They had been gone for a little over a month. The pair had walked tirelessly. Well... Io had. She knew that she had kept her pace so quick that it had to be tough on her husband. She was just so ready to get this over with. Her mind was hungry for the knowledge that could very well lead them to having their own children. The couple spoke to many different healers and Iolaire learned much more than she'd known previously. Some of the fertility remedies were things that she would never have thought of. It was her intent to try them all, however. Whether it made her ill or not, she needed to try. Though traveling had been exciting, Iolaire was glad to be home. Her paws hurt from all of the walking and her back hurt from carrying her pack across the land. Other parts of her were sore, but that was to be expected. They were on a fertility journey, after all. The dainty fae cast a sidelong glance at her exceptionally handsome husband before leaning up to give him a kiss. She never tired of Roan and believed that it wasn't even a possibility. "It's good to be home." She rubbed the top of her muzzle against his chin lightly before seating herself. Her paws throbbed but it would soon pass. She'd already set her pack aside. It was full with all of the new herbs and remedies that she'd collected from the various healers that they'd consulted with. There was a lot to do. She had to prepare teas, herbs to eat each morning, noon and night, creams, poultices... You name it, she had to craft it. And dammit, she would. This was their future. Iolaire would exhaust every option before she admitted defeat. "I hope that our trek wasn't in vain." Thickly lashed eyes dropped for a moment so that he wouldn't see the drowning depths of hope in her gaze. More than anything, she wanted to give Roan a child. He deserved to further his line. She knew deep within her heart that he would be an amazing father. He was amazing at everything, so why would that be any different? "Iolaire" --"Roan"

Roan didn’t realize how out of shape he’d gotten until the journey really began. Though there were moments he’d almost asked Iolaire if she’d slow down for her own sake he’d said nothing. However little sleep he’d gotten through the last month he couldn’t argue they were the best hours of his life. They were exhausted every night as they worked tirelessly to achieve their goal. They would have a family one day, after everything they’d seen and done in the last month he was sure of it.

Though he’d enjoyed their time alone, he felt the relief just as much as she did when they crossed the border to the Armada. They were home, they could relax, and the real fun could start.

The corners of his lips pulled back in a dark grin as he caught her eye, Roan leaned in to return her kiss. The fact that she was his still blew him away every day, this beautiful woman. He licked her cheek as she nuzzled him affectionately. ”It is.” He agreed with her as he leaned back onto his haunches beside her. Already he felt more comfortable. Roan shook his head softly before pressing himself closer, his chest to her shoulders and his head over hers in a protective embrace.

”It won't have been.” He promised her in a loving whisper. ”There’s nothing we can’t overcome. I’ve never seen you fail, we’ll have a family in time.” There was no way after everything they couldn’t. Iolaire was clearly putting her heart and soul into every moment spent furthering their goal. ”Until then…” His voice shifted to a more suggestive tone as he nuzzled the soft fur behind her ear. ”I’ll enjoy just the two of us.”

Roan settled against her, returning her kiss and pulling her close. He wrapped his big body over her much smaller one and she gladly leaned into him. His words, as always, were just what she needed to hear. Leaning back, she looked up at her scarred, silver and obsidian man. "What did I do in life to deserve someone as amazingly perfect as you?" She hadn't done many good things at all. In fact, she'd done many bad things. Very bad things. Apparently they hadn't been as bad as she thought. Iolaire was a strong believer in karma. Reaching up, she kissed Roan's chin before placing her cheek against his chest once more. "Should we sleep the day away? My feet hurt. I'm tired." There was quite a bit of unpacking to do and loads of things to prepare, but she just wasn't ready yet. Extracting herself from Roan's grasp, she led him to the pile of furs in their bed chamber. Thankfully there were no patients in house today. Unceremoniously, the dainty woman tossed herself into the pallet of thick furs. "Nap." Io opened her arms, beckoning her husband to follow. "Iolaire" --"Roan"

No matter how much time spent together Roan always wanted to be next to his little wife, touching her, holding her, being connected in some way was where he was most comfortable. She leaned against him and he sighed contentedly as she wondered in awe at him. Roan would smile and shake his head while teasing her softly. ”You saved my life.” He reminded her as she kissed her cheek. He wouldn’t exist had she not found him in that cave.

She pressed against him affectionately before asking her question and pulling herself from his grasp. Roan didn’t hesitate to follow her forward, taking the chance to ruffle the fur at the base of her tail. She flopped over onto the bed of furs and beckoned him join her. There was no hesitation in his movements as he wrapped her up in his arms. He wanted to hold her but… ”Should I rub your paws?” He asked her as he nuzzled against her cheek and kissed her nose. The potential of him bursting with the love her felt for her in that moment was high. The feeling she gave him was indescribable, but he knew easily how completely in love with her he was.

"And you saved mine." She would be forever grateful to Roan for bringing her out of the depression that had threatened to take her life just as he would be thankful for her saving his own. They were made for one another and there was no denying that. Whatever cosmic strings had been pulled that altered their lives so that their paths crossed... she was glad for them. Iolaire couldn't imagine her life without Roan in it and she never wanted to.

Her giant man curled his big body around hers and she nestled into him. He asked if he should rub her paws and the dainty fae chuckled. "I'm sure yours ache just as badly. I hadn't expected to finish our journey so quickly." Reaching up, she kissed him once more, yellow-green eyes closing momentarily. "Maybe we should take a trip to the hot springs tomorrow. give our sore bones a soak." Again she settled against him, though her eyes were now open and staring off into nothingness. "I hope this works. We've earned it, I think." They had walked tirelessly from land to land, sapping the knowledge from healers all around. Each of their practices were burned into Iolaire's mind. She would carry them out en mass and would do her utmost to jumpstart her reproductive system.

"Nap?" she asked again, burying her face into the thicker fur of his chest. It was great to be home. No one had seen them arrive, but she had no doubt that they would soon smell their scents on the wind. There was no telling when Sirius or Mort would bust through the door. It would be wise to get a bit of sleep in while they could.

She reminded him that he had saved her as well, and while he hated to hear it he was glad to be there for her. He didn’t know what forces brought them together but he would be forever thankful. Iolaire was his mate, his soul mate. She was his other half and he loved her more than anything in his life. He hated that she tortured herself with the treatments but he felt so incredibly honored that she was so dedicated to giving him children.

He curled around her and she kissed him after deflecting his offer of a massage. Roan didn’t press her, just hugged her a little tighter as he kissed her back. ”You always have the best ideas.” He assured his little wife as she suggested a trip to the hot springs. They could really relax and have a bit more privacy.

She buried her head against his neck. Roan sighed contentedly at her suggestion, after their length of travels he was ready for some sleep. ”Nap.” He agreed heartily. The silver marked warrior nuzzled her back lovingly. ”I love you.” He muttered into her ear as he held her tight.

Iolaire curled her body against his, facing Roan so that her face could press against him. He admitted that she had the best ideas and Io chuckled, giving herself a little wiggle. "I certainly do." The aches and pains of the journey were felt heavily as she laid there with him. Not only the physical pains, but the emotional ones as well. Some of the treatments would take a toll on her small frame. She might be extra tired, irritable, weak... It would be worth it though if she was able to conceive.

Roan whispered his love and Iolaire murmured her own love in return. She buried her face against him, her limbs entwined with his, and soon fell fast asleep.

-- time skip--

The Warlord quivered as he stood over the scent of Iolaire on his border. She was home, she was home! and she had not even called for him. The disappointment of that was overshadowed with the joy that his sister was returned to him. Whole, and well. He had not slept well in her absence, certain that something would have befallen her well she was outside the safety of his walls.

He raced towards the den, the scent still smelled moderately fresh, and he knew she hadn’t been gone long. He just wanted to scoop her up in his arms, and celebrate having her returned to him. His. she was his, and just like everything that was his, they were not right without a good helping of his scent upon them.

With no consideration for her privacy or needing a moments peace, the Warlord arrived at the cottage, chuffed at the door to announce himself, and rushed on through.

Roan wasn’t sure how long he slept but it wasn’t long enough. After saying goodnight Roan took only a few seconds to fall asleep, the journey was long and hard and his body had been ready to relax. Though the pair shared a few intimate moments he might have called relaxing he always had one eye out for danger. He wouldn’t allow anything to happen to his little wife while they were out there.

The cough at the door wasn’t enough to bring him out of sleep but as Sirius made his entrance all of Roan’s having been on high alert the last few weeks brought him to wakefulness instantly. Not having any idea what was going on he detangled himself from Iolaire with incredible speed as a terrible growl welled in his chest and he dared the intruder to come any further. He just hadn’t expected to see Sirius.

She'd been sleeping so well. No dreams to disturb her. Just the lovely, much needed sleep that came with being home after so long. Roan was so soft. So warm, so... bloody hell.

Io was practically thrown from her sleeping pallet as Roan rushed to his feet. She'd been sleeping too deeply to hear the knock. "What's..." was all that she managed before Roan was snarling. That helped her wake up fast. Green-gold eyes went wide as she stepped towards her husband, unsure of the threat.

From her place in their bed chamber she couldn't see out into the main room. A moment later though the familiar scent of her brother came through the doorway. "It's just Sirius," she spoke through a yawn. Her heart stopped beating so quickly and she gave Roan a peck on the cheek before paddiing out into the main chamber.

Her fur was askew and she no doubt looked as tired as she felt, but the dainty woman managed a smile before moving forward to give her brother a big hug. "Hey, big guy."

Seer’s eyes flashed black at the sudden movement and threat of the wolf beside Io. It was only Roan, of course, but being challenged in his own pack and standing between him and his sister would have set Seer’s compass askew. If it wasn’t for Io’s instant deseculation. Pecking a kiss on her husband's cheek, and padding out to greet him.

The Warlord let out a shaky breath, and drew Io in close, wrapping his paws about her in a bear hug, and kissing her cheek, before burying his nose in the nap of her neck. He needed Io. She was so much calm and common sense in his life. He believed there was no storm she couldn’t weather.

“I missed you” he said softly, holding his sister close. Roan might be her husband now, but Seer felt (selfishly) like he had first dibs on her. Io was His find, His sister, His wolf. In the possessive bastards close list, Io was very high up. Perhaps that made him a little unreasonable, especially since Roan had only done right by Io and was clearly in love with her. But… no point over thinking it. Io was home.

Roan would take on ten bears if it meant protecting his wife, and that included the ten bears strength that Sirius possessed. Though there was literally no threat to his wife from the man. 99% asleep Roan didn’t realize that until Iolaire herself soothed him. Instantly his defenses lowered and he relaxed, however exciting the adrenaline racing through his veins felt. He sighed heavily and returned her kiss before she emerged into the main cottage.

The silver scarred warrior leaned against the door way after shaking himself of any sleep that remained in him. After his initial reaction Sirius didn’t seem to pay him much mind so Roan instead joked. ”I missed you too, Muffin.” Roan joked amusedly, Sirius might have believed that he had first dibs on Iolaire but Roan was her husband. Year vow or not he was her number one and he would fight for that again and again.

Io saw the mixed emotions on Seer's face as she moved out into the main room of the cottage. Would he have tried to attack Roan for trying to defend his sleeping wife? That would have been a poor idea, for she would have attacked him right back. Sirius was her brother, but Roan was the other half of herself. She would defend him even against the warlord that she loved so much. Thankfully it didn't come to that.

Sirius wrapped her up in his trademark giant bear hug, placing a kiss on her cheek. Iolaire released a soft, girlish giggle and gave his cheek a peck in return before giving him a much daintier squeeze. His words made her smile. "I missed you too. We were so tired from our journey that we passed out as soon as we dropped our things." No doubt they would both have sore paws for a while.

Extracting herself from her brother's hold, Io sat across from him, casting a glance at Roan to see if he would come sit beside her. His 'Muffin' comment brought a scoff, a grin and a shake of the head. They were both so silly.

Sirius was a possessive bastard, and sometimes that overruled his good sense. A sheepish part of him understood Roan. he had a wife of his own, after all. But the stronger part of him was an absolute hypocrite. He bit down the urge to snarl at Roan, and instead, managed a wry smile at the man’s words. “No kiss for you muffin?” he shot back, but there was more comrade then bite to his words this time. At least he had refrained from hissing ‘miiiiiiiine’ to Roan. Likely, that would not have gone down well with any of them.

“I suppose I can forgive you for not saying hello then” he teased, his attention back on Io. It was a good excuse, and soothed his ruffled feathers some. When she pulled free of his grasp, he let her go. If it was up to him, he would have held onto her for a few weeks longer.