Redhawk Caldera and a happy new year [birth]

Elwood paused, stopped in his tracks by the heartbreak written plainly across Eljay's face and the sadness in his voice. The boy blamed himself, and Elwood shook his head. "It's not your fault," he said, echoing Finley's sentiments. Even if Eljay had been there for the entirety of Fox's labor, the situation likely would have been out of his control.

He stood quietly for a moment, ears turned back towards the sounds of Raven and the puppies within the den. He dropped his gaze to the ground as Finley suggested that Fox be buried with Peregrine; he nodded mutely. He couldn't imagine laying her body to rest anywhere else. Looking back at his son, he said, "Eljay, do you want to help me with...Aunt Fox, or do you want to stay here with the babies?" Eljay was a caregiver, after all; and the children could use all the help they could get from the adults of the pack.