[ P ] happy accident

The usual scowl was cast aside in favour of a toothy grin as the former captain walked the familiar trail on the way to the barracks to visit his mate. His tail swayed when he walked, signalling his budding happiness at the thought of spending another day together with Merrin. Life would be even more ideal when he eventually made the move to the mainlands and didn’t have to travel so far. Luckily his ribs hadn’t ached too much on the way to Yorkshire. His training with Kvothe had done wonders to increase his stamina and as he’d maintained a steady pace on his way there he’d only needed to stop once.

He pressed his back against one of the great oaks that towered over the barracks, patiently waiting for Merrin’s arrival. They’d arranged to patrol together today and Argent was excited to accompany her on her rounds. Technically it was Merrin’s patrol, but he was eager to assist his partner with her duties and selfishly enjoy the time they shared together. His tail thumped against the trunk of oak when he heard a familiar set of paws approaching and the sweet scent of lilac mingling with vanilla and something else that he couldn’t place, but ultimately made him think of Merrin.

Mornin’, Partner, he greeted her warmly, climbing to his paws and beaming over at her.

Art by Ashon

Merrin had set a brisk pace to get to the start of this patrol after having spent time on a few other matters earlier. As soon as she saw Luciel from afar she kicked her speed up to an excited run until she was close enough to need to slow down. Panting she trotted up to him, smiling apologetically. "Morning! I hope you...weren't waiting long..." She worked on catching her breath as she stood on her tiptoes to touch her nose to his gently.

"How are you faring this morning, Captain?" She asked with a smile as she settled alongside him, pressing her flank against his so that they could begin their patrol walking in step with one another. Merrin thought he was still so deserving of his title and she knew it was part of his life as an achievement he was proud of. He was joining her on a patrol after all, so why couldn't he be a Captain in this moment?

@Argent

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da], click for attributions

Dark smokey ears pricked when the sound of urgent scurrying paws resounded through the forest and Merrin broke through into the clearing. The joy upon seeing her was immediate and obvious like a wilting plant in the light of the sun he brightened immediately upon seeing her. Meeting Merrin outside of the barracks felt so perfectly routine, so normal as if it was something they did every morning. If this was the beginning of the rest of his life he couldn't wait to experience more. No. I just got here, he assured her, lowering his large head to touch noses with her. The brief touch warmed his cheeks and he felt his heart skip a beat when silver locked with lilac. You look beautiful today, he whispered shyly into her ear as if it was a big secret before stepping back bashfully.

I'm good. No trouble getting here, he told her, knowing she might have been concerned for him coming from the lowlands. It made him grow warm with pride when she called him Captain. She didn't do it out of pity or because she felt obligated to. He knew she did it because she wanted to and he appreciated it. He might not be a captain anymore, but with Merrin he felt like one. Where did you want to start? Argent asked, grey gaze scanning the great oaks surrounding them. It was easy to get lost in the forest. It was so vast. He could remember the countless times he had patrolled this very forest and doubted that he had seen it all. What secrets did this forest hide? He was struck with the urge to wander, but held himself back and remained at Merrin's side. They were patrolling, not exploring.

Art by Ashon

"Oh, thank goodness." She exhaled, relieved to have made it just about on time. The touch of noses was such a simple greeting, yet the contact seemed to hold its own spark of electricity that ran a pleasant tingling down her spine. As she withdrew, she began to part her maw to speak, but stopped short as he inclined his head and lowered his voice to a whisper.

"You look beautiful today."

Merrin gasped and turned her face away as she giggled, feeling a flourish of heat rise in her cheeks. "Luciel! You're making me blush..." She danced on her paws with giddy excitement before leaning up on them once again to place a gentle kiss on his cheek. "Thank you..." She murmured her gratitude before pulling away, beaming with pure, genuine happiness.

Her lavender orbs scanned their surroundings and she is hummed to herself as she strategized the start of their patrol. One would typically begin at the perimeter of the territory and then work their way outward, but today she felt a gravitational pull to do just the exact opposite. Merrin turned back to gaze upon her mate with absolute fondness as she gestured with her muzzle towards the deepest parts of the forest. "Why don't we start from the innermost parts and work our way to the exterior to shake things up a bit. How does that sound?"

@Argent

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da], click for attributions

A fond smile curled his lips together without him realising, soft grey eyes watching the excited patter of paws as she danced with delight. He would have to compliment her more if only to see her light up with joy again. Merrin’s happiness was infectious, he found himself feeling much lighter around her as if whatever worries he had simply didn’t matter anymore. The gentle kiss she pressed against his cheek made him flush with heat, cheeks warmer than they had been before. If her goal had been to make him blush too then she’d succeeded. Me too, he admitted, but it didn’t stop the smile on his face from growing.

Merrin revealed her plan of action for their patrol, deciding to work backwards from the centre. It was an unusual way to start, but it sounded exciting to Argent. Sounds like an adventure, he rumbled with approval, keeping close to Merrin’s side as they walked. It’s been awhile since I was here last. I’m glad that I’m coming back here with you, he said thoughtfully, gaze drifting from Merrin to the giant oaks surrounding them. It felt good to be walking through the yorkshire forest again. It felt right.

Deeper into the forest the path they took diverged into two. He cocked his head at the second unfamiliar trail, wondering if it had been recently uncovered by the heat waves killing off the thick vegetation covering it up from view. Was this here before? he asked, glancing over at Merrin with a quizzical expression.

Art by Ashon

At his admission to being just as charmed, Merrin chuckled realizing how they might look to anyone who would see them together. While the two of them were a tad bit older than most couples, they still portrayed younger wolves blossoming in a new relationship as they whispered sweet nothings and made each other blush with a look, a touch, the simplest of words. Needless to say, Merrin was thoroughly enjoying their honeymoon phase.

She lifted her chin haughtily and grinned at her Luciel. "That's exactly what I was going for! An incredible adventure! See? Patrols don't have do be lackluster." As they set off she leaned against him, resting her head on him momentarily. "Good, I'm glad too. It's always so very nice to see you happy, Luciel." The leaves were beginning to change and she couldn't wait for the new season to set in. It would be so beautiful here during the Fall.

As her partner halted his steps, she too slowed to a stop. "Oh? What's this?" Merrin peered over at him and shook her head with a shrug, having not a clue that there had been another trail on this route. "I don't recall it..." She trotted forward and stopped right within the beginnings of the trailhead. When she caught Luciel's gaze again, her lilac hues sparkled playfully and she tilted her head in the unknown direction. "Come on, let's see where this leads!"



@Argent

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da], click for attributions

Argent enjoyed the feeling of being swept away by his growing feelings for his mate. It was a new experience for them both. Genuine fondness born of a friendship that had blossomed into romance. He was falling faster and deeper the more they bonded. I'd never be bored. Not with you, he responded earnestly, even if they patrolled together every day along the same route it could never be lackluster. He enjoyed her company far too much. But I won't say no to an adventure, he added, grinning at her.

She remarked that she was pleased to see him happy and the fondness in his gaze was obvious as he nodded in appreciation. Me too, he murmured in agreement, gaze lingering on the person that inspired his happiness. His gaze was only drawn away when the path split off into two and the pair were equally stumped. Merrin was obviously fascinated by the prospect of exploration. Warriness made Argent stiffen slightly, but he trailed after his eager companion to investigate with her. Merrin didn't need his protection, but it didn't stop him from staying close to her. Doesn't smell like anyone's been through here for awhile, he pointed, allowing himself to relax. At least they weren't trespassing.

Stepping further down the trail the trees began to thin out and sun dappled clearing awaited them several feet away. Argent stopped in his tracks when a building came into view. It was an abandoned log cabin, small and cosy compared to houses in the city yet big enough for a family of wolves to live in comfortably. Merrin, Argent whispered, wondering if she had seen it too. He felt his heart begin to race with excitement, but he wasn't sure why.

Art by Ashon

Merrin didn't mean to trail ahead too far and she realized her excitement had spurred her forward. She realized suddenly he was not beside her and turned around, hurrying back toward him. "Woops! Got a little too ahead of myself!"

She nestled herself up against his left side and then turned and came back up on his right side, trying to keep herself from straying again. This time moving forward, she kept her eyes peeled out to one side for anything noteworthy when she heard the hushed tone of his voice.

"Yes? Did you find...?" The wolfess trailed off when she fixed her gaze just ahead of her. She stared for a long moment and then looked to her mate as though confirming he was truly seeing the same thing she was.

Merrin had not seen something quite like it. It was similar to the structures in the capital city, but...it was something else entirely. She started to take a couple steps forward, then hesitated, turning back to him. "Luciel, what is that?"



@Argent

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da], click for attributions

They were both unfamiliar with the wooden structure. Argent was unusually excited by their discovery while Merrin seemed to hesitate. Was she holding herself back on his behalf or was she worried? He let his great scarf of a tail curl reassuringly over her back, letting its weight rest there as a reminder that he was with her and wasn't going anywhere. I think it's a den, but made out of trees, he suggested, scrutinizing the alien shelter. It was like the ones made out of stone and yet it wasn't.

If anything happens I've got your back, Partner, he promised her, aware of the risks involved when dealing with the unknown. He didn't think the house was occupied, but felt it was appropriate to announce their presence. Hello? Is anyone there? his gruff voice called out, ears twitching for any signs of response. He looked back at Merrin and shook his head. No one's home… or it's abandoned, he said, hoping it was the latter. There hadn't been any scent markers claiming ownership over the land, but he was still wary of possible inhabitants.

Do you want to investigate? he asked, grey eyes watching Merrin to see how she felt about approaching. He would happily walk away if Merrin didn't feel comfortable. There would always be another adventure.

Art by Ashon

"How curious..." Merrin murmured sizing up the structure with fascination, trying to understand how it stood there the way it did. What odd creatures these ones before them were. She did find herself thankful for what they'd left behind, though. It always made for perplexing discoveries that made her ponder on the secrets these places might tell if they could speak.

She could feel the steady presence of her mate at her side and she bumped shoulders with him affectionately with his reminder that she was in the best company in case something were to happen. "Likewise." The woman replied with a smile, before they proceeded forward.

Ears were perked and Merrin remained alert after Luciel announced their presence. She looked around, taking in the space and noting how large it was even with the overgrowth that had decided to take up residence here. She lifted her nose to the air, nothing but the natural scent of these woods hitting her. She peered over at the Captain and nodded eagerly. "Yes, let's!"

She trotted forward and searched the perimeter, finding an entrance into the dilapidated building. "Over here!" She gestured for Luciel to follow and then she crossed the threshold, blinking while her eyes adjusted to the dimmer light as she started to look around.



@Argent

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da], click for attributions