home at last

After Artorias had lit the bonfire that evening for Iolaire's history lessons, the Aegis had returned back to Hearthstone to conclude his evening patrols and secure their home for the evening. As always, the Hallows was peaceful and quiet as another long summer day came to a close. Walking down the quiet halls of the castle, Artorias began to make his way up to his and Briar's bedroom to strip of his weapon and armor. Entering into the room, Art exchanged a loving smile with his beautiful wife as she too had begun getting ready for bed. Artorias crossed the room and came up behind his mate, nuzzling into the back of her neck with a happy hum. "Good evening, my beautiful queen," he murmured before kissing her cheek and stepping over to the armor stand and beginning to remove his cuirass, setting it up for the next day and placing Embershard on its rack above the mantle.

Taking a quick glance around the room, Artorias took note of how child-free it was currently with most of their little ones still down at the bonfires and a cheeky smirk grew across his lips. Creeping his way back over to his wife, the obsidian and azure brute slowly entwined Briar up in his arms from behind, holding her close as he licked and nuzzled her scruff and neck. "Y'know, the kids are gonna be down at the bonfire for some time..." he purred into her ear, his thinly veiled suggestion hanging in the air for a moment before he continued, "How about we-" A knock at the door cut off Art's suggestive words, drawing forth a disappointed sigh from the amorous dire brute. "Of course..." he joked with a chuckle, reluctantly releasing Briar from his embrace to head over to the bedroom door, pulling it open to find a sight he had begun to fear he'd never see again.

Amber eyes widened as Artorias gazed up at the massive bundle of mottled blue and gray feathers, larger than he even remembered them being. His heart swelled with surprise and love and joy as he beamed up at his eldest son, a huge smile splitting his face from ear to ear. "Zephyrus!" Artorias rushed from the room to throw his forelegs around the massive avian as best he could with the major size difference between them now. "Briar! Zephyrus is home!" Tears welled up in the emotional father’s eyes while a shocked, amazed laugh shook his whole body. "My boy! Where have you been? We were all worried sick!"

"Carpathius Family"