• A woman was laying in a meadow surround ed by wolves. "Take care of her, Varden,"she said holding a little baby, wrapped in fur, out to the golden brown wolf standing closest to her. "Rik-Rik"she whispered with her last breath.

    Thirteen Years Later

    The young girl stood, fists clenched, glaring at the woman who called herself her step-mom. "Rikki, you little........, I swear......"she snarled. Rikki disappeared out the door not waiting around to hear the rest. She ran through the forest not stopping until she was out of breath. Unfortunately she realized she was deep in Varden forest. Nobody ever went up there, the myths of what dwelled there were well-known. An even more terrifying thought: she didn't know her way back. She dropped to the ground, screaming out her frustration.

    "I can help you, Little One, I'm Dagger." a gruff voice resounded in her mind. Rikki looked up to see a gray Timber wolf. That's when it all started.

    About Five Years Later

    Rikki sat up as the rays of sunshine filtered in through her window. Remembering that today was when the men and boys would be bringing in the herds she jumped up. After washing and dressing, she walked into the kitchen area of Auntie's hut. Auntie, as the village people called the old seer, had taken in Rikki almost five years ago without asking any questions. It was strange at first, but the villagers respected Auntie's judgment in people and soon accepted Rikki.

    WolvenHeart, as its Elven name meant, was a small farming and ranch village. "Just in time, my girl,"Auntie commented, gesturing out the window. Sure enough there were the herders bringing in the herds of wild horses.

    She ran outside as Emmit slid to a stop on Dodger, his big dappled gray gelding. "Come on, kid, we are going to need you with this bunch,"he said as she vaulted up behind him. She held tight to his waist as they cantered at the back of the group.

    Emmit let her down at the gate before helping the others herd the horses into the pens. Rikki looked around for the lead stallion, knowing her job. Finally, she spotted him. He was a dark red, not chestnut nor brown, something in between, what the villagers called a firedancer. Scampering over the fence, Rikki couldn't take her eyes off the creature.

    Later that day, Emmit crouched in the long grass, being silent as possible. He waited until just the right moment, he tackled Rikki's legs. They both tumbled around in the grass before Rikki sprang to her feet. She raced through the grass followed closely by Emmit. He had just caught up when somebody called his name. "See you later, Rik-Rik,"he said with a grin, jogging backwards. Rikki blushed at his childish nickname for her as she watched him turn and run towards the barn.

    Rikki was up in her loft room when Auntie had her friends over. "He's twenty-three now, strong, handsome, a good worker. He needs a wife,"the conversation drifted up to her. "Emmit is only waiting. He has his heart set already on a certain young woman,"Emmit's aunt added, sighing.

    Rikki felt her cheeks flush and a stab of jealousy. The subject changed. "Isn't the next full moon Rikki's 18th birthday, in a few weeks?"one of the ladies asked. Rikki began changing into her clothes for the Firelight dance. She let her dark green/black curls tumble down her shoulders. Amber eyes looked out from a naturally tanned face.

    When she got to the fields, Emmit was sitting on a log by the fire, strumming on a guitar and singing a song in Elven tongue, surrounded by the youngsters. "Hey, kiddo,"he said with his famous grin. Rikki managed a weak smile. Later when the dancing started, he was dancing closely with a girl a few years older than Rikki. Seeing this Rikki disappeared into the forest. Emmit looked up just in time to see her dash into the forest. "Sorry, I have to go see what is up,"he told the girl before racing after Rikki.

    He found her in a clearing, arms wrapped around the neck of a fae. "Does he only think of me as a child?"she asked the wolf. "No so much more than that,"he said softly stepping into the clearing. Rikki looked up, startled. He could tell she had been crying. "Bye Rosie, tell CloudWalker to stay out of trouble for me,"she called to Rosie as the fae melted into the forest.

    Emmit sank down beside Rikki. "You are so much more than just a kid, Rik-Rik. You are a sweet, beautiful, young woman with an extraordinary gift. You are a great friend,"he said wrapping his arm around her shoulders. Rikki smiled, sniffling.

    "You really think that?"she asked. "Really really. Now lets go back before they send a search party,"he said helping her up. They talked and laughed together all the way back to the bonfire.