Life was beginning to settle into something akin to normality here on the islands. It had been a difficult year to say the least, what with Warsaw's war and the turmoil that enveloped Zjeena at Liland's whim. Rougaru found himself nearly constantly on his toes with the daily patrols and worry over his herd. Despite he challenges of war, he had done quite well for himself. Grant it, most of the mares that now resided in Paradise were thanks to Liland. Had the damned Bay stallion not continued to torment Zjeena then his herd would have been a great deal smaller. Now, he found it quite comfortable to be surrounded by so many new faces.

However the days of ease do not lighten his possessive nature. Day in and day out he finds himself traveling down one of the many trails that wove through the jungle, dipping his head here and there to each passing face as he saw them. Most, took no notice of his passing or merely flicked their tails in voiceless greeting. Some, like Akela was content to follow in his wake with giggling voices and bright eyes. For the most part everything seemed calm and quiet.

A contented sigh escapes his lips as the great chocolate colored stallion halts beneath his favorite mango tree to give his pelt a good scratch. Everything was perfect.

Until he hears her voice.

Nostrils flare wide as an oddly familiar scent washes over him as the small silver gray mare bursts through the underbrush with venom in her eyes and hatred on her tongue. Like a vivid dream she awakens within him images and names he had long forgotten.

Himena.

If it were possible for him to retract within his own skin he would have. Regardless he swears his manly package shrinks an inch or two as she charges towards him fuming. Skin flinches at her words. He had forgotten them. Not on purpose truthfully, the wolf snickering amusement with golden eyes bright watching the scene unfold. Ash dusted labrums peel back from yellow stained teeth as defensively Rougaru takes a step backwards. If only Warsaw could see him now. He would have a word or two for the wolf of the jungle for sure. Perhaps even a jest or snide remark about the difference between the small arabian mare and the great brutish stallion. Then again, Warsaw did not know Himena. She was among those few mares that he actually held a health respect for. She had fought hard for her queenship of Winterfell and fought heavy with foal too. She had earned her place. And yet when he left, he never expected to see her again.

Now he had not left with the intent to be gone forever, but one wayward step after another and unbenonst to him he found himself washed up on the shores of the islands with a bright future ahead of him.

He told himself then that after he had established himself he would return for her and what remained of his herd in Winterfell, but then Liland had come across his path and well, one battle after another and Rougaru dare not leave his herd unguarded even for the weeks it might take him to return to retrieve those he had left behind. He had thought of them of course, on occasion, the naming of Beowulf being one. He hoped that Himena had taken the herd beneath her wing and the olds of old flourished. Never did he imagine that she could follow his trail to the islands or what was worse even wash up on his own beach!

Mouth falls agape now as he stumbles to find his words. "Himena... I... you..." but she does not give him pause, her gaze shifts to the beach where their daughter supposedly stood. Instinctively green gaze shifts towards the dense jungle where just beyond the surf lapped calmly upon the white sands. Acalia? He had a daughter? She continued to fume, her words biting deep and despite himself the wolf growls, yellow tinted eyes flashing behind green as the beast rises.

Despite her devotion to him over the years, Rougaru could not find it in himself to adore Himena the way she wanted him too... the way he adored Monster and Zjeena. She had earned his respect for her devotion over the years in the lands beyond the mountains but their union of bodies had been that created from lust and desire to procreate. At least in his book anway.

He puffs out his chest now gaze falling to meet her own fiery eyes. "I am sorry Himena." the words were hollow he knows but it is all that he can offer to her now. She speaks of clensing her body of his touch and Rougaru cannot hide the displeasure that crosses his face. He had no right, no reason to judge her swelling barrel or respite her venomous words and yet he cannot help the possessiveness that claims him now. Ears bury beneath the thick mantle of cream and caramel locks as the stallion takes an aggressive step towards her. Muscular neck snakes forward to nip her pale shoulder, his mind flooding with memories long past. "Why did you come then? If you seek to cleanse yourself of me? Why would you follow me instead of take the lands for yourself? Hmmm?" he taunts stomping a single forefoot onto the lush green undergrowth. "Admit it Himena... you wanted to find me... to be here in my herd again. You left it all behind just so you could play your games again." he chides, a wolfish grin upon his lips.