Broken Antler Fen PeachPuff

"Well, I am not much of a fan of inherited leadership positions. Some royals have a potential, but many are not fit for that role. So - just because you are a Blackthorn and never was a leader, does not mean anything. At least it does not mean that you have failed in a certain aspect in your life. We have two other Blackthorns here - Penn and Jackalope - neither are fit for leading and they don't weep over it much at all. Frankly speaking, I think that they are relieved they can get in trouble and there are people, who will clean up the mess," that was a little over-exaggeration, because neither had given her any headaches up until now. But it was easy to imagine, where they would stand, if problems occurred because of them. 

"And I have a feeling that you imagine that a leader is a certain type of wolf, one type, in fact, whereas here - Ravens - are intended to represent people from all backgrounds and experiences. And - as I remember, you also have a strong voice, when the occasion requires it and, after you will have settled in, I would really love to hear it more often. You've got it, Eljay," she smiled at him. When she had asked about the reasons he had left the caldera, she had not anticipated that there was so much more than the eye caught at the first glance. And it was not the usual "I am homesick" and "I wish my parents were here" thing, but seemed like a very bad breakup after a long-term relationship that had run its course. So, it had been bad. Had Towhee said something to drive him away? Had Niamh said things wrong? Because it felt that at present all the bridges were burned. 

"Did you feel used?" she asked, when he struggled for words. This conclusion did not mean that she thought ill of her former packmates. Not even close, but it did seem likely that a selfless person like Eljay, whose self-confidence was based on, what others thought about him, would be taken for granted, perhaps, treated like the harmless village idiot, who was useful as long as he did not raise his voice to ask for something in return for his favours. But then again - hadn't Eljay put himself in that situation - it was very likely that after Wildfire's death he had focussed solely on raising his family and, once that was no longer necessary, he had plunged in the work to fill the emptiness in his life and not think about it for a while.