His eyes were sealed shut, mouth dusty and parched with a dry, cracked nose. He didn't feel very lucky to be alive. It had taken all of his strength to wiggle himself from the mud he was trapped in. Knowing he didn't have long before the sun hardened it, he had figured if his arms and torso were clear, then he could rest a bit and dig himself out after.

But the sun worked quicker than he had expected. It took the humidity from the air, making the pliable mud he was working with lose its elasticity. Tired arms heavily caked with dirt were glued to the ground and the rest of his tired body was trapped.

And so, this is how I die, he thought. Not with a blaze of glory in the heat of battle. And not at a ripened age, surrounded by my grandchildren. But trapped in dirt because I wanted to go fishing. I had even known there was a storm brewing. But I still wanted fish!

Exhausted, the grey wolf let his head fall. His dehydrated mind played the more happier bits of his life. If he had not so deeply enveloped himself in self-pity, he would have heard the paw steps of a mammal approaching.

But he did not. Instead, he was given a shock when a soft paw cupped his muzzle. A spout was placed into his mouth and the taste of water, sweet and fresh, trickled over his tongue. So eager was he for the life-giving liquid, he nearly gagged trying to gulp it.

"Sshhhh… Easy, friend, easy," a gentle voice soothed the desperate wolf as the spout was pulled away. A laugh as delightful as the water itself calmed him further, even though he whined for more. He needn't wait long for his savior to indulge his thirst again. "Slowly, now. Otherwise you'll make yourself sick! There's a good wolf."

As he paced himself with the drink, he became aware of a cool cloth being dragged over his eyes and nose. Each eye was gently cleansed, and the lids carefully opened to show that his vision had been restored. And what a sight to see.

Blinking a few times to adjust to the bright sunlight, his rich brown eyes met the bright lavender gaze of his savior. With fur the color of the storm that took him unaware, a bunny doe smiled down. A sarong made of dark blue linen wrapped itself around her small form, tying behind her neck. Long, powerful legs held her body in a crouch in front of him. Her nose was still and ears upright as she removed the spout of her water canteen from between his lips.

"Now, let's work on getting you out, yes?" Her voice was music to his ears. Sweet and refreshing, like the water she had given him.

Fortunately, the drying mud, while a challenge for the exhausted predator, was fairly easy to tackle for the bunny. Using her blunt claws, she soon had him dug out and lounging beside her. And laughing again as he drained the last of her water.

"Bless you, little bunny!" He gasped as he drew the empty canteen away. "I have been trapped since the storm yesterday afternoon. I was quite sure I would not make it!"

He turned to smile at her. Hers had never left her face, though she was now rummaging through a small sack, withdrawing a parcel and holding it out for him.

"It's just some dried fruit and nuts," she said with a shrug. "I'm not sure what wolves eat, but this should tide you over until you rejoin your pack."

The wolf gratefully accepted her offering, making her smile even wider if possible. He could not stop the furrow of his brow as a thought popped into his head.

"And what of you? Surely you will need something for when you return to your own pack?" At this, she laughed.

"Warren," the doe corrected, "wolves have packs. Bunnies have warrens." For the first time in their short acquaintance-ship, her smile left. How odd it was that the day seemed to be so dim when the sun was so bright.

"And I have left mine." Those lovely jewel-toned eyes cast themselves down and shimmered briefly. As quickly as her sadness showed, it was gone. Replaced by steely resolve, she met his gaze again. "They wish me to be one thing while I longed to be another. It was a fate I was unwilling to submit to. I will not willingly surrender to the life of a bride, nor will I blindly serve the temples. I wished to be my own bunny. So I left," she stated with a hint of pride. "They pursued me. But, they underestimated me and lost my trail, giving me up to the forces of nature."

She looked away again. But this time it was with a smile as relaxed as the breeze that now cooled his worn body. He couldn't help but smile with her. Bold and daring were such rare finds in any mammal, let alone a rabbit doe who did not have the support of her family behind her.

"I am alone now, but I am free." Smiling, she turned back to the wolf, an eyebrow quirked at him. "What do they call you, friend?"

Putting a large paw to his chest, he bowed his head, a symbol of great respect among his pack.

"Dorian, son of Theo, of Pack Wolford. And you, bold miss?"

Folding her ears forward halfway, she lifted her chin and placed a small paw on her sternum, a motion equal to his in her warren.

"I am Judy, daughter of King Hopps of the Southern Burrows. Youngest of his forth litter."

Dorian smiled and was about to reply when the wind shifted. With it came an all too familiar scent. And the memory of why he had gone fishing, even if it was before a storm. He placed his paws upon her shoulders, gently trying to goad her to move.

"Judy, you must go! Now. And hurry!" Confused, the doe only budged slightly, not picking up on his urgency. "Please, go! Before my pack finds you here! You can still make much ground before they arrive!"

"But why must I leave? I was under the impression wolves no longer indulged the flesh of other mammals."

"This is true, but there are other reasons you cannot be here! Please, my friend, please lea-." His words were cut off by a net weighted with iron. Barely missing the wolf, Judy was thrown heavily by it several paces. Her cries of surprise and pain brought anguish to his voice as he cried out her name.

Darting to her, Dorian was beaten to the bunny by another wolf, this one an older version of himself.

"Well, well, well, my son!" The new wolf grinned between him and the entrapped bunny, who could barely lift her head under the weight of the net. "You offer fish as a replacement in tradition, but still manage to find a rabbit. I feel the gods smile upon us at our good fortune! I was worried what the king would say if we presented his son fish instead of his own rabbit."

"Father, please, release her! She saved my life not an hour ago, I owe her freedom as thanks for mine."

Dorian moved to try to free his new friend from her trap but was shoved aside by his father. The older wolf closed his eyes and shook his head. The other scouts of his pack arrived and made for the small bunny, who was now trembling at her plight.

"My son, your heart bleeds for every living soul this world breathes life into. I'm sure every sole of fish and breast of fowl you eat is prayed over before you rest at night." The wolf looked sadly at the young male who kneeled in front of him. "But this is tradition. She shall not be consumed, as our ancestors have done in the past. She will be given as a gift to one of the most powerful princes alive. It is our tradition, it is a show of our gratitude and loyalty to their crown. Fish would have been an insult."

"But she is the daughter of a Southern king! Surely her capture would be an act of war!"

Almost at once, Dorian regretted divulging this information. He had traded within Zootopia enough to know that rabbit monarchy was mostly honorary. Few rabbit warrens held real power, especially in the North. Living was hard there and the souls who braved it were poor and scattered.

But the warrens to the South were rich. Poorly managed, but wealthy and influential. If she spoke true and was a lower princess of the Hopps Warren, her being gifted to a prince would be all the more dazzling. His father knew this.

And the pack was strong with many allies, the king they wished to impress among them. But if word spread that they had a daughter of King Hopps, even if she was lower on the royal totem pole, they would face heavy repercussions with little to no support. Their pack leader would agree with Theo's decision.

Give this prize of doe as their gift to the fox king's eldest son or face the wrath of the mad and powerful King Hopps.

Judy was pulled free of the net and bound by her wrists and ankles. A she wolf smiled apologetically at her as the bunny was slumped over her shoulder. Dorian could only watch helplessly as she squirmed and fought her captors.

"I'm sorry, my son. Even if she gave her word to not send her burrow after us in vengeance, I cannot risk our pack by setting her free." He stretched out his paw to help his son to his feet. Once he stood, Theo placed both paws upon his shoulders and looked with sadness into eyes like his own. "I shall request you be part of her delivery. You shall be put in charge of her safety and comfort. I'm sure she is afraid, so do what you can to ease her mind."

Dorian gulped back tears as he nodded miserably. Looking to the she wolf who held her, the bunny doe's eyes found his. And the look of forgiveness she gave him only broke his heart further.

}=={

The pack had not been rovers in many decades. They had decided to settle in the meadow lands not far from the Savanna where the Zootopian market was. Pack Wolford had come into alliance with the three kingdoms who had established it, as they were strong and loyal foot soldiers when the need arose. In times of peace, as now, they mainly produced tools and weapons.

Their huts were made of sod and topped with the long grass that grew around them. Cool in the heat and snug when the weather became bitter. As this was the beginning of summer, many homes were alight with bright color and fragrance. Seeds had been enclosed in the mud used to cement the sod bricks. They had survived the harsh winters and were now blooming upon the walls of each home and common building.

Even in her frightened daze, Judy felt herself stunned at the beauty of them. It reminded her of her home. How each burrow mound lay under a carpet of grass with a kiss of colorful flower blossoms among the green. The Southern Burrows was a beautiful place this time of year.

And she left it, only to become a slave once more. Her current handler still had the bunny over her shoulder. Traveling through the huts and among the wolf cubs who played and quarreled around them, Judy observed the wolves that surrounded her. Many of the young ones laughed and shrieked with delight at the sight of the returning scouts. Several even tackled the legs of Dorian, proclaiming their joy at his return.

"Welcome home," called an old she wolf from a lean-to as she worked a loom. Her eyes lit up upon seeing the rabbit draped over the younger wolf's shoulder. "What a lovely fish, Dorian! Our lakes and rivers never fail to deliver the best catches." She chuckled at her own joke before jerking her head towards a large hut not far from them. "Liam will be in the main hut. He's awaiting your arrival."

"Thank you, Marta! And good day!" Theo waved back to her as she returned to her work.

Judy figured she would be brought before this Liam, who must be their pack leader, for consideration before she was shuffled out again to be a slave to another.

As her assumptions concluded, the bunny became aware they had entered a larger structure. The she wolf gently lifted her charge from her shoulder and set her in front of an older male. He was, at one point, all black. But time had decided to throw bright strands of silver into his still full and lush coat. Amber eyes were focused on the cub sitting next to him, both holding strange stringed instruments.

Awkward notes came from the younger, much to the amusement of his teacher.

"At least now you are playing notes, Garett. That is a great improvement," he was smiling as he looked up from his pupil, eyes glinting with greater joy at the female who had delivered her. "Ah, my darling Rena! My dear pup has returned safe and sound."

"Father." The wolf named Rena smiled back at him before ruffling the fur on Garett's head.

The pup laughed happily as his attention was stolen by the bunny doe. His eyes grew wide, making Judy believe he had never seen a bunny before. Her ears dropped to keep him staring at them.

Theo came to stand next to her with Dorian staying by the entrance, his head hung in guilt and shame. The old wolf put aside his instrument and stood to embrace Theo, laughing as he glanced over his shoulder at his son.

"And I see you have found our lost fisher pup! You were warned, Dorian, of the storm!" Breaking the embrace, the pack leader approached the despondent young wolf. "Let this be a lesson to you, my young friend. One does not reach your father's age by forgoing good advice. Now, since you were so eager to bring the prince fish, let us see what you caught!"

Dorian's head sprung up in reflex at the question, perhaps foolishly hoping the bunny had managed to escape. But his father cleared his throat as Rena pulled Judy in front of her. The doe gulped as she tried to step away, only to stumble over the bonds on her ankles.

Golden eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected catch. The leader straightened and walked back towards where she stood. He towered over her as he walked a circle, taking in her presence. She felt his eyes pierce through her, moving from the rumpled sarong dress and fur flaked with dirt from digging up Dorian to the slight tremble that gave away her terror.

"I see you have decided to keep to tradition after all." He cast his eyes towards the young wolf, who was still staring miserably at his savior. "And after such an impassioned speech. I was not even worried of the fallout such an insulting gift would cause."

"She saved my life," Dorian whispered. "I must try again to spare hers. Please. I can still have a fresh catch to give to the prince!" He gave a what he hoped to be a convincing smile. But his father's paw came to rest on the leader's shoulder.

"Liam, she is one of the lower daughters of the Southern Burrow Kingdom. We cannot release her and she cannot stay. A gift fell into our laps and we can still show our proper respect to King Taiem."

Liam looked at Judy, who raised her ears in hope, only to have them fall again as her eyes met his. His expression never changed as he held her gaze.

"Secure her here. Rena, bring her a meal and drink, as well as water and a change of clothing. Theo, assign the delivery detail. We leave at dawn." His face softened at Judy's small gasp of despair. Her eyes sparkled with tears as she sank to her knees. Liam kneeled to be eye level.

"I am sorry, my dear. But I will not have you endanger my pack," he put a large paw on her head, ignoring her flinch. "I'm guessing you ran away from either the trappings of marriage or the prison of the temples?" He smiled at her slight nod. "Then this is what you have to reap. You will be safe and comfortable here for the night. Eat and rest. Rena will guard you until we leave on the morrow."

The alpha rose once more.

Rena had left when he had first asked and her return was prompt, with what was needed for Judy in paw. The pup who had been learning his music had fetched more rope, which was passed to Theo. He gently lifted the bunny and placed her within the center of the large hut. Thrown over a support beam, he pulled the rope to even it out before securing her.

It was long enough to allow her to lay on the ground if she wished, though the shock of the final decision had her standing, blankly staring at her surroundings. Garett brought the cushions to where she stood. With a kind smile, he lay them at her feet as Rena waited off to the side. The two older males glanced one last time at the doe before they took their leave, the pup right behind them.

Dorian remained with Rena, though he turned and sat with his back to the females. The she wolf sat next to Judy and reached to undo the sarong tied around her neck.

"Judy, my friend, please forgive me," Dorian's broken voice gave the doe cause to lift her head. "Had I not been so foolish, had I been paying attention from the start… I could have shooed you away faster. Or better yet, I could have never given you cause to stop and rescue a foolish wolf such as myself. Please forgive me!"

He allowed tears to flow as freely as Judy's. Rena did not speak, distracting herself by helping the bound bunny bathe.

"Dorian, you are forgiven," the she wolf was surprised at the doe's words. "Had I been wiser, I would have left when you begged me to. Please, don't feel guilty! Your alpha was right. I should have never…."

"Well, tears will get you nowhere," Rena folded the sarong and set it aside. She then picked up a bit of rough silk dyed pale pink. "You will not be put to death nor will you be violated."

More of a scarf than anything else, the wolf pulled Judy's arms up and began wrapping it around her chest, tying it off in the front. Another bit of silk, this a dark green, was wrapped around her waist. Producing a threaded fishbone needle and a shell button, Rena made quick work of attaching it. With a small tear in the fabric to pull the button through, the makeshift skirt was complete.

Satisfied, the she wolf placed a small bowl of greens and dandelions into her paws. A bowl of wine and jug of water moved closer to the captive, Rena crawled to where Dorian sat. Both wolves now faced the bunny who sank to cushions as she numbly nibbled her meal.

"Would you like to know where you are going?" Rena saw no reaction from Judy. Resolutely, she carried on, determined to have Judy understand her situation. "You are being given to Prince Nicholas of the Sahara Kingdom. His ancestors were one third of the creators of the Zootopian Market Place."

That caught the doe's attention. The Sahara was ruled by foxes. In her lessons, the kingdom was glossed over, the only information being divulged was the royal family and their species. What use would they have for a bunny servant? She looked up from her greens, eyes now shown bright with interest.

Dorian continued.

"Our pack has been in good graces with the Sahara Kingdom for over four centuries. They provide us with access to their scholars, medicine, and libraries, among other luxuries. They allow us to come and go as we please, provided we do not cause disturbance and remain respectful to their laws. When we were first welcomed, our ancestors brought the king a rabbit as a token of our gratitude.

"The kingdom has said that since our first rabbit gift, they have prospered even more. It has since been tradition that the eldest kit to come of age is to be given a rabbit for luck during their rein."

Judy imagined herself skinned and presented on a platter for a fat, hungry fox with an oversized crown. Her horror must have shown on her face, for both wolves were quick to react. Rena darted forward and embraced the now quaking doe.

"Foxes were the first to give up mammal flesh. The first was a queen who allowed her doe to remain alive rather than dinner. Her rein is considered the Golden Era. Since then, the rabbits have been their right paws. They are the most trusted confidant of the heirs to the throne and are present for every meeting, dinner, formal event, and sojourn.

"They enjoy a life of worship. Those who harm any rabbit within the boundaries of the Sahara are put to death. It angers their gods if they do come into harm, so the kingdom does well to ensure their safety and happiness."

Rena felt the bunny in her arms slowly cease her shaking. She pulled back slightly to look down at her.

"And," she said smiling. "You shall serve Prince Nicholas, son of King Taiem. He is the most handsome and charming of the house Wilde. And chaste. It is said that, had he a choice, he would choose priesthood. So, you shall be safe, my dear."

Judy, her voice still lost, nodded her head. Her eyes felt heavy from tears both shed and still hidden. She allowed the half full bowl to be taken from her and set aside. The wine and water untouched, she laid herself on the cushions and was soon fast asleep.

Dorian and Rena look at her sadly before moving to guard the door. But they didn't need to bother. The exhausted bunny slept soundly.

Her dreams were scattered. Parts of her mind were on the home she left. The buck she had been introduced to as her betrothed flashed within her mind. How much older he was than her and the leering, volatile way his eyes roamed her figure.

They moved to the buck she had convinced herself she loved. How handsome and gallant he was, though also overbearing and arrogant. And how he always seemed to smell of pachouli. Such an unpleasant smell after a time, once she recollected it. How it gave her headaches if he insisted on holding her close to him.

Then her dreams went to what she imagined her new life to be like. Being ordered around, made to fetch things, and pray to gods she did not know nor care for. She sent a silent prayer to the messenger god that he would deliver her safely through this life. The one whom she wished to speak to appeared in her dream and filled her with relief. But what her kingdom's carvings and moldings depicted slowly morphed into another.

This was a more angular face. It's muzzle longer and it's ears shorter. Fur that should have been heather grey shifted to an almost fiery red. It's eyes, shut for the transformation, now opened to reveal to mesmerizing pools of amber.

Her dream self stood nose to nose with this new face, and all that really registered was how warm and kind those amber eyes were. They blinked and became emerald green before shifting to their original color. Judy felt herself gasp in confusion and opened her mouth to question the change.

But the face simply smirked and gave her a wink.

And then it was morning.

}=={

The group of scouts stood silent and at attention, each not eager for their master's reaction while he digested the news.

"What do you mean, you lost her?"

His back was turned to them, silent fury making his shoulders tremble. The sneer carving into his voice made each of their hearts drop as he turned to face the pitiful group.

"You mean to tell me," he began, his voice dripping with venom. "That my finest, my most capable, my most trusted, scouts were bested by a little

BUNNY DOE!"

The goblet of wine King Hopps had been enjoying was sent flying towards the pathetic group, who cringed away.

"USELESS!" He screamed at them, relishing the way they drew back in fear of him. "ALL OF YOU! You're not bucks! You're DIRT! Trash, who could not even keep up with a doe!"

With a wave of his paw, the protests of those who'd returned empty pawed were silenced by the swift motions of a blade. The guard who wielded it didn't take his eyes off his king, who stared scornfully at the mess of bodies in front of him.

"Pathetic," King Hopps spat.

"Indeed, your Majesty." The small ewe who sat in the corner came forward. If she was bothered by carnage in front of her, she gave no hint to it. "But one more scout remains. I feel it in my hooves, he will bring your daughter back."

"Pray that you're right, Bellwether," hissed the buck. "I have much to gain with this match. I will not have that little brat destroy all I have worked for."

He looked over at the guard, who watched at his fellows removed the slain scouts.

"You there." The young buck straightened himself up and turned his attention to the irate monarch.

I know your game, you little traitor, thought the king towards the young solider.

"I want to be informed the minute the last scout comes into view. If he returns empty pawed, have my sword sharpened and ready. I wish to greet him personally."

With a nod, the guard turned on his heel and left.

"He thinks I don't know…" Bellwether kept her expression neutral as the king stared after him. Having been the royal advisor for many years, she knew his words were more for himself and not her. "Thinks I don't know he wants the crown. That I don't know he thinks screwing my daughter will bring him closer to it…"

Turning back to his desk, he filled a fresh goblet of wine. It was gulped noisily, driblets running down his greying muzzle. It stained the worn linen of his shirt, though he paid it no mind as refilled his drink. This was consumed slower, more deliberately, as the ewe gave a bow and backed away.

Once in the safety of the hall, she sped up to put greater distance between herself and the Mad King. Her hooves navigated her through the winding tunnels of the royal burrow, towards the fresh cool air of outside.

Stepping into the moonlight, she gave a nod to the sentries as she strode towards the observation tower. Each step calmed her as she reached the top, dismissing the guard for a moment of privacy. And now alone, she wrapped her arms around herself, her mind on the princess who ran away.

Please, she prayed. Don't let them find you….