Adelheid looked down into the crystalline water of the shallow creek. She had seen her own dark blue eyes staring back at her from these waters more times than she could count. Over time she had come to learn and accept every line, every scar, and every snarl or curl of her lips. Though now when she looked down, it seemed as though she saw something different. The hard stare, the stone cold glare that glinted in her eyes were there, but something else flickered in the depths of the dark pools. There was a sense of pride. When once she looked down at this face she saw one of pure anger - rage - even. Now, it had refined with age and experience. It had tempered and become a weapon. There was more though, something far more subtle. There was a warmth and a tenderness that had not existed there since she had been a filly. Watching her children grow, feeling her heart clench when particular eyes looked at her, and burn when they lingered. As she looked into her reflection, she saw others looking back at her.

Adelheid saw the face of her daughter, grinning as she tossed her head in farewell. The joyful face meant for adventure in a world that was far too small for her. She the face of her son, timid, and nervous. Her heart broke for him in the desire he would grow into himself to embody the at least a little bit of the confidence his father annoyingly held. The face of Herza smiled back, the warmth of her friendship heating her soul. Another face swam before her eyes, flickering in the ripples.

Seal brown, combative, and stubborn… it was a face that swept up the dark coated mare and clouded her mind.

Adelheid had been away from the islands, sending her daughter off to the world. When she returned she had been gripped with concern. A feeling she dared not allow herself to feel too fully. Now, she lifted her head from the water, gaze seeking in the distance for any sign of the blanketed mare.

Guilt still itched at her flesh as she picked up her hooves in search for Iris. She looked in all their usual haunted, her heart sinking with every failure. Each time, she grew a little more convinced the mare might have moved on. After all, at the time Adelheid had left, Iris had not called the Peak home. Now the General feared it was too late to ask her too. ...to fight for her to stay.

At last, the hot blooded Vulcan ceased her search and called out once, in hopes the mare would hear her. Ears flicked back into her thick mane. Stubbornly, she decided if Iris did not show up she could simply let it go. After all, why would someone want to stay?

She snorted in self-defiance, her teeth baring at her own thoughts. Though she could not help that her ears pricked hopefully, alert for any possible sound of the other’s approach.