Aaliyah's Redemption: Bound by Fate ***DISCONTINUED, READ DESCRIPTION***

Chapter XXI

The sun beamed down through the tree branches as Arthur's stallion, Maverick, trotted up the track into camp. The quiet of the afternoon settled around them, and Arthur breathed in the familiar scent of pine and dust. It felt good to be back after the days he'd spent running errands.

"Arthur Morgan," a voice called, cutting through his thoughts. He turned to see Sadie Adler walking toward him, her steps firm as she closed the distance.

"Mrs. Adler," Arthur replied with a nod, swinging a leg over Maverick and landing softly on the ground.

Sadie's face broke into a small smile, easing the tension. "Good to see ya back in one piece."

Arthur chuckled. Untying Maverick's saddlebag. "Just another day out there," he replied, giving her a quick grin. "How's camp been holdin' up?"

Sadie shrugged. "Same as always. Miss Grimshaw barking orders at us, Dutch hollerin' at the fellas," she said with a mock sigh, keeping her voice low as if to avoid Grimshaw's wrath.

Arthur shook his head, a grin spreading across his face. "Ain't you a bit old to be scared of Grimshaw?"

Sadie chuckled, running a hand through her hair. "It ain't that, Arthur. I'm just tryin' to do my part. You know, repay the gang for takin' me in."

"No need to repay us," Arthur said with a shrug. "We take care of our own." A hint of a smile softened his words, as he removed Maverick's saddle.

Sadie's gaze drifted over to the red roan mare hitched nearby. "So, what's the plan with her?" she asked, a hint of curiosity in her tone.

Arthur placed the saddle on her back, his hands tightening the girth. "Was thinkin' I'd see if Aaliyah wanted her. Could help her feel... normal again."

Sadie's face softened, though a touch of worry lingered. "Are you sure she's ready for that?"

Arthur looked back at her, puzzled. "What d'ya mean?"

Sadie took a step closer to the mare, stroking its neck as she gathered her thoughts. "Freya meant more to her than most folks understand, Arthur. She wasn't just a horse, she was Aaliyah's lifeline. The two of 'em, they had a connection... a loyalty you don't find often."

Arthur nodded slowly, considering Sadie's words. "You're sayin' it might be hard for her to let another horse in."

Sadie gave a small nod, her hand resting on the mare's shoulder. "Exactly. She and Freya weren't just a team; they were like one soul split between two bodies. They trusted each other more than some folks ever trust anyone."

Arthur scoffed, recalling the wild spirit of Freya from his interactions with her. "Guess that makes sense. She must've been somethin' else."

"Oh, she was. Freya was the kind of horse that'd made even the devil himself pause." Sadie chuckled, through her eyes grew a bit sad at the memory.

Arthur looked back at her, curiosity sparking. "You sayin' Aaliyah was like that too?"

Sadie's gaze turned thoughtful. "Arthur, she's not like most folks. Put a gun in her hand, and she could take down a bounty with pinpoint accuracy." She hesitated, choosing her words carefully.

Arthur's brows furrowed. "I know she was a bounty hunter, but I thought most of 'em just brought folks in. Killin' wasn't usually part of the job unless it had to be."

Sadie's lip tightened as she searched his face, realising he didn't know the full extent of Aaliyah's past. "Arthur... let's take a ride." She patted the mare, swinging her leg over the mare, as Arthur gave her a wary look.

After a moment, Arthur swung himself back onto Maverick. He nodded at Sadie to lead the way, and they set down the trail away from camp. The silence between them felt heavier with each step.

Finally, Arthur spoke up. "So, what is it you wanna about Aaliyah?"

Sadie let out a long sigh, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. "There's more to her than you know. Her father—George Stephens—he was a well-known hunter. People knew his name, feared it even."

Arthur's brow furrowed in disbelief. "George Stephens? I heard of him. But never heard 'bout a wife or a kid."

Sadie swallowed hard, glancing back at him. "Arthur, Aaliyah's real name isn't Aaliyah. It's Georgina—she was named after her father. She had to change it when she and her ma left, started over after his death."

Arthur's mouth dropped slightly in surprise. "Georgina... so she's hidin' who she is?"

Sadie looked down, choosing her words carefully. "More like protectin' it. Aaliyah and her ma changed everything to start fresh, to escape the danger her father left behind."

Arthur stared at the horizon, his thoughts spinning. "So, that's why Dutch and Hosea have been wary around her."

Sadie nodded slowly. "They know, but they're cautious. You know Dutch—he don't fully trust anyone with that kinda past."

Arthur's gaze drifted toward the distance as he considered what he'd just learned. "Why'd she keep it from me?"
Sadie gave him a small smile. "Arthur, she's been through hell. Sometimes trust don't come easy. It took years for her and Freya to bond because that horse had to learn she was worth trustin'. Same goes for Aaliyah."

Arthur rubbed his chin, feeling the weight of Sadie's words settle in. "How do I earn that from her?"

Sadie looked him dead in the eye. "You do what you're doin' now. Be there for her. Let her know she don't have to hide from you. She's more like you than you think, Arthur—she's got that loyalty in her that don't break easy, just like you."

Arthur nodded, absorbing her words in silence. The memory of Aaliyah's loyalty to Freya, the pain in her eyes as she spoke of her past, stirred something deep inside him—a pull he hadn't felt in years.

Sadie let out a small laugh, breaking the tension. "She's just like that mare, Arthur. Stubborn, tough, but if you earn her trust... well, it's a bond that don't break easy."

Arthur couldn't help but smile, feeling a strange sense of clarity wash over him. "Maybe I should go talk to her."

Sadie nodded, urging the mare forward. "Go on, Arthur. You might find it's the best thing you ever did."

As they turned back toward camp, Arthur's mind echoed with Sadie's words, especially one line that seemed to stick like a splinter in his mind "She's more like you than you think."