To say that they had escaped the storm without any scratches wasn't entirely truthful. Her own parents had caught some sort of bad cough and it had begun to spread surprisingly reaching Frith first. The herb stock very low they had to be used sparingly and Frith was stubborn enough to simply allow whatever they had to go first to Novel and Dutiron leaving him rather ill himself at the moment and restrained to a den. Abandoning her morning duties for a moment and even some time with the children, Novella would take the opportunity to spend some more time with Frith and see how he was doing. He had moved himself to a different den for the time being, to avoid spreading any illness to the children. "Frith?" She would call out softly as she approached the den. "How are you feeling?" She would pause at the entrance, peering in quietly in case he was currently asleep.

He thought he?d made it through the storms quite unscathed, unlike his nephew whose goose egg had become quite amusing after they realized he would live. The alpha would soon come down with the same sickness that held Novel and Dutiron the first in its grasp. Since he was younger and much better suited to fighting the disease he would refrain from using any of the herbs that could make him feel better. They needed to go to his parent-in-laws. They had come down with the cough before he had, and though it was rough the herbs were obviously keeping it at bay for them. He however, would have to suffer through. Of course to keep his small family safe he?d retreated from their regular den, not wanting to pass this on to their young children. Being incapacitated was so difficult for him. He was the alpha, and a father. He should have been out protecting and providing for his young family, not stuck here in the small and dreary den. Still, through his ordeal his creamy pelted wife would stand strong next to him. Her voice would come to him now, and with little hesitation he would lift his head so bicolored eyes would seek her out. His eyes were bloodshot, a sign of the lack of sleep that plagued him. Though how much was from missing her and how much was from the cough he was uncertain. He would barely make out her features awaiting at the very entrance of his hole in the earth. Though he looked wretched he would still try to be strong for her, ?Hello, my love." his words were rather weak, "I?ve been better, but all in all i think i?m alright." He?d add a convincing smile to the end of his words as they caused an irritation in his throat. They would send him into a coughing fit. "Speech"

She missed Frith deeply too. Since their relationship had officially begun they hadn't spent a night apart from each other and now suddenly this illness was keeping him away. Novella understood of course it was for the best, though it didn't mean she liked it one bit. If it wouldn't have isolated him further from the pack and made it difficult for him to take a walk when he felt well enough, Novella probably would have suggested he at least take their second den to relax in a far more pleasant space than this den he'd claimed now. He would be awake as she called out and she would venture slightly inside now to avoid talking to him at quite a distance. Evidently some space was needed, they couldn't afford her getting ill as well. His words would seem to be a lie as a coughing fit took over him at the end of his response. How she longed to comfort him, whether he seemed strong or not she hated seeing him like this. "Are you sure about that?" She questioned, the look on her face certainly suggesting that she knew better. She didn't particularly want to say the words out loud, but he looked awful as well.

He?d also thought of taking up residence within the secret waterfall cave that he and Novella had shared. However he knew that the cold water and the isolation from the pack would not be convenient. This den would have to be his residence until he got through the illness, no matter how much he did not enjoy it. He?d watch as the graceful Destruction woman would enter the den a bit more, Frith would mourn this sickness. So badly he wanted to hold his wife, still even more he wished to keep her healthy. He?d try to cover the cough that overtook his, keeping his breath away from Novella?s airways. Her voice would reach through the hacking he made, and he?d smile like a child who?d been caught at the cookie jar. He?d find himself gaining control once more, his eyes lingering on her pure form. "You?ve caught me." He was obviously much worse for wear. "Speech"

Although this was hardly the time for laughter and joy, somehow Frith still managed to bring a soft smile to her features with his own sheepish grin and comment. "You're a fool." She would comment, though the words spoken in a teasing and loving manner. Of course he couldn't have expected even for a minute to hide how bad his illness was from her. "Have you accepted anything for it yet?" Novella would question. She suspected she knew the answer full well though she would investigate anyway, just in case he surprised her. Perhaps her asking again would prompt him to finally give in and take some sort of herb, even if it wasn't a lot, just something to help give his immune system a little boost. She longed to see him well again, though she certainly wasn't about to let him rush to get back on his feet and to his duties.

He enjoy the smile that played on her features, the sight of such an expression would prove that everything was going to be alright. The corners would his mouth would turn up, even still he was reminded of how far he had to go. He longed desperately to take her into his arms, but he knew the touch might cause her the same sickness. She?d call him foolish, as he very much obviously was, he had no hope of disguising how serious his condition actually was. She?d go on, as his eyes longed after her, to ask if he?d accepted any of the medicine that should, and would continue being, only in use by her parents. Frith would shake his head, "Your parents need the herbs more than I." He?d cough slightly again, "I can handle this." Though by ?handling? he meant being knocked out for a couple of weeks. His body could very much fight of the virus, it would just take him much longer than he wanted. "Speech"

Perhaps Frith could handle it, he was fairing better than her parents after all though all three were far from their usual strengths and it still very much pained Novella to see. Herbs, although limited would hopefully still help speed up the recovery though her mate was still being rather stubborn it seemed. There was one thing however that he had absolutely no choice in however, his body simply wouldn't allow it and even if he attempted, Novella herself would be sure to escort him right back to his den. "Just rest then." She told him. "However long it takes. You just need to get better, no worrying about the pack until you're back to normal." Should she encourage him to step down from his rank officially for a while as well? Banning him from duties would hopefully be enough but to completely take away the temptation would be better.

His body was coping rather well with the illness, though he looked like hell at that really concerned him was the cough. Occasionally he?d deal with a bit of a fever or body aches, for the most part though he was rather healthy. However, doing his regular routine of pack duties would not be helpful in his recovery. He?d continue being stubborn, not wanting to take any of the scarce resources for himself. He?d get well on his own. The next command was one he had no intentions of breaking. He would stay here in this dreary den until he was well. Then he?d be back in the lives of those he loved. "If you think it best, my love." His scratchy voice would sound as he watched her adoringly. Oh the time when his sickness was over could not come quick enough. Now that he could not all he wished to do was cover his wife in affectionate kisses. "I?m going to miss your kisses." He?d offer pitifully. "Speech"

Frith thankfully wouldn't protest to her wish that he recovered before attempting any of his duties as Author. Sensibly he would give in to the illness in that sense, his voice, appearance and movements all hinted it was the best thing to do and his mind would be forced to agree as well. Hopefully it would help his recovery, for as much as he missed her kisses, Novella missed him. She would smile softly once more at his comment, words taking away the seriousness she had held only moments before. "Then you will have to get better quickly." She informed him, certainly hoping that he would, this too was torture for her.

Putting his head on his paws the appearance he gave would make obvious the tiredness he felt. Though he knew he would have no trouble fighting the illness away, such actions would fatigue him. Even if he had found himself protesting Novella?s command Frith was sure that his body would have succumbed to the high amounts of energy required for recovery. "Tell the children when they?re practicing their hunting, that i?d appreciate a taste of their catches." He?d smile mischieviously as he looked up at his wife from his paws. He would have to get better quickly, how much would he miss out on being holed up in his dreary den? Still, he wouldn?t want Novella to worry about him too much, his dark tail would pound gently on the earth as he smiled softly up at her. "Speech"

Of course Novella would worry about him though. Frith was typically strong and healthy, he would surely return to his usual self in time and yet seeing him like this now was still a rather troubling sight, she longed to see him back to normal. Somehow though despite the serious undertone the conversation had the gentle smile would still remain in place now as he continued to speak, requesting that the children would bring him anything they caught. "I'm sure they would be very happy to do so." She responded simply. They'd surely be quite excited to share any hunting successes with their father.

He hoped she?d be able to get along well enough with out his help. Now that the pups were a bit older they could start helping out with duties, like hunting for the sick. He was not allowed to worry about such things, but he still would think about them. Novella had family surrounding her, it was very likely that if she had any needs she could easily go to them for the help he could not provide. He?d put such thoughts from his mind, and focus on the time he did get to spend with his wife. She?d answer for the children and his smile would grow wider, he knew that they?d happily show of what they?d caught too. He?d take in a deep breath as his eyelids dropped a bit, the exhaustion was getting harder to fight. "I?ll look forward to it.." He?d say absentmindedly as his focus would start to wane. "Speech"

Frith's voice was growing quieter now, his weariness showing through, Novella would fight back the urge to step forwards and settle with her mate until he had fallen completely asleep. He certainly needed to rest now though, that much was rather evident. She had hoped to see some better progress though apparently the illness still tired him drastically. "I'll leave you to rest now." She would comment softly. "I'll see you later." Or if she didn't personally she'd certainly be sure to send one of the children along with food for him, something to hopefully give him a bit more energy and strength to fight off this sickness. With that, she would quietly leave him in peace and begin to attend to whatever duties the day held for her, albeit somewhat unwillingly, a part of her certainly longing for more time and better time with her husband.