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Homeless.

Technically, it was what she was, or would be as soon as the pack decided to leave the relative safety of the Tortugan territory. Relative because of the volcano that had been discovered sitting under the mountain's surface, not gone but present, a constant and worrisome threat. The once-Glaciem band had already withstood one volcanic disaster and barely made it out with their lives. The thought of facing another? No, they would much rather brave living as nomads than going through that again.

But despite knowing herself to be homeless, to be a wanderer among many, Mercianne was not worried. They were a large bunch, a strong bunch, a ragtag family who were too tightly knit to think about abandoning any of their own to whatever sort of tragedies fate decided to throw their way. They still acted as a pack, still respected their individual ranks; all that was missing was a stable home. This fact did cause a little worry in the timid she-wolf. Being a trained healer, it was nice having a dry little nook in which to store her herbs and plants, some place that she could always go to find exactly what she needed rather than search around her and possibly come up empty in the end. But she would make it work. Somehow. They would help each other, and she would learn as she went what to find and where. It would be a good learning experience. And she would get to stay with the family she had grown to adopt as her own.

As well as the one she had helped create. The mere thought of Awaken caused a smile to sneak its way across her gentle features as she walked, her dark brown eyes momentarily distracted from their search as she envisioned the dark colored wolf with the vibrant green eyes. Now was not the time to be thinking about him, about their new union as mates, or of the fact she would eventually get to return to him when her task was complete. A task she had taken upon herself and hoped would work out in the end. As far as healers went, Merci still considered herself a student, always with something to learn and always with more to find. So she had decided to learn as much about the plants here as she could and hoped to use that knowledge when they began their travels, and the going was good so far. She carried two little plants in her mouth, new growths that she had recognized from lessons and wished to keep on hand as a reference. But there was still more ground to cover, and winding her way around the wide base of the mountains that made up their home Mercianne continued to travel, nose on alert and dark eyes searching for any intriguing plant scents that might be of some use to her.

Gargoyle pocessed a rare lightness to his step that dewdrop covered morning. It was silly, he knew, but he couldn't help it. And frankly he didn't want to. Upcoming move or not, he felt more at home and at peace with the world than he had in a long time. It was amazing what effect his Ocena had on him, but the relapses of dark thoughts had plagued him and his guilt since the challenge, were all gone away like a bad dream. He was himself again. And he was once more attending to the duties of an Alpha. He'd been up hunting for the sun had time to touch Mt. Volkan's snowcap. He wanted to make sure everyone was in peak condition and full-stomached for the move. But now that that was under way, he turned his head towards another pressing matter. He needed to speak with Mercianne. It wasn't exactly urgent, but it was important. Very important. So, no sooner had he caught her scent on the breeze then he was pounding the mountainsides with the drumbeat of a high lope, skirting logs and stones as he wound down into the foothills.

He let out a summoning bark, (an ability he had thanks to his doberman heritage), and as he came finally into view, skidded up short and flung his ears forward. "Morning Miss Mercianne!" he hailed in a warm rumble.

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The white ears of the little wolf perked as soon as the sound of a bark resounded across the mountainside, a identifying call along with a very familiar voice. She smiled a little as she turned her head to glance away in the direction she had heard it, as if she could somehow see who had called despite the distance. Gargoyle. It was surprising to hear his voice since she had considered him busy getting things in order for those who would leave with him when the time came to abandon the Tortuga territory for more suitable, stable lands. None of them were keen on residing above another volcano, not after the last one. But more surprising yet was that he seemed to call directly for her. Why? She was really nothing more than a member in their band, a hunter when she needed to be, a healer when it was needed, and still with room for improvement in both. What had suddenly made her important?

Curious, she set off in answer to it, but only managed to get so far before the now Tortugan Chief raced into view and then skidded to a halt there with her. His greeting rumbled outward with much friendliness, surprising for its natural gruffness, but Merci was past the point of being intimidated by his enthusiasm and intensity. He had proven himself too many times that he was a more than decent leader, and a more than decent friend. So she greeted him with her typical little smile, lowering her head to set down the two little plants that she toted around with her. "Good morning, Gargoyle." Her tail made a few sweeps as she leaned her head a little to one side, peering at him as a friend but also a healer. It seemed the injuries he had sustained what felt like just yesterday were really rather well, with nothing to show that caused her any immediate worry. Which still begged the question: why come seeking her out? "How are you feeling this morning?" she asked unobtrusively, wondering then if it might not have been something invisible to the eye. Just as likely she supposed, though he did seem well and in good spirits. Maybe he was just paying a call after all.

The pale healer seemed in good spirits on that morning also. Gargoyle knew her to be a shy sort, so he made himself comfortable at a speaking distance of a yard or so. From the tender plants in her maw, Gargoyle concluded that he had not been the only one tending to duties this morning. Good. It was Mercianne's healing abilities that he had come for. But, not for himself. His packmate was quick to inquire how he felt, but no, no that wasn't it. His wounds were all healing just fine. Thanks to the changing of coats in this warmer weather, it looked like he wouldn't even have to deal with fur loss, save on the inside of his leftfore. If someone had ever been insane enough to shave the brute, they would've found a maze of scars criss crossing his form - most of them the result of the ambush that had left him near death when he was but a yearling, but plenty earned in the wars he fought for The Mob. But he wasn't dwelling on that. It wasn't about himself that he had come.

The Chief lowered his head slightly to bring their eye levels a little closer into line. "I feel as fine as ever," he rumbled out. And indeed, even if the words left any question, his tone was assurance. Usually so lackluster and without feeling, this morning there was some sort of lightness to it. 'Afterglow' was what an experienced wolf would've muttered, giving a knowing look. "In fact," Gargoyle said, continuing. "I bring some good news." A nice change of pace that. "Ocena and I are to be expecting another litter of pups." Even under the usual authority and bluntness, there was a something to be seen. A tinge of pride in the way the male's chest swelled ever so slightly. Even if he'd been trying to hide it, it was likely he wouldn't have managed. Ocena, and the family they already had together, were the only ones known to elicit such responses. And it seemed that the very thought of them could do the same. The Chief was in a better mood than he'd been in a long while. "As you, Mercianne, are the most experienced healer we've got, I'd like to ask you to attend to my mate, and, if it's not asking too much, to be midwife, when she gives birth." It was his protectiveness that urged him to ask such a thing. He and Ocena had discussed having a healer there, for Gargoyle was all too aware of the size difference between them and how that could lead to complications, should the pups be large or late or many. The worry had almost kept him from trying for another litter, but his angel... she could ask for the world and he would give it to her.

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Ah, good. Mercianne's smile brightened a fraction as he admitted to feeling well, wonderful news in her book. She knew it was only a matter of time before they set off as a group, roaming the unclaimed territories without a set home-base to return to. He would need his strength and good health to lead them and keep their soon-to-be nomadic group together since it would be all too easy for those wolves who followed to drift off and away to make permanent homes for themselves elsewhere. And as much as Mercianne would miss the stability of a sedentary residence, she couldn't dream of leaving these wolves or having them leave her. "That's good to hear," she murmured agreeably, once again feeling grateful to Awaken for acting when he had arrived before she did and tending to their leader's wounds. His quick action had made more of a difference than he realized.

He pressed on, getting to what it was he wished to speak to her about, she guessed. And she couldn't have been more surprised or excited. The timid healer's dark brown eyes widened as a little gasp of surprise caught in her throat, her whole expression brightening. Puppies! Gargoyle and Ocena were going to have more puppies! "Oh, Gargoyle, that's wonderful!" she answered excitedly, her tail wagging as she took a few fidgety, dancing steps in place, her excitement getting away from her. "I'm so happy for you two." And she was. If ever there was a family who deserved any more happiness in their lives, it was Ocena and Gargoyle. Not even getting shoved from their homes, or finding that they new one they had claimed was a danger to them, could crush the spirits of both wolves, and Merci was happy to know that the events of recent days had not caused any strain on their relationship. They were strong, and a couple that she admired wholeheartedly.

And they wished her to be there when the time came for Ocena to give birth. If Mercianne had been surprised to hear that the happy couple was expecting, she was even more surprised to know that they wanted her to help. The excitement inside of her dulled into unexpectedly wonderful flattery, touched that they should think so highly of her skills to ask her to be there with them when the new little arrivals made their entrance in the world. Her fidgeting ceased and she stilled, her smile taking on a more stunned sort of joy. "Of course," she answered without thought, her tone slightly breathless with its surprise and sincerity. "I'd be honored." But of course the new task only brought about a strong touch of worry. She was starting to feel confident in her abilities, but birthing was different than the sort of scrapes and bruises that she was most typically asked to care for. She would need to do her homework and hopefully find out a little more between now and then.

Her excitement was infectious. Within, Gargoyle could match it and more, but outside, he was much slower to make a display of himself. However, the sight of Mercianne beginning to practically dance with glee, loosened something in the male?s posture. Suddenly his little Doberman nub began to wag. It wasn?t near as energetic or showy as the healer?s, but like as not it was something that none of his packmates had ever seen before. He might as well have howled his joy to the springtide moon. She was happy for them, and more than that, she would ?be honored? to assist with the birth. The gravity of such a duty did not need to be pressed upon her. She seemed to immediately understand, her paws stilling as she accepted the responsibility.

Gargoyle dipped his head. ?You have our thanks. I?ll admit to you that it ebbs away a measure of worry from my mind.? It was against the male?s grain to be anything but an example of strength to his pack, but this was a special case. This was before a healer, and concerning his mate; He could be perfectly frank. Besides, Mercianne had been a part of Glacie- well, the pack, longer even than Gargoyle had, despite his bloodties.

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Mercianne's smile was modest as Gargoyle admitted to her how much her assistance would ease his worries. In truth, she was flattered and grateful that he should think so highly of her skills, and she did wish to assist them as much as she could, but there still seemed like there was room for her to improve. Birthing was a different sort of process from merely cleaning and tending to a wound, and there were plenty more complications that could arise compared to the common infection due to improper care of an injury. There were more lives at stake, more delicacy that needed to be executed with her decisions, and definitely more pressure.

She did, however, have her own ideas in mind. "If it's no trouble," she suggested, "I would like to ebb away some of my own worries by visiting Valhalla before that time. Soleil was very generous with her training, but I would love a chance to speak with their healers about birthing specifically." It would do her some good, she knew, with helping Ocena through her birth when it happened and proving herself as a healer to these dear friends of hers. Their opinion mattered more than they knew, and she had no wish to let them down.

But more than that, she was curious on a personal level. There was a chance - and she wasn't aware just how strong that chance was - that she could have been pregnant as well. It wasn't exactly planned, though she had been aware of the possibilities at the time, but neither she nor Awaken had spoken to the other about whether they were ready or what they would do should it happen. As the days progressed, however, she was becoming more and more convinced. And the better she knew what to expect for herself, if her hunch turned out correct, the better she could help Ocena.