Autumn had arrived. It felt good to finally be out though the first signs of the shift in seasons were certainly a disappointing reminder of how much she had missed over the Summer. It wasn't perhaps the smartest solution, though since she had begun to feel brighter the Author had thrown herself back into life; the ceremony for Fate and Luck had been just as much for herself as it had been for them. She was certainly all for keeping herself busy right now but every now and then she would take a moment, remind herself to slow down and relax.
This was one of those moments. There was still a fair amount of daylight left for the evening, mornings and evenings still attempting to cling to the long days of Summer. The temperature had definitely cooled however and this close to the coast it was clearer with the ocean breeze picking up as well. It was a comfortable cool however, and the slow walk across the beach was calming. All in all it was a pleasant way to spend a peaceful evening.
He really couldn't describe how much better he felt knowing that his wife was becoming her old self again. He didn't constantly worry about her and he knew that she had to have felt a thousand times better than she had felt during the summer. Knowing how quickly the seasons were changing, and how fast his little ones were growing, he was relieved to have her doing better. He wasn't sure what he would have done if she continued on in that state.
He'd left the children in the care of Aslan, not knowing when he might return, but he wanted a night with Novella. Maybe they could spend the night in their crystal cave or take a little trip outside the borders? As he drew more near to her though he'd realize she was taking a stroll down the beach alone. He couldn't let her do that. The chocolate man would make his way towards his ivory queen, obvious pleasure visible on his form at once again being in her presence. His tail would wag lazily behind him as his features brightened and he arrived at her side. Frith couldn't have been paying less attention to their surroundings, his eyes were only for her.
He'd greet her with a kiss on the go, his pink tongue eager to lay a wet one on her muzzle. He would slow his pace to match hers, he had every wish to continue her walk with her and not to stop her. "Hello, beautiful." He'd offer in her ear as he walked next to her, mingling their dark and white chocolate furs.
To be perfectly honest Novella wouldn't have minded if her walk along the shore was interrupted by anyone in her pack, it meant that she certainly didn't mind her mate's presence. Between the wind and the waves she didn't notice his presence until he was close, the soft crunch of paw steps and his voice ringing out and she barely had a chance to turn and look to him before he slipped into pace at her side. She would lean softly into him as they continued, a small smile gracing her features. "Hello."
Blissful, it took a moment to do the maths and realise that neither parent was with the pups. They were growing quick and it wasn't incredibly late though someone still should have been watching them. She probably would have been more worried if there weren't others she knew would likely step into position to watch them for a while. "Who's with the children?" She didn't think for even a second that Frith would have left alone, it was merely curiosity rather than concern within her voice now.
He had done quite well in sneaking his form up to Novella with out any notice of his presence. Though he could hardly take all the credit, the crashing of the waves and the sound of the breeze helped mask him. Still as he drew more near he'd get a glimpse of her features before he kissed her heartily. She'd lean into his form, only causing his smile to brighten more as she also greeted him. For a few long minutes the pair would walk in silence, enjoying the peace of the evening. Though it was hardly more than a few minutes before Novella sought after their children. Obviously he would not have left them on their own, even with how quickly they were growing. "With 'the tall one." He'd offer amusedly at the alternate name for Aslan. He was still absolutely astonished that the boy had grown so tall. He might have reached his full height by now, but he was still growing into his adult weight. Their son would surely be impressive when he reached his second year. Something he didn't particularly want to think about. Technically he would be old enough to have grandchildren and that though terrified him.
The tall one; Aslan. Easily the tallest wolf in Threar and possibly even the tallest wolf Novella had ever seen, there was no doubt in her mind that it was their son Frith now spoke of. He was certainly growing into a fine young man if she said so herself, certainly eager to help and despite whatever doubts he may have had coped rather well with his little brother and sister. There were no worries about the fact he was watching them.
Once again they fell into silence now, content with the rest of the world and happy within their own little moment to escape from it all. It was a comfortable quiet, one that didn't beg to be broken though if the sound of her mate's voice happened to pierce the air again, it wouldn't matter either. She was completely at ease and somewhere within her mind, thoughts stirred reminding her of how lucky she was right now. Life was once again good.
She didn't question the way he described their son, easily knowing who it was he spoke of. He'd smile at her side, falling into the peaceful silence was easy. Though the silence was simple he also did have one point he'd yet to speak with her about. Aslan had told him about Varda also desiring to take the trip North, now they had one last obstacle before they could continue. He wouldn't lift the silence for a few more moments, like Novella he was very much enjoying the simple time they could enjoy together. Their pace was slow, the journey was what they enjoyed there was no destination in mind.
Eventually though the beach would come to an end, as they reached that point, before Novella could turn around, he would speak. "What do you think of me taking Aslan and Varda to the North to visit Odette?" He would stop, coming around to face his mate as he asked the question.
Novella probably would have been content with simply continuing to walk like this until sleep eventually beckoned them to return to their den. Along the shore, a lap back up the rest of the beach until the path led them back towards the Falls though Frith it seemed had other plans and their walk would abruptly end as he moved from her side, a question now falling from his lips.
It was certainly a surprise, not a question that she had expected to hear. Her family had done rather well at keeping these intentions hidden from her she had no idea how long this trip had been in the works that Aslan and Varda's minds had been pondering the idea from the moment it had first been mentioned back in the Spring. Truth be told what with her pregnancy and then the following postnatal depression she hadn't considered visiting Glaciem and Odette though it was something she certainly would have encouraged them to do. She had quite liked the woman, the early stages of friendship blossoming and she had only hoped that their packs too would get along just as easily.
"I think it's a good idea." Novella responded, she wouldn't have minded the trip herself to be honest though certainly one of them had to stay and after all he had done this Summer it made sense for him to be the one to take the break from the standard alpha duties to visit their allies. "I'm assuming we haven't heard from her at all over the Summer?" Not completely sure if she was right in that assumption it came out as more of a question than anything else.
