Moonsong Glacier inugagulliq ⋒

"He is ready!" the panther hastened to assure moonwoman — a sheepish smile attempted to excuse the slight jump in volume. He was level-headed once more as he went on: "He is a romantic. He is a hunter, yes, but he hunts for his One. He wants to find her. He... "

How should he put this?

"He guards his heart," Dutch said at last. "He has lost his parents and his brother and sister. He wants to make for himself a new family — but he is afraid to make something that can be taken away. He waits, I think, for she who will tell him she is safe to love."

Dutch had spent his life, after all, asking himself just what his cousin's problem was. He thought now that he had the isbjørn figured out — but he balked when moonwoman turned her questioning to his future.

"Me?" he asked, as if she could be talking about any other. He looked toward the mountains, unable to meet her eye during his inward reflection.

Finally, his smile returned, albeit this time far more subdued.

"I want to stand beside a someone who wants to stand beside me," he told her.