Following the events that had proceeded within the willows, Embla had fled back to the river to cool off.
Toes, tickled by the water which lapped at the river bank as she stopped for a drink, eventually plunged in deeper after a moment of hesitation. Deciding then to put some more distance between her and the tawny male, she waded further into the rapids as she sought to cross them in favour of the opposite side of the river bank. The freezing water splashed and tugged at her thick coat, soaking it through and leaving it to hang in heavy strands from her small slender frame.
Rising up to clamber over the large stones and sediment which fringed the river's edge, her coat dripping, the female gave a thorough shake and set about in search of a quiet secluded spot to dry off and settle down out of the snow. Hot wet paws left clear icy prints upon the snow covered woodland floor as she weaved through the trees, finally sliding down to lay beneath the looming shadow of a large fir tree. Placing her back to the trunk, she felt reassured that she would not be snuck up on again.
Content for now, Embla began to groom herself, her salmon pink tongue licking tenderly at her paws and fur as she attempted to dry off.