Brigitte walked into her home after a hard but productive day at the forge. Noticing her mother hadn’t returned home from weaving with the other village women. Chuckling a little at remembering when she was just a babe and would join them, before papa had taken her into forge training. 

Cleaning off the grime and sweat, Brigitte hung her gear up on the armor dummy, quickly slipping into a simple tunic and leather pants. Grabbing some bread and cheese before heading into her own private quarters and scarfing it down. 

Nearly a week had passed since Brigitte found the mysterious archer in the woods. 

In between duties and chores, she had tried a few times in hopes of seeing him. Except the healers were keeping a close eye on him and no one was allowed to get near besides them. At least they would inform her of his condition even if they didn’t allow her in. As of now, he was recovering well but still had not awoken.

Sitting on her bed, next to her was the stranger's armor and helm she had managed to clean. The repairs for the damaged parts weren’t too difficult. Luckily the bow was unharmed but Brigitte still took the time to examine the weapon nonetheless while working on the rest. It’s weight and pull was different to what she was used to but the accuracy was amazing. 

Brigitte now picked up the wolf helm and laid it gently on her lap. White wolves were not common in these lands, the only ones she saw were brown or grey. Normally bears were dominant, hence her clan’s symbol. Brigitte was impressed at the details of the helm being near life-like, even the glass grey eyes looked real. Whoever made this was a great craftsman and took great care in their craft. Brigitte’s hand drifted over the fur before curiously nuzzling her face against the softness.

Thoughts drifted to a multitude of things. 

Where was he from? Brigitte has never seen anyone with those features in all her life and even Ana looked vastly different. She wondered if the older woman had seen such herself considering Reinhardt had found her so far away. Maybe Brigitte could ask later. 

Why was she the one to find him? Was there a meaning behind it? 

What did his voice sound like? Color of his eyes? Curious if it was the same as the wolf’s. Brigitte couldn’t deny he was attractive and a decent fighter by the remains where she found him.

There was a small flutter in the pit of her stomach.

"No..no no I should not think that." Brigitte frustratedly muttered to herself out loud. 

She put the helm back onto the armor pile and picked it up along with the bow. This needed to get back to its owner. Plus it gave an excuse to see if she was allowed a visit.

The sun was making its way down towards the mountains in the west. Occupants of the village were gathered around the campfires and in the mead hall for the last meal of the day. By the way how the singing sounded, some of the men and women would be out cold in the morning. Many of them greeted her with warm smiles and drink.
 

“Come on Brigitte, join us.” 

“What about the drinking contest?” Said another.

Brigitte looked over to see two men about her age calling her and coming closer. She gave a cocky grin. “So I can beat you again, Aren? Maybe next time. So Erland, make sure he doesn't make too much of a fool of himself.”

Erland punched Aren playfully. “Even I can not always stop this idiot.”

“We’ll see who beats who.” Aren gave a loud laugh, ignoring the jab. Then poked at the helm in Brigitte’s. “Though I think she’s too preoccupied with the weird wolf man. Is our clan sister finally wanting to be a full woman? You could have asked and I would have provided a good night.” 

“No thank you and besides wouldn’t that break Elli’s heart.” Brigitte said in remark. “Also whether full woman or not, I can still beat your ass in fighting, drinking and hunting. So what does that make you?” 

“She has you there.” Erland wrapped his arm around Aren, slapping another drinking horn in his friend’s hand. “You head off.”

Brigitte waved them on and went on to her destination. She was partially annoyed at Aren’s comments but that’s always how he has been. Ever since she became of age, more of the men came to her father for the possibility of a marriage. Even if her parents wanted her to marry for the bloodline, they let her have freedom for now. In honesty Brgitte was happy being a blacksmith and fighter but this weird feeling she had been having since that dream was making her wonder.

She let it go with a sigh.

It took a few minutes but Brigitte finally made it. As her hand reached up to knock at the doorpost the drapes opened slowly to reveal the healer.

"Oh Brigitte." Angela said with a small yawn, by the look on her face she was tired. “I see you got his things repaired. Come on in and put them over there."

“Thank you.” Brigitte nodded, walking in and placing the armor over on the table."How is he?"

"He is out of danger for now. Though his body is recovering from such damage, he will need rest for a while longer." Angela said.

Brigitte felt relieved, more than she even realized.

Angela noticed, smiling and chuckling at the taller woman. "He is lucky that the gods sent you in time."

Suddenly feeling embarrassed, Brigitte shook her head. "All I did was carry him. You and Ana did all the healing."

"We could not have healed him if you had not found him." Angela put on her cloak. “Could I ask a favor of you?”

“What is it?”

"Would you mind keeping an eye on my care while I go get something to eat? I can trust you not to disturb him for a few moments, I hope."  

"Of course."

"Thank you and I shall be back soon."

Brigitte watched Angela walk away out into the village center. Then she turned to go into the next room and there he laid covered in bear furs. Carefully Brigitte went over and sat next to him,  trying not to make too much sound.  

He looked so calm as his chest rose and fell gently with every breath. One might have thought he was only sleeping if it weren’t for the cloth wrappings.

His skin was tanned from years in the sun, bringing out the long snow white hair and beard that framed his face. Nervously she reached out to brush some stray hairs away from his eyes. Brigitte blushed when she noticed how soft it felt, almost like the fur on the wolf helm. 

Brigitte's eyes drifted to the strange yellow tattoos that adorned his left arm and just under his eyes. Most of the tribes around here used blues, reds or purples. She wondered what they meant; his status, number of battles won or maybe some sort of ritual? 

She couldn’t deny he was quite beautiful.

Her knuckles caressed over his bearded cheek and along the marks of his face for a few moments. Tilting at the fact that his ear had a small point at the tip. 

Brigitte whispered as if maybe he would have heard. “I don’t even know who you are and something draws me in. What do the dreams mean?”

Quickly she pulled back her hand. He had stirred a little bit but didn't do much beyond that. It would have been awkward for him to wake up with some stranger caressing his cheek like a lover. 

Though her wonders didn't last long, as the sound of rustling drapes jolted her out of her thoughts, Angela must have returned. Brigitte gave one last look at the sleeping figure and left to greet the woman.

“Welcome back.” Brigitte said.

Angela had an extra bowl of stew and bread with her, handing over one to Brigitte. “Brigitte, I figured you may have not eaten yet so here. Then again you could probably eat this even if you did.”

“Gotta keep my strength somehow.” Taking the bowl with a smile, Brigitte sat on one of the two chairs. “Thank you.”

“So did anything occur while I was away?” Angela asked before eating a few bites.

Brigitte swallowed and shook her head. “He moved in his sleep some but nothing much more.” 

“Good. I didn’t think anything bad would happen but he’s certainly been keeping me the most busy in quite some time. I’ve been a little out of shape for this since the war ended.” Angela replied, closing her eyes for a few moments. 

“Hey Angela. Where do you think he’s from?” Brigitte asked.

“That is a good question. His features aren’t exactly like anything I’ve seen.” Angela put her hand up to her chin. “I had a discussion with Ana to see if she would have such a clue. She recalled seeing someone similar during her journey with Reinhardt, in passing.”

“Then that would mean he’s so far from home.” Brigitte frowned. Though the thought of being so away from clan and kin was such a foreign concept. Family protected each other, watched each other’s backs in life and battle. 

“Maybe he’ll speak his reason once he’s awoken.”

Brigitte pondered more, another question to add to the pile.

“You may come back tomorrow after your chores if you wish.”

“Uh?” Brigitte looked back up from her bowl.

“You may come back tomorrow after your chores if you want. I know you wish to.” Angela chuckled. “You’ve been trying ever since he was in my care.”

Before the younger woman could respond Angela spoke again. “Maybe the aura of his savior is what he needs as well. I mean you were only here for a little while and there was movement.”

Brigitte’s freckled cheeks grew pink. “Maybe..” 

The rest of the meal was spent in relative silence as the evening went on. Brigitte finished her meal soon after the healer.

"I will take care of this, you head on home. We both will have a busy morning and dawn comes too quickly. Thank you for keeping me and our friend company." Angela patted Brigitte’s shoulder.

Brigitte gave her usual wide smile. "No problem, Angela. I will be here tomorrow. May the gods watch over your dreams."

"As with you, Brigitte." The healer returned the smile as Brigitte left the hut.

The night air was filled with the remains of fires and smoke. Fewer people wandered besides those heading to their homes or night guard stations with Reinhardt. It didn’t take long for her to reach her abode being greeted by her mamma.

“There you are.” Ingrid said, hugging her daughter warmly. The older woman was just a little shorter than her daughter and a little stocky in stature. Her blonde hair had mixes of grey strips.

“I was having my meal with Angela, sorry I kept you up.” Brigitte hugged back before scratching the back of her head. “Where’s papa?”

“Already in bed, which you should be as well.” Ingrid raised an eyebrow but then smiled. “Busy day at the forge at dawn, correct?”

“Ya.” Brigitte replied. “New leatherworking papa wants me to improve on.”

“Then it’s to bed.” Ingrid kissed her daughter’s forehead.

“Night mamma.” Brigitte said, tiredly.

“Night, my child.” Ingrid gave one smile as Brigitte went to her own room.

After stripping into night clothing and upon reaching her bed, Brigitte slumped down and laid there. Pushing her face into the soft furs that covered it. 

Her thoughts wandered again as she fell asleep to the crackling embers of the fire.

That night she dreamed of white wolves..