Amaranthe had been watchful and aware all season of the young mares that had come to join the herd. They had stayed away from the rest of the horses but that had not stopped her from noticing as the one mare’s stomach swelled. It was much like her’s had. Including the silence and everyone playing dumb. She was acutely aware of Nephiliam’s odd behavior and the mares’ behavior towards. At times the older mare contemplated and thought about the dynamic that existed between them all and raised an eyebrow at them. Her dark eyes were as watchful over them as they were over the colt that stood by her side.

At last, the young female wandered away, just as Amaranthe had weeks before when Tithe had been born. They were gone for days, Nephiliam’s nervousness was infectious and Tithe had started to ask questions. She explained that one of the mares was about to have a foal. The young colt’s excitement had grown. He was eager to have a friend, someone his age to be around, possibly someone to share with him the wonderful things he had found in caves and cliffs of Tinuvel. There was no concept in the colt’s mind that the foal would have its own parents. He, Tithe, was going to help take care of it, protect it, show it things in the world. It would be his friend.

The mares returned and as they drew near, Amaranthe’s nose flared. Something was not right. Just as Nephiliam’s gaze whipped around the pair, the mare’s gaze was slower in studying them. Tithe, excited as a youngling could be took off toward the mares. In the moment, Amaranthe caught up to him and stopped the colt with her nose.

”No.” She whispered to him. He hesitated a moment, but reached his nose out in the direction that the sisters and Nephiliam stood. The woman watched them, keeping them within earshot, but still far enough that they were hopefully not pressured by her presence, but reassured by the fact that ‘herd’ was still nearby. The longer she studied their faces, the more her own heart sank.

”Mom…” Tithe whispered. ”Mother… I want to help.” The colt pleaded. She looked down at his childlike face. When he had been born, she had thought about destroying him. Killing him with a strike of her hooves. For the first time, she touched her nose to him in affection. It was this that made him hesitate and know something was wrong. Innocent, but already old enough to understand sorrow and sadness in the world, Tithe looked passed his mother.

”Mom...” He said again, his voice falling and steadying to a strong voice that had already left childhood behind. ”...I want to help.” His nose stretched out from behind her again towards the mares who were in pain.

AMARANTHE

MARE :: FRIESIAN :: 15.3hh :: BLACK