Natasha Luepke - The Adventures of Luna

I stretched out on my stomach against the smooth stones. The moon was full and lit the courtyard below as if it were midday, not midnight. I raised up on my elbows and howled at the moon. Unfortunately, the moon affected me as it did Dad, all fangs and yellow eyes. Of course, the humanized parts of my nature prevented me from attacking the livestock. But, every full moon spent in the Fourth Kingdom brought the familiar cry: “Lock up the animals! Wolfsdaughter is on the prowl!”

Of all my siblings, I was the only one referred to in this way; there was no other Wolfsdaughter or even Wolfsson. I wasn’t completely convinced, however, that it was a term of affection.

I heard footsteps below and then voices; I was perched above the front gate. I strained to hear, but couldn’t make out words. Two figures, a male and female (distinguished only by the dress) were speaking with the guards. While the girl faced me, the boy had his back to me.

I sat up when he turned around and was able to see his face. I flicked my ear and murmured, “Isn’t this a tasty dish to set before the king?”

I saw the guards nod and let the pair in. I sprang to my feet, hoping to catch them in the courtyard, the boy’s face still before my eyes: broad and dark-skinned, with close-cut, fuzzy black hair—a definite Indian look, though I wasn’t sure if “India” existed in the Nine Kingdoms.

When I reached the courtyard, I was met by retreating shadows. Before I began to stalk them, I howled again at the moon. I heard a female voice ask, “Do you have wolves?”

I heard the guard laugh. “Oh, that’s only Wolfsdaughter. She’s harmless, if a bit strange.”

I slunk back to the wall to wait out the night. As I paced at the top, only one thought fluttered through my mind: “Wolves mate for life.”

I waited until he’d finished breakfast before pouncing on the new arrival. I discovered both he and his traveling companion were about my age of eighteen. It was the girl I discovered first, in the hall leading from the kitchen.

She had waist-length brown hair and was dressed in a long skirt, tunic, long-sleeved blouse, and intricately woven belt. She was speaking with a page and I was unable to see her face. The boy was standing a little ways off, consulting a map. I decided to calmly approach.

“Wherever you’re going, take me with you.” I immediately cursed my idiocy—my lameness—while he stared at me quizzically. His eyes were dark brown and glowed—it was hard to look directly at them for too long.

“Are you serious?” he said, chuckling. It was by far the most beautiful chuckle I’d ever heard, deep and melodic.

“Yes—yes. I, ah…doubt you’re staying here long, and I…cripes, I can help you. Maybe.” Inwardly, I smacked myself.

“But you’re a wolf.”

“What? Oh, no, no, no, no. I assure you, I am as much of a man as you are. Ah, as much of a woman as a companion. Cripes.” I could feel myself blushing.

“My companion doesn’t have a tail.”

I glanced back, trying to get a look at the stupid thing. “Well, okay, yeah, I’m part wolf. But my mother is human—from the Tenth Kingdom.” I smiled, finally able to produce a good response.

“So, you are stuck between two species and two realms. So am I.” Before I could ask him to elaborate on this cryptic statement, his companion turned around.

“Good news, Sanum—this man here says Lir’s kingdom is about a two day journey from here.”

“Awesome.”

I had to think fast. “Lir’s kingdom? Oh, it’s very easy to get there. I can show you the way.” The girl raised he eyebrow.

“What is your name?” she asked me.

“Wolfsdaughter,” I said without thinking; it was the only way I was referred to in the Nine Kingdoms.

“Are you serious?” Sanum asked.

“Oh,” the girl said. “We heard you howling last night.”

“No—I mean, yes I was howling—but my name is actually Luna. Anyway, I’ve practically grown up here—I can be your guide.”

The girl shook her head. “We don’t need any wolves…especially female ones who dress like men.” True, my attire more closely resembled Sanum’s than her’s—boots, breeches, long-sleeved shirt, and vest. Truthfully, though, I only dressed like a man because it afforded my tail more freedom.

“Ah, we better be going, Holle,” Sanum said, taking her by the arm.

“No—wait,” I said, trying to make him stay. This love-at-first-sight business was hard.

“Nice meeting you,” he called over his shoulder, Holle practically dragging him away.

Dad discovered me in my room, furiously throwing things into a bag.

“Ah, Luna…”

“Are you sure it’s for life, Dad?” I snapped. I wasn’t really sure what to take. Pants, socks…

“Luna, what happened? You were howling more than usual. I was thinking about joining you.”

I sat down on the bed; Dad sat down beside me.

“Oh, it happened. And with none of your internal arguments, like when you met Mom…”

“Luna, you’re only eighteen.”

I shrugged. “Anyway, I gotta go—gotta go catch him”

Dad smiled; we simultaneously flicked our ears. “Be back before summer’s end; you have college in the fall.”

I hugged him. “Will you tell Mom for me?”

“Are you crazy?”

“Tell Mom what?” Mom asked sleepily from the doorway. “Aw, cripes,” I muttered. I took breath. “Well, Mom, I think it’s time I went off into the world and…uh, sought my fortune.”

“You’ll be doing that soon enough in the fall.” She walked over to my hastily packed bag. “What is all this? Are you running away?”

“Mom, I crave adventure. I have a sudden taste for excitement…”

She shook her head. “I always start worrying when you and your father begin speaking in food metaphors.”

“Mom, imagine the most delicious boy…”

Dad looked over to Mom. “Virginia, she’s gonna leave anyway.”

“I’ll be careful Mom—and write you when I can. And I promise I’ll return by summer’s end.”

Mom sighed. “Well, you should bring plenty of socks…and food…and maybe something to defend yourself with…”

I jumped up and went to Mom, hugging her. She was crying, a little.

So I left with my parents’ blessing, with my brothers’ and sisters’ good-byes echoing through my mind. I had plenty of socks, food, and even something with which to defend myself. The bag was slung over my black-coated shoulder. All I had left to do was pick up Sanum’s and Holle’s scent.

I overtook them while they were walking. It had been about two hours since leaving the castle, during which I tried not to think about what I was leaving behind, or possible dangers that might lie ahead. I had promised Mom one last thing, that everything would turn out all right, that I come back perfectly safe. “After all,” I’d joked, “what fairytale doesn’t have a happy ending?”

“Sanum,” I heard Holle ask, “are you aware of the fact that we are being stalked?”

“Say what?” he replied. I was hiding in the trees and could not see their faces.

“We are being hunted like prey at this very moment, by a wolf in the trees.” She turned to me, stared at me through the thick green foliage. “Wolfsdaughter, I know you’re there, come out.” I sheepishly did as she asked.

“How long were you following us?” Sanum asked, genuinely surprised.

“Not long…”

Holle huffed. “Do you plan to keep doing this?”

“Yes.”

“You might as well join us, then. An escort is an escort. I’m Holle, this is Sanum.” She looked me in the eye during the curt introductions. She had the strangest eyes I’d ever seen—the irises were clear, and as a result reflected back all of the colors in the area. It had a very dizzying effect.

Falling in step beside Sanum, I asked, “So, why are you two headed to Lir’s kingdom?”

Sanum answered. “His children have disappeared—there are rumors they are enchanted. He’s offering a large reward for whoever can find them.”

Holle picked up. “I plan on finding the children and pocketing the reward money. I will see Sanum as far to the East as I can, then I can follow through with my dream.”

“Wait, wait, wait. I’m more confused by this than by all the scents on Thanksgiving. What’s going on?”

Holle shook her head. “We’ll tell you later. We’re making very bad time. How fast can you…run?” And she took off.

The rest of the journey was spent in silence, save for our panting. Holle was nearly as good a runner as I. Holle would stay and wait for Sanum, but I would grab his hand, hoping to help him along.

After we’d built a fire that night, Sanum took a seat beside me.

“Long ago,” he began, “I was born far to the East. My mother, who was a servant to the fairy queen, Titania, died when I was very young. Titania came to claim me, to raise me as a favor to her faithful servant. This caused a rift between her and her husband, Oberon. He wanted me; she didn’t want to give me up. Eventually she did, after his servant Puck pulled a mean trick on her. I was only just released from Oberon’s service…and I want to find my home.”

“But so much time has passed…”

“I know,” he replied. “But Holle promised to come with me. I’ve known her for a very long time.”

“Then I shall come, too.”

Holle looked up. “What? No. I’m taking Sanum to his home, then I’m leaving to make my own.”

“Where?” I asked.

“I haven’t yet decided. But I plan to take Lir’s money and become a forestwife.”

“What’s a forestwife?”

She rolled her eyes. “I plan to live deep in the woods, helping the poor and repressed and those in need. But you need money to be free.”

“Why not be a witch in town? You are a witch, I take it?”

“Yes,” she snapped, “I am a witch. I’m going to be a forestwife because…Ma always talked about how she wished she coulda’ been one. She was a midwife in a large town; she hated it.” Holle wouldn’t say anymore.

Sanum turned to me. “Can you understand the animals?”

“Sorry?”

“Well, I picked up a bit of magic myself, after serving Oberon so long. It’s a fact that anyone with any bestial blood in them can understand animals.”

“Well, I can’t.”

“How about your father?”

Holle laughed. “Her father’d brather eat them than listen to ‘em.”

I leapt to my feet. “Why you little rotten apple--!”

Sanum placed a hand on my arm. “Sit down,” he commanded softly. I complied.

“Look at me,” he said. I stared into his eyes and felt faint of breath. Did he know? Did he realize the extent of my devotion, that I would follow him to the East, to the Sun itself?

“Repeat after me,” he was saying. “‘Beasts without…’”

“Beasts without…”

“‘Beasts within…’”

“Beasts within…”

“’Let me hear language…’”

“Let me hear language…”

“’From the chaotic din.’”

“From the chaotic din.” For a moment, the entire world around me slowed. I could make out one solitary bird chirping. “This is mine, this is mine, this is mine,” he repeated over and over. I drew in my breath.

“Did it work?” Sanum asked.

I blinked hard. “Ye-yes,” I replied shakily.

“Neither Holle nor I can understand the animals; you’re special.”

I smiled. A few minutes later, Sanum said he was going to sleep; Holle quickly followed. I had never been big on sleep; I stayed up the rest of the night to keep guard.

The rest of the way to Lir’s was uneventful. Holle wouldn’t speak to me, but she kept up a steady stream of conversation with Sanum. Their long history was evident—she had only to say a single word to him and he would erupt in a gale of laughter.

Lir’s castle was in sight when I heard a small voice say, “Please, don’t cry.”

I stopped. “Did you hear that?” I asked the others.

“What?” Holle asked.

“A child…is crying.”

Sanum shook his head. “There are only some swans over there.”

I stared at them. “Then the swans are speaking—Holle, here’s your chance!”

Holle place a hand on my arm, in a gesture reminiscent of Sanum’s. “What are they saying?”

“They miss their father…”

Holle stepped away from Sanum and I. “Children of Lir, listen to me! From this spell, I can set you free. Come close, come close; I will wait for thee.” Four swans floated above Holle’s head. She reached up and stroked each one.

“Has she done this before?” I whispered to Sanum.

“She’s still a novice witch,” he replied. “Her entire future rests on her success here.”

Holle resumed her rhymes. “Think back to a fond memory. Repeat my words, in strings of three: Feathers of swans begone; human child I be!”

I listened as the four swans chanted Holle’s words; gradually their feathers fell away, revealing four young children. I grinned at Sanum. He beamed a look of pride at his friend. Holle cried as she hugged the youngsters. “Let’s get you home,” I heard her say.

“Now what?” I whispered to Sanum as we lagged behind. “Holle will get her money. Now she can have what she always wanted.” He sighed.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, concerned.

He smiled sadly. “Well, she’ll be leaving me—leaving soon. And how easy. No searching, no questions. She’ll leave me in some unknown country in the East and she can have what she’s always wanted.”

“Listen, Sanum. I may not know Holle…at all, but nothing is ever as easy as it looks. You talk like it’s the end of the world. What’s to stop you two from continuing your friendship?”

That night, amidst celebrations in Lir’s hall, Holle quietly offered me a share of the reward. I refused. “You’re lucky,” I told her. “You can now have what you want.”

She’d had a little too much ale, as was obvious by the arm she placed around my shoulders. “Well, Wolfsdaughter, what is it you want?”

I’d had a bit too much too. “Sanum,” I sighed.

Holle nearly choked. “Sanum? Is that what this is all about? Why you were following us?”

“Yeah.”

Holle stood up. “Sanum—did you hear that? You are what she wants!” Then she began to laugh.

“Cripes,” I muttered burying my head in my hands. Sanum was perfectly sober. He laughed a little, but didn’t reply.