[ P ] All Things End

Merrin hurried herself into the cabin immediately following Colonel Bartosz's departure. The only sound in the otherwise silent cabin being the clicking of frantic claws against the wood floor as she scampered to safety. She swept herself beneath the furs that made up their bedding, clutching onto a sheepskin that had been with them since their relationship had begun. Breathing in their mingled scents, she hid her face in the thick of the pelt, squeezing her eyes shut tight as she replayed the interaction moments before.

She kept herself turned away from the doorway, fearing the look upon Luciel's face when he entered. Guilt was a rabid creature that tore up her insides, forcing her to analyze what Luciel's life could have been if she had not brought it to utter ruin. When she did hear him approach, her ears flattened and tears began to burn at the corners of her eyes. Merrin began to shake her head wearily as she whimpered, “I-I'm sorry...I'm sorry, Luciel...I didn't mean to...I-I tried to hide, but...I should've stayed inside...please, forgive me, please..."

@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

THREAD TITLE MUSE

Stern features softened into one of tender worry once they were inside and away from prying eyes. They didn’t have the luxury of time on their paws so Argent was eager to gather their meagre belongings and leave the mainlands. Merrin wasn’t in a fit state to travel yet. The confrontation with Sylvain had left her shaken and her pleading apologies broke his heart. ”Merri. I’m not angry with you. There’s nothing to forgive. I just want to keep you safe and I can’t do that here,” he sighed, approaching her slowly so that he didn’t upset her. He laid down besides her, warmth pressing into hers as he waited for her to calm down. ”I promised forever, remember? We might not be legally wed, but I will always stand by you. I love you and nothing will change that,” he told her, trying to sneak a peek at her face as she tried to hide from him.

Argent knew that she was used to being rejected or mistreated. It was her instinctive response to stressful situations. It didn’t mean it hurt any less to see her cowering from him and begging for his forgiveness. It seemed like all the healing they had done together was coming undone thanks to the arrival of Nalik and his offspring. How far would they have to go to finally be free? Argent was willing to go as far as he needed to if it meant Merrin would feel safe again.

Art by Ashon

Each exhale was laced with a whimper as she trembled beneath the sheepskin. The low tone of Luciel's voice tempered her anxiety as soon as it touched her ears, but she remained hidden, listening to the creak of wooden panels beneath large paws. Merrin felt him tentatively join her in the bedding, the warmth pressing against her side enticing her to lean into it. His presence was ever soothing and the only thing that could interrupt this calming was the thought of where she would be if she had truly lost him.

She lifted her head to shrug some of the pelt back, peering up at him with shimmering lavender eyes. Shuffling herself closer to him, she pressed her face beneath his chin, holding onto him as though he were the only thing keeping her grounded...and perhaps he was. I promised forever...I will always stand by you... The words of her mate played on a loop in her mind, casting light where darkness creeped into corners. I love you and nothing will change that...

When tears slipped from her eyes this time, they were of a cleansing nature. There was a glimpse of her own happiness still there beneath the thick layers of sorrow. “I love you..." Merrin whispered with a shaky breath, remaining nestled into the comfort of Luciel's thick arctic mane, breathing in his scent, and listening to his heartbeat until her trembling had subsided. Slowly she leaned back so that she could meet his gaze, worry overtaking her features. “Where will we go...?"

@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

His words were a soothing balm to the sting of her trauma and he was relieved to see her soften. Argent could not take away the pain of her past; he could only give her happiness for her future. They both carried scars, but with each other's love he was certain that they would overcome. Argent's only hang up was that his path was deviating from his king's, the one who had had his loyalty since his coronation. For Merrin he was thinking of going north, to the land of his enemies and seeking refuge away from the army he had once served. "I think the best place for us will be the Highlands. The Imperial Army avoids going there so I think it will be safer than anywhere else," he explained, snuggling further into her warmth. It was further than he wanted to be away from their pups, but they had no choice if they wanted to be free. "There we can find another home, somewhere where we can live in peace," he promised her, his grey eyes observing her tenderly. There was still Lenora to think about, but he trusted that Sylvain would keep an eye on her now that she knew the risks Nalik posed.

Art by Ashon

“But...Luciel..." Merrin's paw lifted to rest upon his chest just over his heart as she studied his expression. The concern was more than for her children. She understood what the Imperial Army meant to her mate and how many of his years had been dedicated to it. Another fracture crackled it's way across her heart, realizing how much more her presence in his life would be taking away from him. I'm sorry... Her gaze begged for forgiveness, bottom lip trembling as she recalled the words that he'd spoken to the Colonel...the unwavering commitment in his tone as he proclaimed his love for her above all else.

“Are you sure...?" Merrin asked tentatively, watching him expectantly, leaving room for him to change his mind about anything at any point. She swallowed hard, glancing around the room and spying some of the toys that belonged to their children. “I want to see them...all of them." She whimpered, realizing she had not a clue where exactly any of her growing children were...nor how they were faring...hoping with all her might that her actions had not also left their lives in shambles...

@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

Leaving everything behind and moving from a place he had had the happiest days of his life was bittersweet. The highlands had never been a place he'd wanted to return to, especially not as a fugitive. There was little choice since Nalik would never let them be and the army would be looking for them too. "It's okay," he told her, looking upon her with tenderness in his gaze. "I'm fine," he assured her with confidence in his gruff tone. He didn't need the cabin, the army or his reputation to be happy. He needed Merrin. Without her he would return to how he was before. How could he live without the warmth of her love? It would be like living without the sun. With Merrin by his side he was certain that they would be able to build a better life away from the shadows of her past.

"Yes. It's the only option for us," Argent answered without hesitating. He did have his doubts. The highlanders were a wary bunch and they didn't take kindly to outsiders. Even a Lowlander like himself might raise some eyebrows. "Me too, Merri. We'll see them again as soon as it's safe," he promised her, hoping they would be able to leave Yorkshire soon. It was the home of the Imperial Army and they were right under their noses. "Let's gather our things and make a plan."

- Fade to exit

Art by Ashon

A small whimper was pushed past Merrin's lips when her mate insisted that he was fine. Her ears pressed back and met his tender gaze, her lavender orbs full of concern. “It's the only option for us.” And it was...for her perhaps. The fact that this man chose to stick with her through all of this would never cease to astound her.

She pressed her forehead into the familiar, grumpy frown of his jowls, closing her eyes as she drew in a long breath and let it go. They would be alright. They would travel to the Highlands. They would see all of their children again. They would find a new home where they could finally settle. And they would do all of this together.

Merrin pulled away and touched her nose to his, doing her best to center herself. “Okay..." Her voice trembled nervously, but she began to look around the cabin that she was already beginning to say goodbye to. She swallowed back her fears one last time before she sought Luciel's silver hues once more. A spark of determination that had not been seen in some time brightened her lilac gaze, if only for a moment. “I'm ready..."

[Exit Merrin]

@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven