The meadow was alive, the season of birth in full bloom. Birds defending territories, protecting their young, chicks crying for food and young ones learning to fly with encouraging parents. Their chatter and activity almost annoying. The creeks boisterous with the flood of snow melt in higher elevations. It’s current smashing into it’s confines and the odd obstruction. The golden maiden wandered into the heart of the open space, where it was a little quieter. The sparse lofty clouds that looked liked images, mesmerizing. The emerald a delicacy from the frozen tundra of season past. She wasn’t here on a mission; in fact, it had been a while since she had made a recruit and yet the kingdom still grew. She came to get away, a little break in a safe place, a little solitude to think. Plus, the trip back and forth to the kingdom was good exercise.  Another spring meant another birthday and time is unforgiving to mortals. Life was good, she had no reason to complain, no reason to not be content and yet there was still that nagging hole. That hint of loneliness she tried so hard to ignore.