If only she had known whose eyes watched her from the islands rocky sides the mare might have stepped from the sea's clutches with a lighter heart. Despite the cold that had crept into her very bones it almost felt, and the energy the currents stubborn pull had constantly sapped away, there would have been joy in knowing she had made it. Instead a new trial awaited her. Though nothing more did she desire than to find a sheltered point to rest and ease her aching limbs and let the life reclaim that heat the sea's had snatched away Amica could not bring herself to move more than a few weary paces from the frothy surf breaking at her back. When she could not be certain where she stood or who would approach out of the haze before her, the safest thing to do she deemed was stand and wait. And only time would tell how foolish the golden mare had truly been.

For once the fates smiled kindly. How long had passed she could not tell. Mere seconds or longer. A numb exhaustion had wrapped about her mind even as her dark limbs left the waves and came to a stop beyond them, but it did not feel too long when those blessed notes reached her. Torn from her reprieve she jerked her head up as a fresh set of tremors swept across her body. Nostrils flared, breathe filling the cold air before her as she searched desperately for that scent. It had not been her imagination had it? Perhaps her body lay broken and battered washed up somewhere amidst the rocks, mind drifting and concocting that yearned for call. For that thundering approach of hooves.

But no. It was no dream. Suddenly he was there filling her senses once again, her pale knight emerging through the fog of her surroundings. There was that gentle touch she had recalled countless times, the pale ghost of his form shifting through her vision as he moved with his searching touch. And the single word that slipped into the air, her name uttered in his tones sending a warmth deep within her. She no longer cared at the cold about her. At least until he came to be still alongside her. Flank to flank she felt the heat of his body radiating beside her and without hesitation pressed closer to his warmth. Nose lifted ignoring the protest of her tired muscles to press against the stallions strong neck, bury amongst his thick mane and breath that scent as a low nicker fled her, unable to voice the emotions burning through her or even find words to fit them. He was there. She had made it.

Hooves stirred unwillingly into motion, pulled from the stillness they had quite willingly settled to. But the lure of his presence was more than enough to force the dripping mare to step forward at his side, more than happy to leave the oceans dangerous swell behind. Only then was she really struck by stupid her actions had been. Head swung about back towards the waters, ears flickering listening to its raging as though angered another had managed to escape it depths. A harsh snort left her before turning back, pulling her attention away from the dark cold waters to the call that rose from the presence at her side. Pagan. "I could not wait the winter." The words whispered past her lips, thoughts whirling over the reasons that had set her movements into action and driven her in a blur of panic into the sea. Blackened limbs stepped slowly, each movement an effort until it was by sheer will alone that kept her from falling behind the steed. Though instinctively she took care with each step, for once she gave her trust completely over to another, complete faith held in him to lead her true.