you're coming with me."

She shook her head, crying again, and lurched backwards as he approached.

"Please, love," he begged.

"No, Mallory. You have to go, and I'm not coming with you."

He paced in frustration. "Why not? You know I love you. I know you love me. What's to stop us just going?"

"Edward."

The sound of the name made Mallory furious once again. "He's just a boy, Mina. If you loved me, you'd leave him."

"I made a vow, Mallory! You can't make me believe you wouldn't think less of me if I broke it. And I do care for him."

"You care for him," he snarled. "You're fond of him. Is there no passion in your marriage?! Tell me that you truly love him, Mina, and I'll leave and never darken your door again. But until you do, I shall stay by your side until you agree to come away with me. You are mine."

He watched as her facial expression changed. Her eyes swept the floor and her jaws constricted as she swallowed. She didn't answer at once. Mallory hoped for a moment that this would be the point where she finally listened to him, trusted him enough to follow.

Mina finally met his eyes, a hand rubbing absently at her belly. And Mallory knew before she spoke that he was lost again.

"I love him," she whispered at last. "I love Edward, and you have to leave."

Mallory stared at her hard, trying to tell if she was speaking the truth. Tears streamed down her face, but she didn't flinch, and at last he turned and left without a word.

* * * * * * *

Stewart, one of the Earl's under-stewards lurked outside Mina's wolf hall, and listened to every word that passed between the lovers. When Mallory stalked out, he shrank against the wall in the half-darkness. He waited there, not breathing, to see if the Countess would follow him out, but when she didn't, Stewart slunk off into the shadows, a smile on his lips.

* * * * * * *

Mallory stood on the edge of a grove of trees by a meadow, watching silently. Evelyn waited in stillness at his side. Guy had directed them here, to the place Mina had been buried a year ago.

Almost seven years had passed since he'd parted from her in anger, and he wished now that he'd swallowed his pride and returned once more to settle things between them. He'd accepted the fact that she'd chosen this man as her husband, and was unhappy he'd never had a chance to tell her how sorry he was.

Word had reached him that she'd borne Edward a daughter, the Spring after he'd seen her last, and only a month ago he'd heard that she'd died giving birth to his son. The child had died half a day after she had, and they were buried together in this sunny meadow outside the town walls. It had been her favourite place in life, and her husband had known she wouldn't rest buried away in the stone of the Abbey with the rest of his family. Silently Mallory thanked him for that.

A little girl was kneeling by the gravestone, arranging wildflowers around it in a ring and chattering away happily, as though to the woman buried beneath it. An older boy stood close by, playing on his own, but clearly watching over the girl. Mallory didn't intrude.

Not much time passed before the children were done, and they ran back towards the Castle, passing quite close to Mallory's shady spot in the trees. The two of them were laughing and teasing, and the little girl squealed when the boy slung her over his shoulder and ran off.

He got a good look at the child as they jogged past, and he sighed deeply, long since past the need for tears. This was the child that should have been his own, Mina's baby, Rowena. She was the image of her mother, and he found himself wondering about her. Was she happy? Did she love her father? He had heard that the Earl was marrying again already, no doubt anxious to produce an heir for himself. Would her step-mother treat her kindly?

The children were out of sight now, the sound of their playing still singing through the trees, and Mallory stepped out into the sunlit meadow. Evelyn padded along beside him as always, and together they went to stand by the grave. Little Rowena's flowers were laid out in circles all around, and he was careful not to disturb them.

They stood there for a long time, memories of his lover playing through Mallory's mind, until eventually he grew tired and stiff. "Come on, love," he said to the wolf. "I want some food and my bed."

* * * * * * *

"I'm tired of travelling," Mallory insisted. "Settling down somewhere will be good for us. And I can't think of anything better than running a truly fine pub."

Mallory was older now, fine lines adding character to his eyes, and more grey than brown in his hair. He had always been stocky, but there was bulk to him now, he was well-muscled and strong. Evelyn too was older, her coat silvery, but still thick, and Mallory had noticed a stiffness in one of her legs when she ran or when the weather got damp and cold.

Over twenty years had passed since they'd stood at Mina's grave. Business had taken them through Ashby several times over the years, but they'd never stopped, never listened for news.

He glanced down at Evelyn, who merely gave him a knowing look and padded along silently.

"Now don't look at me like that. There's no reason for us to avoid Ashby, after all. She's long since dead, and that husband of hers, and probably the child too for all we know. And it'll be good to see Barbie again, and Guy."

He'd heard recently that Barbarella was selling the Seventh Stranger. Big news indeed, as it was the most popular Inn for a hundred miles. He'd quietly made arrangements to buy it.

Evelyn gave a snort and trotted on, and the human rolled his eyes. "The Seventh Stranger's the best Inn in the biggest town for miles around. We'll make a fortune there, Evelyn, and live out our days in great comfort. And you never know, maybe Barbie'll fall madly in love with me at last and marry me," he teased.

They came in through the town walls and approached the Inn. It looked warm and welcoming in the sunshine, and Mallory stopped to survey it. The roof needed re-thatching, and it could use a coat of whitewash, but the building looked sound, and the smell of roasting meat made his mouth water. Evelyn prodded his hip with her nose to let him know it was alright, and then carried on towards their new home, leaving him to follow.

He grinned. "You won't be sorry you agreed. You'll see."

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