Faust growled, struggling against the snow. He had to walk because Gallen couldn't handle him and the snow all at once. They trudged along, day after day. Despite his vantage point of seeing Howling Reach on the top of the pass... it was taking forever to get home. Through the snow, and the deception of the mountain's height, he'd lost track of how many days he had been traveling.
That and he gave up. But he was starting to recognize more and more landmarks. He had to be close. But suddenly there was another growl from their left, and both prince and horse froze, slowly turning to look the way it had come.
Faust swallowed, his gaze drifting up slowly, to the face of the huge creature towering over them... Fuzzy and dark, with angry eyes and sharp teeth, claws raised to strike...


A month had passed since the wedding. And Hakor's days had grown more boring by the hour. The young king sat in his throne, listening to his advisors go over a presentation the town's lead hunters had brought to them about better tactics. But all it was making the king do is wish he could go with them...
His gaze was pulled outside, at the light snow beginning to fall. Winter was upon them, the mountains and buildings covered in snow. Autumn had lasted about four days that year. Everything was quiet, peaceful. Until his attention was snapped forcefully back to his advisors, one of them kicking the side of the throne pointedly.
But it turned out to be unneeded as the large double doors to the great hall were pushed open forcefully. A tall, slender man entered, his head down. He wore a think cloak, and was dragging something large behind him.
Hakor startled out of his throne, taking a step forward as the young man looked up. "Faust?"

Lara hummed softly as she sat by the window in her room. She watched the snow fall as she brushed her hair. She looked down and put a hand on her growing stomach. She was barely showing, but she felt the roundness and plumpness. She smiled.
How fortunate that her baby would be a honeymoon baby. That had truely been an amazing night.
She had just found out last week, and Hakor had been absolutely delighted. She was happy too. She never would have thought she'd be here. Doing this. With a man that she loved.

Sune's days had become just about as boring as Hakor's. She worked in training the animal, the horses... but there was nothing exciting about that. And the winter always stopped most of what she did since it could get too cold for the animals.
She was also Lara's companion and sat with her in her quarters, talking, trying to do... queenly things, but this life did not suit her. When she was inside she wanted to be outside and when she was outside she just wanted to stay there... Life was monotonous and dull.
Sune was sitting with Lara at that moment... laying on one of the couches and staring up at ceiling, thinking why she hadn't just gone with Adian.

Faust looked up and grinned. "Didn't expect to see you sitting there," he said easily.
Hakor practically ran to his brother, pulling him into a rough hug. But he saw what was laying behind him then. A huge grizzly, its fur dark and matted from being dragged through the snow. "How...?"
Faust snorted. "Don't ask, but it was his fault." He pulled back from Hakor and grinned widely. "So... you're king?"
Hakor's expression fell. "Don't remind me."

Lara got up and and shuffled over to Sune. "I want to establish my blacksmithery, finally." She said lightly. "Before I get too big."
She sat beside Sune and smiled softly. "Is everything alright dear?"

Sune looked over and smiled a bit. "Yeah. Of course." She said, but it wasn't a mystery how restless she was with her life in the castle. "So you want to set up your blacksmithery... you think Hakor would let you right now with your um... condition."

"And married, right?"
Hakor nodded, smiling a bit. "She's pregnant."
"Lara?" Faust asked, raising an eyebrow. "...Strange!"
Hakor laughed. "Not that strange brother."
"Lies!" Faust laughed as well, though, teasing.

Lara smiled. "Well," she managed. "It's not like I'm a balloon. I can still function just as well. Except I have the urge to bake cookies now. Oh let's go bake raison cookies!" She grinned grapping Sune's hands. "Let's go!" She pulled her out of the door, walking through they halls in a beautiful winter red and gold trimmed dress. It barely should the roundness, but it was enough to double take and maybe inquire at. "Cookies!"

Sune followed Lara, not exactly excited to go make cookies. It was just another thing to keep them busy, another mundane activity. She'd tried to learn to sew, but that failed. She tried to learn to paint or play music, but nothing caught her interest when she was shut inside because of the winter.
Sune smiled over at Lara and nodded. "Alright. Let's go make some cookies." They walked through the halls and she took Lara's hand, leading her through the great hall.
Sune glanced over at Hakor at his duties, but then stopped.... She blinked and then looked back over and saw him there... almost as if he hadn't left.

Faust had looked to the door leading out the great hall at the shouts of 'cookies', an eyebrow raised. But seeing Lara and Sune walk past, and then pause, he smiled and waved their way.
Hakor watched with a small smile as Faust stood frozen as Sune came by. He could see a flicker of fear in Faust's eyes, as if he knew... no matter how happy people were to see him he was probably in trouble with them as well. Especially with Sune.
Faust didn't have any words. But seeing Sune... he quickly starting walking towards her.

Lara double taked. "Faust!" She shrilled running over and attacking her friend with a hug. She was overly emotional as of late. "Oh my gosh! You're back!" She drifted over to Hakor and clung to him with excitement. "Are you well?"

Sune blinked at Lara and Hakor, but her eyes fell back on Faust. She stood there looking at him... not angrily, not overjoyed, but more... shocked to see him standing there in front of her.

Faust's eyes were on Sune. "Fine," he muttered, to answer Lara.
Hakor smiled a bit, looking between them and then pulling Lara back. They could talk to Faust later.
Faust swallowed, but he offered her a small smile. "Hey..."

Lara wiped tears of joy from her eyes. "He's back Hakor!" She managed, although she was mostly hormonal. "Want to help me make cookies for him?" She cried into his chest.

Sune swallowed and then took a slow breath. "Hey..." She answered and blinked, just looking at him. She couldn't believe that he was standing in front of her... that Faust was just... there.