"You're…you feel different than the chickens."

"I should hope so."

"Are you … you feel sad."

"That's… not exactly how I feel."

"Then tell me how you feel."

"It's complicated," he said rolling over

"It's not too complicated, plus now that I feel everything that you feel, I kinda want to know," she said, scooting after him.

"Well, do you remember how you and River swooped in to save the day?"

Whiskered flared between them.

"I wouldn't call it that at all."

"Well before that, it kinda seemed a bit hopeless there for a minute. We had lost…I lost a few friends back there."

A silence passed over them.

"No one should have to go through that."

"This is supposed to be a happy time. We're leaving in less than a week and…"

She held up a paw to his mouth.

"And I intend to spend a lot of that resting."

"So when you told me you were into resting, you weren't kidding."

Both of them smiled.

"I like it when you're happy. Just feeling how you feel about me in the back of my head, that I could get used to. River said that it would be very strong at first, but she also bonded three otters, so I am inclined to take what she says with a bit of sugar."

The silence grew comfortable between them.

"When I feel you in the back of my head, great Raven, this bond is amazing. I feel stronger and faster, and if every mouse in the coalition felt this strong, we wouldn't need…"

"What?"

"We wouldn't need the rest of the coalition…I can see why druids hold back their magic. If one was inclined to hurt others, they could do so with their ranger alone. And yes I understand that only a select few druids are able to make the bond, but I imagine your services will be requested often."

"One of the beavers already wants to call upon me after she gets settled."

"Oh? She already has a ranger picked out?"

"They tend to stick together, the beavers and otters. Or at least that's been my experience. Maybe having a friend who was a rabbit and a fox was a bit different growing up. But I didn't know a different way."

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"We'll need to make a different way. Our own way. Who knows where we'll be sent?"

"I don't know, in fact, I couldn't even dare to hope right now. It will be a long time before we will be able to just be idle like this."

"Oh, you tease me so. Offer me your paw in marriage, but with so many strings attached as to make a Raven blush or a mouse sweat."

She paused to look at him. With his paw around her, and his face up towards the ceiling, he looked a bit older. Or perhaps he looked more resigned to his fate.

"Ah, but the strings add to your delight. You get to start over your career, except this time with your wife."

"You're incorrigible, wife."

"Husband, I could only be so with you."

They giggled.

"Husband, you know that we could always run away together. I haven't said my oaths yet, I just promised River that I would…"

It was his turn to become serious.

"We can run away when we're fully trained; though I doubt you would want to do that. What with having been indoctrination for two years or more."

"They told me two years was the minimum that it took a druid to be ready for her final oath, but I think that we can do it faster. With you at my side, I have the motivation we need to succeed faster."

"I, huh?"

"I'm sorry?"

"You said 'I have the motivation we need to succeed faster'. We will have the motivation."

"Drat. A slip of the tongue. I hope that my husband can help us become we."

“That shouldn’t be a problem. So long as you don’t go back to comparing the difference between how I feel, and how those chickens feel.”

“That was one time..”

“And I’ve forgiven you, but you know they have feathers, right?”

“I’m aware. It’s half the reason that I made the little seat- the saddle- that they wear. Did I tell you that some scouts have taken to fashioning their saddles? My dear, I think that I’ve started a trend.”

“I should hope so. If nothing else- hey don’t hit me with that pillow- you’ll be known forever as the chicken saddler - hey quit it! I’m stronger now with a pillow than you.”

“Just because you have ranger powers is all!”

“Because you gave them to me!”

“I wonder how normal couples do it, you know not being able to sense each other at all times.”

“Sounds like they might have a rough go of it.”

“That’s exactly what I’m talking about. It’s only been a day since we made this bond, but already it feels like we’ve grown together.”

“We did get married, and also you ate a lot of food, and it was an emotional time…”

“You’re right. I haven’t eaten enough food, that is exactly what I need to do. Husband, has anyone every told you that you’re right?”

“Not so in those words.”

“Well, that’s unfortunate.”

“You’re not going to do it, are you?”

“And give you the satisfaction? Never. Now, I heard that there was a lot of prepared food.”

“You know that to be the case.”

“And I would not want to miss a wedding feast.”

“Despite the fact that we did attend a large one, I catch your point.”

“Therefore, please go and retrieve more food. Make haste, dear Lord Chin-Hwa, because I feel famished.”

“I would if, you’d deign to release me at any time, Lady Chin-Hwa.”

“But you’re just so warm and, oh, off with you.”

“As you wish, My lady. I shall go off on a quest to return with snacks.”

“For my honor.”

“For your honor, now please let me have at least one robe for this trip.”

“I should think not.”