as I wandered the forest, the green leaves among, i heard a wild flower singing a song

it is a strange feeling, being back in the prairie again. her emotions are at war with each other, a content feeling welling within her at the familiarity of the place but another disconcerting sensation, prickly and foreboding, at the thought of disappearing into the tall waving grasses and never escaping. she knows shamwari would never force her to stay and nods in agreement as vita nova reinforces this thought. he is much too kind and gentle for that…she is eager to see him but she can’t help feeling as if his disappointment at her leaving would be just as much a cage. while she hadn’t exactly answered petals question, the small mare felt a silent understanding that vita nova wouldn’t hold her accountable to stay in the prairie just to please her brother. the moments after this however seemed to hold something unspoken. she glanced at the taller mare, seeing that she seemed to be making some consideration, and merely waited and followed her lead as she began walking away from the shore.

as they walked along, an odd pair side by side, she enjoys the tickle of grass along her sides. despite the cold damp chill that seemed settled in the air there was peace in the calm twinkling stars overhead and cold gentle breeze that stirred the grass at their feet. as her small pearlescent frame glided alongside vita nova she couldn’t help but suck in a breath and sigh in sadness when her companion continued to speak after the pause. a rush of pity and sorrow flooded her as she remembered the sweet gentle spirit brienne. they had only interacted a few times but always kept an eye on each other from a far it had seemed and were kindred to each other in many ways. she couldn’t imagine the heartbreak shamwari must feel to have lost such a beautiful and kind soul. and to hear they had children….

quiet tears welled up in her blue eyes and she looked away, over the rustling sea of grasses while she willed them to cease. she wonders if anything could have been different if she would have stayed, if she could have at least been there to support the kind stallion who had offered her a home so long ago with no strings attached…she feels the hot burning of shame at this thought and quickly looks back at nova with a renewed determination, thinking less of her own feelings and life than she had in a long time. with a quiet voice she replies. i am so happy now, that i have come here with you. i am grateful for the chance to comfort and support him when he may truly need it most.

p e t a l

mare : 5 : perlino dun : arabian mustang mutt : 13.3 : kafkaesque

s t o c k ~ c a l i t h a - l e n a @ d e v i a n t a r t