If there was any balm to Lilika’s hurts, it was the sound of Gnome’s voice, the sight of his smile. And that touch - oh, she would have moved mountains to feel the soft velvet of his muzzle on her skin. It soothed her and helped her not only to forget what she had endured, but also to revisit the reason that she had abandoned what could have been a comfortable - if dull and lonely - existence. Because without the blanketed stallion, she only existed; it was only at Gnome’s side that the roan mare felt alive. And despite the sorrow that had filled her most recent years, Lily would not have gone back in time and stopped herself from jumping that fence to avoid it.

He - and their daughters - were worth every moment of it. She only hoped that she could help him to see that when the time came.

Gnome spoke of his home on Atlantis then, skirting around the tale of how he had come to be here. A younger Lilika might have pressed him out of eagerness, but she had matured in their time spent apart, and was content to save the story for later. They would have time to speak of many things, and time to make more memories together. But the blue-toned mare could not help but feel a wistful pang at the mention of Luthien, of home. Regardless, she held herself in check, unwilling to uproot Gnome’s life so soon after her return. There would be time for that, too. ”I think I should like to return to Luthien - someday. But your offer of green grass year-round is too tempting to refuse - I don’t think I would mind taking advantage of it for awhile.” She smiled, and her voice dropped an octave, suddenly sultry and mischievous.

”And your company, of course. There’s nothing I would sooner take advantage of than my stallion.” Lilika turned to nibble at the ends of his red mane, the smooth skin of his neck - but soon abandoned her efforts, a frown of consternation tugging at the corners of her lips. For the breadth of a few heartbeats, Gnome appeared...distant, troubled. It was difficult for the mare to see, especially when she suspected the underlying cause of his reflection. She had thought - and hoped - that they could spend this day in the present, and face the past together at a later time. But if he asked her why she had left, Lily knew that she could not refuse him the truth. She could only enjoy these moments together and hope that they would not be the last.

And so she leans into his touch like she never has before as he touched his lips to her tattered ear, brushed his muzzle over her scarred flanks. Melting into the stallion who would always hold every piece of her heart. Well, every piece save two, and those belonged to him too in their own way. Iris and Eve, their daughters. Perhaps after everything was said and done, they could all be together again, a whole family instead of the scattered shards they had become.

Will you tell me about these?

Lilika froze, the warmth of her thoughts penetrated by the overwhelming chill of her memories. She didn’t blame Gnome for what she had suffered, but suddenly suspected that his brooding had been not out of wondering the cause of her absence, but contemplating the effects. And she didn’t want Gnome to live with any amount of guilt, to experience any amount of pain. Maneuvering her body slowly, she turned to stand beside him, and touched her peppered muzzle gently to his. By unspoken agreement, they had lasted until this moment speaking only of the present, the future - and she would not break that peace now. Let him see that she could love and laugh as she had done before, and perhaps he would be ready to face what she had. ”I will tell you...but not today, Love. We’re together again, and I would like us both to enjoy the happiness of here and now before returning to the sorrow I’m sure we both suffered.” Lilika smiled again, softening her brown eyes to make it clear that she was okay, that she knew he was okay. And for right now, that was all both of them needed to know.

”So, my stud - why don’t you tell me more about this other mare,” she began, bumping her hip into his.

mare .. 13 years .. blue roan .. moriesian .. 16 hands