His strength seemed to be fading, waning; his bony frame sunk deeper against the rough bark of the tree, and Mauja's gaze trailed it upward for a moment. It was stout, sturdy, not the thin, springy tree in its youth. In a way it was a fitting thing for the foal to lean against, to let something so ancient hold him up.. but he couldn't stay here, leaning against a tree, for forever, could he? No. Mauja wouldn't let him, though he was reluctant to try and bully him into coming along, or forcing him physically. Better to have that cold patience, the ice coating the flames deep down. Soon enough he would yield or flee, and if he just remained patient.. calm.. warm... then perhaps he would come to him. The branches overhead rustled as an owl settled upon them, her sharp talons gripping the wood with practiced ease. Large white wings folded neatly to her sides, and her cold blue eyes peered down at the scrawny child. Coldly, she remarked that if it was her hatchling, it would not make it. It would not be strong enough to compete with its siblings for the food she would bring.

He pointed out to her that it wasn't hers, but he could feel her frigid scorn of its physical weakness. Sometimes, a bond was a curse.

Mauja's right ear gave a twitch at the sound of the voice, his senses straining to pick out the name from the slight stutter at the start; Druid, he thought, or something like Drew.. Drew'd? He forced down a snort. Druid felt easier to say, easier on the tongue, and if he was wrong, perhaps the foal would have guts enough to correct him. Nodding slightly, mostly to himself, he bade Irma keep an eye out for intruders and give him warning should he need to whisk the colt away quickly. She scowled, disapproving, said that Druid wasn't worth it. And, true to her nature, remained firmly in place. He gave a mental shrug. No point in harassing her about it. This was the way it was, and that was how simple it was.

"Druid," he said gently, tasting the name as he spoke it. His blue eyes dropped down from Irma's sullen shape and to the snowcap colt. When he spoke again, his voice was slower and he weighed each word before he spoke it "I have many friends, in a place called the Basin. If you do not want to be alone anymore, we'd gladly take you in.. protect you, and make sure you always have food and shelter." Perhaps he could even ask Faelene to nurse him along with Sielu — if she didn't behead him for requesting a favor of her. "I understand if you'd be cautious of going someplace. If you wonder anything, just ask and I will explain." Despite the warmth in his voice, his eyes were narrowed as he watched the colt's face, trying to read his expressions. Even though his bond-mate wasn't approving of the foal, Mauja felt for him, and wanted to take him in, guard him, raise him — just because he was small now, and couldn't see, didn't mean he should be abandoned and judged unworthy.