Chapter Text
The world of Arcans Fall, in the northern Segmentum Obscurus. A feudal world, it's level of technology primitive in comparison to the wider imperium. But it was still a world of the Emperor, so the imperium had a presence.
The planets tithe rating was low, it's populations not yet large enough to raise and sustain a full imperial guard founding. Instead, levies were taken. To serve the Emperor as reinforcements for existing regiments.
The nominal capital city of the world, seat of the king and planetary governor, had seen it's share of craft from the stars, but a thunder hawk gunship was a sight none had ever witnessed before. It bore the colours of one of the first founding chapters of the adeptus Astartes, the mighty space wolves themselves!
The wolf lord made his way down the landing ramp, a welcoming party of great nobles and adminstratum staff were there to meet him.
'I bid thee welcome, mighty warrior! What business brings you here?' Asked the governor, bowing before the space marine.
'I seek the origin of a story. A rumour of a hunter in the northern forests. A giant who can fell great beasts with ease.' He replied.
'We have heard that story as well, my lord. Many believe it is the simple superstition of the outlying settlements. Hardly worth the attention of one such as you!' Replied the governor.
'None the less. I wish to find out for myself.' Replied the space wolf.
Preparations were made, a map and directions to the settlement provided. It took the marine three days to travel there, his bike making short work of the distance. His destination was a garrison town, located on the border with a neighbouring region.
On arrival, he sought out the town's leaders. Presenting them with documents of authority from the governor, they were ordered to give him their full cooperation. He told them how he had learnt of the giant.
'On campaign, I was told a story. An imperial guardsman from the levies of this world. He told me about a giant who hunts in the forest.'
'That is no story, my lord. The giant exists!' Replied the mayor.
'This giant, they are someone like me?'
'No, lord Astartes, not like you. They are bigger! Much bigger even than you!'
He set out on foot at dawn the next day. The towns people had told him that the hunter came from the north. Soon finding a trail, he stalked his quarry through the forest. They had been careful to hide their tracks, but not good enough to fool a son of Fenris.
He came across the cave at mid afternoon. A huge chamber set into the hillside. He ventured inside, discovering It was not just one cave, but a linked system. There was signs of activity. Not animal, but human.
At the end of one chamber, bathed in light from a crack in the ceiling, laid a suit of power armour. It appeared old, and had not been worn for sometime. But it was as the towns people had said, whoever wore that armour would tower over an Astartes. There were many tales of the primarchs, after the heresy they each had disappeared. Could he have found one? Maybe even the one sought by all space wolves?
There was a sound coming from the chamber entrance. He turned quickly. A wolf stood in the entrance, it growled. It was big, but not as big as the fenrisisn breed. He raised his bolt gun, a simple enough kill.
But out of the darkness flew a hand axe, thrown with irresistible force. It hit the bolt gun, knocking it to the ground.
Then out of the shadows the giant loomed, huge as the towns people had said. Dressed in animal furs and leather. Their head covered by a hood.
They covered this distance quickly. The point of a massive sword was laid at his throat. But the blade was familiar. He had heard it's description in the sagas, seen half glimpses in ancient recordings, it was none other than Mjalnar, the frost blade of the great wolf himself!
'My lord! Hear me!' He cried! 'I am a son of Fenris! A lord of the fang!'
'A lord?' Spoke the giant. 'I have known the greatest champions of the fang, do you think yourself worthy to stand amongst their number?'
Something was wrong, thought the wolf lord. Something unexpected. The giants voice, it could not have been that of the great wolf!
'I have watched you since early morning, space marine, following the tracks I laid out for you. Did you not think it convenient? That they led you to this place?'
The space wolf did answer right away. Something was wrong, out of place. But he needed to see it for himself.
'I must see your face, I demand that you reveal yourself to me!' Cried out the space wolf.
'You have no authority here, Astartes. You do not command me. But for a son of Fenris, I will grant you this boon.'
The giant removed the hood, revealing themselves. They had long blonde hair, but now grey at the temples, with long plaits at the sides. Their piercing blue eyes was like that of legend. But their face and body! They were unmistakably that of a woman!
'You look confused, wolf lord. I expect you have questions.' They said.
The great sword was taken away, the giant swung it with ease, casually resting it on the her broad shoulder.
'Let me answer the first of them. I am Leman Russ, primarch of VI legion. You must be congratulated, lord. Your great hunt has been successful. You have found me!'
The space wolf looked unsure. Instinct, his gut feeling, he knew the giant spoke true! This was Leman Russ! But what he saw with his own eyes? That he found to be impossible!
'But you have other questions, correct?' Said Russ. Turning away, she gestured for the space wolf to follow her.
Russ led them to another chamber. The wolf, who he learned was called fenrir, walked beside her. A fire pit had been built in the middle of the chamber, in the style of the human populations of Fenris. The chamber was evidently where she lived and slept.
Russ removed her cloak, draping it over the back of a wooden seat. She was powerfully built, her physique matching her height. Mjalnar was propped beside the chair. She took her seat, gesturing for the wolf lord to join her beside the fire. Fenrir lay at her feet.
'Speak your questions. I will answer as best I can.' She said.
'You are not as the sagas describe. I will speak plainly. Leman Russ is a man. You are a woman.'
'You are correct. When those sagas where first spoken, I was a man. Now I am not. But I suspect an explanation is required.'
Russ paused for a moment, recalling the events of her transformation. It was a time of confusion and uncertainty.
'On my travels, I have seen much, done much, fought many enemies. One such foe was a chaos sorcerer. Old, powerful beyond measure. After a great hunt, I finally tracked him to his lair. He was about to enact a fell ritual, a great spell of transformation. I disturbed that ritual, but not without consequence. The spell transformed me, my flesh seemed to warp, my male body melted away, the flesh reforming, a female body taking its place. I suspect the hand of Magnus was somehow involved. No doubt he would have found it amusing.'
'Then this state is the result of warp sorcery! Perhaps it can be reversed! Return to the fang with me, my lord! We can find a way to cure you!'
'Cure? Why would I want that?' Asked Russ.
'I do not understand?' Replied the wolf lord.
'This form, though It took some time to get used to, I now I find it pleasing. You speak of a cure, but I say what ailment do I suffer from that I need to be cured of it?'
'But you are a woman, my lord. This is not your natural state. You are Leman Russ! The wolf king! Lord of the fang!'
'Once perhaps. I was many things in those bygone days. That I am now a woman should be of no consequence.'
'I do not understand.' He repeated.
Russ grinned, the space marines confusion amused her.
'What I was then and what I am now. These things are different. Once I walked among my sons as a man. But now I walk as a woman. This is not a curse to be broken or an affliction to be treated. It is who I am. But I remain Leman Russ!'
The wolf lord still did not understand. Why would he want to remain like this? Desperately, he sought for an explanation, a way to undo this.
'What happened to the sorcerer?' He asked eventually.
'I slew him! Beheaded him in one swing of my blade! He thought his spell would have weakened me. More fool him, I say! His arrogance cost him his life!'
Russ smiled, recalling the battle. The sorcerer had been a foul creature to be sure. She was glad he was dead, his schemes and warp magics would trouble no one else.
'I go by other names now. I am the hunter of the great forest. The local populace call me the wolf queen, who calls out to the forest packs when the moons of this world shine brightly!'
'The people of the town, they know of you!?'
'Of course! I trade with them! Rare furs that other hunters find difficult to take. I have drank ale in the tavern, performed feats of archery with the soliders of the garrison.'
'They did not tell me this! They lied to me!' He said angrily. 'I will have words with those who took me for a fool!'
'No, you will not!' Shouted Russ, her anger rising in response to the space marines implied threat.
'I have lived with these people for a long time, I have traded with them, shed blood with them! I will not have you shame me with your foolishness!'
'Forgive me, my lord. I meant no offence.'
'These people are wary of outsiders. We are in the border regions, reivers and bandits are not uncommon. And you are as much of an outsider as it's possible to be!'
'You said you had shed blood? Has this world been at war?'
'Not the type of war we have seen. It is a primitive world, much like Fenris, but there are rivalries, old blood feuds dating back centuries. The king has enemies, he does not rule a united world.'
'There was a great raid on the town nearly five years ago, the actions of one such group, aided by foul traitors! Many among the towns folk and garrison lost their lives. I was waylaid, for they knew I would come to their aid. But when I finally arrived? My anger was a thing of nightmares! The attack was turned back, the enemy defeated. I hunted the traitors myself! Tales of their fates are still spoken of in hushed whispers.'
The wolf lord listened intently. It was a story the likes of which only Leman Russ could tell. So it was true, he could no longer deny it. She was the great wolf. The great hunt had come to an end, just not in a way he had ever imagined.
'I must report back, my lord. The chapter must know that the great hunt is over. They must also know of your, changed state. It will be unexpected.'
'Do what you must, wolf lord. But I will remain here. I have grown wary of my travels. I have found some peace on this world. Speak to the rest of my sons, tell them I will grant an audience when they seek me out.'
---
There was only silence when the wolf lord departed, save for cracking of wood in the fire place. Russ looked up to a shaded corner of her cave.
'How long have you been here?' She said outloud.
'Surely you do not need to ask that?' Came the reply. A woman stepped into the cave proper, and into the light from fire. She wore light armour, in the same pattern of the garrison from the town. Her sandals making little noise on the cave floor. She wore her jet black hair pulled back into a pony tail. Her hazel brown eyes staring back at the wolf lord. Her name was Kherys, an officer of the garrison.
Russ smiled at the sight of her, a wide toothy grin, exposing her enlarged teeth. Her scent had filled Russ's nostrils while she spoke to the space marine. The soft sound of her footfall was welcoming. If the marine knew of her approach, he made no acknowledgement.
'You did not share everything with the being from the stars.' Said Kherys.
'He does not need to know everything.' Replied Russ.
'But that you have taken a lover? Surely that is news worth knowing?'
'My business, not his.'
'Our business. Or am I not worthy of inclusion?'
'Ah, old habits! Forgive me, my love. I meant no insult!'
Kherys smiled, though her arm's remained crossed.
'He will return. Now they know you are here, your son's will return for you.'
'It was inevitable. They have sought me for millennia, they were always going to find me eventually.'
There would be questions, thought Russ, and no doubt arguments. The apothecaries would want to prod with their needles, seeking out what had caused her transformation. The wolf priests would seek any sign of corruption. But they would find none.
'Come to me, my love. Do not punish an old wolf by withholding your sweet caress.'
Kherys approached, kneeling briefly to stroke fenrir. The wolf raised his head, allowing her to reach deep into his fur. She then allowed Russ to pick her up, sitting in her lap. She laid her head on Russ's shoulder, content to be close to her again.
'Your son's will not take kindly to me, will they? They will think you stay here because of me.'
'But that is true! If not for you, I may have left long ago!'
'If they try to convince you to leave? If they try to make us part?'
'I will slay any who try to come between us! Be they men or beast! For my love for you could crush the hull of a void ship!'
'You grow sentimental, old wolf. Is that not unbecoming for a great hero?
'I was a hero. A hero of mighty deeds! Recorded in the sagas and recited at great feasts. But does a hero not deserve a little peace? To hold you in my arms, to feel your lips on mine, there is no finer feeling in all the world!'
'You said that when you drank the tavern dry at last summers harvest festival. I made you sleep it off in the stables.'
'I remember, you didn't want me wandering off drunk in the dark! But I have drunk much stronger ales and in greater quantities! They never dulled my senses enough to cause injury.'
'I've heard that before. Do you know how many soliders I have had to pull out of a ditch because they fought the ale and lost?'
Russ smiled. Kherys cared for her deeply. There was no threat on this world that could best her, but still Kherys worried. This was love she supposed.
'You laid beside me that night, to watch over me. Sleep was troubling, but seeing you at my side when I awoke that morning? I have never known such contentment.'
'Do you think we are worthy of song? I am but a simple solider, and you? You are a daughter of the Emperor!'
Russ laughed. The description amused her. But the confusion it caused the space marine! He was unable, or unwilling, to grasp the concept. She pitied him in his ignorance. It was like the wider imperium, so entrenched they could not see anything but themselves. And that was a sorry sight to see indeed!
'I am not the one to pen such a song, but I think a ballad rather then a saga. The ballad of Leman Russ and her lover, the mighty Kherys!'
'I shall petition the town bards, toss some coin their way and ask for a song.' Replied Kherys.
'It will be sung in the great hall of the fang. I will command it so!'
They were silent for a moment, their thoughts lost in possible futures that lay ahead of them.
'The world has changed, hasn't it?' Said Kherys. 'We may never know the simple peace of the solider and the hunter ever again.'
'All things end, my love. That is their nature. But do not think of it as an ending, but a new beginning! Yes, my sons will attempt to prise me from this world, but I will remain. Stand with me when the next lordling comes. I will have them know we are together!'
'Commitment? From you? Unheard of!'
'I have never lied about us being together! Who in the town does not know?'
'The town only knows because you could not keep quiet! Attempting to join the tavern bard in song boasting of my beauty! You cannot sing, old wolf. And howling at the moon does not count!'
Russ had no answer. Kherys was beautiful, but also intelligent, courageous, resourceful. Where others were intimidated, Kherys had been curious. Her great size, her rough manner, none of these had bothered Kherys.
They had stepped around each other for months after their first meeting, neither sure how to proceed. But the raid had changed everything.
Despite it's sudden nature, Kherys acted quickly, mounting a defence despite great loss and personal injury. Russ's rage that night must have been terrifying to behold! She feared losing her after that, having witnessed her savage nature first hand.
She had kept her distance, isolating herself to her cave. But Kherys had sought her out. That had been their first night together. Each learning about the other, taking pleasure from each other.
'When do you have to leave?' Asked Russ.
'I am not due back for a few hours. Why do you ask?'
'Will you lay with me? The fire is fading, but my furs are warm and welcoming.'
Kherys looked at her. Her eyes widened with surprise.
'You are shameless, Leman Russ! Can you think of nothing else? Your sons have found you, there will be many changes in the coming years because of it, the extent of which we can only guess at. And all you think about is that!?'
'I am a woman of great appetite! For food! For ale! For battle! And for love!'
'I should know you better by now. But always you surprise me. Very well, my savage wolf queen! Let us sate this appetite of yours!'
Russ took Kherys in her arms, carrying her to the the fur lined bed.
Fenrir, sensing what was too follow, made his way to another part of the cave, not wanting his slumber to be disturbed.