Hoenir was up and about long before the sun, which now greeted his green eyes with thin filaments of light. His large ears were perked, betraying how alert he was, even though his sluggish trot would suggest otherwise. He noticed large stocks of yarrow budding from the ground, and as a kindness decided the clan could never have too much supplies, gripping some of the sour growth between his neat pointed teeth. He was finally nearing his destination, and sped up to a large outgrowth of rocks, the opening high up top covered in vines. He set down his bundle, and focused intently on two rocks in front of him. He hardly paid attention to the glow of a portion of fur as the rocks slid aside to reveal a gaping hole in the ground.
"Eros?" He called tentatively into the dimly lit hole. Two eerily bright turquoise eyes peered from the dark. She moved into a small tendril of light that slipped between the topmost part of her cage, her nearly blinding white fur glowing from the sun's reflection off it.
"Hoenir!" She meowed with a bit of relief, but worry edged in her voice.
"Any news on my release?" Eros meowed, tone thick with anxiety. Hoenir used the rocky outcrop to climb down, closing the stone wall behind him. He shook his head.
"The Gods have yet to send a reply to our elders." He said sadly. Eros felt annoyance bubble under her skin. It had been five moons since the beginning of her imprisonment, more than half of her life. She wanted out. She had been waiting for out. Why should she expect any different today though?
As though sensing her frustration, Hoenir gently placed his tail on her shoulder in comfort.
"I'm sorry. If it were up to me, I would have let you out long ago. I know you aren't doing any harm to us..." He said in a heart achingly sympathetic tone. Eros shrugged off his tail, and sat down sullenly facing a wall, green with moss.
"Then why don't you?" She sulked. Hoenir let out a heavy sigh.
"They would kill me. You know this. I've told you." He replied. Eros did not look away from the wall, but her eyes slited. No one but him ever visited her living tomb. He could let her go, and no one would ever know.
"These all just sound like excuses!" She swung around on him, her small pearl-white teeth now on display. Hoenir did not flinch, but merely laid his ears back for a moment. He looked at her sadly, and hung his head low.
"I'm sorry Eros. I'm so sorry..." His sincerity hit her like a strong wave, and she felt guilty for lashing out. Instantly she felt the need to make amends.
"Oh...I'm just being a bit melodramatic is all..." She sat close to Hoenir, who was still prostrate with grief.
"No, it's horrible down here." He muttered. Eros shook her soft white head.
"No! It's really neat! This may be a prison, but at least it's a nice big one!" In emphasis, she ran the entire circumference of the cavern, which was about eight fox lengths across. She was panting from that small exertion.
"Plus there are always all kinds of birds that visit! I wouldn't have my feather collection if it wasn't for this cave." She stated proudly. She loved her huge collection of bird feathers. She had collected all kinds of different shapes, sizes, and colors.
"Are you really okay?" Hoenir asked, lifting his head up slightly to meet her eyes. She nodded, her turquoise eyes shining. Hoenir instantly brightened up, and leapt to his feet.
"So, shall I go get you the usual?" He inquired.
"Oh, how about a jay today? I love the blue feathers!" She chimed. Hoenir flicked his tail in recognition as he leapt up the rocks. His fur glowed in a strange pattern, and two large stones slid away to form the opening. He quickly slid out, and the opening closed. Eros slid to the ground, and laid her head on her paws.
Hoenir walked off into the woods smiling, feeling sickly satisfied.