Virginia and the Wolf

Virginia and the Wolf

By Heather David

On a sunny spring day, thirteen year old Virginia skipped along the path. She kept a firm hold of her red hood and cape and swung a basket full of medicines and flowers on her arm. She was on her way back from the village when a groan shook the air.

"Who's there?" Virginia cried. She waited a few seconds but was answered with silence. "It's probably nothing."

A howl of pure agony made the very trees tremble. With a pounding heart, Virginia left the path and ventured toward the sound. What she saw made her face turn pale. In a meadow near a tree stump was a large mauled corpse of a bear. Not far from the corpse was a wolf. His fur was white as snow and his eyes were blue as spring. A bleeding gash turned his front leg red.

"Help me," groaned the wolf.

Virginia pressed a hand to her heart. "You.... you can talk?"

"I'm Caesar," said the wolf. "I mean you no harm, Red-Hooded-girl."

She giggled nervously in spite of herself. "My name is Virginia." Setting down her basket, she sorted through her medicines and pulled out a handkerchief. "If I help you, do you promise not to eat me?"

"Would you trust the word of a werewolf?" Caesar asked with dark humor.

"I fear too," said Virginia, "but I also fear I would regret abandoning you, Mr. Caesar."

Thus the werewolf lay very still as Virginia cleaned and wrapped his wound. When she was done she stepped back. Cautiously he rose on his legs. He winced at first, but finally nodded.

"You did well, I thank you, Red-Hooded-girl," Caesar said with a bow. "May I escort you home so no bears attack you?"

"If you wish," said Virginia.

For the next fifteen minutes wolf and girl walked side by side. Virginia was still nervous, but the beauty of the forest, and Caesar's protective presence eased her. When at last they neared her grandmother's house they stopped.

"I apologize, Mr Caesar," said Virginia. "But Grandmother Helen may faint at the sight of you."

Caesar inclined his head. "I understand, Red-Hooded girl."

She curtsied and smiled. "It's still Virginia, but you can call me that if you wish."

"May I see you again sometime?" asked Caesar.

"Anytime I am in the forest, I would not object to company," she said.

Thus ended Virginia and Caesar's first meeting, and an unusual friendship was formed. Every time Virginia was in the forest she either sensed the werewolf nearby, or he met up with her. He always kept close by whether as a bodyguard, or helping her hunt. He taught her where the rabbits roam, where the deer graze, and which meat tasted the best. She offered him strips of bacon made specially with her grandmother's recipe. To which he smacked his jaws and declared he would bring her a rabbit everyday if she would always share her bacon (Virginia laughed so hard her cheeks became as red as her hood).

Five years later, Virginia had blossomed into a fine woman. With long red hair and sparkling eyes, she was the most beautiful girl of her village. Caesar himself became so large if he stood up on hind legs he appeared nearly seven feet tall. Thick muscles could be seen amidst his white fur.

One winter night danger finally found them. The village had spoken in frightened whispers of a trio of monsters known as the 'Pork Orcs'. A hybrid of orcs with pig-like faces, flat snouts, floppy ears, and tusks thick as daggers. In the night when the snow fell, they snorted as they walked through the village seeking lodging. The people hid in their houses and locked the doors. Some of the men made ready their pistols. The Pork Orcs sensed their fear and ventured towards Virginia and Grandmother Helen's house. The two women had put on their nightgowns when a harsh knock could be heard.

"Little women, little women, let us come in," called the Pork Orcs.

Grandmother Helen peeked out the window. The sight of the three monsters made her shriek and jump back.

Virginia made sure the door was locked. "We have no room for guests, good sirs. You must find shelter elsewhere." She heard snorts and chuckles.

"The village will not welcome us, she-human!" they cried.

"Neither are you welcome here!" cried a trembling Grandmother Helen.

The door was kicked open causing the lock and hinges to break. The sight before their eyes made the two women scream. The Pork Orcs were eight feet tall, clad in leather tunics, their tusks shining. They smiled hungrily.

"We hereby claim this house of sticks, and the occupants as our dinner!" snorted the Pork Orcs.

Virginia and Grandmother Helen cried out as the monsters made their way inside. They had just grabbed Virginia when a howl pierced the air. The Pork Orcs stopped and turned then snorted in horror. Four white werewolves ran through the snow howling towards the house. Virginia's eyes lit up when she spotted Caesar at the front.

"VIRGINIA!" He howled as he tackled the first Pork Orc.

The other three werewolves dragged the remaining monsters out of the house. Virginia and Grandmother Helen hugged each other as they watched the werewolves fight the Pork Orcs. All the monsters slashed and bit and tumbled around as they fought. The two women finally squeezed their eyes shut when the werewolves dismembered the Pork Orcs like large pieces of ham. When all was silent, Virginia dared to open her eyes.

Before her stood a tall man. His hair was long and white. He wore a tunic, breeches and boots made of white fur and leather. His skin was pale, and his eyes were blue as spring.

"Caesar?" She said.

"Hello, Red-Hooded-girl," he said, then nodded to her grandmother. "Hello at last, Madame." He gestured the three other people dressed the same as him. "I'd like you to meet my pack. My father, Brutus, my mother, Juno, and my brother, Anthony." The other three bowed their heads and murmured greetings.

"What happened?" asked Grandmother Helen. "Ginny, how do you know these people?"

Virginia told about how she met Caesar years before, and how the two of them had been friends. She apologized for never introducing him sooner.

"I feared you would scream at the sight of him," said Virginia (thinking how handsome Caesar looked in a human form).

"Just as I feared my pack would treat Virginia as a piece of meat," said Caesar.

His father Brutus shook his head. "No human woman who is so kind to my son would ever be treated as such."

"Nonsense!" declared Grandmother Helen. "I have not met such a noble young man since the day I met Virginia's grandfather. I welcome all of you to my home!"

That night after repairing the door, the werewolf pack circled and guarded the house while Virginia and Grandmother Helen slept. In the morning, the wolves were invited inside and treated to a delicious breakfast of bacon potato and cheese soup with a large loaf of bread and a steaming mug of coffee. Grandmother Helen became the best of friends with Lady Juno. Juno told her where the best herbs and meats could be found in the forest. While Grandmother Helen taught her how to cook (the bacon recipe being no exception). Caesar's brother Anthony soon became acquainted with the village girls and found his lifelong mate.

Not long afterwards, Caesar took Virginia to their favorite part of the forest. There with the moon and stars lighting up the snow, he got on bent knee and asked her to be his wife. A few months later they were wed, and lived happily ever after, hunting in the woods, enjoying bacon, and always being at the ready to defend the village against any attacking Pork Orcs as long as they lived.

THE END