Joyous laughter subsiding, a smile lingered upon my maw. Taliesin was to a be a father, to finally have a family that was truly his own. He was every bit as much my brother was Sleekwing or Swallowbane, and we were much closer than I was with any of my other siblings, but I could only imagine how happy the prospect of raising his own family would make him. Part of me wanted to set off to Diveen that very moment, but I knew it would be better to wait until the children had arrived. Meryl's words made my easing smile quirk into a grin - it was true that our packs had been close for many years now, and with this next generation the bonds were sure to only grow stronger. It was a promising thing for the future of both packs. For the moment, however, I only looked so far to the future as when I might have the chance to make the trip and visit my brother's mate and children. Beyond that, who knew what might happen? I nodded at Meryl's response - it was a plan then, come end of summer I would make the trek to Diveen. They would be expecting my visit, for I knew without asking that my imprint would pass on the message to Taliesin and Solara.

As the conversation turned to the wellbeing of each of us and the packs to which we had pledged our lives, my fur was not the only thing dampened. Things were well enough, I was happy and those within my pack were safe and healthy. There was a liveliness to the mountain that there hadn't been since the day of my defeat, and yet something was lacking. Perhaps I had just grown too used to always having someone to count on or turn too. I had learned in the months of my stay in Diveen how different life could be. Only Taliesin had come with me that fateful day, the rest of the pack scattered or staying behind in a home they could not forsake. Things would never be as they had once been, and I had fully accepted that. But the pack could not be left to become stagnant. I shared my fears and concerns with Meryl, one of only two wolves in my life who I did not need to be the proud alpha, the strong mother, the fierce protector, with. I could just be Dany with him.

I listened carefully to what my imprint had to say, echoing some of the same concerns for Diveen. A solemn nod was offered as I mused over his words. This information was something of a comfort to me - deep down I had wondered if it was me, if the younger wolves feared that I would fall again and whatever work they had put towards a rank would be for naught. However, if much the same was happening in Diveen, perhaps it was simply a common thread through their generation. "Back when we were vying for our first ranks, it was practically a race to see who could get to the finish line ahead of the rest. To be recognized by your alpha in such a way was a thing coveted. Perhaps we have been too easy on them. Maybe they need more than a push." My words were accompanied by a jovial grin and I chuffed, shaking my head absently. What more could be done? I did not want to force my pack into duties they would not fully commit themselves to, but I could not let them laze around forever. "Something to discuss with Solara, I suppose," I mused softly.

At first I did not realize that the misting rain had stopped, but then the sun peaked between the clouds and cast her brilliant rays of sunlight down towards us. The light filtered through the overhanging branches to speckle the rock upon which we laid, but the truly spectacular result of the sun's sudden appearance was the refraction of the light in the moisture that hung in the air. I nudged my nose gently against Meryl's neck and then gestured out. A rainbow shone brightly over the foothills of Spirane.