with my hat in my hands

Meriadoc steeled his nerves the best he could while he waited. He wasn't sure what to expect. Disappointment from her, surely, but would she rage at him for the indiscretion? He had no idea what had happened once they'd decided he was lost. Had resources been wasted in a search? Had there been worrying? Knowing his family, his absence had not gone unnoticed and energy had been wasted on him in some way.

So color him surprised when Aurielle launched herself at him. She enveloped him in a hug before he could properly understand what was happening. Out of instinct he lifted a paw and threw it over her shoulder to return the gesture - which is what he would have done anyway had he not been taken by surprise. None of the scenarios he'd envisioned had played out this way. He started to recover only once she pulled away.

That recovery was immediately dashed when Aurielle launched into an apology. He stood with his mouth open totally at a loss for a response until she asked about his scars. Only then did his mouth close so he could swallow before stuttering a reply. "Uh...oh, s-slavers." Okay he could handle this question. "They tried to take me. Did this." He tapped his scarred forehead and gave a soft humorless smile. "But there are good wolves in every corner of the world, it seems. Saved me in the nick of time. Took care of me when they didn't have to."

He studied her face for a second, then offered, "But I should be the one apologizing. I didn't tell anyone where I was going or what I was doing." Technically he had made his intention to stay in Abaven for awhile clear, but seeing as that was part of a deception that he didn't know if Aurielle knew about, Meriadoc was going to omit that from the story for his siblings' sake. Just in case.