He hadn’t been around to hear what happened at the last meeting, he hadn’t even heard the call. Ysmir would have been ashamed of himself if he hadn’t felt quite so lost when he stood there on the unmarked border, realizing what he’d always known was gone. He could have tracked down his mother and remained with her for a bit longer if he wanted. Ysmir could have stuck around with his father, but he’d never felt like the man knew him. He’d been so unfaithful to Ysmir’s mother, that much if not all of his respect was gone for Chaos. Maybe it could have been changed, but as the young man stood there he knew it wasn’t meant to be.

There was one wolf that had won his heart and his loyalty. Well and truly earned all of the feelings he had for her. He just hoped he hadn’t taken too long. The last time they were together they worked on the sign language he was becoming quite fluent in, but where he could speak to her in a way, was he really worthy of her> He wasn’t the most skilled nor talented. He had no clout to offer, no wealth to give her, how could he be worthy of her paw?

Maybe it didn’t matter, maybe the deep feelings he had for her would be enough to see him through. To finally overcome his inferiority for her because she deserved better and more than what he was right now. Ysmir almost couldn’t help himself though, and after a few days travel he made it to the Hallows border. All of his worldly possessions were with him, this was all he was and all he had. All except for the greatest prize of all, one he didn’t really deserve.

He still couldn’t call for anyone to come meet him, so Barenziah took to the sky to find the girl he was falling in love with.

Gwynevere sat in her infirmary, looking up at the skull that now adorned one of the upper shelves of her supplies and decor. Artorias had gifted it to her, a bit of a gift and proof that the wolf that had started the internal terror and battle she continued to fight was finally vanquished. It didn't feel real yet and sometimes when she looked at those sharp, serrated teeth that were inset into the male's skull she could almost hear his scathing words as if he was still talking, but he wasn't. He was dead and they were all still here—worse for wear thanks to his existence. She let out a slow sigh and shook her head as she looked away from it, turning her lavender and sage gaze down to the vials she had been working on filling with extracts that had been steeping since early that morning.

Her work was swiftly interrupted when Eilwen tapped her on the shoulder and pointed up to one of the windows. She looked up with confusion until her gaze locked onto the familiar form of Ysmir's companion. She gasped softly, a grin pulling across her lips as all at once her day was brightened up with just one look though a window. It always felt like ages between their visits and in some ways it kind of was. There were usually long stretches of time between the times she was able to spend with him, but every time she saw him it felt like nothing had changed and it made all the time in-between worth it.

She quickly placed a lid on the extract she was decanting and then rushed out of the room to head out of the castle. She wasn't wearing her cloak since she didn't tend to wear it while she was within the castle, but as always her precious circlet was resting on her brow. She ran out of the castle and across the stretch of open land between the stone walls and the border, spotting his dark form waiting for her easily. She didn't stop running until she was almost to him and she noticed the stuff that he had with him. She ignored it for a moment, slowing to a stop in front of him to keep from knocking him over before she threw her forelegs around his neck in a tight hug. "Ysmir! I'm so glad you're here!" she exclaimed with a giggle as she loosened her hold around his neck, slipping down to sit back on her haunches in front of him. She glanced to his stuff again with a questioning look before she brought her gaze back up to his, lifting her paws so she could sign to him, "What's all of this?"

"Gwynevere Carpathius"

He didn’t want to admit that part of the reason the stints of time between their visits was so long was because Ysmir was ashamed. He wasn’t sure he would ever feel like he deserved the love he felt from Gwyn. He couldn’t help himself though, she was the one his heart yearned for, and if she could love him then he would love her in return and work everyday to truly earn that devotion.

The thoughts and self doubt all disappeared as she emerged from the castle walls. He brightened immediately as his gaze fell of her dark form. Her cloak wasn’t covering her form, but the sun did glint off the diadem that he had given her. Before he had even fully realized what was happening between them he had known, and it was shown in the jewelry that adorned her crown. He danced slightly as she raced towards him, he was hesitant and unwilling to cross the border but he wanted badly to help close the distance.

Soon enough though Gwynevere was in his arms again. She slowed before wrapping her limbs around his neck. One of his own dark legs moved to embrace her around her shoulders as he whined softly in greeting. All the while his tail was wagging. Ysmir squeezed her lightly, breathing her in and enjoying the warmth of her body and the warmth that filled his belly in her presence.

She slipped away from him as she spoke her pleasure, and he really started to feel the ramifications of this decision. Of the real possibility of rejection. The reward was so worth it though. Spending his days with her? Never having to say goodbye? There wasn’t anything he wanted more. Gwyn did finally notice the little things he had with him and his expression fell slightly as he read the words on her paws.

He sighed softly, dark ears falling to his skull as he admitted the truth. He wasn’t so sure how to sign what he wanted, he didn’t have a symbol for fireside. My pack is gone. This is the only place I’d rather be. He signed to her and looked up to her mint and lavender eyes. He knew she couldn’t really grant him refuge here, but he knew her word would go far.

Gwynevere saw the way his expression fell when she asked about the things he had brought with him and her brows pulled together in a bit of concern, looking to his paws for his response. When he told her that his pack was gone her eyes widened in shock and sympathy. "Gone?" she gasped softly with disbelief, wondering to herself how a pack could dissipate just like that. She had never visited his pack and wouldn't know the state it had been in, but it just felt so strange for something like that to have happened. Still, when he added that this was the only place he'd rather be an excited flutter hit her and she looked up to his face as a little grin tugged at her lips. She hated that these were the circumstances that brought him here, but already she was almost too excited to contain herself at the idea that he would get to be here with her every day and the long stints between being able to see him would finally be over.

"I want you to be here too," she told him, unable to keep her grin from pulling across her face again while her tail wagged. There was a bit of nervousness that crept in on her as she realized that there would be no more hiding her bad days from him, the days where she only wanted to hide away in the infirmary and bury herself in her work to keep from thinking about anything else, there would be no hiding her anxiety or her fears, but the hopeless romantic in her wanted to believe she could continue to trust her heart to him and that even with him living his daily life with her they would still continue to love their time together all the same. There was really only one barrier to get through before he could live here and that was her brother.

She tipped her head back and let out a howl for Artorias. As much as she liked to believe that her brother wouldn't be angry over her bringing Ysmir into the pack to go see him instead of calling him to the border, she still didn't want to do anything that might put Ysmir on the wrong foot. With Artorias called, Gwyn got up and moved closer to Ysmir, sitting beside him instead and leaning into his side, looking up at him with a warm smile. "I'm really sorry to hear about your pack... but I'm awfully glad I'll be able to see you every day."

"Gwynevere Carpathius"

Artorias was still nursing the wound left behind when Audra had left the Hallows. Losing any wolf from his pack felt like losing a member of his family, and in many ways it was the same. Every Hallowed wolf was someone he cherished and loved. To see them leave broke his heart, but he held out hope that Audra would find what she was looking for, and when she was ready to, she would return home. It did, however, leave another noticeable gap in their ranks. With Romulus and Lillilth leaving to find themselves and heal after their trauma, and now Audra going to teach in Abaven, it was hard not to notice the growing number of vacant rooms in the castle.

Artorias had been busying himself cleaning up his dojo after a particularly engaging workout session when Gwynevere’s call for him at the border rang out. Obsidian ears perked atop his crown; his sister’s voice was not one he heard frequently, and it usually meant only one thing. A small smirk touched the Aegis’ lips while he trotted out of the castle in the direction of the call. Sure enough, seated along the border was the dark-furred wolf from Fireside that his little sister had fancied for some time now! Ysmir had come for another visit.

"Gwyn! I see you’ve found a wayward friend!" he teased the pair of them gently, greeting Ysmir with a welcoming smile. That smile slowly dropped when he noticed the meager packs of personal belongings Ysmir had with him and the sullen look on the young man’s face. His brow furrowed in concern, looking between Ysmir and Gwynevere, more worried about Ysmir’s wellbeing than anything else right now. "What’s going on?"

"Artorias" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Eira" | "Argent"

He wasn’t sure that Gwyn believed him as his paws signed the vague idea of what he had to say. For a moment he wasn’t sure if she was questioning his signs or the fact that Fireside was gone now. However devastating a blow, to his family, to his future plans, to those he cared for and about, he couldn’t help his excitement at being here beside Gwyn now. He didn’t have to say goodbye again, and even if he didn’t feel like he deserved her paw he wanted to be next to her. She spoke in return, affirming she had understood every word he signed. Gwynevere wanted him to be with her as well.

Ysmir’s expression mirrored her own, his lips pulling back to reveal the pointed canines that extended to his bottom lip. Seeing her smile, and feeling it in his heart… It was weird following his emotions, but there wasn’t much more he wanted than being in the presence of the girl beside him. They really hadn’t spent much time together, but after he’d brought her home after she had been dumped into the river he knew where he needed to be.

She proved what she meant and called for her brother, the last step in his plan. Nervous excitement filled his belly as he grinned, Gwyn moved to sit close beside him, leaning into him. He felt his skin warm, and was grateful for the dark fur that hid the blush on his cheeks. He often thought about holding her that night, and how often he wished to have her against him. His dual toned eyes met hers as she looked up at him, whispering softly as she grinned up at him.

Forgetting the fear on her face wasn’t something he would ever forget. If he could help it, Ysmir wanted to make sure that smile remained on her features for the rest of her life. As he gazed into her beautiful eyes one of his sterling marked paws covered her own as she offered her soft condolences. He squeezed her paw as she told him how much she wanted to spend every day with him, because he couldn’t agree more.

Had Artorias not been on his way Ysmir would have let himself get lost in her eyes. As it was he felt himself leaning forward, wanting so bad to taste her lips. He heard the Aegis voice as he steeled himself, and his dual toned gaze lifted to the man. He nodded his head in greeting, Art was aware of how little he spoke already. He realized this was more than a social visit without an extra word. Ysmir nodded to Gwyn, it would be faster if she explained. Having her beside him to speak on his behalf was a blessing he’d never expected to have, but it felt so right after they developed their signing language.

Gwynevere smiled as she felt Ysmir's paw settle over her own, even just the gentle squeeze he gave her paw feeling like it spoke volumes to her. For the silent man little gestures and affections were his way of speaking to her and they touched her the same way sweet, tender words would have meant to someone else. If it hadn't been for the fact that she knew Artorias was always quick to answer her calls she probably would have given in to how he was looking down at her with his mismatched gaze peering deeply into her own, the draw and pull toward him making her stomach flutter like crazy with butterflies, but she held herself back and tried not to think too much about the conversation she had shared with her sister while they waited on Artorias to appear. Once they got the problem of his homelessness resolved then there would be more than enough time to finally give in and indulge in all of those things—assuming she could get over her own nerves that was.

She turned her lavender and mint gaze to look at her brother as he approached, smiling a little as he mentioned finding a wayward friend. Then he seemed to notice the same things that she had when she had found Ysmir at the border and his expression shifted to show his concern as he asked what was going on. She glanced up to Ysmir to make sure it was okay for her to give her brother the details of why he was here and once he nodded to her she turned her gaze to look at Artorias once more. "His pack, Fireside, is gone. He no longer has a home." She glanced up at Ysmir again, a little smile starting to curl up the corners of her lips despite the grim news she had just delivered. "He'd like to live here with us as long as you'll allow it."

"Gwynevere Carpathius"

Ysmir dipped his head politely, then nodded to Gwynevere to provide Artorias with the answers he sought. Art had already expected this response, knowing of Ysmir's limited range of communication, and thusly set his fire opal eyes upon his sister. Gwynevere didn't waste any time in explaining the situation in succinct terms. Fireside was gone. Ysmir was without a home and was now seeking admittance to the Hallows. Fire-bright amber eyes blinked wide with shock. "Fireside is gone?! What do you mean 'gone'?" he reiterated, the surprise unrestrained in his voice. Fireside had been one of the few packs to receive him and Ulric when they'd gone about on their diplomatic mission around Boreas, way back when Artorias had been green to the ways of politics and had just been named heir. He still vaguely remembered Tyrian, remembered the cordiality of the alpha. To think that the pack simply no longer existed... it was flooring and left the Aegis with many unanswered questions. Did they disband willingly? Were they attacked and killed? Did they succumb to some sort of plague? How did a pack just... dissolve like that?!

Either way, the why and the how were irrelevant in the here and now. What mattered was what was happening to the wolves of Fireside—namely of the dark-coated one sitting at his borders right now, carrying his every worldly possession with him. Ysmir wanted to join the Hallows. Were it any normal day under normal circumstances, Artorias would have received the northern wolf without a qualm. His situation, if anything, only made it that much more imperative that he let the wolf in. The Hallows had always been a place of sanctuary and shelter for just such occasions. Even if he hadn't been seeking to make this place his home, Artorias would have welcomed the former viking in and given him asylum. Besides, he liked the mute brute. He had always been respectful and polite, and he had saved his sister after her assault. Not to mention he seemed to have a thing for Gwynevere, and vice versa. Perhaps him living here would do good for her as well.

"Well, regardless of what happened to Fireside, what matters is that Ysmir needs a home," said Artorias after a moment to collect his thoughts from the jarring news. He smiled and nodded to Gwyn and Ysmir, his gaze fixing on the other male afterward. "Of course he can live with us. The Hallows could no doubt benefit from the unique perspectives he has coming from another pack." Artorias strode closer to Ysmir, closing the space between them just enough so he could lift a paw and go to rest it on the shoulder of the wolf that was now a part of his pack, and by extension, his family. He looked into Ysmir's mismatched silver and blue eyes with a genteelness, yet seriousness as well. "Welcome to the Hallows, Ysmir. I don't know what the laws were like in Fireside, but here we have only a few, but they are unbending in their severity. The no bloodshed rule applies even stricter to members of the pack. Unless it is done in formal combat or defense of another, violence is not permitted. You'll be expected to help provide for the pack according to your skills, and expected to hone your skills to keep them sharp."

Dropping his paw from Ysmir's shoulder, Artorias glanced back to Gwynevere with a bit of a sheepish expression. "I, uh... suppose I should at least learn what that signing language you've come up with means, so I can talk to you properly. Gwyn's a good translator, but I don't think it's realistic to think she can be with us for every conversation." With the formalities taken care of, Artorias welcomed Ysmir into the Hallows with a warm smile and nod of his head for their newest wolf to cross the borders. He stepped around to grab a couple of Ysmir's things so he could help carry them into the castle. "C'mon, let's get you settled in a room. Gwyn can give you the grand tour of everything afterwards and fill you in on the other rules and customs of the Hallows, like our feasts and breeding laws." He said that last bit with a knowing smirk cast toward his demure sister before striding past them to lead the way back to the castle, and to Ysmir's new home.

"Artorias" | "Carpathian" | "Corbin" | "Eira" | "Argent"

He hadn’t ever joined a pack before, he had been born in Fireside and unless his mother led them elsewhere he had thought for a long time that he would also die there. That thought had haunted him for a while, with Gwynevere on his mind quite frequently. Wanting to come and be with her often contradicted his perceived expectations. Now was different. There were blood relatives he could have gone to, many for that matter, but he wanted to be with Gwyn. Perhaps he should have been more loyal to his kin, but his heart wanted to show his loyalty to the girl beside him.

He explained what he knew to her and as Artorias approached Ysmir would give her the cue to explain. She would give him as much information as she knew, Fireside was no more. Artorias reaction was one of complete surprise as the news was given. As an alpha he would have a better idea of who and what the once pack had been. Ysmir averted his gaze, he hadn’t even been to the last meeting so he couldn’t explain further.

It didn’t matter though, the alpha swiftly shifted back to the matter at hand. Ysmir had no home, and more than anything he wanted to be here beside Gwynevere. He held his breath, but Artorias strode forward confidently. Blue and silver eyes looked up towards the alpha as one massive paw was placed on his shoulder. Then he was welcoming him into the Hallows. He released the breath and smiled as he was given a brief introduction to the Hallows laws. Ysmir gave a quick nod in acceptance.

The aegis then offered to learn the sign language that he had Gwyn had begun to work on and surprise overtook his features. Ysmir gave the taller man a grin in response, already feeling welcomed and at home just thanks to Artorias being so open and generous. Ysmir nodded again, grateful that the man was so eager to better communicate with him. Ysmir glanced over to Gwyn, a huge grin playing on his features as he found a brightness in his future he hadn’t ever imagined before.

Artorias moved to help him get his things into the castle, offering up Gwyn to help him settle in and better learn the Hallows laws. He felt his face flush at the mention of breeding laws and the look he gave his sister before turning back towards the castle. Ysmir kept his head down as the thoughts of the future blossomed and made his heart pound in his chest as he sidled up to Gwyn and followed into his new home. A million thoughts racing through his head.