Will I ever get to,

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The grassland spread out before him exactly as he recalled. Or nearly so. When last the apricot stallion called it home, spring and come and gone with summer fast becoming a memory. Now it was spring and the rolling pastures were thick with fresh growth, the breeze redolent with the scent of their flowering. Beyond that, though, it was the same: an endless expanse of flat land so perfect that nary a shrub dared to interrupt it. So many things had changed in his life, but he could always depend on the Open Plains to remain true to its design. The mountains could crumble and the seas dry up, but still this place would continue on, ignorant of time's march. It was eternal, persistent, stubborn. Just like the old stallion he once served.

In a way, Falstaff was the reason for Eldrick's return. It had occurred to him that the grizzled old goat was getting close to the end of his span. Certainly, he had been up in his years when Eld was still a suckling babe, which made him ancient by Eld's estimation. If he ever wanted to pay his respects to the stallion who helped shape him into the horse he had become, then today was as good a time as any.

Eldrick had always meant to come to the plains to do just that, but it never seemed the right time. He refused to arrive without a herd to accompany, but even after he acquired a few members he pushed the visit back in favor of building his meager following. More excuses to delay the trip were found until three springs had come and gone with Falstaff none the younger and Eldrick only a little wiser. Realizing that he would miss his opportunity if he tarried much more, Eldrick gathered up his small but growing faction and brought them to the Open Plains.

Now he was there, standing upon a small tussock (true hills did not exist in this land) so he could survey the emerald sea. He had expected Falstaff or one of his sons to stop him as soon as he led his herd across the Dawnflow, but neither he nor his brood challenged. Strange. The old man was a creature of habit and a firm believer in remaining vigilant. Not a creature entered the Plains without him knowing, and he always investigated. Unknowns were a risk to his orderly existence and that could not be endured.

So why wasn't he here? Or one of his ilk? Eldrick fought the urge to paw the earth in mingled concern and frustration. He didn't want to communicate his apprehension to those who followed him (especially not Lucien), so he stilled his limbs and worked on channeling the patience he thought a king should embody. With any luck Firelight or one of the other scouts would return soon. If Falstaff and his herd were about, they would find them and alert Eldrick to their whereabouts.

Which meant that Eldrick and the rest of the herd would have to wait. That frustrated him to no end. After all, he came all this way to show off his little kingdom, and he had expected to meet his former lord shortly after entering the territory. And Eldrick was desperate for his approval. Falstaff had never been disappointed in him, but he was the closest thing he ever had to a father. It was only natural to seek out the old lord's blessing.

The rustling of grass to his left snapped the young king from his thoughts. His eyes flicked towards the source but he managed to still himself enough to ease the turn of his head so he did not appear surprised by it, which he very well was. He hoped that it would be a scout or maybe Falstaff himself. No matter who it as, Eldrick met the horse with a smile on his lips.

NOTES: Feel free to be the horse who surprised Eld! Doesn't need to be a herd member.