Gnome’s trip to the Crossing isle before investigating Luthien had been a good way to steel his nerves, despite the fact that he’d had little interaction. He’d had a brief encounter with a young, terrified mare followed by an even briefer encounter with his Atlantis neighbor Björn, a mare named Shaydowfax, and their young son. The latter served to remind him how much he ached for family, and it was shortly after that he had braved the chill waters of the sea.

Unfortunately, he had landed not in the Prairie but in the Thicket, which hadn’t existed in his time. There he learned that most inhabitants of both territories were engaged in a battle in the Forest. Figuring this must be related the war Rougaru had mentioned, he steered clear of the turmoil. Had he known the true nature of why there was fighting, he would have taken a side and fought. As it was, he still had not been told what cause either side was fighting for. Therefore, he’d skirted quickly around the Prairie. He hadn’t expected to find her, but the confirmation of his suspicions still hurt. He lingered for just a moment in his old home, vowing to return one day, before he swam back to the crossing.

In the meadow he had lingered, debating what to do next. Kendry had introduced his proposition, but Gnome needed time to process. He felt as though he had looked everywhere he could think of for Lilika and Iris, and turned up nothing. Either something terrible had happened to them both, or they didn’t want to be found. It would take quite awhile to fully process and move on from this fact, if he ever could. However, after a few days of wallowing he was prepared to potentially seek out another companion, if only for polite conversation.

The grullo had been standing alone, looking rather lost. Gnome, being who he was, had offered assistance. In doing so, he’d found out that the little mare was nearly completely blind. Not wanting her to be taken advantage of, he’d offered her shelter and a home. She was soft spoken but intelligent, and he got the impression she didn’t play games like so many he’d encountered before.

They had just arrived back to Paradise. It was the tail end of autumn, but here on Atlantis the weather had not yet changed; in truth, it probably wouldn’t change much anyway. He was resigned to yet another season here, but he was beginning to greatly miss the Prairie. Perhaps after the war was over, he would attempt to bid an amicable farewell to Rougaru and go back to the temperate island he so loved.

After he’d shaken the briny water from his pelt, he looked over his shoulder at the mare, Veles. He nickered to her to indicate where he was, and then waited for her to catch up to him. He led the way inland a short ways, to where they would be somewhat sheltered from the sun. It shone bright and hot today in spite of winter’s imminent arrival. He smiled as they reached the canopy where he’d so recently spent a rainy morning with Kendry. Gnome led the grullo beneath the leaves, and turned to her. He reached his muzzle out to softly touch hers, before saying, “So, Veles, we didn’t have much of a chance to chat before our swim. How long have you been on these isles? Where is your original home?”

Gnome