Late morning light bathed the beaches of the Ridge as the trio finally emerged from the water. It was only with Halcyon's help that they had managed the journey as well as they had, and even so, he could see the tiredness in his daughter's eyes as they landed. As soon as he felt Finch find her footing at his side, he craned his head around to inspect her, worry furrowing his brow. Half of the reason he had brought Halcyon along with him was to help keep Finch propped over his shoulder so that she would not succumb to overtiredness. Even so, it was a harrowing journey for a filly as young as her to undertake and he had worried for her safety.

Finch was no daughter of his, and yet he felt responsible for her safety and happiness. This - the Ridge and the help he hoped to find - was the best solution he could find that would allow him to appease Wren's wishes while also ensuring that the pretty filly would be cared for... and to keep her as far away from her sire as possible.

"You did so well," he praised the infant warmly, and brushed along the ruff of her damp mane with his muzzle. Once he was certain that she would not fall into the waves, he ushered them both onto the shore with a sigh of relief. In truth, being back on this beach was still painful. It reminded him with bitter clarity that Cicek was still missing. He had to assume at this point that it was by choice, and yet it didn't make him worry or hurt any less.

What had he done to chase her away?

Solomon firmly shoves these thoughts away and lifts his head to call for the Ridge's guardians and Siobhan. He did not know Rivaini well enough to ask her to nurse this child, but he had begun to harbor hope that Siobhan might be able to. After watching her navigate the raising of the twin fillies, he was fairly certain that she would be equipped to handle another this season... and sincerely hoped that she would be willing to take on yet another charge as a favor to himself and Ysabel.

"I'm just gonna go nap," Halcyon said brightly - her tone alone alerting her father that she had no such intentions in mind. He could see that the swim had worn off the worst of her excitement at being on Atlantis again, but he had no doubt in his mind that she was eager to see the young princeling again. It frustrated Solomon, if only because he was not yet ready for his daughter to grow attached to any male that was not himself, but he tried to rationalize it.

Of all the men that Halcyon could have picked - her one-time potential betrothee was probably not the worst option.

Shaking his head at her retreating figure, he curls back down to Finch again with a gentle smile. "How are you, Finch?"

Solomon