He stood, limbs anchoring his massive frame to the cliffs against the occasional gust, watching as those he had called materialized from the forests— or from the air, as Iona was quick to draw his attention with sweetly sassy words. Pale ears twitch in amusement, a grin glimmering on his still muzzle as he gives her facetiously chiding look. But there is no substance behind it, as it openly gives way to a small grin as Alune joins and laughs at her words. His eyes watch the lovely Moon Doctor, Alysanne stand beside her sister.

He nods his great heat in simple affirmation, awaiting for others to appear before he speaks. And, truly, for a newly crowned King, it was surreal to see his herd mates (those he now governed ) emerge from the trees. Some hung back, like the quietly scarred Glasgow or worried Calypso. Elsa, the returning General, also stood away from the herd in her newness— though nodded him a grateful greeting.

His grin grows as Erthe shuffles beside him (still sadly limping). He leans gently into her hug, aspirations of regalness slipping away as he bent his head to gently ruffle her thick curls in greeting. There were those who led by distance and intimidation, and then there were those who led by strength and example. The first were feared, the latter loved. It quickly became which variety the Elephant was.

He raised his head, grin fleeing as drifting eyes alighted on the bowed head of the broken Mauja and the young Naerys hovering by his side. His gaze lingers on his friend for a few moments, before widening in surprise at Anzanie’s rotundly pregnant appearance. He had not known her to be pregnant. His brows raise in silent question— but that would a private conversation for another day.

He meets Rohan’s quizzical stare evenly— the handsomely antlered stallion would get his answers soon enough. Then follows the stag’s appreciative gaze to Nyx, who is giving the King a roughish grin. A slight smile returns to the edges of his thick lips as he gives a small, amused shake of his head. His gaze falls to the still d’Arcy by her side, and the actively circling Libertad. Interested, he watches the roses bloom and burst, creating a red path of blood? in his wake.

Cobalt eyes raise, scanning the unique gathering of equines, and a small amount of proud satisfaction coupled with discontent stirred within him. Pride at those who had gathered, discontent at those he did not see.

“I call this meeting in the face of both tragedy and change,” his low voice rumbles throughout the mists. “Our herdmate, Sno, has fallen in the Tiger Goddess Battle,” his gaze seeks Mauja’s, hoping that he is right in revealing such intimate loss to the herd, “And, with Mauja’s blessing, I am your new King.” He does not explain nor divulge the heartbreak experienced by the Frozen Light. That was his, and his alone, to share.

He continues to sweep his blue eyes over those gathered, “There are many of you gathered, yet many vacancies in our ranks. Elsa is our General, Nyx our Captain, should any of you wish to join our Protector ranks with Lithium and Rohan. We need both warriors in the sky and on the land.” He glanced at each equine in turn as he spoke their name, before pausing to allow any to step forward.

“Anzanie is now our head Glazier, should any wish to follow in my crafting footsteps,” he smiles as he motions his giant horn towards the pregnant Glazier, once again pausing to allow members to voice interest.

“Ophelia, who is currently protecting us from thieves, and Iona,” he looks to the shapely, piebald pegasus, “are our Spectors. Again, those who wish to follow their stealthy paths, seek them out.” He pauses once again, wondering if any would wish to follow a path that he, himself, could never again travel.

“For those interested in healing and mending, our Moon Doctors are Evangeline, Alysanne, and Calista,” his eyes find only Alysanne, and again he breaks his speech to allow any to speak up or step forward.

“Lastly, our Seeing ranks are occupied only by Alune, who praises our Lady” darkened to navy, his gaze easily finds the large, astral stallion as he recalls their earlier conversation, “He will be our commune with our Moon Goddess. If any wish to join him in following the path of our Lady, make it known.”

Finally, his deep voice rests its commanding tone, gaze now slowly sweeping to find any herd members that wished to join ranks. In the recesses of his mind, he wonders if any will challenge his new crown. He hadn't considered it before now.