Falls

Alone, for the first time in her life. Dixon, she has not seen him in a number of days. The first day, she had awoke, he had been gone. She had figured he had just went off to find a drink of water, but he didn't come back. She had not moved an inch, the lesson had been learned once, do not venture into the Lagoon alone. She had laid there for hours, until the numbness in her legs drove her to her feet. A few days passed before she left the safety of their clearing, warily she walked until the border of the Lagoon loomed. Without a second thought she crossed the border. Her fear melted away, she was on her own.

She lifts her delicate mouth from the cool waters, a few droplets fall from her pink lips. Her sides were swollen, his spawn, had ceased its movements a few days ago. She had been half concerned, half pleased, maybe she would not have to raise this child. As if in answer, a pain begins to spread across her abdomen. Her ears momentarily pin into her matted tresses. She knew it was time. She pivots away from the water's edge, she picks her way through the trees. Her blue eyes search for somewhere quiet, where no one would find her. Her eyes fall on a thicket, she pushes her way through the low hanging branches, a few branches scratch at her perlino hide. She pushes past them.

A grunt escapes her pink lips as the labor pains worsen, she can feel panic rising in her chest. She was not ready. She lightly lays herself onto the soft bed of dead leaves and pine needles, at-least they were somewhat comforting. She lays her head against the wet earth, as her body contracts. The pain seers through her body, she bits her lip to keep from crying out. As the agonizing pain worsens, she can feel that soon it would all be over as the last few labor pains, push the foal into the world. Wearily, Cae looks over her quivering, sweat covered shoulder at the smoky ashen colored foal. Instincts kick in, she gathers the strength to lift her body from the bed of needles.

Softly she nickers at the filly, then she starts the process of cleaning her off. All hatred of the filly melts away, she was after all...hers. The pain ebbs away. "Zaida." She whispers. "You are beautiful."