❅ Five (Video)

[stonebird]

(The change in weather has been difficult on everyone and everything. Sansa has her abundant hair tied back and she is wearing a much lighter dress than usual.)

I have food for you. Don't be frightened. (She rattles a bowl - gently, not obnoxiously - hoping to entice a rather emaciated dog.) If you need water, we have enough to spare for you.

(The poor thing isn't big enough to need much of anything to eat or drink.)

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I might get him inside for a good meal and a bath?

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[so_dark_a_road]

[ He laughs at her tutting. As the dog comes a little closer, Curufin reaches out and offers him a hand to sniff. If the little fellow seems inclined, Curufin will pat his shoulders, and if he allows, scratch his head and ears. ]

He certainly looks intelligent. Will you name him?

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[stonebird]

(The pup cowers a little, whining in his throat, but he isn't running. Sansa moves closer, carefully, slowly, gently caressing one of the dog's ears.)

I will have to think about it. Do you have any ideas?

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[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin speaks to the dog, softly. ]

Hey boy. Nobody will harm you here. You let Sansa look after you. You'll be much better off than you were wandering around trying to avoid the tunnel creatures. Elves won't hurt you, either. We have respect for canines.

[ To Sansa. ] Hmm. I think my brother Celegorm named most of our pack of hunting dogs, except for the alpha-dog, Huan, who probably wasn't really a dog, and in any case got his name from his first master, the Vala Oromë. I tended to call the dogs silly names like Spot, Rover, Fang, Killer, and Fluffy. [ Chuckle. ] Why? What would you call a dog?

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[stonebird]

(The pup tilts their head this way and that, lifting their head curiously. They like being spoken to! Sansa puts some food in her hand and feeds the dog that way, gently petting their poor emaciated side.)

I like your names. (She giggles. They're not lofty! But maybe that's okay.) My Direwolf was named Lady. Then I had a wolf named Lord and I named his daughter Jonquil. She was the happiest wolf.

(Her tone makes it obvious that she misses her.)

Jonquil was my favorite character in a silly love song.

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[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin smiles and talks a little more to the dog. He explains that Sansa is good at guessing what a dog would like to eat, and in the Elfhouses they always save some food in case they have an animal guest. So the dog should not fear to accept food from Sansa's hand. ]

You do? [ Grin. ] My brothers used to laugh at me for my taste in canine appellations. You had a Direwolf? -- I take it that means a very, very large wolf. That's good, that you had such a protector. Lady, and then Lord? And Jonquil? I like those names. [ Smile. ]

A jonquil is such a cheerful yellow flower! What was the love song about? Can you remember it?

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[stonebird]

(Sansa's cheeks flush and she is thrilled at how intently the dog is watching both of them. He is a bright boy and she really does want the best for him. Plus, how can a dog not brighten a household?)

If a name is given with affection, it's a good name. (She nods.) Lady wasn't full grown. She was about the size of a regular wolf, however, because of her breed, she would have grown to a size that would have rivaled a horse. It was said my family used to ride Direwolves into battle.

Lord and Jonquil were regular wolves. I found Lord as a puppy and nursed him on goat's milk until he was an adult. He was wild by nature, so I let him roam wherever he liked. Then he was gone for a week. I was worried and I sought help from your kin to find him - and we did. He had taken a beautiful mate, so I knew I shouldn't interfere. However when that mate gave birth to puppies, Lord came to retrieve me.

(She smiles at the memories.) They were absolutely precious, but most of them took after their mother. She never let me close. However Jonquil was like Lord and she played on my skirt. I ended up taking her home and raising her as I had him. Your kin spoiled her!

(But the dear wolf deserved all her toys.)

Oh of course I remember it... (Though she is somewhat embarrassed, she sings the tale of Florian the Fool and the Lady Jonquil.)

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[so_dark_a_road]

[ How indeed? The dog may be starved and uncertain about trusting the two of them, but he is clearly one who would brighten the Elfhouses! ]

It sounds as though your Jonquil was able to see clearly enough who you were and how you would be as a friend. One doesn't play on another's skirt unless this is the case! [ Smile. ] My kin would have understood that.

[ All good wolves deserve toys! ]

[ He listens to her songs with delight. ] You have a lovely singing voice, Sansa.