Hamnet stepped into the barn as Nathaniel started to fuss. He loosened his hold when he felt Mȧthair’s magic tug on his arm. He watched as the young Prince was cleaned then nestled between Mȧthair’s legs while she mixed up some meal for him.

“Are you hungry also, Ponderosa?” he asked her as he stroked her cheek.

‘Not yet,’ she replied, ‘but could you put me down?’

He was a little reluctant to, since he hadn’t been able to hold her much since her transformation nearly a week ago. Still, he did so and watched her dash over to a corner before her butt moved outward. A bark from Mȧthair drew his attention away, for which she was grateful.

“Something the matter, Mȧthair?” he asked.

‘Not at all, Hamnet,’ she replied. ‘If you will check on Louie and bring in some water, that would be much appreciated.’

“Right away.’ He bowed to her out of habit before he left the barn.

‘Thank you for distracting his gaze, Mȧthair,’ Ponderosa said, hopping over to snuggle up against her.

‘You are welcome, Ponderosa,’ she replied. ‘I know he watches because he feels responsible for your current state of being.’

‘He is not responsible.’

‘You are right. I, also, know that he wants to show you how much he loves you, despite your current form.’

Ponderosa buried her nose in Mȧthair’s fur then nudged it aside until she could find the Jet again. ‘I’m not ready for him to find out yet.’

‘I understand. You won’t start to show your state of being for at least another week.’

Ponderosa shook her head then tried to lick the Jet. ‘Uhn, my tongue won’t come out of my mouth!’

There was a small prick of pain beneath her tongue and the coppery taste of blood followed. Ponderosa pulled back and pawed at her mouth.

‘The bleeding will stop shortly,’ Mȧthair said.

For the next minute or so, Ponderosa shifted her tongue around in and out of her mouth. ‘The pain is gone, too.’ she said.

‘I’m glad. I’m sure you are looking forward to being able to eat real food now.’

‘That and just being able to talk again,’ Ponderosa replied. ‘Trying to figure out how to help a woman through labor without being able to give her verbal prompts is not easy.’

‘I understand. I’m glad I could help you with Joy that night.’

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Ponderosa nodded then got up on her hind legs and took Mȧthair’s nose in her front paws and touched their noses together. Little squeaks came out of her as she wept in joy. She hadn’t yet let go when Hamnet stepped into the barn again, with Louie behind him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, setting the bucket down. “Is she hurt?”

‘Not at all, Hamnet,’ Mȧthair replied calmly. ‘That is one of the happy noises she makes when she is in this form.’

“Whose voice is that?” Louie asked, looking around the barn.

“Mȧthair’s,” Hamnet replied, pointing to her.

“Your dog talks?!”

“She’s not my dog. She’s my Master.”

“How can a dog be your Master?”

‘Because I wasn’t a dinakal when I became his Master,’ Mȧthair said to Louie.

“Then how did you become a dog?”

‘My magic transformed me when I died.’

“How did you die?” Louie asked.

‘It is best I do not tell you.’

The young boy crinkled up his nose. “...And the rabbit?”

“She’s my betrothed,” Hamnet explained.

“Why is she a rabbit?”

‘Because an evil man put a curse on me,’ Ponderosa answered.

“She can talk too?!”

‘You can only hear what she is saying because I am present, Louie,’ Mȧthair said. ‘Were I not around, you would not be able to hear her thoughts.’

“Huh. Mama’s gonna have a hard time believing this,” he said.

‘At first, perhaps,’ Mȧthair chuckled. ‘Speaking of, we should check on her and see what more we can do for her.’

“Alright,” Hamnet said.

Louie left the shed and Hamnet secured Nathaniel against his chest. Then he offered to pick up Ponderosa, but she backed away from him then scramble-hopped onto Mȧthair’s back.

“Ponderosa,” he said.

‘Leave her be, Hamnet,’ Mȧthair said.

He nodded, then shouldered Ponderosa’s satchel of herbs. Mȧthair and Ponderosa followed him to the house and into Lydia’s room. Lydia was coughing hard, but Ponderosa could hear that the mucus wasn’t moving.

‘Pull out the Elecampane, Hamnet,’ Ponderosa said.

He set the bag down then held still while he felt the sling holding Nathaniel lift off his body. Mȧthair found a spot against the wall for her and Nathaniel to lay down while Ponderosa observed Lydia’s condition and instructed Hamnet to use certain herbs to start to effect change.

For three days this went on, with big strides in Lydia’s improvement. Louie was excited to see his mother improving and was happy that he was able to help.

‘We will leave you to rest, Lydia,’ Mȧthair said, as she stood with Ponderosa on her back. ‘We look forward to seeing you up and about tomorrow.’

“Thank you, all of you,” she replied, with more energy than she’d had.

‘You are very welcome,’ Ponderosa replied.

Hamnet picked up Ponderosa’s satchel and Nathaniel before the four of them returned to the barn. He lay Nathaniel between Mȧthair’s legs to sleep for the night. “Is there anything I can do for the three of you before I sleep?” he asked, pointing to the loft.

‘No,’ Ponderosa replied. ‘Thank you for asking though.’

“You are most welcome, Ponderosa. I hope I can do more to help you soon?”

She gave him a nod then cautiously hopped close enough to let him pet her head a couple times.

“I love you,” he said.

‘I love you, too, Hamnet.’

‘Sleep well, Hamnet,’ Mȧthair said, purring for Nathaniel.

“You three as well.” Then he climbed the ladder up to the hayloft to get some sleep.