Spending winter alone was not...it wasn't as romantic as she'd hoped.

The loner's that had lingered at the Mountain's borders always made it seem so exciting, like it was an adventure, as though a world of wonders waited just outside the safety of her homeland. In hindsight she could remember the way their ribs jutted out from their sides, how they seemed so eager to join the clan, like they'd do anything to win her Father's favour. She now knew that it'd all been a ruse, they wanted safety, shelter and food.  They wanted to take take take and give nothing in return.Father had been right to turn them away, he saw them for what they were, scavengers, like the coyotes who foolishly tried to raid their caches from time to time.

It was almost funny-in a sick sort of way- how the tables had turned.

She'd never anticipated this, the death of her family or even the fall of the Monadnock. It had seemed so imposing, impenetrable, as though it was a monument built to last the tests of time. And yet...she'd seen it collapse with her own two eyes. Not literally, the stone still remained, but the moment that beast killed Wraith it had all splintered into a thousand pieces, as though it was made of glass.

How long had it been since that dreadful day? Weeks? Maybe even a month? Lenae didn't even know, nor did she want to think about it. She was barely keeping afloat, her nose just managing to stay above the surface. But for how much longer? How much more could she take? Her heart ached at the thought, and for the thousandth time she wished she could go home, that she had a home to return to.

Shuffling through the tangle of trees, Lenae stumbled to a stop. This wasn't...where was she? She glanced about, wondering just how she'd managed to wander so far from the timbers. Had she been so distracted, so caught up in her inner turmoil that she'd gotten lost?Yes...that sounded like something she'd do. Something the old, happier, Lenae would do. Was this a good sign? Proof she could return to the light, cheery woman she'd once been? Or did old habits die hard?

Did she even want to be that Lenae anymore, so innocent and annoying and....That was the issue she had these days. After everything she'd ever wanted had been torn away from her wanting seemed such a foolish thing to do, like she was asking for trouble, for more pain and misery.

And yet, Lenae wanted the spring and the sun, and the blooming flowers that came with it. She wanted piece and quiet, but most of all security. She wanted to be safe. Was that too much to ask for? Clearly.