i heard the church bells from afar Novella's routine as of late was getting more and more painful, each visit to her parents only upsetting her more to find that there was little change to their health, certainly no shift for the better anyway. Still she hadn't quite realised just how bad things had been, had no idea that she would be losing them and so that morning she had ventured to the entrance for a visit just as always. They were lying there snuggled up together so peacefully that she honestly believed for a few precious moments that they were only sleeping. Somehow however the sickening realisation that this was not the case had sunk in. Disbelief and sadness had hit her all at once in a devastating mess of emotions, they couldn't be gone. What on earth was she to do now? Frith. Her husband would be her first point of call. Though she knew he had been on the road to recovery and was doing much better she still needed to see him now. Perhaps for her own selfish needs, not knowing who else to turn to. He had lost his own mother shortly before they first met, though even so it wasn't such thoughts registering in her mind, more a desperate cry for help. This couldn't be happening. "Frith..." The emotions had only welled up even more as she travelled, her voice was breaking now behind the lump in her throat and the tears were flowing. She couldn't say anything else though, couldn't bare to speak the words out loud. She would simply rush to his side seeking his comfort the hope that all of this would somehow go away. It couldn't be reality. we found each other in the dark

He was recovering however slowly, though he was surely almost healed by now. He would soon return to his family's side where he belonged. No more reclusion to keep the sickness away. He could touch Novella again without fear of bringing her harm. He knew how her parents were doing, she told him on her daily visits to his hermit like den. He wasn't sure they would recover and as he heard the call of his name and the pain in his wife's voice he could easily guess what she'd come to say.

He'd feel emotion fill up within himself as well, though he wouldn't allow it to overwhelm him until she'd confirmed it. However as she rushed to his side he knew there was no denying his thoughts. A sadness would fall over him, he'd not started off on a good note with the two wolves but they'd come to understand and trust each other, Dutiron had even willingly blessed their marriage. He knew they emotions that Novella would be feeling, and with out saying a word he would hold her close. He'd pull her head close to his chest, whispering softly to her. A sweet tune his mother had sung for him, and that he found himself humming to their children. It was all he could think to do. She would be able to cry her tears on him for as long as she needed.

i heard the church bells from afar Perhaps in many respects it was rather selfish of Novella to retreat away like this, there were others that needed to know what had happened after all. Still she would fall straight into Frith's comforting embrace silent apart from quiet sobs as she allowed her emotions to consume her. It still didn't feel real though, and it was fortunate that Frith needed no verbal confirmation as to what had happened for Novella still wasn't sure she could speak the horrid truth out loud. As useless a thought as it was, those words still being unspoken would almost allow her to pretend this wasn't happening at all, allow her to lose herself in the soft melody instead. She couldn't be sure how long she sat there for, nor even how many times the tune was repeated though she had listened to it intently, gripping onto Frith and a happy reality as much as she could. The grief wouldn't leave though even when she did finally quieten her sobs and control her breathing once more. "What do I do?" Came the question, hopelessness echoed in the quiet tone. She was completely at a loss. we found each other in the dark

He knew exactly what she was going through, painful memories of finding his mother the morning after she'd passed would flood his mind. He'd not had a single soul to rely on after she'd gone, but it's not like she hadn't been expecting it. She'd prepared him to her fullest ability, and he'd moved on. Frith had done what his mother had said and would eventually find Novella. 


Still, he had shed the same tears and would hold her tightly to himself, trying to be a comfort to her. He'd feel the sadness himself, he might have gotten off on the wrong foot with Dutiron but he held a great respect for the man. For as long as she needed he would hold her, letting her cry as much as she wanted. Eventually he'd find that she was quieting. He'd kiss her softly as she caught her breath, questioning him quietly. He'd nuzzle her again, eager to be her light through such a dark time. rule one.. cry. He would sigh softly before answering, "Cry." She seemed to have found that one easily. "Then, when you're ready, move on. Life will keep on going. We have a pack to focus on, children that are growing up who will need us, like you needed your parents. It's our turn to take up their role." He'd whisper, only what came from his heart. 

i heard the church bells from afar Cry. Yes she had certainly found that one alright, there had been no fighting it really and even now exhausted from crying she still felt that this was likely to only be the start of the floods. There was still so many people to share the news with and of course though she had acknowledged the fact they were gone, it still felt so unreal, she hadn't yet truly come to terms with the fact that she wouldn't be able to see her mother or father again. Her children. They would never get to know their grandparents properly, they had been so young when they got ill, and now so much of their time had been spent in isolation that Aslan, Varda and Herne hadn't been able to see them. She had of course brought them on visits to see Frith, though he had been far better than her parents, point proven now with the thankful fact that he was still here and almost back to normal. Tears were threatening again already and she shook her head sadly, burying her nose once more into Frith's fur. She couldn't fill their role, she could never fill their role. Already she had been doubting herself as of late, and that emotion would only grow now. Never would she have made it this far without them, they'd both helped her so much in the past year alone. Life of course kept on going, there was still so much that needed to be done for the pack and her children but she couldn't face it right now, she just wanted to curl up here with Frith until all of this went away. "I still need them. They can't be..." Again she struggled to finish the sentence, couldn't bring herself to say the word 'gone'. we found each other in the dark

He believed in her, believed in her more than she would ever know or realize. He wouldn't push these thoughts though, only offering his support silently when she had need of him. Hopefully she would be able to get lost in the work it took to run the pack, though now that he had recovered she would have plenty of time to mourn her parents before having to really get back into the swing of things. He would gladly look out for everything while she recovered.

She wouldn't like his answer to her plight, sh needed to take their place but would it ever be fillable? If any wolf was able he knew his wife would be. She was just as amazing as Novel, she just had to see that in herself. "Shhh.." He would soothe her, nuzzling her softly. "Come with me my love," he would urger her, pulling himself slightly from their embrace, but not enough that she wouldn't be able to protest if moving was not in her plans.

i heard the church bells from afar Others had all this faith in her, her parents themselves had as well. She could certainly understand now though why Song had needed help at times, had even had to hand the pack over to Novel and Dutiron themselves. Already she longed for such an opportunity herself though of course had her parents been around she wouldn't be in quite this state in the first place. Even so, even when she'd had their guidance never once did she think she could fill their hypothetical shoes. Frith wouldn't try persuade her any differently at the moment, instead simply offer her the comfort she so desperately felt she needed right now. Honestly she had no idea what to do with herself and whilst she longed to continue remaining hidden away from the world at the moment as Frith encouraged her to move obediently she would find herself obeying. She would still keep close though, mindless in her actions the contact with him still comfort and guidance in wherever it was he wished to take her. Still she wondered why they had to move though she wouldn't find the words to question it. we found each other in the dark

She would keep quiet, finding no protest as he started moving, powerful libs lifting him as he set off in the direction of the waterfall. She would keep herself close beside him, obviously very much in need of his support and affection. Not that he wasn't willing to give her all of those. She had his whole heart, and even with the tragedy of her parents deaths hanging over them he couldn't deny how good it felt to have her close to him once more. Far too long they'd been driven apart by the sickness that had taken Novel and Dutiron.

Surely she would realize where it was he was taking her, their secret sanctuary. He would nuzzle her softly as they went along, unwilling to make their pace very quick. Still humming softly to her he'd lead them into the crystal caverns, helping her through the cold water as they made their way to the secret room.

i heard the church bells from afar To be honest initially she didn't realise where they were going, why he wished to take her anywhere. As the noise of the waterfalls finally met her ears however of course she began to pay a little more attention to her surroundings, enough to realise where they were and where they were likely heading. It had been so long since they had ventured to their little hideaway, it had been early one morning as the children slept in fact, the memories of that sunrise stored within her mind, far happier times. Truth be told she wasn't sure she wished to taint their little place with this particular memory. She doubted anything could ruin it of course, knew full well that Frith was only trying to cheer her up, comfort her with the safety of their little secluded haven but though she wished to hide she still wasn't sure she wished to hide there. They were already at the water's edge before she fully realised they were still moving and she hadn't actually tried to stop, the shock of the cold water hitting her paws bringing her back to reality. "I don't want to go there..." She muttered, mismatched eyes looking to her mate now. "It's our place, a happy place. I don't know where I want to be, or what to do but it doesn't seem right to go there." we found each other in the dark

She was incredibly complacent, and he could hardly stand it. Nuzzling her softly as they walked it wasn't until the cool chill of the water that she stopped, words suddenly on his ears. They would fall back against his skull as she said them, as his attempt to make her feel even a little bit better was thwarted, but really he couldn't blame her for it either. His own bicolored eyes would fall upon hers as she pleaded with him, and he would submit. Salmon tongue would reach out to kiss her sweet lips as he let her retreat from the water. Maybe just their den then? "Maybe I should just take you back to the den for some rest.." Surely all of this was starting to take its toll on her energy levels. Nuzzling her again the chocolate wolf would feel helpless next to his mate.

i heard the church bells from afar Frith wouldn't push her to venture further through the water, of course she wouldn't have expected him to try at a moment like this and sure enough he simply had another perhaps more appealing suggestion. Though physically she had been awake, ready for the day ahead the emotional morning had left her feeling completely drained. No longer did she feel she had much energy really nor did she want to do much else but hide away. A sleepy nod would be given in response to his suggestion for rest as she began to turn around. Aside from avoiding the crystal cave, she had no preferences about where she went to rest to be honest, she would let Frith once again lead the way. we found each other in the dark

She would not resist after that, nuzzling her softly he'd let her lean on him as he led the way back to the den they shared. This would be the first night of his return since falling ill, though it would be more bitter sweet than he could have ever anticipated. She would nod, obviously feeling the exhaustion as he suggested it. His feet would carry him and his wife down the path to home, content to put her to rest. He would have no time to prepare fresh moss, or even grab some old dried lavender from Symphony's den. Though he had no doubt as he curled up next to her that she would find sleep easily. How peaceful it was would still yet to be determined.

i heard the church bells from afar Silently she would follow, once more leaning against Frith for support as much as comfort as he led the way. Once more her mind tried to numb itself, attempting to shut out the world and the pain. This certainly was not the happy welcome that had been anticipated on both sides, though their very first night sharing a den both were escaping worries and deaths, it made it all rather fitting in some twisted way. Of course though there would be no embarrassing and angry discovery for two parents come morning time, so it was rather fortunate that Novella didn't make the connection at all there as she curled up against Frith's side once more. It was hard to say when sleep finally found her, she'd lost her sense of time to some degree but at last eyes finally closed and it was a dreamless sleep that awaited her, the chance to escape to nothing and forget it all was more than pleasant. we found each other in the dark