Dagda sighed and settled himself down in the grass, glad he'd finally found someplace he felt confident in sleeping in. There was a large rock to his back, and trees surrounded him. A good place to be, if anyone decided he would make a good target for a fight. Not that he looked weak.
The brown adolescent was strong of limb and had quite a bit of size on his side, even though he wasn't fully grown. And though he dozed off, glad for a rest, he was still alert, ears flicking about for the slightest sound.
Hunting had never been Múscail's favorite activity, but with so many cubs around even she needed her breaks. And the only way to take a break and be productive at the same time was to hunt... So that was why she was currently prowling through the edges of the forest, her ears perked as she searched for food. Of course, when the soft sounds of breathing reached her ears, she quickly went to investigate...
It became clear very soon that he wasn't alone. A new scent, one that tugged on the deepest of his memories, caught his attention first. Then the sounds the other made. A lioness, by the scent. Though the pawfalls he heard were heavier than most he'd heard in a long time. He stood, looking for the source...
And froze, eyes wide. He'd recognize that coloring anywhere. It had been a long time...but anyone from his birth-pride would recognize the Maiden. He shook his head, to clear his mind and sight...and still he saw her. "Maiden Muscail?" His voice was strong, but held a softness to it...as if he was afraid the image before him would shatter. Had others really survived?
Múscail's ears perked at the sound of her name, and when she saw the male before her... Her eyes widened. It couldn't possibly be... The little knight! What had been his name again? It had been so long! But she grinned and eagerly bounded forward, butting heads with the adolescent with a smile.
"I'm not a Maiden anymore, young knight!"
Dagda drew away a bit at her eagerness, unused to such playful contact. He hadn't had it since he was a cub, all those seasons ago. And...oh geez. He'd never live that down now. It was a small relief, though. He smiled tentatively.
"After all this time, I would suppose not." He kept his flood of questions at bay...though one got through. If Muscail had survived..."Did Mother Codail make it out as well?" She'd always been his favorite. The way she made him feel like he was the most important cub in the world, like his silly attempts to be protective actually made her feel safe....
"Yes. But her little ones and our mates didn't survive, I'm afraid," Múscail said softly, regrettfully, as she pulled back. It had been a long hard journey for the both of them, but seeing the young knight... It relit something akin to hope in her heart. If he had survived, perhaps there were still others out there. Perhaps one day their pride would be rebuilt... Although by then, the sisters would no doubt no longer be able to call it their home. No... Their home was in the mists now...
Dagda drooped a bit at that. So...the Father and Suitor were gone...as well as the little ones Mother Codail had been so proud of. His playmates..."I...I am sorry to hear that." He'd never expected all the sorrow he felt as a cub to come rushing back. "I lost my parents and sibs. I...am the only one left from my bloodline."
"Do not look so down, young knight. They have no down been reborn by now, and I'm sure they are all living wonderful lives. We mourned the loss of our pride, but we are making a new family in a new home. Codail and I... We still have each other. And we both have more cubs to care for than we can handle at times!" Múscail said, laughing softly and moving to nudge Dagda's cheek.
Dagda still tensed a bit at the contact, but not as much. He reminded his body that Muscail, of all creatures, would mean no harm. "More cubs? Adopted...or your own?" Either way, Dagda was certain they were both rather happy with it, since Muscail's tone held no exasperation. "I am glad you've found a new home. I...I have found no place. Few prides welcome rogues, even young ones, and those that did...none held true to what I was born to. No Rede in any of them..." If nothing else, he held on to that scrap of his old life.
"Our own. And, I do not think we will ever find another pride that honors the Rede... But Codail and I have had visions of a pride that lives in the mists... This place feels like home to us, so we are heading there for ourselves... You are welcome to join us," Múscail said softly. "I'm sure Codail would like to see her knight again."
Then...Codail had moved on? Found another Father to her Mother? He was...rather relived at that thought. He blinked at Muscail. "Ah...perhaps...I can at least see this place." Maybe he would finally find a new home. He flushed a bit, though. Codail...was she still as beautiful as his cubhood memories showed? Had she become even more wise? "I...would certainly like to see her again."
"Then come, young knight. My hunt can wait. We have a pride to reunite," Múscail said, laughing softly and trotting out of the forest, her jewels clinking together musically.
Dagda followed the once-Maiden, a small hope in his heart. Family. He would have family again. Because the Draíocht Coileán lived on. Not as a pride...but in him, and Muscail and Codail, and in their cubs. They were alive..and they were family.
