Ysmir couldn’t get Gwynevere off his mind. The thought of her always accompanied him, with his siblings, during the meeting and subsequent shenanigans. Though he had certainly had himself a good time. Maybe they were practically near strangers but Ysmir was smitten and she needed someone there with her. She had her family but Ysmir felt the connection they shared, she’d wanted him there beside her. At least, that’s what he thought.

So at the earliest moment the boy had slipped out of Fireside and made another trip to Auster. He wanted to see Gwyn but he wasn’t coming empty handed. He wandered a lot, and in his wandering he found the perfect gift. It had been found in the same place as the hammer he carried on his shoulder. The patterns were similar, and he hoped it might make her think of him.

Ysmir made his way to the borders of the Hallows, he didn’t have Gwyn as his escort today. He also had no ability to call for her either, but that was what Barenziah was for. The gyrfalcon glided easily through the air above the castle. Her pale white wings carrying her to Gwynevere’s window to alert her of Ysmir’s presence while the boy remained at the border. He was silent and patient, carrying the bag with the jewelry inside.

Gwynevere just so happened to be in her room, sorting through some herbs she had gathered from the gardens the night before. She was still uncertain of whether the herbs that had been glowing the night before were okay to use or not so she didn't want to add them directly to the pharmacy just yet. Instead, she had them lined up on one of the shelves in her small library turned bedroom to observe and test over the next couple of days just to make sure they were okay to use. She pretty much always had one section of the large window in her room cracked open so Eilwen could go in and out if she pleased, but when she heard a noise outside the window she was surprised since the pale raven was right beside her helping her pick through the various herbs. She lifted her head to look and was even more surprised to see Ysmir's gyrfalcon fluttering outside the window, the large bird landing on the window sill to alert her.

A smile immediately pulled across her features and her heart nearly leapt out of her chest, completely forgetting about the herbs as she rushed out of her room. She flew down the stairs a couple at a time as she hurried to see the sweet boy that had been a constant thought in the back of her mind since the last time she saw him. The memory of cuddling with him the night after she was attacked was still fresh on her mind and was what she turned to when nightmares threatened to keep her awake as they shook her to her core. She had hoped that he would come back to see her and was utterly relieved that he had. However, when she reached the large doors that would lead her to the courtyard she hesitated with her paw on the door, her smile fading. She trusted Ysmir whole heartedly - it was the rest of the world she didn't trust. While she believed Ysmir would protect her if anything popped up, there was still a large stretch of land between the castle and the border where he was no doubt waiting. Blue wasn't around to accompany her and leaving the castle without some kind of escort still put her so incredibly on edge and she didn't want Ysmir to see her like that.

With a discouraged flick of her ears she tried to think of what she could do. She couldn't just not see Ysmir - she had been waiting for him to come see her again for so long and she didn't want to give up this chance. She thought about just sending Eilwen to go tell Ysmir to come up to the castle, but what if he ran into someone like Artorias or Ulric on the way to the castle and got in trouble for trespassing? Sure, Eilwen could speak for him she supposed, but Ysmir wouldn't be able to speak for himself and she didn't want to put him through that. The thought of Artorias finally gave her an answer and she ran off through the castle to find him, eventually finding him coming out of his dojo. "Art!" she said, giving him a smile. "Art, can you come with me? My friend is here - the boy that helped me after Oxx attacked me. His gyrfalcon came to get me. Will you go with me to the border to see him?" she asked hopefully, her lavender and mint gaze pleading. She knew Art was aware of how closely she had stuck to the castle so she wouldn't have to explain why she wanted him to come, she just needed him to do this for her.

"Gwynevere Carpathius"

Artorias gave a grunt as he swung his sword through one of the training dummies, cleaving its head off, but getting the blade stuck in the padded torso. His eyes narrowed to points with a frustrated growl while he yanked and tugged to pry the blade out of the dummy, watching as sand poured across the floor from the sliced body. It had not been nearly as clean as he was used to, but it would work, he supposed. After spending days scouring through the armory, Artorias had found nothing to replace Embershard with. This sword had been the best of the blades they had on hand, but even that paled in comparison to the sword his mothers had given him. But there was no use lamenting over it now. He had lost Embershard and would likely never see his sword again. This was what he would have to get used to.

Sliding the "replacement" sword into his scabbard and slinging it across his back, Artorias made his way out of his dojo. He'd just stepped into the corridor when the voice of Gwynevere calling his name caught his attention. The young brute glanced up to spot his sister rushing up towards him. "Gwyn, hello!" he greeted her with a smile, then gave her a curious look. "Is everything all right?" Gwyn explained that her friend, the wolf that had brought her home after Oxx attacked her, was here at their borders. Artorias blinked in surprise. He hadn't heard a call from anyone. Had he just missed it? He was familiar with what Gwyn and Ulric had told him, how this boy had helped her back home when he'd been gone. This would give him a chance to meet his little sister's friend, size up the wolf for himself, and thank him personally.

"Of course I'll go with you, Gwyn." He would protect and escort his sister anywhere in the world until she felt confident enough to venture on her own again—and if she never did, then he was fine being her permanent bodyguard. Gesturing with his paw for Gwynevere to lead the way, Artorias followed alongside his sister out of the castle and through the gardens. "Is there a reason he's sending his falcon to you and not calling for admittance? Usually a wolf will summon the alpha to allow them into pack lands." There was something peculiar here, but Art couldn't quite place his paw on it yet. Did this other wolf belong to a pack? Did he not know typical lupine decorum?

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
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Gwynevere gave Artorias a thankful smile when he agreed to go with her, her tail wagging gently behind her. "Thank you, Art." She knew there wasn't really any reason to worry about him potentially saying no to the request. He was always so good to her and this was a very small request in comparison to some of the other things he had to do now as Aegis, but she also didn't know how busy he would be in this exact moment. She excitedly turned and started walking out of the castle with Artorias beside her. Maybe it was good that he come with her even if she was confident enough to go running out across the fields on her own. This way he'd get to meet Ysmir since he hadn't been here the last time he was here when they came back to the castle after her attack. It wasn't like she necessarily needed Artorias' approval on the boy she liked, but her family meant everything to her and it would mean a lot to her if they got along at least.

She turned her marbled gaze toward her brother when he questioned why Ysmir hadn't howled for the alpha as a wolf normally would when they wanted access to a pack's lands. Her ears flicked as she realized there was a pretty crucial piece of information she hadn't told him about the man waiting for them at the border. "Oh, um... Well, he can't," she explained. "Ysmir is mute so he can't speak. Well, he kind of can... but very, very softly and not very easily. That's how I know his name. But you'll see, he's very good at communicating with body language and expressions." She really hoped Artorias would give the sweet man a chance. Very little had made her as happy as Ysmir did since Oxx assaulted her and she would very much like if he had more free access to The Hallows so he could visit more option - but they'd need Artorias' permission for that.

When she turned her gaze away from Artorias to look toward the border they were approaching, her eyes landed on Ysmir's dark figure and a big smile immediately crossed her face. Even though she had seen his gyrfalcon and knew it was his and had known he was here it still didn't feel real until she laid eyes on him. Her tail wagged as she trotted up to him, glancing up at him shyly when she got close. "Ysmir! It's so good to see you again," she said happily, glancing at the bag he had with him curiously for a second before looking between her friend and Artorias. "Ysmir, this is my brother, Artorias. He's the alpha of The Hallows." She waited for Artorias to say whatever greetings he wanted to say, looking between the two men curiously to see how they interacted.

"Gwynevere Carpathius"

Artorias raised a curious brow when Gwynevere started leading him out of the castle and across the plains with a big grin on her face. He hadn't seen his sister this happy in... actually, had he ever seen his sister smile like this before? Gwynevere was usually so introverted and reserved with her emotions. Even after their mother's death, she had been the most composed of them all. This was very out of character for the quiet bookworm of a wolf. He put his curiosity aside for the moment, figuring he'd see and learn more when he saw her interact with this newcomer at their borders. Not that he'd be chaperoning her or anything, but he was at least going to get a feel for the stranger before he permitted him access to his home.

Gwyn explained that the wolf, whose name was Ysmir, was mute and couldn't call or howl. Another raise of his brows. Gwyn had made friends with a wolf that couldn't speak? Of course she had... Gwyn found all wolves with some sort of abnormality or disability fascinating, and it made more sense how the girl who barely spoke to anyone made friends with him—because he didn't speak either. It was an amusing thought to picture the two of them just silently sitting next to one another and having the time of their lives. Artorias nearly chuckled out loud. "Well, now I'm even more anxious to meet this wolf," he said as they crossed the plains toward the borders.

It didn't take long for Gwynevere to find her friend seated patiently near their northern border. Artorias followed leisurely behind his trotting sister, watching the way her tail wagged when she approached him and the shy grin that crossed her face when they came close. After Gwyn had greeted her friend, she introduced Artorias, and the larger black and blue man took a couple steps closer to come beside his sister, greeting Ysmir with a nod of his head. He noted the scent on Ysmir's fur immediately, recognizing it from his diplomacy trip with Ulric. This was a Fireside wolf. Although he didn't know the pack well, he did remember that their alpha had been one of the few to entreat with him, and so he would give this wolf the same courtesies.

"Hello, Ysmir. Welcome to the Hallows. I heard you were the one that found my sister after her attack and brought her home. For that..." Artorias dipped his head in a grateful bow. "...you have my thanks." He knew the young man was mute, but he was intrigued to see how communication with him would go.

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
____________________

Barenziah made her way back to perch on his shoulder and he knew that Gwynevere was on her way. He sat patiently, but it felt like every second was an eternity. Would she ignore him? Would someone else show up in her stead like Ulric? Did she want to see him again? He doubted himself more than a viking should and as he waited he repeated in his head that of course she wanted to see him again. His one blue and silver eye watched the castle for movement, of a form he recognized or not.

With silver marked ears tilted forward he heard them before he saw them, but suddenly Gwynevere was there and she was beaming up at him. The boy couldn’t help the lopsided grin that spread over his features as she neared him, Ysmir stood at her approach, his own tail wagging as she greeted him. He had eyes only for her as he offered a soft nod in returned greeting, it really was so nice to see her again too. Before they could fully reacquaint themselves Gwyn gestured to the other wolf that was with her, someone Ysmir didn’t really fully appreciate was there until he was introduced as her brother.

Ysmir lifted his head, and his features shifted from dreamy eyed to serious as he met the young alpha’s fiery gaze. Artorias was gracious and welcoming to start, mentioning his knowledge of what he had done for Gwyn in his absence. Artorias gave him a subtle bow, something else he certainly hadn’t expected from the Hallows alpha. While Ysmir had technically been indebted to her when he found her, the boy would have done the same had she not been. Maybe not every wolf deserved that treatment from a young viking, but he had an undeniable soft spot for the silver marked girl.

When Artorias looked back up to him Ysmir offered a subtle reverent bow of his head in return. His gaze lifted with a grin on his features, beyond the appreciated thanks Ysmir needed no gratitude for what he’d done for Gwyn. She deserved every ounce of his efforts. The boy’s blue and silver eyes returned to the girl then, a subtle hint to his growing affection for her. Ysmir dropped his eyes then, looking down to the bag that he had brought with him. Looking back up to Artorias, as though almost seeking permission, before Gwynevere had every ounce of his attention.

Silent as he always was Ysmir carefully untangled the knots and pulled the fabric back to reveal the shining silver circlet he brought as a gift to her. He smiled and offered her the gift to inspect before leaning back on his haunches and lifting the jewelry to its rightful place on her crown.

Gwyn was very good at watching other's expressions and body language, which was probably one of the reasons why she was able to understand Ysmir so well, so she picked up on how happy he was to see her and the clear shift from this giddy, dreamy look on his face to the more serious one he wore to greet Artorias. It made a little flutter of butterflies go crazy in her stomach. She knew it was silly to feel this close and attached to someone she had only been with a few times, but he had seen her at her very lowest point and had gone so far above and beyond what she would have ever asked of him otherwise. Being with him was so effortless and that wasn't something she could really say about anyone else outside of her immediate family. She glanced between the two men, listening while Artorias greeted Ysmir properly and thanked him for helping her after she was attacked. Artorias was always kind to their visitors and she certainly hadn't expected anything less with Ysmir, but it did still warm her heart to see them together and interacting so nicely.

Once the greetings and thanks were given and Ysmir's gaze returned to hers, the attention was turned to the carefully wrapped bag at his feet. She followed his gaze down to it curiously, giving him a questioning look as he looked to Artorias first and then back to her again. She had absolutely no idea what it could be and she never would have guessed that it was even a surprise for her at all. When he untied the strings on the bag and revealed the most beautiful silver headpiece she gave a soft gasp of surprise, her eyes going wide at the sight of it. It was stunning and delicate with little wings and fathers engraved and molded into the silver that reminded her of the birds that they both kept with them nearly at all times. At first she was in such disbelief that something so beautiful could be for her that she thought he had just brought something pretty to show her, but then he lifted it to place it on top of her head.

She looked up at him with disbelief and gratitude while he placed the circlet carefully upon her head, feeling the gentle weight of it settle perfectly across her crown as if it was made for her. It felt like her heart might swell until it burst and a huge smile pulled across her lips while her tail wagged like crazy behind her. Besides the screens and furniture their mother had commissioned for her infirmary for her birthday, this was the first gift she had ever received from anyone and it was certainly the first gift she had gotten that was purely just for her enjoyment. Even with the connection they shared she never would have thought that he would do something like this for her. "Ysmir... I... I don't know what to say," she told him softly, giggling softly as her ears flicked back bashfully. "Thank you. This is so, so sweet."

"Gwynevere Carpathius"

Artorias didn't miss the way Ysmir was looking at Gwyn when they approached, nor the way his gaze lingered on his sister with softness in his mismatched eyes. The Fireside wolf had a soft spot for Gwynevere, it seemed, and his sister seemed equally keen on him. The shy smiles, the blushes, the way they couldn't keep their eyes off of one another... Yeah, these two were crushing on each other hard. It made Art snicker quietly under his breath and wonder if this was what he and Briar looked like when they were together. It was sweet, but Artorias was still protective of his family, and he didn't know this wolf well enough yet to say he trusted his intentions with his sweet little sister. To his credit, Ysmir was cordial and polite, offering the young alpha a respectful bow of his head, which Artorias almost rebuked on reflex until he reminded himself that he would need to get used to other wolves treating him as such.

That was when Ysmir seemed to remember something, and the dark-furred lad began to untie a sack at his feet. Artorias quipped a curious brow, but nodded all the same when Ysmir looked to him for approval. He didn't know what the yearling had brought with him, but he had no reason to distrust him. It turned out his instincts were correct. Ysmir opened the sack and produced an elegant silver headdress, embossed with delicate and fine detailing along its perimeter. It was a beautiful gift, and when Ysmir set the headdress upon his sister's crown, Artorias couldn't help the crooked smile on his lips. Yeah, this boy liked Gwyn, all right.

"Well, I've got some important business to attend to," said Artorias, looking between the two of them with a knowing smirk. He didn't want to interrupt this special little moment, nor did he feel the need to hover and watch them like some overbearing parent. He trusted Gwyn's judgment that he didn't need to monitor Ysmir to make sure he didn't try anything untoward on his innocent sister. Plus Art would have plenty of time to get to know Ysmir when they could be more one-on-one, especially if he was going to be hanging around Gwyn on a regular basis. Right now, he'd let the two of them be awkwardly sweet with one another. "Welcome to the Hallows, Ysmir. I'm sure Gwyn will be happy to show you around. It was nice to meet you." Turning to head back to the castle, Artorias called back in jest, "Don't get into any trouble now, you two!" With another snicker, the Aegis made his way back to resume his duties.

- exit Artorias -

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Corbin" | "Argent"

One big happy family

Artorias has two ravens named Corbin and Eira and a fox named Argent. Assume they are within calling distance at all times.
As his mate, Briar may enter Artorias' threads unless marked Private.
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