My own tender smile seemed to reflect itself in Attila’s face, her eyes coming once more to meet mine and to declare our friendship as one she was glad to have. I could not be happier than to be able to count her as a personal friend, a wolf that I could share such moments with. It was as if destiny had drawn us together here in the snow this day, to frolic about and find camaraderie in one another. Each of us had lost a part of ourselves, but had found the strength to push on and find new life in our loss.

It did not go unnoticed, the way her smile wavered for a moment in the aftermath of my proclamation to being Queen of the mountain. But my own features remained steadfast, my smile glowing with pride, but not conceit. There was no expectation here, and I hoped she could read that in my eyes as clear as the friendship that had blossomed like the first spring flower pushing through the snow. Being a leader was what I was born for, but it was not all that I was. This day had reminded me of that time and again, and I had Attila to thank for that.

The stuttered beginnings of her reply quieted my smile slightly, only drawing it back to a grin. I did not wish to pressure her into visiting the mountain, but I had hoped that our friendship might continue past this day, that she might want to see me again. The sigh she exuded caused my tail to still momentarily in the snow, my head cocking slightly to the side. But as soon as the words came out of her mouth my tail began to wag once more, throwing the snow about just as the movement of her own plumage caused the fluff to rise and rain down upon her form. My tongue lolled forth from my mouth, showing my pleasure and relaxation in this moment.

Just as I was about to verbalize my gratification for her acceptance of my invitation, a howl rose on the winds. It was distant, carrying on a breeze from the west. I glanced over my shoulder, ears pricking attentively as I listened. I would know that voice anywhere – my elder brother Sleekwing. There was no strife to his call, no cause for worry, but he still requested my presence. I looked back to Attila, smiling at her once more. “Duty calls.” I rose from the snow bank, shaking my entire bodice to free myself of any snow that clung to my pelt.

Before I took my leave, I extended my nose and pressed it into the fur of her shoulder, taking a deep breath and expelling it once more into her fur. Withdrawing, I grinned at her once more. “I am glad to count you as a friend, Attila. I must needs return to Spirane. Know that you are always welcome within the mountain realm; dawdling upon the borders is for strangers.” With one last wag of my tail I met her eye a final time, allowing her a moment for her farewells. I then turned on my heels and took off at a lope, disappearing into the trees that surrounded the clearing within which I had found a true friend.