Home. It was a concept that had always been strange to the man, never quite settling right with him -- like a word, forgotten, teasing the tip of one's tongue. Never quite leaving the lips, but instead dancing, so tantalizing and close, and yet so wholly unreachable. How long it had been since he had truly had a place to call home -- and how quickly that home had been taken from him. Shattered and splayed like the icicles, when they fell from their perches high on the limbs of the pine trees that seemed endless here. Though the earth was cold and the air frigid and merciless, Bronze had always been accustomed to such harsh conditions. He'd been born of the mountains and the snow, and he had never known winter to be easy. And though he was a prisoner of Glaciem, of a pack that he had so willingly volunteered to fight against, he knew there were far worst things than being held captive. Here, he was rarely bothered; left to fend for himself. It was not much different than the life he had led on his own, for so many years, and yet he could not help but feel restless. He hadn't seen his children in months. The winter was slowly subsiding -- the snow seemed to be lessening, and the temperatures rising ever so slightly -- and he longed to see them once again. He remembered, so painfully, how he had missed much of Alione's adolescence. It was painful to have neglected her so thoroughly, to have missed so much of her life, and the knowledge that he was doing it once again -- albeit not by choice -- was more painful than any injury. And so he would mull over his decision for some time. He had healed from his injuries relatively quickly, but even now he found his joints aching. Age was not treating him kindly, and he was all too aware of the fact that his days were growing closer to an end. Already so much guilt was felt by the elder. He was certain any more might kill him. And so, with as much grace and speed as he could muster, Bronze would slip from the borders of Glaciem and head south. He wanted nothing to do with the feud between the packs. If he had to, he would take his family from Seracia entirely and find somewhere safe to spend the rest of his days. Packs and alliances and enemies be damned. He wanted to see his family, and he was determined to do so. The journey was much greater than he expected. Long minutes rolled into hours, and before long he found the sun setting, casting a brilliant display of colors across the horizon. He would retreat beneath a makeshift shelter of fallen tree limbs and snow, curling into himself and drifting into a light state of unconsciousness. It seemed only moments before the sun would rise again, warming him and slowly rousing him from his restless sleep. When he finally made it to the border of the Kingdom of Seracia, a land he had grown fond of, he would come to a halt. He didn't know what consequences his actions might have -- nor did he truly care. He had never been a particularly honorable man. Family meant everything to him, and he had returned to them again, though he knew not for how long. Slowly he would come to rest on the snow-caked earth, his muzzle raising to the sky and a call ripping forth from his chest, beckoning his family to his side once again. He was weak and tired, and an unshakable sadness had gripped his heart, but he was here -- he was home.

That sound. He was instantly brought from his nap, almost sure he had dreamed it. With excitement he would leap up, he had to be sure that he was not just dreaming up a preferred reality. The thought of seeing his father would fuel him as he raced to the border, determined to make sure that it truly was his father who had called to them. He had been away for so long, taken by the likes of a pack who had no idea how much he wanted the presence of Bronze. Had he been older he would have stormed the pack on his own, but he was much too young. Now though, he just hoped that his father was actually there. The sight was one he could hardly believe. He would have rubbed his eyes if he had been given hands, but standing there like the greatest dream he had ever had, was his father. He couldn't move for a moment, he was frozen in time, too overwhelmed by actually being able to behold the man. He had certainly grown in the time that Bronze had been gone, he was close to his full height at almost 9 months old. He was becoming a man, and now he was so relieved to have his father there to help him grow. First a couple of steps would be taken, but as the shock would wear off he could feel himself collect his wits and suddenly rush to Bronze's side. Dad.. He wanted so bad to touch him, so he would push his head into his father's neck. dad, dad you're back. He could still hardly believe his eyes, he was really there, really in his grasp. Speech,

He could feel the cold deep within his bones, gripping his core and refusing to let go. But he would stand tall and wait, despite the fatigue that threatened to topple him from his nearly two-day long journey. The pads of his paws had grown soft from his lack of travel in the last few seasons, and he swore he could feel the cracks in them even as he stood now. His injuries from the siege had all but faded, leaving no noticeable scars behind; instead, they were hidden under his thick winter coat. His family would not see the wounds that is patriarch had endured, but he doubted his exhaustion would go unnoticed. He would shift his weight from one paw to the other, adjusting himself into a more comfortable position as he waited. As his son's form came into his vision, he quickly felt tears beginning to well in his brown eyes. He was more a man than a child, and he found his heart surge at the realization. Mercury was not a pup anymore, and he was beginning to look quite handsome -- the bronze marking on his face a striking reminder that this boy was none other than his own flesh and blood. A soft sigh would leave his lips, and the tension would slide from his muscles as his son quickly approached him and pressed into his neck. "Mercury," he would breathe softly, pressing into his son with unabashed adoration. "I am so sorry." He truly felt as though he was responsible for everything -- for offering his services as a warrior when he was so obviously too old to fight, for being afraid to return sooner, for being too weak to fight for his own freedom. Even know, he didn't know what the consequences of his actions might be, but he no longer cared.

Faolan was wrapped in the warmth of his mother's coat, enjoying the solitary sleep that had found its way to their den. The dreams he had were familiar ones: his father was racing towards him in a flash of white fur, only to end up disappearing before Faolan could touch him. Sadness usually followed the silver pup when he woke up, but for some reason, it didn't this time. He pondered why there was a change in his usual cycle, but the question was soon lost to what happened next -- a familiar howl reached his ears as it hit the air. The silvery pup didn't waste any time leaving the den. He lightly tapped his mother on the nose with his tail before he sprinted off towards the border. Nothing would hold him back as he put on another burst of speed to reach it faster. His heart raced fast as his muscles worked to propel him across the grass and snow, not caring if he hit anything or anyone at that point. By the time he reached the edge of the woods that made the inside borderline of the pack's lands, he felt as if he was in a dream. Bronze's scent hit him like a ton of bricks and he almost cried from the nostalgia. He effortlessly slipped through the trees, avoiding the stray branches and wet spots on the ground before he exposed himself on the outside of the border. Light green eyes flashed excitedly at the scene: Mercury had already beaten him to it, but that didn't make his love for Bronze fade. Instead, it fueled his fire and he bounded towards the two males. A gentle lick was given to Mercury to signify his presence, but he saved the loving nuzzle and piteous whines for Bronze. Once his father pulled back from Mercury, Faolan took his chance and buried his face into the male's chest. He felt the scars beneath his fur, but didn't care as he raised his head to lovingly nuzzle under the chin of his dad. Faolan then ran his head across the guy's chest and front arms as he felt warm tears fall from his green eyes. The nostalgia and reunion were too great for the good-hearted boy and all he could say was, "Dad...oh my god, Dad...you're home!" Tears continued to seep from his eyes to his father's fur as he sobbed gently before pulling back to look up and give him a misty-eyed gaze. It broke his heart to know his father had been taken, but then he repaired it by knowing he was home. Speech

Bronze was not sure what would happen now. He had escaped from the place in which he had been confined, but he'd always made an awful prisoner; they might not even miss him, or notice he was gone. Or perhaps he would be found her, taken and tortured for disobeyed those that had claimed him -- but he did not care. As he stared down at his son, he knew that nothing in the world mattered at this moment, and that even if he died right here, he would be happy. He thought he could stare at Mercury forever, admiring the marking on his face that mirrored his own fur so perfectly, but his attention was quickly taken by another. By Faolan, his other son, a boy cloaked in silver fur that came from neither parent. His already wide smile would grow, an undoubted picture of happiness, as the boy sprinted toward them. Though he too had grown, he seemed to become a child again as he drew near and began to whimper and press into him. "I could not bear to be without you two a moment longer," he answered, rather serious as he nuzzled Faolan's head tenderly. He would pull back, his smile only faltering momentarily as he saw his son's teary gaze -- he, too, felt moisture welling on his own eyes. "Do not cry, son," he told him gently, leaning to nip gently and playfully at the boy's ear. "I am home now and you have nothing to fear."

Jendai had woken up bright and early this morning, unable to stay asleep for some reason. Something was just telling the young fea that something exciting was going to happen today and she couldn't shake the feeling even long enough to sleep. So, instead, she went out to the fence that cut trough the territory and paced up and down the fence line. It was quickly becoming one of her familiar haunts. The silver and charcoal fea no longer considered herself a pup, even though she was still not quite a year old and she still was quite a bit shorter than even her own siblings. Suddenly, just as she was about to duck under the lowest fence post to make her loop again a voice that she had almost convinced herself she would never hear again cut through the air. She stopped in her tracks, her green gaze widening with shock as time seemed to stop. "It can't be... but it is! It is!" With her heart racing in her chest, Jendai turned toward the border and took off like a rocket. Her light weight made it easy for the small fea to race across the open land as fast as she could. When his golden form finally appeared she skidded to a halt, her paws slipping a little on the snow, her heart racing, and her lungs burning. All she could feel was disbelief as she watched Bronze give his affections to her brothers that had beat her to the scene. For several moments all the gray fea could do was stare till she finally convinced her legs to pull her forward to him. She peered up at him with her vivid green gaze, the truth of what she was seeing finally dawning on her. "Dad!" she exclaimed, rushing forward across the last couple of inches between them. Jendai nuzzled her face into his fur, trying so hard to hide the tears that were forming in her eyes. She couldn't keep herself still. Her tail was wagging like crazy and it seemed like her whole body was trembling with all of the emotions that rushed through her all at once. "You're here! You're really here!" Speech Thought Others

The sound of her father's call would arrest her quite easily from her restless slumber. Though she was certainly growing old enough to leave her parent's den, she found herself sleeping there still -- and her siblings didn't seem too eager to leave, either. The enclosure still smelled vaguely of her father, and it was safe and warm here. She had found a hiding spot nearby for the few herbs she had gathered, but many of them were all but useless now. Still, spring had arrived, beginning to melt the snow and ice that seemed to have cloaked the earth for so many months, and she knew soon the flowers and herbs she craved to know so badly would be blooming soon. Her thoughts wandered for a long moment as her siblings stirred, one by one, slipping from the den. Still her mother slept, and Ara would hesitantly rise and peer from the den. Eyes of blue sparkled as she glanced from the opening of the den, seeing no sign of her siblings, but slowly beginning to grasp the reality of it all. Her father! He had returned! Her paws would carry her toward the sound, trailing after the scent of her three siblings, eager and expectant. And yet an unshakable anxiety began to rattle her core. What if he was hurt? She had no herbs for him, only wilted lavender, which could only ease his muscles or cause his mind to relax, but she was not sure -- fresh plants worked best, and her stash of lavender was all but bad. A frown would crease the young girl's lips as she rushed forward, but soon was turned upside-down almost immediately upon seeing her father. "Dad!" Ara would exclaim, a rare show of excitement from the normally contained child, and she rushed forward beside Jendai to nuzzle her father's side. She didn't know how he had escaped, but he was alive and seemed okay -- but she was certain he was tired and sore. But that was something they would deal with later. He seemed many years younger to her right now, full of smiles and joy, and she couldn't help but giggle like a child as she nuzzled into his fur.

He felt his father push into him as they were reunited, the man's words would bring surprise to his ears though, how could his father be sorry? He had certainly not done anything wrong. He had been a great warrior, that was wrongly stolen from his family. He had been valiant and brave, exactly how Mercury wanted to be when he was older. "Don't be sorry for being brave, dad." He would be the one giving him encouragement as he enjoyed his presence, the boy was just happy for him to be home. Faolan would suddenly appear beside him, tears obvious on his silvery fur. The reunion was beautiful, his tail would wag excitedly behind him as it showed off his pleasure at having his father once again. His sisters were not long to follow as they ran to greet their sire as well, the amount of joy that filled their hearts was immeasurable. He would whine with pleasure as all four children surrounded the old warrior. "I've missed you so much," his words would be pushed into the golden wolf's fur as he leaned into embrace the man once more. Speech,

Silent had been resting in the den with her four youngest babies. They were seven months old, but that didn't stop them from being loved and endlessly snuggled by their dear old mother. Old...it was a word that Silent would probably never get used to. Even though she was getting near the age of ten years, she still had the youthful spirit residing in her body. She would never give up something so precious. It was this youthful feeling that helped her wake up shortly after Ara departed. Sleepy green eyes blinked and her vision was blurry, but she quickly shook her head and regained her clear eyesight. Upon reaching this, surprise took over when she realized that the den was empty except for herself. Where had all of her babies gone to? Their absences made her heart pound faster and she rose from all fours to begin searching for them. They wouldn't have left her without letting her know where they would be...unless they really had to leave without explanations. But what could be so important...? The ebony female stepped out of the den, shook all over, and proceeded to begin her search. All four babies were out in Seracia and she needed to know where. Immediately, Silent began to sniff for their scents, to figure out which ways they chose to go. Another spark of surprise hit Silent when the scents of her four little ones were combined, one after another, along the same unseen trail. She raised an eyebrow and began to follow the line of smells that stretched into the woods near their home. It wasn't like for all four of them to be together at the same time. They spent time with each other, 'tis true, but they never all hung out in the same place together. Curiosity and wonder made her mind scratch its head as she continued to walk through the large gaps the trees made. Before she reached the middle of the forest, she was hit with nostalgia. A scent, so familiar and so rewarding at the same time, snuck up around the four scents of her babies. Silent froze, one front paw in midair before slowly stepping down. 'No...', she silently thought, 'It can't be...surely not!' She took a few more steps forward, breathing in the smells once more to make sure she wasn't dreaming. The scents curled around her nose and she felt warm tears form in her eyes. Silent didn't dare let them fall as the reality was trying to push through her denial. Of all the places to have the scent appear...surely, it was a joke! The chance of being tricked by the situation explained why Silent's presence slowly walked through the last few rows of trees to the clearing. Her emerald greens took in the figures of all four children, crowded around a wolf with the gold color, the scars that only she knew the stories of, and the brown eyes that doted loved upon each pup...who was her husband. She waited until his eyes rose to meet her presence and the children huddled together in an eager bunch as she approached him. Silence had fallen across the family and Silent took to it like a moth to a flame. Everything she had ever felt since his forced capture until that moment came crashing down on her and she was lost for words. There was only one thing she could do at that moment... Silent's form raced towards Bronze's, black clashing into gold the minute she made contact with him. It was a gentle bump of the chests, the most gentle she had ever given to a man, and she continued to walk on either side of him with her body sticking like Velcro as she covered the nasty Glaciem scent that had stuck to his form. She didn't want any piece of that wretched pack on his person and she intended to make him smell like Seracia again. When she got back in front of him, Silent began to lick his cheeks and forehead, eager to show how much she had missed him. Her tail wagged behind her slender, black form as she went between licking and nuzzling his face and neck. Soft whines escaped her and she stopped displaying affection before she lowered herself to her haunches and rested her head against his shoulder. She scooped his neck beneath her chin and she breathed in his scent with her emerald eyes closed. "Bronze..." she softly said, still taking in his familiar and wanting smell, "Never in my life have I been so happy to see you, my beloved. Don't ever leave me again or I shall die from heartbreak worse than before!" Silent then pulled back and gave him a stern gaze with love seeping from the cracks of the pretend wall. "I never stopped thinking about you or loving you. Our babies never stopped hoping you would come home, and now you have...to stay." There would be no argument; if one did come up, she would retaliate with hellfire! "talking"

So much had happened, and too much time had passed; he could not stand to spend another day away from his family. Even if it meant certain death for him -- he needed to spend his last days here. With his children and with his wife. And it was obvious that nothing made him happier than the sight of his children. His eyes would sparkle with unshed tears as Ara responded to his call, watching his serious daughter begin to smile with glee. He would lean to nuzzle the top of her head, so happy that his four youngest children were here. The pride in the eyes of his children was obvious, and he felt a warmth blossoming deep within his chest. "I will not leave you again, Mercury, until death himself takes me from you." It was a harsh reality, one his children must be aware of by now -- but how soon, he did not even know himself. The tired male would lean to press against Mercury once more, wanting nothing more than retreat with his children and talk until the sun set and all of them fell into a deep sleep. His attention would be stolen by the last to arrive to the gathering. His love. Age had treated her so kindly all these years, and a few months had changed nothing. She was as beautiful as ever, though she looked tired. It wasn't fair she'd had to take care of their youngest litter by herself, and despite how proud his family might be of him, he could not help but feel ashamed at not finding a way to escape sooner. He would bow his head slightly, though his eyes would not avert from her. His own dark brown gaze would fill with tears once again as he watched her approach. A long moment of silence would grab hold on the family, refusing to let go of them for some time; as if it was all a dream, and he might awaken from it without warning. But nothing changed. The ground beneath him was solid and unwavering, and the warmth of his children was more real than anything as they stood beside him. Without warning, she would rush forward to embrace him, pressing into him and moving around him as though to claim him as her own. As if I have ever been anyone else's, he would think silently, with a gently twitching of his lips into a faint smile. "And I have never been so happy to see you," he said seriously, tears beginning to spill as the man pulled forward to lap at her own face as she began to speak so seriously to him. He was not always the most emotional of men, but always so tender to his children -- it was, perhaps, the first time they had ever seen him cry. He could not help but sob and whimper softly as he kissed Silent, wondering how long they had left together on this earth. He felt so tired and worn, but he had never been happier in all his life, he was certain of it. "I promised Mercury that only death will take me from this world, and from my family, and I will not break that promise." He would not fight for his Kingdom again, even if he was forced to. They would run and hide and be free, but he would not be without them for another day as long as he lived.

His words were what she needed to hear. Even if they were lies (which she knew that he wouldn't do), she would have believed them. Her love for him was something that could not be tested and tried without her passing with flying colors. Bronze being taken by Glaciem as prisoner and leaving her and their children was another test that she had had to endure. It was one she didn't like one bit and would have taken back in an instant, but she knew that it wouldn't work out like that. She had him back now; that was all that mattered. Her tears finally showed back up and spilled without her fighting to keep them in. A soft whimper and deep inhale of breath from her crying sounded from her black kissers and she kept her emerald gaze on his. "Even in death, you will always be my one and only love, Bronze." She gave a wag of her tail before returning the kisses he had given her, only more slowly and with deeper meanings. "No matter where you go or what happens in the next life, my heart will never settle for anyone else. To have you by my side will not be questioned, nor will the love and dedication we have for each other and our children. You are too important to be let go again!" In her mind, Bronze's place was by her side and their children's. They all needed him in order to survive and the past two seasons were living proof of how his absence affected them. Silent gave him a loving nuzzle and sobbed into his fur before reclining to her haunches in emotional defeat. Her face stayed buried in his wet pelt and tears continued to flow from her closed eyes. "I love you so much..." she whispered, ears flattening against her skull as she pushed herself against Bronze's form. "You don't know how long I have wanted you home..." Even though their children were present, she had selfish moment to herself with her husband. There were so many things to say and do with him, it was ridiculous that it had to wait any longer. "talking"