Time had passed since Bronze had returned. The world that had previously been broken was glued back together by the love that still existed between the couple and their hopeful children. The hope that had been a dull ember grew back to life when Bronze showed up in Seracia and it made the flames in Silent's heart expand like a wildfire. She had told her children to never stop believing and they had listened. Due to that, their beliefs of their father coming back proved true and it made her happy. Even though it had been a month or so, Silent didn't want to part from Bronze. She knew he would need time to himself every once in awhile, but she felt that there was time to make up for because of his imprisonment. Mentally, she was afraid of losing him again if he went out and about on his own, but it was something that she didn't want to voice. Instead, she took the herbs that Faolan continued to bring her, and her anxiety was calmed and pushed to the back of her mind. It lasted a few hours, so the doses she took increased to twice a day: when she woke up and when she went to bed. Maybe it was because of her age or the fear of having Bronze disappear again. Either way, she was starting to depend on them. After her morning dose of specific herbs, Silent felt refreshed. She walked out of her den and drank some cool water from the stream near their home. It felt good to be out, especially when she had spent the past couple of days cooped inside the den. The stretching of her legs and the sunshine combined were enough to wake her inner self up and she looked out from the emerald green eyes that had been foggy the past couple of days. Slowly, the desire to walk past the small clearing next to their den began to peek and so her paws carried her to one of the other lands Loccian had claimed for the pack: the Weeping Woods. It was quiet when she approached the first row of trees. No one seemed to be around recently and she was happy for the seclusion. Gently, she walked through the warm rows of unfamiliar trees and finally reached a spot that hadn't been claimed by any other wolves. Slowly, Silent walked around a tree that solely stood out and rubbed her right side against it to claim it as her own place. Reclining to her haunches between two large roots, she softly howled for Bronze. He had been spending time with all the children since his return and she knew he loved them very much, as did she. Nevertheless, she needed him by her side for a little bit, without any distractions or interruptions. Selfish? Maybe. Silent didn't care; she was too old to value the opinions of other wolves when it came to her husband. "talking"

Things had changed -- and doubtlessly for the better. The Kingdom of Seracia had morphed into something so different, but politics were nothing of much importance to him. Once, he had craved power so desperately, had craved prestige and honor, but he was far too old for such things. Bronze truly was too tired to care about what others thought of him and about what position he might hold within the pack. He did his best, mainly caring for his children, but in turn they were growing to be productive members of the pack. It was all he could do, and all he could ask for to stay here in peace and quiet with his wife and his family. Now that he had returned, he had no desire to leave. The wanderlust that had once plagued his heart had subsided, stifled by his love and devotion to his family -- and old age didn't exactly help. The desire for more would always linger in his heart, but he could no longer act on it, and in all honestly, his need to remain close to his wife and children was far more consuming than whatever other desires he might have. And even with the changing of the seasons, with winter ebbing slowly into spring, which seemed to be over as quickly as it had arrived, he felt tired. The summer sun was refreshing on his tan pelt, and he found himself resigning to a nap in the gentle morning sun. But his sleep was rarely restful as of late, and he eventually gave up on his efforts and made his way toward the clearing of trees. Not long after he ended the woods, he heard his wife's call, eliciting a smile from the elder. Luckily, she was not far off, but the walk was staggered by the soreness in his joints, something brought on most mornings. By the time he reached her, he felt considerably more comfortable, and he rushed to her side with a wide smile on his face. "My love," he greeted her fondly, voice brimming with affection despite the years they had known one another. "You are as beautiful as the day I met you."

When he appeared through the nearest set of trees, Silent's heartbeat increased in its pace. She felt her muscles quiver beneath her ebony coat and her eyes glistened with happy twinkles that threatened to bowl over the surface. A happy thump was evident from her tail on the ground and she whimpered softly, so only his ears could hear. Despite their elderly states in life, Silent still wanted to bowl him over with facial and neck kisses and never wanted to let him leave her side. As he got closer, she wondered how he got away from her that morning. He spoke with such love, such affection and tenderness for her that it made her want to swoon from the way he talked. If she had been younger and able to recover faster than now, she would have fallen to the ground and playfully rejoice in his presence. Instead, she let him get as close to her as he would on his own before she brushed his neck with her cold nose. Her ears perked at his words and she merely chuckled into his fur before pulling back, his scent filling her nostrils before regrettably exhaling. "You were always the kind of man that wouldn't lie to me," she said, tones evident with the way she felt for her husband. "Such honesty is hard to find in the males of these times. Thank God we have two boys that know better than to fib." Once Bronze became comfortable in the large space Silent had found, she licked his right cheek and gave an unblinking look with her deep-set emeralds. "Age may have set upon us, but that still doesn't change how I feel about you. My fire is still burning, my love, and I doubt it will ever diminish. You mean more to me now than when we first met and each day that comes makes me feel lucky that you are still as handsome and sweet as when we were young." Family was a major cornerstone for Silent's life. If something happened to make that stone break, then she was done for. It was the perfect explanation as to why she had remained withdrawn in a sea of emotions when Bronze had become a prisoner. She wanted Bronze to know how she felt about it all; that she couldn't handle another breakdown like the one she previously had. Even without saying it, she knew he was aware. Her gaze broke his and she looked up to the vast canopy that stretched above them. Green leaves moved slowly in the invisible breezes that took away the heat of the day that would be approaching. She could handle heat well, especially since she preferred it in her old age. Slowly, she maneuvered herself so she fit comfortably next to Bronze without disturbing his body temperature. "Do you remember that time when we came across the waterfall in the secluded part of our first pack? We were only kids then, but I knew that you were going to be an important person in my life. We played in the water, danced in the moonlight...it was all so magical." Silent couldn't help but grin. "I wonder if we could still dance, just as easily as we did then." "talking"

It was so strange how time had changed him. Once, he had been so young and naive, full of passion and wonder; but certain events had made him grow hateful and cold, so detached from the world around him. Even now, he was rather introverted, even withdrawn at times, and yet his heart held so much love for his small family that made his chest so tight that some days he swore it might kill him. Truthfully, there would be no better way to die -- surrounded by family, his heart bursting with love and adoration, so wanted and needed. He could anticipate no greater death. 'You were always the kind of man that wouldn't lie to me.' Never. He had always been honest, even to a fault. Even to the point of abandoning his family, when he could no longer bear the loneliness that plagued his heart. "You know me too well," he crooned softly, shifting to find a place for his muzzle into he crook of her neck. His head fit perfectly their, and he let out a soft sigh of contentment. "And I could not be prouder of our children. What fine creatures they are becoming." Faolan was so tender and charming; Mercury, strong and passionate. Ara was unique, so engrossed in her self-appointed study of herbs, so much more determined that he had ever been. Jendai seemed a bit more wavering, perhaps a bit more sensitive and unsure than the rest, but he loved her just the same. Her words made his chest tighten and his head grow light. He didn't know how he'd found such a woman -- and knew even less how she took him back after abandoning her not once, but twice. "I will love you until my dying breath," he admitted seriously. "And probably even as my body rots away and our children grow old." Perhaps it was a somber fact, but so true nonetheless. He nuzzled her tenderly before pulling away to watch her with bright eyes. She asked if he remembered when they had met. They had been children then, so innocent and full of life. They had gone on adventures that seemed so great at the time, but in retrospect were so small; yet they still were so important to him. "Of course I remember," he said with a soft chuckle. Slowly he rose to all fours, stretching out his stiff limbs, nudging her as though urging her to join him. It seemed a good idea to walk together on this morning, through the tall willow trees, while they talked. "But I think I would be willing to forgo reliving such memories to keep my paws from becoming sore. " His voice was full of jest, even still, playful and loving all at the same time. "But let us walk together for awhile."

Silent couldn't help but bask in the glow that radiated from Bronze's body. Every part of him - no matter how old - belonged to her and that thought was enough to keep her humming. Her body was declining, more than she cared to admit, but her spirit was willing to wrap itself around Bronze's and not leave its side. They had been destined for greatness and a long life together since pups. Now, looking back on the moments they had shared and the children Silent had birthed, the black female knew her life was complete. She was prepared to admit that she was beginning to get tired more, but she still loved waking up and being next to her sweetheart. He spoke of how dearly he loved her and that it would remain even if his body didn't. A gentle sigh escaped her kissers before she leaned in to lick his right cheek with a soft swipe of her tongue. "Those words mean so much, coming from you, Bronze. If only they could compare to the amount of love that you have in your heart." Words didn't size up to the feelings that belonged between them. He rose from the ground and opened the door for an opportunity to walk with her. Silent didn't need any more coaxing as she rose to all fours before stretching out each leg. Once the stiffness was gone, Silent padded after him and met the man she loved on his right side. Her black tail swept behind her lazily in a happy manner as she met his gaze once again. Emerald greens sparkled and held the youth that had never strayed from her soul. "Let us walk, my dear. I am sure there may be a surprise or two along our trail." "talking"