He knew that being away from home for just shy of two weeks wasn't really that long in the grand scheme of life, but by the end of it he felt like he had been gone for an eternity. By the time they left Aerie and started heading back toward Auster he was about ready to run back to The Hallows border. There was a lot of contributing factors that made him home sick - everything from missing his children to being worried about the pack and even just simply missing the comfort of the bed he had gotten used to sleeping in. Those reasons alone would be more than enough to explain why he wanted to get home, but that wasn't even the reason that lingered on his mind most.

He missed Eska. He missed her more than he had even imagined he would. Just having her around throughout each day had brought him so much happiness and not having her there for so many days in a row made her absence all that much more noticeable. In the final stretch of their trip he started coming up with a plan. Even though all of the mess with Aranea she had been more than unwavering in her support and after leaving her alone for almost two weeks, entrusting her to watch over his mess while he was gone, he knew he needed to make it up to her. There was little he could do to really thank you for everything she had done for him, but maybe he could get close.

Ulric ducked into the castle, careful to avoid Eska so that he wouldn't ruin the surprise and grabbed a few supplies before slipping out again and making his way down to the beach. When they got back it was just getting into the afternoon so he had plenty of time to get everything set up by the time the sun was setting. He built a campfire on the beach, spread out a blanket and weighed down the corners with rocks to keep the light breeze from picking it up. There was a couple bottles of wine stuck into the sand beside the blanket - two different kinds just to make sure there was at least one they liked. He prepared skewers of meat that he seasoned and spiced before he started grilling them over the fire, filling the air with a delicious scent that made his mouth water. Inspired by the meal that Eska had laid out for them during the date she had prepared, he had gathered some berries as they passed through the Wildberry Grove on their way back and he had those in bowls next to the bottles of wine.

He timed it pretty well so that the sun was just beginning to set as the meat was getting close to being done cooking. With an excited flutter in his gut he lifted his head and let out a howl for Eska. This portion of the beach was just a short walk from the east side of the castle so he had no doubt that she would hear. He had also cleared out a path that led down to the beach one day after the weather eased up with the onset of summer so it was easy to get to. He smiled and finished tending to the meat he was cooking while he waited and when they were done he carefully pulled them off of the skewers and laid them out on a plank of wood that he used as a platter for their meal. He glanced back at the trail up to the castle, eagerly waiting to see that silver brindled wolf that had stolen his heart.

Ulric Adravendi

Eska spent her days working hard. Twice a day she went and made sure that Aranea was eating and drinking. The woman was still a raging nutcase, but it didn't seem as though she was one step from death anymore. According to Gwyn, it seemed that the pups were still alive. There was movement in there at least. Whether or not they would make it to their birth day remained to be seen. Aside from feeding Aranea, Eska had been filling the food stores as she was able. She was a little surprised that she had drifted into the role of pack wolf so easily, not that she was complaining.

Having just some back from hunting, Eska made her way down to the food cache to place a brace of young summer rabbits within. She'd just come back up the stairwell when she heard Ulric's voice calling for her. Instantly, the silver streaked fae's excitement rose. He was back. Finally back. Eska didn't want to make him wait, but she took a moment to clean her bloodied mouth and paws before she made her way out towards him.

Eska's brow furrowed as she followed the man's scent down the path behind the castle and towards the beach. Why would he want to speak to her there? She supposed that it didn't really matter where they spoke. She would just be happy to see him after all this time. Had he thought of her as much as she'd thought of him? Did he miss her presence? Her touch? The kisses that they shared?

She saw the golden glow of the fire before she saw the man beside it. When she cleared the path and stepped onto the beach, the woman stopped in her tracks. Ulric was there and it seemed that he had prepared a picnic for her just like she had for him. Eska moved towards him as he lay waiting upon the blanket. Without even saying anything, the masked fae stopped before him, one paw raising to his cheek, and pulled him into a kiss. With that kiss she sought to prove to him just how much she'd missed him.

Eska Datura Timber

He tried his best to be nonchalant and calm as he waited for Eska, but he couldn't quite contain his anxious energy he felt in the minutes that passed. He fiddled with the blanket under his paws, fed a few more bits of wood into the fire, ate a couple of the berries from the bowls, uncorked the wine - pretty much anything to keep himself busy and keep from staring at the trail and giving away just how obsessed with this woman he was. He made himself look out toward the sunset with just his ear turned back toward the trail to listen and after what was probably only a handful of minutes but felt like hours he heard the sound of paws shifting through sand behind him. His heart leapt into his throat as he turned his head, spotting Eska standing there with obvious surprise on her face. A proud grin spread across his lips as his chest swelled. His surprise had been a success and at least her first reactions seemed to be positive ones.

Ulric's silver gaze followed her as she drew closer, his adoring expression shining through as he looked up at her. He opened his mouth to greet her only to have her paw find his cheek and silence any words that might have left him, her lips finding his with a rush of relief and desire for the affection he had been craving since the day he and Artorias left for their trip. A low, pleased rumble resounded in his chest and he pressed deeper into that kiss, his heart fluttering and skipping with need and love that only grew each time they were together. He had wondered if maybe time apart would cool his desire or make him see things more clearly. In a way, it had. It made him see that she was exactly what he needed and wanted in every way and that want went far deeper than just a physical attraction. That desire brought him home earlier than expected and made him rush their trip, but it was more than worth it for this moment.

He knew their was dinner to be eaten, but he didn't care. The food he had painstakingly prepared was now forgotten as he shifted with their lips still pressed together, hooking his large paw around her lower back and pulling her to the ground behind him, sweeping her off her feet as he rolled in the same movement to hold himself over her. It was only once he had her on her back on the blanket, holding his larger form over hers, that he allowed their kiss to break and his gaze to blink open once more. His lips still gently brushed against hers as a grin pulled across his face, looking down at her with such a deep love and desire that he didn't even know where to begin. He brushed his muzzle and scarred cheek against hers, giving her delicate ear a tender lick. "I missed you," he rumbled softly, the deep tones of his baritone voice almost growling in this soft whisper.

He felt like that was probably obvious without him having to say the words at this point, but anything else he would have said was brushed away from his thoughts. He shifted his weight a bit to hold himself with one forepaw so that the other could brush against her cheek as he brought his gaze back to hers, delicately combing his claws through the soft fur on her cheek and down the side of her neck. He was grateful for the time that they had spent taking things slow, learning each other, building their trust, but his resolve was wearing more and more thin by the day. Anywhere that their fur brushed together sent electric sparks through his core, lighting him on fire and making him want more. He brushed his muzzle against hers once more, inviting her to kiss him again or leaving the space for her to have him stop.

Ulric Adravendi

A soft sound of surprised was released into their kiss as Ulric literally swept her off of her paws. The giant man rolled her easily onto her back, standing over her. Had anyone else attempted this, she very well may have bitten their face off. Ulric though... Ulric she trusted. As their kiss ended and he swept his muzzle alongside hers, the silvered woman laughed softly, returning the affections. I missed you as well, she told him, placing another soft kiss upon his cheek.

Their time apart had served a purpose. Eska had realized just how much he meant to her. There were still reservations, however. They had just met one another. Yes, they shared an obvious attraction. An obvious bond. Though all of this was obvious, they still didn't know one another. Beyond their daily dealings and interactions, they were essentially strangers. Perhaps it was because Eska didn't like to speak about herself or her past unless directly asked. She also wasn't one to dig into others private business. Of course Ulric would have secrets. There was Aranea and his missing fiancé. What if the woman came back some day? Would he choose the returned woman and push her to the side? They were still too new for her to properly decide just what he would do. And because of that, maybe she would be the one to take it slow.

You went through all the trouble of setting up a nice dinner. We should probably eat it, don't you think? One dark brow lifted but there was a smile on her face. Despite her mental misgivings, she was truly happy to see him. Gently she pressed her paws against his chest, urging him back so that she could sit up on the blanket. Moving a bit, the woman leaned into the massive earthen man. Tell me about your trip. What did you discover? She'd been holding down the fort but had to admit that she would have gone with him had there been anyone else to watch the pack.

Lifting a bite sized piece of the meat that he had cooked, Eska popped it into her mouth, making a throaty sound of pleasure as it tickled her taste buds. A second piece was lifted and she extended it to the man just like she had the berry during their first picnic. If this was going to be a common occurrence with them, Eska wouldn't be one to complain. She enjoyed their time together, just the two of them. It made her feel... fuzzy. Very feminine. She quite liked the change of pace.

Eska Datura Timber

He wanted her so deeply so it was difficult to not feel just the smallest bit disappointed when she mentioned the dinner he had prepared, but he could understand. He had been the one to declare that they should take things slowly, had he not? Hadn't he wanted that? He chuckled softly and gave her a bit of a guilty grin for letting himself get carried away, nodding in agreement as he climbed off of her at when she nudged his chest away. It truly was more than enough to just be with her again as much as his desires and certain other parts of him might be saying otherwise. He settled back down onto the blanket beside her with a soft sigh, smiling as she leaned into his side. It felt like he was officially home now that she was at his side, the warmth of her fur mingling with his comforting and familiar as much as it was enticing and maddening.

She questioned about his trip as she was reaching for a piece of the meat laid out in front of them. He waited a second to get her reaction to the meal and grinned when she made it obvious that she enjoyed the meat he cooked. It had been a bit of an experiment for him since he didn't often go through the trouble of doing all of this preparation for a meal, but Eska was worth it. She deserved everything in the world that he could give her. A little date like this didn't even feel like it could scratch the surface of how he felt about her, but it was difficult to embody that in any kind of physical form or gift anyway. He chuckled when she offered him a piece of meat as well and he took it happily, a pleased murr rumbling in his chest at the taste. It actually was very, very good, if he could say so himself.

"It was mostly uneventful," he admitted, recalling the days that he spent traveling with Artorias to see what highlights he could tell her. "I think the most interesting meeting might have been with Ashen. Their Empress is actually a woman that I met long ago when she was still a pup which I thought was funny - and also made me feel old." He grinned with amusement and added, "They've also invited The Hallows to partake in their summer festival and fighting tournament later in the season so that should be interesting. Other than that I think we made some promising leads to start trading with some of the other packs so we can start making use of the alpacas we've been raising and I got to see some distant cousins of mine in Valhalla. A good trip all in all. Though if I never travel to the north again it'll be too soon." That portion of the trip had been the only part that had given them issues and after living in Auster for a while he certainly didn't feel up to facing that cold weather again any time soon.

Ulric picked up a piece of meat to offer it to her as well before picking up another piece for himself, continuing their little tradition of sharing a meal together that he loved. It was just a little thing, passing stuff back and forth, but it was something he had never done with anyone else so it felt special to them and just meant that he had all the more chances to sneak in little affections here and there. "Artorias is going to make one hell of a leader one day," he mused with a chuckle after he swallowed down the next piece of cooked meat, speaking as he reached across to pick up one of the bottles of wine ahead of them. "Everywhere we went he was extremely respectful and eloquent. Far more refined than I've ever been, that's for certain." He had the personality for it on top of just being a top notch fighter as well. For just a yearling he had more than impressed him so far.

His thoughts wandered as he took a long drink of the sweet wine, placing it within reach of both of them just in case Eska wanted to partake. As he watched Artorias learn and grow into himself he often wondered how his life might have differed if his father hadn't been killed, if they hadn't lost the pack that Ganta had led, if perhaps he could have grown up in it and trained from day one the way Artorias had gotten the chance to. How different would he have been if he didn't grow up with resentment and loss and being thrown in to being his broken mother's sole caretaker? They were questions he would never know the answer to, but he was happy that he had the chance to do this for Artorias and give him a better path in life than he had gotten for himself.

Pushing his thoughts away, he refocused on Eska as he dipped his head to nuzzle against her cheek, giving her ear an affectionate lick. "What about you? How have things been here?"

Ulric Adravendi

Eska noticed his disappointment as she pushed him away but she wouldn't apologize for it. The woman still wasn't completely sure and she definitely had her own mind. It was a strong one too. She wouldn't give in just because he expected her to. Eska wouldn't give herself to him until she was well and ready. She recognized his desire though and so she leaned into him, showing that her feelings hadn't changed. She simply wasn't ready. Eska wasn't shy either. The silvered fae nuzzled into his cheek and spoke softly. "Not yet, but hopefully soon." Once Aranea was dead. Once she was sure that he loved her enough to not leave if his fiancé ever appeared.

As they ate, Eska listened to Ulric speak about the adventure that they'd had. He mentioned feeling old and the fae laughed softly. "You're hardly old." She gave him a playful nudge and leaned further into him, letting the giant man hold up her significantly smaller frame. "You still look like a young brute to me." Another kiss was bestowed upon his cheek as she gave him a little ego boost.

As Ulric mentioned a summer festival, Eska's golden gaze drifted to his face. Would he be leaving again so soon? She didn't want him to go, but that was selfish. He was the leader of this pack. It was his duty to take warriors to represent the Hallows and their power. There would be trades in their future as well, it seemed. "I'll look after things while you're gone, she offered. It was the least that she could do.

When the man beside her offered her the chunk of meat, Eska took it without thought. It was natural by now to just offer one another bits of their meal. The woman's dusty blue tongue flicked over his pads, cleaning away the grease from the cooked meat as she did so. Ulric mentioned Artorias and then he seemed to drift off a bit before opening one of the wine bottles. After he took a drink, she did as well, washing down the bite of meat. Only then did he ask how things had been. "Nothing terribly worthy of note. An alpaca was taken by coyotes in the far field. There are a few more meals in the food stores, but that's about it."

Eska Datura Timber

Ulric leaned into Eska's touch as she nuzzled his cheek, the affection pulling a smile across his lips. His ears perked at her words. Not yet, hopefully soon. He sincerely hoped that was true, but he also knew he would wait an eternity for Eska if that's what it took. Even if she was never ready, he would still stay at her side. She had found her way into a permanent place in his heart and nothing would change that. "Whenever you're ready," he murmured in response, turning his head to give her ear a gentle lick. Her assurances that he wasn't old and that he still looked like a young wolf to her made him laugh, the sound a deep rumble as a grin pulled across his lips at her teasing and complimenting. "That's a very kind lie," he joked, though the easy, lop sided grin spoke to how much he appreciated her words either way. Sometimes it felt like he had been alive far, far longer than he actually had and his body had begun to feel and show that wear and tear. He certainly didn't feel like he needed to slow down any time soon, but with everything that he had been though it sometimes felt like he had lived several lifetimes already with even more ahead of him.

Ulric noticed the slight change in her demeanor as he spoke about the summer festival and when her golden eyes shifted up to meet his he knew the feeling was mutual. If it wasn't for the fact that it would look strange to send his wolves on without him then he wouldn't go. Even if it would only be for a few days at most, being away these last couple of weeks was more than enough for a life time. When she offered to keep an eye on things here he felt guilty and grateful at the same time. He felt like he had leaned on her more often than not since she joined them and while he felt bad for putting so much on her plate, it felt natural to have her at his side and helping him with these things. He trusted her and her judgement. He nuzzled her cheek as he told her, "I'd much rather be here with you. But it'll just be for a few days and then I'll be right back beside you."

They continued on with eating their meal, the pieces of cooked meat he had prepared slowly dwindling as they enjoyed them together. He listened to her summary of what had gone on while he was away while he took another drink of wine, humming softly as he considered the issue with keeping other predators away from the alpacas. "We might have to see about reinforcing the fence around that field and figuring out a way to create more of a barrier underneath so they can't dig under," he mused as he sat the bottle down again, nudging the last piece of meat toward her as he reached for the bowl of berries. "Although... it might be worth trying to train something to keep an eye on them on a more constant basis. I don't mind asking the other wolves to guard them, but I can't expect them to be with the alpacas all day, every day. I want them working on their training and hunting too." He chewed thoughtfully on a strawberry for a moment before he added, "I've seen some wolves keep some large dogs as companions... I'm sure something along those lines might be good investment - especially if we're going to start trading supplies form the alpacas with other packs."

He offered Eska a berry, smiling as he reveled in just how easy it was to talk to her about anything. He was already far more comfortable with her than he had been with anyone else and that only seemed to be more true with each day that they spent together. She was his friend and companion as much as she was the woman that he was falling madly in love with and that was a new experience for him - one that he was enjoying very much. There was still a very real, very present physical desire for the beautiful wolf currently pressed into his side, but he wanted so much more than that. He wanted her to be a real part of his life and his family. "I'm really glad you're here," he mentioned quietly after a while, giving her forehead a sweet kiss. "Just being around you makes me so happy."

Ulric Adravendi