Meadow

A soft sigh left Eve’s lips in a puff of mist when Solomon’s muzzle brushed her shoulder. The air here was not quite so cold as the Cove this time of year, but there was still a bite to it that felt cleansing in her lungs. The roaned mare felt invigorated despite the emotional heaviness of the day, and her pace quickened as she followed Solomon.

So much had changed on the Crossing since the days she’d blissfully spent here with Iris. Some trees were taller, some had fallen. One even was half charred, likely from a lightning strike. Her heart clenched as she recognized it as a tree where the sisters often spent time together, first watching its autumn leaves fall like orange confetti and then sheltering beside its thick trunk to stay out of the worst of the winter wind.

Once upon a time she may have shaken her head to rid herself of thoughts of her sister, her best friend, who’d left her again. However, Eve had changed, too. Now she tried to think of those happy times and remember the being that had been growing inside her - before she fell ill. If she closed her eyes, she could remember the moment she first felt the faintest squirms and how excited - and anxious - she’d been. Iris had helped her through that, and no matter on what terms they’d been when they last saw each other, Eve would treasure those months forever.

The slowing of the painted stallion’s steps brought her back to reality. At his tender touch, tears immediately and unexpectedly pricked at her eyelids. Blinking rapidly, she silently nodded in response to his inquiry and whispered to him, “Yes, just for a few moments.” Her gaze roved over the papery birch trunk, wounded but trying all the same to heal itself after all these seasons. Just like her heart. Yet it never would be the same, thanks to Solomon. His past actions meant that her firstborn’s resting place would forever be marked, even when she was gone, even if no other horse knew exactly what the scar on the tree meant. But they will know, she promised herself, and her lost child, as she let her eyes drop to the impossibly slight mound at the base of the tree. Eve would bring her other children here, if they were willing. Surely at least one would wish to hear her tale. In this way, passing it down to her children and perhaps even grandchildren, her memory could live on forever.

At last, Eve knew the name she would use. Turning her head back to Solomon, who she hoped would try to forgive himself as fully as she forgave him, she beckoned him forward. It felt right to be here together again after so many years. Lifting her face to the sky, tears coursed down her cheeks again. It was not out of despair that she wept, but love, and grief, and hope. A bittersweet concoction of emotions, and none of them wrong. Hoping Solomon was now close enough for her to press herself tightly against his side, she lowered her brown eyes to meet his green ones. “Thank you for coming with me. It means so much.” She hesitated just a moment before continuing on, “I think I want to name her Carine.”