Grinning up at him, I can tell that he knows I know he's in a spot of trouble. My tongue lolls from the side of my mouth, a comical expression on my face as I watch him try to figure out just how he's going to get out of this without losing the edge he'd gained by showing off in climbing up there in the first place. My expression shifted, about to yell, 'Don't!' when he looked like he was going to jump. Surely there was a better way to get him down without him trying to prove he could damn well fly - it was only a joke! But then he took the first step backwards, and the worry that had gripped me seemed to diminish. I walked over to the trunk of the tree and ramped up onto my hind legs, my forepaws resting against the bark as I looked back over my shoulder and up at him. The going was slow, but he steadily backed his way along the branch until he reached the crux of the intersecting trees.

When he paused I barked encouragement to him, laughing at his words. "Yeah, yeah, big talker. Lets get you back on the ground, hey?" My tail waved back and forth, certain he would be able to make it back down in one piece, if not in quite as impressive of a display as it had been going up. He made his way down the diagonal branch, and I felt better as he got closer to level ground once more. But then a bark rang through the forest and my head shot up, looking past Vortigern to see the approach of a large, dark wolf. We had Zelda's leave to be here, so I wasn't exactly worried, but when a hulking wolf comes charging out of the forest at you you can't help but feel a little on edge. With tensions already high because of Vortigern's precarious situation, I felt my hackles bristle slightly as he pushed off the tree trunk and moved to guard Vortigern as he continued to make his descent.

Only then he slipped and unceremoniously slid down and off the tree, and I cringed at the sound it made when he flopped onto the ground. I stepped forward to check and make sure he was ok, but before I could the other wolf was there, calling his name and pressing his forehead to Vortigern's. I paused, stepping back and watching as Vortigern recovered and greeted his...Dad! Oh gosh; suddenly I became aware of my raised hackles and rolled my shoulders, willing the fur to lay sleek and look nice before he noticed. His attentions, however, seemed entirely focused on his son, giving me a moment to recompose myself before I stepped forward a Vortigern's invitiation. I smiled, moving alongside my friend, my belly twisting with inexplicable nerves. He was just another wolf! I would have to meet and treat with many wolves as Queen, why did this meeting make me nervous?

"Pleased to meet you, Sir," I said with a smile, but my expression faultered as Zaphkiel looked back to Vortigern. Something didn't feel right here. And in the next beat, everything fell apart. The joy and excitement of our visit to Taviora was replaced with dread and loss. Sadness gripped my very heart as Zaphkiel told Vortigern about the death of his sister Asariel. My head lowered slightly, mournful to know that someone so important to Vort was just...gone. He'd always spoken so highly of his siblings, about how he had been their protector, and it pained me to know I would never have the chance to meet his quiet sister Asariel. Some small part of me felt sick, to think that he hadn't known - how long had it been since it had happened? Why hadn't anyone come to tell him? What if something like this had happened to Sansa or Dad; would anyone bring me and my family here in Moladion the news? But when Vortigern looked to me, all of my own worries evaporated.

The only thing I could think to do was be there for him. I didn't know what he needed, or how to help him in this moment other than just to be there. I stepped towards him, pressing my shoulder into his and then letting my entire side connect with his. I lowered my head and set it gently against his neck, ears laid back in remorse. "I'm so sorry, Vort," I whispered softly, wishing there was something more that I could do, hating seeing him in pain more than anything else.