Grey skies had once again hidden the sun – which was already too scarce in the dense thickets – as if a threat that spring would not come despite the previous promises. But though the young queen missed the sun, she was not fooled by its absence. All over the lands of Relic Lore were telltale signs of the changing season, easily visible to a trained medic. Everywhere, new plants where budding, green sprouts poking out from beneath the snow and the early signs of leaves appearing on the branches over head. It made her strolls through the territory much more enjoyable, identifying each herb and storing the location in her memory for later; Though she no longer held the title of medic, she couldn't kick the habit, and besides, they didn't have any official healer. It made her feel more at ease too, having something to do. @Miccah kept telling her to relax, which she brushed off, mostly with a smile, she'd have plenty of time to rest once she was too round to move about. For now, while her mate minded the borders, she kept watch within their lands, making sure everything, and everyone was as they should be.

All in all, nothing much had changed since the meeting, everyone seemed to be taking the changes well, which made Aideen happy. It was important to her that the Woodlands remained the family it had been for the past years, holding together through ups and downs. The next generation would be just as strong as the previous, and to ensure that, she needed to strengthen her relationship with the wolves who where now her subordinates. This was something she was still working on, many of them were reclusive, others busy with their tasks for the pack, and it wasn't like she had a whole lot of time herself. As her paws carried he of the familiar route to the glade, eyes absently scanning the slowly changing landscape, she pondered on how she could bind the pack together; Perhaps an activity of some kind? A hunt might be nice, good for the young ones as well; But it would have to be soon… At least if she wanted to participate. She paused at the edge of the clearing, a snow-covered shadow of what it would be a few months from now, curling down her head to rub her chest, smiling softly. There wasn't any sign of it yet, but she knew they were in there, growing slowly. The thought filled her with joy.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of soft footfalls in the snow, head lifting to see two wolves enter the clearing from the opposite side. A nervous smile flashed across the leader's face as her eyes met the bistre woman's - she liked Belladonna, which only made the feelings of hostility she had struggled with over the past weeks so much worse – and lately she'd been keeping her distance, for the better of everyone involved. But she'd been feeling more relaxed lately, now that her heat had ended and she felt the first, weak signs of life growing within her. So she welcomed Bella's presence, the fellow young mother could be very helpful as Aideen went through her first pregnancy, and the fox-like lass would greatly appreciate a female friend to share the experience with.

Speaking of which, Bella's pale shadow slowly advanced behind his mother, jaws filled to the brim with sparkling, fresh fish. The rusty woman smiled widely at the boy, tail starting to wag high behind her. The mottled lady approached, lowering her own catch, measly in comparison to the boys, before greeting her superior. Aideen felt slightly flummoxed at this sign of respect, smiling shyly back at Bella when she stepped away. "You too." She said, heartfelt, nodding at the both of them; "And Duckweed as well." Copper eyes glowed warmly as they turned on the lad, her smile returning to its usual, happy state. Unlike his mother, Belladonna's son was quite reclusive, probably still adjusting to life in a new pack full of strangers. He was a nice boy though, often clinging to his mother, showing quiet politeness whenever he was faced with others. The queen would like to know him better, but wouldn't push while he was still finding his way in the Woodlands, though he seemed to be doing well; "You've been fishing I see, that's quite a catch!" she grinned at his mouth full of fish; "I thought it might be you, supplying us. It's been great to have some more variety in our diet." She spoke from her healers mind, happy at the sight of more vitamin's and healthy oils supplying her pack; Especially with her own duty of caring for the budding life in her womb. In fact she'd found herself craving the sweet meat and was very happy to find such a ready supply.

Duckweed hadn't made much voice of his capabilities, something Aideen found surprising in a yearling, but she wanted him to know that she appreciated his efforts. They had no official hunters in their ranks, and while everyone helped out with the task, the new queen would be pleased to see a member or two take charge of such things. To Bella she said: "You must be proud! Frankly I'm surprised you've managed to find any fish in the small waterways we have around here." She would have thought a fisher needed to go south to the creek, to find anything. Of course the northern-born wolf had very little experience with the craft, having grown up on elk and caribou meat.

Bella's small shift did not go unnoticed, though Aideen kept her attention on the boy. A hint of red could be glimpsed through Duckweeds pale face fur, and the woman suppressed a chuckle, not wanting to add to his embarrassment. From what she'd gleaned of Belladonna's son, the lad was a bit of a wallflower, preferring his own or his mother's company. Now that was no strange thing, especially in a youngster who'd been taken away from his home and thrust into a world of strangers. That it was anything more, the newly crowned queen had no way of knowing and so she saw Duck as any other teenage boy, still trying to find the spot where he fit in. Copper eyes glanced at the parent, amusement glistening in their depths and a warm smile accompanying it as proud words were spoken, a mother rightfully bragging about her child. The boy himself, meanwhile, looked about ready to melt into the snow, only the flash of heat under his pelt making it impossible. Aideen continued to watch him patently, only kindness on her face as she waited for his response.

Finally, the fish dropped to white paws and a few stuttered words fell from the yearling's lips, and the leader nodded approvingly. Then she turned back to Belladonna, not wanting to overpressure the lad. "I'll say, quite a fisherman! Though I see you helped." She flicked her muzzle at Bella's own catch, another joking glint in her eyes. Duckweed had no doubt insisted on carrying his entire haul alone, leaving Bella with the one fish, probably her own, meager outcome of the morning's hunt. Tail wagging pleasantly behind her, Aideen looked between the two, noting, not for the first time, how different they looked. She knew next to nothing about their past, including Duck's father and what had become of him. To say she wasn't curious would be lying straight up, but she wouldn't ask, at least not just yet, and probably not until she had the woman alone, in case it was a painful story.

Instead she turned her attention to safer topics, lowering her hunches to the snowy ground with a light sigh; She seemed to be getting tired a lot quicker these days. "How are you liking it here?" She asked in a casual tone, eyes on Bella, yet the question encompassing both of them; "I trust everyone has been treating you nicely?" While many of the Woodland wolves were reclusive and quiet of nature, she knew them all to be honorable and kind wolves, and could only hope that their newest additions had seen the same. If there was any problems though, she wouldn't want anyone to hesitate in letting her know; I can do this leader-thing!

The boy remained quiet, eyes never meeting Aideen's, but she thought she caught a hint of a smile on his lips, which made her own wider. She thought the praise well deserved and Bella seemed to agree, so it couldn't be the first time Duckweed had heard it. Still his reaction was timid, like it seemed to be with most things, social interactions especially. But he did look pleased, even if he didn't exactly puff out his chest, and that was enough for the leader, he understood that she was happy with him. She'd only known him for a short while, but from what she had seen, that seemed t matter a lot.

A lightly swaying tail was another good sign, and the queen once again responded in kind, her own banner sweeping swiftly over the snow. As the lad glanced at his mother, Aideen too turned her attention to the mahogany woman, smiling warmly at the small caress passed between them. Belladonna's reply was pleasing, and seemed to come from the heart, the easy vote of confidence bringing warmth to the petite lady's heart, and cheeks. While Bella passed over it smoothly, it was no small admission, and Aideen would be sure to remember it. The mention of Ash made her ears perk, and she made a mental note to ask Nina about the exact connection between him and their newest members, then the attention was once more turned to Duck, and Aideen chuckled along with the mother, making a point of looking down at the young man's catch. "I can't say I've tried it much, but the scent's already making my mouth water!" She said with a grin. Sure, that was true for pretty much anything these days, but her healer's mind knew that fish would be a very good option, and what little she had had since coming to the Lore, she'd thoroughly enjoyed.

"I'm glad to hear you're settling in well," Aideen continued, looking back to the other woman; "It means the world to me that others can find the same happiness in the Woodlands as I have." As if an extension of that very thought, Belladonna changed the subject, her subtle motion immediately registered by the mother-to-be, who never completely stopped thinking about her condition. Her eyes drifted down to her creamy middle, still showing no signs of what grew within, though her scent had shattered any doubt some time ago. She smiled, almost shyly, feeling warmth run throughout her body as she thought of her children; "I'm starting to, within long it'll be visible as well. It's such an odd thing, I know everything from my lessons and watching Nina's last pregnancy, but it's another thing entirely, to feel it for myself." Copper gaze returned to the other mother's golden, joy glowing in their depths. Then, a little embarrassed by her strong emotion, Aideen looked back to Duckweed, collecting herself into a more casual smile; "I have started feeling more tired though, and terribly hungry! I'm afraid I might be stealing away quite a lot of those fish."