They were back to the little castle in practically no time, even though Brooke had dismounted Honey and was instead walking beside him. Anthony made for good company. Brooke realized after a while that though she initially disliked his slightly arrogant and outspoken attitude, he was actually being friendly with her. That did not happen often.
However, these thoughts were only small distractions, or should I say, comfort, for what was swirling around in Brooke's mind. Princess? Moon Princess? What on earth was really going on? Normally, she would have shrugged all this off as her imagination or a prank, but there was no denying that everything she experienced was true. You can't fake dreams, after all.
Thankfully, she was spared from completely overwhelming herself when they passed through the castle's gate and Brooke began to put away Honey.
"Shouldn't you be heading home by now?" Anthony had followed her through the gate and into the stable where she was still brushing off the palomino's dusty coat. Brooke felt small pangs of guilt at the dark patches of sweat. Ponies, young as Honey was, were not meant to be run so hard. Brooke could not even tell how long she had made him gallop full-speed.
"I didn't only come to see you off-I have to give something to your aunt."
"And what is that?" Strange that he did not mean her mother. Most people assumed that she was the one who took care of Brooke, instead of her aunt. Brooke liked to keep the reason for that kept hidden.
"A message. Joe's the one who fights, I am the messenger." With that, he headed towards the side door leading into the castle. He seems to know his way around.
After initially showing her relatives that she was alright and had not been out for a suspiciously long time after all, Brooke headed immediately to her tower room. She was not particularly tired in a physical sense, being curiously well-rested from her visit to the fox's den, but simply sought relief from her thoughts.
She found with little surprise that Wrolfe was already there, waiting for her, and the little horn necklace was still in its place on the mantle, perfectly mended. Had Joseph really done that for her? The brother 'guardians' were a lot kinder than they appeared.
Her bed was perfectly made, as always, and offered her a deep sleep she really needed just then.
The next morning, she awoke to find that not only was her mother once again gone, but all her cousins as well.