I'm not entirely sure why I wrote this chapter the way I did, but anyways... bear with me! 😂 Any feedback is welcome! Again, thanks so much for the positive feedback and being so kind and friendly! You guys make me feel so welcome and I always look forward to sharing with you guys! Blessings, A. R. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Smalls returned to First Warren just before dinner, and he couldn’t stop smiling. It had been such a fun afternoon, working alongside his soon-to-be brother-in-law and his fiance. It gave him a fresh mind before returning to the stack of grim reports that awaited him. He sighed, shaking his head as he entered the palace. Rabbits headed this way and that, completing tasks before calling it a day.      “You look like you’ve had a good day,” a voice said quietly. Smalls turned and saw Wilfred Longtreader. He was more than glad that the buck had pulled through the last battle. The tall grey rabbit smiled wide and offered a bow before stepping closer to the prince. “How are you, Wilfred? Have any new adventures to go on?” Smalls asked as they made their way to the council room. Wilfred smiled. “An adventure of sorts. What about you?” Smalls grinned. “I was helping Picket and Weezie at the farmhouse. It’s beautiful out there.”      Wilfred nodded, acknowledging what he said, but remaining quiet. That’s odd, Smalls thought. They continued on in silence for a few minutes before Smalls ventured to break it. “Wilfred, are you alright?” The buck looked up at him in a sort of daze. He answered a few seconds later. “Not ‘alright', but I’m okay.” Smalls studied his expression. He looked sad and weary, but a flicker of hope glowed in his eyes. “Smalls, do you… do you remember that meeting I had with Helmer at Cloud Mountain?”      Smalls head snapped upright. He remembered now! Wilfred had spoken with Helmer in regard to his family, and Helmer spoke… “In regard to his family.” Smalls finished aloud, his voice low and strained. Wilfred nodded. “I’ve found his sister and niece. Weezie is being taken care of by Picket, that’s for certain. But Airen… She’s so quiet, and I’m worried…” Wilfred stopped, refusing to go on. Smalls looked up at him, contemplating whether he should speak the question that came to mind.      He went for it.      “Wilfred, are you frightened?” The grey buck looked up at him, an almost helpless look in his eyes. “Frightened? About speaking to and taking care of an old friends sister whose as tough as nails and like her brother? Yes, I guess I am.” But he stopped, scowling. “I’m acting like a coward.” The prince placed a hand on the bucks shoulder. “Wilfred, you’re not a coward. Far from it! Who was the one who risked his life and reputation to care for an exiled prince?”      Wilfred smiled, thinking back to that day long ago. “I have confidence that you’ll find a way,” Smalls added, smiling at his mentor and friend. Wilfred bowed to the prince and saluted him. “You’re a wise rabbit, Smalls. Should I ever need advice, I’ll come to you.” Smalls smiled. “And you’ll always get it, though it might not be the best advice at times.” Wilfred chuckled. “So, you were with Picket today. How was that?” The prince smiled. “Refreshing. I have to return to all those reports, however.” Wilfred nodded slowly.      “Wilfred, where would Jacks be?” Smalls asked suddenly. The buck furrowed his brow, thinking. “Hmm… Whittle and Sween were telling me that he’s been playing out by the Standing Stones.” Smalls nodded. Wilfred eyed him suspiciously. “Is something wrong?” He asked finally. Smalls shook his head, a smile slowly appearing. “No, I just want to talk with him.” Wilfred smiled. “I’m sure he would enjoy that.”