Maldwyn couldn't deny it, he was quite excited about making such a strange new friend. Oh, he was familiar with plenty of tales and songs featuring animal companions and bonds transcending the limitations of species, but he never experienced it himself! The tips of his wings were fluttering with excitement at the thought. He wondered if the fox would recognize them again, should they venture into the Niahi Woods once more. And he should make the same level of effort - he stared intently at their new friend, trying to etch his form into his mind and find some characteristics that could help him distinguish him from all the others of his kind - the shape of his ears, the length of his tail, the texture of his fur.
Of course, there was one ritual of first meetings that they were yet to perform. He turned back to the Princess, squashing back the anxiety about asking her to do all the talking - he couldn't communicate with the fox, there was only one way to handle this.
"I can't speak to him, to my shame
But could you ask about his name?"