Asheila had been feeling a lot better from her recovery at least physically. She was quick to hold in the darker feelings and memories surrounding everything that had happened but all she wanted was to put it into her past. It wasn't so easy but she tried her best to put a smile on her face every morning and start this new and familiar life back in The Hallows.

She had spent a considerable amount of time in the infirmary where usually Gwyn had tended to her wounds, but she was starting get up and out of bed to walk the halls and courtyard of the castle over the last week or so. And as time went on, she kept finding herself drawn to the walls that led outside of the castle. It wasn't for any healthy reason, she kept making her way over just to look outside at the plains surrounding the castle and really she was trying to push herself. She was absolutely terrified of going outside the walls, not just the packlands. She wasn't fully recovered physically either but still she felt like she had to get over this fear maybe before she was completely healed. She liked to believe she was strong, or wanted the rest of her family to see her thriving or something along those lines. And while she didn't think they'd be so judgmental or pushing her to move on, she couldn't get it out of her head. It was more her own self image than what they thought of her.

She sat at the edge of the courtyards today, watching as some wolves traveled in and out of the castle about their usual day, and after so long she turned to head back up the stairs to make her stroll around the halls. She couldn't find that courage to head outside today. So she'd work on the strength and stamina that she could inside.

"Asheila Carpathius"

With Briar pregnant, Artorias had become a bit of a homebody helping keep her tended to and preparing for their coming litter. He didn't mind, nor did he really care either; his place was here, looking after her, looking after their family and the pack. It was where he was happiest and felt his most accomplished. Plus there was so much to handle in the homestead. Beyond his wife's pregnancy, the Hallows had a new member in the form of Mercury to help get settled in, and more importantly, the return of his sisters. Having Asheila and Bowen back home felt like the fragmented family portrait he'd come to know his family as since Resin's untimely death was finally being put back together. They had all struggled and suffered, some more than others, but they'd faced their challenges and risen above the darkness. They lived up to their namesake and stood strong as the mountains. Artorias couldn't have been prouder of all of them.

Whilst dwelling on those thoughts, Artorias caught a glimpse of Ash meandering through the castle hallways coming in from the courtyard and gardens as he exited the great hall. Bright amber eyes lit up to se his sister ambulatory and mending. When he'd first seen her unconscious and wounded in that infirmary cot, he'd immediately feared the worst. Seeing her recover practically before his eyes did his heart good and reminded him just how strong the spirits of his siblings were. "Buna dimineata, Ash," Art greeted his sister with a warm smile as he approached her. "Enjoying the gardens today?" He raised a curious brow and glanced back outside the massive doors to the terrace, asking the silent question of if she'd like to take a walk. Ever since her return, Artorias had noticed that she had remained inside the castle, never daring to go even close to the gates. He would never force her to set paw outside, of course; she would get there in her own time. He would support her in her recovery, however, and if one small step of spending time outside helped her, then it was worth every effort made.

"Artorias" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Eira" | "Argent"

Ash turned gently as Artorias had come to join her. She wasn't surprised, and she was comfortable inside the castle walls so at the very least she wasn't scared he was anyone else but a member of the pack. She smiled back at him with the quick flick of her eyelashes as she went to look forward and continue her steps onward through the castle halls. If he had been inside the castle for a time, he may have noticed her nearly routine travels. She was spending more time in the courtyard everyday hoping to cross those imaginary lines in her head.

Her ear flicked to him as he asked if she was enjoying the gardens and she smiled a bit nervously in response, "I'm familiar." She looked over her shoulder past the railings that led down to the ground floor of their home, and pushed forward again. Her expression dropped just slightly, maybe enough for him to notice.  She was struggling with how hard this was for her, like she just wanted to push through it and get it over with. But in the end she couldn't do it. Not yet at least.

She stopped for a moment, looking back up to her brother, "I haven't been up on the castle walls..." She was acting a little shy but he was already here so clearly he wasn't busy with anything else, "If you don't mind going with me. I think it would make me feel better." To see the wide open areas around the castle and the oceans surrounding them. More like no one was waiting outside to grab her at the moment she was vulnerable. It was a bit dramatic but it was how she felt. It was possible that her captors had moved on but it was too soon for her to believe that.

"Ashelia Carpathius"

Perceptive as ever, Artorias did notice the way Asheila's expression seemed to droop a little when he asked her about her time in the gardens, looking like there was some unseen force she couldn't quite overcome waiting for her outside. The eldest Carpathian's gentle smile faltered a bit, little more than a dip of the corner of his mouth, while he watched his sister contend with some struggle inside her head. He did not know what sort of challenges and pain she had faced in her time alone nor what had ultimately happened to her while she was gone; he hadn't dared to ask, fearing the same sort of response that Bowen had given him about her times as a sex slave held captive by pirates. His heart hurt for his sisters whose youths and innocence had been stolen from them. A vindictive part of his nature wished he could exact vengeance against all who harmed their family, but Artorias had to be realistic and face the truth—some crimes were never properly punished.

After a few moments of quiet contemplation between the brother and sister, Ash looked up to him again, catching Art's attention from his own dour brooding. She mentioned how she hadn't been to the castle walls yet, and then asked if he would go with her to see the sights. Ever the supportive brother, the ebony and sapphire male smiled more genuinely and nodded his head. "It'd be my pleasure. The sights from the walls are second only to the tower, but with significantly less stairs," he remarked with a chuckle and began to make his way to his sister's side. The gardens lay just outside the open doors, and surrounding them, the high gray stone walls. Art gave Ash all the time she needed to prepare herself, then gestured with a paw for her to take the lead, "Ready when you are, Ash."

"Artorias" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Eira" | "Argent"

Ash would take the lead up to the castle walls, not seeming really on edge as what was festering inside. She still felt safe being in the castle and safer being with her brother. Maybe it was more the fear and looking over the edge and finding someone waiting for her outside. She didn't know for sure.

She may have seemed a little hesitant once they reached the top, but as was the rest of their family she was strong taking that step forward. Eyes scanned over the beaches towards the shimmering shore, but that's not where her worry lay. It could have been, since the group that had her captive were wayfinders only from their island to the mainland when it came to resources. But her attention stuck into the south western lands from The Hallows. It was where Tamsyn had found her, but also where they would have been residing off the mainland and where they would have been coming from looking for her. They may have given up, but she knew if they crossed paths on any usual day it wouldn't be good for her. It was always that fear of what if.

As they took the walk across the wall, her head slightly turning in those directions while she tried to hide the fact. Her gaze eventually turned back to Art with that faint smile which seemed to make her relax a little bit. "Thank you." Maybe no big deal for him to his sister, but still. Time had made some kind of strain between her and the rest of her family at least on her end. She just needed to put down her roots again, work on her fears, and maybe one day everything would be normal again.

"Ashelia Carpathius"