Golden Glade New Horizons

Haha, yeahhhh. Shalon will have fun looking (or is she just going to find them gone and come home?)

 Aspen was right, too many friends wasn't possible. Shalon seemed a little surprised, but overall happy that the King and Queen were okay with this. They lived a day or two away - somewhere Alder could only compare to being closer to the Grotto - and would be easy to reach. Just as he was preparing to tell her he would go after the pups' birth, the Duchess spoke first - she would go in their place. This time, it was his turn to be surprised, and all he could do was turn his face to Aspen. Shocked momentarily, he said nothing, silently asking if she was okay with this. He was still recovering from being sick, still proving to his wife he was fit to lead beside her - leaving for any amount of time would be hazardous to that agreement - and taking the two able leaders away for any amount of time meant a heavily pregnant Aspen would be left to rule alone again. Even at a day or two, that was something Alder didn't wish to risk: but here came his ever loyal Duchess with a better plan! His eye met her blue gaze as he encouraged this decision, but he'd already accepted that this was up to her.

                      "She's right - I'd hate to leave you here alone again, even if it is only a day or two. Shalon is perfectly capable of handling this herself, and she knows these wolves better - and she knows us well enough to speak for us."