The Unicorn and the Thief

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“I’m already disgraced by gentry standards.” Bronwyn reasoned. “This isn’t going to help things. There’s things I can take to end this right?”

“Yes…” Morgan said slowly. While he could certainly understand her not wanting to bring a Bedell’s child into the world, it was very dangerous for her as well. “But you have to be careful with it… you could easily die as well. So you think long and hard on using that option.”

“I will.” Bronwyn murmured.

“Can I ask you a question?” Morgan asked after a long pause. She nodded and Morgan plunged in. “Did you meet Bedell at the waterfall a couple of days ago?”

“I was going to…” Bronwyn looked up startled. “But he made me mad so I changed my mind.” At that declaration she blushed. “He’d been into the whiskey again.”

“Good to see he hasn’t broken your spirit.” Morgan smiled. It’s too bad your fit of pique had unexpected consequences. “You let me know what you decide.”

“I will…” Bronwyn assured him. She headed out into the living area of the house. “Thank you doctor.”

“You’re welcome Bronwyn.” Morgan opened the door to let her out. He stood in the doorway blinking in the sunlight. He heard voices approaching and looked up to see Regan and Genny coming around the corner of the barn.

Regan glanced at her with only passing interest and was smiling at something Genny had said. He was carrying the pail of clean dishes and his long silver blonde hair was damp on the ends from bending over the stream,

“Hi, Bronwyn.” Genny greeted innocently.

Morgan watched the smile fade from Regan’s face and the way he stiffened at the mention of her name. Morgan also saw Regan’s ears flick backward under his mane of hair. Morgan was shocked to see Regan lift his lip at her in what could only be described as an equine threat.

“Regan!” Morgan called sharply.

Regan flinched, but immediately reacted to the authority in Morgan’s voice. He continued on past the woman without incident. He carried the dishes past Morgan into the house.

“Rahnwyn ees nawt good.” Regan hissed to Morgan as he stalked into the kitchen area.

“Bronwyn is a good person Regan.” Morgan tried to explain. It wasn’t her fault that things were they way they were. Well not entirely anyway, Morgan thought. “You shouldn’t blame her for what happened.”

“Rahnwyn smells like Bed elle.” Regan ground out. “He is Rheegan’s mateh! Nawt Rahnwyn’s.”

“What?!” Understanding washed over Morgan and his mouth dropped open in shock. Regan was jealous?! “Regan… he shouldn’t be your mate. I’ve told you that! He belongs with Bronwyn.” Morgan corrected. “No… he doesn’t belong with anyone.”

“He bee longs with Rheegan!” Regan stomped a foot.

“You are upsetting Genny.” Morgan leaned over to whisper to Regan. It was the one thing he could think of to quiet Regan’s outburst at the moment.

In truth, Genny had stopped to talk with Bronwyn for a few minutes and was just catching up to Regan. She was unaware of what was going on, but her expression was troubled. She had caught the underlying tension emanating off of Regan.

“Is something wrong?” Genny asked. Her eyes flicked back and forth between the two males.

Regan, to his credit managed to form a warm smile to relieve Genny’s consternation. “Ees Goodah… no thing wrong.”

The young girl wasn’t completely convinced but she trusted Regan for his word and waited for Morgan to give her the medicine for her mother.

“See you tomorrow Genny.” Morgan handed over the dried mixture to the girl.

“Good bye Dr. Petree, bye Regan.” She waved and turned to go, then threw over her shoulder. “Thank you for helping me with the dishes.”

Morgan had a decision to make, did he tell Regan about the baby? Or would it be a disastrous mistake? He decided that for now, he would keep it to himself.

“Regan, Arabeth’s mother sent an apple pie home with me.” Morgan distracted the youth from his surly mood. “I think… that you will really enjoy this.” Morgan placed the pie on the table near Regan. “I have to cook dinner, then we can have some for dessert.”

“Ahpell piee?” Regan sniffed the pie, and a smile spread over his face. “Ees goodah!”

“It’s very good.” Morgan agreed, thankful that Regan could easily be distracted. Horses and apples were drawn together like… well... like unicorns and virgins. Morgan busied himself with slicing vegetables. “So… did you like helping Genny with the dishes?”

“Yehess…” Regan answered still eyeing the pie. “Why deed Rahnwyn come to see Docktor?”

“She wanted to talk to me. Regan, I’m a doctor many people come to see me for many different reasons.” Morgan hedged. He filled a pot with water from the drinking pail, then pushed the sliced vegetables into it. “Have you thought about asking your father to talk to me the way you did? In my dream?”

“Regan will talk to fahther.” Regan finally agreed. “What reesun deed Bronwyn come see?”

“She hasn’t been feeling well, Regan.” Morgan gave an exasperated sigh. “She is a nice girl Regan. You should not want bad things to happen to her.”

“Bed elle herts Rheegan with Rahnwyn.” Regan defended his behavior. “Rahnwyn ees nawt goodah for Rheegan. Bed elle ees Rheegan’s mateh.”

“How does he hurt you?” Morgan asked. “Your feelings? Because you want him to like you? Believe me Regan, you are better off without him! I keep telling you that.” Morgan carried the pot of vegetables over to the fire and put it on the swing out spit, the pushed it over the fire. “Bedell was Bronwyn’s mate before you came here. He thought you were her, I guess he must have been very drunk.”

“Nawt hert Rheegan’s feelings.” Regan blushed to the tips of his pointed ears. “Hert in that part.”

“That part…?” Morgan asked distractedly. He paused what he was doing for a moment thinking over the meaning. “What part…” He turned to look at Regan, noticed the blush. “Oh! Why? Never mind that. You mean to tell me you feel desire for Bedell?”

“Nawt goodah. Rheegan nawt like it.” Regan nodded still blushing. “Nawt with Rahnwyn, Rheegan is goodah. Bed elle, nawt with Rahnwyn, Rheegan ess goodah.”

It was as clear as Regan with his limited words could make it. Mating in the herd was not done privately but often in full view of the herd. It was a matter of establishing the Stallion’s dominance.

Either Regan had developed the human trait of being embarrassed, or it was because Bedell was a male. Morgan knew it would be hard for Regan to explain so he didn’t bother asking.

“Regan, Rahnwyn… Bronwyn isn’t trying to hurt you.” Morgan explained. “But we need to talk to your father; because your mate is already mated to someone else.” And expecting a child… surely there is some exception for this “bonding”.
“Ah no.” Regan groaned. He looked so sad and lost that even his glossy hair seemed to lose its sheen. “Rahnwyn ees nawt bad… Bed elle ees.”
“That is good Regan.” Morgan shook his head. “Keep your anger directed at the right person.” When Arabeth didn’t show up at the door by the time Morgan was finished preparing dinner, he figured that she couldn’t get away from her chores.

Morgan kept gently prodding Regan trying to find a way out of this mess. Regan struggled with the words Morgan wanted him to use. By the time dinner was done, Regan had reluctantly agreed to try to get his father to talk to Morgan.

Morgan was all smiles as he ladled the vegetable soup into bowl. As always he cautioned Regan that the food was hot. Regan gave him a look that his own son would have, the look eloquently told Morgan that he no longer needed to go through the trouble.

After they ate the soup, Morgan spooned a portion of the apple pie onto a plate for Regan to try. He could hardly contain himself as he watched the expressions play over Regan’s face. First he looked at the dingy clumps of apple with obvious concern, his eyes flicked to Morgan’s.

“I promise you, it tastes better than it looks.” Morgan assured him. “Smell it.. and then take a bite.”

Regan smelled it again, then finally lifted a spoon to his mouth. His nose wrinkled up and his visage took on the look of a person about to take a bite of the most rancid thing a person could imagine. To his credit, Regan popped the bite of pie into his mouth, then surprise followed by utter joy spread over his face.

“I told you!” Morgan laughed as Regan dove into the pie with gusto. Morgan had to give him another piece before he was finished with his first. Morgan was glad to see the pensive expression on Regan’s face ease while the pie distracted him from his worries. It was obvious he that he was worried about bedtime and Bedell’s nocturnal activities with Bronwyn. Morgan was glad that he was able to provide this momentary happiness for the boy.

After letting Puss in at the designated time Morgan announced that it was time to get some rest. A sudden flash of unhappiness descended like a shroud over Regan’s face, but Puss followed him into the infirmary.

“Remember… you said you would try to talk to your father.” Morgan called softly. “We’ll try to get you out of this Regan. Don’t worry.”

“Oh Kay.” Regan sighed heavily.

Morgan retired to his bed with heavy thoughts on his mind. He was hopeful and nervous at the same time. Hopefully tonight would be the last time that Bedell would be able to hurt Regan.

The next morning, Morgan went about the usual business of gathering and cooking breakfast. Again, Regan didn’t snow up. Morgan went to check on him.

The bed was empty!

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