He slept long after the swim, resting his overworked body throughout the night and for the better part of the following day. On the mainland his intentions had been to travel directly to Luthien, but once he’d plunged into the frothing water and battled the indifferent currents of the ocean it had been a challenge just to make it across the wide sea to the Crossing. As the sun began its slow descent he awoke, lifting his great head to blink and stare about him with dark, clear eyes.

The Crossing had not changed in all the years he’d been gone. Tall yellow meadow grass whispered conspiratorially as it brushed together, blown and bent by the soft summer wind. He lay at the edge of the land, where it connected to the Commons. The flat field at his back was still a popular claiming ground, and as he observed the stallions who approached the mares there he searched for the familiar gait or coat patterns of the horses he used to know. But they were all young, mares and stallions alike, and he did not recognize any of them. Before him and mingling in the meadow were more strangers, and he supposed he would find much the same waiting for him in the Falls.

Ikari had never had anything to do with the Lagoon, but the Peak— ah, the Peak. Corinth was a steadfast, dependable mare. The shire heaved his bulk off the ground and settled his weight on his wide hooves. His feathers were growing thin and his back sloped considerably more than it had in his youth. White hairs speckled his muzzle and crawled up the white socks on his legs. Inside, he could feel his joints creak as he steadied himself on his feet. The swim from the mainland to the Lost Islands had been more taxing than he had expected. It was certainly best he remained on the Crossing until he fully recovered from his arduous swim.

His pressed his hooves against the soil and exhaled deeply. He had left his Valley for her, departing from his siblings and children with the sole intent of returning to his family. He knew what family was, now. It had taken many years for him to realize it, but with death came insight, and Ikari understood that he was supposed to be here. The Islands were his home now— perhaps they always had been.

The mahogany bay stallion stepped out, lifting his head and stepping high as he made his way to the land of the Vulcans. If Corinth were not waiting for him —of course she would not be waiting for him— it was possible one of her daughters would know him from her mother’s stories. Ikari hoped his old friend would still reside on the formidable mountain. It would be good to see a familiar face.

At the base of the Peak he stopped, reluctant to attempt the climb the mountain face, and waited. Head tucked in, neck arched and tail half-flagged, Ikari stood with all four feet squared and cut an impressive pose in the dying sunlight.

He had returned. But was there anyone left who would remember him?

---

Ikari; Stallion; Sixteen; Shire; 18 hh; Mahogany bay; Once of the Forest; Uforia's
The children;
Zara;
Melody, Thorn [x Telyn];
Prizm, Carila, Qandor, Revelation [x Caustic];
Rivendell [x Severell];
Dearborn [x Dro];
Kisei, Valiant [x Shinkara];
River [x Brooke];
Daire [x Vhessiu]