The rain tapped on the tin roof of the barn that Dreamer was standing under. She looked out and as she watched the rain fall her mind drifted off into dreams of other places. She loved the sound of the rain as it hit the roof. It was calming and she could dream for hours like this. The rain began to pound harder and harder very quickly. Sheets were coming down outside and she hoped that there wasn’t anyone out there. They would be soaked.

Neptune enjoyed the rain. After all, he was created by the very god of water himself. His coat seemed to shimmer in the pouring rain as he trotted through the forest. Soon he heard rolls of thunder in the distance and he smiled. “I would take a rain shower over Atlantis any day!” he laughed. Poseidon would be furious, as usual, with him for leaving without telling anyone. “I am my own being. I will not be forced into living in that place just because HE says so.” Neptune growled angrily.

It wasn’t that Atlantis was a terrible place to live. It was quite beautiful. The walls of Poseidon’s palace were made of Red Beryl and black opals. The rooms were adorned with the finest silk, woven by the mermaids themselves. The grand staircase was made of Painite and gold. The floors were made of the purest tanzanite and the furnishings of the very best fabrics. However, the most beautiful piece was Poseidon’s throne. It was made of Jadeite and had a pink star diamond encased at the top. Of course, the stables were also made of fine gems like benitoite and musgravite. Neptune’s stable was created entirely out of jadeite and gold with pure silver food and water troughs.

Neptune sighed thinking about the beautiful palace and for a second thought of returning. He shook his head a minute later. No. Poseidon was too controlling of him. Perhaps it was because Neptune was the best creation that Poseidon had ever made. Neptune smiled and laughed when he thought of the old god realizing that he was gone. “It won’t be for forever. Not even I can hide from a god for too long.” Neptune whispered and began trotting faster. “I just need… space.” He thought to himself. He heard a crash nearby and stopped. “That was NOT thunder.” He galloped toward where the noise came from. He stopped in the middle of a clearing and looked around. All he could see was a barn that had collapsed.

“Help!” a cry came from the barn. Neptune galloped quickly over and saw a horse trapped underneath. “Help me!” she cried again. Neptune snorted and, with one swift movement, lifted the barn off of the horse. She pulled herself out and limped away from the wreckage. “Thank you…” she whispered, obviously in pain. Neptune walked over to her.

“You are hurt. I think I can fix that up in no time.” He said as he inspected her left leg which was covered in blood.

“Thank you…. But I wouldn’t want to impose. You’ve already saved my life” she stammered

“Nonsense!” he grinned. “Now…. I just need a puddle of water….” He said to himself as he spotted a particularly deep pond not too far away. “Here we are!” he smiled and motioned for her to come with him. He helped her to the side of the pond. The rain had slowed to a drizzle by now.

“What are we doing?” she asked.

“I am going to heal that nasty cut on your leg.” He replied and helped her into the water.

“But how?” she asked staring confusedly at him.

“Like this.” He said and slid into the water beside her. Immediately the water began to warm and bubble softly. The scent of salt soon filled the air. The water turned a beautiful bright green and seemed to sparkle.

“Oh!” she laughed. “That’s wonderful!” she felt relaxed as her body aches and the pain in her leg melted away. “I’m Dreamer by the way.” She smiled at him.

“I am Neptune.” He grinned back. He liked her. They stayed in the pond for a long time talking, laughing and playing. Neptune had never felt this happy with anyone before. “She is amazing.” He thought to himself. After their time in the pond they agreed to see each other again. Months went by and they began to grow affectionate towards each other.

One day, Neptune and Dreamer were walking along a small creek in the forest talking about many things. Suddenly, a great earthquake happened where they were. Then, a brown bull appeared out of the earth and walked towards them. Neptune stood in front of Dreamer and stared at the bull. The bull snorted and stopped in front of Neptune. “Neptune. Poseidon demands that you return. He is extremely angry with you.” the bull boomed in a loud voice. Neptune snorted angrily.

“I will not return on command. I have something here on Earth that I care about.” he growled while glancing at Dreamer. The bull turned to Dreamer, seeming to notice her for the first time.

“I have no instructions on the female horse with you. Poseidon is expecting you. I will not return empty-hooved.” Neptune glared at the bull. He was tempted to summon the water in the creek to wash him away. Dreamer stepped up next to Neptune.

“May I join you on your way to Atlantis? Perhaps.... Perhaps I could convince Poseidon to go easy on you Neptune?” she smiled at the bull. Neptune tensed at this thought.

“No. Absolutely not. He would kill you.”

“You don't know that. Let us go.” she replied sweetly but with determination in her voice. The bull seemed to like this idea.

“Perhaps you can. But we must return now.” the bull stomped his hooves and a great earthquake shook and within the blink of an eye they were in Atlantis. The bull led the way up and into the palace. Dreamer was amazed. She had never seen anything like this place. It was beautiful. The bull stopped just inside the palace entrance. “You should go ahead.” he snorted and walked down a side hallway. Neptune sighed and motioned for Dreamer to follow him into the throne room. Poseidon was sitting on his throne, an angry look on his face.

“NEPTUNE! How dare you! You are NOT to leave this palace without my consent.” Poseidon boomed,clearly angry. He stood, his triton in his hand. Neptune glared at him.

“You can't keep me locked up forever.” he retorted.

“Oh but I can.” Poseidon snarled. Dreamer stepped in front of Neptune, a pleading look in her eyes.

“Please... Please your Majesty.... don't punish him harshly. He just wanted to see the world.” she bowed low in respect. Poseidon thought for a moment and then sat back down.

“Who are you?” he asked. Dreamer stood.

“I am Dreamer. Neptune's.... Neptune's mate. I am begging you your highness....” her voice wandered off. Poseidon smiled.

“Well then.... This changes things a bit.” he smiled as he stroked his beard. “Very well. Neptune will be confined to Atlantis for one year. With your company I hope he can contain himself.” he looked over at Neptune and sighed. “Yes that will do. Now go...” he waved his hand and Neptune nodded. He lead dreamer out of the palace and into the connecting garden.

“Thank you...” he smiled and nuzzled Dreamer. She smiled back.

“Anytime.”