Alabastrine Shine. Novella knew this place well though it had been nearly a year since her last visit. The pack had been with her then, Aslan, Varda and Herne as tiny as Fate and Luck were now. Her parents had been alive and she hadn't been Author for long at all. It wasn't simply a shelter from the storm though, this place had far better memories that sprang to mind first and they were of the man at her side now. This was the place she had first met Frith. Though they had discussed topics of sadness and losses she wouldn't focus on that point. They had first developed a bond here, one that was apparently strong enough for him to have followed her, at that point a complete stranger, to her home. Her parents had deemed that an immature and risky move and yet it had apparently been the best mistake of her life. It was good to be here again, at least it should have been. The mysterious shrine was a lovely place and if Threar were unable to call the Falls home, for sentimental reasons she probably would have moved the pack here. The calm helped to an extent, brought a small bit of peace to her that she hadn't felt for a while. She was by no means repaired but anyone who knew her well enough would have sensed the subtle improvement, her senses and mind awakening ever so slightly.

They were most silent on their way to the alabaster wood, he hadn't divulged where they were headed. As the familiar land came into view though he couldn't help but watch Novella from the corner of his eye. Of course this had been the very first place they had met, where their lives had begun. There was a quiet peace here that he could not deny, and even as his bicolored eyes lingered on his wife he could see the subtle relaxations of her muscles as she took in the familiar scene.

He would nuzzle her lovingly, knowing this would be no quick fix. She would need time to recover, but he would see the ray of hope as her eyes brightened just a little. His nuzzle would turn into kisses up her neck before he found her gaze once more. "I met this girl here once," He'd smile as he watched her adoringly, "She changed my life forever." His voice was nothing more than a whisper, but they needed nothing more than hushed voices in this sacred place.

Novella wouldn't notice Frith's watchful gaze as they walked, her own lingered upon the views ahead of her. She had long since gotten her emotions back into check from the near breakdown at the Falls, though still she hadn't really looked back at him yet as they quietly travelled together. She would once more lean into his touch as he nuzzled her though as he spoke she would finally cast a brief glance his direction. Perhaps normally this would have turned into some game of sorts between them, maybe full of playful questions about this girl he spoke of or even tales of her own wonderful man. She didn't have the heart to make such jokes now however it could be blamed upon the serene shrine though it was her own mood still, that much she knew. Novella remained silent, no immediate verbal response instead leaning back into him, nuzzling gently into his fur. "I'm sorry." Were the hushed words that eventually left her lips as she remained nestled into her mate's side. "I don't know what's wrong with me." It was stressful and perhaps only dampened her spirits further, if she at least had some idea of how to get better maybe it would help her feel better.

He would get more than just her stillness back as he showed his affections to her, she would lean into his touch and give him a quick glance. Frith's smile would grow, any progress was good progress, especially when she seemed so hopeless. His playfulness would go mostly ignored, but he didn't mind really. He was grateful enough for the press of her form in to his side and the nuzzle she offered with it. He would treasure her affection. He hadn't expected her sudden apology, nor the confession afterwards. She sounded so lost and again he would feel the rush of hurt for her, the confusion and frustration. Still he would remind himself there was hope, she was amazing and would overcome. "Don't be sorry, it's not your fault." He'd whisper to her, nuzzling her tenderly as he tried to console her. "I don't know either, but I know it can't be your fault."

Novella owed an awful lot to Frith. He had kept her going when her parents had died and now that this depressed state loomed over her he would still do whatever he could to support her, to try lift her spirits and help her get better. So far there hadn't been any major improvements despite his best efforts and she felt bad for that. And yet, here she was apologising for all and Frith once more pushing all blame away from her. She felt at fault somewhere down the line, his words wouldn't change that but she wouldn't argue. Once more silence took over though despite her confession and still lack of a solution she wouldn't break down as she had earlier. The peaceful qualities of the shrine would continue to try wash all the pain away, they of course wouldn't completely cure her though that subtle calm remained in place and Novella remained in place beside Frith. Did she deserve his affections, his sympathetic and selfless nature? She probably didn't, though even on her normal days she had always thought herself lucky to have him in her life.

Frith was the last wolf keeping score of what he had done for Novella vs what she had given back. She was his wife, his soul mate and other half, it didn't matter how much he did for her because he was completely happy to. If she had not been such an independent wolf he might have done everything for her, and if given the chance would have even been the one to give birth. Nothing was to great for his love. She was his whole world, no matter what.

She wouldn't argue with his words but he knew well enough that she hadn't been convinced. He might have wanted to give her everything but arguing with him was like arguing with a rock. He wasn't going to budge on his opinion, especially when it came to the innocence of his mate.

Quiet fell over the pair, but Frith was alright with that. He'd hold her close and nuzzle her softly, content to sit and hold her for the rest of eternity if that was what it would take. SIghing softly he'd find a familiar lullaby on his lips, one he'd gotten into the habit of humming to their pups. He didn't know if it would comfort her, but it made him feel at ease. The shrine was quiet;y peaceful, but seemed to brighten as his notes filled the air.

The pair had never actually had a real argument about anything though Novella had certainly gotten a taste of how persistent Frith could be. Despite punishment and rising temper from her father he had never ran from Threar, deciding he'd rather stay with her. She'd caused him quite a lot of trouble with her parents, but his determination had won them over in the end. With her silence he'd have nothing else to say, and instead his soft humming would begin, the soothing melody that she had come to know so well. He'd hummed the tune for Aslan, Varda and Herne and had begun the same for Fate and Luck before they could even hear the lullaby. Even precious little moments they spent together he had shared the quiet song with her. Never had she known where it had come from, though she had always appreciated it all the same. Her eyes would close as she focussed upon the Frith and his lullaby, her breathing steady as she fought to hold on to those cheery memories, this moment now and tried to clear her mind instead of all the other upsetting thoughts that had her doubting herself.

The peace that held tightly to this place that hung in their memories would grasp at Frith. He hoped desperately that it might hold onto Novella too and soothe the heartache that lingered within her. He didn't know why or how she had suddenly been thrust down this path but he was ready to have her back to him at full capacity. She had a family that needed her, he needed her. Not that he was going to do anything close to hurting her while she was down. He needed her to get better on her own. He knew any kind of forcing would only lead to regression, and after their time here he couldn't see her do that.

She seemed to relax as he began to humm quietly, her form would lean into him as she closed her eyes. He didn't know what she was thinking but he could see the focus on her features. He'd been humming this song since early pup hood, and he had no doubt he would continue the habit well into his later years. Whenever he needed a quiet moment (here in this peaceful garden, when the pups just would not go down for a nap, when he was intimate with Novella) It was always there to calm him. Hopefully it would help his other half as well. Though again, he didn't expect her depression to be any kind of quick fix. Her recovery would still take time, but knowing how much progress could be made kept him going.

It certainly didn't seem like this would be a quick fix at all. Getting out of the den had been one gradual development and even time away to relax appeared to be doing her some good as well. What other solutions might be found she had no idea, only time would tell, and only with time would she really get back to herself. For now she would simply allow herself to benefit from the time with her mate, the sun slowly starting to set and in time the soft glow of the shrine's waters would gradually become apparent. She could have slept there and in fact somewhere along the line found herself giving into that urge. They'd have to return to the pack and the children before too long but for now the nap would do her some good.