he sighed into the darkness. sleep was what he desired, but the events of the day had left him tense and sorrowful. the healer would undoubtedly be at her den, keeping watch devotedly over the redhawk gamma, and so lasher set off to discover prey with which to break her fast.

an hour later he came to the clearing before her den, dropping the limp body of a rabbit to the ground. willow, he called softly, hoping she had not stepped away to gather more herbs — for many reasons, he wished her to eat, and even through the exhaustion of the day, the idea that their children might have been conceived brought him quiet joy.

he gave a gesture of his tail against his hocks, motioning at the rabbit. i brought you a meal. please eat, the gamma asked, settling himself upon his haunches. at her inquiry, his ears swept back. he wondered if blue willow would scold peregrine for his behavior, or otherwise castigate him, and this he did not wish.

but he could keep little from her. i went to tell peregrine of finley and what I discovered of ty's whereabouts. he has asked that i not return with messages -- my presence there is controversial.

the ignominy of the words still hurt him keenly, but he knew he should cease in their recitation. yet it validated the bitterness he bore toward peregrine.

taltos gave a low snort of agreement. peregrine had changed more than he had thought, and while he had softened toward fox somewhat for seeking to shield him from her mate's harshness, forgiveness had not blossomed in his heart yet.

he watched blue willow eat with a fond expression upon his face; presently he stirred and gestured with a wan forepaw in the direction of her belly. when will you know? he asked quietly, trusting she would know despite the fact she had not experienced the stirring of whelps within her before.

i am as well, the man purled — blue willow had been his closest companion, then his lover, and now she would bear his children. the evolution of their relationship had been swift, but he loved her no less, and no differently but for a fierce protectiveness blossoming in his heart toward her.

what sort of odd foods? he asked, amused, as he turned to watch finley, caught deep in the grasp of the witless sleep. her head, surely it had not been affected; he could not recall if the bear had struck her there, however, as the chaos had been quick and savage.

he hummed beneath his breath and said no more, setting himself down to regard her quietly. i wonder how many there will be, he mused, half to himself. he had no experience with fatherhood; julien's relationship with his children was his only model, and lasher did not favour the memory of that.

perhaps they would see spirits, or take after the willow, gentle and practical in nature. he wished for none of them to inherit his wanderlust, suppressed insofar as he was happy, or his tumultuous emotions; but his passions; his love for the artistry of their world — taltos would be happy to pass on these things.

lasher nodded, somewhat amazed; he had not expected so many. four children, perhaps, born to wolves newly inducted into parenthood. the thought occurred to him that not all would survive, but he put it aside quickly — he would make sure that they looked to the heavens with the eyes of an adult. kindness, and healing, he murmured in response to blue willow's question.

taltos had not thought of his own mother tongue in some time, though he slipped into its cadence occasionally. i believe that i will, he said softly, and the thought occurred to him that he should speak the glen-words more often. would you care to learn a few words of it? he inquired of her gently, ears cupped forward to hear her response.

taltos shook his head slowly. i do not know its name, only that i have held it upon my tongue since earliest memory. its cadence, its very sound, conjured memories of the glen that were both saddening and joyous. i could begin with your lovely name, he teased softly. saileach gorm, the man lilted softly.

he knew very little french, but the recollection of a smattering of words came to him. saule bleu, he whispered, moving closer unto her to nudge one dark shoulder softly.

likewise, he had come to regard the willow as much more than a companion. his heart did not beat for her as it had for julien, for eismitte, for peregrine, yet it was a comfortable warmth in his spirit. he likened it to the feeling of returning home after a lengthy journey, relief and joy mingled into one.

it is my happiness to be in your life, blue willow, taltos said softly, holding her eyes for a long moment.

presently, he stirred and rose, glancing into the den. there was little room, but he gestured toward it all the same. it has been a long day. perhaps you might rest, taltos suggested with an amiable wave of his plume. i shall sleep nearby.