Nimeway rolled out of bed, yawning slightly as the light from the morning sun streamed through the river. She glanced over her shoulder to see Ross’s spot was taken up by a Baloo and Milo who were cuddling each other. Nime laughed softly, rising to her feet as she shuffled into the main room. When the two realized the bed was empty, they leaped to their feet and chased after her. Since Nime had gotten bigger, the two never liked to leave her side. As if they knew she was expecting and wanted to protect her.
The sun had risen higher in the sky by the time Nime was dressed and had slipped outside into the fresh air. Arieway neighed softly to her, but Nime shook her head, “Sorry girl, I shouldn’t be riding you for a little while.”
Arieway stomped her hooves on the ground, the horse loved to be ridden. Except Arieway doesn’t allow most people to ride her other than Nime. Baloo trotted over to the upset horse and licked her shoulder, which always calmed the mare down.
Once Arieway was fine, Nime started off for a walk, though all three of the animals followed her. Nime normally headed out to Starmere Lake, and on horseback, it wasn’t too far away. Though on foot, it was too long of a walk for Nime. She ended up just finding a spot in the grass to sit with her back to a tree. She could see the gates to the homesteads, but she was far enough to escape the others who would pass through.
All of Nime’s friends, being animals of course, began to play around her. Milo kept stalking a little bug, pouncing it and letting it go. Baloo was distracted by the common enemy, his tail. He chased it until he’d run into a tree or catch it. It was a fun game to him, and Nime had to admit, if she had nothing to do, she would chase a tail if she had one. Arieway was the only one not bounding around, she simply grazed the ground for food. Nime never understood how she could eat so much almost all day long.
Time passed for a while and Nime pulled out a book Ross had given her to read. As the animals went about to their business, Nime read. After a while of Nime not paying attention, Milo trotted over with a small mouse in his mouth, dropping it onto her lap.
“Milo? What is this?” Nime asked, lifting her book up and looking at the mouse. The little fox chirped and sat back, lifting his head up in pride. To Milo, the dead animal was the best gift. Something Nime could eat if she wanted to. Food was his favorite thing to give and be given. Nimeway lifted the mouse up and looked at it for a moment, “Do you want me to cook it?”
Milo chirped.
Nime frowned, “Oh, alright.” She pushed herself to her feet and thought for a moment, remembering her previous attempts at cooking. Finally, Nime shook her head, “I am sorry Milo, I can’t cook for you.” She then sat the mouse back onto the ground, “Go find Ross if you want it cooked.”
Before Milo could take the mouse, Baloo leaped forward and landed on top of it, swallowing the mouse with only a few bites. Milo snarled at Baloo, the gift wasn’t met for him. But Baloo did not seem to care, he just trotted off towards their home.
Milo looked up at Nime as if to say, ‘Did you see what he just did?’
Nime laughed and kneeled down, scratching the fox behind the ear, “Sorry buddy, you’ll have to take that one up with Ross. I have no control over Baloo.”
Together the two walked back home, Arieway following behind them, though she was a bit reluctant to leave the little patch she had found.
“I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy. Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun.” -Charles R. Swindoll
