The next two weeks flew past, and the saddest part of my short life was upon us. One fine morning I awoke to find my beloved Red standing over us, so it looked like the time had come to say goodbye to the multitude of friends we had, he looked magnificent his coat was a picture and you could see the rest had done him the world of good.
Everyone seemed to be there, Red’s mum and dad Tamarin and Ariana had come to see their son off, it made me laugh they all looked like spritely three years old horses instead of the thousands of years old they were, this is certainly powerful magic. Even the two magicians seemed to have buried the hatchet and stood there smiling at us, Xavier winked at me and said, “Do the honours my dear let’s have a feast to remember”.
I felt very grand as I waved my arms and produced a feast fit for a King, and as if this magical moment could not get any better, in walked the King himself Uno with his entourage, the two eagles Ajax and Arabella and the massive Apollo and the wonderful Ari leading them in. Everyone gave a slight bow out of respect for this unassuming leader of the kingdom, I noticed Minos had a sly grin on his face but for now he was on his best behaviour, when we had gone I presume the cat and mouse game they had got used to, of which was master of the kingdom would go on for as long time allowed them.
I looked at Alex as he ripped great chunks of meat from the joint he had, and I thought that’s my buddy and this moment has got to be etched in my memory for ever, how I am going to get over this I just don’t know, I shall be devastated for as long as I live, as it will be as though he would be dying, and the tears started to flow uncontrollably.
Alex never showed a lot of emotion usually, but he rubbed his large head against mine and licked my cheek, and said “don’t worry Red has told me he will make an exception and will visit here again, so look forward to seeing us all again, it won’t be for a long time but we shall meet again”, with that he gave a loud roar and said, “have a great life Vicky and I shall be waiting for you”. I did not see much of Alex and Melissa walking away from us, the tears were rolling down my cheeks and my eyes were like rivers, and it was as though I was looking through waves to try and see them for the last for many years to come.
I rubbed my eyes only to see them disappearing though an opening in the forest, I shouted “bye Alex, bye Melissa”. They turned and Alex gave out a mighty roar and Melissa gave a squawk, they turned back and they were gone.
I slumped to the floor and my emotions got the better of me, and I cried my eyes out sobbing uncontrollably for at least the longest five minutes anybody could imagine.
Feeling like a real baby I at last pulled myself together, and mumbled “sorry”, but they understood my predicament, and Uno told me to jump on his back so he could show me everyone before we made our way home.
Red nodded his head saying it was all right to be with Uno, as I looked across at him and pulled a face as if to say should I be on his back.
Wherever we went the reception was wonderful, there were dragons and fairies swans and every animal I had made friends with over the last few weeks (of our time scale.)
But I think the most Poignant moment was meeting Valencia with her pack of wolves, she beckoned to the big black alpha male to come forward, my lip started to curl with emotion as he gave a quite little cry and handed me his paw, I got down from Uno and went down on one knee and took the paw. He looked so soft and magnificent I could do no more than sling my arms around his neck and snuggle my face in the mass of black fur, this was getting all too much I was becoming a nervous wreck, after a minute or two of cuddling the big fellow I got back on Uno and gave a little wave.
They all knew how I felt and it was time to make a exit, I said goodbye to Uno, and the two big cats I had relied so much on, waved to the magicians and got on Red who done his usual rearing act and we were on our way back home.