Nocturnal magic

It had been some time since Artorias had spent some time with Bowen, just the two of them. She had returned home from her journey of self-healing just before the birth of his children, and since the half dozen little fluffballs came into their lives everyone had been wrapped up in the blissful chaos they created. Although Art loved being a father and loved his children more than life itself, he did miss and cherish the time he got to spend one on one with the wolves he cared about, especially Bowen. His dear little sister had been so fantastic with the kids and seeing the peace and life that had been brought back to her after her time on her own brought the Aegis his own peace of mind. Bowen had worried him for so long, and there had been many a night that Artorias wondered if he was powerless to do any good for her or if he would find her dead by her own paw when she had been at her lowest. Thankfully, those dark times seemed to be behind them for good, and the ever-protective and loving brother swore to do all he could to keep things this way.

On this late summer evening, after Artorias and Briar had put their children to bed, the Carpathian brute asked his sister to accompany him for some time together, just the two of them. He wanted to take Bowen someplace special and unique where they could just be themselves, somewhere away from the Hallows and their titles and ranks and the expectations and duties that came with them. Tonight, he was just Artorias and she was Bowen. He remembered the runestones that he had seen years ago when he had explored Auster with that unhinged purple woman, recalled her mentioning how beautiful they became in the moonlight, and he knew where he wanted to take Bowen. Their little exploration journeys had often led them to caves and caverns filled with crystals and treasures, but this time they would just have the fields and the stars around them.

Artorias carried a bundled up blanket of soft mink furs he'd been gifted from the Mendaciums on his back. They would have somewhere comfortable to lie on amidst the runestones while they gazed up at the stars or reveled between the shimmering rocks—plus Artorias didn't know where the night would take them or if they'd be back to Hearthstone before dawn. The late summer evening was warm and mild, with crickets chirping their nocturnal serenades and fireflies glistening like stars that had fallen to earth, almost as many of the glowing bugs around the open fields as there were stars in the sky. Glancing down to the petite copper and cream fae at his side, Art flashed an easy smile to her, sliding closer to playfully nudge her side with his own. "I've never seen this place at night before, but I've heard rumors that it's a mystical sight," he said as they drew nearer to the site.

Not much longer walking through the tall summer grasses, the runestones came into view, glowing with their ethereal blue light along the intricate markings and linework etched into their smooth surfaces. Artorias' eyes widened in wonder, an amazed smile slowly creeping across his muzzle as they drew closer. This was exactly what he'd been hoping to bring Bowen to see!

"Bowen & Artorias"