I shouldn't be surprised that none of my brothers rose from the swamp to greet me. Despite the brotherhood we claimed, Garmr was the only man I had ever truly felt connected to. Perhaps that was why the large beast had gone out of his way to retrieve me from my imprisonment.

Still, I had thought that perhaps Thranduil would at least be brave enough to come face me, given that he had placed his name up in my stead and sought to steal my title. I tried not to be too mad, after all, I would do the same if the roles were reversed, but I wasn't exactly a pillar of morality. And so I let myself be angry. Understanding, but still angry. I wanted to see what the man had to say for himself, but he was slippery, his time as occupied by mares as the rest of my brothers.

Silence stretched after my call, and I turned toward the sense of something, although it was neither seen nor heard. I didn't know why I turned, only I did and she was suddenly there. My eyes narrowed as I looked at the older gray mare, her face lined with familiarity, despite the fact that I was certain I had not met her. She held herself with a gravitas that I associated with the Peak, but smelled of Tinuvel.

"Do you want a gold star for guessing?" I asked with a quirk of my brow. I had more than a few rugrats running around. Himari, Kythri, Khorvaire, Luxor, Ryvar and Solas. More to come, too, I imagined. I wasn't exactly circumspect with who I opted to spend my time with in the autumn, although the reminder that Hiyori had gone and Khar'pern remained out of my reach for now stung.

"What is it to you, crone?" I asked, needling her for the heck of it. Her demeanor unnerved me more than I wanted to admit, and I compensated by slapping a broad grin on my lips and turning to face her with a relaxed cock of my hip. I didn't like the way she made me feel like she knew me already but I'd be damned if I let that show on my face.

Stallion - Young Adult - 15.2 - Brown Overo