Willow Ridge Lilies need cold to bloom

Feb 1st, dusk, broken clouds -9.49 ° F, -23.05 ° C
For @Avella

A realm of threadbare winter willows greeted one of their heirs as he returned from his day's journeys. The dying light of evening painted a beautiful, but bruised color over the landscape. The only sound was the gentle crunching of his paws in the frosted snow and the airy quiet of the season.

Things were much quieter at home, too. Iseldir had taken to journeying further each day. The boy liked to be alone with the birds and the trees and the winter wind. The whole world almost seemed to be sleeping, though in a different way than during the night. Its mysteries and treasures could still be discovered, and studied. Sometimes even brought back home.

The young Archer was aware things were not ideal. Their pack had dwindled down to just their core family unit, and though Iz had every faith in the Archer line, it was apparent that everyone was feeling the strain. Today, he had not found food, not some new water source as Daegal had sought. But a blue flower, pale as the silvered sky, a sign that spring was surely not so far away even as frost gleamed on its petals. A token of better things to come, and he could think of no one better to deliver this token to than the queen of the realm herself, his mother Avella.

It had been a long day for the Archer woman. She'd been searching high and low for wolves to bring into their group. She wanted nothing more than to grow Willow Ridge once again. Avella felt she'd failed in her mission and though she had told the others she wasn't giving up there were times she felt like doing just that.

Tired paws brought her back through the territory to the communal den. She'd refused to leave. It was her home and even if they all left her the masked Archer didn't know if she coukd bring herself to leave it again.

Avella came to the mouth of the den where she lowered herself to the ground. A yawn escaped her maw as she rested. The weather was changing she could feel it on the wind. The masked woman thought She might rest outside the den for a bit before turning in for the night. A few moments to reflect she supposed before having to start the search again in the morning.

He found his mother resting outside the den, and paused for a moment to slow his lope and approach with a gentle huff to let her know it was him.

The boy greeted his mother with a swaying tail and a low whine, approaching to press his nose against her cloud-like fur before carefully placing the flower before her. Then he drew back a step and settled himself on his haunches, watching her expression carefully.

His own gaze is very different from hers, though he can see his sister and brother share more traits than he can count with her as they grow, he finds so few reflected in himself. Maybe they are there still waiting to be revealed, or maybe he reflects his father or a different part of their Archer lineage. But, she is his mother whatever happens and he loves her dearly, and this is a way he can tell her. Such a token says more than he can.

As she rested outside the den evening started to fall upon the forest. It had been a long day but she was glad to be back home. Since things had seemed to fall apart she had taken to helping with the hunting and patrolling as much as she could. She couldn't expect Hagar to do it all for them after all. It often left her quite tired by the time she came home to sleep. That was fine by her though as Ling as her children were well taken care of.

Speaking of which Avella noticed movement approaching the den. Then she realized it was her son. This brought a smile to her maw. She wondered where the children were off to and if they woukd return before dark. Now that they were much older and had grown nearly to their adult sizes she allowed them to venture further and stay out a little longer.

Iseldir approached her and greeted her which she returned by locking his cheek. A moment later he'd stepped back leaving a small blue flower at her paws. "Its very pretty Izzy," she said looking up at him, "And thoughtful." She could see that it was a gift to her. "Its also a very special flower."

The boy did not know the name of the flower, but he did know it had seemed like a miracle when he saw the cluster poking up out of the dead litter on the frosted ground. And that the pale petals had the slightest hint of blue, reminding him of the sun in a clear sky or his mother's mismatched gaze.

Nor did he have the right words to ask her of her troubles, to advise her or do much beyond listen. And give what he could. Despite his size, he felt like he had a lot of growing to do.

This tail stirred in the dust as she praised him, green eyes searching hers for a moment before breaking away once more. " 'welcome," he smiled shuffling a paw in the dust. He didn't even know what to ask of her, how her day went? What she might need of him? To tell him more, of the world, herself, her plans? The Archer lad was all questions and no direction, aside from following his siblings. But lately he'd been wanting to do more, only he did not know what that should be.

Smiles hadn't been something that Avella had much of in her life lately. One thing that did bring them out if her were her children. She didn't want them to know of the sadness she felt. The masked woman always wanted them to know their mother as happy but she knew in the back of her mind it was unrealistic a hope. She never wanted them to feel the pain that she had but they were still young yet and a lot could happen in their lives.

She gave her son a wide smile as he offered the flower and she thanked him for such a thoughtful gift. "Come sit with me Izzy?" She asked her son. She felt like it had been awhile since they had spent any time together. Now was a prefect time

A lot had happened in his young life. She was glad that he had his siblings to help him through. She was glad that they had their little family to support the pups. She hadn't dreamed things would turn out as they had for her children but She was very happy that they had. "Tell me what's on your mind?" She asked him her tone encouraging. Avella hoped that he might share his thoughts with her but she would be okay if he didn't.