In spite of the years that have passed between them, and the changes that have left their marks on their bodies, when Adelheid rolls her eyes Jetta briefly feels as though no time has passed at all. In that moment they are still girls, young sisters so starkly different and always butting heads, and briefly Jetta feels silly for having gotten emotional. But then Adelheid teases her, and Jetta manages a weak laugh, letting her eyes flutter closed to enjoy the rare affectionate touch from her sister.

Her face is solemn by the time they part, her tear-stained face full of sorrow and guilt. Her pale lips part, but she cannot bring herself to speak, to acknowledge the fears of her sister’s fate that she’s let grow inside her over the years.

Her heart burns with love when her sister averts her gaze and asks for forgiveness. It’s an antithesis to the moments before, when Jetta had felt as though no time had passed at all - now Jetta can see that Adelheid has grown and matured. Jetta takes a step closer, emotion flooding her throat and cracking her voice as she speaks. “Adelheid,” she breathes in a half-whisper. “You’ve always been my sister, no matter where you’ve been.”

There is the soft sound of hooves on leaf litter as her brother and son approach on either side of her, and the warmth of their bodies fills her with peace. If only Diamant were here… and their mother…

“Adelheid,” Gent says in greeting from beside her, but otherwise he’s uncharacteristically quiet. Jetta watches Adelheid’s eyes wander to Wade and Prairie, her lips quirking in a small smile at her sister’s quip. “This is my son Wade,” she says, indicating the roaned stallion beside her, who nods politely. “And this--” she turns and sees that Prairie is still lingering behind, staring at them from beside the stream. “Prairie, come say hello to your aunt,” she calls gently.

With noticeable reluctance, the champagne filly splashes across the stream toward them, hazel eyes ogling her aunt. “Hello,” she says quietly.

“My youngest,” Jetta explains to Adelheid, her expression warm with pride. “A lot has happened since you’ve been away, as you can see.”