Common

Deep down, she knew that staying with the filly was a risk. It was asking for trouble, to linger near a corpse and bloody afterbirth. But she knew what it felt like to be left behind, and even though her daughter would never open her eyes she couldn’t bear the thought of abandoning her in the open. It was something instilled in her by her father as they journeyed far and wide to find Iris and Lilika. Even when the young Eve had become whiny with him, Gnome had been patient and gently reminded her that family was invaluable. She had no way of knowing how the pale stallion’s upbringing had differed from hers, but the mere idea that another foal could replace the one that lay beneath her now was appalling.

Still, she was no monster. Grim though the idea of leaving her filly behind was, she could equally not abandon a living, breathing creature that needed help. Even if she went home with this man and there were other nursing mares, at least it would give her something to do other than wallow in self-pity. In this, they were on the same page. But Eve did not feel guilty for her initial reaction. She had every right to see her daughter laid to rest.

Her gaze bore into him, matching his anger. She was satisfied to see she had drawn blood. Good, she thought. Let this be a lesson to him to think twice about trifling with a bereaved mother. Her eyes narrowed as he turned from her without speaking, but she relaxed her posture a bit and allowed her sorrow to resurface. Lowering her head again, she buried her muzzle in the soft red fur and breathed deep, committing the scent to memory. “I’ll never forget you, I promise.” The words were barely even a whisper, so soft the stallion wouldn’t be able to hear.

Eve watched carefully as he selected a spot, and nodded in approval as he glanced back. After he started to dig at the base of the small tree she began to pace around the still form, on high alert for predators. Somehow, despite the vulnerability of the situation and the iron tang of blood on the air, they are left alone. Perhaps the predators in the area had already sated themselves for the day, or else they knew how much damage hooves could cause and didn’t feel it worth the risk.

When at last he finished, he turned to her with a gentler tone and a solemn expression. Her initial reaction to his question was a flash of anger, and her ears pinned briefly. Of course, it should be her. The flare soon cooled, however, and as she thought rationally her dark ears lifted halfway. Could she bear to grasp the frail body in her teeth and drag it over? She squeezed her eyes tight shut and more tears leaked out. Upon opening them, her vision was still blurry. With a final dip of her muzzle to the filly’s soft flank, she slowly backed away. With a gesture of her head she softly said, “If you don’t mind, I think it’s best if you do.”

Eve would never have guessed nearly a year ago that she would be in this position now. Instead of watching him grasp whatever part of the body that was easiest, she turned to gaze tearfully at the final resting place. It really was a beautiful spot, and it endeared her that he would have chosen such a place for a child that was not his. She was glad, too, that the spot was marked. Perhaps one day she would be able to come back here, but she doubted it would be anytime soon. Seeing as she was to accompany him to his home and care for his son, she would be occupied for a while. Her only regret, aside from the obvious, was that she would not be able to say goodbye to Iris.