Virtuous hearts; Tirisfal Valley

Robin released a sigh. It seemed that Cade and Elysia would be all right. Cade stumbled and Robin rushed over to provide him a shoulder, but the male got his bearings and stood. "You've done a great service to the pack protecting Elysia," he said. Elysia was more than a pup, afterall. She was the heir, and her safety was of the utmost importance. "Come. Let us head to Okura Falls. We can relay the story to Nuri." He turned swiftly, eager to deliver the news, to tell the Alpha that his daughter was safe and the danger of the stampede far and away now. He had no doubt that Cade would wait for Elysia to catch up, and that he would protect her should any other danger arise. Robin loped through the snowy woodlands past the Low Dens and around Serenity Lake, curving northeast, the freshly-fallen snow crunching beneath his paws. His legs were long and limber, perfect for travelling in such conditions. He looked up at the pale sky when there was a break in the beeches and saw that a dark, heavy snow cloud was settled upon Bloodstained Peak of Muerta Mountains. It was possible that they would be intercepting the storm, given the valley's position on the range's windward side, but he hoped that it would hold off until they were recovered. There was also the possibility that it could sit at the top of the mountain, like smoke around a volcano, and do nothing more.

Most of the pack was at the falls, now frozen over with winter. Bright and her children were speaking to a male he didn't recognize; his scent lingered of something wretched, but he could not be perceived as a total threat. He wouldn't be standing where he was if he was. Robin panted, his skin hot from all that had happened, his muscles weary. He needed rest. He went up to the frozen stream and cracked the thin ice with his paws, lapping up the chill water that seemed to turn his insides to lead. He lifted his head once more and found Nuri not far away. Robin approached, tilting his dial in respect. "I'm glad to see you made it out all right. Your daughter is safe. A young male named Cade is her rescuer. He protected her during the worst of it. I think he can give you the full story, I don't know the details," he reported. "From what I understand, Doctor was injured in the stampede. Ali is treating him now, and she said that they would meet us here, but I think if his wounds are too much, they will have to stay put. Jewel is with them. I'm not sure where Cardinal went... I haven't seen him since the start of the whole mess." He sighed. Telling Nuri all of this information made him realize how exhausted he was. He had been woken up when the thunderous rumble of hooves on the earth first began. One couldn't tell, but his maroon eyes were bloodshot and weary. As much as he wanted to rest, though, he wouldn't be able to until the rest of his family was back, safe and sound. He was eager to chase down Ali and Jewel, but knew it was better for him to remain at the Falls. "If there's anything you need me to do, Nuri, just say so," he said. He was always ready to offer a hand to his leader.

Haru looked up from his paws and saw the playful light in Ely's eyes. He tipped his head slightly as she spoke, not a cruel word passing her lips - no teasing jabs or put-downs. Had she always been this way? He let his speckled silver gaze fall to the ground again. The others picked on him so much that he had just assumed Elysia was in on it too. After all, she used to spend a lot of her time with her sister, so when Esa made the remarks that she did, Haru had always thought that Ely must be in on it, too. But maybe she was different. He looked up again to see the brightness in her eyes, and exctiement in her voice as she asked him if he knew what the thundering was. He just shook his head; he hadn't a clue. Suddenly she began talking very quickly, and it was clear that now she had survived the stampede, she was going to have quite a story to tell. He couldn't help but wag his tail at her enthusiasm. He blinked in amusement as she finally stopped, out of breath, before she sat up.

A worried expression crossed his face when she accused him of not coming to save her. He could hear the playfulness in her tone, but he wasn't sure how to respond. His paws scuffed the dirt again. "But... well I, um..." he stuttered uncomfortably, staring at the ground. What should he tell her? "Haru!" came Bright's voice, "What are you up to over there? You're not getting into trouble after what's just gone on, are you?" She could see his tail sticking out of the undergrowth, and wondered if he was sneaking off. She padded up behind him and shoved her way through the brush. Haru looked behind him, somewhat glad for the interruption during his awkward moment, but a little disappointed too. His company had never been sought out by another of his age, and he was intrigued Elysia's sudden change in attitude. Would Bright always be watching him like a little pup? "I'm just talking to Ely, you don't have to get all worked up about it," he said with some bitterness in his voice. He could see that his tone had stung her a little, but he couldn't help it. He knew she cared about him and paid him so much attention because he was clumsy and the others teased him, but sometimes the way she hovered over him only made things worse.

"Elysia, you're back!" Bright said, recovering from Haru's stinging reply and rushing past him to check on Ely. The younger fae was not her daughter, but she couldn't help feeling so attached. She'd nursed all the pups when Silent fell too ill to care for them. She almost felt as though it was her only purpose, to look out for these youngsters. "Are you okay, Ely?" she asked, her voice crackling with emotion, "You're not hurt, are you? Are you hungry?" Silver eyes were full of worry, and she would do anything to make the fae feel better if she was feeling shaken. In the meantime, Haru glanced awkwardly to Elysia, then hung his head and waited for Bright to finish up and hopefully go away.

The young male sat quietly by himself, wanting to do something, but having nobody to do anything with. His mother was already laying down, her body curled and tail tucked over her paws. She certainly wasn't in any mood to play around. He tried to avoid paying any mind to Esa and Ajax as they interacted, annoyed already at them. Ajax had hardly been back and he'd already managed to poke fun at him, and Esa was no better. Sighing with boredom, Haru slunk down into a comfortable position, flicking his tail out as he plucked up grass with his teeth. He perked up as some wolves began to arrive at the falls. Glancing around, he wondered where Elysia was; had they found her? He nearly jumped with surprise when something lightly struck his rump. He turned to look and saw the pebble that had bounced off of him - further in the undergrowth, a pair of familiar eyes gleamed. "Elysia?" he whispered. He glanced to Bright. She hadn't noticed anything.

He got up and padded quietly towards her, slipping into the undergrowth beside her. Humor seemed to dance in her eyes, and he wondered what she was thinking. He also wondered why she seemed to be inviting him. No one ever seemed to pay him much mind, but regardless, he would be glad for the opportunity. He just hoped she hadn't called him over to bug him or let him down. Shuffling his paws in the dirt, he said quietly, "I-I'm glad to see you're okay." That was all he could think of to say, as he hadn't seen what all that thundering was about, and any details had been thus far kept from him and the other pups. He wondered if she'd seen what it was. Maybe she would tell him, or maybe she had some sort of plan in mind.

As gently as she could, Ali prodded and poked her patient as he spoke. Having him talk was not only keeping him awake, but distracting him from the pain. She didn't have to touch his front leg to know that yes... It was a clean break. Despite all of her best healing methods, he would likely walk with a limp for the majority of his life. His back leg was indeed sprained, but he was lucky that it wasn't broken... because if that was the case, then he wouldn't walk again. Instead of putting all of her energy into worrying about these things, she instead nodded at his words. "Yes. Robin and I came across them both during the stampede. They are both all right. Robin is leading them to the Falls. I don't want to risk moving you, so it looks like we're stationed here on the battlefield for now," she said. It had been so long since she had been out here, out in the field... It was refreshing, helping Doctor on the spot. She paused, looking over her shoulder for Jewel... Ali couldn't leave Nuri's side, she needed those herbs, and someone would eventually have to tell the others that they couldn't move...

Bright was glad that they were moving, and so grateful that Ajax had been returned to her, but she felt a growing sense of distaste for the male that had brought her son. She had already felt the tension between he and Serenity, and now she was getting an idea of why the older male might not like him. He was too rough with the youngsters, and his laugh sent a chill down her spine. If there was one thing she hated in this world, it was the wicked of spirit, and Priest was certainly one of them. Such dasterdly wolves had only brought misery and fear into her life, and she could not bear the thought of sharing territory with such a wolf. "I am so grateful you brought him home," she spoke appreciatively, looking him in the eye so he knew she was sincere. However, she gave him a curt nod and some parting words following her thanks. "We'd best make haste," she said, "I will speak with Ajax about his disappearance later." She moved away from him and kept to herself as she watched the pups move along.
Of course, Bright was watching her wards and hearing what was going on between them. She scowled when she heard Ajax's words of belittlement to his brother, and let out a growl of disapproval, coming up behind and lightly cuffing him over his ears. "Mind yourself, Ajax," she said, disappointment also showing in her eyes, "You've been so missed by your peers, try to be pleasant." She knew that Haru had worried about his brother's disappearance, and it didn't seem fair now that Ajax was picking on him immediately upon his return. How was she ever going to teach this mismannered pups to behave? She hoped dearly that it was not genetics... surely he wouldn't turn out just like his own father? As for Esa... she just seemed to be influenced by him, but hopefully she would snap out of it with enough encouragement in the righ direction.

Esarosa

Esa noticed as her mother abruptly broke off her conversation and changed her position amongst the moving wolves. She let go of her caretaker's tail as Bright fell in somewhat behind them, as though to herd them along from behind. Her ears burned hot as she felt like Bright was watching her as Ajax approached her. Still, she couldn't ignore the handsome young male, and her tail waved through the air as he addressed her, his green eyes glimmering with mischief. He didn't sound too pleased to be back, but she grinned with delight. "Honestly, I'm so glad you're back," she said with a light, teasing shove to his shoulder, "Everyone's so serious.. it was dragging me down." She snickered as he poked fun at Haru, and the look on the other boy's face came through. He always got so defensive, it just made it even more fun to tease him. It wasn't their fault that he tripped up in everything he did. She blinked as Bright suddenly came up to scold Ajax for his words. Did she always have to be right there to listen in? Still, she smirked at his comment on how he'd grown and how she seemed to have gotten smaller; she gave a little snort of amusement.

"Oh, so you think you're the only one that's grown?" she gave a chuckle, shaking out her jet black pelt. She marched up beside him, and although she didn't match him in size, they were like two peas in a pod; both draped in obsidian, with emerald orbs glinting waywardly. She breathed in his scent, recognizing it although it was diluted amongst many others. She envied him; he had been far and wide at such a young age, while she'd been stuck around here, feeling like she'd hardly left the nursing den. Yet, as they arrived at Okura Falls, she did not feel like getting into anymore trouble, not so soon, anyways. It might spoil her chances of spending more time with Ajax later. But then again, it wouldn't be long before she need not answer to anyone. Though she felt treated like a whelpling, she was growing fast and she wouldn't be taking orders like a pup any longer.


Haru

The young male was put off by his mother's avoidance of the new, older male that had returned his brother. Now that was both Serenity and Bright showing dislike of the male, putting Haru on-guard even more. He seemed just as annoying and unpleasant as Ajax. Orbs shifted as his brother looked to him, simply to make a jab at him. A cross expression flashed over his face, and he wrinkled up his nose. "I'm sorry I ever worried that you were missing," he shot back, lashing his tail in annoyance and racing up ahead to stay close to Serenity. So far he enjoyed the old brute's company, someone who actually believed in him. He didn't need to listen to anyone who was going to put him down. However, he was disappointed when they reached the falls, and Serenity told them to stay put; he must have private business to attend to with Priest. He wandered over to his mother and sat near her, feeling her tongue graze over his ear. He shook her off, not wanting to look like even more of a baby in front of Ajax and Esa.

He didn't waste the energy to look up at the new sound; he already recognized the voice. For now, he was still putting most of his focus on staying awake. It was horrible when the healer was the patient. He knew to stay awake until he was sure there was no concussion, but it was difficult when his mind was still a bit foggy and his limbs heavy. Doctor heard her speak to her daughter first, checking her over like any parent would. He didn't mind, since a few more minutes wouldn't change anything.

Healers did make the worst patients... Ali nudged him, in support, he figured, and faintly smirked when she told him to stay awake. Any other day, he'd probably have retorted that he was aware of this, but he still have enough sense to know she was concerned, most words come as habit, and his mind wouldn't be working at its best for a while.

He did have the energy, though, to point at his left foreleg again, indicating where the break was and said, "Feels like one clean break, luckily." He wasn't sure if that came from his landing or the elk, or a combination of both. "Back leg hurts, but doesn't feel broke. Everywhere else... bruised, small things."

He questioned, "Did you see Nuri's daughter? She was exploring. The elk weren't here yet, and let her wander back to Nuri. Sent.... Cade, was it?, to find her when I realized how stupid I was when the stampede came." He was mostly talking to ensure Ali he was still awake, since he'd returned his head to rest on the ground, but he was genuinely worried about the others.

The world was a dust cloud and trampled flat as Ali curved her way down into the valley. The blooming meadows that were there before were now barren patches, either crushed or devoured by the migrating herd. There were a few stragglers that were stopped near the creek-beds, who scattered at the sight of her, but she wasn't here for a hunt. She dirt clogged her nose and she still couldn't smell where her daughter was, but she picked up on a familiar pack scent, and went with it.

As she neared the treeline, the sight and smell of wolf blood heightened her senses. Someone was hurt. Please don't be Jewel, please don't be Jewel. It wasn't until she broke through the trees did the smell of her daughter become clear, and her heart tightened in her chest as she prayed to Fenrir that he hadn't stolen her away. Jewel was the only child she had left, and she couldn't afford to lose her, too. "Jewel!" she barked, skidding to a halt. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw Jewel standing over Doctor, who was far more injured than she, but she was still injured nonetheless. Ali's tail wagged in relief and she tried to suppress the whine in her throat, but it came out anyways. She licked the blood trickling down Jewel's white fur behind her ear. "You're bleeding," she said. She knew that Doctor's condition should be assessed first, but her concern for Jewel won out. "Make sure you wash it when you get the chance. No need for infection to settle in."

She then turned to Doctor, his state battered and weary. Cuts and scrapes adorned his frame, and Ali lowered her head to his height, nudging him gently. "Stay with me, Doc," she said with a smile. She would get the story of what happened later. What was most important was that he looked like he was going to pass out, and Ali couldn't have him slip into a concussion. "Can you feel any breaks?" she asked. Her nose pressed to his form, checking to make sure his ribs, back, and hips were in tact. A break to any of those bone structures could mean death. She looked over her shoulder at Jewel. She was beaten as well, but she wasn't down. "I'm going to need some fresh bark from the trees, preferably oak. Lots of comfrey. Garlic, if you can find it," she said to her. She was thankful to have someone else other than Doctor that could help her out here. "After you bring those things to us, you can head up to Okura Falls. The rest of the pack is there. Your father should be there shortly."

Serenity's ears flicked, ignoring Priest's snide comments. He simply nodded his head and replied, "Yes. Moving out of the area is the plan,". He turned and led the group for the Falls, keeping his head straight. He heard Priest's comment to Haru... Priest never changed. He had always been the pack bully, when there had been a pack. Serenity wanted to tell Haru not to listen to him, but decided that now was not the best time for quarreling opinions. Priest was here for some reason, he could sense, and it had something more to do than just returning Ajax to Bright.

The autumn trees birthed a white, rushing waterfall amongst a tall, copper face. A wide cavern was hollowed out on the other side, allowing a den space for pack gatherings. Serenity sniffed the air for any unseen dangers - the elk herd, in particular - but found that only deer and small animals had been to the area, recently. It was a poor fishing spot, as it was far from the river, but here, they would not have to worry about bears. Serenity let his shoulders fall and relax, the sunlight streaming through the trees and giving the understory a soft, orange glow. Silver eyes found Bright's. "It's safe now," he said in a soothing tone. He looked down at the pups; they were growing fast, but they were not yearlings just yet. Regardless, they still needed a watching-over. "Stay near the Falls. Don't wander to where you can't see us." He next turned to Priest, wondering what the devil had in mind. He pursed his lips, not saying anything. The brute would talk. He knew it. So, for now, he wandered to the left side of the Falls and laid down on a plush patch of dark green moss, before it vanished for winter. He could watch most things from there, if he didn't fall asleep, first.

"Home huh, lucky you kid" The words dripped from his maw as he smiled to Bright. "Let's get moving. With pups, a fem, and two males, nothing will happen, or maybe one male" He eyes locked with Serenity for just a moment, and then he smirked. "Ajax isn't fully grown yet, are you bud" he nudged the pup, hard, and watched as he grumbled. He let out a laugh that was full of bohemian annoyance and then began to march with Bright. "He wont be wandering off anymore. I gave him a firm warning. Guess he thought he didn't belong much here, from what I've gathered. Though he likes that little one you have, Esa, he spoke of her a couple times, I'm only to assume that's her" He looked back at Ajax who was walking with the young fem now. What a joy, specially being around Serenity. This... this would be so much fun...

"Some time to show up, in the middle of all this, joy" he looked at her, his green orbs twinkling with future regrets and problems to be caused. "So Haru, get any better at sucking?" he words were mean, why, he didn't know, but they were none the less. He was a bully, a big one, always had been, always hated having a little brother too, specially a cry baby one. He could imagine the retort for this little jest he threw at him. Tears, or a snide remark that would end up in what he hoped... a fight. Why he was so anxious for one he didn't know, being so young you'd think that wouldn't happen. Green eyes lit up with the thought though and he looked back to Esa. "What'd I miss when I was gone, besides you getting smaller and I myself so much bigger" He puffed out his chest and walked forward, stomping his paws and making dust fly in the air.

He was glad to hear Jewel's voice- somewhat shaken, but not sounding injured. Orbs glanced at the elk again, noticing the herd was thinning out, as if the last one would run by them soon, but didn't yet move. Taking slower breaths now that he recovered a more normal breathing rate, he tried to mentally calculate where they were and what should be done.

"What's most important is that you're fine, and us getting this bone set. Hard to verbally explain, so I'll need your mother. If she uses the same method I use, she'll need bark from certain trees." He used his nose to point at his left leg some inches below his elbow, "The break is somewhere here, so I can kind of walk if need be." It wasn't fast to walk on three legs, especially with a sprain, but it could be done. Chances were, it wouldn't come to that... hopefully.

To Nuri, he said, "Those at the High Dens should be heading towards Okura Falls. You should attend to the rest of the pack and make sure your daughter and everyone else are fine. I'll be as fine as I'll ever be."

The bull's sharp hoof pawed at the ground, rack pointed right for the canids, but Robin and Ali stood their ground. Behind them, Cade and Elysia struggled to get away, some of the elk still shooting past them. Robin's growl deepened and he raised his tail higher, aggressive, and Ali unleashed a feral bark. Would a few warnings be enough to scare off the bull? Or did it just piss him off? The Deltas held their breath, not daring to take a step forward, when the bull lifted its head and snorted, no longer challenged. "That's right," Robin huffed, watching the youngster's form gallop off for the rest of the herd's. "You don't mess with Tirisfal."

At his words, Ali's cerulean eyes shifted towards him. She had never heard him speak such strong, bold words. She had heard him speak romantic words, charismatic words, and even depressing words, but never words that held such... confidence. Yes, Robin had an aura of confidence about him, but never before had it come in his voice when facing an opponent. He was the logical kind to speak rather than fight, but here, it was clear that he had been ready for one. The last of the elk ran past them, completely uninterested. Robin lowered his guard and nuzzled his wife in the neck, looking over and seeing Cade, protecting Elysia.

"I have to make sure the others are okay. Did you find Jewel?" Ali said, about to head north. Her eyes were full of worry, seeing as Robin had come back empty-pawed.

Robin shook his head. "No. I heard Cade, and that became my priority... Ask Doctor or Nuri, I think they were headed in her direction," he replied.

Ali's brow furrowed. What did he mean? Jewel would have been near the meadow, collecting herbs... There should have been no reason for her to be near where the elk had trampled through at all... Regardless, she swallowed her worry and nodded at her husband. "Meet up at Okura Falls. Serenity and Bright Moon are already there."

Robin nodded as Ali sprinted for another part of the lands. He trotted up to Cade and Elysia, who were crawling away on their bellies, their eyes closed. "It's okay. It's over. The elk are gone. You can stand," he said with an encouraging smile. He didn't know what kind of wolf Cade was, but he was already immediately thankful for his presence. He had protected Elysia, the silent heir of the pack, and he didn't even know it. It was a higher honor than Robin could even give.

The ground shaking beneath him was like thunder in the earth. Robin berthed a wide circle around the herd, wary of the stampeding bodies and flashing hooves, making it so that he came out behind the majority of them. Long, arctic wolf legs stretched out to their fullest extent, covering the most ground, maroon eyes flashing like sparkling rubies for a sign of his daughter. His adrenaline fueled him, demanding that he find her, for he would not let her life be lost as well. He gritted his teeth and surged forward, leaping over fallen logs, weaving around boulders, and splashing through the streams. All he could smell and see was dust and elk, elk and dust. "Jewel!" he barked, but his voice was lost to the sound of the herd. Most of the elk sprinted past him, even more so startled at his presence, leaving him amongst smaller clusters of the large animal. He came down the valley and to a stream-bed, when a pack scent struck his nares; yet, it was also unfamiliar. He slowed in his stride, the elk still passing him, avoiding his striking range. He had no interest in hunting them, though if they had been prepared for this, it would be a fine hunt indeed.

"Jewel!" he barked again. "Is that you?" He followed his nose to a mound and looked over the edge to find an unfamiliar wolf with one of the pups, Elysia. He didn't know what had happened, but he could see the fear in Elysia's eyes, and the unfamiliar wolf's protective stance, though he kept his head tucked, fearful of the hooves above him. It was at this same thought that an angry snort alerted Robin, and he swiveled to find a mean-looking elk with its rack down at him. Robin gasped and abandoned the mound, but would not leave this wolf and Elysia. "You want a challenge, bull?" he snarled, tail raised, hackles up and forelimbs low. This particular elk was young and green, seeking out danger for the hell of it. He was small, but he had potential. Logically speaking, Robin wasn't sure if he could take him down, but if it meant defending the pack, he would do it without hesitation. "Go ahead and try!"

Charcoal auds swiveled in the direction of her husband's voice, and Ali's breath caught in her throat. "Robin, oh, Robin, no..." she choked, seeing his defensive stance before the hotheaded young bull, standing over the mound where Cade and Elysia huddled. Where was Jewel? He was supposed to be looking for Jewel, but... Fenrir, where was the rest of the pack? Cardinal had just left her to search for Cobalt. Serenity and the others were headed for Okura Falls, but had they made it there yet? And where was Nuri? There was so much chaos, so much that had to be done, and she stood there for a moment, watching as her husband flashed his teeth at the elk... and then she knew what she had to do.

She raced down the hill, her sure-footing natural from her years running mile after mile in the frozen wilderness, instinct taking over. She zigzagged around the pockets of elk, no longer as fervent as before, and leapt beside Robin's form, her own curled tail high over her back and her lips pulled back, flashing teeth of her own. "You're not doing this alone, honey," she said, her cobalt eyes on the elk, but her heart with her mate. "You did not fail. You have never failed. We will never fail, as long as we are together."

Robin paused, astounded at her words; Ali had never sounded so strong, so resilient, for all of the time he had known her. Something about her had changed, but he did not know what it could be, exactly. All he knew was that it gave him the rightful mind to further protect the pack, his love, and everything he had come to know. "Right," he said, head lowered, a low warning growl rumbling in his throat. With two canids, the elk should back off, but it did not show fear...

He felt his body being moved by someone stronger than Jewel, unless she was under the influence of adrenaline, too. Slowly turning his head minimally, he noticed the familiar pelt of Nuri, who had shoved him back to the safety of the trees, elk traveling around them. Now they'd have to wait until they cleared off.

It took him a few seconds to respond, "One, maybe two broken legs. Maybe sprained not broken. One for sure. Daughter with Cade. Card... Okura... Not sure... others. High dens?" Doctor quieted to catch his breath before asking, "Jewel? Couldn't be gentle." He was worried about her, and hoped she was just stunned. He'd be a hypocritical healer if he struggled to get up without staying still for at least until the elk were gone. His head was still spinning from his antics- perhaps he hit his he on the ground, too? He was still trying to self-access himself.