Father’s will always worry, he mused aloud, a small smile accenting his words. Lachesis was the king of worrying and he understood Emrys’ grief. It’s our job to. But you can’t tear yourself up about it. She couldn’t have gone too far. He hoped. His own children—his first litter—had gone missing and had not been found. He knew Kyrios was still about—Bennet had told him that—but he did not know where. Or if the Aegina would ever return to the Kingswood, even just for a visit. But there were plenty of wolves in the north, and nearby, that would return the missing daughter to her home. Especially a cub so young. She had just lost her way, nothing more nothing less.

The pale man’s words earned a hearty laugh from the ghost, his eyes crinkling in amusement. I’m sure Jynx won’t kill you, he retorted quickly as he gave a reassuring bump to the male’s shoulder. She’s just worried, like you, he added before motioning for the healer to follow him south, to the lake hidden behind a sea of towering evergreens. 

Unfortunately the pale Myrddin was right. Becoming a father meant worrying constantly, even when it was not warranted. But it certainly was worth it. To watch his children grow and develop such unique, different personalities. The worrying he could manage—he’d dealt with it for most of his life, even prior to becoming a father. It was worth it.

She’s probably lost and confused, bunkering down as she tries to figure out how to get home. His voice was soft as he attempted to reassure the pale healer, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. She might even be half way home by now, he added with a soft bump to his friend’s shoulder, his tail waving encouragingly behind him. Staying positive was the best thing the father could do. Lachesis still remained positive that his previous litter, Kyrios and Atropos, were doing well wherever they were. That they had made a name for themselves and thrived. That was all he could ask for.

He gave a dismissive shrug at the pale man’s words. You did what I would have done. What he had done after his children had disappeared. Lachesis had spent countless days scouring the forest and the mountain for his children, only to return to Hearthwood empty pawed.

I don’t, he answered honestly, his shoulders rolling with his words. I try to talk to Lilya about them as much as I can, he added, elaborating on his answer as his peridots settled on his pale friend. Or I visit the lake and dump all the worries into the water. To deal with later. Another shrug. Lachesis had never been good at dealing with his troubles, aside from when he talked them through with his blue-eyed mate or Anastasia. Or the pale loner, Rory, who always seemed to visit the lake whenever he did.

She will turn up, he assured the male as they followed the path that led down to the lake—a path frequently travelled by the river king. Just keep looking and stay positive. That was all the blue-eyed leader could do. XIX had never given up hope that his first litter would return—even if it was just for a quick visit. Just to let him know they were alive and doing well. His ears twitched as the leader mentioned already losing a child—he and Lilya had been in the same situation this year. A stillborn, while a natural occurrence for wolves, was still heartbreaking. He nodded to show he understood but kept his tongue still between his teeth as they made their way toward the lake, for he knew the feeling inside Emrys all too well. 

I suppose it’s part of being a parent, he laughed, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he turned to his blue-eyed friend. Always worrying. Even when I’m not, I still worry about not worrying. He couldn’t stop—even when he dumped them into the lake south of the Kingswood. But, he didn’t mind. Being a parent was worth all the worrying. Even if children were prone to wandering off… and talking back…

You’re always welcome to visit and tell me about them, he mused in response as he returned his gaze to the path ahead of them. Plus, it was an excuse to see his friend.

He nodded in response, bumping his shoulder against the younger male’s as he offered him an encouraging smile. There was not much else the Notch leader could do other than remaining positive and look for his daughter. Ask neighbours, follow scent trails… Emrys was doing all the right things. His daughter would turn up, Lachesis was confident of that. It would just take some time. As they continued south to the lake XIX continued to offer more words of encouragement, his tone light and comforting. He would accompany the healer to the lake, paralleling most of the perimeter with him before returning back to Hearthwood, to his own children… Fade, thread complete.