Unity in the Long Night

From his seat at the Aegis' table, Artorias watched as wolf after wolf came into the hall to answer his call. A smile touched his face as he welcomed each with warm eyes, founding members and newcomers alike. Rudy came waltzing up to the table and took a seat beside him, flashing all his teeth in a wide grin. Rudy's indomitable spirit helped to lighten Art's spirits, unable to resist chuckling at his brother's sass. "I'm certainly going to try," he remarked to Rudy's mention of giving a speech. "If I start making a complete fool of myself, yank on my tail and I'll sit back down." As he grinned, his eyes found the copper and cream form of Bowen entering, his gaze lingering on his sister with a unique warmth in those fiery eyes. Their eyes met, she winked, and Art's tail wagged gently behind him while he cast her a knowing grin. But as much as he wanted her to join the rest of the family on the Aegis' dais, she instead sat off to the side, avoiding the crowds.

Tika sat a chair down from him, and then Tamsyn came up to show her love to each of them. Artorias watched his mother with a loving smile, and when she came to him, it was impossible to keep the big toothy grin off his face. He was happy to see her so happy. This was a difficult time for them all, the pain of Resin's loss still feeling so fresh in their hearts—but they made do. Artorias wrapped a strong foreleg around his mother when she hugged him around his neck, embracing her with all the love she gave him, having to crane his neck down a bit to nuzzle her cheek. Tamsyn's comment about Resin being proud of him brought small tears to the edges of his eyes; all he'd ever wanted in his life was to make his parents proud and bring honor to his family. Hearing Tam say that she was proud of him was the greatest honor he could receive. "Thanks, Mom. That means more than you know," he spoke softly back, giving a small nod to her. "I love you."

Once Tam had stepped down to go join Kane, Artorias watched the rest of the wolves filter into the hall. There was quite a dynamic to the mood in the hall: somber, excited, afraid, loving. He watched Audra go to Avantika with a smile, and then he watched Haiku wander off to surround Bowen with an impassive expression. He was going to need a lot of wine to get through tonight. Each wolf that joined he greeted with a smile of appreciation and camaraderie. Deion, Sota, Syanna, Emile... Gwyenevre slunk in a few moments later, and Artorias' eyes lit up to see his sister, waving her up to join the family. She thankfully took the other empty seat beside him, and Artorias was grateful that he wouldn't have to have a space next to him and be reminded of Briar's absence. He leaned against Gwynevere and gave her a reassuring nudge with a smile, showing his appreciation for her coming. Above them, Corbin and Eilwen had taken roost in the rafters, a perfect black and white pair of ravens looking over the Carpathians.

Finally, once everyone who was coming had shown up, Ulric commenced the feast. Artorias returned Ulric's smile, sitting quietly while the Adravendi patriarch announced the transition of power from himself to Artorias, officially naming him the Aegis of the Hallows. A flush of embarrassment touched his face all the while Ulric praised him and especially when the applause began, ears flicking back, but the smile on his face couldn't be bigger. Artorias waited for the noise to quiet down before he rose to his paws to address the pack—his pack. "Thank you, everyone. It's the greatest honor of my life to be able to be where I am, surrounded by wolves who I know trust me and love me. Each and every single one of you is a part of my family, by blood..." He glanced to his family beside him at the table, and across the room to Tamsyn and Bowen. "...or by choice. Your faith in the Hallows, in my mother's ideals, in the belief of doing good and leaving the world a better place, it's what unites us and it's what will continue to keep us a family, no matter how dark the nights get. I know many of us are afraid of the changes we've faced. We have endured so much over the past year... We've seen danger, we've suffered loss, heartbreak, uncertainty... and each time I've watched us rise stronger. No matter what we face, the Hallows will never fall, and it's thanks to the strength of spirit of every one of you. Hallowed wolves, one and all. I love you all, and there aren't enough words to say how much I appreciate your faith in me and your faith in our pack. I promise to do all I can to make the Hallows the place my mother dreamed of and a pack you are all proud to be a part of."

"I want to thank Ulric, who led the Hallows with dignity and strength after my mother's passing. He led us through some of the most difficult and dark times our pack has faced, and not once did he ever show a lack of commitment or faith to any of us." Artorias paused long enough to allow the applause for Ulric, then filled a silver goblet on the table from a carafe of sweet red wine. He passed it down the table to each of his family, then took the goblet's stem between two digits on his paw to lift it. "I know you're all as hungry as I am, so I won't keep us from this delicious feast much longer! But first, a toast! To the wolves we've loved and lost, to the wolves at our sides tonight, and to the wolves yet to join us. To being the light in the darkness, the shelter in the storm, the fire in the cold. To the Hallows!" Artorias raised the goblet high, then brought it to his lips and swallowed a deep swig of the wine. "Let the Feast of Unity begin! Eat, drink, and have fun!"

Artorias sat back down in his chair, watching his pack and his family with a bright smile on his face. He brought the goblet back to his mouth and downed the rest of the wine in a long chug, setting it down with a content sigh and looked to Rudy with a smirk. "So how was that? As terrible as it went in my mind?" he asked with a chuckle.

"Artorias Carpathius"