The seasons were changing, and so with them did the wolves of the Vale. Growing, learning, grieving; and within this pain, love yet bloomed. Time eased the aches in their hearts as life rolled endlessly on, and through this hard lesson in patience Aurelia had lifted her head and weathered the storm.
Dalmatia's call rang out, her silver tones breaking apart the silence, and Aurelia dutifully followed its source.
There weren't many reasons her spotted sibling might call a gathering of such proportions - but she suspected one.
Nottin had thus far proven to be a steady and reliable figure among the pack since his introduction. Loyal, strong, and capable - the frá Norðri seemed to have this in common, she thought as heat crept into her cheeks at a sudden vision of Solulfur - it pleased her to see him spending so much time with Dalmatia.
It was a marvel to witness how her sister had gradually emerged from her shell, transforming from the timid girl of their childhood into a radiant woman full of hope. With Tiberii's despondent attitude since Shiloh's disappearance and Aurelia's own sorrow losing Solvi, the pack was in desperate need of something to uplift their spirits.
Aurelia padded quietly into the clearing, sitting near a neatly-packaged bundle of herbs as she listened to her sister's announcement with an uncharacteristically gentle expression. She was happy for her - truly - but her thoughts could not help drifting to Tiberii, who would no doubt be wrestling with her own demons regardless of the joy this news brought.
This might have been her and Shiloh as well - in another life.
The words died in her throat. A faint shimmer had caught her eye, flowing along the edge of the gathering like a pale river, and Isaiah was the first to see her.
Aurelia felt the whole world stop.
How long had it been since she'd uttered that word?
Memories flooded back in a torrent, culminating in that singular, selfish tantrum where Aurelia had exploded to their father - sick over Tiberii's disappearance, fraught with worry both for her and Olive's fragile state - that she shouldn't be beholden to Mother's worries, that it wasn't her responsibility to shoulder anyone else's feelings, that Mother would be just fine on her own, and Aurelia had regretted those words every day since.
She saw her Mother, and she saw her own shame.
Perhaps Father had told her about the outburst - perhaps not. But it had always hung over Aurelia's head like a dark cloud since, poisoning every memory with the humiliation of her own ingratitude and selfishness, that those words had ever been uttered from her mouth.
It was largely this shame that had compelled her to step up and carry every burden thereafter, putting the weight of the world on her own shoulders in order to absolve herself of this stain she had placed on the most wonderful wolf to grace this mortal life.
Whatever eyes were upon her now, she did not care. Aurelia fell forward toward her mother's spirit, stumbling across the ground as she dissolved into tears.
With wet lashes and tear-streaked cheeks, she looked up at Olive with the eyes of a child.
I wish I had told you this while you were still here. I wish I could have said goodbye. I wish we'd never had to say goodbye at all.
Dalmatia's call rang out, her silver tones breaking apart the silence, and Aurelia dutifully followed its source.
There weren't many reasons her spotted sibling might call a gathering of such proportions - but she suspected one.
Nottin had thus far proven to be a steady and reliable figure among the pack since his introduction. Loyal, strong, and capable - the frá Norðri seemed to have this in common, she thought as heat crept into her cheeks at a sudden vision of Solulfur - it pleased her to see him spending so much time with Dalmatia.
It was a marvel to witness how her sister had gradually emerged from her shell, transforming from the timid girl of their childhood into a radiant woman full of hope. With Tiberii's despondent attitude since Shiloh's disappearance and Aurelia's own sorrow losing Solvi, the pack was in desperate need of something to uplift their spirits.
Aurelia padded quietly into the clearing, sitting near a neatly-packaged bundle of herbs as she listened to her sister's announcement with an uncharacteristically gentle expression. She was happy for her - truly - but her thoughts could not help drifting to Tiberii, who would no doubt be wrestling with her own demons regardless of the joy this news brought.
This might have been her and Shiloh as well - in another life.
It is wonderful news,Aurelia said, rising to give Dalmatia an affectionate press of her forehead against the spotted woman's.
I am happy for you both. Nottin is right. We must move forward and greet the dawn at last, and what better way than through the union of two beloved -
The words died in her throat. A faint shimmer had caught her eye, flowing along the edge of the gathering like a pale river, and Isaiah was the first to see her.
Aurelia felt the whole world stop.
Mother?
How long had it been since she'd uttered that word?
Mother... Mother!
Memories flooded back in a torrent, culminating in that singular, selfish tantrum where Aurelia had exploded to their father - sick over Tiberii's disappearance, fraught with worry both for her and Olive's fragile state - that she shouldn't be beholden to Mother's worries, that it wasn't her responsibility to shoulder anyone else's feelings, that Mother would be just fine on her own, and Aurelia had regretted those words every day since.
She saw her Mother, and she saw her own shame.
Perhaps Father had told her about the outburst - perhaps not. But it had always hung over Aurelia's head like a dark cloud since, poisoning every memory with the humiliation of her own ingratitude and selfishness, that those words had ever been uttered from her mouth.
It was largely this shame that had compelled her to step up and carry every burden thereafter, putting the weight of the world on her own shoulders in order to absolve herself of this stain she had placed on the most wonderful wolf to grace this mortal life.
Whatever eyes were upon her now, she did not care. Aurelia fell forward toward her mother's spirit, stumbling across the ground as she dissolved into tears.
Mama. I'm so sorry,she choked out between strangled breaths.
I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry.
With wet lashes and tear-streaked cheeks, she looked up at Olive with the eyes of a child.
I'm so sorry. When Tiberii was gone - I was selfish. I didn't mean any of it. Mother, I wish - I would give anything -
I wish I had told you this while you were still here. I wish I could have said goodbye. I wish we'd never had to say goodbye at all.
I miss you - so much,she said.
How are you - for how long...?[/font]
![[Image: AureliaSignature.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/AureliaSignature.gif)
