The feel of her touch sent a fire down his spine, the behemoth enveloping her slowly as if to prove that she were real and there the same as he was. Touch was a language his people knew quite well. It was not uncommon to see friends embrace just the same as lovers would - but this went far past such notions. It was so simple, starting with the electric brush of fur against fur, and then the press of bodies, and he sighed as he sank into her as if he'd carried this great weight forever.

He had, hadn't he? Even having Ormr and Eira back temporarily had only soothed parts of him - the rest were left jagged and open, aching and hurting for the ones he missed so dearly. There was no doubt that Vidarr had made his home with the Dawnbreak wolves, and that he had integrated himself fully and cared for them as if they were his own. And every one of them was, even if he had not met them yet. But she was not of Dawnbreak, she was purely his. All too soon Hildeguarde pulled back - even the minimal distance it took so that they were eye to eye, and Vidarr licked his lips nervously. He expected the rage - the same fire that Eira had given him when left to settle on his throne and carry the clan on her own.

Vidarr braced himself, muscles tensing as she spoke - and it was true. There had been no signs to show where he had gone, where he might be, what he might be doing - it was as if he had never existed outside of the minds and hearts of those who knew him and cared for him. That is how many enter this world. Vidarr said it gently, golden gaze sweeping over her as she drew close again. It would be her rights to claim from his flesh, to mar him for the pain he had caused, even if it was not of his own volition. Nei, fjársjóður minn - hjarta mitt, ég hefði ekki viljað yfirgefa þig. Aldrei.. (No, my treasure - my heart, I could not have willingly left you. Never..) There had not been a choice - just as she had not been given a choice, and they had never been given any other options.

Are you alright though? Not hurt? His rough tongue chased the faint path left by her tears, nose tucked to her temple for a moment before he adjusted his stance and instead folded her into his embrace, shielding her from the rest of the world. He was fortunate that she had not been found half drowned, though the way she tried to hide her tears might leave her feeling that way. He let out a heavy sigh, burly frame carefully embracing hers. Hilde, He said her name so softly - barely more than a whisper, but the one that his heart and mind had echoed to him frequently. I've got you. Vidarr promised, his own eyes misty with the overwhelming feelings. It was gratitude, disbelief, a strange burning wonder that he'd never let go of. He did not understand why he had been drawn here, nor why she had, but he was glad. Even though their friends and families would miss her - miss them both, even - he selfishly felt his heart so full that for a moment it took away all the other pains he carried.