Hushed Willows maybe it's time, maybe today

Although the pace was mindful, what with him favoring that damned sore ankle and @Lily forgiving enough as she guided the route, his heart was racing well ahead anyway. Qilaq is here still ran on repeat in his head, and thanks to this, his hunger, his fatigue, and all of his chronic worries were, for once, for the first time in weeks, not the loudest voice in his ears.

By the time a new treeline appeared on the horizon, one tucked neatly in the crook of the mountains, he was all too eager to overlook any vague pings of familiarity he might have had towards this place he had once left behind many moons ago. Instead, he was zeroing in on what may await, and what may be a happier future for him--and @Qilaq too, hopefully.

Finally, after many, many miles, any ounce of hope was better than the darkness he had wandered in for so long.  His nose quivered at the scents of wolf traffic, all similar to what Lily wore but very new to him. Some unease began to catch up to him then at this realization, and the implications that came with actual community again, and Silas looked to her with ears splaying. He hurried to steel himself as soon as the thought occurred, however, though he did not want to overstep any bounds already.

He was thinner than he had ever been, and more tired than he had once thought possible, but as he peered up at the willows dressed in snow, maybe it was all just meant to be.

no rush on any of this bc absences and all but it was high time i get to something ♥♥♥