The Heartwood not this year

She'd searched out a mate and found many a rutting male - but her heart was not in it, and as many as she found, she also chased away. Though she'd had plans of bringing another little moose into the world this year, it seemed that it was not in the cards - Yes, perhaps by her own design, but struck all the same from her plans for the future.

And that left... very little. She had no agenda at this time. Artemis had disappeared, and no one else seemed to need her assistance. Was it all in her head, or was she outgrowing her usefulness?

Surely not. I am not a spring filly, but I am still in my prime. Old Kinna lived past twenty, and I am less than half that age. But there was still not much to do but eat and rest and travel the world, and those things did not hold the same shine for her as they did for other moose. She needed to feel needed; helpful. And it was not helpful to roam this sorry woodland and mope about not being pregnant when it was her own damn fault.

With a weary sigh, she found a few low branches and began to eat away her troubles.

And to think I was doubting to make Brechin a moose, damn. Haha. Now I wish I made him one. :P

 Brechin had traveled further, looking for females to find a harem. Usually mating season didn't start until autumn but he liked to already gather some small following of females that he would be able to fight for. One that would want him to win and cheer him on.

The stag moved forward through the woods, wondering if here there were more deer like him. He still felt rather lonely. He hadn't seen much deer around, maybe they were still returning from their travels to the green lands, maybe they would not return home like he had?

The stag stiffened when he heard movement. Though his fear didn't stay long because his eyes fell on a moose, a cow to be exact. For a bull he might made way but maybe this female could give him some company, then at least both would have an extra set of eyes and ears out for predators. "Hello," he greeted.

If only! She'll hang out with him anyway, though.

At the sound of another creature's approach, one of Nab's long ears flicked in that direction and quickly detected the humble pick-pick-pick of hooves creeping through underbrush. Another herbivore, then, and probably none of her concern - it was too small to be a bull, and not clumsy enough to be a calf. Assured of her safety, she kept her focus on her meal.

Until, that is, the creature decided to say hello.

Nab turned her head to regard the creature - a cervine, like herself, but smaller. Daintier. More handsome than the males of her kind, if not more handsome than Nab thought herself. She dipped her head in greeting, wondering what the fellow could possibly want from her.

"Hello to you, too," she replied, admiring the sharp pin-pricks of his branch-like antlers. If only she were a deer; he was a fine specimen.

This is cute already!

The male watched with care if the female greeted him. This one had antlers herself so he was not sure if she was friendly in the first place. Yet, she greeted him, with a hint of surprise. It was not often, or ever, that a female was bigger than him. It was quite strange to him to have her still be so feminine. 

He lifted his head when he noticed that she was looking at his antlers. He was a proud individual, yet not too proud to be arrogant. "Most of my kind have not arrived yet. I thought that we would be safer with extra set of eyes and ears. If you like that idea?," he honestly introduced his idea. He was not one to turn around the bush. "I'm Brechin," he added.

Nab smiled at the stag's words - she was quite sure of herself, even going so far as freely approaching wolves in pairs or travelling alone. She was a big girl and she could take care of herself. Was this young buck asking for protection?

When she thought about it, however, she realized that Brechin had a point - everyone had to sleep, after all. And, if she did decide to foal this year after all, wouldn't it be nice to have someone else to look after the calves while she napped? Or ate? Or simply took a break from the incessant whinging?

Besides - Nab was terribly lonely.

"Pleasure to meet you, Brechin - I'm Jenabbi," she said with a mirthful flicker of her ears. "I think I'd like that very much."

The branch she'd been nibbling on forgotten, Nab regarded her new pal with a slightly helpless air. What sort of maintenance did deer need, anyway? She'd never had occasion to meet one, as they were usually rather wrapped up with their own kind. "Is there somewhere you're going?" she asked after a moment.

Brechin nodded briefly, giving her one nod. He was pleased to hear that he had a few hours to spend with someone that wasn't a predator. "Nice to meet you, Jenabbi," he spoke to her. For him this wasn't for protection but more for company. He nosed over some leaves and nibbled to a few leaves.

The male shook his head. "Not really, normally we stay in one place. I had a good harem, quite some foals too. But then those bugs came and took our food. I lost quite a lot of them with the famine. Then the hungry wolves split me from my females. I survived. Our breeding season is in the autumn, so by returning here I hope to find a new group. Or take it from another male," he shrugged. "How about you?," he asked.

"How barbaric," Nab said pleasantly, and then realized how she must sound. "That's terrible about your... harem and your foals, I mean. Pardon me, I've just never met a deer before."

A little flustered, Nab took a moment to gather herself before looking back to the handsome young buck.

"I have some grown children here and there," she answered, smiling wistfully as she thought of all the years past. "Eight in all - or seven? No, eight, I think. I didn't foal last year, or the year before, and I'm not sure I'm going to this year, either. Those locust scared me, though I don't like to admit it. I'm so thankful I didn't have a calf with me - I've never lost one before, you see, and I'm terrified that a plague might come again while I have a little one to care for..."

Oh, I'm rambling again. Dear me, she thought. "But moose are solitary creatures - not like deer with their harems and herds. I normally make it very well on my own."

*Facepalm* I totally meant Fawns. I was clearly not awake when I wrote this :P

Brechin looked up surprised, unsure if she found him having a harem barbaric or if the wolves had separated him. He decided to just go with it. "I never really met a moose, I saw them a few times but never talked to one," he admitted. "I think some of them survived. I had a good harem. They were all very loyal to me. I'm sad I lost them."

Brechin listened with interest. He always came to see the fawns but raising them was the mother's job. He would give them protection. "A very understanding observation, Jenabbi. Maybe that is what the female deer think too and they have stayed in the location we fled too," he spoke thoughtfully. "One of my does lost a calf once. It was very upsetting to see," he spoke. "If you have the choice to have a little one then I'd say go by your instincts. Maybe you do meet a strong partner though that might change your mind?

Brechin still found it weird that these animals lived alone. "I couldn't live alone, hence why I am seeking out your company right now."

Nab shook her head, a wry huff escaping her. "Our bulls are not like you nice, friendly stags. We raise our young in isolation - no bulls, no other cows. It is the way of things - but perhaps not a very good way."

The more she thought about it, the more silly it seemed. She was a sociable creature, even if she more often revelled in aloneness than she felt the sting of loneliness. Whatever her feelings on it, wouldn't it be safer to raise her young in a society, rather than on her own?

"What was your harem like?" she asked after a moment. "Did you have a favorite doe? Did you... well, did you love them?"

Brechin listened with interest how she explained they lived alone without others, only her and her calf. The male nodded, so a female was called a cow and a male a bull. Noted. "Interesting," he spoke, being genuinely interested. He rather liked to have his harem of females.

"Well, the harem is more like a... sisterhood. The females are a really tight group. Usually one is the leading doe, normally the braves or the wisest. She knows the good places to graze and to raise the fawns. The harem protects and looks out for each other, so there isn't really jealously going around if you were implying that," he tried to explain.

Brenchin then thought about it for a second. "I do like them equally after all I fought for each single one of them. They are all very important to me. Though, it does happen that if you have a strong leading doe and she likes you a lot she might stay for another year. Then she won't accept other males or be interested in them how much they try to impress her. So in that way the leading doe becomes the favorite of the stag because she chooses him. However, I would not know this because I am only 4 and very lucky that I had a harem last year. Not sure if my leading doe will return or find me. After I made the wolves chase me I lost them," he admitted. "Not a very good protector," he mumbled. He quickly lifted his head though. "But this is a new year. Who knows!"

Got parts of his explaination from the book Firebringer xD

Nab was already shaking her head. "Don't be too hard on yourself, Brechin. It sounds like you nearly gave your life to save those girls," she told him, with feeling. "I think we're both putting a little too much pressure on ourselves - let's make a pact. If I help you keep your harem safe from harm, would you let me raise my young among your kind?"

It was quite a step from simply keeping each other company, but Nab felt that it was a good eough deal. She liked the young male, and thought that they could help each other greatly. She would offer him what help she could, and he and his herd could provide her with the sort of safety net she'd never before experienced.

"I'm a big girl, after all, as well as another set of eyes. But I have to sleep and eat like everyone else, and it would be good to have more than just myself looking after any future children I might have. As you well know, this land is riddled with wolves."

Brechin smiled at her sweet words. He was really liking this female so far. The male nodded. He tried his best. He was still a young buck compared to some stags out there. Still. He liked to think he did a good job, maybe not so modestly so. It helped that this female thought the same as him. 

"Jenabbi, you are more than welcome to be in my harem," he spoke. "I will allow another male's young in my group," he added. He knew that it was impossible for him to be the father. That was clear. It was instinct who knew that. Still this female could be of great help. Especially now they are small. "I think any doe would love an extra calf to fuss over," he spoke.

"However, I am just wondering here, if your calf grows up in a herd. Do you think it will trouble him later in life?," he asked. "Not to critize you, I am just thinking ahead."

Nab was just reigning in the strange mix of emotions - affection, embarassment, amusement - at being invited to join his harem when he asked his next question. Slowly, Nab shook her head.

"Calves don't usually see a moose other than their mother until they are many months old - we are such solitary creatures, you see. I do not think it will cause any problems," she explained, fairly sure of herself. Her calves had been exposed to many creatures - some of which had remained with them for many moons. "No, I'm sure it will be fine. Perhaps they might grow up to be a bit more social than most moose, but... well, so am I, I suppose."

Brechin nodded slowly, his rack moving too when he did. "Alright. Well, then it is settled," he spoke and grinned a bit. "I think I am the only stag that had a cow in my harem,' he let out proudly, like it was some achievement.

"I'm glad we have each other," he spoke because he didn't want to make her feel like she was a thing to obtain. He was proud but not an asshole. The male nodded then he got a reply to his question. "Alright. I was just wondering. Then we will have to find you a male," he grinned.

What a funny fellow! Nab just had to be charmed by his easy wit and friendly disposition. It didn't hurt, either, that he was a handsome boy and seemed to know it. All in all, Jenabbi found herself rather pleased with her sudden predicament. Even more so when Brechin mentioned finding her a male, and the desire to bring more calves into the world returned to her once more.

"I am glad as well; I feel heartened by our alliance," she expressed, drawing herself up to full height. "Perhaps we are strong enough to bring more young into the world - I will seek a male."

seems like a good place to archive, unless you had something more to add