Dawn treader

The quick steps brought him pause, and the massive mountaineer swung around to face the female just as she came to a halt mere yards away. She was small, but her scent recognizable if only because it permeated nearly every inch of this pack's borders. He noted the fiery color of her fur, beautiful to the stony creature, but as he avoided looking into her eyes, he would not yet be able to tell anyone what color they were.

"A traveler," he responded lankly, knowing that she sought a name, but further knowing that he couldn't give her one. "A weary one," he added hesitantly, deep voice rough with misuse. He wondered if this pack even needed an extra body or mouth in their midst. The stranger did not directly indicate that he was seeking refuge, unwilling to seem desperate, but he quietly and politely tucked himself in the small female's presence anyway.

"What is this place?" he vaguely motioned behind her.