The birthday party she shared with her family had been the perfect way to end out her time in the Armada. It had created memories that she would hold onto for a lifetime and gave her one last chance to see her littermates all in one place again. She knew that she'd be visiting the Armada frequently enough, but it did feel like she could finally turn the page and start a new chapter as she stepped into her life as a fully grown adult. Even though it had been tempting to go back to The Hallows with Artorias the day after the party, she decided to hang back for just a few more days to make sure that everything was in order and nothing was being forgotten. It also gave her a chance to say any of her last "goodbyes" that were really more like "see you laters" without Artorias there. The only thing about that decision that complicated things just slightly was the fact that the season fully switched into Boreas' summer which meant that the rainy season began in Auster and she fell into her first heat.

As much as she might have appreciated having her father and brother and whoever else had considered coming along for the journey to help carry the few belongings she was bringing with her originally, the thought of spending that long walking with them while she was feeling like this didn't exactly strike her as a great time. She just wanted to make her way to Auster as quickly and easily as possible with Lia in tow so that she could get settled in with Artorias. Of course Aslatiel's warnings would forever ring true in her mind and she made sure that Lia prepped her with any contraceptives she might need before they went which was also something she most certainly did not want to discuss around her father. She went through the things she packed and narrowed them down, realizing that she had certainly over packed considering they were going to the castle that already had most of these things, and packed everything into a smaller cart that was easy enough for even Lia to pull and she set out with her friend and handmaiden in tow.

The trip was plagued by scattered showers as they moved south, but luckily she had thought to cover all of their belongings with a fur to protect them—and to hide the sword that she had been so eagerly waiting to present to Art when they arrived. Luckily the clouds cleared as they neared The Hallows border and she gave Lia an excited grin. "We're finally here!" she said with a wag of her braided tail. She knew Lia would be excited to see Artorias again as well and Briar was eager to see her handmaiden's reaction to the castle and to get to take her up to her favorite tower for the first time. She loved this place so much and finally she was going to get to call it home. As they reached the border she tipped back her head and called for her love, continuing their way across the plains toward the castle to meet him half way.

"Briar Zeitgeist Fatalis"

She was well accustomed to seeing to Briar’s needs now, and packing up their den was done wit a mixture of anticipation and excitement. The Armada had been good to her, but this was what she had been waiting for ever since the Aegis had purchased her for Briar. She would see Auster, the castle, and perhaps she would see if the promise of a permanent place for her here would be fulfilled.

It was a decent trek to the Hallows, and she kept close to her Briar. Both so she could see to the other wolf's needs, and so she could feel safer beneath her protection. She hadn’t forgotten what had happened not that long ago when she had ventured from the Armada’s borders.

Luckily, Briar's possessions were far smaller than any other nobility she had met before. It had been some time since the HandMaiden had done any heavy lifting, but pulling the cart along wasn’t a terribly difficult job. It was a pleasant walk beside Briar, and the excitement in both the wolves built as they neared their new home. The open expanse of the plains before them was already gorgeous. With the sun slowly sinking over the horizon, stars could be seen across the blanket sky. Looking further than the plain, she could see the castle. Standing tall and proud, and larger than anything she could have imagined. It took her breath away. “Home” she breathed, glancing over at Briar with a grin.

"Speech"

The call was one he had been expecting for a long time coming. Yet even as the voice of his beloved called for him from across the plains, it still made Artorias' heart leap in his chest. The days prior had been spent preparing for the arrival of the two ladies from the Armada to join their family permanently. Rooms had been cleaned and fixed up, linens laundered and freshly laid out, larders double checked and wine cellar audited. Everything was ready for the moment they crossed into their new home. Yet still, Artorias busied himself making sure all the final preparations were made to receive Briar and Lia the moment they got to the Hallows. The young Aegis was actually in the process of making sure the baths were prepared for the ladies to bathe after the long trip if they desired when that call summoned him. Obsidian ears perking and amber eyes widening while a beaming grin split the brute's face and he was tossing the towel furs aside to go sprinting out of the castle and across the plains.

Large paws thundered over the ground still damp from the near constant rains Auster was having in its winter season, but fortunately the bad weather had held off for today, allowing the two ladies a beautiful picturesque landscape of the castle and its grounds bathed in flaming sunset. And from that castle came its lord, charging towards them like a giddy puppy, making like a bolt of lightning straight for Briar. He didn't stop, not even as he drew closer to them, and instead threw himself at his girlfriend, forelegs opened wide to wrap her up in a tight embrace that swept her off her paws. All Artorias could do was utter a blissful laugh, squeezing his Briar to him, his tail wagging so fast it was almost spinning behind him. "You made it! You're here, you're finally here!" he cried out, pausing only long enough to pepper Briar's face in loving kisses. He caught her lips in one longer, deeper kiss before he finally relented and released her, smiling so wide his cheeks hurt.

Then the alpha's attention turned to Lia. His tail resumed its wagging when he laid eyes upon the autumnal fae, rushing up as he made to throw his forelegs around her in an embrace as well. "I'm so, so happy you're both here!" exclaimed Artorias, gently swaying with Lia while he hugged her in greeting, passing the scent of the Hallows off to both wolves in turn. He released Lia after a moment as well, gesturing them in with a wave of his paw across the plains. "Welcome to your new home, ladies! And Lia, welcome to the Hallows for the first time!" As much as Artorias wanted to keep hugging and catching up with Briar and Lia, he knew he'd have plenty of time for that soon enough, and they would both be in need of a meal and some rest. "Come on, we've all been getting things ready for you two! I've got the baths drawn up if you'd like to get cleaned up. Ezra caught some fresh antelope earlier today, so there's plenty to eat, and we've got the beds all made up. Oh, Lia! Would you like me to help you with that cart?"

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
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There was only moments to spare as the two women walked across the plains, happy and grinning at one another, before she heard the pounding of paws coming toward them and looked up to see Artorias' very familiar form sprinting toward them. A huge grin pulled across her face at the sight of him, the reason they were here to begin with. Seeing him made the move feel more real and like they had finally made it home. As excited as she was to be back in the castle again, she was even more excited to finally be with Art without having to say goodbye. She braced herself as he ran toward her and giggled like crazy as he threw himself at her, her tail wagging just as fast as his forelegs wrapped around her and she hugged him back in return. "We are!" she replied between her overjoyed laughter, enjoying all the kisses he peppered her with and returning the lingering one he placed on her lips.

He eventually pulled away to greet Lia with an similarly enthusiastic hug and she chuckled as she watched the pair of them reunite. She was so glad that they were finally here and that the three of them were all together again. It felt like ages ago now that Artorias returned from that trip with her father with Lia in tow and at points she had begun to wonder if they would ever make it to this point with all the catastrophes that kept happening, but now here they were, together at last. She chuckled as Artorias excitedly rambled about welcoming them in with a bath and food and began following him as he gestured for them to follow him. As soon as he offered to take the cart from Lia she nodded, saying, "That would be wonderful, Art, thank you." She knew her handmaiden too well and knew that she'd never let Artorias pull the cart willingly so she insisted and helped move the cart over to Artorias' back before she could refuse.

"Briar Zeitgeist Fatalis"

Before they knew it, a black and blue wolf was storming across the plains towards them. His large paws carrying him swiftly towards them, and he wrapped Briar in the biggest embrace, almost tackling the brown wolf when he arrived. Lia giggled softly, leaning back out of the way as the two most important wolves in her life embraced. She looked at the two of them, and saw the love and joy in their relationship, and it warmed every single cell in her body. She knew how much Briar had wanted to be here, and now she was. In Arts arms, where she belonged. This was it, a new chapter in their lives.

“Oh!” she said in surprise as Art let Briar go and turned to Lia, drawing her up in an embrace as well. He swayed her gently, clearly overcome, and she stifled another giggle, holding her paw out to Briar, and if the brown wolf took it, she would draw the Lady into the hug as well. When Art released her, and asked after the cart, she began to shake her head, “It-” she said, and Briar spoke for her. Saying it would be wonderful, Lia shook her head rufelly and accepted the order with good grace, helping pull the harness off. “It sounds like your well prepared for us, My Aegis”

"Speech"

After his overzealous greetings had been delivered to his two ladies, Artorias watched Briar give Lia directive to remove the cart, cutting off little Lia's objections in a heartbeat. He laughed and took the cart from Lia, hitching it around his waist as he began to effortlessly pull it across the plains in the direction of the castle. Fire opal eyes lit up brighter than the stars and he nodded to Lia's assessment of their preparations. "Oh yes, I wanted to be sure no expense was spared for your arrival! I know moving can be a difficult transition, so I wanted everything to be as smooth and seamless for you both." He tipped his head to the side while he considered everything they'd done to ready themselves for Briar and Lia's arrival. "If you ladies would like to get cleaned up in the baths first, I'll get some food prepared for you both. Then we'll need to give you a tour, Lia, and get you settled in to unpack and rest. I think afternoon naps might be in order too."

Artorias led the way across the plains and through the gatehouse to the castle, welcoming Briar back and Lia for the first time. "Welcome to Castle Carpathius," he said to Lia while they walked through the courtyard and gardens. "This is the gardens and courtyard. Auster's in its winter rainy season right now, so there aren't many blooms, but during the rest of the year, this place is beautiful and fragrant. I'm particularly fond of the wisteria trees." Artorias led them across the courtyard and up the terrace into the foyer. He unstrapped the cart beside the stairs and left it there for when they ventured up. "Briar, would you and Lia care for a bath before we get you settled in, or maybe just get off your paws in the Great Hall?" he asked his beloved princess, letting her decide whether she and Lia would go off together while he prepared their food, or if they'd rather relax in the Great Hall instead.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
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