Bacardi had known since the day of his return, when he had reunited with Grizel, where her mother had been taken. Yet, even now, the stallion had done nothing to rectify that. He didn’t have a legitimate excuse for his inaction, so the painted man had done his best to just ignore the situation all together. Waiting to see if she changed hands by some other challenger, or somehow found her own freedom. Anything that would keep Bacardi from having to go back to the Bay.


But he couldn’t be a coward forever.


Without warning to anyone in the family, Bacardi left behind the Forest, and swam to Tinuvel. It seemed to take forever to reach the frigid island. Either because he did not travel anymore, or it was the dread that sat so heavily in his stomach. What if he failed to retrieve Maeve? Or worse, what if he couldn’t climb ashore at all? But when Bacardi reached the shore, he did not hesitate or stumble as he climbed up on the pebble strewn beach. It was as if he had never left the Bay for a single day.


Letting out a piercing call, Bacardi expected the black beast that had claimed his previous home to come racing down to meet him with fury. Instead, he seemed entirely too distracted, and released Maeve without a fight at all. Whether by good fortune, or pure luck, Bacardi didn’t know. But he wouldn’t squander the opportunity. Without saying a word, not wanting to bring attention back to them, the Forest stallion left with the draft mare and returned back to their rightful home.


When Bacardi stepped onto the beach of Luthien with Maeve, he stopped there with a sigh. Grizel didn’t have a clue as to what he had done, but he didn’t doubt she would be happy with the outcome. “I’m sorry, for taking so long.” he apologized to Maeve, glancing over to her a moment, before letting his eyes look back to the trees ahead of them. “She doesn’t know I went to retrieve you. I didn’t want to disappoint her if I failed.” A small smile cut at his dark lips though, starting to feel the excitement of what was to come when Grizel saw her mother returned. “Welcome home, Maeve. You’re family is waiting on you.” He nodded for her to take the lead, he would follow behind.

mutt. bay tobiano. fourteen three hands. of the forest.

"...speech"