Rowan padded out of the den entrance, eyes bleary and half closed, and her tail dragging along the ground. She squinted as the sun hit her face, and she let out a weak yawn. She shook out her fur and took a nice, long stretch, preparing herself for the day's activities. She was yawning again, when she noticed a sudden bustle of activity right behind her. A curious look on her face, Rowan turned, and spotted many of the other Guards flooding out of the den, many of them wagging their tails like overexcited pups. The other wolves' excitement was infectious, and Rowan was suddenly wide awake. She bounded into the crowd, ears perked, trying to gather any information on what was going on.
"What's happening you guys?" She asked no one in particular. She was met with a chorus of jumbled barks, all of them leading up to something about the Princess, one way or another. Rowan pieced it together quickly, and her eyes lit up. So the Princess was with the Guards today! That was exciting! Rowan wondered who the lucky Guard would be, and suppressed the hope of that lucky Guard ever being herself. Usually only older, more experienced Guards were ever assigned to the Princess. But it was still exciting that she would be hanging around. So Rowan went along with her morning, trying to see if she could spot her brother anywhere.

Rowan's ears twitched at the sound of the bark, and she looked up at the King, now on top of his den. The Guards all obediently pooled around the den, ears alert and eyes focused. As Rowan trotted over, she forced herself into her Guard mindset, and sat down near the back of the cluster of Guards. The group was full of chattering, but everyone immediately silenced as the King began to speak. Everyone listened intently and quietly, aside from the murmurs at the mention of a "Royal Guard". That definitely sparked interest among the older Guards. As Jasper and Lexa were called up, there were a few whoops and hollers for them, but the two Guards only gave the slightest ear flick in acknowledgment. Rowan watched them proudly, happy for them, and only the slightest bit jealous. If only she were a little older...Wait, had she heard her name correctly? Rowan? Not Ryan? Robin? Her only clarification was her fellow Guards looking back at her with excited looks. Rowan held back a yip of excitement, and put on her Serious-Tough-Guard Facade quickly. She walked up next to Lexa and Jasper, and dipped her head as well, barely containing her excitement.

Rowan stared down at the two hyper pups, giving a small nod and grin when they greeted her. She opened her mouth to reply to them, but looked up at Riley as she spoke. She watched as Riley made a little compromise with the boys, and Rowan smiled to herself. It was pretty endearing how well Riley handled the pups. Rowan shook the thought out, and smiled at Riley, holding back a sigh of relief. She wasn't the best with pups. It wasn't as if she didn't like them, she just didn't know how to handle them, so she was grateful for the Princess sending them off for a bit.
"Thank you," Rowan smiled at Riley, her eyes sincere. Rowan looked around for a moment, before settling her eyes back on the Princess. "Do you know how long this...arrangement, will be?" Rowan asked, referencing their newfound partnership. She hoped it didn't sound like she didn't want to be there, because it was quite the opposite. She was only asking because she was wondering how long she will have to savor this alone time with the Princess.