waiting on the world to change, any

[Emmerly]

She stands amongst beauty that isn’t new, perhaps, but renewed. Winter is a blanket that tucks the Gates in for the season, covering it in perpetual, fluffy white. Because of this cover, it’s easy to forget that a fire had almost brought the kingdom to ruin. It’s easy to overlook the once-scorched trees that aren’t as tall as they should be; it’s understandable to think that they were unaffected by the catastrophes that befell everyone else. Beauty finds a way. Even if it has taken years, the light kingdom is nearly fully restored. It’s hard to believe she almost left. Emmerly pushes thoughts of abandonment forcefully from her mind. She tries to forget that her feet had been forced to the Amazons at first (after an ill-timed challenge), but after a year, she had no obligation to stay. She had done exactly that, however, slinking around the humid place trying to find the courage to plant her own roots. In the end, though, she realized how unsuited she was for the Sisterhood. There were too many shadows, both tangible and intangible. She missed the sunshine. She missed her Gates. The buckskin paint girl is drawn towards the Mother Tree today. The sun is weak but welcome as it pools in the hollows of her back. Despite her late wanderings and constant adventures, she has remained in prime form. She thinks that is wise of her. There are hardly any horses to speak of here, and of the few that are, even less are in their army. The thought makes her anxious, and as she approaches the towering, magical tree, the bright smile she was wearing slides from her face. Em strains her eyes to the forest and meadows beyond. Even now, there is no one else around. She grazes and bides her time until company comes (and surely someone will pass by the heart of their home eventually). It’s been far too long since she’s conversed with one of her people. Emmerly golden daughter of walter and valien