The royalists decided when Ebony was five months old that she should be weaned. Morningstar strongly disagreed, but she couldn’t do anything about it. For one thing, she was just a horse. For another, Ebony was more than happy to be weaned. While Morningstar was comfortable and satisfied at the royalist camp, Ebony wanted to leave as soon as possible to return to being Prince Jasper.
At six months, Ebony was fully weaned. She no longer nursed from Morningstar, saddening the mare, who missed the closeness from nursing sessions. Soon after Ebony was finally weaned, Morningstar was grazing idly, when Ebony trotted up to her.
“Mother, I am weaned,” Ebony said proudly. She lowered her head and ate a few mouthfuls of grass to demonstrate. “Now, can we leave?”
“Hmph.” Morningstar still seemed reluctant. Ebony sighed.
“We cannot wait out the war here. We must return to our proper selves so I may retake the throne!”
“Yes, yes,” Morningstar huffed. She walked around Ebony, inspecting the filly carefully. Ebony held her breath, waiting for Morningstar to say they could finally leave. After all, what other excuse could Morningstar have that would keep them at the camp?