The little filly was relentless, which in her current line of questioning had Ava laughing heartily as they descended, charmed by Xena's curiosity. And in the case of her missing family, a little relentlessness might just be what Xena needed to find her kin again.

Aveline's pale legs stilled as her king appeared before them, and she cocked a foreleg to rock low in a curtesy, dipping her elegant head. It was a relief to see Romeo, tall and proud as ever. His presence was a comfort, and Ava knew he would guide the little one as best he could.

"Your Majesty," she said by way of greeting, and stood tall again. "This is Xena," she continued, her warm brown eyes finding the little filly with an encouraging smile. "She has lost her family, but has very bravely asked for our help to locate them."

Turning her gaze back to the King, the redheaded mare added, "I found her up on the north pass. I saw no trace of outsiders — and the last she remembers, she was with her family in a place with no mountains on the horizon, and no thick forests, either." The look she threw Romeo would confirm for him the undercurrent of her words: that this filly, if she spoke true, had travelled an immense distance alone for one so young, and that in Ava's opinion, the chances of finding her family were slim to none.

Xena's endless questions came to an abrupt halt. When had someone else arrived? Just now or had she been so focused on peppering Ava with questions the filly had failed to pay better attention? Slowly, Xena's head turned towards the stallion, wide eyed and staring for several long seconds. Was this who Ava had been talking about? No sooner did the question dart across her thoughts did the mare verbally confirm it.

"H-Hello. It's nice to meet you." Ducking behind Ava's legs Xena cautiously peeked around to stare at Romeo, studying him silently while Ava explained her situation. Despite her earlier eagerness and curiosity, now that she was actually face-to-face with the stallion it was...intimidating. Meeting someone of such high standing wasn't something the filly had ever done -or what she could remember,- and there was still some level of uncertainty on whether she needed to act a particular way or not. For now, Xena kept close to Ava, ears forward and alert while awaiting Romeo's response.

Your majesty, this is Xena. At Aveline's words, the russet and ivory toned beast lowered his crown towards the small filly near the mare. H-hello. It's nice to meet you. He heard the young one speak as she peeked around to stare at him. It's nice to meet you, young Xena, he cooed in soft tones. She has lost her family, but has very bravely asked for our help to locate them. At the mare's words, he lifted his crown once more and gazed at her, before nodding his head lightly. I found her up on the north pass. I saw no trace of outsiders - and the last she remembers, she was with her family in a place with no mountains on the horizon, and no thick forests, either. He listened to Aveline recite everything the young filly had told her. Nodding his crown along to show he was listening. His sapphire gaze swept towards the filly, before glancing back to Aveline in time to see the look she had thrown him. A look that would most definitely confirm what he had feared.

Well, young one, we shall definitely help you in finding your family. Until then, you are more than welcome to stay here with us and in the protection of myself and the herd, he cooed at Xena as he gazed at her with a soft smile upon his lips. He knew deep down that there was more and likely no chance of finding her family, but he would at least send a few scouts out to see what they would come back with, if anything. If they came back with news of her family, then so be it. But, if they came back with nothing, he would gladly take it upon himself to take in the young girl. Turning his gaze behind him to one of the guards that followed him, he murmured, send three scouts out in search of this young one's family. If they have found nothing within the week, I would like them to report back to me. Thank you. The words flowed easily from his vocal chords and with them spoken, the guard rushed off to find three of the best scouts they had.

There are other young ones around that you may find comfort in playing with, should you please, he mused towards Xena. He turned his gaze back towards Aveline before saying, make sure she feels welcomed in the herd. She is to either sleep in your chambers with you, or she can sleep in the nursery chamber, where ever she feels more comfortable. They had just recently assigned a nursery chamber for all of the foals that were within the herd, but so far, the only foals in the herd were his own children, and now young Xena.

speech

tagged lumi hazel
words 468
notes sorry for the wait.