Rowena didn't think formal goodbyes were necessary. If anything they would have hurt her chances for escape. To dawdle and announce her departure to others could have alerted Osiris to her plans and given him the time he needed to prepare and prevent her escape. This is not something the black mare was willing to risk, not even for Elvira. Not that Elvira seemed to need her. Mother and daughter rarely spoke freely with Osiris always looming over them. Why would Elvira suddenly need that now?

It makes no sense to Rowena. None of this makes any sense. The chaos all around them crescendos to a dizzying roar, but all Rowena's hears are Elvira's biting words.

"Elvira, enough!" Rowena manages to shout above cacophony going on around them. "Have you gone mad? You're a grown mare for Satan's sake. I don't need your permission to move one island over. If you want to talk to me then talk. What you're doing now is entirely unnecessary. You're acting like a child!" Rowena's stance remains guarded and her weight pitched back onto her haunch, ready to act if Elvira comes for her again.

Rowena's ears turn in confusion. What mare? she wonders, having no idea what Elvira is even talking about. "Elvira, i didn't leave for any mare. I'm here because of Dances with Wolves. I'm here because I finally respect myself enough not to stay with Osiris. You, of anyone, should know what's he's like." Rowena shakes her head, her ears pinning flat against her crest. "And what do you think I could have done, Elvira? From my position under Osiris I could do nothing to help you. You, however, are Bjorn's mare now. If you don't want to be with him, then fight your way out. Bjorn's a lot smaller than you. I'm sure you can beat him." She snorts, shocked by the outrageousness of this whole situation. "It's time for you to grow up, Elvira." Rowena levels a stern gaze with her daughter. Until now, she never had reason to discipline Elvira. Oh how Rowena wishes she had the opportunity to put Elvira in her place while Elvira was still small.

Rowena stands resolute. "No one is going back to the Ridge with you, Elvira. You need to learn to solve your own problems." Rowena honestly had no idea that Elvira was with foal. Communication goes both ways. Elvira can be as angry with Rowena as she wants but she didn't reach out to Rowena either. If she felt the need to connect with Rowena, then it was her responsibility to do so. Rowena is no mind reader. She can't be expected to provide support where she has no idea it's even needed. Rowena would be happy for news of another grandchild, but the way in which the information is presented leaves no room for joy.

News of Osiris' alleged suffering fails to give rise to any emotion at all. Osiris has never treated Rowena with any tenderness. If he wanted their relationship to last, he would have shown given her a reason to stay. Rowena held herself captive by Osiris for so long. She let him keep her. She let him think he was winning because she didn't think she deserved to be free of him. Dances reminded her of her own self worth again. Dances always helps her up when she's down. With Dances, is where she belongs. Osiris can find some other mare to hoard.

This time, when Elvira lunges at her, Rowena is ready. The muscles in her haunch, already gathered, release, and she launches towards Elvira with equal force. Her own jaws aim for Elvira's shoulder. It's time to show Elvira a little tough love.