{PRP} Herbs in the Garden (Little Rue & Artaius)

[lysia_nyteblade]

Artaius had come from yet another tense meeting with one of his sons. Shilo still was holding fast to his grudge but then he really couldn't blame the stallion. What had happened had happened.. there wasn't much that could be done about it without stirring up too much trouble. He was holding onto the hope that some day both sons would come around. see that it was a circumstance of fate that had sent him from their lives so very long.

Shaking his heavy head, he headed for the garden which his mate tended to so lovingly. She'd been his light in the darkest of days. Denied access to his grand daughter so that he could know her. he could turn now to the only family he had left to comfort him. For now it seemed until there was actual cause for Shilo to trust him, he was little more than an outsider among his own family.

Seeing the familiar sight up ahead, he sped his pace. His feeling of regrets washing over him replaced by the comfort she already gave him. She asked little in return of him but his love which he gladly gave. "Good morning my Little Rue." He called out as he drew closer. "And how is the little garden this morning?" He admired her determination to stick with nurturing the plants. even though he still had yet to trust the two-legger that she was helping. So far the two-legger hadn't been harmed and was allowed to roam freely so he didn't have cause to begrudge her either.

Rein_Carnation

 

[lysia_nyteblade]

Reaching her side, her reached up with his massive head and nuzzled her cheek affectionately. At her inquiry of his children he frowned. "Shilo.. he's still cautious and untrusting to let me into his heart at this time.. Hopefully he'll come around.. Alban's been illusive since I saw them together last.. I hope he's well my Little Rue." Stepping to the side he gave her a softer look.

"Come now.. What is so terrible that you are cautious to tell me?" He looked around to be certain nothing had happened in his absence of her before looking her over once more. "Rue.. You know you can tell me. What ever it is I am here and we can gross what ever troubles you have in your path together."

Rein_Carnation

 

[lysia_nyteblade]

"They better.. Some day I hope to make elder brothers out of them" He grinned widely and nipped at her mane in a loving sort of way, pushing his nose into her hood to rest against the side of her ear. A small chuckle drew from him. "Oh dearest.. I know when you're fibbing." Drawing back he gave her an earnest look to coax her into letting him know what little secret she held.

"New herbs you say?" He looked around for any signs of new plants growing in a new garden bed. Not seeing anything like that, he looked at her puzzled for a moment. Finally it slowly dawned on him. the reaction rolled slowly across his face as his face drew from confusion to realization. "Really?" He glanced at her belly as though he might see something more rounded there and then looked back at her, excitement rolling through him. "You're sure?"

Rein_Carnation

 

[lysia_nyteblade]

A large grin spread over his face. "Oh Rue.. This is splendid news..." He nuzzled her cheek once more. She had a point, her concerns were legitimate. His sons.. Shilo worst of all might not take too kindly to this news. His eldest had a grudge rightfully planted by the fact that He had to grow up without his father there for him.

"Rue.. We'll manage.." He looked at her flatly. "I'm not gong to tell you that it will be all rainbows and sunshine for shilo especially.. his grudge runs deep.. and rightfully so.. I wasn't the best father I could have been.. Had I known then what I do now, I would have absconded with him the moment I left his mother's herd.. The wretched mare ran me off from him then poisoned his mind to believe that I'd run off because I didn't want him. Our foals will know me.. I'll be here by your side the entire time and maybe then.. with any luck the boys will understand that I loved them very much even in my absence."

Rein_Carnation

 

[lysia_nyteblade]

Rein_Carnation

Her request made a little sense to him. After all, Rue's very own name was derives from an herb.. The Common Rue, who's symbolisms are many. Her fascination with the plants made it even more understandable that she'd want to incorporate names of other herbs into their family.

Lipping at her forelock tenderly, he Beamed at her. "I think that it's a wonderful idea my little Rue." Casting his usual trade mark grin, he looked over her plants and pondered what to call them. How many would there be? Two, three? How many names would they have to be prepared to have on hand? "Sweet heart... How many names should we pick?" Both his previous sons had been single births but here in this land.. well things seemed to be far more prosperous.

"Perhaps we should choose a handful of sprigs on our own and see what we come up with first hmm?" He already had a few ideas of herbs he likes the names of as he looked back from her to the garden. Surely they'd have plenty of time to prepare for their children's arrival. He just had to focus on one task at a time.  

[lysia_nyteblade]

Rein_Carnation

He pondered long and hard as he looked over the herbs in the harden. "Rosemary Sage.... Fresh woodsy scents that remind me of rainfall.." He smiled fondly of the two herbs. "What if we should have more than two? Better to be prepared, no?" Sure it was more than he could possibly ever hope for.. but it never hurt anyone to plan ahead right? "Bay..." He said as he nudged her shoulder sweetly. "Bay.. I like that name too."

He looked at her in wonder. Sure he'd been a father twice before.. but some how they were different. Fanndis hadn't been the warm expecting mother that Rue was proving to be. In fact how Shilo had come to be half the stallion he was today with a dam like her he hadn't the foggiest.

Shaking his head, he stashed the thought aside. The fact that Rue was nothing like Fanndis was a breath of fresh air to him. It's what made him love the little mare so much. Her sweet nature he was sure would pass to their unborn offspring and hopefully only the best of his nature would rub off on them. Sure it would.. He'd have a chance to be the father he'd always hoped to be to his older sons. And nothing no matter what could pry him away from the foals growing inside his beloved. "Rue.. No mater what it is your cravings.. Let me know.. I'll fetch them for you. Besides.. you'll need to rest more."  

[lysia_nyteblade]

Rein_Carnation

"Tarragon bay." His voice sounded thoughtful as he rolled the name around for a mot. Finally, he smiled and nodded his head. "I think that's a fine name and it shall work for filly or colt. Whatever our little ones may be.. They'll be all the more special my little rue." Reaching out his head, he nuzzled her cheek tenderly once more. He could feel the pride swelling in his chest just knowing. He earlier concerns were beginning to feel as though they'd been a dream that was now drifting away.

Smiling inwardly at his thoughts, he couldn't help but marvel at the differences of names. His first sons had had such normal names.. almost mundane in meanings. That wasn't to mean that they were any less special to him, just different was all. Their mothers had given him no real say in name choosing. This time was worlds different from his earlier children. He was involved.. he would stay involved. He was happy and contented by the knowledge that he wouldn't be pulled away from this little family unit short of death it's self claiming him.

Drawing from his thoughts, he could see her head bobbing drowsily. Giving her a tender look, he nodded to her request. "Some sweet fruits. I can manage that my heart. You rest up and I'll fetch your quarry. You can have all you desire when you awaken." He stalled, waiting to leave before he saw her settled and comfortable. Nosing her mane tenderly once more, he imprinted her scent on is mind before finally leaving her side to seek the fruits she desired. There should be some growing some where right?

No matter, he'd given his word and he'd find her treats if he had to scour the countryside. Heavy hoof falls took him further from his beloved's side as his eyes drew up to the tree tops in search of fruit. He'd find her something if it took all day. Bu first.. as he searched for something to fill her desires and satiate her hunger, he'd have to find something to carry all the bounty he'd intended to bring.