It seemed to the grey wolfess that lately her life was in constant upheaval. One of her sons had reappeared looking ragged and malnourished, and shortly after that had vanished into thin air again. Then, the entire pack had fled to Spirane after Kane lost Covet’s challenge. After spending a relatively brief amount of time amongst the mountain wolves, Elowen and Maddox had loyally followed the son of Isola and Kane back to Diveen. Thus far, Achilles was proving to be an eager, if a bit inexperienced, alpha. Though she had not spent much time with him, she could tell by the way he immediately began to sort out his affairs that he would do just fine. Plus, her Maddox was already striving to become advisor and would lend words of advice whenever needed.

It was a nice surprise to both of them that their den had been left untouched during their time away. Their temporary sleeping place in Spirane had been adequate, but somewhat draftier than their earthy hollow lined with leaves and shed fur. Pressed up against her mate as the cold wind drifted the snow up to the entrance of the den, she thought perhaps she would never leave its warmth again.

Yet despite the warmth of the den and her desire to lay next to Maddox forever, she knew that today was an important day to him. Opening a bleary eye to the dim light, she saw that he still slumbered. She removed her nose from where it was tucked beneath her tail and pressed it into his warm ruff. "Maddox, we should go before it begins to snow again."

She waited briefly for him to join her before leading him out into the open. Her green eyes squinted against the wind and brightness as they trotted across Diveen’s border and made their way through the snowy woodlands leading into Taviora. Elowen was quiet as they traveled, choosing to save her energy and breath for when they arrived.

At last they reached the border of Taviora, and though it was almost a continuation of the Enocra woodland, the sheer size of the trees took her by surprise. She knew Berke had visited once with Maddox, and she could just imagine his tiny body prancing about under the pine branches, much as she had as a youth in the forest where she had grown up. A small smile appeared upon her lips as she gazed up at the immense snow-laden branches above her. Her heart swelled both at the surroundings and the idea of meeting Maddox’s mother at last. Turning to gaze into his warm flecked eyes, she spoke softly to him. "How is it that you have waited this long to bring me to this wonderful place?" It was not an accusation, and Elowen hoped he would not take it that way. She merely wished they could have started spending more time here earlier.