My memory rests but never forgets
What I lost

Standing in the shadows, exhausted and sore frome giving birth, little Beanna suckling hungrily at my teat, I had almost forgotten about Arris. I had been so preoccupied with labor, and then the shock and wonder of my new filly, that all thoughts of the painted mare had flown frome my head. Now, hearing footsteps in the dark, my head snapped up, ears pricked and alert, hoping my friend was safe and had not wanderd off looking for me. Or perhaps she had gone on without me and left me to the mercies of childbirth, though I could not beleave that was the case. I realized with no small amount of surprise, how much I hoped she had stayed near by. Back in my old home there had always been to much tension and competition for true friendships to grow, so I had known very little in my time, barly knew how recognize one. But perhaps this was what it was. We were stronger together than apart, a feeling I relished, and she had been kind to me. I wanted her here, and I wanted her to meet my child.

As these thoughts whirled in my head I found my heart beet speading up as the foot falls grew nearer. Whoever it was was downwind of me and I couldn't tell by scent who it was. I reasoned it was either Arris or someone unknown, and the unknown were always treated as a danger until proven otherwise.

I quickly shoved Beanna behind me with my hip, my tail falling over her skinny form and hiding her like a curtain. My body grew taught as I tenced in preperation of whatever may come frome the dark. And there was the creature fear, my old familior friend, creaping into my bones, tainting my mouth with familiar bitter taist. I hated it and it's hold over me with every ounce of strength I had, but I also knew it was a survival instinct, the fear. Without it and it's uncontrollable, instinctive need for flight and safty, I knew I would have died long ago.

And then relief, cool as a breeze, washed across my taut body. Arris's voice, quiet and concerned proceeded her into my birthing spot. A deep breath wooshed frome my lungs and I smiled weekly at her. My foal was safe, I was safe, and Arris was safe. All was well. "Arris. Hello. I'm sorry for leaving I... well, you can see for your self what made me leave." My filly was still tucked against my side, still and quiet, though I could feel her probing my flank with her soft muzzle as if exploring me. I carefully turned, nudging her out of the shelter of my belly so Arris could see her. I felt a fresh tang of disappointment as the pale moonlight flooded over her. I still could not make out her true colors in the dim light, but it was apparent she looked nothing like her long dead half brother. Where he had been a dark grullo, almost black, the filly before me was lighter. Her fuzzy foal pelt ws still slightly damp, but I could detect a red sheen to her fur, along with a large snip on her pink muzzle. And already she was larger than he had been. She stood as if stunned, head turning frome side to side again in that quizzical way and long, thin legs splayed out around her. Her head was held high as she flared her small pink nostrils, head first tilted in Arris's direction before she sought me out again. Clumsily, she scrambled back to me and bumped awkwardly into my chest. Something seamed strange about how disoriented she seamed, even now, but I brushed of these thoughts. The worries of a mother who is not used to healthy children, I told my self. I glanced at Arris who was little more then a mottled shadow in the night. "I have named her Beanna. It means Crow in the old tongue of my people."

Silver grullo | 14.3hh | Rocky mountain horse | 5 | The Peak | Gecko

Red dun | 15hh wfl | Nokota x Rocky mountian horse | Border x Iolar | The Peak | Gecko