Work Text:
Caduceus was doing some work near the north fence of the Blooming Grove when his ears twitched at a sound. He stood and looked at the forest. The last week or so had been odd, with the Wildmother feeling distant and strange things moving in the woods. He found himself wishing for Jester’s voice in his head, but he’d heard from no one.
A branch snapped, heralding something large. Caduceus held his staff and peered into the gloaming darkness beneath the trees. Nothing had tried to breach the fence, yet, but he knew the Savalirwood contained many dangers.
What he did not expect to step into his vision was a large bull, almost ethereal, yet solid enough to leave a trail behind it. It made a sad noise as it spotted Caduceus and moved closer to the bright fresh air of the grove.
“Well hello there,” smiled Caduceus, spotting a tattered ribbon tied around one horn.
The bull took another step forward, then eyed the fence.
“There’s a gate,” said Caduceus. “This way.” He turned and started walking. The bull followed along the outside of the fence. “Clarabelle is going to love you.”
The bull huffed in answer. Caduceus looked at it again. From here he could see it must have encountered something on its journey because there were claw marks on its hindquarters. Well, he could fix that easily enough.
They reached the gate and Caduceus opened it. The bull walked inside and Caduceus made certain it was locked again.
“Welcome to the Blooming Grove,” he told the bull. It seemed to shine with brighter starlight now that it was over the threshold. He slowly reached out a hand and touched the bull, murmuring a healing spell into it.
The bull made another noise and Caduceus gave it a pet. “Come on. You should meet everybody.” He turned and started back towards the house, a warm breeze stirring his hair and telling him this was right.