Lonesome | Arthur Morgan

Chapter 20

                                                              
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It was the early hours of the morning, the heat had worsened as the tents and wagons burned, the amber flames begun to engulf the camp. Arthur watched from the other side of the lake where he traveled on the spare horse he kept for Lilian.

Arthur sat in disbelief. He knew no one was left at the camp, they had all hurried elsewhere. Hopefully the future will bring them all back to one spot, but Arthur's main concern was the well being of Lilian and if Solitaire had taken her safely to a known place.

"Come on, girl." Arthur took one last look and pulled the horse away, kicking his heels to proceed into a long gallop towards where he believed Lillian and Solitaire would be. Arthur wiped the smoke marks on his face, his eyes crinkling as he rides across fields, his only source of light being the moon. His heart thumping as he eagerly raced to Lilian, scared she wouldn't be where he wanted her to be.

How did Colm know where they were? Was Kieran to blame for this even if he made no contact with the outside world for the past few weeks? He angered as he clutched his gone tightly to his though, ready to pounce at whoever made a move.

When the cowboy reached the place of solitude, his heart warmed when he noticed the hoof prints on the nearing dirt.
"Lilian?"
He called for Lilian and then made his signature whistle for Solitaire to see if there was any response nearby, but there was nothing. Arthur sulked into his saddle. His tongue running over his teeth as he thought of any other places Solitaire could have possibly took Lilian on their dreary travels.
He worried she had legged it back to her family, concerned if she had actually made it home untouched and alive. His chest tightened as he felt a small bit of anxiety, hoping she had maybe done the wrong decision for once.

-

Lilian sat on the back of Solitaire, constantly stroking his mane as she was thankful for his loyalty to her. She had been travelling up hill for the past day, not passing many people. The ones she did pass looked at her oddly or offered her a hand but she kindly declined, letting Solitaire pick up the pace if he felt a need to escape unwarranted help.
Lilian tried to relax as she looked at many parts of the country she had not seen and different aspects of nature. She took deep breaths and watched as swallows swooped around them and deer pranced away. Anything to not think of what trouble the camp could be in.
"What are you doing? You could have gone home by now." Lilian told herself off as she looked down at her grey hands, covered in dirt and horse sweat.
She knew Arthur would come for her and the pit in her stomach repeatedly filled with joy and excitement which only made her want to not go home more.

Solitaire soon came to a halt as they reached a large cabin, out of the way and off the path. The cabin was a dark pine wood with a porch that surrounded the front of the house. The cabin faced a great lake where the water glistened like emeralds.
"Where have you taken me?" Lilian bent to Solitaire's ear but he only pricked his ears and neighed back in response, stomping his foot as if in demand for her to go forward. Lilian slid off and Solitaire followed.
"Hello?" Lilian called out as her foot creaked up on to the cabin porch steps.
Nobody answered.
"Hello? Is anybody here?"
Nobody answered again.
"Is this Arthur's?" She said allowed as she stood back, astonished that he kept this secret. Lilian rummaged through Solitaire's saddle bag, searching for some type of key to unlock the place. She soon found a small golden key and rattled the door open, being met with a dust and utter silence.

The sun gleamed through the windows and she begun to look at every aspect there was in the cabin. Noticing the pristine and neat fireplace with multiple picture frames sat above it, she wanders over. She looks over the pictures and immediately recognises a young Arthur Morgan, with less facial hair and skinnier build. She smiles as she looks at an old Van Der Linde photo.
Her eyes look to a final photo of a woman with dark hair and a sincere face. Lilian stills and picks it up. She turns the photograph over to see a neatly written note on the back of the backing.

I miss and I love you, Arthur
Yours Always,
Mary

Lilian's cheeks reddened as she felt the dreaded and new feelings of jealousy heat her cheeks. She knew how silly she was being and placed the photo back. Had Arthur always been betrothed and that's why he felt guilty for kissing Lilian? Even Lilian begun to feel guilt.

As the sun began to set, Lilian was too tired to eat or even make a fire; not like she knew how to for that matter. After checking the other rooms out, she snuggled herself into what she presumed Arthur's bed was. She had checked for spiders and shook the duvet out to rid it of dust and lingering bugs. Her heart sank slightly as she let her mind ponder on whether or not Arthur was a widow or if Lilian had fell for man who only wanted to help her? Being young and naive was what she was known for but she always denied it, however was she accepting that it could be true.

-

A week had gone by with no sign of Arthur and each day Lilian had began to delude herself with how she'd have to start a life here on her own. She made herself sick from stress as she dwelled in the silence. How could she live here with no food and basic survival skills? Many night she sat by the lake and prayed to god for a sign on whether to travel to the closest town for help or to ride home or to just start a new life here.
She'd hoped Arthur was okay and that of her wasn't coming to look for her, he'd at least come back for Solitaire.