She reminds me of you.

Ylva can still remember the small smile that had crossed Solomon's face as he said that. His words have never been far from her mind these past few weeks, which she and Errant have spent in the Cove, enjoying his hospitality and meeting the many faces of his family. It's been eye-opening, to say the least, to witness Solomon in his home environment for the first time. Perhaps he's simply keeping up appearances for her sake, but his herd seems content and well-cared-for, as far as she can tell. Ylva is particularly impressed to see the efforts he takes to dote on his numerous offspring, showing a tender side to him that she had not expected.

As the days grow shorter, however, Ylva knows her and Errant's time in the Cove has come to a close: at least for now. She recalls her encounter with Solomon several autumns ago in which - despite her discomfort at his persistent presence - Ylva had almost been unable to resist the urge to present her hindquarters to him. While the constant presence of Errant serves as a protective barrier against such whims now, Ylva knows Solomon to be wily and resourceful - liable to take advantage of any moment she's alone - and she does not trust herself to act responsibly if such a thing were to occur.

The relief of leaving the Cove, however, is short-lived once Ylva remembers just exactly where she and Errant are bound next. Though on the outside she maintains the appearance of a cool, collected mare, with every step into her former home Ylva's heart beats quicker. At one point, so distracted by her ruminations, she trips over a small rock and nearly falls sideways into Errant. After catching herself - and insisting to him that she's quite all right - they crest a shallow hill and then suddenly they have arrived. The Bay sprawls before them, a valley of rolling tundra and forests, with the ocean glinting silver in the distance.

Ylva looks over the place in which she had once reigned as Queen, each small detail triggering a new memory she had long ago buried. She's quiet and still for some moments, unable to express her thoughts to Errant or move any further into the place to which she had once vowed she would never return.

Finally, as a chill early-autumn breeze rakes through her cream-and-rust mane, Ylva lets out a heavy, resigned exhale and leads the way downhill into the valley, her dark eyes peeled for any sign of her successor.