Anwyle Brackwater

Winter's veil

His recovery had finally completed, and with the repairs coming to a close as well he knew the time had come to face the reality.  Being a soldier would take him far away from here, and from her.  It was hard to entertain such thoughts around what was supposed to be a joyous time of year.  He needed a distraction, and knowing that people gave gifts, he’d just have to find the perfect one.

His thoughts eventually falling to only one option.  A replacement for him, at least, in a manner.  Another furry companion for her to tend to and fill her quiet times with joy.  Something similar to Toni would do, as long as it had a little of his flair.  In his search and inquiring he found just the one and would present him to her the next chance he got.

Anne had been distracted as of late.  She kept on playing it off as feeling somewhat sad that Locke would be leaving soon, but that wasn’t entirely true.  She was rather depressed about his leaving, yes but she wasn’t about to tell him the entire reason why.  So, when he had arrived back home that evening it was a bittersweet reunion.  She had visited her husband earlier in the day, but like the past couple of weeks she decided that she couldn’t risk riding her horse, and instead flew out there rather early, and did the same thing on the way back and so she had some more time to stay there and celebrate their anniversary, however difficult it may be.  Then, as she was leaving she had told him about Locke, and about the secret she was keeping everyone and felt a sort of calm unto herself that she hadn’t felt in a while now and laid the roses she always took with her and departed back home.

So, by the time she arrived back at the camp, he was about to arrive home as well.  Then, after opening all of the presents that she had gotten him, he presented her with another dog and her face lit up with happiness.  It was the first time in weeks that she was really truly happy and it distracted her to what was really on her mind all the time now.  Placing the puppy on the floor for Toni to sniff at the smaller dog wagged it’s tail excitedly and the two of them ran around each other and scurried around the downstairs of the house.  Turning to look at Locke, she continued to smile and looked between the three in the house and spoke with a laugh in her voice,  “I think I will name him Keeye, to help kind of keep you here.”  Leaning in to place her lips on his cheek she reached into one of her pockets on her dress and pulled out a small little device and handed it to him,  “It’s a communicator I had a few of the gnomes here craft up, for while we’re apart.  It will work anywhere and you can even use it to leave messages as well if you can’t talk.”  Then as she starts to feel herself getting rather saddened the sprinted into the room and started running in circles around the couch and she smiled again, albeit somewhat subdued more than last time Then she leaned over against him and rested her head on his shoulder while the puppers played.