Tamlin had ridden a horse, but this was not comparable in the least-- everything was different, from Ranuk's size to the situation itself.  Heat rolled from the demon, radiating like fire under his thick fur, and Ranuk's body was solid, all muscle tensing as he moved.  Tamlin gripped tightly as Ranuk crouched to jump, squeezing his legs against the other's sides; for a moment they were aloft in the air, holding nothing, and then they landed.  The impact shuddered through Ranuk and into Tam, the force thankfully lessened but still intense.  He could feel Ranuk beneath him, could feel how alive he was, a jarring sensation that the elf let be overtaken by the dizziness that came with each jump.<br/><br/>There were several more, but mercifully they ended before Tam got too dizzy to hold on, his touch firm and body pressed close to keep himself balanced.  Only once was their silent ascent broken with the sound of loose rubble, the rocks bouncing down the sheer cliffside, but there was no commotion from the den, and the snow cat was in no shape to do anything about their arrival.  Their landing brought them to the entrance, with just enough light left before dusk turned to night.  The inside of the den was pitch-black; while the prince couldn't see, his betrothed had no such trouble.<br/><br/>After climbing down, the two made their way inside, Ranuk ahead and Tam following close.  The snow cat was dead, blood pooling beneath her from the arrow wound-- at least she was no longer in pain, no longer had to fight.  The prince would give his thanks to Yvanu when they returned.  The passage was utterly dark, and Tamlin could only hold onto one of Ranuk's tails (he hoped the demon didn't mind), until they crawled through the thinnest part of the cavern into the inner chamber.  Here the walls expanded, and there was the faintest glimmer of sunset that illuminated the cave.<br/><br/>The cubs were there, bundled together and crying, uncertain of what had happened or who was coming.  Tiny still and fairly new, they must have just begun to open their eyes and see the world.  Ranuk brought himself low, crouched down to minimize his imposing height; it was strange to watch such an intimidating demon approach the babies with the tenderness of a parent, but Tamlin supposed there was much he didn't know about demons, didn't know about the one he was to marry.  The elf hung back at the mouth of the chamber, dark eyes on the helpless cubs.  "We must leave soon, if we want to be down the mountain before dark..."  His voice was softened, but it still carried and echoed vaguely on the stone walls.