“A-A-Archibald…?”

Meak. Pathetic.

“A-Arch-…?”

Disgraceful. Shameful.

“A-A...?”

A beckon. A whisper. A whine. A whimper.

These are the noises that are forced from the beast’s maw, gaping and tongue lolling, lips quivering, trying to catch the breath to find the words he so desperately needed to say.

His brother’s name was spoken on nothing more than a whisper, a stuttering, fearful croak of muffled syllables and hoping against hope, praying, that the Dauntless would hear them. But how? His words were softer than the caress of a butterfly wing, delicate and tender, but terror kept his throat from spewing anything any louder. Who else could be listening?

It was growing closer to nightfall and the shadows were beginning to grow within the trees. Glowing golden eyes regarded the vegetation around him as though the very shadows would reach out and grab him, shifting from hoof to hoof, but he could not move from his spot. He stood upon the borders of the Hidden Falls, but even though his brother had granted him entrance once before into the land he reigned over, Vincent was not so presumptuous to think he could simply walk in without invitation. And so, he stood, trembling, tail tucked close to his rump and ears swiveling like mad at every sound.

Next to his left side curled up against the thick trunk of the giant’s leg, was Claribel, whose large brown eyes regarded the form of her bondmate with concern. Vincent’s glowing eyes looked down to the Wolfhound, glancing away from the twisting shadows only momentarily to the canine.

“We m-must be… Be q-quiet.” Vincent uttered, his stuttered words no louder than if he was simply breathing them. “He… He w-will come.”

Maybe.

Claribel seemed less impressed with the idea of simply waiting as darkness fell for someone to stumble upon them. She was cold from the Orangemoon chill, and hungry, and standing out here instead of calling for her bondmate’s twin would not get them to warmth, safety, or fat bellies any faster. The canine heaved a breath, glanced about, and promptly whined, which grew louder into a howling yelp. The frozen silence around them carried the sound as clear as day, across the trees to where Archibald or maybe even Loretta may hear, and the suddenness of it all caused Vincent to jump. Golden eyes glowed fiercely in his fear, bright and nearly illuminating, and immediately he shushed the Wolfhound.

“S-Shh! N-Not so l-l-l-loud! They will c-come… S-She will come.”

Because that was the most terrifying thing of all. Her. Quiet, quiet, they had to be quiet. Not a breath. Not a sound.

Quiet. Still. Still as death.

Archibald… Please find me.

@Archibald the Dauntless <3

ooc: For Archibald, of course. :D

I clutched my life
And wished it kept.
My dearest love I'm not done yet