What We’ve Dreamed Of

Briar's reply brightened Artorias' expression, eyes dazzling to know she was happy to be here. He knew she wanted to move to the Hallows for a long time now, but even still he had worried that maybe she'd feel homesick or have a change of heart. Hearing that it was everything she wanted and she was so happy made his heart flutter in his chest. She began to approach him with an equally salacious grin, the two meeting halfway and the moment she was within reach, Artorias' paws found Briar's sides while her mouth eagerly claimed his in a needy kiss. He hummed with desire into their kiss, pressing his lips back into hers with fervent desire that burned within him for her. That clenching need of lust gripping in his core grew tighter the closer Briar had gotten to him, her scent of heat thick in his nares, intoxicating his brain and making the brute think only of picking her up and tossing her onto the bed to ravage her for hours until their bodies physically couldn't handle any more. His paws roamed slowly over her sides, moving down to her waist where they gripped her tightly. A gentle pressure parted her lips with his own and he tasted her tongue on his, causing a burst of tension and heat to radiate from low in his belly.

The longer they kissed, the more Artorias wanted to just grab Briar and move on from the foreplay. It seemed the Fatalis princess had other ideas though, as she broke their kiss with a soft gasp, leaving Artorias drawing in deep breaths as well. Amber pools fluttered open to find her lust-hazed turquoise eyes and grinned back at her, dipping in for another kiss—when Briar stopped him with her words. Artorias shot Briar a confused look but didn't resist her when she slipped away, brushing her silky braided tail along his cheek while she stepped past him and headed over for the cart of her belongings. The Carpathian wolf nearly whined in urgent need for her, watching with burning eyes at the way she walked, the way her hips moved with each motion, and feeling the tense need gnawing away at his insides. Briar pulled herself up over the edge of the cart and again Artorias had to resist rushing over to mount her straight away, knowing she likely wouldn't stop him, but he'd certainly get an annoyed earful from her in the aftermath.

Artorias didn't think there'd ever be a reason he'd be glad their imminent mating would be interrupted, but the mystery bundle Briar pulled out of the cart and brought over to him had him curious to say the least. Quirking a brow, he sized up the long, skinny package, trying to discern what it was until Briar handed it over to him. Then she began to explain in cryptic hints, until her mention of working with the Armada's blacksmith caused a bell to ring in the back of his mind. Frozen with wonder, Artorias just gazed at Briar in stunned disbelief. No, it couldn't be...! He watched while she began to slowly unwrap the present with precise paws. The moment the light hit that glistening silver steel and reflected back in a faint orange hue, Artorias felt his breath catch in a silent gasp. The fur slid away from distinct Damascus steel blade, leather-wrapped hilt, and topaz-studded crossguard. In its surface, Artorias could see his own shocked expression reflected between the rippling water-like patterns of the Damascus forging. It was Embershard!

The Aegis was rendered speechless. All he could do was lift his paws to pick up the sword with a careful touch, feeling the familiar weight while he inspected his long-lost weapon. Whoever the blacksmith had been who'd restored it had been a master. None of the delicate Damascus pattern had been lost on the blade, and the amber stones on the crossguard had all been replaced by valuable faceted topaz stones, the same distinct orange color as the stones in Briar's bracelet. "I never thought I'd see you again..." Artorias murmured to the sword in his grasp, an elated smile growing on his muzzle. "Briar... where did you find it?" He turned bright, excited eyes back to his girlfriend, then took the sword in his jaws, lifting the familiar heft of the steel. It felt like a part of himself had suddenly been returned.

Artorias carefully brought the sword over to its scabbard that he'd left on the mantle, sad and empty, and slid it safely back into its home with the satisfying rasp of metal on leather. With his weapon returned and stowed where it belonged, Artorias turned to face his beloved with an emphatic grin, approaching her slowly once more while he devoured her with lustful eyes. "Now how should I go about repaying you and thanking you for finding and caring for Embershard, my beautiful queen?" he asked with a teasing chuckle, closing the gap between them until he had returned to Briar, grinning at her while unabashedly drinking in her sweet, alluring scent that was smothering him in their room.

"Artorias Carpathius"