Word Count: 448
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Ivan and Luella had been the last of their rag-tag traveling companions; the others had all settled along the way, or gone off on their own to seek fortune. The two camped for one last night after Ella's acceptance, and then he walked her herd to the borders while she sailed the ship into a neat little cove. They met on the borders for Ella's livestock; then he was gone, walking across rolling hills without a single glance back. She thought that might have hurt the most.
Darkness and Windle had helped her herd the sheep and Margie to the place called Jordheim, where Ella carefully picked out a house. It had a small, closed-off area to the side, which was perfect for keeping the rambunctious Margie penned. She didn't know what she was actually supposed to do with her companions; surely they had a stable for sheep and goats, or at least horses.
Luella felt more comfortable with everyone close at hand. Thus, she herded Lady and Stanton into the would-be garden, closely followed by Darkness. It took a moment for her to find Margie, as the little billy goat had wandered off again. It took another moment to wrestle her in with the others. Margie flailed and nearly kicked her in the face, making Ella quickly switch tactics.
"Off with you, then," She let go and made little shooing motions with her hands, turning to lean against the fence. Margie trotted a few feet away, then stopped and turned around, ears flicking. She gave a cautious bleat, and Ella shooed her off again. Margie stayed where she was, and then trotted back, bleating again. Ella turned to look down her nose at the little nanny, raising her eyebrows. "Go on! Get."
Her response was a headbutt to the knee. Ella yelped and caught hold of the low stone wall, swinging the gate open. Margie trotted inside, making a sound that Ella would have called a snicker if she didn't know better. She closed the gate behind the little psychopath, and then slumped against the wall, rubbing her leg irritably. She let loose a chuckle, and then shook her head, bewildered.
Her thoughts spiraled wildly out of control, introducing ideas like goat-logic, and soon Ella's small chuckles had turned into nearly hysteric giggles, leaving her nearly incapacitated as she struggled to get air into her lungs between bouts of laughter. Darkness' creamy head peered at her over the wall, and his large eyes staring at her only made the laughter worse, her hand rising to push his nose out of her face. "Go on, Darkness," She giggled, "You're too funny-lookin' right now."
Modified Revo Template by Nat & Marie with code edits by Sam & Elena; Image by Wyldraven@dA
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