Prologue
Into the night he lead her. So long had it been sense he'd used his voice he wasn't sure just what words to say so he simply relied on his aura to guide her along the right path. He had missed her some, yes. But Newol was adaptable and flexible. He'd eventually moved on and moved to other pastures. It worked both ways though. He could learn to need her and breath her again just as quickly as he had the first time, of that there was no doubt in his mind. Through the fields he ran, eyes forward. All the memories where still there. Following the old paths in his mind like it had been only yesterday that he had first pelted the stretch of land know as the Vericona Plains. It was where he had meet his mother for the first time. Back in Chyrsanth's day. Back then the thoughts of a family had been long lost from his mind. At the time his biggest concern had been finding a place to push his blow. So in a sense, under the romance of the moonlight, he felt quite young again despite his years of wisdom now. Newol wasn't as patient back then as he had been. His blood had run hot easy. His mother had simply been a healer back then. Oh the merry mess he would be led on because of that woman. Every step of the way worth it's weight in gold to him now. Every moment at her side a priceless gold piece he would hold forever against his chest.
She would leave a mighty gap to fill in his heart. But he was sure that in time he could manage to do so. And perhaps he was already on his way. In light of the chaos, he could certainly use someone to hold close to him on the cold nights. His footsteps carried him further and further until her question would fall upon his ears. Just a few more paces and they stood at the edge of the Whispering Willows, a familiar trail not to far from here that with haste would take them East to were he had first meet her. Slowing to a trout, he would work his way down to a stop. Standing there, several thought rushed over him. He had a very bad urge burning inside of him right now. The Singing Caverns. His fortress of safety. He wanted to walk deep into the mountain and see his old den where he had hidden away from the world. To say goodbye properly one last time. So much anger and pain had been bellowed into those walls. He wanted to go and make a good memory there that would last. He wanted to simply see it again. And the thought of having an old friend at his side for the venture made it all the more exciting to him.
He would stand there, still, thoughtful, quiet, his back turned to Avalon. Like a statue he would stand for a moment, searching the tangled web of his thoughts for the right words to say. Come. That had been the first word he had uttered in an entire year's time. What would he say next that might make her understand? What could he possibly say to her to fill the void between them right now? To explain the deficult feeling in his chest. Slowly, he would lower his head, snout aimed down as the bright moon cast it's light down, the occasional flash of a lightning bug in the white light. His eyes closed, they would open again as his head slowly rose up meet her gaze again while he turned to face her. A step forward. A second. A third. He would bring his chest to meet hers, his neck pressing against the side of her own. Nose burying itself in the scruff at the top of her neck, he would take a deep breath of her rice scent. It was a little different, but the body of it was as he remembered in their romantic moments of the distant past. The last time they'd held each other close that night. Bodies pressed close. This was the same feeling. Bubbly, and warm. Accept they where all grown up now.
Taking a step back, pulling back from his soft embrace, he looked deep into her eyes. Where were they heading? That was a good question. If she would run with him back to the Singing Caverns, and wait patently while he struggled to learn to speak again, he might never let her go again. He'd been asleep for a year, working out the demons. Finding peace again within himself. This would be a test to see if his soul was ready to risk deep running emotions again. With a soft voice, he issued a few simple words, hoping it would be enough. "I'm going home. Will you come with me, Avalon?" The name rolled so musically off of his tongue. It tasted good falling from his lips. He'd have to try saying it again. But that was a pressing matter for later. She was packed. He could smell it on her. Among a many other things. But all these where bridges to be crossed once they where reached. Right now there was his answer and question hanging in the calm air between them on the warm summer night.
"Speech" |