Kip had left Dad near the castle entrance and made his way to the family’s room to see his mom.  The young man had a sense of mixed emotions.  He did love his family and it would be great to see them again but he was coming back to tell them he was leaving and that would likely not be a fun conversation.  I had been bad enough debating his point with his dad and it wasn’t like they’d been separated for seasons.  Still, on the other hand, he was looking forward to that ultimate freedom.  So many emotions and thoughts all trapped in his head at the same time.

“Hi Mom, we’re home,” he called to Mom.  The grey boy had grown, not so much in size as muscles while he was gone.  There was a subtle difference in his stride, more confidence in his own abilities.  “Dad will be here soon.”

"Kipling"

The days pass and Fern finds herself missing her boys more and more. Even though she had agreed that Rudy should take Kip out to show him the world and help the young boy find his independence, the gray woman couldn’t help but long for the day they will return home. It has been difficult for her and, while she loves her girls, she just wish they could all be family… once more. Sprawled across the bed that she usually shares with Rudyard, the woman stares absently at the empty hearth, remembering the happy days spent in front of the fire’s glow with her family.

Fern has tried to be strong for her girl’s, help them where she could and offer support in everything they did. But, the absence of her mate has taken a toll on her and the monochrome woman has felt her heart growing heavy. Tears brim in her eyes as a strange, yet familiar, stride of paws pulls her head up from her paws. Kipling, her Kipling, calls out to her. Sliding from atop the bed, she lands nimbly on her paws and rushes to the door. Pulling it open, she finds him there, standing with all the confidence that he had once lacked.

Without a word, she leans in, front legs moving to encircle her son and pull him in closer to her while the tears slip free from her eyes. Burying her face in his scruff, Fern silently weeps, thinking all the gods that they have brought them safely home to her. While she wishes to hear about his adventures, the woman doesn’t yet trust her voice so decides to pull her face from his scruff to lovingly pepper him with kisses. Oh, how much he has grown!


"Fern Carpathius"