The Wolf and The Fox

Mourning

It had been a week since Ethel had been told of her part in the plan to capture the beast and all had been conspiratorially peaceful. The sun was shining a cheerful glow through out its days and the nights sparkled with the diamonds of its stars; the harvest was reaping in and no accidents or ill-tempers had risen in the solid week. It was a wonderful, oddly placed peace among the people.

Michael could not express loathing of it all. Here, the village was about to crumble into ruin and its residents are ambling about as if there were no danger about them. Were they easily forgettable of those that had been lost?

He found himself at the graves of his mother, father and brother. The headstones for his mother and brother were aged and weather-worn, however, his father's was polished to a mirrored gleam. It looked so out of place within a realm of melancholy that it broke his heart all over again. Before he could drown himself in anguish, he walked away from the graves and uncovered a small wrapping from his pockets; a solid white, rose-like blossom wrapped in a handkerchief. The smallest of smiles produced from the corner of his somber lips as he brought the slightly crumpled petals to his lips, his features that of adoration.

"Be careful who spies you possessing such a symbol, dear Brookshire, or one might think you were mourning a love greater than your father's."

Michael spun around at the familiar voice that purred just beside him, his eyes wide and shocked at how close she was.

Godwin stood just barely ten feet away from him, her arms crossed with a braided shawl to protect herself against the chill of the setting sun as her eyes glimmered honey with reflecting light. He could not have mistaken that grin of hers, causing her to look as proud as the Queen. He guarded his features carefully as he delicately wrapped the white Gardenia in its handkerchief and placed it back within his breast pocket with a gentle care, his eyes never leaving the seamstress'.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" He sounded anything but please, which caused her to grin all the livelier.

"As if friends need to visit with one another?" She stepped closer to him, not stopping until she had to tilt her chin in order to keep eye-contact with him.

He never waivered as she drew nearer, in fact he never answered. He merely stared at her with that calculative gaze of his.

Godwin sighed sadly though her nose as her grin softened to a saddened smile, her honey iris shimmering in the setting sunlight.

"I am sorry for your loss, dear Michael. You know that, right?" Her voice was gentle and smooth as warm milk, though she dared not venture closer to him in comfort.

Michael, in turn, sighed out sadly and nodded, his eyes finally breaking contact with her as they closed with hidden pain. "I know. And, I appreciate your empathy, Godwin." A hand flew up to his eyes, knocking his glasses up his brow as his fingers clasped his exhausted eyes, willing the sorrow to leave him.

Gently, she placed a ghosting touch of her hand towards his elbow, the only touch she had given him in almost five years. It was just enough to break him as his knees gave out his weight and he crumpled forward, not even realizing that Godwin had stopped his fall as she embraced him closely and slowly lowered them both to the consecrated ground.

As the twilight of sunset faded into the dawning darkness of night, Michael cried his heart out in the arms of his long-lasting friend, not even registering her calming menstruations of his well-kept hair while she clung to him in return. He needn't worry if someone would hear or spy them, they were the only souls that dared to venture out in the hours of dusk, of which he was thankful for.

"I know these words will seem meaningless now, however it will all be fine by the ending of the month. I can solely promise you this." Her voice was calm yet leaked with emotion as her own tears fell for the broken heart of her life-long friend. His grip on her tightened as her words echoed in the night between them.

He breathed in hastily, realizing what she was saying and began to sputter a coughing fit in surprise. "What—" he tried to speak, only to continue coughing harder. She whispered soothing words to him as she rubbed his back and throat, coaxing his esophagus to relax. He sighed out in thanks before looking at her with sorrow.

"What makes you think anything will be fine anymore?" His voice cracked an air of weakness that Godwin had never heard before. It was enough to break her own heart as tears streaked down her eyes. She took either side of his face in her palms and held him steady before her, his dark forest eyes shimmering gems of emerald as his tears began to lessen.

"Because I will see to it, personally." She firmly hissed out, her gaze striking with an anger of determination that could rival his sorrow.

"Where would I be without you, Godwin?" He whispered into her hands as he lowered back into her embrace, her arms gladly holding him close as they sought warmth with each other's company.

"Most likely reaped in death, no doubt." She stated grimly before continuing her menstruations to further calm him down. He breathed an airy, agreeable laugh to her words, but said nothing further.

After an infinite time of silence, he finally moved away from her to only shed his jacket and wrap it around her now shivering frame. She looked up at him gratefully, though the kindness in her eyes faded back to grim thoughts.

"You know, you're not the only one that lost someone special that night." She stated as fresh trails of tears streaked down her features. This time, Michael was the one to wrap her in his warm embrace. She stiffened, at first, but slowly relaxed in his arms as he began to rock her gently.

"I know, Goddy," He whispered against her wild-hair, holding her as close as their bodies would permit without striking pain, "You know I miss her as much as you do."

A grim smile played on her lips as she sniffed away her emotions, shaking her head to rid of the melancholy mindset; she could not fall victim to these thoughts, not now of all times.

"No, we both know you miss her the most." She smiled up at him, a rainbow of sadness shining within her iris, "I was looking forward to the two of you finding happiness."

He smiled down at her thankfully before embracing her closely again, "We would not have had our time together, if it were not for you. I don't think we ever thank you for that, Goddy." He pulled back with an airy chuckle as she thwacked his arm.

"What did I say about doing that?" She chastised him, causing him to chuckle again.

"Not to give thanks for a thankless act." She nodded at his words, thankful that he at least remembered something from their childhood days.

"And don't you forget it." She warned him before gently smiling again, "And I don't want to hear one after all of this is done and over with, either. Do you understand?"

He looked sharply at her, the emotional shock in his eyes revealing that she had been right; he was going to personally hold her in thanks for what was to come in the late month. Before she could chastise him again, he took hold of her cheeks carefully and brought their lips together in an innocent, chaste kiss that left her speechless and blushing a deep rouge.

"Then this would have to suffice." He whispered against her paused lips.

She snapped out of her stupor from his words and gave his chest a good thwack that made him laugh and her grin sheepishly, "She made you a terrible flirt."

He smiled down at her with unhidden adoration as he placed a hand to the side of her head, "No less than she has made you soft as a rose."

Godwin breathed a laugh through her nostrils, leaning into his touch as her features grimed once more, her eyes darkening into brimstones.

"We will get our just deserts, dearest Michael. For her sake, if nothing else."

He nodded in agreement, lowering himself until their foreheads braced against each other in the chill of the night. Their thoughts soundlessly wandered to the loving woman they had both lost all too soon, their courage and warmth growing as they braced one another through their sorrows. Neither moved a muscle to part ways until the quarter moon shone brightly in the diamond littered heavens.