Just a sidenote: No one bothered to PM me to ask about the outcome. I would have gladly enlightened you to my intentions if you had.

It would seem that it was in silence that Natu moved with me to stand in the company of her chosen mate. The profuse tension in the air, the weight that balanced on the outcome of this encounter, was palpable. Their dual concern was evident, though Fenrir treated me much the same as he had when last we’d met – with utter indifference. I paid him in kind, my apathy towards him and this situation constraining my features to a singular expression, and whenever my gaze was given to fall upon Natu through the course of my speech there was only neutrality. I expressed neither disdain nor pleasure at their company through my visage, only a complete impartiality to the situation. Only when my words had ceased and I waited patiently for a response from either wolf did Fenrir’s speech litter the air. Natu did not speak, allowing her mate to speak for them both, which slightly disappointed me, for I had thought her of a stronger character than that. I wondered if Fenrir had changed her somehow, or if I just had not known her as well as I would liked to have thought.

He speaks in reserved tones, though his words are far from such. He practically throws himself at my paws, to suffer whatever trials I might put him through, and my eyes narrow ever so slightly as I simply stare down at his unyielding features. His words extend, begging of me not to displace Natu from her home. But it is not I that would do such a thing, but him. The refusal of my offer might be unspoken, but it is there, clear as if it were written in the snow beneath our paws. And with that the thought of my secondary offering bites itself back, and I swallow it whole. There is nothing gracious about the way he begs, nothing polite about his words though they are laced with words of devotion.

I do not rebuke his speech, instead remaining silent and equally unyielding in my stare. It is when mention of Taliesin arises that I inwardly balk, though my façade remains unmoved. Every word I had spoken had told him just the opposite of what he supposed – this had nothing to do with any singular member of my pack. My decision was made in light of every member of my pack. I would not call upon each of them to come down and pass judgment upon a wolf they did not know. That was my responsibility as their leader, and despite my inability to complete many of the more physical tasks of my leadership, this duty would not be shirked.

“You presume too much, Fenrir,” I said, tone remaining even and undisturbed. “This offer has not been made due to the opinion of one wolf, no matter who it might be. Perhaps you misunderstood my meaning; the den I spoke of is safe, well within the foothills of the mountain. Think what you may about me, but I value Natu and I would never put her or her pups at risk. She and your offspring will be welcome to roam whatever reaches of Spirane they so wish when they are able, and of course those who call the mountain home may visit her just as they might have before. It is you, and only you, that I place such restrictions upon – for now. You may make all the pledges and oaths that you wish, Fenrir, but words are wind.” I paused, only for a moment, then continued. “I do not trust you, and there is no task or mission that can be set for you to prove yourself otherwise to me. Only time may do that, and consistency. Should you respect my word as law, then that is the first step up the figurative mountain that you must climb to gain my confidence in you. Come spring, or perhaps summer, the issue may be revisited. If not, then I suppose your decision has been made for the both of you. I would not lose Natu in such a way, but I will not try to stop her from leaving if that is her wish.”

Through this speech my mahogany gaze had rested solely upon Fenrir, for it seemed clear that in this, eh would be the one making the decisions. But when those last words left my lips, I turned my gaze to Natu, wondering if she would speak her mind, or simply hold her tongue.