Falls

Taytim

Just as it had the year previous. The call of biology, the need to breed had taken her then, just as it had taken her in the fall. Now the instinct to move, to leave, to seek the shelter and safety of somewhere other than where she was. Last year she had moved high into the mountains of the Peak, seeking out the safety in seclusion. This time, she was driven blindly down. Driven away from the comforts of the Vulcan herd. Though she knew she was safe there, she did not feel the connection to the place as her daughter had. Therefore, she left it.

Taytim left her daughter on the mountain. She knew not only could the yearling take care of herself, but Taika had declared herself most solidly a daughter of the Peak. The mare poked through the common lands, everywhere feeling too big, too crowded. It all smelled of other horses. Panic had started to rise in the brown’s heart as she kept up her search. It started to blind her more than instinct until the thunder of the falls called to her like a siren’s voice. Finally, she found a path she felt like she could approve of, just as the night started to fall. Breathing heavily, she paced back and forth in a secluded cove she had found. This time was different.

This time when she went to her knees and to the ground she felt as though it was far more difficult than it had been last time. It hurt so much more even though last time had been the first time. The effort of bringing this foal into the world left her far more tired and exhausted than Taika had. But at last it was over. Breathing deep and steadying herself, she lifted her head to look at her child. Taika had come to the world as the spitting image of her mother, only to change over time. This foal was almost opposite.

Taytim licked the colt clean, revealing his unique coloring. From his hooves were white socks that moved up to his knees. From there his coat changed, changing to a creamy gold that covered the rest of his body. Pink nose and lips changed to a white blaze that went into the newborn tufts of creamy mane flaked with gold.

The chocolate mare rested a moment more before getting to her feet and nuzzling the newborn at her feet. As exhausted as he was, she let him rest in the damp grass, munching on the stalks around him.

-- -- --

It had been a couple days on the mountain. Taika was not so naive to wonder where her mother had gone. She knew Taytim was pregnant and she was about to have a sibling. But after the second full day has risen and fallen, the filly started to worry. With a snort she headed down the cliff and into the hills before she picked up her pace into a gallop. The yearling pounded through the common grounds, her gaze ablaze in search for her mother. Being the creature she was, her first place to look was the falls. It was the place she had spent the majority of her time exploring. If she was not in the mountains, she was by the falls.

Splashing through the rivers and streams, she quietly searched until she found her mother, and to her absolute delight, her brother! A soft whinny came from her and she greeted both of them, exchanging an affectionate breath to her mother, and reaching down to teach her brother her scent.

”Taika, this is your brother, Ailill.”

Taika’s tail whisked through the air, her ears excitedly trained on the smaller being in front of her.

“Ailill! Welcome to the world!” She grinned and nuzzled him in much the same way her dam had. “It is excited to see you! And for you to add to it’s magic!”

The mare beamed in pride at her children. Just as swiftly as her joy had come, so had tiredness once again. Taika looked over at her mother and laughed. She looked like she had so often after chasing the filly around the island. The bone deep exhaustion of taking care of children. As independent as ever, the filly marched herself out of the secluded space and moved to the entrance. She dropped her head and grazed on the mist covered grass, enjoying the summer sun as she stood guard over her tired mother and the days old colt.

~:Mare

~:Morgan Mutt

~:14.2hh

~:Black Chestnut

~:4 Years