A new feeling he’d never felt before gripped the pale boy’s heart as the loud filly dropped her head and apologised; a twinge of guilt. He had not intended to make her feel bad, only to alert her to the adult’s presence and to quieten her until they were out of earshot. He pushed them onwards regardless, biting the inside of his lip as the first filly insisted they follow her. It made sense, she was obviously from around the bay, and knew the places they could go. His guilt was quickly replaced by relief when he saw the second filly return to her previous, exited disposition.

He twisted his head round as he trotted after the pair, letting his good eye take in the scenery and watch out for danger. His mother had taught him that it was stallion’s job to keep danger away from the mares he kept company with so that meant it was Joukahainen’s job to keep these fillies safe. He turned his good eye to the pair when they halted, the blue-green right eye staring off into sightless darkness as he listened to the pair introduce themselves; Stardust and Harlequin.

Apparently, Harlequin’s mother kept away from everyone else and Joukahainen thought that sounded awfully boring. Even though he didn’t have any other foals to play with in the forest until recently, he at least had the company of all the adults. They didn’t talk to him much but there was at least a little entertainment in watching what they did do. No wonder she was so happy to see them.

Harlequin mentioned not seeing him around before, which was surely not surprising to her if she saw very little of anyone. He raised his head hight, proudly introducing himself ”I am Joukahainen” he said, with the hint of his mother’s norse accent on his tongue, ”I am from the forest of Luthien.” He wondered if the fillies knew much about the other islands and territories. ”I believe I am just visiting”. His mother hadn’t mentioned anything about the trip and what her intentions were now that they were here.

He did a quick scan, wrinkling his nose, ”What happened to all the trees?”