The birth of Rozenn had calmed my scattered mind, along with the herbs I took daily. Meryl had taught me what I needed to know and I spent much of my time in a makeshift den in the woodlands with my daughter. The memory of Nike was fuzzy at times but I tried to tell her about him. On good days I could even tell her exact memories of what me and Nike used to do, little tales of fishing in a frozen pond (unsuccessfully!), and on my bad days I would ramble about whether this was real. Was he real? Was Rozenn? Those days I would cling close to her, burying my nose into her fur over and over and grooming until she was perfect. Until her scent and mine intermingled to the point one wouldn't know who was who.

I had fallen into a deep slumber part of the day, having feasted upon the day before on a downed deer carcass that a bear had left behind. Every time I ate, I ate to the point of exhaustion for a day or two, and as I wake, blinking at my empty surroundings, I come to realization that she is gone. No! It is like last time! I woke and Nike was no longer there. "Rozenn?!" The word comes strangled, gasping from my throat, and I rise on shaky legs while frantically glancing about me. Then I burst from the den in a frenzy, racing through the woodland. "Rozenn?! Rozenn! ROZENN!" My voice grew louder, louder, and more fervent with each passing moment.

I did not ask Robi to stick around me. Never had I expected it of him, although when he was around I tended to rely upon him. He had other children out there and that suited me just fine. I wasn't looking for a mate - Zeus had been the one I loved and I dreamed of him every night. Still, in this moment, I cursed him for leaving me. I cursed my mind for being so broken. I cursed it all because if I lost another child, real or imagined, I think I would drown myself in the sea.