i can't say it, but..

Barenziah made her way back to perch on his shoulder and he knew that Gwynevere was on her way. He sat patiently, but it felt like every second was an eternity. Would she ignore him? Would someone else show up in her stead like Ulric? Did she want to see him again? He doubted himself more than a viking should and as he waited he repeated in his head that of course she wanted to see him again. His one blue and silver eye watched the castle for movement, of a form he recognized or not.

With silver marked ears tilted forward he heard them before he saw them, but suddenly Gwynevere was there and she was beaming up at him. The boy couldn’t help the lopsided grin that spread over his features as she neared him, Ysmir stood at her approach, his own tail wagging as she greeted him. He had eyes only for her as he offered a soft nod in returned greeting, it really was so nice to see her again too. Before they could fully reacquaint themselves Gwyn gestured to the other wolf that was with her, someone Ysmir didn’t really fully appreciate was there until he was introduced as her brother.

Ysmir lifted his head, and his features shifted from dreamy eyed to serious as he met the young alpha’s fiery gaze. Artorias was gracious and welcoming to start, mentioning his knowledge of what he had done for Gwyn in his absence. Artorias gave him a subtle bow, something else he certainly hadn’t expected from the Hallows alpha. While Ysmir had technically been indebted to her when he found her, the boy would have done the same had she not been. Maybe not every wolf deserved that treatment from a young viking, but he had an undeniable soft spot for the silver marked girl.

When Artorias looked back up to him Ysmir offered a subtle reverent bow of his head in return. His gaze lifted with a grin on his features, beyond the appreciated thanks Ysmir needed no gratitude for what he’d done for Gwyn. She deserved every ounce of his efforts. The boy’s blue and silver eyes returned to the girl then, a subtle hint to his growing affection for her. Ysmir dropped his eyes then, looking down to the bag that he had brought with him. Looking back up to Artorias, as though almost seeking permission, before Gwynevere had every ounce of his attention.

Silent as he always was Ysmir carefully untangled the knots and pulled the fabric back to reveal the shining silver circlet he brought as a gift to her. He smiled and offered her the gift to inspect before leaning back on his haunches and lifting the jewelry to its rightful place on her crown.