Rougaru bided his time now as the days past since the death of the twins. Though the colts had been sired by the damned Liland, and by all rights he should have been the one to end their lives himself, he could never even consider such an idea. Foals were his weakness. Perhaps it was the lack of relationship he had been allowed to cultivate with his own mother, or perhaps it was simply a desire to protect and guard that drew him. Whatever the reason, as with Havelle and Nattergal, Rougaru saw the two small boys as Zjeena's sons... and by his own laws they were his own to keep and protect.

But he had failed.

He watched with eyes clouded by pain as slowly the two began to show signs of their unhealthy lives. At first it had boggled his mind. How could two colts that appeared to be born so healthy and complete suddenly take such a turn for the worse? Time and again he found himself wandering the trails in their wake, searching for some plant some environmental cause that might affect them in this manner. He found none. It was not until the boys finally withered into nothing, their last breaths faint upon their lips, does he allow himself to blame anyone beyond himself. He blamed Liland. Could the damned stallion not leave Zjeena in peace? Must he continue to torment them even in his absence? Carefully he had dug two small holes and tentatively he helped Zjeena settle their bodies into the final resting place. At least she would not be forced to watch the sun bleach their bones.

Since their death he had been at a lose for words. Unsure really what it was that he ought to say to her, what comforting words might fall past his lips to reassure her that even when the world continued to deal her such hard fates, he would still be here to offer her strength and encouragement. Day after day he watched as she grazed alongside Monster and the others, contented in the peace and yet he feared that at any moment he might find her lost to the abyss of her mind once more. If any deserved it, it was she.

But she hadnt. The beast that had awaken in her was a fierce beast. She was a fighter, a warrior perhaps moreso than even himself. While he was seasoned on the field of battle, Zjeena was a seasoned warrior of trials and tribulations. Instead she found herself a mother yet. Two foals he had yet to meet soon were nestled comfortably into the shadow of her protective form. As with any mother she guarded them with a fierceness and with adoration that shown in her eyes even at a distance. There was pity there, a sinking hurt that churned even the golden eyes of the wolf to concern. She may have found them, but even found foals could not replace the ones lost.

However he felt a sense of determination today. A wolfish grin plasters itself upon his ashen lips as the mahogany stallion saunters towards his mate. "Zjeena..." he murmurs, his graveled tones heavy with the flaming hunger that burned at the nearness of her skin. Muscular neck arches as labrums reach to caress the curve of her neck as he comes to a halt at her side. Multifaceted eyes of green blink down into her own filled with unspoken emotions that he dared not try to name. "You have acquired a few new shadows I see." he teases warmly glancing at the sleeping foals before once more fitting her with his gaze. "Have they names?"

It was not much. But at least he could say it was a start.