Whatever miniscule part of me had harbored some fear that my daughter would turn away from me was scattered like so much ash in the breeze, forgotten as the look of love and longing in Kalseru's gaze met my own. The smile that spread across her features answered all of the questions that need not be asked. Suddenly she was bolting towards me, and I leaned forward to accept her embrace. As she nuzzled under my chin, I fondly licked the top of her head just like I'd done when she was a budding young princess. Though I was weakened from my year of recovery, when she moved to hug me I returned the gesture with as much fierceness as a mother grizzly bear. There was nothing as strong as the love a mother had for her children, and it was that which had gotten me through those darkest nights of the past year. "My girl," I whispered in response to Kalseru's murmur. In that moment I regretted staying away for so long, for allowing my mind weaken me even more so than my injuries had. That time was lost, now, and there was nothing to be done for it other than to stay by her side now.

With Kalseru's withdrawal, I too stepped back to allow just enough space between us for conversation. Mahogany eyes ate up every inch of her, glad to see she was healthy and bore no scars to be seen. Of course I would have heard if a challenge had been made for the mountains, but not every quarrel a Queen had to settle was one for the throne itself. As beautiful as she had ever been, my eldest daughter had truly come into her own. As a young girl she had always been quite the princess, my first and only daughter until Jericho had entered the picture. With age some of that brazen desire to be my successor had worn off and Nymeria had been the one to claim the title of heir. But when the time had come, when the call of duty had come to her, she had stepped up and found her own way to rule.

"You wear the crown well," I said with a quieter smile. She had always been born for it, would always maintain that debonair nature no matter what had, or would, happen. "The pack has found its strength in you, and you in it. I am so proud of you." Life was short, and there was no reason to beat around the bush with praise. I had never been one to hide my feelings for my children from them, nor to shower them with unnecessary commendations, but after all that I had endured I did not wish to waste a moment on things other than the truth. My tail waved slowly behind me, and though I felt a slight tiredness welling up within me from the exertion of my first range about the pack lands in a year in company with the excitement of our reunion I had no desire to retire and nap. "But how have you been?" For truly I did want to know of the state of the pack, but first and foremost I wanted to know how my daughter - my Bewilderbeast - was doing.