Dances leans into Rowena’s caress, flicking an ear in acknowledgement of her answer to his question. Long has there been something unspoken in the air between them, and though it stirs no unease in the stallion’s heart, it weighs upon him all the same. But not as much as it weighs upon his beloved. Deep within his soul, this grieves him, and for more than one reason. All his life he has struggled with an unseen enemy, one that tells him he is not enough. But by some miracle, he is enough for Rowena. And for the rest of his life, he will try, every day, to be enough for their daughter and their son.

The sight of Walker, covered in the evidence of his carefree adventures, warms the heart of Dances With Wolves, and he chuckles under his breath as the colt protests against the ministrations of his mother. Once the boy manages to wriggle out of reach of the black and white mare, Dances steps close, and brushes his muzzle against Walker’s ear, to whisper conspiratorially in his ear. “Remember that stream we explored the other day, my boy? It’s a good place to clean yourself off, so your mother doesn’t have to.” And as he draws back, nudging playfully at Walker’s shoulder, he glances at Rowena with a playful brightness in his eyes.

He quickly turns solemn and serious when, even as Walker’s wandering off (not too far), Rowena says his name. Dances breathes in deep, so that he can steady himself, and be steady for her. Because that’s all he wants, and nothing matters to him more. That’s not to say others do not matter – he would lay down his life for Walker Between Worlds, and Echo… He had scoured the Forest for her, found no trace. He nods, stepping closer to Rowena, turning so as to show she had his undivided attention. “I promise you I will not stop until we find her,” he murmurs quietly, his eyes downcast for a moment.

When he lifts them, and meets her gaze, reaching to gently brush aside her forelock. His eyes glisten with unshed tears that spring to his eyes in empathy, his own heart aching at the way her voice breaks. “And we will find her.” There is no doubt in him. He knows, he knows more than anyone that Rowena is stronger – stronger than even she knows, and that there is nothing that will stop her from getting to her daughter. It is so unfair. She has already lost so much. And Dances would see that she lost no more, no more… “Where did you want to start looking? We could scour the rest of Luthien, or search the Crossing for any sign.”