#baronyofthesilverwolf

All too soon, or finally, depending on the riders, they arrive at Silverwolf. Marigold is waiting on the porch! She's wrapped up in a warm shawl against the fall cool, and sitting on a chair hauled out from within. Perhaps a nice rocking chair would be due.

Gwen dismounts landing on the ground with a thud "MOM!"

And she forgets her decorum racing towards her mother

Her horse nickers scoldingly, shaking his head. Rude!

Linnea's horse nibbles at his neck soothingly. They cannot ALL be horse-wise trolls.

Art eyes the ground, forgotten, but luckily Linnea remained to help first Thistle, then Art off their mounts. She gives one of them a slap on the rump, and the horses obediently trot themselves back to the stables!

Indeed, Gwen seems to have forgotten her duty to all else entirely

Marigold gives Gwen a strong, warm hug. "I'm so proud of you, Gwennie."

Thistle reaches for Art's hand.

Blue, pink, green, red...

Gwen fights the urge to cry with joy "I missed you mom. I wish I could tell you everything but I so wish I had been here when you got sick . I'm so sorry i wasn't here... are you okay? Folks hemmed and hawed about answers by text"

Some tension, more tension than she dared show to her friends who had their own problems, leaks out of her

She squeezes Gwen! "Oh, I missed you too. I worry about you, you know. Off on your own adventures. I can only just remember those days... so you will have to tell me all about everything so I can live them through you too."

"But no little cold can bring me down." She says, brushing off concern. Though, the plump matron does feel a little thin to Gwen.

Art shyly takes Thistle's hand!

/roll 5 8

"Oh not my adventure, Thistle's ... she was incredible and Art was brilliant...." A feel of her mom "Uh huh, you're a bit thin in the skin mom"

A quick, reassuring squeeze. They're in this together!

Marigold catches a glimpse of Art and Thistle... but then focuses back on Gwen. "Oh, well, a few days liquid diet, perhaps I needed to drop a pound or two."

"Come in, all of you. Put away your things, I know that the Baroness and Baron are eager to see you."

"Uh huh" A brow lift "I'm gonna fuss anyway"

"We certainly came back with more than we left with, that's fer furkin' certain."

"Wait, who did the cooking with you laid out?"

Marigold comments, "Well, you didn't even get a chance to open your saining gifts, Thistle! I set them aside in the parlor.."

To Gwen, "Why, Ernie did. That young man stepped up to the plate, doncha know. I don't know what we'd have done without him, and Lady Freeholder Sylvi, of course."

"Gifts, right! And we should maybe plan a little something to celebrate Art's name?"

"Certainly, of course..." Marigold gives Art a hug, that is, if Gwen lets her go for long enough to greet the other two.

She does, sheepishly

"Well, i forgive Madern for half of the stuff he 'borrows' then. "

"And Sylvi was here? Wow. ' A debt recognized

"Oh, give the poor boy a bit of slack. After all, he never keeps anything." She smiles.

Gwen is already looking about "Ivan?!"

"Thistle, Art, I do say you both got a touch of color. Did you remember to wear sunscreen?" Scolding gently!

"BOOF!" He comes barreling in from the kennels!

One should not CATCH a Russian Bear dog as if they were doing a scene out of dirty dancing... but some how Ivan and Gwen manage it, though Gwen does end up on the ground level hugging and petting her dog, who no doubt licks her as if he were still a pup

Art laughs, giving them a good berth so he doesn't get knocked down.

Meanwhile, Linnea has stepped off to alert the Lord and Lady that their prodigal fledges have returned.

"Um, sometimes? When I remembered..." She seems to be looking for something.

A scrabble of paws, and Muppet comes out from around the side of the building!

Citrine, meanwhile, is holding court with the other Nevers - regaling them with a tinkling retelling of her heroism.

He is slower than the bear dog, shorter legs, but he trots as quick as he can! No barking, but his tongue hangs out happily!

"Whos a good boy, who is the bestest boy? It's you, ivan!" Gwen can be heard

There are fewer Nevers still in residence - only two, maybe three remained in Thistle's absence... however, others are sure to be drawn, or return.

"Hey you. Damn, gotta motor those munchkin legs at three times the speed, huh?" She crouches to rumple the terrier's ears.

Citrine shows off her new tea mug, and the charm she stole from Thistle's box of hair gems, and talks of the treats eaten! Ice cream, waffles, sugar cubes, tropical fruits, cakes!

The colors of the other nevers tinge green.

And Nadeen comes out dressed not in a fine gown but almost casual voile

Aiden, on the other hand, awaits Art to be presented in a private chamber.

Art is not distracted by dogs and mothers and Nevers, and sees Nadeen. He bows to her.