The first thing Halcyon noticed was the way Ame stood. The last time they met, nearly two winters ago, he had been timid and startled when the smaller boy came crashing out of nowhere (something that he seemed to do quite frequently). Now, he stood like an unmoving oak as the russet wolf almost collided with him. For a moment, he was taken off guard by this new and seemingly sudden change with his best friend. His ears twitched downward momentarily as he tried to figure the situation out. Even his scent had changed. It was older and more mature, not like the scent of a fearful child. This was good, right? Still unsure, he waits for a moment in silence as the tri-colored boy begins to realize who it was that greeted him.

Of course, it didn’t take long and Halcyon felt himself relax when Ame’s tail began to wag and a smile spread across his muzzle. It wasn’t just his emotional state that had changed. The way he spoke was different but it didn’t bother the russet wolf. He was just glad to see an old friend who had come a very long way. “Things have been going well for me in Iromar. The wolves there are a bit rough, but its leader is a good one who I owe my life to. If it wasn’t for Aithne, I wouldn’t be alive today. Course, I have only you and your father to thank for that,” he said with a playful wink. The first two winters of the young boy’s life had come very close to ending it. Which is why he was surprised and a tad bit worried when Ame announced that he had left Diveen to become a loner.

Remembering the way the speckled boy had been only a few years ago, he cocked his head to the side with eyes full of concern. “You’re a loner now? You sure you’ll be okay? I mean, you certainly don’t look like the pup I first met now… but still. I know how hard it can be out here on your own.” He hoped he hadn’t offended the other with his concern. It was genuine worry that Halcyon felt for his friend. He remembered very well the hunger pangs and sleepless nights. But, some wolves seemed to thrive in the freelands and Ame might just be one of them. The ex-prince wondered if it was something he could do now that he had received all the training and knowledge from the wolves of Iromar and the other packs. He waited, wondering what his friend would say and wanting to know what his plans for the future were.