The man walked along the borders, as usual. Even now as leader, this was where he spent most of his time and energy. His instincts and habits as a guardian were cemented within him, and he couldn't see them changing anytime soon. The Woodland king's form tensed as he breathed in an unfamiliar scent that was definitely not of his pack mates. A stranger was near, two, he took in as he breathed in once again. Were these potential friends or foes? There was only one way to find out. The two individuals were calling for his wife, and that made him even more curious of their presence.

His steps silent, he weaved through the dense thickets and stepped out of the shadows to greet the strangers. His black banner rising naturally, Miccah briefly took in their scent and appearance. They were pack wolves, but not Woodland allies."Miccah Athesila. What is your buisness with my wife?," he questioned. His tone was neither hostile or friendly, but there was slight curiousity. Glancing at the herbs near their paws, he wondered if they were fellow healers. Or had they just come by for a simple visit and brought gifts? His wife had many friends, where he had a sparce few. Miccah stared at the two wolves, waiting patiently for one of them to come forward and speak.

Coppery eyes watched the clouds gathering overhead, through a crack in the canopy. Fresh leaves had yet to bud on the dark branches, closing off the thicket against the shifting weathers, and the healer couldn't help but sigh; How she longed for spring. There was no use in brooding though, the seasons would change when they felt ready, and until then she could do nothing more than what she usually did. Lowering her head, Aideen glanced around the small clearing, in front of her infirmary, smiling faintly at the carefully cleared and smoothed ground, she couldn't have anyone tripping on their way to see her. It was a simple task, one of many little things she had found herself doing lately, to spend the time. Winter had brought silence upon the Woodlands, wrapping the thicket in a cushion of snow and cold. There had been a few winter colds, mostly among the pups, but with @Nina at the helm, nothing was allowed to fester into anything serious; Especially since Daniel…

All in all the fiery second had had a lot more time to herself than in the past many months. And while she enjoyed it, especially those hours spend with her mate, she was also beginning to feel restless; I wish something would… Happen! It was then, as if an echo of that very thought, that the beckoning howl reached her ears, carrying strong and true from the southern borders. A wide smile cracked on her dark lips, tail starting to wag excitedly as she clearly recognized the voice. In one fluid movement, Aideen spun on her heels, diving into her medicine den to grab up a thick bundle of herbs, lying at the ready; She had had it prepared for a long time. Then she was away, moving swiftly through the thicket, weaving in and out between trunks and bramble, soon enough reaching the origin of the call.

Waiting at the border was a familiar, silvery form, flanked by a tawny stranger; And face by Miccah's dominant form. The petite woman quickly slipped up beside her husband, lowering her bundled plants carefully between her paws before she addressed the guests: "I had given up on you." She remarked, but there was a teasing glint in her eyes, and a happy smile on her lips. She turned her head to give a quick, pointed look at the dark man by her side, explaining cheerily: "This is Merlin, a fellow medic from the south. We met last fall when I went to the Cedarwood in search of herbs and agreed to exchange some medicines." Then she looked back to the visitors, waving her tail merrily as she proclaimed: "I'm glad you've finally come. And you brought a… Friend?" Her eyes turned to the sinewy woman, expression friendly as she waited to be introduced. This was indeed a treat after all these quiet days.

He was waiting patiently for one of the wolves to come forward and state their reasoning why they were at his borders, when his wife appeared and came to his side. She made quick work of greeting her friend and explaining who they were to Miccah and why they were here. Nodding, the king silently took in Merlin's words and at the mention of a 'Grizzly Hollow', a vague bell rang in his head. Had he heard of this pack before? If he had, he had certainly not heard of a leader with the name of Merlin. Making a mental note to speak of this pack with Nina later, the large man knew she could have more information about this pack than he. After all, she had been in the Lore for quite some time and was a powerful woman with various friendships.

The stoic man's blue gaze was drawn to his wife. She had satisfied his curiousity about the wolves that stood before them, but she was the more social of the two. Miccah had always been more comfortable within the shadows. Taking a step back from the trio, the man was content to stay in the background, silently watching the wolves before him and taking in any more information that could prove to be valuable.

She didn't even realize she had cut her colleague off until she'd already finished speaking herself, then her cheeks grew hot and she ducked her head sheepishly. Merlin did not seem to mind though, in fact seeming rather embarrassed himself as he nodded at her and began to explain himself. Aideen's smile faded at his tale, eyes growing worried. Suddenly she felt bad for her little jab, she hadn't meant to make the silver man feel even worse. So when he paused she was quick to reassure: "Oh no worries, dear." The plants had not been urgently needed, and while she had wondered what had happened to him, she wasn't hurt, only happy that he had finally come.

His companion introduced herself as Crystal, and he supplied that she was a prospective scout and might become a regular courier between their packs. Aideen smiled at the lass, nodding her head agreeably. She felt Miccah stir and glanced sideways, smiling softly as he pulled away, her swaying tail brushing against him as he stepped back. He seemed to be satisfied there was no danger from the visitors. The petite healer's attention returned to the two, copper eyes seeking her colleague's silvers as she began: "I'm sorry to hear of your troubles, I do hope everything is well now?" There was genuine concern in her voice and sympathy in her eyes. For a moment she wavered, not sure whether to congratulate the man on his new rank, but then she said, more cheerily: "In any case it is good to see you again, and I'm glad to hear the news." Then her eyes turned to the tawny woman; "I think it's a splendid idea to have Crystal visit regularly, that way we can trade information too, keep up to date on the goings on between our packs. I will be getting more busy myself, soon." It seemed they were both moving up in life, it made the russet girl smile to herself.

Then she glanced back at her mate, in the end it would be up to him and Nina whether to accept such an alliance between the two groups. Though she felt confident in taking the first step, after all, it would soon be her job and this was good both for her own practice, and to show Nina that she was prepared to handle the position. So she looked at Merlin again, cocking her head slightly; "That is, of course, if you would be interested in such an arrangement?" She was still smiling, tail wagging casually, she couldn't see why they shouldn't trade information as well as medicine. Which reminded her – her eyes moved to the bundles at the visitors' paws, a sudden giddiness overtaking her; "Oh, let me see what you brought!"