At the end of the rainbow

He could see immediately that he had frightened her. His closest friend throughout all of his childhood, before adult life and responsibilities had muddied the waters between them. When he was young enough to see her only as ‘friend’ and not his future leader, heir to the throne. He felt the immediate flood of regret, wishing she had not seen him snarl.

He didn’t try to approach her, she stood at the end of his camp like a fledgling. Wings spread, and flight but one quick movement away. After all his searching, he had found her, and there was no trust in the soft starlight blues of her eyes. That was her right, after all, he was here to bring her home. He wanted her home. He missed the sight of her in the familiar pastures of their homeland. “I’m glad. You had me worried there, Nebs.” she wasn’t a warrior, and the world out here could be harsh and short lived. He forced himself slowly back down into a seated position.

"Speech"