Since her visit with Lyden in the Commons the stallion had been hard on her mind. She had returned to the Peak worried for their daughter, the pain in her chest causing a heartache Skylar had never thought she would feel before. The mare knew it was her fault for passing on such a burden of health but there was nothing she could do to take it back. So instead of falling into a useless depression she had stayed positive, hoping the mood she displayed would keep Meradith strong even though it still churned on the inside; eating at Skylar until she could stand it no longer. She needed Lyden’s support on keeping their daughter happy in a way only a parent could do.


When Meradith had finally recovered the incident she had quietly whispered to the two girls of an adventure they were going on. Skylar had not told them particularly where they were going; only that the prize at the end would be very exciting. But it would be taxing and if Meradith started to feel sick again that they would not stop the trip so not to be scared to tell her mother. So as they made the journey to Luthien, Skylar made sure to take them along every beach of each Island so that the girls could experience each individual climate and so that Meradith could rest without actually letting the girl know that is what Skylar was doing. Moonshine seemed the most interested in Salem and Skylar wondered if maybe someday that was where her daughter would end up but shook away the thought and continued their travels until finally they found the shores of Luthien.


Pausing just along the tree line Skylar took a deep breath to steady herself before telling the girls to keep quiet so that they could surprise their father with an unexpected visit. She knew that Lyden would be happy to see the girls but she was unsure of how the herd would take her presence. She wondered what he had told them and if they held a grudge against her for leaving the Forest instead of being part of the herd. Skylar would never allow another’s opinion drag her away from where she felt she belonged but she hoped for the girls sake that the mares would be okay and would allow for a good visit with what would someday be their family as well.


Moving into the trees, Skylar took in the familiar surroundings that had once been her home. It was the same trail she had followed right before she had birthed the twins and the trail she assumed Black Heart Machine had followed when she had stolen her away. But the painted mare did not walk among the trees as if she were a villain in the night. Instead she strode as if she belonged; her head high and her ears alert as she searched for her pale stallion. But what she had not been expecting was to come across the mare he had named his Lead.


When her golden eyes settled upon the white faced mare; Skylar was unsure. Should she keep searching for Lyden or should she speak to the mare that obviously lived her by the scent she carried that could probably point her in the right direction. Of course Skylar didn’t know her name or the rank she carried but by the position she carried herself; even if it was unconsciously Skylar would bet that she held an influence over this herd and she would need to tread carefully. Giving a soft nicker to announce her presence she made her way over to the tan mare.