After Tamsyn and Kane made it back to the castle after their battle with the murderous dire wolf and they had gotten Kane patched up and treated by Gwynevere, the night had been spent laying in the infirmary just like the day they met. They talked well into the night about the future, their children to be, and the lives they wanted for them. It was things they had talked about casually here and there like a far flung dream that they hadn't known if it would ever come to pass or not, but now all those dreams and 'what ifs' had become reality. The excited whispers back and forth made her look forward to this future with Kane and for this family that they would build together. It was still too early to tell how many pups they would have or anything of that sort, but they could at least start talking about how they wanted them to be raised.

What they decided on would be a pretty big change of pace, but it was one she was excited for. Kane had reignited this love for exploring and of nature for her so when he brought up wanting their children to be raised how he was with traveling and living in nature it was something that she could easily agree to. It did mean that she was going to have to clear these desires of hers with her son and find a middle ground between the two halves of her life. She had this new lease on life with Kane, a new chance at love and a second litter of children she never imagined she would get to have, but her home had been here in the castle for so long. She and Resin had built a life here and all of her older children were here. She could never abandon this. She needed a way to have both.

The next morning she left Kane still asleep in the infirmary, wanting him to get plenty of rest. He had taken the worst of the fight with his nemesis and would have a good bit of recovery to do. Luckily Gwynevere was a wonderful doctor and was taking good care of him so she had no doubt that he was in good paws. She walked through the corridors of the castle looking for Artorias, deciding it was better to talk to him about it sooner rather than later. She knew her son and his routine pretty well and just as she suspected she found him coming down the stairs to do his morning patrol. "Good morning," she told him as she reached up to give his cheek an affectionate kiss. "Do you have a minute to talk?"

Tamsyn Carpathius of the Valley

Artorias had taken up the habit of checking everything he passed as he went about his day now, making sure the castle was ready to receive its newest residents whenever they arrived. He wanted everything to be perfect for Briar when she eventually arrived, which ideally would be any day now! After spending some time with her at her surprise birthday party, he was more invigorated than ever to have the love of his life move in so they could begin to spend the rest of their lives together. He was eager for the rest of the pack to meet Briar, and for his princess to take up the mantle of Queen of the Hallows. It would be a transition for them all, but one he was anxiously looking forward to.

Striding gracefully down the stairs while he soaked in all of the finer details of the castle and its architecture, Artorias found his mother waiting in the foyer at the bottom of the stairs. He knew about their fight with the primordial dire wolf in the bamboo forest to the south and had been intending on heading down there to scout it out and make sure there were no other surprise threats lingering in the unchecked corners of Auster. "Good morning, Mom!" he greeted her with a bright smile as he reached the floor, pausing only when she asked if he had time to talk. "I always have time for you, Mama. But my stomach might not. How about breakfast while we talk?"

Artorias walked with Tamsyn down to the great hall, leaving her only briefly to go retrieve some meat for them from the larders beneath the kitchen. He brought back two generous chunks of tender venison loin, passing a portion to her when he returned before settling into a chair as he proceeded to eat his breakfast. "What's on your mind, Mama? How's Kane doing, by the way?" He hadn't checked on the injured brute since they'd brought him back, but given that his mother didn't seem to be a wailing mess, he assumed he was at least still alive, which was a good start.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

Tamsyn chuckled at Artorias when he mentioned how his stomach wasn't willing to wait for them to talk, grinning at her lovely, silly boy. "Absolutely, that sounds perfect." She'd have to bring a little something back with her for Kane when they were done. She wasn't sure how much Kane would feel like eating, but he would certainly needed it to mend the injuries he gathered in the fight. Tam followed Artorias as he led the way down the corridor to the great hall, watching as he went off to fetch some breakfast for them while she found a seat at one of the dining tables. A part of her was a bit nervous to see his reactions—both to the news of the pups she was carrying and to the plans that she and Kane had made. She knew that ultimately Artorias would likely just want her to be happy, but there had been quite a rough patch when she had first brought up the possibility of being with someone else and when she had first started seeing Kane. Artorias had matured so much since then, but she still quietly hoped he would understand at least if not be excited for them.

He came back quickly which thankfully didn't give her much time for her thoughts to stew and worry and she gave him a thankful smile as he passed over the piece of venison. "Thank you, darling. This looks great," she told him, taking a bite from her breakfast. She was a bit tentative in her eating these days since she never knew when her stomach was going to betray her, but it seemed like hunger was going to win out over morning sickness this time. Artorias asked what was on her mind as well as how Kane was doing and she gave him a smile that showed her obvious relief. "He's doing okay. Pretty beaten up and a broken rib to deal with, but all in all he's in one piece which is all I can really ask for. Gwyn has patched him up and is keeping him comfortable of course." She obviously wouldn't expect anything less from her daughter who had a fondness for Kane all her own. She wished there had been more she could have done in the fight to prevent him from getting so hurt, but ultimately it was better to make sure she protected their fledgling children first and foremost and she had at least done that.

"As for what's on my mind..." she began after taking another bite of her breakfast, swiping her tongue over her lips while she tried to figure out how to begin. "Well... Kane and I... We thought we might start trying for a family last season and... well..." She managed to say with a bit of nervousness, looking up at him from across the table with a mix of anxiousness and hopefulness. He would be the first wolf she told besides Kane since Gwyn confirmed the diagnosis and she had no idea how he was going to take the news. "You're going to be a big brother," she finally managed with a bashful flick of her ears, giving him a hopeful smile while she fidgeted nervously with the venison in front of her.

Tamsyn Carpathius of the Valley

While they ate their breakfast, Artorias couldn't help but notice his mother's obvious signs of nervousness. Whatever she had on her mind clearly had her anxious. When he asked about Kane, Tamsyn seemed to visibly brighten, explaining that Gwynevere had been taking good care of him. Artorias smiled and nodded; he expected nothing less from his talented little sister. "Good. He's a tough guy, he'll be all right," he said, hoping to assuage some of the worry he knew his mother would be carrying for her new mate. It had taken some getting used to for him to come to terms with Kane as his mother's mate, but when he saw how happy they were together, it made the chore far easier. When he was younger, Artorias had just felt anger and resentment—not towards the nomadic brute, but towards life and the situation that had put them in a situation where his mother needed to find a new mate. Every day he wished Resin was still with them, but as he matured, he understood that Tamsyn needed someone in her life. She deserved to be happy.

Tamsyn began to explain what was on her mind and Artorias immediately started to cringe when she explained that she and Kane were thinking of starting a family. He didn't really need to know about his mother's bedroom habits with her new mate, nor did he want to know. But before he could make any comment begging her not to detail this any further, Tamsyn stated that he was going to be a big brother again. Artorias' fire opal eyes met Tamsyn's mint ones, shock and confusion on his features. Then realization dawned on him and his mouth hung open a bit. "Mom, you're...?" He glanced down at his mother's midsection, noting no obvious signs of pregnancy, but those would no doubt follow in the weeks to come. That hopeful smile and nervous fidget told no lies though. Tamsyn was pregnant with his half-siblings.

A plethora of emotions whirled about Artorias like a maelstrom. But shockingly, none of them were negative to him. Artorias was happy for his mother. He knew how much love Tamsyn had for him and his siblings, how much she loved her children, how good of a mother she'd been to them. She wanted this full, complete life with Kane, and now she was getting what she deserved. Artorias gave an incredulous laugh, then burst into giddy giggles as he smiled widely at her. "That's fantastic news, Mom! You two must be so excited! That- wow...!" Artorias couldn't stop laughing while he hurried around to throw his forelegs around Tamsyn in a loving embrace, his tail wagging excitedly behind him. "I'm so happy for you, Mama! You're gonna get to be the world's best mother a second time now." Artorias smothered Tam with affectionate nuzzles, pulling back only to said with a bit of cheeky teasing, "Y'know, you're supposed to ask the Aegis' permission before having pups in the Hallows, Mama. But since you're the Aegis' mother and I'm afraid you'll put me in time out, I think I can let it slide this time."

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

Tamsyn watched Artorias' face as her words and their meaning seemed to click for him and she watched him process the news anxiously. Part of her worried that he might react in a similar way to how he had when the topic of her being with another wolf came up the first time, but as soon as he began to laugh and she saw the smile cross his face it felt like a weight was lifted off of her shoulders. She breathed a sigh of relief and a wide smile of her own pulled across her lips while Artorias came around to hug her. She returned his embrace with her tail wagging like crazy. It warmed her heart to hear him call her the world's best mother even though she often felt like she was far from that. The fact that Artorias was excited for them meant the world and relieved so many of her worries. Now that Artorias and Kane both knew she felt like she could officially celebrate herself. For once everything in her life was lining up as it should and she couldn't be more grateful. After so much turmoil and darkness she knew they could all use a bit of light and to have something to celebrate. She didn't know how the rest of her children would feel about it, but getting Artorias' approval meant a lot to her.

She returned his nuzzles before he pulled away and she chuckled at his teasing over the fact that she should have asked the Aegis first. "Well, time out or not, you're right, I should have told you first. I... I honestly didn't know if it was even going to be possible for us so I didn't want to get any hopes up." She looked back to her breakfast shyly at that. She was very much aware of the fact that she was getting older and that this was probably close to if not her last proper heat. They had gotten right to the very edge of what was feasibly possible for them when it came to conceiving a litter and even now she knew that she was likely more high risk than she had been the first time around, but at least for now she was pregnant and hopeful and excited for what she and Kane had been able to create. She had the best care she could imagine around her and knew that if they were going to make this work she was in the best place to do it.

Still, that did at least bring her into the other thing she wanted to talk to him about. "There was one other thing," she mentioned, picking at her breakfast a bit as she looked back up at Artorias. "Something that Kane and I agreed on when we started talking about having pups was that we want to raise them how he was raised... Nomadic, exploring, and learning from the land." She wasn't sure what made her more nervous—telling Artorias that she was pregnant or admitting that they wouldn't be raising his half-siblings here in the castle. "He misses the life he had with his tribe and I want to explore and see all the lands I've missed visiting over the years. I don't want to leave entirely and I want to come back and visit frequently so that they will grow up knowing all of you as well... I just don't think it's fair to the pack for Kane and I and these pups to officially be members of The Hallows if we aren't here enough really help the pack. I would rather you have the room for someone that is going to really be here for The Hallows."

Tamsyn Carpathius of the Valley

Artorias chuckled and brushed his mother off with a dismissive wave of his paw when she apologized for not telling him sooner. "Don't worry about it, I know you wouldn't do something deliberately like that. I'm just happy for the two of you." Like Tamsyn, he was also aware of his mother's age, and the fact that she could bear a litter this late in her life was nothing short of a miracle! He just prayed for a smooth pregnancy and birth for her, but already knew he would be on Gwynevere's case to care for her constantly to make sure everything went well.

He'd been busy mulling over that plan to talk to Gwynevere about their mother's care when Tamsyn started to speak again, seeming more hesitant and nervous while she picked and fussed with her breakfast like a pup afraid to admit something to a stern parent. Artorias raised a curious brow, wondering just what was on his mother's mind that had her acting so uncharacteristically timid. When she began to explain, he slowly started to understand why. She and Kane wanted to raise their litter in the wild lands, traveling and exploring, living the nomadic life of his people. That meant they wouldn't be seeing their mother very much anymore, and even if she did bring the pups around for frequent visits, it meant Tamsyn was leaving the Hallows.

Artorias' face sank with realization and his heart wrenched. He didn't want to see his mother leave their family home. She was a Carpathius; she was supposed to stay with them as a family. He wanted to deny her, to tell her to stay and raise their half-siblings here where they'd be safe and cared for. But seeing the hopeful look in his mother's eyes made him realize something he hadn't before. Tamsyn was happy. She was well and truly happy with Kane and this was what she wanted. As much as it hurt, Artorias knew he had to let Tamsyn go and lead her life how she wanted. "You already know I'm not happy thinking about you leaving home, Mom," he began, releasing a heavy sigh while he glanced down at their half eaten breakfasts. "But... if this is truly what will make you happy... I can't tell you no. But you are our mother, a founding member of this family and our pack. This will always be your home, you will always be a part of it, and I hope you'll come back to be with us again." It took a great deal of strength for Artorias to swallow back the pain of letting his mother go, but he had to let her live her life and pursue her happiness. She had spent two years living for them. Now it was her time to live for herself.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

Tamsyn was anxious as she waited for Artorias' reaction and answer. She knew he had every right to deny her request for one reason or another and a small part of her expected him to, especially when he began by saying how he wasn't happy about her leaving home. When he sighed and started to talk about what would make her happy she realized that he was going to let her go and it was both such a relief and heart breaking at the same time. Seeing how it deflated him hurt and her ears flicked back when she saw her sweet boy going against everything that he instinctually wanted to do just so she could live this dream of seeing the world and raising the children that she would have with Kane. She knew how important it was to him to keep them all together, to hold them close, and it was one of the things she loved about her protective son. The fact that he was going to let her do this was no small thing and she could probably never thank him enough.

It was her turn to get up and go to where he was sitting, reaching up to wrap her forelegs around his neck and press a kiss to his cheek before she embraced him tightly. "I will always be here when you need me," she vowed, her voice breaking a little when tears started to sting at her eyes while her head leaned into his neck. "I don't care where I am in the world... if you send Corbin after me I will be here. If it would make you feel better you can consider me a member of The Hallows even if I'm not here all the time." She leaned back a little bit so she could give him a smile, sniffling a little as she blinked the tears from her eyes. Her paw rested on his cheek as she added, "I love you so much, my blueberry boy, and I always will. New adventures and new love will never change that." She hugged him tight again, their breakfast at least momentarily forgotten. She had lived so many lives in her life time... a young wolf trapped and beaten, a broken woman that struggled to find her way, a wife and mother, a widow, and now she'd be a mother again and she'd be the adventurer she'd always dreamed of being alongside the man that had made it all possible. She could never leave her other lives behind, but she couldn't stop growing and changing into new and different opportunities.

Tamsyn Carpathius of the Valley

It was not an easy thing for Artorias to do, giving his mother permission to leave home. In fact, it was possibly the hardest thing he'd ever had to consider. For all his life, he'd grown up thinking their family would all stay together in the Hallows, the way Resin had imagined they would. He thought his mother would always be around, there for him to turn to whenever he needed her, there to support him in whatever challenges he faced. He thought she'd be waiting outside the doors when his first children were born—her first grandchildren. He imagined her here forever while they grew up to watch the family she'd created grow and flourish. And now... now she was leaving them. Everything inside him screamed to stop it, to deny her, to not let her leave the family. But a caged bird was still caged, no matter how much it sang. Deep down, Artorias knew this was what Tamsyn needed to be happy. Even if it killed him to do this, it would kill his mother even more to refuse her.

Part of him had hoped that this conversation would have just ended there and then. Tamsyn could take her permission to leave, thank him, and be on her way. He hoped this because he didn't want his mother to see him cry. As it happened, Tam instead came over to embrace him, her forelegs wrapping around his neck while she hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek. That undid everything holding Artorias' stoic facade together, and the faint glow of teal tears began to well up in his amber eyes. He leaned his head down to rest over hers while she nuzzled into his neck and promised she would always be there if he needed her. "I will never remove you from the Hallows, Mama," he vowed. How could he? Even if he reigned, this was her pack and her family here. She would always belong to the Hallows and she would always be welcomed home. "You can always come home if you ever need anything from us."

When Tam leaned back, Artorias was full on crying now, those glowing tears cutting down his face while he gazed at her, already dreading that these would be the last days he ever saw her. He knew how dangerous the world was, knew what sort of evils lurked out there, and it made him afraid. Afraid that he'd never see his mother again once she stepped out of Hallowed lands. He knew his mother would be careful and protect herself and her family, but he couldn't shake the fear. After watching Resin die right before him, Artorias had been forced to face the mortality of himself and his own family far too young. Now he dreaded not being able to protect them, to save them, or at the very least to be there at the end. His greatest fear was never seeing his mother again, that she would die somewhere out in the wild, and he'd never know, never get to say goodbye or give her the funeral she deserved. That thought terrified him more than anything else.

Artorias leaned forward when Tamsyn put her paw on his cheek to rest his forehead against hers, closing his eyes in a vain attempt to try and stem the flow of tears that fell from his eyes. When his mother called him "her blueberry boy" his body shook with a gentle sob. "I'll always love you too, Mama," he said while struggling to keep his voice level and not quaking with his breaking heart. "Just... Just promise you'll visit often? I want to know my half-siblings, and... and promise me you'll come back home whenever you decide to stop traveling. I don't want to lose you forever." "I want to be here for you at the end," was what he was truly saying, but he couldn't even attempt to form those words. No matter where Tamsyn went or what adventures she had, in her twilight years, she deserved to spend all of her days surrounded by the family that loved her. Artorias had already lost one parent without a proper goodbye. He would not lose his second the same way.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Argent"