oom: Jack comes home

[jack_inthegreen]

The forests of Britain are not what they once were. It was said a squirrel could cross from Newcastle to Dover and never touch the ground--but those days are long gone.

Still, what remains of the forests feels much the same to the one who knows them. Their voices are familiar, comforting--many are old friends who remember him from seed and acorn.

Comments

[leftthecradle]

There is a horse pacing alongside the treeman/mantree. A graceful, dapple-grey mare. If one has seen the Ranger's ward, they might recognize the adult Cai will grow into.

And perched on her back (without saddle or bridle) is...well, he's been here before.

Where are you going?

It's strange. Although the mare is going along at a brisk flat-walk, she doesn't seem to move from the side of the massive figure of Jack.

[jack_inthegreen]

Nowhere--I'm already here.

[leftthecradle]

A sly chuckle.

Are you so sure?

He murmurs something to the mare. Her ears flick back for a second...then she stops. When she does, horse and rider slide back into the forest as if they are on a boat floating on a swift but invisible river.

Or maybe the forest itself is moving and they're no longer keeping up?

[jack_inthegreen]

The tree is standing still.

He can't vouch for anyplace else.

[leftthecradle]

Standing still is a relative term. One stands still in relation to the planet one is on...but that planet is flying through space at a dizzying pace.

Hoofbeats and a flash of silvery mane. Horse and rider are now abreast of the great tree once more.

We're all going somewhere. Even if we don't realize it. Even rest periods are part of the journey. Where are you going?

[jack_inthegreen]

homehomehomehomehomehome

[leftthecradle]

Cai tosses her mane and prances a bit.

Ahhhh! One of the great quests. Going home.

The Ranger reaches forward to scratch between her ears.

Where is home?

[jack_inthegreen]

. . . here. Once. Long ago.

Those days are past.

[leftthecradle]

I see. Yes, home as an annoying tendency to move sometimes.

There is a flash in his eye.

A lone ship flees a dying sun...a doomed world.

Where are you looking for your new home, then?

[jack_inthegreen]

Wherever Gil is.

I don't know yet.

[leftthecradle]

A grin.

The ancients once said that "home is where your heart is".

Yet there with my love, I'm home.

Perhaps there is where you should start.

[jack_inthegreen]

His heart . . .

all my heart, all my life

is in a small house in the suburbs of Las Vegas.

Plain as the bark on his face.

[leftthecradle]

The mare playfully bucks, causing the Ranger to scramble to keep his balance on her back. He laughs as he finds his seating again on the trotting horse and smiles up at Jack.

Yes...I think you know your way home. Don't make them wait too long, my friend.

Cai rears and breaks into a gallop. Horse and rider vanish into the trees like a fading dream.