Post by Dream Loxley on Apr 2, 2004 3:45:58 GMT -5
*It would not take long, just a short ride following the stream through the woods. She recognised the clearing and glanced to the left.....if she turned Biscuit along that track, then she would arrive at the cabin....she shook her head just once and kept moving along the trail. Some things were best left.
The Rangers followed at a discreet distance, for when she told them of her destination, they thought better of idle banter and companionship as they would normally when they accompanied her. This time, they gave her the space and freedom she deserved, although permanently watching and listening.
Memories already flooded back as she sat quietly upon her horse....his steps were slow and easy, perhaps he too remembered the way. She noted how the trees had grown, the shrubs filled out and how the banks of the stream had given in to nature. Always this was a peaceful place, but seemed more so now.
She listened to the birds... making out several of their songs and smiling to herself. As they approached the hill Biscuit became a little disturbed and she patted his neck, all the while whispering softly to him...to ease his anxiety.
When her eyes finally found the place..she almost gasped at the sight before her. The Holly tree was taller now... filled out and a proper tree. She could see several red berries left, but not many. That made her smile more as she knew the birds and small creatures were enjoying them. That was always her intention. The tales of how Holly was a protector was a second thought in her mind when she had planted it.....and to see it now...in all its glory. Indeed, it made her heart smile.
She dismounted quietly, so as not to disturb any wildlife and smiled softly to the Rangers as she saw them discreetly stand guard about the place. Biscuit snorted, but stayed still when she dropped his reins....he started to savour the young grass and seemed to be at ease.
To any that ventured here, there was no signs of an entrance within the rocks... the grass had made claim to the surfaces now, and it looked as it may have done in times gone by. The Holly taking centre stage and standing firmly where the gap in the stones would have been. It seemed a fitting end... calm and serene, much as he had been in life.
She stood there a while.....simply remembering....and she managed to still the tears that welled in her eyes, for he would not have welcomed them. She had shed many that fateful day, and for a time after...but not now.
His spirit would be wandering now....she knew that to be true....always the wanderer was he. Outdoors...releshing the fresh air, always creating something beautuful with his hands from natures cast offs.
She smiled and finally turned back to Biscuit......they never found his body. She had near lost her beloved that dreadful day also... when he was searching.....and nae a one had ever returned after the Ceremony. She had, each year......just for a while, and perhaps she always would.
A gentle breeze rustled the trees as she mounted up again.....slowly turning Biscuit towards home again....she whispered to the winds so as only they would hear.*
"Rest in peace my friend."
The Rangers followed at a discreet distance, for when she told them of her destination, they thought better of idle banter and companionship as they would normally when they accompanied her. This time, they gave her the space and freedom she deserved, although permanently watching and listening.
Memories already flooded back as she sat quietly upon her horse....his steps were slow and easy, perhaps he too remembered the way. She noted how the trees had grown, the shrubs filled out and how the banks of the stream had given in to nature. Always this was a peaceful place, but seemed more so now.
She listened to the birds... making out several of their songs and smiling to herself. As they approached the hill Biscuit became a little disturbed and she patted his neck, all the while whispering softly to him...to ease his anxiety.
When her eyes finally found the place..she almost gasped at the sight before her. The Holly tree was taller now... filled out and a proper tree. She could see several red berries left, but not many. That made her smile more as she knew the birds and small creatures were enjoying them. That was always her intention. The tales of how Holly was a protector was a second thought in her mind when she had planted it.....and to see it now...in all its glory. Indeed, it made her heart smile.
She dismounted quietly, so as not to disturb any wildlife and smiled softly to the Rangers as she saw them discreetly stand guard about the place. Biscuit snorted, but stayed still when she dropped his reins....he started to savour the young grass and seemed to be at ease.
To any that ventured here, there was no signs of an entrance within the rocks... the grass had made claim to the surfaces now, and it looked as it may have done in times gone by. The Holly taking centre stage and standing firmly where the gap in the stones would have been. It seemed a fitting end... calm and serene, much as he had been in life.
She stood there a while.....simply remembering....and she managed to still the tears that welled in her eyes, for he would not have welcomed them. She had shed many that fateful day, and for a time after...but not now.
His spirit would be wandering now....she knew that to be true....always the wanderer was he. Outdoors...releshing the fresh air, always creating something beautuful with his hands from natures cast offs.
She smiled and finally turned back to Biscuit......they never found his body. She had near lost her beloved that dreadful day also... when he was searching.....and nae a one had ever returned after the Ceremony. She had, each year......just for a while, and perhaps she always would.
A gentle breeze rustled the trees as she mounted up again.....slowly turning Biscuit towards home again....she whispered to the winds so as only they would hear.*
"Rest in peace my friend."