The Last Goodbye

[SigOUrNeY]

i never wanted any praise
i never needed a blanket of flowers
nor a trophy
nor any tears
all i wanted was to run
and run i did
until i crossed the finish line

The sapling tree swayed gently in the rustling breeze, its crimson leaves brushing against each other. The scarlet oak had been planted that very morning in the wide pasture that had been War Flag's favorite, to mark the spot where the thoroughbred was buried. The crimson leaves of the tree were intended to represent the fiery stallion, who had breathed so much life into Justice Acres. Mr. Duce had planned the memorial for his horse to be private, but his wife, Melissa, had convinced him that Jag wasn’t theirs any longer: he had become the people’s horse. And so the gathering was open to the public, for anybody who wanted to respect the stallion one last time.

[artemis]

There's a sound I hear in the dark
It's a secret that's sung by the vanishing stars
The lonesome bird losing it's song to tears, whispers,
'I was born to be remembered.'

Tires skidding just slightly over the gravel as the white SUV drove into Justice Acres and parked rather quietly. Out stepped a brunette with her head hung low. She walked rather slowly and almost enigmatically over to them. Raising her head, her face was wet with tears. A soft smile graced her face as she looked toward the young sapling. "He was indeed a fantastic horse," she whispered softly, not bothering to wipe the tears that had begun to stream down her face yet again.

In the background of it all, stood a redhead and her horse. She clutched the stud chain of the monstrous colt tightly, her eyes holding a somber look to them. She had no idea why she had brought this monstrosity here, especially on the memorial of this colt. But.. something had just driven her to. The colt's sudden movements caused her to let go of the chain and she stepped forward to go after him but paused. Watching him walk toward the tree, his ears flicked once as the young stallion bent his head down and seemed to be staring at something. It was really odd, but he seemed to know something had happened.

Stepping forward, she took hold of the chain and bowed her head in an apology before bringing him back near the trailer. A single tear ran down her face, as she knew War Flag was much like her own colt that was standing right beside her. Artemis stood quietly, bringing up her hand to gingerly wipe a few tears from her face. She reached out, touching one of the leaves just lightly, and it brought a smile to her face. A sad smile, that is, but a smile. Stepping back just a few small steps, she stood quietly.

Everything needs love