The relief that floods him at the sight of her is all-consuming, a wave that reaches from the tips of his ears down the last strands of his tail. He knew that she was capable of defending herself, and that the odds of the Lagoonie's success in any venture against her were small, and yet his worry had magnified the chances. To see her now, hale and healthy with no fresh scars or the telltale swelling of a new child, is amazing and a bit of the tension in his shoulders dissipates at the sight.

"My Queen," he echoes her greeting, his gaze raking hungrily over her spotted form. His own muzzle raises to brush the forelock from her seeing eye as she moves toward him, and then trails against her body so that he may wrap her against him. Her scent is tainted by the musty heat of the Lagoon and the faint traces of the other residents, but it is still her. Still the same blend of unknown herbs and feminity; eagerly he presses against her, his gaze closing momentarily in relief. Already the distance that separated them had grown far larger than he could ever imagine, and he struggles against the guilt he feels for her situation.

Panzer should never have succeeded.

The knowledge that he had failed in the most basic task of any herd leader was painful, and further compounded by the guilt of knowing that his enchantress was in danger. As much as it filled him with pride to know that she had been ready and willing to sacrifice herself for a herd member, it hurt too. She should have never been forced from the Cove.

"Not for long," he assures her, pulling her tightly against him. "It shouldn't have come to this," he murmurs against her skin. "I'm sorry."

He lets the moment pass, before withdrawing so that he could meet her gaze. As much as he wanted to cradle against him for endless hours, drawing comfort from her nearness, he knew that they had limited time. And regardless of how much it made him feel better, it would not serve to help her. "How are you?"

Solomon