literature

Eve of a Journey (Brielle x Alcatraz)

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The journey to Chandor was not long, but it would still take her a day of steady travelling to get anywhere near the centre of their territory. Yet, even though she’d be walking against the cold winds nonstop to get there quickly, Brielle felt like the trip was not long enough.
It was not long enough to ease the clogging in her lungs. To release the weight on her shoulders, or to pluck away the memories of Tzuriel everywhere in her surroundings.
Of him sitting in the shade of the Vicar’s den, a gentle smile on his face always. Of him walking around with her mother. Of her uncle, leaving the densite alongside Elias once or twice because of their shared task.
But most importantly, it was not long enough to take away the pain that felt so invalidating. She wanted to escape it, to leave it behind, to ignore the reality that had engulfed her so suddenly.
Yesterday, everything had been fine.
But no journey would ever be able to do that. Not even one that might take her to the other side of the Domain.

Yet, Brielle had still approached Alcatraz to offer to go to Chandor, to fetch a healer that might replace her father, because having release from the agony even if only for a day or two, was better than nothing. Because she was certain that regardless of where her father was, he would have wanted the rest of his family to be okay.
As his daughter, Brielle would make sure that happened. Even if it meant begging and throwing a tantrum before their allies to get the help they needed. She pushed away the feeling that she was replacing him, and focused instead on the fact Adrian could not handle it all on his own.
Someone had to fill in for Tzuriel, even if… even if it meant trying to fill a cliff with a pebble.

The Ranger was sitting outside of the main den, blue eyes fixed absentmindedly on a random spot in the snow. The temperatures were plunging as the world crawled deeper into the night, but the female was protected from them by her thick fur. Shoshana was out of sight, probably resting or trying her best to do so within the den, accompanied by Elias.
“Please, please keep them safe. Please guide my path, and fill my father’s with hope and strength.” Brielle was praying quietly, lips moving slowly but automatically, taking in shaky breaths between sentences.
“Take away my family’s pain. Please don’t let them suffer. Please make it mine.”





The dark Lord’s mind was full of uncertainty. Uncertainty about everything. Being in charge felt natural for Alcatraz with Athena by his side. But without her he felt he was carrying mountains, mountains that if he dropped they would end the world when they hit the ground. Athena always knew what to do. But him… sometimes he still felt like the rogue he once was. Brutish, brash, arrogant. Though less so that last one, when his leadership had resulted in his beloved friends and children in Vektren’s grasp, it was hard not to fear each step he made. But I’m not alone... No. He had the Rah’at. Some of his closest and most trusted friends. They were here to help, and help they did. He didn’t know what he would do without them during these troubling times.

Alcatraz surely hadn’t expected the brave young Brielle to step forward, offering to travel to Chandor to seek aid. No, of course, had been the obvious and immediate answer! But then it was thought upon, and discussed with the others. Amara, who knew of Brielle’s intentions, approached the Rah’at and shared her support of Brielle in her quest. Brielle was young, but she was strong and full of promise. She was a talented Ranger, ready to step up in her father’s absence. Chandor was but a day’s journey. With a wolf standing on the border of each they could hear each other’s howl. It was in the opposite direction of their foes, the path sheltered by jagged mountains. There was no doubt the pack was in need of an additional healer. If there was ever a time to give the youth an opportunity to prove herself…

And so it had been agreed. Brielle would leave for Chandor upon the morrow. His granddaughter had left to prepare after she received their blessing. Now that night had fallen Alcatraz sought her out again so they could speak alone. He found her just outside of the main den site. She appeared to be deep in thought or at least her mind was far from here… With her father perhaps. With my son...

Alcatraz cleared his throat softly, to alert Brielle of his presence, then he padded to her side and sat down. “How are you feeling, Brielle?” he asked solemnly.





The feelings that swarmed inside her were strange things. They made her feel heavy and slow, yet alertness shone in her eyes as she sat up at her grandfather’s voice, peering at him over her shoulder until he was beside her.
“I um-” she stummered, clearing her throat and making to blink away the silver that lined her eyes, returning her gaze to the snow as if she might have dropped something there.
Please…, she threw the last silent prayer, before fully focusing on what Alcatraz had asked. And she could only come up with a single word to answer, lips pursing into something between a pout and a tense line.

“Horrible”, the young wolf whispered back, unable to break down her emotions into more specific things. Sadness, despair, fear… she was overwhelmed by all of it. “I keep feeling like I might throw up”, came her next grumble, raising her attention to the big, proud wolf at her side who she was honoured to call her family. Her expression seemed to melt down into one of pure sorrow, the sensation of feeling tiny flooding Brielle.

But she could do something. She could make sure her father’s wish and devotion was carried on in Aryn even with him… gone. Ensure the rest of her family would be safe from harm. Fulfill what Tzuriel might have desired. That resolve was the only spark left within her sad, tired eyes.
“But I want to go, Grandpa. I have to go”, there was no space for formalities in her mind in those moments. Calling him Lord would not change a thing, but it would leave a chasm between them. Grandpa instead, was an attempt at… companionship and support. From a grieving daughter to a grieving father.
“For them. For Papa”.





Alcatraz let the silence linger as Brielle thought how best to answer. He knew it was a difficult question, a question nearly impossible to answer fully given everything she was going through. He couldn’t imagine what was going through her young mind, the demons she was fighting with every beat of her heart. But it was the best place to start. All he could do was let the young she-wolf know that he was here for her, and she had a family who loved her and who would help her through this, and everything.

The Lord glanced down at Brielle when she answered. He could see the pain in her beautiful teal eyes, but the strength in them as well. “I know.” he answered, then went on seriously, “I will maintain hunting parties in the Pinefell during your journey. If you howl in the neutral land they will hear you, should you need help. ” He had already arranged the parties that would go out. One he would be on. They would not let her be lost. “Just remember your Ranger training.”

There was a million other things he wanted to say to her. Countless reminders and tips and factors not to forget when out on her own, and what to avoid and what was safe and he could just go on forever. But The One knows it was too much. There was nothing else he could do now except to trust her, and trust that Aryn had trained her well for this challenge. Now that he said what he needed, he let out a sigh and leaned down, resting his chin comfortingly on her head, allowing himself as well to bridge that chasm of formality, and let them be just grandfather and granddaughter, and that was all. “Your father would be proud of you, my dear,” he murmured, “All of your pack is so proud of you.”





Despite the facts that had lead them to such a situation, she was not afraid of what she might find outside the pack’s borders. However, Alcatraz’ help was still welcome, and a small but sad smile graced her lips as she gazed ahead, as if the darkness of the night might finally soothe her ache. She would not forget what she’d been taught, nor would she forget the comforting presence of her family, waiting to rush at her call. The image did install some warmth in her chest, at least.
“I sha’ll keep it in mind”, the Ranger said, blue eyes twinkling with unshed tears.

When Alcatraz embraced her gently, Brielle knew that the agony she felt was shared. Surely, he would hurt with the loss of not one, but two children; but it was still different to feel that pain subside as it was split into two wolves, her heart constricting at the comfort offered. Her tears fell then, rolling down to her chin as she fit her head beneath the crook of the Lord’s neck, holding back her sobs.
“Thank you, Grandpa” she whispered, voice strained with emotion. But then the seriousness of the atmosphere began to suffocate her, and she grinned bitterly, lifting her gaze to look at him.
“But keep some of that pride for when I return. That way, I will have another reason to come back quickly” it was clearly a joke, but there was still truthfulness in her words, and that desire to have something that might help fill the void in her.





Alcatraz stood as a silent support for the young she-wolf, letting her remain against his thick fur for as long as she needed to. She could stayed there until dawn and Alcatraz would not have protested. But she drew away. Alcatraz’s pale yellow eyes fell on her as looked up at him, forcing a grin on her face. Alcatraz was often a solemn wolf, so he had no trouble treating a situation grimly. The spark in her blue eyes surprised him a bit. It reminded him of her grandmother Athena… she always found a way to smile as well.

Alcatraz chuckled in return, “It will be here.” He paused, then added, “Perhaps when you return we can take a walk to Firewater flats, bring some rabbits for lunch. A relaxing afternoon in the warm waters might do us both some good.” Alcatraz wasn’t usually one to go into the hot springs, but he rarely did enjoyable activities so that was the only one he could think to offer. Food, company, and a hot bath would surely make for a well-deserved break from the stress. Perhaps Brielle would be interested, one more thing for her to look forward to upon her return.





Well she definitely didn’t get it from her mother, so it was highly probable that Brielle had learnt it from her Grandmother. But the next spark that lit up her eyes was genuine and filled with gratitude, nodding gently at the suggestion. Spending some quality time with her Grandpa wasn’t something the Ranger got to do often, and it would do them both good to share, even if in silence.

“I would love that. Thank you” the female replied, ears swivelling forward with excitement, despite the shared solemnity that still clouded both of their features. A trait from Alcatraz and a burden from life’s circumstances. He was being so strong, offering her support and evasion when he was suffering as well.
So Brielle spoke again, hoping to share a thought with him that might stick while she was gone.
“After all, when you share sorrows they diminish by half. And when you share joy, it multiplies” her voice was barely a whisper, a melancholic smile pulling at her jowls.
“Promise me you will share your pain with me too, Grandpa” Brielle pressed against his neck again, resting her forehead on his soft, plushy fur.
Let me help you too.





Alcatraz smiled when she accepted, happy that she liked the idea, and even seemed to look forward to it. He was looking forward to it as well. He didn’t get to spend as much leisure time as he would like to with his family, Brielle was certainly no exception. “After all, when you share sorrows they diminish by half. And when you share joy, it multiplies” He embraced her as she nuzzled into him again, his expression somber at her plea. Brielle was so young, but she had inherited the strength of both her parents, and the maturity… and the compassion. He sighed, closing his eyes. Alcatraz was not one to share his sorrows with anyone, except Athena if it concerned the pack, though sometimes things were even withheld from her if the emotions were deemed by him to be useless.

He believed that his actions would speak for his words. What he did would explain his intentions, and his priorities. His determination to find his packmates, his loyal service to his sickly mate, that would speak for it and no words were needed. It would do no good to burden another with his troubles. Especially a youth. A youth who he was sworn to protect, as was his duty as her Lord Alpha.

His fear for Athena had been deemed as useless in his mind. Of course she would recover, and be back to her normal self before too much longer, the other possibility was not to be considered. He had told the pack as much, he insisted to himself that he believed as much. But still against his own conscious will Alcatraz found himself murmuring softly, as he stared off at nothing, “I am afraid for my mate.”





Although she knew, even without him telling her, that Alcatraz was afraid for Athena’s health, hearing it come from his lips was no small blow. In fact, she was glad her expression was hidden in his neck and mane, shielded from his eyes so he might not see the heart break in her own. It was devastating to see them, to feel them, her beloved grandparents who had always been smiling together, suffer in their love.

Her parents had done so, too. Brielle had seen her mother cry and scream at the world, at the cruel life they had been placed in; she had seen her shattered and empty and desperate when the news about the patrol had been delivered. Yet, she didn’t get used to the pain of it all.
She wanted to shield herself in the comfort Elias had given her, repeat it to her grandfather like a prophecy. But it didn’t feel like enough.

“Me too. But she is strong, and so is your son” the female whispered, leaving a kiss on Alcatraz’ shoulder.
“We just have to wait and believe. Believe in her. As hard as it may be.”
Quick Summary: The night before Brielle leaves on her journey to Chandor, Alcatraz visits her at the Old Rowan and they speak. 

Alcatraz loved his granddaughter very much <3 I love her too, such a brave sweet girl. 

Next:  [DotW] The Message from Aryn by Zoketi

Brielle (c) :iconflufferooni:
Alcatraz (c) :iconwildfire-tama:

:icondomain-of-the-wolf:
© 2019 - 2024 Wildfire-Tama
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Flufferooni's avatar
Thank you so much for Rping with me Tama, and for putting up with my delays! xD <3 This was such a pleasure to write, and i'm glad you like Brielle ;u;

I loved Traz so much <3 Such an iconic man! It makes me so sad to think he won't be coming back to bathe in the hot springs with Brie ;;