Neverwinter Forest [m] wanderlily

the moon hung high over forneskja, casting silver light across the vast expanse of snow and forest. sólhárr moved through the quiet landscape with purpose, his steps steady despite the weight of the bountiful hunt he carried. the scents of fresh meat mingled with the cold night air, a testament to the success of the evening.

as he approached the den, the faint warmth emanating from within welcomed him. the silhouette of @Callyope, resting peacefully, was illuminated by the soft glow of the night. his single golden eye softened at the sight of her, the lines of his rugged face relaxing as he stepped closer.

setting down his spoils, he entered the den silently, careful not to disturb her rest. yet, as his gaze lingered on her form, a flicker of longing stirred in his chest. bending down, he brushed his nose against her cheek, a quiet, tender kiss to announce his return. the faintest smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, pride swelling for the life they were building together.

her dreams were...feral.

never before had she seen such colors behind her eyes, heard such thunderous sounds. she might have thought them nightmares if not for the utter bliss she felt lost in them. was it a fever that made her mind run off in such ways? she had felt fine when she had settled down but...

she was stirred awake and through the haze it seemed such bliss might continue. held in the gaze of a single brilliant eye. the scent of him filled their space and she felt dizzied.

there is the smell of meat, too. she felt a swelling of pride and a tired smile of warmth is on her face now.

i was dreaming of you, i think. and she reached with teeth to preen at his strong limbs, half-slumber displays of affection.

oh?

the word rumbled from him, a mixture of amusement and intrigue. he reached for a piece of the oxen meat he'd brought, its rich scent filling the space between them as he placed it gently before her. his movements were deliberate, his gaze steady on her drowsy expression, softened with affection.

he settled himself beside her, stretching his broad frame, the weight of the hunt easing from his shoulders. what was it about? he asked, his tone warm but edged with curiosity. as she preened at his limb, his tail thumped softly against the ground, a quiet sign of his contentment in her presence.

she laughs, sweet and melting in her throat like summer honey.

it was short lived when she realized she was hungry. near ravenous! surely that was a good sign, it meant she was not bodied by an illness that took appetite.

i could not say, she whispered and dared a bite of meat. then wished to kiss him and in the small space that existed between them —

it was...i do not know. it was vibrant colors and spreading warmth. it was joy and love. the feelings you give me, given some vision behind my eyes.

she laughed again, but this time softer and shy. worried that she will sound like a rambling seer!

it is good to see you eat, sólhárr murmured, his golden eye soft on her. you will be mother soon enough.

her words of colors and warmth tugged a rare smile from him. it sounds like a dream one should not wake from.

he leaned closer, their shoulders nearly brushing. but tell me, elska—how fare the women under your care? do any shine under the mani's light?

a beat. he touched his nose lightly to her crown. another waft of silence before he breathed out. i think i betrothed iruna and rokkur.

mother soon.

she wonders if that is what this is. a thought tucked away silently, instead content to bask in his warmth and nearness.

at his question, her lips curled with a smile. then wider into one full of teeth at his confession! her spirit soars and she finds she truly wishes for this. yet she knows things too —

a moon ago... it is clear she is ready to plunge into a story. whispers in the heating space between them. i ask if he has wishes for a wife. he falters, he speaks of being — what had he said? surrogate to other couples. the word is not bitter but she means to wave off the idea.

i tell him his status and health will make him a good husband. he confides that his perfect wife? she is affectionate for the moon, she bathes with him and that she too have health and rank!

and could they not all now see how the moon had shined a path of perfection?

and it is íruna who has these things, is it not?

ah!

sólhárr exclaimed, the joy in his voice unmistakable as his golden eye lit with excitement. it is set then! íruna must be the one. his tail shifted against the earth, a rare sign of his elation.

a son for their daughter—what a union it will be. binding forneskja's blood. strong and bright as the moon herself. and when the time comes, a daughter for moonglow. a gift of our blood to bind our kinships further.

his gaze softened as he looked at her, warmth emanating from his every word. what of your wishes for our wedding? pangur and y'var'la collect moonflowers. rokkur will bless. kinusi will sing. he murmured, almost to himself, as if the thought had nestled within him long before now.

he turned fully to her, captivated by her enthusiasm. her smile, so full and bright, made his spirit lift. he listened intently, the space between them brimming with her whispers.

wed them before either feels the season!

the season! she knows soon it might descend upon her in the same manner. she, too, must wed but she knows it will be here before she knows it.

she should not rush but the talk of children has her mind and heart fluttering about!

a daughter for moonglow, she is misty-eyed now. not with sadness but with a joy that might tear her in half from the heart. a daughter to walk the paths her mother had not seen through in full. a granddaughter for a moonwoman who would cherish such, who would teach everything to.

she has to blink away the tears!

focused instead upon discussions of weddings.

íruna shall be decorated that day, too. she declared softly with a smile that was touched by her emotional welling. a winter fox or snow hare. pale furs to compliment her, to show the shining of the moon upon her. rokkur might see her in a different light then, no?

it is her wedding and yet she sought places for everyone who might be there.

i would like my mother to see íruna, too. the three of us should combine prayers and words so that the women of moonglow and forneskja are bound by spirit and not just flesh.

it is a good idea, sólhárr murmured, his voice low and warm, carrying the weight of his agreement. you are a smart, smart woman, callyope. the moon surely guided me to you.

he leaned closer, his golden eye soft as it traced her misty gaze. the scouts have already gone. they carry our invitations far, to those who must be here. the wedding must be soon, my love. there is a stir in the air, and you… he paused, a rare hint of tenderness crossing his face, it is changing with the season. wed them before either feels it, just as we will do.

his tail shifted, a faint sign of his own restless joy.

as her words turned to íruna, he nodded, the corner of his mouth curling. íruna will be radiant. a winter fox or snow hare, the moon herself reflected in her. rokkur will see her as more than a daughter of our blood—he will see her as the moon’s own.

he tilted his head, considering her final wish. your mother must see her. you are right. prayers from the three of you will not only bind flesh but spirit as well. the women of moonglow and forneskja must walk as one, and it begins with us.

he reached out, brushing his nose gently against hers. this is not just a wedding, callyope. it is a binding of worlds.

she is blushing, flushed and warm beneath his praise.

the bliss crawling through her now is the same kind that was in her dreams, she thinks. then realizes it must be so when he spoke of the seasons. of change.

she feels silly!

and all of this talk of weddings and unions, it has filled her head with air.

and i will bind you to my world for eternity. as you will me. she promised with curling lips and kisses to him. all will see us. wise, but in love. devoted and wild in equal turns.

she realized there was a wish she had, not for the wedding but for the moments after.

after the union, take me away. somewhere that will be only ours each year.

a honeymoon spot that they might return to each anniversary.

her promises filled him with a fire he could scarcely contain, a blaze kindled by her warmth and devotion.

you speak as if i could ever belong to another, he murmured against her lips before claiming them again, his affection searing yet tender. with a low growl of possessiveness, he rolled her onto her back, towering above her in a protective yet intimate gesture.

his muzzle brushed along the delicate curve of her neck, savoring her scent, now tinged with the changes that stirred his blood. the shift in her, undeniable and intoxicating, made his heart thrum with urgency.

then it must be soon, elska, he rumbled, his voice thick with resolve. your scent... it will draw others. i will not share you. we will leave once the union is complete, will remain away for as long as you carry this sweetness.

his gaze softened as he lowered his head, pressing a kiss to her chest where her heart beat so steadily beneath her fur. i will take you to the mountains, to the sea—wherever you wish, so long as it is ours. every year, i will remind you of this bond, this devotion. ours, forever.