I grin at the scurrying staff and listen to them mumbling under their breaths...I then big Shylah good night once again....
I go back into my room and listen as the staff are rattling dishes in the kitchen and think of the meal they will be prepariing for our outing. I think about how wonderful it will be to see the other side of the property once again as I drift off to sleep..
As I lay sleeping I start dreaming of the good times I had here with my friends once before and how comforting it is to know that I have a safe place to come back to whenever I need them....

Sleeping lightly the rest of the night, I wake shortly after the sun comes up and lay enjoying the comfort and warmth of my fluffy bed. Yawning, I grin at the thought of enjoying a leisure picnic.

After a laze about, I stretch and climb out of bed. The servant that had spoken to me last night is waiting outside my door, having been warned by older staff of my habits. He asks me if I would like him to have a bath drawn and I smile, nodding yes.

After my lengthy bath and preparing for the day, I wander about, straight faced but grinning inside at the yawning night servants and how sparkly the Manor is. Going to the kitchen I make sure that the picnic meal is well on its way and then go out to the yards to spend time with the animals while waiting for Angel and Jondalar to awaken.

Awakening to the rising sun I look out over the forest and the wild animals playing. I smile at the thought of being able to spend the day with my dearest friend Shylah and her sweet son Jondalar. I also think of the other friends I have had here that aren't able to be here because they have business to take care of elsewhere..

Still looking out the window, I hear a noise behind me in the hallway then a knock at the door. I allow them to enter and it is a servant letting me know that Shylah is up. The servant also offers to draw me a nice warm bath up before meeting Shylah in the kitchen and starting my day so I accept the offer thinking it would be nice and relaxing.

I finish my bath and get dressed and then I go downstairs to meet Shylah in the kitchen.

Jondalar.....

I waked up to some weird noises and my head hurts! I roll unner my piyyow and yells for Momma but that hurted worse! Ohhh what did Momma do to me? That funny drink, I tells ya, I not touching dat stuffs agin.

I has servant get Momma. I canna move no more.

Shylah.....

When a giggling servant comes to me to let me know my son wants his Momma right now, I bust out in laughter. I know my poor son must be feeling his first hangover and while I can't help but laugh, I do feel quite badly for him.

Grabbing a special treat for him after creating a tea that will stop the pain fairly quickly, I excuse myself from Angel. "I must tend to Jon, I think my poor boy needs some mommy time." Laughing, I wander off to tend to my son while Angel finishes making sure we will have all we want for the picnic.

Upon reaching his room, I quietly walk over to him and lift his head to the tea and smile while he sips, grimacing. "Drink it all love. It will make you feel better quickly. I've had to drink this many times in my days."

Jondalar.....

I drinks the tea then snuggle up next to Momma as she lies down with me for a bit. She telling me some stories bout when hers had to drinks this icky tea.

Tis not much longer it seems before I am gigglin wif her and wishs I coulda been there wif her.

Giving her a serious face, "Momma if you ever does that to me agin, I'mma throw a tantrum like yous never seen."

I smiles as Momma falls over laughing and we huggles each other tightly.

Shylah.....

After spending a bit more time with Jondalar, I give him another hug and tell him to hurry and get ready. "We are having our picnic today and it is going to be as if we are royalty! I've told all the night staff they are to attend to our every whim as punishment for being lazy. I must say, I do look forward to some pampering in a peaceful setting."

Knowing Jon is a bit uncomfortable with me being around while he baths, I grin with a tear in my eye over my growing up grown son and leave his room to go back to Angel. Seeing she has things well in control, I sit on a stool and eat some fruit bites.

I sit in the kitchen still watching the servants as Shylah reenters laughing....I sit beside her and ask her what's so funny, and she give me the details of Jon's first hang over.....I myself try not to laugh but although i feel sympathy for him I still laugh in spite of myself...

We watch as the servants finish preparing the meal for the picnic and wait for Jondalar to come down from a warm bath to start his day.....I eat a piece of fruit from the bowl and it is more delicious than I remember..I sure have missed this freshly picked fruit they grow here.

Watching Jondalar skipping through the castle and into the kitchen I grin slighty as he remarks how hungry he suddenly is and insists that we hurry up and start the picnic..

Jondalar.....

Looking escitedly at Angel and Momma, I agrees. "I is hungy. I could eat a Dragon me thinks. Can we has haggus and cabbage soup?"

Shylah.....

Smiling, I am glad I'd thought to tell the staff about Jon's favorite dishes. "They shall be part of our feast. Now, I say we should begin heading to the waterfall. Its warmed up nicely and the ride there should be most pleasant. Most of the staff to attend us has gone ahead to set up the site. Maybe we will have some luck and unexpected friends will arrive."

With that I turn to go get my gear and riding outfit. Even though tis to be a day of leisure, I can never fully let my guard down and ride well armed.

Seeing that things are under control I myself suit up and get ready for the picnic. I walk out right behind Shylah. As we start toward the picnic area I look around at the forest and enjoy the sights of the wildlife playing and the sweet scents of the flowers and trees. I also hear Jon chattering in the back .
I turn around and hug Jon and give him a nice morning welcome.

Shylah.....

Mounting FeatherFeet with extreme ease, I let him prance about while waiting for the others to get to their mounts. Enjoying the feel of the power of the stallion, his muscles straining, waiting for the chance to jump in to a full out run. Grinning, I look at Angel and Jon. "Shall we race? A wager mayhaps? Say last one there has to instruct the staff completely."

A grin splits my face as I laugh at Jondalars exasperated face and he tells me "Momma, you knows you gonna win. You always does. Not fair and I dunno how to do this ride thing all that well."

Laughing I whirl FF about and holler out "Very well, I shall let Feather release some excitement and rejoin you both in a short while. We shall work on your horsemanship skills some today if you wish my son. Mayhaps Angel can give you some tips whilst I calm Feather down."

Jondalar.....

I watch as Momma races off, her long hair and Feathers mane n tail a whirl of whipping hair mass.

I looks at Angel then. "Her really likes these morning rides. I thinking she gonna go to the waterfall and back afore we even gets half way there."

I is tryin to relax on me horsie but hims antsing about scares me. I giveing Angel a grateful look when her come over n help me calm horsie.

I get off my horse tutor and help Jondalar control his as I watch Shylah race away....Jondalar smiles sweetly at me and hugs me for helping him with his horse.....I give him reassuarnce that he can do this with no problem and that someday he will be as good as his momma...
I get back on my horse and look at Jondalar and make sure he is ready to go and catch up with his momma. Seeing the excitement in his face I tell him how to control his horse and he does exactly what I tell him and in no time we see Shylah just ahead waiting.....
Leaning down I whisper in Shylah's ear to let Jondalar win the race......We both smile and she agrees....We let Jondalar get ahead of us but not too far so we can both watch him in case he needs our help again.....Jondalar gets to be boss of the servants all day today and that excites him...

Shylah.....

Grinning at Angel, I enjoy Jondalars excitement and am glad that I was able to get Feathers energy lowered so he would let me hold him back so Jon could win.

Although the servants are a little bit thrown off at Jon's childish manner, being in an adult body, they all seem to quickly understand what he means and all gladly help him by telling him how to say things correctly as well as teaching him more proper etiquette . It is amazing to me how quickly he is learning. He instructs the servants but also listens to their suggestions and treats them all with respect.

I beam with pride as within a few hours I can tell that he has the servants wrapped around his little finger and they will all obey him as they do me. I can't help but be thankful for their rudeness of the night before. Had they not been lazy, they'd of missed out on dealing with Jondalar, both learning and teaching with him.