His hooves touched the sands of Atlantis. This was the world that had called him back from years of travel. This was the world he knew he would always call home. He could smell the salt in the air and he could feel the comfort of the very air on his buttery gold pelt. He knew this was where he belonged and his soul sang with his homecoming. Breathing deep, he knew he could not thank Bjorn enough for allowing him this chance, even if it was only for a moment. Ailill closed his light blue eyes, overwhelmed by his desire. He hoped it would be more than a moment…

First the stallion stood for a moment, looking over at the Ridge for which the territory got its name. He knew on the other side of the stone barrier was Paradise. The land he had ruled and had lost. It was a dream he knew he would likely put to bed. Letting his regret drip from him like the droplets of sea water, he let go and turned his attention back to the now, and the here. His cheerful smile spread across his pink lips. Here was the place he had danced along the border, taunting and tormenting his rivals with proximity and the threats of his wit and his charm. He had stolen the hearts of fillies and mares alike, stealing them into his land with promises of dances and treasures. It had never been his fault, and he had never taken a mare against their will. He had been a thorn in Vodnik’s side, flirting with his fillies and mares, until he had started to feel for them. His smiles fell. What had happened to Macabre? ….what had happened to Rowena? It was foolish to think he would not love again, it was even more foolish to believe he would ever forget the feelings they had stirred in him so long ago.

He closed his eyes and stopped his trek. The knight had failed in his oaths when he had left. Though he had no claim over any of them, he had failed to defend them from whatever fate had befallen them and failed to be the friend he had promised to be. He shook his head and stood tall once again. He would do better now, he would be a better man. If he let him, he could be Bjorn’s right hand man. Curious, he continued to trot through the unfamiliar trails of The Ridge, imagining what it would have been like here while Vodnik had ruled. As much as he tried to fight the hope, he wondered if he would still see Rowena here.