Jewel and the Mares of Fantasy [A Fantasy Novel]

C H A P T E R |11|

| The A U T H O R Gives One Last Chapter Four Years Later |

Four years. Like the four months, like the week, flew by leaving a trail of happy memories, of sad wounds, of beautiful smiles, and of dreadful tears. Whis was now Jewel. Anakin was now free. The Lord had freed the slave only to realize he himself was the slave and she the savior. The little red-head with green-grey eyes like blue freckled portals, had saved him.

It'd been four years since Ani had seen his little farm. It'd only been two months since Jewel had visited him. Two months of awful loneliness. Two months to come to a decision.

This, this little farm with its barn, meadow, house, brook, and animals, was his home. This was where he belonged.

He smiled, nudging Shansforth down the hill. The old stallion picked his way through the tall grass, still hold strength in his muscles, but slowly losing it in his bones. That did not stop him from clearing the hill and then leaping forward into a strong gallop toward the barn and his mares. There were three new foals jumping around, sired under Onyx, the lead stallion of his father's herd since Shansforth had been away. Under Jewel's care and strengthening power, Onyx and his sire would not see enemies as Nyveari stallions tended to see, but friends of old

Shansforth had barely stopped before Anakin was dismounted and striding toward the house, leaving the stallion to become reacquainted with his old mares. The front door opened just as Anakin mounted the steps. Jewel, soon-to-be twenty, stepped out. The aroma of cookies escaped the open door and Anakin didn't try to hide his grin.

Jewel returned it instantly and he marched up the steps, hugging her. "Welcome home." She said in his ear. Anakin smiled into her shoulder. Two months was shorter than the year of absence that had separated them the first time he'd left, but even so, he'd missed her just as much.

He pulled back, still smiling. "Glad I'm still welcome home."

Jewel laughed lightly. Grabbing his hand she pulled him inside. The house was the same in appearance with its kitchen, living room, two bedrooms, his library, and the bath. But the decorations had changed some – and they were living.

Birds flew around the rafters, singing their happy tunes. A raccoon was curled on the couch, watching a field mouse on the mantle. There was an owl perched on the faucet. A small jackal lay by the fire curled against a much larger she-wolf, who looked slightly like Nim.

Just as he was about to ask, Jewel jutted in, "Smoke asked that I watch Nim while she's gone."

Anakin's head snapped to Jewel, his look questioning. "Where'd she go?" He'd been at Court three weeks ago and Smoke had been there. She hadn't mentioned anything of going away.

Jewel just shrugged and danced around a fox pup rolling around the floor.

"Were you so lonely that you went to the forest orphanage and adopted all the babies?"

Jewel spun around. "There's a forest orphanage?" At Anakin teasing chuckle, Jewel glared and turned back to the kitchen. "No. I did not adopt these creatures... per say. More like they all came to me."

"Geez..." Anakin eyed the many difference animal races in his home. "How many times are you going to get adopted and how often do I have to share you with all your other parents?"

Anakin turned just in time to duck as a bar of soap flew from the kitchen sink. The owl hooted victory and Jewel contained a laugh, moving to the stove and pulling out a platter of cookies.

"Milk is in the fridge." She said coolly, a smirk in her tone.

Anakin sticks his tongue out at her back, but gets the milk anyways. They fell into an old familiar pattern. Jewel might have only made their favorite dessert, but they still set the table, poured the milk, and arranged the cookies on the platter. She stood behind her chair, fingering the wooden back and smiling widely.

"I'm glad you're back."

Anakin smiled. "Me too." Glancing at the table, he nodded to himself. "Me too."

|/J\|

Jewel smirked down at her hands as she adjusted her grip in the thick mane. The sun was just setting. Fog rolled down the hills into her little valley, wrapping around the house and slithering like the ghost of snakes through the trees. Onyx tossed his head, snorting. Shansforth was calmer, just moving a hoof to tell of his want to run. Ani sat tall and proud upon his steed. With Onyx's help, Jewel was almost par in height with the man.

Grinning, he glanced at her. "Ready?"

"I am." Jewel raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you?"

He scoffed. "Of course."

Jewel urged Onyx forward, the stallion half reared before bounding into a gallop. Ani followed, Shansforth gaining quickly until the Nyveari were neck to neck and the sun was just tipping the horizon to disappear for the night.

So ends their story – at least in retelling.

©JJHays2017

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Thanks,

JJ

06.09.17