The Summer Bonfire

Every time the bonfire came around again, it amazed her just how fast time was passing. To think that they would be celebrating yet another year of their family, of the Hallows, of this home they had built... She never really seemed to realized how much time was passing until they reached a milestone or a marker like this. She knew that it was a custom that Artorias had kept to bring a token of remembrance for anyone that had been lost and that thought had weighed on her mind as well. The loss of her mother had been an impactful moment for her and regardless of the ebb and flow of her relationship with her late mother she still felt like she ought to do something for her. The only question left was what? It took her a while to think of something that felt fitting, but in the end she felt like simplicity was best and landed on a branch that had clusters of sage green moss across its bark-reminiscent of the subtle teal green coloring that she and her mother had shared-and had spent some time carving in a subtle design wherever the moss wasn't.

She was putting the finishing touches on her little offering when she heard her husband's howl and she quickly picked it up and began to make her way toward the area that they had been prepping for the event. She had left the building of the fire itself to him, but she of course had contributed to the food and wine as usual. As she approached she spotted several of their children and various family and pack members already gathered around and she smiled around the branch she was carrying. They hardly ever had the chance with the business of their lives for everyone to be in the same place and it always warmed her heart to have some time like this. Before she came to join Artorias, she first went to the unlit bonfire and found a place to nestle in her reminder of her mother, looking at it with a sad smile, before she turned and went to find her place beside Artorias, leaning into his side while they waited for the others to arrive.

"Carpathius Family"