Baron took Ringo's drawing off the mantle... "So.....what's this?" "It looks like a family portrait." "Yes...Ringo drew it for me." "You know...it's really quite good. He's becoming quite the accomplished little artist." He went to show the drawing to Rex... ..who looked at the drawing... ...and then at his brother-in-law..... "It's an uncanny resemblance...." he chuckled..... "It looks just like you!" Lawrence smiled and took the drawing.... "You two get out of here..." "Go home to your loved ones. They've missed you long enough." "I'm really glad you are back..." "But I have your report, and if I have any questions I can send for you. So go home."
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Baron and Rex arrived at the castle to present their report.... "I'm happy to have you both back...." "...and that your trip was uneventful..." "Yes, most of your people were doing quite well, but a few were struggling due to the harsh winter." "Yes....so we had to distribute some temporary social assistance to help them out." "You'll find it all recorded in the books..." "I recognize some of these names, and am not surprised that they are struggling. I think some of their loans will probably have to be forgiven...." Baron noticed the cards and drawing on the mantle.... "We missed your birthday while we were away." "..but there was great celebration in every village we passed through that day..." "...and they invited us to join them. It was quite some party." "It was clear to me that you are well loved by your people..." "Or maybe they were just celebrating because your birthday is a statutory holiday, so they all get the day off?"
Baron was also close to home.... Naomi was busy with her dress, and didn't see him arrive in the courtyard... When suddenly there he was.... "I missed you so much!" Then Baron's eye caught something.... "What are you working on over there?" 'It's...my wedding dress...." "...but it's supposed to be a surprise.." She reached up to turn his gaze away.... "So...don't look...." "Well....I can't stay. Rex and I are on our way to deliver our report to the King...." "...but I just had to stop by and see you. It won't take too long, and then I'll be back..."
After being gone for over a month, the two knights were finally returning home. They needed to present their report to the King, but Rex wanted to drop in to see his family first.... "You're back!!" "Daddy!" "I missed you so much!" " I missed you too....both of you....and thought of you every day. But I can't stay right now. I'm on my way to present our report to Lawrence...." "...but I wanted to come and see my two girls first...." So he put Judith back down. "I need to go see your uncle, the King..." "..and then I'll be back."
Baron and Rex were only too happy to accept their invitation to join them.... "It's been a while since we've had a hot meal like this..." "Well, you are most welcome Sir. Any agent of the King is always welcome here." "So, how is everything up here?" "It's been an especially long cold winter this year...." "I don't mind winter too much..." "But my wife can't wait for Spring...." "I think we are all looking forward to some warmer weather...." "It won't be too much longer now..." "But other than that, everything is fine up here..." "That's good to hear."
Rex and Baron continued on in the snow.... ....when they came upon a familiar griffin and his friends, having dinner by their fire.... Baron got down off his horse.... "Good day to you sirs...." "We are just passing through on the King's business." "You look familiar...." "Yes....didn't you pass by here last year around this same time?" "Yes, we come up here every winter just to check on things, and make sure everyone is okay." "Then you are most welcome here..." "Come join us..." "...and warm yourselves by our fire." "Thank you...we'd be more than happy to..."
Meanwhile Rex and Baron were approaching the farthest reaches of the Kingdom, in the mountains north of Gravenhurst....where they were making their way through a treacherous icy pass.....
Willie and Winston were very curious to know what Naomi was working on.... "What are you making with this?" "I'm making my wedding gown..." "This is really nice..." "I wouldn't mind a wedding dress out of something like this. Maybe you can make me one too?" "You're getting married??" "Well, not just yet. I haven't found the right person ....but I'm still looking..." "So, what is all this for??" "Those are some of the beads I'm in the process of sewing on..." "Oooops...." "Oh dear!" Willie was making a total mess.... "What's this thing?" 'Yes...what is this??" "It's my sewing machine..." "How does it work? Maybe this wheel turns?" Naomi had had enough, but didn't want to be rude.....so she grabbed the machine.... "I'm sorry, I'd be happy to teach you how to sew, but I'm very busy right now...." "I really appreciate you both dropping in here today and bringing news of Baron, but I'm very busy, and really need to get back to work....."
Naomi was working on her wedding gown.... ...when the maid came in.... "You have guests my Lady..." 'Winston has asked to see you..." "Winston! It's so nice to see you!" "What brings you here??" He embraced Naomi in a big hug.... "Baron sent us..." "He asked us to send you his love..." "This is Willie, a very old friend of mine..." "She came along for the ride..." "I wanted to meet my handsome Sonny's girlfriend..." "It's so lovely to meet you..." "Please come in and stay for a while. I'll ask Narae to bring us some tea." Naomi brought some pillows to help prop up her tiny new friend.... ...as the maid brought in the tea and some cakes.... "So, you've seen Baron? How is he?" "Yes, we came across him earlier today. He looked fine....and as handsome as ever...." "Yes, Willie and I were just out enjoying the winter scenery way up north, and we ran into Baron and Rex twice....once earlier this week, and then again this morning." "He asked us if we could fly here and let you know that he was fine, and that he wouldn't be away too much longer. Maybe just another week or two." "Well honestly.....with such beautiful girlfriend as you..
..I'm surprised he's managed to stay away as long as he has..." Baron and Rex continued on.... "Look whose on the road ahead...." "It's Winston and Willie....again...." "What are the chances we'd run into them again all the way up here?" "I get the feeling we are being followed...." So they turned to look.... "Hello there!" "Fancy running into you two...again...." "I'm surprised to see you again...so soon..." "Well, Winston and I love to travel..." "...so we like to fly around and visit our favourite places." "...and the world is so beautiful right now....all covered in snow...." "It certainly is. Well, I'm glad we ran into you again. After our last meeting a few days ago, I started thinking....." "...and I wished I'd asked if you could do me a big favour?" "Maybe. What is it?" "Well, since you can fly, and nothing is all that far for you, I was hoping that maybe you could fly back home, and tell Naomi that we are fine..." "Where she's from, it was possible to keep in touch, even when we were far apart. She's not used to not hearing or knowing anything, and I imagine she could be very worried..." "I'd be very grateful if you could fly back home, and reassure her that we are fine, and will be back home soon. And give her my love." "We'd be more than happy to, wouldn't we Winston?" "...and then I can meet your girlfriend..."
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AuthorMartha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes. Archives
April 2024
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