Waiting (part 1)
This is a series of short stories I am working on with my character Aeron. This is part 1.
A bead of sweat ran down the edge of his face and joined a small pool at the edge of his mouth. He was hot. His body clenched and twisted with each swing of the axe. The wood splintered into little piles by his hooves. A clap of thunder echoed in the distance. The stallion raised his head and peered across the tree line. His cabin sat on a tall hill in the middle of Elysian Forest. From here he could see the encroaching storm clouds.
"I've got to finish up," he grumbled as he swung the axe again. High above the horse a bead of water began to fall. His long brown mane blew in the wind as a pile of wood began to form next to him. His head jumped as the drop landed on his snout. "6 months of rain sounds great," he said with sarcasm gathering the wood and placing it beneath the eave on his cabin. The stallion turned, axe in hand, and stepped inside the cabin just as the rain began to pour.
The Elysian Forest is known for having massive downpours throughout the year. His snout was pressed against a small glass window on the cabin door, looking up at the darkening sky.
Inside the cabin it was dry and warm. The floor was made of wood, but was covered mostly with carpets. The smell of oak and candles permeated the room. The rain brought a sense of calmness and change for him. He sat at the lone table, goblet in hand. He closed his eyes listening to the sound of the rain on the roof. He was tired of running and hiding. This was a place of solace. It was a place where he could be away from the past and be concerned with the future.
The door to the bedroom of the cabin slowly cracked open. The stallion's ears perked and turned toward the sound. "Aeron, did I sleep all morning?" a small voice said further pushing open the door. Aeron turned in his chair to see a thin female rabbit holding herself up in his doorway. She stepped forward, "Is it raining already?" pushing her face against the window. Aeron stood slowly and stepped behind her. His massive hands ran up her back and rested on her shoulders. His snout breathed heavy warm breaths into her ear. "I'm happy you're here, Amy" he whispered as she turned to face him. He was a head over her. He held her in his arms like a doll, pulling her close. Nikki buried her face in his giant chest. He heaved and moved her head as he breathed in and out. She was happy to be with him.
TO BE CONTINUED...