Walk | Talk | Think The Valhallan refugees had made it to Seracia and were given the asylum as promised, though it only alleviated a little of Ashtoreth's worries. While it meant she and those others who would or could not fight in the war were safe and clear of harm's way, they were far from the battlefield and the immediate news of how their pack faired, and until one of the warring factions claimed victory they were stuck here in unfamiliar territory simply waiting it all out. As much as she appreciated the kindness of the Seracians for opening their home to their neighbor - even with Epiphron's ties - it still was not home to the grey hunter, and it only made her wonder what those plains, valleys, and sparse forests would look like once they were allowed to return. Almost as soon as they had arrived, she had been looking over her shoulder, peering toward the border in the hopes of seeing a familiar face come to collect them, to tell them that home was safe, that they could return and be reunited with their families and loved ones again. But it would take much longer than that, of that she was certain. The battle was sure to be a difficult and lengthy one considering all that had led up to it. She could hardly expect someone to come for them so soon. Yet still she found herself looking, watching, waiting. It was nerve wracking. Most importantly, she worried over Leon. Their last conversation and the impact of it was still a heavy weight upon her heart, eating up at her every moment she was away from him, wondering in what state he would be in when he finally did manage to return to her. Would he be sound? Would he be injured? Would he be defeated and broken? Confident and victorious? Would he return at all? Will I get to tell him? It all made her sick to her stomach, made it near impossible for her to relax and comfort the other refugees let alone herself. But there was nothing she could do. She was stranded, stuck far from the battle where she had thought she wished to be all along. Now, however, she was not so certain. She did the only thing she could in her present situation. While the rest of the group remained together inside Seracia, mingling with those of the pack who were doing their best to comfort the displaced Valhallans, Ashtoreth took to sticking close to the border along the western edge though not so close as to invite intruders or alert them to her presence. She told herself it was merely out of habit, patrolling to keep her body and mind busy, but even she knew this was a lie. It was too early, but still she hoped to see them, any one of them, a Valhallan coming to call them home. And, though she dared not even think of it, she hoped to see Leon returned to her as swiftly as he could.

The young man panted heavily as he raced across the lands as fast as his burning paws would carry him. Though his shoulder was severely bruised and sore along with his haunches, Leon would ignore it as his legs pumped him forward. The wind stung the scratch marks on his right cheek, and he could feel a small trickle of warmth run down his face in a small streamline. And he figured perhaps the scratch that he had recieved was a little more then he thought, though nothing that would cause any problems. He had made sure that no enemies were following him to the place where the Valhallans had sought refuge. He was alone, and he was frantic with the thoughts of hoping that Ash had made it safely. He figured that perhaps his cousin might be upset with him later, but Leon would accept whatever was to come without complaint. He had chosen love over war, and to Leon that was the biggest victory in the world. He thought back to that morning, before the distress call had signaled the Glaciems coming. The moment he had confessed his love to Ash, and when she had pressed herself into his body for comfort and hopefully, for the same feelings that he had. She hadn't gotten the chance to fully explain her side of the feelings, but to him it seemed all too clear that she felt it too. He loved her, and he knew that she in turn, loved him. Was it not always obvious in her eyes? Leon shook his head, oh how much of a fool had he been not to notice before? It wasn't until recently as they shared a den that he had gotten those hunches. Alas, he had always been busy with his duties, and then the journey, and upon returning more duties.

Frustration creeped onto the corners of his mind, but he forced it away. It would seem that many things would try to come between him and her, as if life tried to keep them apart altogether. But Alas, the perfect moment had come and though it was very short, he felt accomplished and happy knowing that he had finally made his feelings known. And now, even though he had been gone a short time, he felt he had to return to her and let her know just how much she truly meant to him. The memories of the battle he had just left would haunt him, and he remembered the lifeless body of Lovatt upon the ground...his mate fighting against the one who took his life with cold motives. He had not wanted to disappear like that, not without saying goodbye first. Not only that, but he didn't want to leave when he had finally gotten something that was worth protecting. He wanted to protect Ash with his life, and until death would come to claim him then he would remain by her side and love her. Now that he had her, he could not imagine life without her soft touch and caressing kisses. He yearned for her touch, his body, mind, and heart demanded it.

At last, Seracia's borders would come into view, and Leon's hopes rose. Would he see Ash waiting for him? Or had she given up hope in ever seeing him again? He swallowed, hoping that the latter option wasn't the case. He told her he would come back for her, and that's just what he was doing. He had left the battle to return to her, though he had some slight injuries, he was otherwise whole. His breath would begin to come in short gasps as he got closer and closer, the Seracian border scents drawing sharp upon the wind. He would not stop his run, not until he made it into the Seracian line or until--ah! His eyes widened as he noticed a familiar form moving among the grasslands just beyond the border. Though he could not see much of the figure, he knew who it was. Her form very familiar within his eyes. Happiness welled up within his chest as his body released a quick burst of energy, claws kicking up dirt as he now sprinted to close the gap. Ashtoreth's scent infiltrated his nostrils, hers more distinct against the Seracian border markers. Within moments, he had passed the line and a thrill would spark through his body as her form became clearer. As the distance became closer, Leon would let out a couple barks to let her know he was coming. He was thrilled to see her, thrilled that she had made it out of Valhalla alive. Thrilled that she was safe and sound and waiting for him.

Leon would come to an abrupt halt, his claws slicing through dirt as his heart stopped the moment he reached her. He was all too happy for words as he would immediately press his body into hers and would procees to lick her face in rapid intervals. His tail would wag madly, his head nuzzling her neck, chest, and finally returning to caress her face in gentle licks once more. "Ash...oh Ash..." was all the man managed to whisper...his emotions taking over as he tried to pull back the tears of joy that threatened to spill. He cared not about anything else in the present or future. All he cared about now was that he was here with her, absorbing her warmth and love into his heart.

Walk | Talk | Think She was lost in thought, consumed with what had been on her mind since she arrived, and failed to notice when someone approached from the border until they barked. The voice struck a familiar chord with her, causing her ears to perk and her heart to leap in her chest. Leon? Her pacing ceased as she stared out through the trees, breath quickening in anticipation as the last of the barks died down, solidifying in her mind that it was truly him. She would know that voice anywhere, even here in the unfamiliar terrain of Seracia. And suddenly he was there, racing toward her even as blood coursed a trail down the side of his face. An ecstatic, desperate whine slipped from her muzzle as she took a few hurried steps toward him, stopping when he came to a sudden halt, and immediately she was met with the warmth of his body. There was no hesitation about her this time, no uncertainty or fear for their unknown future; she pressed back into him and nuzzled into his thick coat, certain that she would never get enough of his warmth, his touch, his affection. It thrilled her, sent a shiver down her spine, even as the intense sense of relief nearly overwhelmed her into tears. He was back, and he was sound. There was nothing more she could have asked for, and she had no intentions of letting him go a second time. Nor, did it seem, he had any intentions of leaving. There was more abandon to his nuzzles, his kisses, as he touched her, as if the short time he had been away had been just as hard on him as it had been on her, and it only added to her relief and joy. No thought was given to how he had come to be there, no worry about what it might have meant. She was far too happy to simply be with him again, to finally have her second chance with him, and much sooner than anticipated. She kissed him back, licking at his cheek that was not injured so as not to cause the scrape any undo hurt. "You're back," she stated in awe, breathless with surprise and relief, "I was so worried. I was afraid you'd get hurt and..." It was too difficult for her to say it aloud, so she buried her face into his chest instead, ears tucked and voice pleading, "Please tell me you're here to stay. I don't think I could say goodbye again."

A small internal whimper would rise and remain within his vocals as the warmth and flow of strong feelings emanated from the pair as they met. He was so happy that she was safe, so happy that she had waited for him, and even more happy when she was the first wolf that he would see her first of all wolves. He had run fast, run straight from the battlefield to here, and now he wanted to stay. Holding her close and as tightly as he possibly could, he pressed his face into her soft warm fur. His ears fell back as her frantic and worried voice touched his ears. "I was so worried. I was afraid you'd get hurt and..." He would tuck his head into the crook of her neck, trying to soothe her and chase away the thought. "Shh...don't fret darling, my heart and will would not have allowed me to be taken away from you. Nothing can tear me away from you, not without the fight of a lifetime. I would have taken their life before giving up my own."

Her next set of words buried themselves deep within his heart. As he felt the same as she. He never wanted to say goodbye again. Not if he could help it. He had waited this long to tell her he loved her, and he sure as hell didn't want to risk losing that by going off into another foolish battle for pride. Removing himself just slightly, he licked her nose gently before gazing into her beautifully colored eyes. "Ash, I promise I won't leave you anymore okay? You're stuck with me now. And I'll never let anything harm you, or take us apart." He nuzzled her cheek, a soft smile playing onto his face to lift his features into a more happier and heartening look. He was glad to see her safe and sound. His worry about something possibly happening to her gone. He had been so worried, even during the siege. Because of his mind being filled with nothing but her, he hadn't noticed his attacker, but even then he had decided to flee instead of fight. He just couldn't bear the weight of worry that had engulfed him then. But now, everything was alright.

"You don't have to worry anymore sweetheart. Come on, let's move away from the border...we wouldn't want to attract any unwanted attention." Gently he would nudge her away from the borderline, pressing comfortingly against her side. He had panicked on the field of battle, after all, he feared being torn from Ash and on top of that he hadn't had much fight practice since his return. He definitely needed to get back into shape and get back into the game. Otherwise, he feared he wouldn't be able to protect Ash in the future if his skills remained lacking.

Walk | Talk | Think Ashtoreth stayed close, almost clinging, desperate to do what she could to keep Leon with her. She knew deep down that the war was not going to be won within the first minutes of the siege; it was going to take time, energy, and possibly lives. Somehow this blue-eyed wolf had managed to extricate himself from the mess of battle just in the heat of things and she could not imagine that the whole of it could be over and done with already. If he was needed, would his return be demanded? Would she be forced to wait and worry for him all over again? No, she thought, resolution and selfishness coating the unsaid word. Since she had joined Valhalla she had been a willing follower in the pack, allowing herself to be guided by the directions of her leaders without question or comment, but for the first time she felt the stirrings of reluctance. What she felt for Leon, what they had between them, was simply not something she could abandon because of duty, and until he spoke she worried her loyalties might be tested. The answer he gave as he drew back enough to lick her muzzle was reflective of her own thoughts and brought about a quick smile as her two-toned eyes filled with quiet tears. You're stuck with me now. The phrase filled her with such joy that it was all she could do to bury her face into the fur of his neck as he nuzzled into her cheek, her throat closed by the lump that had risen there and stilled her from saying any more. It was just what she had been hoping for. Leon was free; now all they needed to do was wait for the pack lands to be safe so they could return, as a couple, and begin their lives anew with each other. When he suggested they move from the border, the emotional grey wolf obliged, turning and following just at his side as he led them more safely within the Seracian territory. Only after a few paces was she able to get her voice back, though she was still too caught up in her shock to have her thoughts sorted out enough to say much. There was little about the battle she wished to know - fights of this caliber were a squeamish topic for her - but noting again the bloodied scrape against the male's cheek, she murmured, "Oh, Leon," and placed a careful lick against his chin so there was no worry of moving his cheek and possibly causing the injury to sting. "Did you want me to call for one of the healers?" she asked, an audible touch of worry coating her voice. She was no help when it came to injuries and tending to them, not even her own, and not knowing the extent of what Leon had endured during the war she was eager to place him in the skilled hands of someone who knew what they were doing.