Fallen Tree Cove The world was wide enough

Namid had been sitting on her thoughts for about a week now, debating if the decision she was going to make was the right one. Truthfully she had been feeling better the past month or so and she felt much her old self again. Somewhere inside of her, though, was hesitant, worried that she wasn’t ready and that if she started prematurely she might go spiraling back into that dark abyss. The simple thought of it made her shudder. But...another part of her, a larger part, told her that she couldn’t back down any longer, couldn’t let another woman do the job that was meant for her. Moonshadow had done a fantastic job at leading in her place and she owed her more than she could ever say, but it wasn’t fair of Namid to allow her to keep going in a place that wasn’t rightfully hers. Logically, she knew that the dark woman was never meant to lead. Not while the Star Dancer was still alive and kicking, anyhow. She pictured the looks on her packmates faces when she’d stepped down. She pictured the faces of her children, the disappointment and confusion she had caused them. She didn’t want them to feel that way, she wanted them to see her as strong.

It was time for Namid to stop using others as a crutch and to start standing on her own.

She headed down to the banks of the lake, pausing on the chilled, sandy shores and looking out across the territory. Her territory. Somehow she knew that it was always meant to be theirs, and even when her and Vespertio were gone it would always belong to their family. She stilled herself and lifted her head to the sky and called for the dark woman, her voice strong and clear. It was time for a thank you, but it was also time for things to go back to how they were supposed to be.

OOC! Yay she's feelin better! :D

The last fee months have been an emotional rollercoaster for the midnight she-wolf. First everything's fine shes on a patrol when a vaguely familiar scent sparked a buried hope. She took off after what she thought was her brothers scent without a word to anyone (mistake #1). She blindly followed the scent in a desperate attempt to find its owner with no avail. She strayed so far from the cove, even the lore, it took her weeks to find her way back. Guilt, sorrow, anger all filled the young woman as she made her way back hoping she would be accepted once more. Finally she had made it home and to her relief she was accepted back but was warned that this was her one and only chance. A mere couple hours passed when Vespertio came to her asking what had happened and then basically blindsided her by asking her to step up in Namid place as lead female. Bewilderment, shock, fear all filled her for weeks to come and still faintly reside in her today. She hid from the pack for fear of failing (mistake #2) but after much encouragement from @Kajika she sought then out to apologize for not checking in on them. With his confidence in her as well as that of the lake king and true lake queen hers began to grow.

Now that its been about three moon cycles Moonshadow was beginning to get use to the role. She checked the borders regularly, hunted to keep the caches stocked, checked in on packmates, helped with a pack hunt and even accepted a new member. Well she just stood there but she learned a lot. She wasn't as scared and timid about the subject and felt she was finally being what the pack needed. However even with this confidence she couldn't help but wonder when Namid would be ready to step back up. The dark woman most definitely wanted her queen to get better and reclaim her thrown but she didn't want her to feel as if she was being rushed. Moon was there to serve the pack in whatever way was needed for as long as was needed.

aUnbeknownst to the temp lead the temp second was already pondering her rise to the top. Deciding when would be best to step back up. Dark limbs walked along the borders when silver dusted audits caught the call. Her large head swung around towards the direction of the call. It was unmistakably that of the pale agouti woman and it was strong and clear. A smile formed across inky lips as the younger wolf had a feeling of what was coming next. She took off towards the lake where Namid was waiting. She slowed as she came down the worn path to the lake. Her stance was neutral as usual when she was with the rightful queen. "Hello Namid. You called?" She asked in a friendly tone.

The pale woman waited patiently for the other to appear, her breath coming out in clouds as she looked up at the clear sky. She liked the promise it held, like the world was content with her decision. No, now she was just thinking like her mother. She wondered what her parents would think of her, if they would be proud of what she’d achieved in her life. Without a doubt she knew that they would love their grandchildren and her heart grew a little heavy at the thought that they would never get to know them. Neha, Draven, and Lunette would certainly love Lona and her vast knowledge of herbs, and she strongly suspected that Cernan and Ismena would take to their grandfather. But, she couldn’t think about what ifs. She could only live her life now, relish in what she had now and be hopeful for what was to come.

Mismatched gaze lifted to catch the dark woman’s descent to the beach, her auds shifting forward and a small wag shaking her tail. Her characteristic warm smile graced her maw and she offered a woof as she neared. “Hello Namid, you called?” she said, but there was a twinkle in her friend and packmate’s eyes. Certainly she knew what was coming, and she was ready for it. “Indeed I did,” she replied. A slow breath was released. “I know I have mentioned it before, but I am forever grateful of what you have done for this pack, despite it being far out of your comfort zone. You have done so well, exceeding all already high expectations and we all owe you thanks. But...I think it is time for me to lift the burden from your shoulders. This lake, all of you, you are my wards and my family. It has and always will be my job to protect you. It is time for me to perform that role again.” A fond but confident twinkle settled in the crinkle at the corner of her gaze. “Moonshadow, you are relinquished of your role. Thank you.”

OOC! Out of character comments here

She knew this was coming. The time where the true lake queen would once again be strong enough to rule once again. While it had taken longer than the ebony woman had expected she was happy to let the pale woman take her time. Moon didn't want Namid to feel pressured to rise before she was ready. The younger wolf had grown confident enough in herself to believe that she could hold out for however long. Despite this confidence the midnight pelted she wolf did not desire to lead for forever. She was quite content on being a beta. Not the lead but not the bottom of the barrel either. She could handle a decent amount of responsibility but not be on top. Anyways she would never be able to live with herself for taking Namids spot. It wasn't right, the pale woman had given her a home and second chance. She, @Vespertio, and @Kajika were the reasons she was most likely still alive. The cove belonged to them and she wasn't going to do that to them. The dark woman had too much respect for them to do what she thought as a horrid and disrespectful act. Having felt this way Moonshadow knew that when the day came she would willingly step down with no complaints.

Today seemed to be that day. Long dark legs answered the strong confident call swiftly. She greeted the other woman with a warm smile. She had a feeling what this call was for and as the lake queen spoke Moons suspicions were confirmed. The queen had returned. Namid spoke of her gratitude for the dark female stepping up and basically saving the pack from devastation. A silver dusted tail wagged at the others praise for going above and beyond in her duties and exceeding expectations. The smile only grew on the younger wolfs face as she saw the old Namid return. She had gained her confidence back and stated that this was her lake and everyone in it was her ward and her responsibility. The midnight she-wolf could hardly contain her excitement but was able to until the alpha was finished. Once her thanks fell from her lips Moon was moving. Her ears laid flat upon her head that was now significantly lower than the other present. Her tail lowered as well as she moved to lick the underneath of Namids chin in submission and happiness. She had done it. She had held the pack together until the true queen could return. Moonshadow felt a huge weight lift off her as everything was now going back to normal. "I'm so glad that you're finally feeling better!" She said between licks. Her dark form moved back once she felt Namid had had enough of the affection but still held the submissive posture. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve you, Vespertio, and the pack in any way possible. As well as the confidence yall had and have in me. If there is anything at all that you may need I'm always here" she explained happily with her tail still wagging vigiorously. She would always be there for the cove. They were her family now and she'd do anything for them.

A chuckle left the woman as Moonshadow surged forward to apply submissive but enthused licks to her chin. She offered some affectionate prods of her own, her tail setting a steady sway behind her creamy silver frame. “Thank you, I certainly am too,” she with a bright smile.

Now, it was time to let everyone else know of the change. Time to let them know that she was better, that she was in charge again, and that everything was as it should be. A meeting to her seemed like an endeavor far too formal for this. Instead, she did the first thing that came to her mind. She turned and gave Moonshadow a wink then raised her head to the sky, taking in a deep, crisp breath that filled her lungs pleasantly. Then, she exhaled and her voice rose into the sky above them in strong, confident notes. It sang of the change in rank and it sang of her hope for herself and for all of them. They would never have to worry about her again or have to support her weight. Instead, they could rely on her once more. Their queen had regained her throne.

Russet ears pricked curiously as the lakeside king rose his head from the partially frozen meal he had dug up from one of the caches, a faint smirk tugging back the corner of his lips upon hearing the call of his wife informing the pack of her rise to the top again. It was about time and both joy and relief washed over the agouti male knowing that his mate was now deeming herself strong enough to reclaim her rightful place at his side as Queen and was one step closer to beating the depression that had her in its dark grip for so long. Moonshadow had done a wonderful job performing a civic duty larger than any wolf could dream of doing with flying colors and for that he would always be grateful for the ebony woman.

He didn't quite register the sound at first; the strong, clear cry of triumph ringing out from further within his homeland. His round brown ears cupped upward, expression dumbfounded as his chunky paws stuttered to a halt in the snow. Was that... Ma? The realization hit at once and he smiled, unable to help the fit of wags erupting at the end of his tail. Cernan wasn't the only Vuesain to be finding his place in the pack it seemed. She was back! His response was stalled by the rising voices of what was slowly determined to be Kajika, and then the King himself, both seemingly overjoyed for this news.

Their notes drifted up to the mountainsides they stood on, and Cernan could no longer stall the deeper notes pushing forth from his lungs. The young man threw his skull back with conviction, howling a song of joy for everything finally going back toward normal. Seeing either of his parents in a depressed state had never been easy, and seeing Ma slump from her rightful place as Alphess was so wrong. Now both of them seemed to be getting better, and he would be their guardian. It was glorious.

OOC! So sorry Dx

A pleasant hum vibrated the young woman's throat as her affections were returned by the lake queen. Happiness overran Moonshadow for the queen had returned. After moving away the dark female continued to wiggle in her spot with a beaming smile. Namid gave her a wink before announcing her return. The song was strong and confident. Soon more voices joined into the celebration and the beta couldn't help but add her own voice in the mix. She excitedly lifted back her head and exclaimed her own happiness to the cove. Now she could finally relax and be happy everything was back to normal. She could sleep in a tad more, feel comfortable talking with her packmates, and even go introduce herself properly to the not so new member. Tail wagged ferociously behind her dark rump as her song finished. She gave Namid another smile and allowed her to leave first out of respect. Once she had said her goodbyes her large dark frame padded off into the trees to go and take a well deserved rest.

-Exit-