They had met here for the first time, in the Thistle Meadow, though under much less ideal circumstances- with the Thief, then only a Phantom, bleeding from his neck and on the edge of delirium. He must have made for a horrific sight, but she had taken him in with the utmost compassion, unquestioning and selfless, without even knowing his name or his nature; and when she had, in a sudden misfortunate turn, stumbled into a rabbit hole, he had helped her as well.

Roland moved forwards into her embrace, the light brush of her cheek against his, and he turned his face into her touch with a fond smile. "It's good to see you," he said, hoping they would not stay apart for so long again. He had missed the comfort of a familiar friend, someone who had been with him almost since the beginning, who he knew he could trust without a second thought. There were very few who had earned that title from the Thief. Besides the white doe, only Lena and the silver boy, Caneo, held that reward of his faith. When so much had changed within the Basin, and with the chaos of past seasons still a fiery storm within his mind, it was good to see her face.

A shrill cry startled him from his thoughts, and he turned an alarmed gaze up to the skies as a small creature swooped down towards them. A quick glance in Arah's direction found the Impersonator unperturbed, and realization settled into his mind as the griffin landed lightly upon the mare's back. It peered at him with inquiring eyes, and he extended it an equal amount of curiousity. "Hello," he murmured with a dip of his head, and when he was no longer a source of interest and intrigue for the creature, she turned away from him to focus on more pressing matters, like napping beneath the sun. "Your companion?" He asked, turning back to Arah with a smile. Roland had often wondered what it might be like to share a bond with another, something that followed in your every step, always in your shadow. It seemed ideal, that one might never want for company again when a companion was always at your side, but the Thief had always suspected they would be something of a burden when he wished to be free, appreciating his solitude when he had it.

The mare's question drew his mind back to his recent journey in search of fire, still a haunting, bitter memory for him, something he felt could not be shared. It was a difficult subject to approach in the solace of his own mind, and even with Lena herself. He kept quiet on the matter, but couldn't help reflecting on all that had happened since he'd last seen the Impersonator. It was difficult to place when that had been, though the memory was vivid enough. He'd made something of a fool of himself, cowering under the harmless gaze of a serpent in the forest, but he'd been glad for her timely arrival to shake him out of it. They had not seen each other since, not even in the sanctuary, after the wraiths had attacked. He had glimpsed her at the herd meetings of course, always keeping a keen eye out for those he knew, even if they had never found the opportunity to speak. "I've just been sparring in the Basin," he answered at last, for there was too much to cover, to attempt to summarize, history too great a topic to broach. There was no time to converse about all that had happened since they'd spoken last, even if he might have wished to share those things with her. But the bruises on his skin were still fresh, still ached some from his walk through the mountain pass, and it was as good a beginning as any. "It's been a while since I've fought. I was trained to as a child, but I've had little use for the practice as of late. Most of my quarrels are settled with words," he chuckled, knowing she would understand exactly what he meant. There was a memory lingering in the back of his mind, something he'd meant to speak with her about eons ago, though in the end he'd never had the chance. "You have children now?"

(So sorry for the wait! <3)