She’d been resting for the day and planned on resting a few more before she got up to do anything. Her whole body ached and pleaded with her to stay put and she decided to comply, so if anyone needed to find her they would have no trouble.

Namid was also a little concerned that her youngest daughter hadn’t come to see her. She could smell Lunette’s scent among the border and thought that surely she would come. Did...did she hate her for leaving? She’d spoke with her before their departure and things hadn’t seemed so bad, she’d made sure that she was taken care of and that she knew that they loved her and that they were going to come back. The former queen had kept her promise, though perhaps not under the best of circumstances, and now all she wanted to do now was curl up with her child.

A shadow passed over the maw of the den and the pale woman lifted her mismatched gaze to see the form of Kajika standing there. He asked if she wished for any visitors and a small smile lifted the corners of her lips. “Of course, I would never say no to you. You are welcome any time,” she replied, shuffling with a grunt to make room for the large man.

Her friend’s smile was always a welcome sight, something that seemed ever present. In that aspect they were similar. Life had beaten them down and left them bruised but the one thing they were able to keep was their smiles, even when the times were tough they both seemed to know that if you bore it with a smile things seemed to work their way out. Even though there was no way out of her situation she bore it with a smile, no matter how tired because that was how she wanted to be remembered. Not sick or weak or broken, but with the smile and kindness that she felt everyone deserved.

She hummed as he brushed his muzzle against hers, tail giving a weak tap on the floor in pleasure at the contact. To his question about how she felt she offered a smaller tilt to the corner of her lips. “A little bit. I am sore and do not feel much like going further than where I am now, but I think my body appreciates the rest nonetheless,” she replied. Her mismatched gaze searched the amber of the new patriarch, “And, how are you doing?” she asked gently. Namid was concerned about how he was handling off of this. She knew that if their roles had been reversed she’d feel heart-broken and dejected. There was nothing either of them could do about it but she hoped she could help him even a little through this tough time.

He encouraged her that it was time for her to sit back and relax and she gave a small nod of her head. This was another hard pill to swallow about her condition, the fact that she would no longer be around to see how the Cove was doing. In her youth Namid had been reluctant to settle down at all, her paws to itchy and the possibilities too wide. Even once she’d been taken in by the Cove she had still never planned on taking the helm. The thought had seemed so...implausible to her. At the time she’d had not an authoritative bone on her body. The thought of confrontation had terrified her, but her coupling with Vespertio had changed all of that. She’d had something to settle down for and at the time it hadn’t even been for the Cove, it had been for the lives growing in her stomach and the budding relationship with the handsome Vuesain. Yet, now as she’d lived out most of her life within the borders of the Cove and called it her own she realized that it, too, had become much like a child to her. She’d nurtured it and cared for it, worried and fretted over it, been frustrated with it but above all else she’d loved it. To leave all of it behind...left a dull ache in her heart.

Yet, as she looked at the man in front of her she was able to calm the fears that quaked within her. Kajika had proven himself time after time after time and was still proving himself. She had already left one child in his capable paws, she knew that she could leave another for him to care for. “I have missed you as well, my friend. We have seen a lot of time together and many hardships, but you have always remained in spite of it,” she said, pausing and taking a deep breath. “Vespertio and I...we promised to come back. He is still out looking for the children and I have returned but we know it is only temporary. I hope that our reign saw the Cove through the tough times and...I would like to relinquish it to you fully. We may have built it, but the true owner is the one who keeps it standing. Who provides maintenance, attention and care. You are now the patriarch of the Cove and I cannot think of a wolf more deserving of it,” she said, small tears pricking her mismatched gaze. It hurt, but it was what was meant to happen.

Kajika assured her that Vespertio would be welcome should he return and she was grateful. She knew she shouldn’t speak for her husband without him there, but she felt he would agree with her decision. They both had been through so much and they weren’t getting any younger, especially not Namid. It was time for them to entrust the Cove to someone younger, someone who wasn’t weighed down like they were. Some fresh air, even if the one taking over had been with them for quite some time.

He also assured her that she had nothing to worry about with the Cove and this was something she knew as well. She just hoped that he would make it his own. He was in charge now, he needed to do what he saw fit. Namid wanted him to be happy, wanted the man to raise a family on the shores like she had. With them all intact at the end of the day of course, but after everything he had been through regarding love he deserved some of that. By handing over the Cove she was ensuring him the chance to find that and do whatever he wanted with it. He had free reign.

“I would also like to ask you a few things. They are...going to be hard, for both of us, but I believe they are necessary to discuss,” she said.

Kajika was quick to confirm that he was willing to discuss whatever she needed. The former queen pressed her nose to his cheek in thanks, pulling away with a melancholy smile. ”In the event of my death…” she began, pausing to take a breath. This was certainly not something she ever thought she would have to discuss. “In the event of my death, I would like to be buried next to Des, Anthem, Eido, and my son,” she said, voice quiet and soft. To Namid this was an important topic, but also a sensitive one.

“Should Sachiel arrive after I am gone, please tell him that I loved him and always have. That should he need to talk to me all he need do is speak and I will hear. I will watch over him,” she continued, tears pricking her mismatches gaze. “Should any of my children show up, tell them I am sorry then tell them the same thing I have asked of my grandson. And if Vespertio,” she stopped, choking on her words. She breathed deeply, body shaking. The pale woman tried to compose herself. “If Vespertio comes, tell him I said thank you. Tell him that he has always been and always will be my knight in shining armor and my one true love. Thank him for our years and our children, thank him for loving me even when I was unlovable,” she said, tears slipping down her cheeks. Namid had tried to be strong, but voicing these things made everything so...final. Perhaps even more final that admitting she was dying. She wished she could say these things herself and realized how unfair it was for her to ask Kajika of these things, but she had no other way.

“One last thing...I may not be myself or the Namid you know by the end. It is unfair for you to have to witness it, but there is nothing else I can do. But...do not let them know I suffered. Let them think I went peacefully, without troubles. I do not want them to feel bad or to worry,” she murmured.