They had left the northern forest know as The Threshold, finally able to escape the confronting situation Thranduil had placed them all in. Her eyes had trailed along the tall base of the mountains that helped funnel newcomers into the vast land. Behind them Wynter trailed behind, often flying off to hunt game. During this time of the year, the griffin was having no trouble finding food. The sliver doe lead the way, her pace quick yet comfortable as she had made this journey so many times. Each time her eyes would settle on familiar land marks, a sense of relief would roll through her body. Perhaps the feeling of complete safety would never return to her, once she roamed these lands as a confident foreign beauty. Now she moved with purpose and always had her guard up, most of the time that guard was Wynter; today however it was Crash and she felt quite safe in his presence. As the humidity gathered around them, a cool breeze was quick to settle over the quartet that was quickly making their way to The Basin. Perhaps it would storm tonight, Arah picked up the pace a little; hoping both companions would be able to keep up. It had been early morning in The Threshold, yet now it was midday and from the way the sky was slowly darkening, Arah sensed that once night time hit, it would fall over them quickly, shrouding them in darkness. It wouldn't do to try and lead Thranduil down into the Basin at night, it would likely end up in him breaking a few bones. Although she didn't think Crash would have a problem with it. A sense of delight trickled through the bond, Wynter had made a kill and was quickly chocking down the prize as to return to Arah; while shaking her head at the griffin's ability to choke down food glanced towards the new stallion. She did not trust him.

Finally they hit the northeast, here lay the crumbled remains of a once mighty mountain range. The doe remembered standing here forging an alliance with the herd who used to reside here. Lakota used to reside within this par of Helovia, but her home had been robbed from her. Now apparently a new herd lurked within the cracked lands, rumour had it (if you were to believe such idiots) that the insane lurked within, unable to control their thirst for blood. Apparently many revolts had already been witnessed within these lands. Yet how could you know for sure? Perhaps they were truly just lies told to make the herd that lived their much more threatening. Still the ivory doe made sure the stay clear from their clearly marked boundaries. Even from a distance one could see the clear waters that rushed in from the bay to pour over the top of the rocks, creating a some of the most splendid and enchanting set of beautiful water falls and crystal clear ponds with pools at various elevations. Arah's golden orbs also observed the sparse forest that dotted the landscape, they clearly would provide a decent shelter from the wind and the elements. Then her eyes moved to study the rocky hills, Arah wondered if they were difficult to traverse save for the sure-footed, but no doubt to those who resided here the well-worn paths would be easy to find, locked away in their memories. An amazing rainbows could be seen bowing across the waters, a promise from the gods. Arah paused for only a moment to watch the way the stunning colours decorating the lands that she knew very little about. Perhaps one day she would be able to have a wonder through the land, the doe began to move again.

After some time Arah paused to look around, she was not lost, simply concerned for Wynter as the griffin had not been spotted for quite some time. Cá bhfuil tú? Finally a screech is called through the air, and the slightly blinding sight of Wynter can be seen. The griffin glides down until coming to a stop on Arah's back, with a sigh at the theatrics of her companion, the sliver doe presses on forward. "Wynter, you shouldn't stay away for so long." They had arrived at the northern reach, before them rose the mighty mountains that created The Basin. The range heaved towards the darkening sky, even from this distance the patchwork of snow and stiff dirt could be seen dotting the land. First however it was to be a journey through the sometimes deadly other times stunning Frozen Arch. "You will need to be careful here Thranduil." For the doe knew that the barren terrain had claimed better lives than him. "If you need me to slow just give me a call. Don't rush or you'll trip and snap your neck." The very thought seemed to amuse Wynter, Arah rolled her eyes at the bratty companion. If the two could share thoughts, Arah knew that Wynter would be thinking something along the lines off 'bet you wish you have wings now.' Hence the Griffin's amusement at Arah's statement. The tundra at this time of year had little, bitter and brittle grasses and shrubs. Her golden eyes studied the land as they passed through, snow drifted lightly down onto her back. Her hooves by now knew how to carefully navigate the many loose rocks the were littered across the ground. There was also a constant danger of crumbling boulders, her golden orbs settled on a particular boulder that was promising to crumble untop of them unless they passed quickly. They were lucky to be passing through during a warmer season, in the colder seasons the ice and dirt combined to become slick sheets of danger, and it wasn't unlikely to have to wait out a monstrous snow storm in the chilly caves made by the glaciers and the frosty archways. A blast of wind howled down at them causing Wynter to shrink back and burry herself under Arah's bountiful amounts of locks. Chuckling at her bonded's reaction, Arah pressed on surefooted through the dangerous landscape. Every now and then she would glance over to check on Crash and then Thranduil, she was as subtle as possible about it; sometimes making Wynter peep out of her comfy nest of hair for a moment to check on the stallions that walked with them.

Finally they were spat out from the Frozen arch. Pausing to looking upon the Basin, the doe smiled, eager to finally return back to her children. "Seiceáil orthu le haghaidh dom." The griffin spread her wings and took flight over The Basin, looking for Asch and Arwen and then would hopefully find either Deimos or Illynx. To the west of the narrow exit that was the Frostbreath Steppe, was the range of mountains preserved with white snow. But Arah only had eyes for The Basin, it always looked magical to the doe, it had been her home from day one. Year round, the Basin's lands were covered in permafrost, constantly making it seem that winter was trapped within the mountains. A narrow mountain pass lead to a small, hidden valley and Arah started towards this path now. Confidence carried her forward, it only took a couple of minutes until they were traveling down the path and heading into The Basin. "We are blessed with a lake that never freezes. You should definitely visit the lake at night when it reflects the night's sky, which is often filled with colorful aurora borealis." Her vocals were soft, quiet yet they traveled through the gentle wind back to the new stallion. "The tundra grasses grow thick and lush here, you'll never grow hungry. Often snow melts to reveal the warm earth beneath." Her golden orbs rose to the tall mountains that offered protection from the harsh, winter winds. Then they skittered down to the shallow caves that dotted the sides; she knew one of them was offering shelter for her daughters. "We also have a large, natural hot spring steams. You will find that it is a welcome reprieve." The doe herself planned to visit the springs as soon as the meeting and welcome was over. "Though what is perhaps our most treasured feature is a the glass mirror. It can be found resting against the wall of a cave, although no reflection can be seen when gazed upon." Finally her hooves hit the ground that was The Basin. Sighing Arah closed her eyes and inhaled a breath of relief.

@[Deimos] | @[Illynx] | @[Crash Course] | @[Thranduil]
Joining/welcoming thread for Thranduil, need a lead to officially accept him. Permission granted to write Wynter finding/guiding you if you wish. <3
Hawk - Tried to give you as much info about the lands we passed as I could, just so you have a general idea of where they passed through and what kind of land Thranduil now lives in! :D