For the first time in a long time, Rowena is happy. Their family is together again, and she never knew how glad she would be, to be a grandmother. The joy a new foal brings to the world is indescribable. Little Eastwise is such a delight, and Echo is a daughter to make any mother proud. She adapts to her new role as mother better than Rowena ever did. Rowena was never much confident in her ability to mother, but she can't have done too badly if she raised someone like Echo.

Elvira too, will make Rowena proud. Rowena trusts her youngest daughter is doing well for herself in the Ridge. She feels bad for leaving her behind, but Elvira is an adult, and there's not much Rowena could do about Elvira's situation, even from the Ridge. Sometimes the best way to teach a fledgling to fly is to let them fall from the nest. She has the wings to fly on her own. All she has to do is use them.

Rowena feels the ghost of a foal she's yet to have suckling at her own teat, and she keeps casting stolen glances at Dances. There is something about her relationship with Dances that never gets old. Every time she catches his eye, it's like seeing him for the first time. Her heart skips a beat and her breath catches in her throat. She remembers the feeling he brought when they first met, a feeling of such belonging like she's never felt with anyone else. He is beauty, but so much of what draws Rowena to Dances is his heart.

He is such a warm and radiant soul, while Rowena is nothing but darkness. She doesn't deserve someone like Dances. It's this same lingering self-hatred that kept her with Osiris for so long. She won't let that happen again. She's desperate to find a way to see herself as Dances does.

Rowena doesn't stir when Dances departs. She remains in a restful slumber near Echo and Eastwind. It is Dances' urgent cry that jolts the mare awake. Echo, living in a world of sound, has undoubtedly heard the same desperate cry. "Come, Echo. Stay close." Rowena urges, her daughter to follow. She wastes no time, setting off towards the call, with Echo and Eastwind at her heels.

As they near the source of the sound, Rowena is overcome with dread. She can't explain the source of the feeling, but something doesn't feel right. There wasn't anything right about Dances' call, but the hush in the forest around them suddenly seems suspicious. Her skin craws with unease.

Rowena halts, moving her body to steady Echo as they stop. "Shh." She listens.

Something sounds of unfamiliar hooves sneaking through the brush. Rowena is uncertain, until the smell of strangers assaults her nose. "Echo, I have to help your father. Someone's here. Something's wrong. Keep your ears open. Keep Eastwind safe." Rowena whispers into the dark. She creeps forward, hoping Echo can escape if something goes awry.

Rowena steps into the moonlight just in time to see Cullen lunge at Dances. Rowena cries out in alarm. She doesn't pause for thought. The black mare charges and strikes at Cullen's left shoulder with a swift swipe of her right front hoof, at the same time as Tarek aims a nasty bite for Cullen's left flank.