What If?

Chapter 49

When Joyce and Octavia got back to the others and explained where they think Jeana went, Merek was just as confused at Jeana's choices as Joyce had been. They were confused and nervous to why she went to Wedgemore. What would cause her to go there?

However, they decided to move the troop around the village and sneak through the woods so that they could avoid the Essence women who were there. 

Joyce and Merek rode Lilly and led the guards off to the right of Shadowmouth. They quietly moved through the trees and carefully passed by the village. Thankfully, Joyce didn't see any women following after them. That made her feel better!

As long as they didn't get caught, she thought they could take Jeana.

***

After making camp for the night, morning came. The troop started traveling just before sunrise and made there way hastily through the forest.

Joyce thought they should stop and talk to Jackie and see if she knew what was going on.

Having been confined to the castle for all these weeks had made knowing what was going on in the outside world difficult. Apparently, things had been changing.

Joyce wasn't used to riding a horse for so long, so today she had been walking next to Merek while he led Lilly behind them. Lilly had been happy to get out of her stall and into the woods. Joyce could tell that she enjoyed exploring. Lilly also loved being around Merek. Joyce could tell that their relationship was special.

"Merek, how did you get Lilly?" Joyce asked.

Merek laughed. 

"What made you think to ask me that?" He countered.

"I just always notice how much Lilly likes you and wondered what her story is." Joyce replied.

Merek nodded and then said, "I was a young boy and my father had been teaching me how to ride horses. He let me ride some of his horses, but I always wanted a horse of my own. For my birthday that year, my dad told me he had a surprise for me. He took me out to the barn and took me to one of the stalls. I knew there was a mare in the stall, but my father told me to open the stall and to look inside. I opened it and saw a pure white foal hiding under her mother's legs. My father told me that the little white horse was mine and that she'd be big enough to train soon. He asked me what I was going to name the little filly, and I replied Lilly, like the flowers that grow right outside the stall barn. I was so happy to have a horse of my own and that is one of my most favorite memories of my father. 

A few years later, I started to train Lilly. My father taught me how to train her so that she could be ridden. She was naturally good at learning and I was able to train her quicker than other horses. Years passed and we are still the best of friends. She's been my best friend and always has been super dependable and I can always count on her."

Merek smiled at Joyce.  

Joyce smiled back and pet Lilly.

"You have an awesome best friend." Joyce told Lilly, "I think he is also very dependable and a quick learner. Just like you!"