Neverwinter Forest belong

the glade stretched wide, snow blanketing the ground in unbroken white. sólhárr sat at its center, his dark pelt stark against the frost. the wind whispered through the barren trees, their branches heavy with frost.

he tilted his head back, a low, commanding howl rising from his throat. it carried far, threading through the stillness before fading into the winter quiet— it carried for @Eydís.

lowering his head, his golden eye fixed on the horizon. the snow settled softly around him as he waited, steady and silent.

Eydís had found herself improving by leaps and bounds. Still not sociable, but willing to speak; and yet there was still one man she did not wish to see.

However, it was difficult to avoid the man who controlled the very territory she rested her head within.

Solharr called, and she felt that she had no choice but to oblige his request.

Heavy heart and heavier paws carried her to the glade in which he sat, cold eyes watching him from what she thought a fair distance.

sólhárr’s sharp golden gaze caught her approach before her scent reached him. his broad shoulders shifted as he rose to his paws, his hulking frame moving toward eydís with a deliberate, steady stride. the closer he got, the more her hesitation became palpable, though she held her ground. good.

he stopped just shy of invading her space and leaned forward slightly, exhaling a warm, sharp huff of air directly into her face. his expression remained unreadable, though the lift of a single brow added a subtle weight to his scrutiny.

well? he asked simply, his voice low and gruff. after a brief pause, his gaze swept over her form before he continued, have you made friends?

he remained still, his tone more questioning than accusatory, but the expectation in his words hung in the air between them. she was part of forneskja now, and he would know her place among its wolves—or lack thereof.

She would not meet his eyes. Ears twitched lightly at his words, nose wrinkling as his breath crossed her face.

..I'd say I have. She responded lightly. Maybe not friends, but at the very least she had wolves she trusted. Wolves to hunt with, men I trust to treat me well and women I can share a meal. Maybe that was enough, or maybe she needed more.

Not yet did she know.

She was learning about herself all over again, slowly but surely.

sólhárr moved closer, his broad frame lowering slightly as he wrapped his neck around eydís in an embrace. his fur brushed hers with an uncharacteristic softness, the warmth of the gesture stark against his usual stoic demeanor.

i knew it was possible, he murmured, his voice low and steady. there was a weight in his tone, an acknowledgment of her growth and his own missteps.

pulling back slightly, he met her gaze, his single golden eye softened with rare vulnerability. i have been hard on you. too hard. for that, i am sorry, eydís.

he straightened again, his presence still imposing but the sharpness of his authority eased by the sincerity of his words. his head tipped slightly in acknowledgment, a silent gesture of respect for what she had achieved, and for the quiet strength she was finding.

She winced as the larger wolf leaned towards her, though Eydis soon accepted his embrace. Releasing a shaky breath and inhaling sharply, she was quick to calm herself.

..I was quick to judge you. The woman admitted, bluebell eyes avoiding his gaze. The fault isn't yours alone to carry. She knew all too well that she had held up a guard, a harsh shield crafted by her own traumas.

Forneskja should have been a knew beginning, and a part of her worried that she had ruined that for herself. I carry troubles of my past with me. Worries I cannot let go of. She spoke carefully, each word placed meticulously as to not reveal more than she wished. They have made me bitter.

She had broken in front of Rokkur already, shattered into a million pieces and melted at his feet. The pale coated woman did not think her fragile heart could face the same humiliation in front of Solharr.

sólhárr’s single golden eye softened as eydis spoke, a rare warmth threading through his usually rough exterior. he nodded approvingly, a faint curve of satisfaction tugging at his lips.

you grow, he rumbled, his voice deep but carrying a note of pride. forneskja is one. do not struggle alone.

he leaned slightly closer, his massive frame almost eclipsing hers, but his presence was not overbearing—more protective, as if shielding her from unseen forces.

after a pause, his gaze grew inquisitive, a flicker of curiosity in his eye. have you spoken to callyope? he asked, tilting his head slightly. she will want to know, and she is good for things like this. there was a faint, almost teasing edge to his tone, though it was underpinned with genuine care.

Eydis shook her head, gaze remaining averted. I am yet to meet her. She admitted, voice hushed. Rokkur is the one I have confided in. He caught me by chance. The experience had been a rush of harsh emotions, one that Eydis had worked to block out.

He knew that the man had been good to her, spoke to her softly and bathed the sin from her dirtied skin in the horrific light of the moon. She was grateful for his efforts, but embarrassed nonetheless.

Forneskja is.. good. She spoke, releasing a breath. I stayed because I had nowhere to go, now I stay because I am not alone.

For far too long she had isolated herself. A cruel punishment self-inflicted for crimes she had not committed.

sólhárr’s golden eye softened as he listened, his expression brightening like sunlight breaking through storm clouds. as her words unfolded, his chest swelled with pride, relief, and something deeper—a profound joy at seeing her begin to find herself within forneskja.

you were never alone, eydis, he reminded her gently, his voice low but filled with warmth. stepping closer, he lowered his massive head to hers, his muzzle brushing lightly against the fur of her neck. it was a simple, tender gesture—a chieftain offering reassurance, but also a friend expressing care.

this is your home. your pack. your family. no matter where you go or who you confide in, forneskja will always be here. i will always be here.

he leaned back, his eye gleaming with genuine happiness. and @Rokkur good man, that one. but callyope—she will want to hear this. you must meet her. she has a way of making everyone feel they belong. she will be glad to know you’ve stayed by choice.

his tail swayed behind him, a rare sight of unrestrained joy from the usually stoic chieftain. you are one of us, eydis. and that will never change.

For a moment she felt her heart ache, feelings that Eydis was quick to push back into the depths of her mind.

He urged her to speak to Callyope, something he had insisted on for some time, and yet something in the huntress kept her from doing so. Yes, soon. She would agree, if only to satisfy him.

Now she looked to Solharr, meeting his single eye for only a moment. Her head turned soon after, unwilling to allow him to detect her disingenuine words.

There is hunting to be done. She decided, her ears twitching lightly. I will go now.

the chieftain let her go at her request. it was true— there was always work to be done. always things that needed attention, and the king needed to see himself elsewhere. he had put his midline tasks behind him to seek out eydís, hoping for the best.

what he got in return certainly past his expectations.

he had hopes that callyope would ease her burdens further. a mastercraft of kindness that woman held. his woman.

go. he urged her. you will do well.