~SEASON THREE: THE ACADEMY~
No poet or song could accurately express the joy Duke Winden Thorne felt when one night he went to bed and heard his daughter whisper through their bond that she was coming home at last.
He did not go to bed that night instead he ran down the steps of his home and sat beneath the Old One.
“She’s at last coming back. Thank you for taking care of her old friend.”
As his little one grew older he had always known that the only thing that would allow her to truly grow was a quest. If she had not found the time-locked garden then he would have waited for as long as it took, even if it was hundreds to thousands of years until his little flower returned. But he was grateful for the Širdkryp-Gardinōs, for it would allow her to come back in five short years, his time.
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It was a joy that could not be contained even as he found himself the royals the next day. His usual straight-faced facade gave way to a brilliant smile. It was Roark who saw it first, his eyes became alight, but not a word was spoken as if afraid that false news would be given instead. Roark knew about keeping secrets, hiding truths even from friends to protect others.
The queen, a mother, saw through it all too immediately. As soon as the court finished she strode away from the council room and looped her arm through his.
“When is she coming back? Wolf and I have missed her terribly.”
King Wolfau walked along Thorne’s other side, “Ravven will be ecstatic to have his friend back. He’s been searching for so long.”
“Vienna will be much changed when she returns.”
Sir Roark at last spoke up, “She found it then.” A secret tasting at the tip of his tongue.
“Indeed.” Duke Winden Thorne smiled, “My little flower has grown up.”
As they passed the study, they heard the hurried footsteps exit it as the crown prince ran to catch up with their long strides. His long frame nearly sprinted to appear in front of the Duke.
“She’s coming back?”
Bark-colored eyes narrowed, “It would seem she’s foiling one of the last hunts in the Wilds.”
“Then we should join her.” Sir Roark spoke up.