"I'll be okay, I promise. I need to do this." famous last words Shallow thought almost bitterly, days after he'd left Deeper Waters behind. This wasn't how this was supposed to go. In his head it would be a quick thing. There were legendaries all around The Cres, except all seemed to be off doing who knew what. So it left him to go searching for one. Anyone. Even one he didn't know. It was fine. Everything would be fine. It would still be quick, he'd leave tribe lands, and quickly find someone. Hence his telling Deeper he'd be fine.

He did not feel fine. He was tired, stressed, anxious, and lonely. So unbelievably lonely. He couldn't recall the last time he'd spent so much time away from his mate. They'd grown up together best friends, so really it was probably a resounding never, as to when. Hence why his heart ached so much with every step he took further, and further away. Will I be able to get home... he worried internally. How long would it take him. Surely not so long that he'd have to sit with eggs, and then get babies back...no.

Shallow paused to drink some water, forcing himself to do so slowly when he felt something tickling his rump. Turning he saw the prettiest, palest moth ever, and he felt a new emotion as he watched it in fascination as he crawled all over him. He was so busy watching, he didn't notice the equally pale Mare join him at the waters edge, taking her own drink. When he finally did notice he startled so much the moth fluttered up off him and hovered in the air before landing on him again.

"My apologies, I didn't mean to startle you." her voice was gentle and Shallow felt more at ease than he had in days. "It's okay, my own fault for not paying attention. I had a lot on my mind but then got busy watching the moth." he admitted to the stranger.

"I'm glad I could help distract you from your worries just a little." a warm smile given to him as she tipped her head towards a shaded area, and Shallow fell in step with her, she making sure he didn't rush to keep up. "You said you had a lot on your mind, maybe I can help?" he looked at her curiously, noticing the similarities he'd noticed among the Mares and Stags in The Cres and he breathed out softly. He'd found someone! Or more aptly they'd found him. It was fine.

"My best friend, my mate and I...we're going to be parents. Not our first time as parents, but the first they'll be ours and I'm a little nervous I guess. Not about how our older children will get along with the new, they're possibly more excited than us. But just in general. I ate the flower with no reservations, knowing what would happen and yet..." he trailed off. "And yet now you're not sure how to feel about what you're feeling?" "Pretty much."

She nodded her head as she listened, the pair getting comfortable to settle in and talk and by the time they finished some time later he felt more at ease. To the point he was able to take an easy breath, and as he exhaled ask "Could I ask for your blessing?" "Of course you can, it's what I'm here for." he gave an understanding nod of his head then. "Happiness. Love. Safety I want them to know these things. Happiness in their lives, love be it for another, from another or for themselves. But more importantly I think is safety. Whatever that means for them in the end. My mate, he is my safe place and being away from him for so long leaves me anxious and uneasy. I'm sure he's feeling the same."

Guardian made a gentle noise and smiled. "I understand completely. I miss my mate when I travel, and when I return to him I'm home. No matter where he might be at the time. We may have a place we live full time, but he is my home, my safe place." she understood completely. Thinking for a moment she then began to speak. "May the MotherFather bless your children with happiness, love, and safety. Both to receive, and give those feelings, because it's very important that goes both ways."

Shallow felt he tightness in his chest ease, he could go home. He could return to Shallow and their children now. He clambered to his feet eager to head home. He was ready to do this. To meet this new part of their lives head on. "Thank you so much Guardian!" "My pleasure Shallow, safe journey's home." "Same for you!" he turned and with a renewed sense of energy took off back home. He had many days to go to get home and he didn't want to waste a moment he didn't have to.


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