The Brothers Lionheart

Then I howled, too. I shouted to high heaven. Never have I let out such a shout, and that frightened them a little, I think.

But not for long. Soon they were back again, even closer this time. Their howls made Fyalar quite wild. And me too. I knew we were going to die now, both of us. I should have been used to that since I’d already died once. But then I had wanted to, then I had longed to, and now I didn’t want to. Now I wanted to live and be with Jonathan; oh Jonathan, if only you could come and help me.

The wolves were close now. One was larger than the others and more insolent, probably the leader. He was the one who would get me, I knew. He circled around me and howled, howled so that my blood froze. I threw a burning branch at him and shouted loudly, but that just annoyed him. I saw his open jaws and his terrible teeth that were straining to get at my throat. Now---Jonathan, help! Now he’s leaping!

But then! What in the world happened then? In the middle of his leap, he gave a yelp and fell down at my feet. Dead, stone dead, and straight through his head was an arrow.

From what bow did the arrow come? Who was it who had saved my life? Someone stepped out of the shadows behind a rock. Who but Hubert! There he was, looking slightly contemptuous as usual, and yet I still wanted to rush up to him and put my arms around, I was so glad to see him. At first. But only at first.

“I seem to have come just in time,” he said.

“Yes, you certainly did,” I said.

“Why aren’t you at home at Knights Farm?” he said.

What about? I thought---for now I remembered who he was. What cunning treachery was to happen here in the mountains tonight? Oh, why should it be a traitor who had saved me? Why must I be grateful to Hubert, of all people, not just for the meat, but also for dear life?

“What are you doing by yourself up here in the middle of the night?” I said surlily.

“Shooting wolves, as you see,” said Hubert. “Actually, I saw you when you rode away this morning, and I thought perhaps I’d see that nothing dangerous happened to you.