Seeing the very familiar forests as they descended the mountain's peeks, seemed to be something so foreign not long ago. So gazing upon them now as they both made it home finally brought a cheer in him that he hadn't felt in so long. The scent of glacial water also hit his nose, reminding N​ó​ttin that he was very much in need of a good swim. The fear of the water had nearly dissipated, causing him to want to push himself a little more before his next big adventure. For he would need it in order to make sure that his next lost lamb got home safely.

N​ó​ttin could barely contain his excitement as he leapt down the last bit of rocky terrain, a howl of pure joy calling for his pack mates and fellow Pillars. A smile was spread across his face from ear to ear as he looked back at Dalmatia. He couldn't have done this trip without her, his brain always worrying about her and missing her too much. So having her with him through it all, gave him a kind of strength and peace that nothing else could. We're home! Can you believe it!? N​ó​ttin cheered with great enthusiasm. Even though the talk of the runes and the plague might bring everyone down again, the Pillar of Courage was not going to let it overshadow the good they still have left in the world.

skill: herbalist

After what felt like months away from home, Dalmatia and N​ó​ttin had returned home, cresting the last large stretch of mountainous rocks before hitting the scent markers. Stretches of time in which she missed home dearly, yet found herself making new memories with her husband-to-be. It was odd to be away for so long. Though it would never be long enough for her to forget the trails that led home, nor the intricacies of the Vale would ever elude her memories of her youth spent alongside her sisters. It's imprinted in her mind for worse or for better (always better). Nonetheless, she was glad to be home — cheerful in the fact that she and her sisters would soon be reunited.

N​ó​ttin's glee spread throughout her, joining in on his song; her melodies highlighting the undertones of his, singing a song that was all their own. She joyfully pranced beside him; elk pelt tucked tight around her shoulders, along with a pouch she'd stuck full of herbs on her way to and from Northfall, replenishing what stocks she'd used on the way over. More common herbs, for lesser pains, dandelions and chamomile, nothing too extravagant that she couldn't obtain in the Vale.

As much as I loved our little adventure, I am so happy to be home. After all, Northfall was gorgeous, but it held nothing to the beauty of the Vale. Nor the feeling of safety once the watchful pines collected them within their gaze once again. Hopefully, all was well while they'd been gone. The dark clouds had stayed away, nor did the Dream Visitor come into their dreams. Nothing drastic regarding the curse had happened — that had to be good news, right?

[she doesn't know that the world is turning just for her]

skill: [none]

---

Things were as they ever were, and Euphemia was doing her typical rounds around the vale. Not because she was necessarily marking the border or seeking business with interlopers, but because she had felt cooped up within her den. She needed to think, to mull over her many problems through the movement of her limbs. As she walked, she churned – and soon she would be grateful that she had, for she glimpsed that familiar spotted form, and her heart leapt with joy.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Euphemia kicked herself up into a sprint, closing the distance with alacrity. Dal! Oh, sister! she cried out. It wasn’t that Dalmatia had even been gone for that long, but a loved one’s safe return was never an assured thing – the Gods had made sure that Euphemia understood that, deeply. However, Dalmatia had traveled with her beloved (which had given this trip an added element of safety), and as a result, they likely carried news from neighboring packs…

and Euphemia craved gossip.

The silver maiden offered Nottin a sidelong glance and a respectful dip of her maw, but quickly resettled her focus on Dalmatia. Tell me, how was your trip? What did you see? she gushed sincerely, face alit with emotion, wishing to live through her sisters’ journeys as she did when they oft went to celebrate a foreign festival. Dalmatia herself seemed to be in good spirits at least, which lent Euphemia some assurance that all had been well.

---

Solulfur was not far behind Euphemia - her brother's call had caused her to veer off the trail of a hare almost before she'd realized she'd abandoned her task. Her mind, these days, was a little scattered, but she'd slowed down just enough to ensure her fur was groomed to its usual perfection so Nottin would not realize anything was off with her.

She would try to break the news of Solvi's disappearance gently, and she did not want her brother to see how much the loss of the Mender was impacting the Sun-wolf.

Euphemia zeroed in on her sister in a heartbeat, and Solulfur did the same as she bounded over a hilltop and began the descent upon the other fra Nordri. It was a flurry of dark, monochrome fur and flashing teeth in a shark-like smile - that was all the warning he had before Solulfur jostled her weight into his shoulder with a warm laugh. Bróðir! Velkomin heim!

N​ó​ttin felt his entire body being filled by the purest light as she looked upon him. Her smile radiant as ever, shining like a thousand stars under the night sky. It made him realize just how lucky he was to have such a woman as his partner, his best friend. And now they could enjoy being home, together. Her voice filled his ears as they sang together, both so overjoyed at being within the Vale's protective cocoon once again. it felt so good to be home, to see the familiar sights and smell that special mountain air that was unique to this territory. And most of all, he could smell his own beloved sister coming his way.

N​ó​ttin watched as a silvery figure came forward first, revealing itself to be Euphemia, Dalmatia's sister. He took a step back as they slowed down to a stop, letting the sisters reunite without his interference. For a moment though, he caught sight of Aurelia's twin glancing his way. Her head nodding off to him in a show of quiet respect. He wasn't sure how to feel about it, but wouldn't have long to question it as his own blood family came crashing his way. Sólúlfur came like a storm cloud, eyes ablaze with a warmth he hadn't seen in some time. The feeling of her against him, squeezing into him as if she might never see him again, filled him with a sibling love that only they could understand. A equally warm laugh radiated from his maw in return. Systir! Það líður vel að vera heima!

In mere minutes of them being back, Dalmatia wrapped up in N​ó​ttin's gaze, was unaware of Euphemia's oncoming presence until she heard her name called, ears twitching to the sound. Her sister galloped towards them, with a swift kiss to her fiancé's cheek, she ran the other half of the distance to meet Euph in a tight hug. Euphy! A soft hum into her ear, It's so good to see you. She'd missed her sisters dearly, as much as she'd loved her adventure with her husband-to-be, she also loved the feeling of being with her family — and right now, she felt complete; whole even.

Sólúlfur was not far off from Euphemia, arriving just a little behind her, and dashing towards her brother. It was good to see that she and he were as close as she was to her sisters. There was the slightest of a wag in her tail, unable to hide her joy. It was wonderful! Dal commented, recalling the beautiful heights they'd descended and ascended, to and fro, The distance from Northfall seems so short from the tops of these peaks yet... It is quite the distance, sister. But how beautiful it is! Dal had never really left the Vale; she never had a reason or desire to, not until N​ó​ttin.

Along the way, the Dream Visitor called to us... Or so we think. It urged us to continue North, and we followed for a little bit, but we couldn't derail too far from our path to Northfall... We must see if maybe we can send a search party up that way... Maybe? A small suggestion, she wasn't an overall deciding factor in the Pillars, but she knew that proposals were always welcome, and maybe if she and her sister both thought so, they could go into it together. But when we arrived at Northfall... Oh, Euph... It was something out of a fairytale... The icy heights and stars... It is almost like home, with how frigid it is... But almost more... Cold? It was hard to explain. The air felt thicker up there, and the lay of the land like a sheet of ice, just waiting for a large quake to break the fragile rifts. We met the new king of Northfall, and they've interacted with the purple snow far north... They say it's... literally breathtaking, and not in the good way. Her voice lowered, as if it were a secret, but it was worrisome, and she didn't want any of the pups to hear her if they were to bound their way here.