The Dragon's Redemption

Chapter 36 Aednat's Joy

Abigail was worried over the child. Her appetite was failing and she could not sleep. She spent most of the day looking into the sky not speaking. Abigail was convinced Aednat had started sleepwalking. Her bed-wetting was new also. She had moved the child back to her home using Brieanna's former room. One morning when she went to wake the child she was gone. Abigail was frantic searching for her and found her curled up in the hay sucking her thumb and sleeping with her dog and the other farm animals.

"You have a nice bed in the house Aednat," the look on the child's was so sad it nearly broke Abigail's heart. "We'll let Mah-Doo into the house. She can sleep with you until your parents return. It's our secret, OK?" Aednat nodded her head and hugged Abigail who carried her back to her home.

"Mah-Doo come," Aednat called and the dog followed. The child slept better with her dog in bed with her as the day followed day in and endless per cession of waiting. The other farm hands made a concerted effort to comfort the child, all of them worrying over her failing appetite and her not speaking.

They had just finished the evening meal and Abigail was walking back to her home with Aednat and her dog. Aednat was the first to spot Dreki as he began his landing spiral. "Momma!" She shouted and pointed. Aednat raced to the dragon with her dog following closely, "Momma, Momma!" she shouted. Brieanna jumped off the dragon and raced to her scooping her into her arm and twirling her around.

"I'm home baby girl." She kissed Aednat and blew bubbles on her neck as the child squealed with delight, "Look who I got." She put Aednat down and turned her gently to face Sam. Aednat was dead quiet as she looked at him. Sam knelt on the ground.

"I missed you Nit!" Aednat continued to stare as the seconds slowly past, them she ran to him. Sam held her tight and kissed her cheek and lifted her.

"DA!" was all the child said, then she sobbed.

"You remember Gwennie?" Brieanna asked. Aednat was still clinging to Sam and nodded. "Gwennie is coming with us."

"We need to talk Brie," Abigail said softly. "Aednat had a very difficult time. She's eating very little and can't sleep. She started wetting her bed and sleepwalking. I've been letting her sleep with the dog, it's really helped. I'm sorry..."

"That was inspired Abby, no need to apologize."

"Nit says she's hungry," Sam said breaking into Brieanna's and Abigail's conversation.

"Just like her Mom!" Gwen teased. They sat with the child as she ate. They sang to her. Aednat was too excited for sleep. So that night she and her dog slept with her parents.

Gwen and Brieanna were the first to rise. They were using the sauna. Brieanna had just thrown a handful of water onto the hot rocks. "Did you like your room?" Brieanna asked.

"Yes I did, thank you."

"What are we going to do about Mah-doo? We weren't planning to take him."

"He is huge, ninety pounds at least," Gwen said.

"Not sure how I'm going to tell Sam."

Later they were sitting together for the morning meal. Brieanna was thinking hard on how she was going to convince Sam they needed to bring the dog. "I love having your cooking again!" Sam said.

"It's been a while since I needed to cook."

"Been thinking. I think I figured out how we can bring Mah-Doo with us." Brieanna's heart jumped. "Nit's really attached to the dog. How will your mother take it when we all show up with a huge dog in tow?"

"She'll adjust. How are we doing this?"

"Let's not say anything yet, but I'm having the staff make a leather sling. I'm sure Dreki will be able to carry it." Sam was surprised when Brieanna jumped out of her seat and ran to kiss him.

"You'll figure a way, you're wonderful Sam!"

The next morning Brieanna, Gwen and Aednat walked into the village to begin their goodbyes. Oother hugged her for a long time. "This too has been foretold Brie," Oother said, "I will miss you." When they returned to the farm Sam was fitting a harness sling on the dog. It had two large handles on either side of the sling. Aednat laughed at the sight of Sam and a farmhand carrying the heavy dog in the sling.

"I see it works," Brieanna said.

"I'm afraid Ma-Doo might wiggle loose," Sam said.

"Let's test it," Brieanna said then called Dreki. She and Aednat mounted the dragon and Dreki held the sling and flew with the dog. Ma-Doo seemed to enjoy flying and they landed releasing the dog. "Ma-Doo is coming with us Nit," Brieanna said.

"The sling can also be used to pull a small cart," Sam said, "I'll make one when we finally settle in our own home."

"What are you going to do with the farm?" Brieanna asked.

"I spoke to William. I will turn it over to him and Abigail as a wedding present."

"That's wonderful, that gives his granddaughters a place too."

"Does Nit realize we are leaving in two days?"

"I have told her. I do not think she realizes we will be leaving for an entirely different world."

"She seems happy enough."

"She will adjust, my mom will see to that."

"What are you bringing?"

"My clothes, Aednat's clothes, my shield-woman's outfit...oh and my swords." Sam laughed at her remark.

"Dreki will have a lot to carry."

"Not really, my stuff will all fit in my backpack. Gwen's in hers."

"Are you excited to go?"

"Yes, and sad too. This place has been my life and I have been happy. But it is time to go and I want to see my mother and sisters."

The departure day arrived and after the morning meal they made their last goodbyes to Abigail and William. They had all their backpacks bundled together and Ma-Doo in his sling. They mounted their dragon. "Are you ready Nit?" Sam asked.

"Yes Da."

"Are you happy to go?" Aednat nodded her head.

"You're in charge."

"Dreki UP!" Aednat shouted with authority, the dragon climbed into the sky, higher and higher he flew circling the little island that had been their home. Then they entered the void.

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