Reynard the Fox

Reynard the Fox
Biographical information
Real name	Reynard the Fox
Status	Alive
Species	Fox (Fable)
Gender	Male
Occupation	Fast food worker (formerly)
Homeland	Valley of King Noble
Family information
Relatives	Fair Fox (daughter)
Appearances
First issue	Fables #6 — "Road Trip: Part One of Animal Farm"
Last issue	Fairest: In All the Land
Original source	Reynard the Fox

“	There's no city out of bounds for Reynard the man! And no field or forest that can't be explored by Reynard the Fox! And this happens just at the time that the old Empire worlds are on the cusp of opening up to us again! What shall I do first? Where shall I go? Yow!	„
	~ Reynard the Fox to himself, Fables #94 — "The Barbara Allen Incident, Chapter One of Rose Red"

Reynard the Fox is an animal Fable who lives on the Farm and debuts in Fables #6 — "Road Trip: Part One of Animal Farm." He's very clever and has a knack for making trouble. Reynard is able to freely transform between human and fox form after Ozma grants him this ability as a demonstration of her powers.

History

Exile

Reynard the Fox lived in a valley ruled by King Noble. He was disliked because of the tricks he played on the other animals. The Adversary conquered the valley and made sure to guard an area that was a gate to the mundane world.

After the Adversary conquered the valley, Reynard approached the leader of the goblins with a plan to catch the rebels. In the valley, there was a legend about Christmas pies miraculously appearing. For three days, the goblins were to cook as many pies as they could and leave them for the inhabitants of the valley. On the fourth day, they were to cook rocks into the pies, so the animals would be too slow to flee. The goblins followed the plan. On the fourth day, they all waited around a grove for the animals to eat the pies. Meanwhile, the animals escaped to the Sanctuary world, led by Reynard.

When the Farm was created, Reynard was sent there along with all the other animal fables.

Goldilocks' revolution

Reynard is present at a gathering of Fable creatures discussing whether they should take up arms against the Adversary. Coincidentally, Snow White arrives at the Farm just as she does twice a year to check on the Fable community there, and walks in on them. The animals are shocked when they notice her sudden presence in the room.

During Goldilocks's revolution, Reynard observes her and the other revolutionists as they bury Colin Pig's head. Goldilocks orders her followers to hunt him down and kill him so he can't denounce them. Reynard is almost caught by Bagheera and Shere Khan, but escapes and arrives to warn Snow they must flee because the revolutionaries will be coming after her next.

Goldilocks and her searchers have failed to find Reynard the Fox as dawn breaks. Meanwhile, Reynard and Snow White are on the run. Reynard sees a hawk soar overhead and knows they are still being searched for. Snow just wants to lie down and get some sleep. Referring to her as "Sweetie," Reynard tells her they need to keep moving because there are things in the woods that are still looking for them. Snow wants to know where Reynard gets off calling her Sweetie. He tells her he hasn't "gotten off" yet but hopes to. He tells her that everyone knows she's been "bumping headboards" with Bigby since Remembrance Day. She tells him that is not true. She's ready to strangle him when he suggests that she should move up the latter from wolf to fox, but then they come across what he wanted to show her. Out in a field, there is metal helmet with a gun mounted to the top. It has been modified so that non-human Fables can use it. As they discuss why it was made, Shere Khan slowly makes his move towards them from behind. Reynard catches his scent and tells Snow to continue on and she will find a remote cave. As she runs, Reynard tries to distract Shere Khan. Khan states that he is interested in Snow, so Reynard decides to bite Shere Khan in the tail to earn his attention. He holds on as long as he can, but Khan eventually shakes him off, and Reynard wisely takes the oppurtunity to escape.

The next day, Reynard is in the forest, talking to some animal Fables that are still loyal. King Noble tells Reynard to find out if Snow is still alive after Shere Khan went after her. Eventually he finds the remains of Shere Khan at the bottom of the mountain and is pleased that Snow was able to take care of herself. Reynard works his way up the mountain as Snow is still trying to pry the shackle off of a captive Weyland Smith. She decides to try to find something to pick the lock when Reynard suggests using the key that's just lying on the ground (that Weyland made for Snow). Reynard points out that the locks look exactly the same. With the key in the lock, Weyland is now free.

Following the unsuccessful revolution, Fabletown conducts war trials. Reynard is observed waiting in line to have his case assessed. He is not charged for his actions, as he actively fought against the revolutionaries and aided in Snow White's escape. Fabletown shows appreciation for his help and loyalty.

The glamour campaign

Reynard bragging about his knighthood

One day, the animal Fables gather in the barn to hear Reynard's latest tales of his adventures. The newly recruited knight of Rose Red's new Round Table has gained the power to switch between human and fox forms whenever he desires, and everyone is eager to hear about his experiences. Reynard shares a tale of a daring mission, and even hands out souvernirs. After recounting his adventures for hours, Reynard finally leaves and brags to Mister Sunflower and Rockford J. Raccoon about his knighthood.

At the New Camelot training ground, his partner, Maeve, is quite frustrated with Reynard's less than stellar fighting abilities. She acknowledges that she cannot comprehend why Rose Red chose to work with him, and while he may possess cunning and wiles as a fox, he is a poor excuse for a man. Bo Peep ponders if Reynard's current predicament is due to his transformation into a human, with only two legs and no tail, affecting his sense of balance. Maeve dismisses Reynard, claiming he is of no use to her today, and instructs him to shower and rest. In a bold move, he suggests they shower together and help each other wash their backs, causing Maev to angrily shout "Go!" As Reynard quickly leaves, she comments that she has no desire to smell like a wet dog.

Original source

He is based on Reynard the Fox, a series of Dutch, Flemish, French, German, and English medieval cycles. These are a collection of poetic animal tales that mock the current state of human society. Despite his sly, amoral, cowardly, and self-serving nature, Reynard is a sympathetic hero who must rely on his cunning to survive. He represents the victory of craft over brute strength, usually personified by Isengrim, the greedy and slow-witted wolf. Many of the tales that revolve around him, like the wolf or bear using its tail to fish through a hole in the ice, are found worldwide, while others, such as the sick lion being cured by a wolf's skin, have been passed down orally and can be traced back to Greco-Roman origins.