Aallotar had often wondered what it would be like to see Fearghas again. He had all but evaporated from the Islands when he had abandoned them in the Peak. She had romanticized the thoughts that had entered her mind as she was brooding over the anguish she felt from his absence. During her pregnancy with Fortis, she had further experienced these dark thoughts. She had grown distance even from Seri and she could tell that it had hurt the little girl to see her mother in such a state. Shortly after Fortis’ arrival, Aallotar had seen the world with renewed purpose. Though she could still feel the pain of her abandonment, it had settled into a dull ache, one she could often ignore.
Her eyes settled on Fortis and Seri, her smile wide and content. She absently chewed the little scraps of grass that they had been able to find in the Falls. Winter would be coming soon; she could feel it in her bones. A coldness settled over her shoulder and her ears instantly twisted, eyes searching the horizon as she felt she was being watched. She did not expect her eyes to land on a spotted coat. Her dark eyes narrowed, ears twisting to flatten into the tangles of her dark mane. Fearghas.
he had dreamt of the day they would reunite. She often thought it would be filled with joy; that the longing she felt would be immediately sated by his presence. But now that he was here, she didn’t feel anything but a deep disappointment. Her children had not yet noticed his arrival so she took the opportunity to place herself between them, her haunches coiled in anticipation. Like a snake prepared to strike, the words left her lips in a hiss, ”What do you want?” There would be no kind greetings. Fortis was the first to hear her. He had never seen his mother act such a way. Seri approached carefully, her eyes straining to the distance figure that she wasn’t sure if she recognized. She looked at Aallotar in confusion and then stark realization. It was her father. |