[b]Niko's Saga[/b]


It was spring and it was icy cold.

Quite literally; snow blanketed the ground to a depth of six feet in places, rendering the landscape a pure and plain white. This far north even the summer days seldom rose above freezing; it was a cold and harsh environment that only the toughest species could survive, even flourish, in. But for them, it was home. The cold was nothing and they reveled in the departure of winter. To them the days were warm, love in the air, a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. Especially today as it happened, as Valentine's day tended to be.

Niko practically [i]bounded[/i] across the snowy hills, the reindeer's hooves leaving deep holes in the white powder coating of the world. At times it seemed as if he was less walking than floating, and indeed at one point he took off, whipping through the air for several seconds before remembering to touch back down to the ground. This proved to be slightly disconcerting for the small brown squirrel that was riding him in a fashion, sitting atop his head and gripping tightly to the prominent antlers there. There was a sense of expectation, of great excitement as the two headed towards an unknown destination. (Though evidently far more for the deer than his passenger.) Eventually they arrived, in an inauspicious looking depression surrounded by hills. There were a few snow-covered trees. a small pile of rocks and little else.

"Okay, we're here!"

"Alright Niko... so what's this big surprise you have planned?"


The cervine looked around conspiratorially; he'd invited the love of his life to meet him at this very spot as soon as she could; she was on her way as they spoke and might arrive at any minute. He had a special surprise planned; he hadn't wanted to show the squirrel, but Julius had insisted on coming with him, as he tended to do, so that was that. In any case he very cautiously approached not the tree trunks but something a few feet away. In the depression the sun reflected off the hills, focused at a point near the bottom and melting the snow there just a little bit more than the surroundings. There was a large barren patch, a hole in the icy white blanket of the world. And covering that patch...

"There it is!"

"I... don't see anything..."

"There! [i]There![/i]"

"Uh... the moss...?"


Niko sighed. You just couldn't expect a squirrel to understand the importance of moss. Its grandeur, its splendor. Moss was what kept reindeer alive, through the cold months of winter and all year round. Tucked beneath the snow it was food when all the world was locked away beneath the ice and cold. And here, [i]here[/i] where the snow had melted... here was the best moss of all. The perfect surprise and the perfect gift for his girl, Saga.

"Yes the moss. I- don't worry about it."

"Well I'm not sure that-"


The conversation was cut short by the entrance of another squirrel, tumbling through the snow. He was small and brown and looked poorly suited for the arctic environment. He seemed to be in quite a rush, plowing through the thick powder as fast as he could, leaving a deep gouge in it and covering himself with snow in the process. It was almost comical to see and Niko had to try not to laugh as the small rodent practically tumbled down the hill towards them. Julius by contrast looked concernedly at the panicked buck.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"No! You've got to hide me!"

"Why? What's the matter?"

"I'm being hunted down! I can't keep up this pace, not day after day after [i]day![/i] I haven't slept in a week! Everything aches! But it's not enough! I have to flee!"

"Good heavens! Eagles?"

"Worse! Wolf!"

"Oh my... Niko, this sounds serious. Squirrel-to-squirrel I gotta help him, you should head back too."

"We need to look after Saga; she'll be headed right here, I have to stay. I'm old enough to hold my ground, or leave it if I have to."

"Well... that may be true but... I don't think we can... wait, how many wolves?"

"Just one!"

"Right, well I can handle one; I'm not a kid anymore and no wolf can fly. But Saga could be in real danger... we just have to hope it won't come by here."

"Alright then. Niko, stay here and wait for Saga; I'll take this guy somewhere safe, maybe try and locate the wolf from the air. As soon as you can head back home, the both of you, and cover your tracks!"


Niko nodded; he didn't need to be told twice, he'd tangled with wolves before when he was much younger and had somehow come out on top. Now he was edging into adulthood he was quite confident he could handle just one. He'd been a mere calf when he'd first crossed an entire pack and now he was a mature buck several times larger and much, much stronger. He was young and fit, training with his father often; a single predator was [i]nothing[/i] to him now. The reindeer watched the two squirrels scurry off at speed. He knew he'd be alright; any wolf that was desperate enough to track something as small and insubstantial as a squirrel for days was likely to be too hungry and weak to pose a serious threat. And actually, being alone was perfect; he'd been worried about having to dump Julius so that he could have some... personal space around Saga, but this way things worked out fine.

It had barely been a minute or two after the two rodent's departures that he heard a telltale crunching of snow beneath dainty hooves. Saga had been right behind him, as he'd suspected and hoped. He turned to face the sounds of approach, waiting expectantly for her to come within range. She crested the peak of the low hills right where he knew she would, the sun right behind her and only enhancing her natural radiance. She noticed his worried expression and her welcoming smile of recognition shifted into a frown of pensiveness.

"Niko! Is something wrong?"


They'd known each other all their lives, yet even now, [i]especially now,[/i] just a gaze from her took his breath away. It was impossible to put into words her beauty and poise, inconcievable to single out a single characteristic, to break up the glorious whole into some mere list of aspects. Sure he could go on about how her coat seemed to shine like burnished bronze in the spring sunlight, how she moved through even the deepest, most intractable snow with dainty precision, how her eyes shone like jewels and how her smile had a warmth to it that could beat back the severest winter storm. But none of those things were [i]her[/i]; they were but notes in a song; pure and beautiful on their own but being nothing at all compared to the complete symphony that was her body, mind and soul.

"Yes, there's a wolf about apparently, we should stay here, we don't want to leave tracks to home."

"Where's Julius?"

"He's helping someone and trying to track the wolf. He thought we should stay here, to not draw attention to ourselves or lead it back home."


That was Saga alright; concerned for others but not easily panicked. She nodded and stepped carefully down the hill slope to where Niko was waiting. The wolf had put a definite dampener on things, but he was determined not to let such an unfortuante event overshadow such a wonderful day. It perhaps wouldn't be the best way to break his surprise, but he wasn't going to put it off for some mangy canine.

"Well... I just hope he'll be alright."

"He will; this is [i]nothing[/i] we can't handle."

"I suppose you're right; that's good to hear... but why did you invite me out here anyway?"

"Well... I have a little surprise for you, something you'll really like... here..."


She hadn't seen the moss; she must have been too preoccupied with ensuring everyone's safety. That was good, it allowed him to have a more theatrical reveal. He stepped nimbly sideways, leaning forward and raising a hoof in a broad sweeping motion, presenting the patch of fresh spring moss to his love. The framing was perfect, the patch of greenery positively glowed in the snow-reflected sunlight like a cache of emeralds. It was all new, fresh growth, as crisp as pure ice, as cool as spring snowmelt. The buck held his breath as he waited for a reaction from the doe as silence spread out over long seconds.

"Niko... how did you find this...? It looks incredible..."

"It's easy to spot from higher up, plus my other dad knows everything about the weather, he said there'd be an early snowmelt this year, in sheltered spots."


Niko visibly relaxed, letting out a relieved sigh that he hoped that his partner didn't hear. He had, of course, been a bit worried, you never could tell how someone would react, even if they [i]were[/i] your species. But Saga seemed utterly entranced by the fresh vegetation, eyes glimmering as she bent down to more closely examine it. Since it was so low to the ground she had to spread her legs wide, sticking them out at an angle either side of her frame rather than kneeling down. This of course awarded the young buck with a perfect view of her pert rump, practically sticking up in his face, a mere few feet away. By the stars- she even had her tail raised, curling up with curiosity. Niko couldn't help but stare.

Truth be told he'd been sneaking glances at her hindquarters for some time now, but especially in recent months as his body had felt the instinctive and approaching rise of spring. This was his first year as a mature, fully mature, buck; when posturing and showing off turned to a deeper desire to impress a doe and acquire a mate. Those same instincts were screaming at him now; there was a doe before him, in a mounting position, mere feet away... He was entranced by the bob and weave of her tail, the tight pucker beneath and the downy fur below that; the very faintest tinge of pink hinting at a tight virgin slit. And of course in the process of growing older he'd found himself... daydreaming quite often. Just little flashes now and then, his mind wandering when he was around female members of the herd, but especially Saga. Thoughts of simply stepping up behind one of them, giving a little push up and forward to propel him atop before riding them... riding [i]her[/i] as instinct demanded. They'd been increasingly common -and highly embarrassing- interjections into his life as the weather warmed this year and even now he was unable to suppress his imagination as it wondered what his friend's reaction would be, if he simply mounted her there and now. He found himself unable to breathe, he could barely even blink. He felt his pulse pounding in his ears and his body growing hot and stiff. Beneath him something else began to grow hot and stiff also, but he was too far gone now to notice it. It was only when Saga turned suddenly, breaking his gaze that reality returned to the deer.

"Niko are... are you alr-"


There was a stunned, confused silence. It took a few seconds for the buck deer to understand what was going on, but once he did he cursed under his breath. That had been [i]another[/i] thing that had been bothering him of late; his body was no longer under his control. Those sorts of random thoughts and fantasies had a habit of... triggering him, sometimes for no reason at all. Many times in the past few weeks he'd found himself sitting in snowbanks or hiding behind bushes to conceal his rising shame from whomever was nearby. And now here he was, at the absolute worst time, growing aroused in front of the one doe he cherished the most. Despite the burning blush growing on his cheeks and the sense of shame spreading out through his whole body, the piercing gaze of the young cervine did nothing at all to cool his ardor. In fact, as her shocked and surprised gaze remained steadfastly locked between his hind legs, he only felt himself growing hotter and hotter. He could [i]feel[/i] himself extending; inch after inch sliding out into the cool air as the two stood there, locked in place. His throat went dry. This wasn't at all what he'd planned.

"Oh. Um, wow."

"S-sorry..."


Saga straightened up, trying to regain some semblance of composure, seemingly as put out by the entire affair as Niko himself. She stepped back uncertainly, almost trampling the moss she'd been so recently admiring, her footsteps light and uncertain. The young buck remained mute, at a loss for any sort of explanation or excuse he might offer to right the increasingly awkward situation.

"So... this is an accident, right?"

"Yeah..."

"And the moss? The wolf wasn't just an excuse to get us alone was it?"

"N-no! I swear I just wanted to give you a spring gift! I was gonna ask if.. This... I..."


Niko trailed off, his voice failing him. Saga was still there; she hadn't immediately bolted as he'd feared she might...but that was only drawing out his torment as he stood there dumbly, half erect in the morning sunlight. His erstwhile partner seemed to slowly be regaining her composure, stepping carefully around him in a wide circle, still staring fixedly at him. Her expression was almost unfathomable, embarrassed and nervous but also... something else. But there he was, a solid foot of deer dick hanging heavily beneath him, exposing his hidden desires and intentions. After circling him twice the doe finally looked up; her eyes meeting his as she bit her lip, somehow less sure than even he was. There was another painfully long pause before she darted forward, her head mere inches from his, her voice a hoarse whisper.

"Okay... let's fuck."


If the blushing buck had been dumbfounded before it was nothing compared to how he now felt. Had... had he just heard those words? Had she really suggested that, or had he somehow got lost in another of his fantasies? She'd certainly said [i]something[/i]; she was almost jogging on the spot with nervousness, a rising blush on her own cheeks as they both stood there. What should he do? He surely couldn't ask her to repeat herself, could he? Should he [i]do[/i] something or just wait and hope things became more clear? As it happened Saga spoke again, cutting short this newest awkward pause.

"I- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so forward. It's just... you know..."


For once Niko [i]did[/i] know; he felt exactly the same way. The prospect of mounting, of mating... of fucking, was an enticing one. There was nothing he'd wanted to experience more since he'd begun to understand his growing body's mysterious urgings and desires. And to do so with someone his own age, as curious and inexperienced as him... someone who seemed to have an equal interest... it made his heart flutter just to think about it. They'd known each other for such a long time; he knew she'd always considered him handsome in his own way, but to her he'd only grown moreso as he matured. He came from good stock, his father having been quite the ladykiller in his time, no doe could honestly resist his sheer physical magnetism.  No, there was no doubt as to what Saga had said. She was nervous and unsure and embarrassed, just like him. And like him she wanted the experience. If they stopped and thought about it for five minutes they'd probably back down; if just one refused or backed out they'd both split, and avoid the other for [i]weeks.[/i] But five minutes was an eternity to two hormone-addled deer in rutting season and it seemed like neither was going to budge an inch. All the buck needed to do was think of something, [i]anything[/i] to say to defuse the situation; to make his feelings clear and put them both at ease.

"Uh... yeah. Sure..."


[b]Bravo,[/b] [i]Shakespeare.[/i] Niko had to suppress a groan as his ears processed what had just come out of his mouth. Nevertheless, somehow, it seemed to work; Saga giving a relieved giggle. A little of the tension seemed to seep from the air; it was still a weird, awkward situation, but not unbearably so. His pretty partner stood before him, their minds racing as they tried to figure out the next step.

"So... uh, you mount me, I guess?"

Niko nodded, throat dry, heart pounding.

"Y-yeah. You um... stay there... I'll just..."


Mounting. Simple enough; the whole act was simple really. A pent up buck might go through the motions in two minutes, much to the dismay of his mate. It really was as easy as he'd imagined; you just stepped up behind a doe, pushed your forelegs off the ground and stepped forward. And yet, as he walked carefully behind Saga, watching her turn her head to keep her gaze fixed on him, it seemed like the most impossible thing in the world. There she stood, a few feet in front of him, tail raised and exposing the bright, white patch of soft fur beneath. Was she bracing her self for his weight? He couldn't tell. Swallowing heavily, taking a deep breath and steadying his nerves,  he jumped up and positioned himself heavily atop the doe. There was a quiet 'oof!' and a few unsteady seconds as both adjusted to the somewhat strange stance; but eventually, with both their legs spread more widely for balance, they were stably mounted.

Niko's heart pounded loudly in his ears; each rapid beat sounding in his mind like the pounding of a colossal drum. A growing heat blossomed beneath him as the to cervine forms pressed together, making firm contact. Once more there was a long pause, an awkwardness as each waited for the other to make the next move. But [i]this[/i] time, so close and in such a natural position, their bodies and instincts began to turn over. This was [i]it;[/i] there was no backing out now. It was almost unbelievable; here he was atop the one doe he adored most in all the world and, as soon as he got his act together, they'd mate. The realization sent an electric shiver down his spine that grounded between his legs and made his already prominent shaft twitch. He could feel it jerk upwards with every pump of blood into it, finally free to resume after being so unfortunately interrupted. He felt it stiffen and press up against the underside of his stomach, a thick reindeer rod that tapped ever so lightly against the fur of his underbelly with each beat of his heart making it twitch.

He was still somewhat unsure as to how to proceed; he was quite sure he was supposed to be aiming for something and didn't know if he could survive the mortification of 'missing'. He tried his best, pulling himself up and over his newly minted mate; slipping his legs over her shoulders, on either side of her neck. To his immense relief he felt something soft tickling the very tip of his shaft and the brush of a raised tail along the curve of his thigh. Another slight adjustment pressed the very terminal tip of his length against something warm and welcoming and slightly damp. For a long minute or two he stood there, listening to his partner, both their breathing hard and heavy; forming clouds of fog in the icy spring air. His body ached, [i]burned[/i] for him to continue; to just push a few inches forward and make that vital connection. But he couldn't; not just yet. He couldn't just breed Saga without first admitting his true feelings. His hesitation confused the young doe, who looked at him with concern.

"Niko...? Is something wrong?"

"No. No it's fine. I just- It's just that the reason I asked you here... I just wanted to say... well I love you. Really, really love you. I have for some time now. You've always been a good person and an even better friend. I was going to ask you if you and I... if we could be mates. Officially I mean; not just... just what we're doing now."


There was a surprised gasp.

"Y-yes! Of course! I mean... I wouldn't have it any other way. I mean... you're incredible; I couldn't ask for anyone better. You're strong and handsome and always looking out for people. But uh... you might have picked a better time to say this."

"Yeah, sorry; didn't expect things to... turn out like this."

"Well... how about we um... get going now, and discuss things after?"

"Yeah, right."


Niko tried to put aside his hesitation and just get things over with. He was sure things wouldn't have been nearly so complicated with any other doe, yet somehow he didn't mind a bit. It was now or never, the perfect moment. He'd held himself back -in previous years when he felt himself too impulsive and immature. His own, somewhat disordered family was a stark warning about what happened when you messed about without thinking of consequences- but now... this year, this day, this [i]moment[/i], he felt ready. Steadying himself one final time he pushed forward.

"Ooo-OH!"


There was a quiet, surprised gasp from Saga as she was finally penetrated. Her eyes went wide and her head whipped forward, mouth hanging open slightly. Niko himself had to suppress a gasp, feeling several inches of his thick cock slipping neatly between two soft, wet lips as they slid inside his partner. The feeling was at once both strange and incredibly welcome; it was a slick, silken sensation as sensitive skin pressed past the welcoming entrance and was surrounded by a heated warmth that was unlike anything he'd ever felt before. It made him feel weak at the knees and, for a moment, he feared his legs might give out from underneath him and send the both of them tumbling into the snow. Instead he stomped a hind foot to get some sensation back into it, and pressed forward once more; this time more slowly and deliberately.

"Nnn! Oh...oh yes."


Once again he felt the enveloping warmth caressing his cock. Inch after glorious inch slipped forward and sunk deep into the welcoming depths of his partner. This time he didn't stop until he could feel every bit of his length bury itself deeply within the doe. Finally their hips met almost chastely; the curve of his thighs pressing perfectly into the rise of her hindquarters; the two cervines coming together like two pieces of a larger whole. Neither was sure how long they held that position, pressed tightly together, connecting so deeply, so personally, for the first time. It may have been seconds, or half an hour, the two young lovers catching their breaths, pulses slowing at they got used to the feeling of the other. The fill of penetration, the warmth of entrapment. It was only with great difficulty, after an eternal, blissful moment, that Niko felt himself pulling back.

Almost regretfully he slipped from his newly made mate, feeling the cool air on his exposed shaft as it withdrew, strangely biting after such warmth. He didn't have to move his legs this time, his hips shifting instead as he withdrew. Once again the both of them gasped at the soft, subtle friction between their bodies and the buck could feel a strange, quivering flutter over his cock as he moved; the doe's inner walls spasming and almost gripping him. This halted his backstroke and, with a grunt of effort, he thrust forward again. This time he was faster and smoother than before; more confident in his motions. Their hips met again with a quiet slap and a gasp of pleasure. That was enough; the first two tentative movements were all they'd needed to get into the swing of things. Niko pulled back once more and began bucking away at a steady pace. He had to adjust himself several times, still not entirely comfortable with riding a doe, but his pace was measured and even now. 

The buildup was slow but steady; the breeding buck felt himself rise to the occasion; pushed himself to go deeper, faster. He found his forelegs gripping more tightly around Saga, hugging her from behind as his hind hooves dug into the ground, seeking purchase for him to more firmly thrust forward. Soon his hips were moving in a steady, rapid cycle, driving his dick deep into the now thoroughly slick and eager depths of his mate. He could feel her body responding to his; inner walls tensing and tightening around him. And she [i]was[/i] tight; this was her first time, he knew. He could feel her jerk and twitch; hear her gasps of surprise and shock as he probed deeper or hit some spot deep inside that had never known such sensations before. This restrained him, at least slightly; the last thing he wanted to do was to go too far too fast and hurt his mate. But their pairing was a fortunate one; the two of them were in the same position, figuring out this new and wonderful facet of their lives together. Ancient instincts awakened and took over, the act as simple as it was pleasurable, as seconds turned to minutes.

They both tried hard to take the time to explore each other through their movements and the reactions of their counterpart. As eager as they both were, this was an experiment for the pair, and Niko especially reveled in trying subtle changes to his pose and pushes; jabbing in at different angles and speeds, noting how Saga gasped, or moaned or panted in response. He could feel her reciprocating, body shifting and repositioning beneath him, muscles tensing or relaxing in turn. Slowly but surely these experimental overtures began to settle down and blossom into more confident, determined actions. Each began to memorize the reactions and preferences of the other as a rising heat began to well up inside both of them and what had initially been quite playful began to become more passionate. Their coats began to grow slick with sweat, and hot fluids pooled between them; the buck's pre and the doe's lubrication as their path became ever easier and more natural. Conscious thought ebbed away as they guided themselves along by instinct and emotion.

It wasn't long before both were lost in the fervor and intensity of their first mating; each relishing their role as buck and doe. Niko could feel himself thrusting deep inside his lover, a thick rod of meat pounding into her warm and sensitive depths. He could feel her accept him; invite him in further and further to reach her core. Could feel her inner walls close and caress around him, easing his entrance and resisting his withdrawal. His bucking motions grew slower and stronger and deeper as the two began to move as one. The delighted doe pressed up into her buck's thrusts and their hips met with loud, lewd noises. A heavy pair of reindeer nuts grew ever more full and ponderous, hanging low between he roused buck's legs and smacking softly into his partner at the apex of each rising movement. They churned and boiled with thick seed, readying to loose their load. The air grew thick with their gasps and moans of pleasure; voices intertwining as they expressed their affection and pleasure. They begged each other not to stop, to go deeper and harder and faster and longer. Steam rose up off their bodies as they grew hotter and hotter, the red-hot heat of lust slowly burning brighter until it flared into a white hot passion.

How long they continued to rise towards their inevitable peak neither could say. Perhaps it had just been a minute, maybe they held on for hours. Everything faded away, the sun, the snow, the outside world. They were everything to each other now; their senses filled with the sights, sounds and sensations of their counterpart and the fiery, almost unbearable pleasure that blossomed between then. All else was forgotten as they pressed close, almost merging into one as their cries and moans and movements became more and more desperate. The pair moved together, aware that they were entering the final climactic moments of the deflagrating affair. Niko tensed, his entire body going rigid as he felt the boiling heat within him seem to pour forth. His shaft twitched and spasmed, the thick streaks of pre it was dumping becoming more and more plentiful as a rising warmth and wetness began to fill Saga. His fuckstick became a rod of pure pleasure as, with one final, triumphant, cry they came together.

A sound of pure ecstasy filled the air, loud and primal, more a roar than a moan. It echoed over the cold, empty landscape and shattered into a thousand fragments. As it did so Niko thrust deeply once more into his mate; burying himself to the hilt in her warm depths, pressing close as his two full orbs pulled up. Their thick, creamy loads rushed into him and shot out of his rigid cock; a single, hot, powerful jet of cervine seed pouring into his lover. The thick rope of jizz pumped out and filled her deeply, eliciting a shuddering, gasping moan of fulfillment as it continued, almost scalding hot. Before it had even began to abate the second burst followed after it, the weakening stream of cum solidifying under a fresh burst that further filled the accepting doe as her body went stiff, inner walls clenching down around the penetrating shaft and holding it in place deep inside her.

And still it continued, a third burst poured forth, a fourth, a fifth. Neither deer was counting as they continued, long and powerful and thick. Soon they were too much for the formerly virginal doe's body to hold as they began to leak around the tight seal of her pussy and drip messily into the snow; a hot puddle sinking into the white powder. It was only after the very apex of their climax had begun to ebb that Niko resumed thrusting, pulling back with a wet slurping noise and forcing himself back in against crushing, vicelike tightness. Now each thrust drew a frenzied, almost indecipherable moan from the pair, as well as milking yet another burst of jizz from the orgasming buck. This went on and on, seemingly without end; countless bursts and releases as the pair's pleasure was drawn out longer and longer, each led on by the other. Only very gradually did they start to flag, movements slowing as they struggled to catch their breaths; still moaning loudly and passionately.

Eventually they stopped, Niko buried deep within his doe, the two of them panting and dripping with sweat and other fluids as they stood together weakly. Still time had no meaning to them as they held that position, connected more closely and intimately than ever before. There was still nothing but the other, a rising fog of passion and gratification that drowned their earlier lust and replaced it with overwhelming satisfaction. The slightest movement of either sent scintillations of pleasure down their spines, forcing a shuddering gasp of breathy moan from them as they shut their eyes and melted into pure bliss.

Some time later, exactly how long neither could say, Niko finally regained enough of his senses to pull back. This final withdrawal made his knees buckle and the deer pair shiver and gasp. His slowly softening length withdrew from the does pink and pounded pussy with a quiet, wet sound and rapidly retracted back from whence it had come. As the tip slipped free a thick, creamy stream of seed poured from the well bred slit and splattered onto the ground. The buck almost fell backwards as he went to sit down, having expended all his energy reserves on the furious mating. Herself weak at the knees, Saga followed suit, stepping around and sitting next to him. They were still breathing heavily and sweating despite the cold. Their hot bodies soon melted a sizeable hole in the snow around them, revealing a soft bed of moss beneath. In the spring warmth the spot they had uncovered wouldn't freeze over till winter. Their own little mark on the world.

After more long minutes they leaned down and began to pluck at the moss around them. It was cool and fresh and tasty; the best of the early spring. Neither said anything; words were for later, when they'd announce their new status as mates to the rest of the herd. For now they merely enjoyed each other's company Nuzzling each other and staying close. There were golden silences, but some quietness had a value beyond mere currency. They remained together for a long time, until a familiar brown shape darted hurriedly over the hill towards them. It was Julius, and his arrival broke the spell that had held the two reindeer in its grasp since they'd first locked eyes earlier that morning.

"Julius? What happened? Is everything okay?"

"I think so... as far as I can tell it was only one wolf. Stayed right away from home valley, just followed our tracks. I managed to lead it away, but the other guy... not a flier. I think it chased him down."

"Oh no! Do you think it'll come back?"

"No, seemed really determined just to get him. You know how crazy canines are. I think that's the last we'll see of it, but it still may be wise to be careful for the next few days. You two should stay here, at least until everyone's accounted for."


Niko nodded; that made sense, plus he hadn't been intending to leave soon anyhow. They both watched absent-mindedly as the small squirrel scurried off, homeward bound. He hadn't even noticed that anything unusual was up, he had been so preoccupied with everyone's safety. And rightly so; it seemed his temporary companion had run into a spot of trouble. But such things did not concern the couple watching the sun slowly rise above the hills and make its way across a sapphire sky. They were far too enamored with each other to care. In the far, far distance a wolf howled; hopefully indicating the distance between the recent threat and the rest of the deer. If one listened hard they might imagine a faint, panicked squeaking, barely audible over the blowing breeze. As the minutes turned into hours, both deer rested together; enjoying each other's company and eventually falling asleep together under the warm spring sun. Later there would be excitement and explanations and planning a joint future together. But that could wait; for now there was just buck and doe, together in the spring.