Lindara And Pawl: A Narrative Fiction

Pawl stood up and strode around the dog, examining her, scratching his head. “The best we can do is have you take her by the shoulders and I’ll carry her hindquarters. It'll be slow, because she’s large, but we can do it. I think.”
As instructed, Lindara lifted the dog by the front and Pawl took the heavier hindquarters. First, they brought the animal back to the clearing so Pawl could retrieve the weapon bag, and then he and Lindara wound their way through the narrow forest paths, all while trying to keep a solid grip on an injured, weighty, whining dog.
Pawl had the more difficult job by far, as he walked backwards and carried the heavy bag; however, the heat and exertion got the best of Lindara and Pawl, and they had to stop several times …show more content…

The animal lay on her side, panting, and he studied her injuries and stroked her muzzle. One again, her tail beat slowly.
“Hurt dog,” Pawl replied. “And please tell me one of you has water.”
Perceval handed over his skin. “Here. Drink up. I have another. It’s a god thing we came upon you; we’re doing routine patrol this afternoon.”
Lionel remained on his knees and continued stroking the dog. “I’ve seen this before. She looks like a hunting dog left behind. If they get lost or hurt, their masters rarely bother to search for them. I can’t understand that, abandoning such loyal creatures.”
“You’ve quite the soft spot for dogs,” said Perceval, sounding amused.
Lionel removed his blue knight’s cape and folded it in half on the ground. “I have a soft spot for lots of things.” He gently adjusted the hound into the center of the cape. “We can each take a corner and bring her up faster.”
Lindara and Pawl finished the water from Perceval’s skin, and refreshed, they each took a corner of the cape with Lionel and Perceval took theirs. The four of them moving allowed for faster navigation of the forest paths, and it didn’t take long for them to reach the …show more content…

Perhaps he could teach her to fetch things, like buckets or supplies, or she might provide comfort to small children who came in with injuries and illnesses. Children loved dogs, especially ones with sweet temperaments, like Star. He needed to come up with something, because he had to convince King Arthur that Star should remain in the castle; Pawl wanted her to stay.
While Star rested at his feet for a moment – she was tuckered out from the game – Pawl realized for the first time in twenty-odd years he was truly happy with his life. His heart soared with lightness and joy, words he would never have used to describe his mood in the past. He’d cobbled together a little family, Lindara and this silly dog. Perhaps it was an unusual family, but it was his.
Pawl shook his head. “You want to marry her, you stupid old fool,” he muttered under his breath.
This was it; decisions needed to be made. Star no longer needed constant care, so Lindara could return to her own quarters. Pawl could not imagine spending nights alone in his bed without her, and he could not pretend he needed help with Star. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with Lindara, but would she want the same with him? He would ask. Pawl would take the risk and ask this morning.
Pawl reached down and ruffled Star’s fur. “Back inside, my