It was weird, to be back here. Freya never thought she would be back - after all, this place held some not-so-pleasant memories. Although the good ones once shone brightly like a diamond among her memories, they had long been tarnished by the events that unfolded those years ago. The twists of life's treacherous path had taken Dogun away from her, and then taken her from her beloved children. It was by fate's cruel hand that that bald-faced stranger had appeared on the beaches of the Inlet that day. Now, she wondered, was it by fate's hand that she returned?
She liked to believe in the idea of free will, but some things seemed to coincidental to not be predetermined. This thought lingered in her mind as she set hoof into the Common, blue eyes scanning the opening for any familiar faces. Unfortunately, it had been some time since she'd left; anyone who had been there during her time likely gone their own way and long forgotten about her. But Freya... she never stopped thinking about them.
Especially Dogun - especially their children. Although her heart did not ache like it once did at the thought of him, and tears no longer filled her eyes, she still felt that small sliver of sadness sink itself a tiny bit further into her heart. She had spent so long wondering why he had left. That was all she wanted to know... why? Had she done something wrong? Displeased him in some way? Had she - had the Islands - not lived up to his expectations? These questions clouded her mind for days, weeks, even years after Dogun's departure. The arrival of the bandit male had only exasperated her already sky-high anxiety and borderline hysteria. Her children needed her, but he had been so cold and uncompromising. A mother's worst nightmare was realized for her that day. Being taken from her family with no chance to say goodbye.
And now - years later - she had finally come back. Were they still here? Did Bjorn and Schuyler still linger on the isle of their birth, or had they, too, flown the nest? An inkling of hope had managed to keep itself alive inside her heart for all these years, but she knew she should not have any expectations when it came to the possibility of finding them. She refused to let herself be disappointed again.
Heaving a hearty sigh, Freya ambled her way over to the nearest tree, her joints aching in protest the entire time. She had been in denial about her age, recently, not wanting to believe that years of vagrancy were finally catching up to her. But alas, there was no denying it as she lowered herself gingerly to the ground, that her twilight years were quickly approaching. 'If only I could have a dying wish,' she mused to herself, bowing her head to nip at some sweet blades of grass. 'I would wish for my family back.'
((ooc: you can claim, but she's an old lady who does what she wants, so don't expect much xD))