In the Quiet of the Night

There was a special beauty about the Lachanella Caves. It was one that often used to draw her here. The magic she had always felt in the air around the caves tickled down her spine and she smiled. Long tresses of raven hair tied in a seemingly hurried braid that draped her left shoulder. The white tank top, and oversized shirt she wore, hung from her shoulder, exposing it. Cotton pants that clung to her curves covered her legs, and she as always was bare footed. Aulan hated shoes. She always felt it robbed her of the feel of the earth.

Small fingers touched along the cave walls as she sank into the darkness , the holes within the tops, allowed moonlight to spill into certain areas giving it a story book feel. Almost like another world entirely. Aulan's stomach turned excited knots as she explored further, and further in. Finding a perfect place to sit, and just... be. Under one of the many natural made skylights, she sat within the beam of moonlight. Her legs crossed under her indian style she let go a deep breath she had taken in as she sat down. The moon and stars shone above, and she could hear even the silence around her and it was beautiful. Vivid blue eyes looked around, and almost seemed to glow in the moonlight that shone down on her. Her eyes closed, and she let her mind open. Many visions played through her head, possible futures, visions of her past.... She sighed softly as she thought about it all. Spending so much time away felt needed, but now that she was home again it almost felt not worth it. These lands were where she belonged, and it had taken the journey to figure that out. Though, now what would she do... Her mind open, she let all of these thoughts roam through, as she breathed deeply to calm her spirit. Focusing her visions, honing them. Clearer, more accurate.. She worked daily like this to practice.

It had been some time since she found herself her. She had come every day in hopes that her Mother would appear. As the time wore on she found herself coming less each month until she had finally stopped. The loss of Father had hurt her deeply as she knew it did to Aulan, but her Mother had left after his passing and didn’t return, all that time hoping she would come was just too much to bare.

She engrossed her time in other activities such supporting Blade with his role as Alpha, patrolling the borders, and hunting to name a few. It had helped some, but at night her thoughts drifted.

The feeling of loneliness only ever increasing as it seemed everyone she had ever loved left her in some way. So here she was, venturing to the place she knew her Mother had always liked. The one person that could truly understand how she felt. She knew her mother was not here, but the sentiment that this was her favorite spot gave some comfort.

She climbed up a ledge on the side of the cave, making it to where she could bathe in the moons light, not having the heart to go inside just yet.

Suddenly, Aulan's eyes shot open and she looked toward the mouth of the Cave. Her body shifted position slightly and she inhaled deeply. It was Aleria... Her heart caught in her throat, and she swallowed the rock sized lump that had formed there. A rock echoed when it fell near her, startled she moved. The sound of shifting could be heard from the cave, echoing along the walls..to Aleria's ears. Aulan's heart hammered in her ears, and she almost panicked. What was she going to say to her? Her heart suddenly ached so badly, and she clutched her chest. Anxious eyes watched the entrance of the cavern she sat in....

Her ears veered back as she closed her eyes as the moons rays washed over her. Coming here took almost all of the strength she had, to be disappointed once again, when she didn’t find her Mother here.

Whether it was her thoughts of her Mother or some trick, her eyes opened as she had inhaled Aulan’s scent…Dare she believe once again?

She stood on shaky legs and entered the cave, “Mother?” almost dreading the words not expecting an answer.

Her breathing was nearly at a hyperventilation. When Aleria called out her name, tears streamed down her face unexpectedly. She had come looking for her.. the words choked her throat, and her tongue felt heavy for a moment. The first attempt a mere whisper. "Aleria..." She said, and then it came louder the second time. "Aleria! I'm here! I'm here!" she sobbed a little and came to meet her at the mouth of the Cave. When she saw her, she didn't know what to do. It was like a dream to her. Her arms went around Aleria and she hugged her tightly. Crying with joy she thought her heart might burst.

Her nose told her she was here before her eyes caught sight of her. Her heavy heart blossomed, and a weight seemed to lift. "Mother!" she cried, her clawed hands sweeping about her, tightening just a bit. She was real and here! "You're here", she breathed, happily. Her Mother was home. Thousands of questions came rushing to her tongue but she swallowed them, letting her and her mother have a moment.

Hearing her name made her heart explode all over again. Hearing the relief in Aleria's voice made her relax a little. Though she knew she would have questions for her. After a few moments in the hug she gently backed away and simply looked at her. She was still just as lovely and all grown up as she remembered her to be. What a fine young lady she had become. "Aleria. How I have missed you." She said softly. "I am sorry it took me so long to return to you...I am sure you have questions that I am only too happy to answer for you." She said, hoping that Aleria would give her another chance... she had been through much, and coming home was the beginning of her new life.

After the embrace was over, she still hovered near her mother. "It's alright Mother. I am just glad you are ..back. You are back.. for good right?", she asked not sure if she'd be able to handle if her mother said, no. She knew the passing of Wolf was hard, but now that she was back, the two of them could help each other.