He was nervous. Dagda paced the length of the empty den, gathering his courage. Odd, wasn't it? That such a devout warrior, who'd rarely known fear in his life, was reduced to such nervousness by a female. Not just ANY female, mind. Oh no....to Dagda, Codail was EVERYTHING. She was his reason for waking, his reason for learning to deal with others once again, his reason for taking to fatherhood, despite the fact the cubs were not his own and half-grown already. They'd been courting for some time now...

But he wanted more. And he was going to say as such. And lay bare all his feelings to her.


Codail was tired. It had been a long day, and the cubs she'd watched had been rambunctious. Very much so. She loved cubs but...it had been a relief when their parents came to get them. So now, she was trotting towards the den she shared with Dagda, Tama, Muscail, and the latter two's cubs. She perked up when she caught Dagda's scent already there. Ah! No matter what, her mood was always better around him.

"Dagda!" When she saw him...he looked nervous. Now what in Mother Moon's name had him so worked up?


Dagda was actually surprised, eyes widening and then a smile on his muzzle. "Codail!" And then the nervousness returned. "I...was wanting to talk to you. There's something I've been meaning to discuss with you and...it's been hard to find a good time to do so and..."

Crap. Now he was rambling.


Codail blinked and stopped just a foot or so away from him. Well...this was something she hadn't heard in a while! Her poor knight rambling on like he did when he was a cub! She reached a paw out to touch his cheek. "Calm, my knight. Now...what is it that's got you so worked up?"


Dagda took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm as Codail touched his face. Her soothing voice helped some. "Codail...as you know, I've been courting you some time now and...I love you. Very much. I was hoping...perhaps...that you might accept me as a mate, instead of simply a suitor."


Codail was surprised. She'd always wondered why he'd courted her. She was old enough to be his mother! And yet...and yet he didn't seem to care about that. She smiled slightly. So that's what had had him so nervous. She brought her paw back to the ground, and moved forward to lick his cheek. "You accept me, despite my age, Dagda. And thus I accept you."


She...accepted him. Dagda felt a smile grow on his muzzle. She accepted him! That meant they were mates, almost! There were a couple other things they'd need to do, but they wouldn't be hard to do. But...she was his! And he was hers! He nuzzled her, his heart soaring. "Thank you..."


Codail laughed lightly. "No...thank you. You made me complete, made me whole again." She nuzzled him back, breathing in the earthy smell of his dark mane. "I have not felt like this since...since Anamuil's death. Since the loss of those cubs. Because of the cubs Zimwi gave me, and you...I am whole again, Dagda. Thank you for loving me, muirnín."


Dagda reveled in her closeness. In the knowledge that he'd made her happy. "In that case...you are welcome, my heart." His ears perked up. "We should tell Muscail. And...and we ought to see if we can't get a blessing from the Master Druids."


Codail giggled and nodded. "Yes. It would be nice, to have their blessing. Even if we don't need it." She trusted the Master Druids as much as she'd once trusted the other leaders of her old pride.


Lach-ngoma laughed as she raced towards home, not at all tired from her earlier adventures. Adventures she had dragged her almost-twin into AGAIN. The juvenile ended up running into the solid mass of her almost-uncle. And blinked. Oh! "Are you two finally like Ma and Da?"


Dagda blinked as he felt something small run into him, and looked down. And then chuckled. "Hello to you too, Ngoma. And yes. We are." Precocious little cub. Ngoma had never been afraid to speak her mind.


Lach-shairi was out of breath, trying to keep up with her sister, and flopped next to her aunt and Dagda. Ohdear..."Hi Auntie Codail, Mister Dagda." She sounded as out of breath as she looked. And didn't notice a thing.


Codail laughed happily. "Yes, Ngoma. And hello Shairi. Your sister ran you ragged again, did she? Come, let's get you two cozy in the den. Rest up a bit, then get you water. Your father should be home soon with food."


Ngoma looked a bit sheepish, then grinned. "Da'll be home soon?!" She adored her Da! He was, she was certain, the GREATEST hunter ever, and the most awesomest father! She moved to nudge her sister along. "Come on! Let's go!"


Dagda couldn't help but grin, and moved to pick his juvenile niece up. Poor Shairi was always winded after Ngoma's adventures. And then he trotted into the den, tail flicking behind him merrily. It was a good, good day.


Shairi let herself be pushed about, then carried. She was too tired. Though the thought of seeing her father soon had her perking up. Like her near-twin, she adored her Da.


Codail followed Dagda, happier than ever. She had a mate, her family was doing well...life couldn't get any better.


Ngoma followed her aunt and uncle inside, purring. It was about time they'd gotten together for good!