Secret Woodlands love can't protect you now

@Aideen

Something was wrong and it bothered the young Athesila that he didn’t understand the sickness that his father was plagued with. The concern burned from the depths of his stomach to the brim of his eyes. After losing their grandma Nina the way they had, he knew he wouldn’t be able to take it if his father was lost too, and he didn’t know his illness so for all Cináed knew, his father could very well be on deaths door… he liked to think that his mother would have told them if it were that severe, but he had to be sure… so he was going to do the one thing he’d become very good at over the past couple season. He was going to find his mother, and he was going to ask her a ton of questions.

His tail waved slowly from side to side, though it was in an anxious manner, his ears flicked back as he held a solemn look on his features. “Mama?” He called hesitantly, following her scent to where he knew she was as he caught sight of the familiar rusty coat covered with the scent of home. “Mama… what’s wrong with dad?” He asked softly with a frown on his features, the concern lacing through his tone as he slowed down in his tracks. “Is there any way I can help?”

Aideen Athesila She was pushing herself and she knew it too, but there was so much that needed her attention. Thankfully @Duckweed was patrolling the borders along with his fishing, though they could probably need a larger hunt soon. Meanwhile the female leader was busy looking after her mate, tending to his illness as best she could, trying to ease his discomfort. He was doing alright, and she felt quite certain he would recover with time and rest, but for now he was still coughing and needed to stay put, away from anyone who'd be easily infected; Like the pups. Flair had actually come down with a cold, on top of everything, and the medic had been panicked for a spill, that her oldest daughter might somehow have caught Miccah's decease. But luckily it had proved to be just a common cold, and the girl was on the mend, already back to running off and stirring up trouble. When it came to her siblings, things were less rosy. It was clear that they were all worried about their father, and @Enia and Cináed especially seemed weighed by it all. The mother did her best, trying to ease her children and spend as much time with them as she could spare. But on top of everything else, it regrettably started to slide. So she wasn't surprised when her son found her, not far from the infirmary – though he knew not to go there – he'd probably been waiting for her to come out for a drink at the small stream nearby. She raised her head immediately at the sound of his voice, a gentle smile on her tired face. Worry lined his dark features, making him look even more like his father, and Aideen's smile widened at that, even as her heart clenched, knowing what pain lay behind the expression. She swiftly moved to meet him, planting a kiss on his cheek – she had to stretch to do so now; Big as his father too! - and then pressed her muzzle against his for a few more moments. Finally she would pull back to look him in the eyes, face growing solemn at his questions. "You're helping already," she assured her oldest pup, voice warm and earnest; "I know you try to hunt, and walk the borders…" She smiled at that, he really was just like his sire. "What your father needs most right now is rest. He's very sick, but he's getting better, it just takes time." Her brows furrowed slightly, mouth straightening into a thin line. She hated not being able to kiss it all better, to make Miccah well and comfort her son, all in one, simple swoop. But nature wasn't so straight cut, and that was something the children would have to learn as well; "It happens sometimes, wolves get ill, then they need care and rest to get better. That's why Duckweed has been doing patrols, helping with the things you father usually does…" She paused, looking to see if she'd answered the questions to Cináed's satisfaction. If she knew him right he'd have more. Though, something occurred to her suddenly; "If you want to help more you can go to Duck, ask him what he needs done. I'm sure he'd appreciate the help." Then she smiled, nodding her head lightly to ask his thoughts. Word count: 556 Thoughts ”Speech”

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The child was not entirely pleased with his mother’s answer, a soft frown finding his features as his tail slowly came to a halt, his head gently turning to the side as he looked at her. Help Duck. That was her answer? His father wasn’t the only one ill, though she might not have an actual illness – it didn’t take a healer to see his mother was pushing herself, probably way too far. “Mama, is there anything I can do to help you help him?” He asked again, being more precise with his question as that concern in his eyes did not cease to fade.

Cináed tried to help out where he could – his hunting wasn’t the best, and neither was his fighting, but his rudimentary knowledge in both had served him well in the past and had enabled him to try and help fill the void his father left in falling ill. Cin just still felt like it wasn’t enough – he wasn’t doing anything to help his father, only the pack. He knew the pack was family, that had been clear to the ebony youth from the beginning, with the teachings of his parents and the way they all lived together in harmony…

That didn’t matter right now… it mattered, but his blood family would always come first: His mother, his father, Enia, and yes, even Flair because as much as the spitfire annoyed him to no end with their contrasting personalities and opinions, he still loved her. Somehow, even that little rivalry seemed like just that in this situation… small… He figured, that maybe if he could make a difference with his father, and help him recover, that maybe he’d be doing enough to warrant being of actual use in this situation.

(This post was last modified: Jan 19, 2017, 02:40 AM by Cinaed.)

Aideen Athesila It was clear that her answer didn't satisfy the boy, his frown making him look, if possible, even more like his father. Aideen had to hold back a smile at the sight, forcing her face to remain serious as she nodded her head at her son's response. His voice was so solemn, the look in his eyes so grave, it broke the mother's heart. She pursed her lips, trying to think of what she could say to ease her child's mind. It seemed the notion of helping Duckweed hadn't done it as she'd hoped, and now she strained to think what would. Cináed had inherited his father's protective instinct and her stubbornness, a combination that would surely keep him pushing until she gave him something meaningful to do. And it wasn't that she didn't want his help, or couldn't use it, but she struggled to find something to set him to. He was just a pup after all, mature for his age, but a kid all the same. There was no way she would let him close to Miccah while there was still a risk of contagion, the pups didn't have the same resilience as their father, and she did not want an epidemic on her paws. But what then? She could hardly hand her leader responsibilities over to the pup, as bright as he was, looking out for the well being of the pack took an adult. Leaning back on her hunches, Aideen sighed faintly, reaching out a paw to place it across her son's shoulders. Her face was still scrunched up in thought, but there was warmth and love in her eyes as they met his. "You're doing a lot already," she said again, squeezing him lightly; "Looking after your sisters… It really helps me out, knowing I don't have to worry about them." But she knew it wasn't enough for him. He saw her stressed and weary and he wanted to lighten her load; So responsible already… It made her both sad and proud. He deserved to be a child for a while yet, to not worry about the safety of his family like this; But life is rarely that fair..! Suddenly a though lit the queen's mind, brows unfurling as she smiled at her son. "There is one thing you could do for me," She began, flicking her tail lightly, pleased at her idea; "Would you go to Grizzly Hollow? I'm running low on some herbs, and Merlin might have some to spare." It was not an acute task, no, but not pointless either. The fellow healer might have some helpful suggestions on other ways to treat Miccah's illness, or at least some more of the medicine she had been using so far. Meeting her son's eyes with a serious look, Aideen paused to let him respond, ears perked hopefully. She was not opposed to acting a little, to truly sell how helpful her invented task would be; A bit of exaggeration won't hurt anybody. Word count: 499 Thoughts ”Speech”

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There are several fresh rabbit tracks in the mud. Hunt Opportunity

@Aideen <3

Still not quite satisfied with the assurance that he was doing enough to help the situation, a frown held his features. When her paw rested on his shoulder, he slouched slightly. …knowing I don’t have to worry about them. Has she met Flair? Frankly, all of them should worry about her with the trouble she gets into! But, he could pick apart his petty sibling rivalry later when his father wasn’t on the brink of death. “Mama, how bad is it?” He asked softly, wondering about the severity of his mother’s condition. “Papa’s not gonna die… right?” He felt it was a question he needed to ask. He needed that reassurance.

He didn’t know a lot about healing, but he knew that when wolves got sick or were injured, they could die… if it were bad enough, that was. His mother pulled him away from that train of thought with an assignment, his ears perking up as his tail wagged softly. Grizzly Hollow? Where was that? What kind of herbs? He had a million questions racing through his mind, but he knew he needed to ask them one at a time. She seemed so serious, and he’d take on the mission with pride. “What herbs should I ask him for?” That was the most important question of them all, so he figured he should start with it.

Cináed Athesila

we all have stories we'll never tell

I'm the worst ;-; please haunt me the next time I take this long!

Aideen Athesila He looked so grave, those vibrant eyes deep and serious as his father's. It made Aideen's chest ache with both pride and sadness, he was so young still, too young for all this worry. Yet there it was, clear as day. He'd always been the most responsible of the three, looking over his sisters and trying to keep them safe, even from themselves when needed. Perhaps it wasn't such a big leap, from the girls to Miccah and herself, but it should be the other way around. Yet, the mother felt like she'd neglected her children lately, so focused on caring for her mate and getting him better. She hadn't put enough time into reassuring the pups that everything would be okay. As much was proven at the boy's next question, sending a wave of shock through Aideen, clearly visible on her face. "Oh sweetheart!" She breathed, reaching to touch her muzzle against his, reassuringly; "No, no of course not, he'll be fine! It's a bad illness but nothing we can't handle. Your father's a strong wolf, he'll get through this. It just takes time and rest, and a little medicine to help him along." Copper eyes sought to meet her son's levelly, underlining the truth of her words. She'd seen pneumonia claim a life before, but Daniel had been a child and weak from his mother's abandonment. Nina had explained the importance of the patients strength back then, how most sickness was a bigger danger to the old and very young. That was why Aideen had been so keen to keep Miccah away from the children. But now she mentally kicked herself; Has he gone around with these fears all this time? What a horrible mother she was! Now she clenched Cináed tightly, running her muzzle through his ruff; "I'm sorry honey, I should have explained sooner. There's no need to be worried, it's just a matter of patience!" When she pulled back to meet his eyes again, her coppers were moist, ears folded down in shame. But the boy seemed to have latched on to her mission like she hoped he would, tail wagging and ears alert, a bright light shining in those sapphire eyes. Aideen couldn't help but smile softly, rust-colored ears perking back up at his question. Pushing the guilt aside, she straightened up and cleared her throat, returning to the somber air to deliver her instructions: "Hellebore is the most important, a few others too, but Merlin will know. You tell him your father has pneumonia and listen to anything he suggests." She looked meaningfully at her son, nodding lightly as she spoke. She still had a nice stock of the herb, but it couldn't hurt to replenish it as she used more to treat Miccah, and she would certainly not mind the fellow healer's advice. "Do you know the way?" Word count: 476 Thoughts ”Speech”

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Cináed loved both of his parents, and he’d never blame his mother for his worries – he trusted that when she was with his father, it was because he needed her, a healer, more. He tried to offer a reassuring smile when she insisted that he wasn’t going to die, and that it wasn’t something that they couldn’t handle. It did soothe his worried a little, though not much in comparison with what they were to begin with. She apologized, his eyes closing as he simply settled with the embrace of his mother as his comfort. “I just don’t wanna lose Papa too.” Not after Nina had died… not after that. He almost felt bad about expressing his worries, like it was putting more unneeded stress on his mother when he was so busy, especially with his father sick.

His eyes opened back up when his mother pulled back, and he latched onto the mission for all it was worth, clearing his head and shoving all of his other worries aside, if only just for a moment. Hellebore. Merlin. Grizzly Hollow. Her instructions were clear and he dedicated them to memory. Do you know the way? He immediately shook his head. “Nope… I think it’s south but I don’t know where south?” He vaguely remembered overhearing that somewhere, or maybe it was just his imagination acting up.

Cináed Athesila

we all have stories we'll never tell

Aideen Athesila She hugged him tight, rubbing her muzzle over his shoulders, her own eyes closing against the sting of tears at his forlorn words. “I know, sweetheart,” she whispered, needing no more words to know what was going on in his head. She hated to see him like this, hated that so much pain and worry should afflict him and his siblings while they were still so young; No mother wants to see their children hurt! But this was what life had dealt them, and as much as she tried to shield their hearts, she couldn’t keep the reality at bay. If anything, this had taught her as much. Why shouldn’t Cináed think the worst? It’ all he’s ever known… Hopefully she’d managed to ease his fears at last, even though it had taken her so long to realize what she should have noticed much sooner. At least the prospect of helping out seemed to have invigorated him, the mission to Grizzly Hollow giving him something to distract from his worries. Aideen smiled thinly as she looked into his serious face, so grown up already, taking the weight of responsibility on squared shoulders; His father’s son! It sent a bittersweet ache through her heart, seeing him so grown up. Yet he was still her sweet boy, the glint in his eye and blunt answer making her grin widen; “South is right, pretty much straight on,” she nodded her head, motioning her muzzle in the proper direction; “You can go through the Glade and follow the creek into the Cedars, then your nose should tell you the rest.” She gave him a reassuring nudge, looking up at him with a soft smile full of warmth and love; “Thank you. I’ll get you some herbs to bring Merlin in return.” Pulling a step back, she waited to see if he had any more questions, before going to fetch the gift, feeling heavyhearted at sending her little boy out into the world, all on his one. Word count: 332 Thoughts ”Speech”

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