as I wandered the forest, the green leaves among, i heard a wild flower singing a song

despite the odd hour and the rushing wind that was sure to muffle the sounds of their approach it wasn’t long before petal spied a form moving briskly but silently in their direction. it took a few moments for her to recognize the stallion who she had once promenaded home with so long ago. his disheveled appearance made her heart flutter with worry before she could think twice. the mud clotted to his sides and tangled mane and tail littered with debris sent pangs of regret skittering through her mind. she had certainly failed him. as he stopped before them a flare of determination boiled up in her soul, she would strive to help him heal. she could never replace the sweetness and goodness that brienne had brought to the prairie, but she was determined to try and help him find happiness again.

his voice is raw with shock and the tiny pale mare aches. was he really so surprised she had come back? his question settles on the air between them and she examines it, uncertain how to answer. her blue eyes glance downwards and she shifts uncomfortably. vita nova’s voice seems to offer some explanation but she knows it is not enough. she feels his eyes resting heavily on her, still unbelieving, and she lifts her own to meet him again. her voice wavers uncharacteristically when she speaks, i came back to see you, i thought….maybe i could visit for a while? i’ve only just returned to the islands and i ran into your sister by chance…she offered to travel with me.

she stammers it all out awkwardly, uncertain given his reaction that he would want her around at all. her body shudders under the moonlight, expelling some of the nervous energy that coils uncomfortably under her skin. she offers a half smile to vita nova before returning her gaze to shamwari. things were so different now from the last time she had arrived at this place. both of them had changed it was clear. at that moment, she no longer worried about being trapped in the prairie. that concern had melted away and for now she could only think of how he might be happier with company and how different it was to be around him than the prickly feeling she had during the pair’s encounter with warsaw.

p e t a l

mare : 5 : perlino dun : arabian mustang mutt : 13.3 : kafkaesque

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