The Merry Llewd

The light faded. The crowd stood there, not knowing what to do. All the cum, even the smocks, were gone. The ostler’s apprentice was the first to turn around. “Look!”

The Librarian hurried over to the side of the platform and looked down. Where one of the tribute barrels had been, there were only the metal rings used to hold it together, laying in a concentric pattern on the pavement. They glowed dull read and emitted the occasional ping of cooling metal.

Then every snout turned up as a new sensation reached them. It was snowing. The wind had died completely and the snow came down, thick and heavy. In the silence after the storm, the only sound was the white hiss of a million flakes landing.

In the middle of them was the royal couple. They were curled together on the small platform. There was no sign of consciousness. Snow was already collecting in their manes.

“Bring the stretchers.” Clady ordered. The two were shaken from their stupor just long enough to be helped down from the platform, though only partly under their own power. Once down, they refused to be parted. Curling together again on a single stretcher. Fern shrugged. “Twice the weight, but half the trips.”

A group of deputized group of stallions bore them into the castle. It was an odd procession. On the stretcher was a tangle of arms, legs and wings wrapped together, being carried by a group of naked stallions, their members semi flaccid, but still long and swinging.

Rather than try to navigate the stairs, they were taken into the library and set by the fire, with additional pillows and blankets. A small collection of nourishing foods and drinks were placed nearby. Then they were left there, with strict instructions not to be disturbed. They spooned together in the semi dark, the only sound was their steady breathing, the crackling of the fire, and the gentle sound of snow hitting the windows.