Diamant

Diamant listened to Evaline's explanations with an increasing feeling of dread sitting in the pit of his stomach. When she revealed she was pregnant, his amber eyes drifted down involuntarily to her belly; he had not noticed it before, distracted as he was by her haggard appearance, but there was the slightest swell to her barrel that seemed out of place on her delicate frame.

When she had finished speaking, the young stallion remained silent for a few long moments. He visibly shrank in place, his stature drooping as though her words held more weight than he could bear, and stared blankly at the pool. He felt hot and dizzy, but also doubtful. Part of him wanted to believe that this mare had no idea what she was talking about, that she was making everything up in an effort to manipulate him, but he could not bring himself to truly believe that. His heart ached for her, and he knew instinctively that she genuinely needed help, but could he truly bring himself to do what she had asked of him?

Finally he sighed heavily, and lifted his head as if it was a leaden weight. He took a few careful steps around the edge of the pool to bring himself closer to Evaline, and as he did so he whipped his head around, ears twisting this way and that to make certain there was no one lurking in the trees nearby. When he was satisfied they were still alone, he turned to look Evaline in the eye and lowered his voice to a soft murmur, his eyes wild with adrenaline.

"Listen. I want to help you, I really do. But what would happen to you once I left? I've never been to Luthien, and who knows how long it would take me to get there and back? I could even get lost, and by the time I got back..." He shut his eyes briefly, as if to block out the image in his head. "I just... Whatever your son, Sham-whatever, would do, I could do it too. I could stay here and look out for you, and we could try to work something out. Maybe I could talk some sense into Kasabian, and make a bargain for your release."

His voice sounded pathetic in his own ears, and he knew his plan was likely futile. His face was solemn and earnest, however, and full of youthful hope. "I've never been in a fight, but... if it came to that, I wouldn't back down. You don’t deserve to be hurt again."