It would pain Zjeena to know how Rougaru muzzled the wolf in him for her. This is not her intent at all, but she must urge the wolf to act in the best interest of the pack. Zjeena's eldest children remain in the Bay. To endanger the fragile peace between the Bay and Paradise would be to endanger Nattergal and Havelle. Not a day goes by that she doesn't think of her two oldest children. She hopes the Bay is treating them well, that they are taking the time to get to know their father, and that someday they should be reunited.
Zjeena hasn't had much time to think about the upcoming war. A difficult delivery has forced Zjeena to focus on her recovery. She has only recently been able to navigate the winding jungle trails without pain. She is finally feeling her strength return. Such a blood letting may have killed a weaker mare, but it will take more than this to end one so hardy as Zjeena.
Another major distraction has been Akela. The colt is a handful. Zjeena thought raising one foal would be an easy task after raising two, but raising Akela simply presents different challenges.
Zjeena loses sight of Akela as he takes off through the thick jungle overgrowth. She can hear the most adorable exchange between her youngest son and his father, as she picks her way along the lush forest path. A warm smile tugs at the corners of her lips, and lights up her eyes. She peers through the foliage to see Rougaru lying prone upon the forest floor, feigning dramatic defeat, and a concerned Akela hovering over him.
Paradise treats the mare well. As the Bay once was her home, now is this place. She is at ease here, and it shows. Zjeena's full figure remains. Her coat shines with good nutrition and her sandy-colored coat is littered with pale dapples.
Despite everything that is right in her world, there is a sadness behind her eyes. Each passing day brings fall that much nearer. There was a day when Zjeena would have willingly embraced Liland and bore him another foal, but the prospect of doing so now twists her gut with disgust. It's not just her body she dreads to give, but also a foal. Rougaru has proven himself as a father. The wolf is incredibly patient with his pups. He is gentle, and he is nurturing. Zjeena's heart swells with pride in this moment, but that only grows the sadness. Liland has not been the same kind of father for their two foals. Their next won't experience such stability or nurturing either, and it feels cruel to give life to another knowing the circumstances in which they'll be born. But Zjeena has no choice. She's never had much of a choice as far as Liland is concerned. She longs to be free, but his oppression continues to suffocate her all the way from Tinuvel.
Zjeena steps into the open only after the tender moment between father and son comes to a close and she hears Rougaru mention her name. "Hey...", she says. It's a single word heavy with meaning. Her voice is rough with innumerable words unspoken. Her eyes shine with joy, and with pride, but the apprehensions of fall crease lines of worry around them. Zjeena would pay any price to experience another night of passion with Rougaru come fall, and see another foal raised by such a doting father, in a land so rich in resources as this. These dreams won't see reality any time soon. Zjeena has a bargain to uphold, and she knows the consequences of backing out far exceeds the consequences of following through.