Asheila had re-learned how to live life on her own not that it took much effort. It was hard at first, watching every snap and corner worried that her captors had actually been waiting all this time until she was alone outside of the Hallows. But as weeks and months went on, it seemed like it was all in her imagination. They were gone, they weren't coming back.

She still stuck near home but she couldn't really bring herself to come back. It was hard for her watching her family thrive, and her feeling like she was a failure to all of them and herself. That wasn't true, and she tried to tell herself that often. But the intrusive thoughts of how far behind in her life she was were overpowering. She never seemed to outgrow it after returning to The Hallows.

She went to the falls today, coming to the riverbed and watching the flowing waters and fish as they grew used to her presence there. She didn't know what life would hold for her next.

"Asheila Carpathius"

Life was tough and yet it was the easiest thing in the world. Bowen grew a little round, her belly full of Haiku's children. She was starting to look like a little pumpkin. If she sat around too much, her thoughts would get the best of her, so Bowen walked. She ended up at the falls today, careful to avoid any bears. Surprisingly, she wasn't the only one there. The scent of Asheila caught her attention and Bowen altered course, following her sisters trail. In time, she found her.

"Ash," the small fae called out, one brow lifted. Why wasn't Ash at home with everyone else? Bowen had only just returned and a lot of the past season or two... or three... were still unknown to her. Coming up to her sister, a look of concern crossed her caramel and cream face. "Are you okay?" A loaded question, probably.

"Bowen"

As Bowen's voice called out, Ash turned with a bit of surprise but a wide smile when she met her gaze. She was happy they could both meet out here, as much as Ash was avoiding her home pack. Seeing her sister in front of her gave her heart a jolt of happiness after being away for so long. She wasn't expecting such a high.

Her tail wagged slightly, Ash kind of noticing Bowen's "pumpkin" shape, but not putting the pieces together. "Bowen." Her typical shy, quiet demeanor changed for her sister. Her paws reached up as she closed the distance between them, going to wrap her legs around her shoulders in a short hug. Her voice close to ear, "I'm fine." As fine as she could be, and definitely not the same state as her caramel sister. "Are you?" She couldn't feel the shift of sadness in her, but she hoped Bowen was doing okay too.

"Asheila Carpathius"

It was as though no time had passed between them. Ash put her arms around Bowens neck and the smaller woman sank into her siblings chest, tears already welling in her emerald eyes. Ash claimed to be okay, but when she asked if Bowen was okay in turn, the caramel fae shook her head lightly. "No," she choked out, her own paws lifting to wrap back around her sister.

How could she even launch into the story of what was wrong? Bowen buried her face into the side of her sister's neck and cried, likely freaking the grey fae out, but she couldn't help herself. The wave of emotion crashed over her, amplified by the comfort that Asheila provided. She felt safe and that safety allowed her to truly feel all of the emotions that she tried to keep tamped down.

As the sorrow settled, Bowen turned her head slightly, her cheek against her sisters chest. "I'm pregnant," she whispered softly. "And my children's father is dead. I buried him myself. I..." Bo's head gave a little shake. "They'll never get to meet their father."

"Bowen"

When Bowen had said she wasn't fine, Ash's heart sank and she gave a tighter hold around her in response to her own hug. The once thrilled smile to see her sister again had faded, but it was for a pain in Bowen that she didn't know. Hoping that she could help make her feel even a little better.

A paw gently brushed down her back as Bowen settled more into her, Ash feeling a welling of her own tears in her eyes as her sister had a breakdown in her arms. The news she would give next was just enough to get them to spill over, but not enough to throw her into her own sobbing. She couldn't put herself in Bowen's paws, she had never known a love outside of her family. She had never had pups. But she couldn't help but feel the immense pain that Bowen bled into her. "I'm so sorry Bowen." There were probably no words that could help ease the suffering. She gave a moment of silence as she stayed there, holding her sister. "I know it can't make up for it but I'm here for you. We will be here for them." She knew Artorias and their other siblings would welcome Bowen's family with open arms. She would want to be there for them too, and for Bowen. "Please tell me if there's anything I can do for you." It wasn't an ask but a promise. She would do everything she could for her sister who she had lived with years ago. Even if they had moved their separate ways, she would never feel like they had fallen apart.

"Asheila Carpathius"