Eternity well spent

The moon was high overhead, casting the valley around Ramstead in a cool, white glow that complemented the early winter frost that painted the land. Despite the chill, Frill hummed comfortably and snuggled closer in my lap under my cloak and the blanket we had wrapped around us on the sofa I'd hauled onto this balcony.

I gently traced my hand up her side and rubbed her ear. Her wool had gone grey, but it was still as fluffy as always, if not more so. "Happy Birthday, Old Lady."

She scoffed and stretched. "Go to hell, you're fifty years my senior."

"Only on a technicality," I chortled.

"Meh meh mehmeh meh meh," she grumbled before bleating grumpily and smacking my shin. She sighed. "Seventy-two, Fleeces Tuft."

"And just as cute as when you tried to poison me the first time," I declared, twisting one of her fluffy braids around my fingers, the little golden ring she had woven into it clinking quietly against the one on my finger. She happily hummed and nuzzled my side. The winter wind was the only noise for a few moments.

"I tried blood again today," she suddenly declared. I blinked and looked down at her. She was staring out at the horizon.

"How was it?"

"Still awful. I know it's different for you, but just the," she paused and recoiled with a groan. "The thought, the feeling was.." She hummed in protest and I locked my hands around her.

"S'all good," I replied with a chuckle and gently rocked her. "It ain't that big a deal."

She closed her eyes and curled closer. "You say that every year. But what happens when," she whimpered. "What happens if I leave you all alone?" I looked down at her and met her sad, tired eyes with a smile.

"Then I remain grateful you stuck around as long as you did," I replied, causing her to scrunch her muzzle and avert her eyes. I rubbed her cheek with my thumb. "And besides, alone is a stretch. Cel and Lulu are still kicking after all."

She hummed and I twisted to kiss her on the head. "Plus, I could just have Quilt resurrect you."

She squawked and shivered. "Oh, very funny," she snorted. "Bad enough you have to bring her up and make me feel even older."

She grumpily bleated again. "Lousy demon-blooded witch," she took a breath and sighed which quickly shifted to a hearty, body-shaking yawn. "Goodness."

"Ready to go in?"

She shuffled in her seat and scooted further onto my lap, where she rested her head and shut her eyes. "Mm mm, a little longer." I smiled and nodded, and turned my attention back to the horizon, gently wrapping her braid around my finger again.

"Love ya, Prince."

"Love you, too, Princess."