Meadow

He followed quietly behind her, still always careful about where he put his feet, and careful not to crowd her. He became more at ease, now that they were getting closer to safety and it seemed as though she was beginning not to distrust him. He would never assume that she ‘trusted’ him, but at this point he felt comfortable that she did not fear him taking advantage of her. Half his attention on his footing over the ice and half his attention on the ice castles around them, he almost missed her question. It was so nonchalant and harmless he did not even notice it could have been a tough subject for some. He smiled ahead at her. Me sister, Taika, she loves to roam. Her heart called her away from here and so she answered it. For a moment he thought fondly of his adventurous older sister and then chuckled as he realized how he might have been coming across to his companion. She is still very much alive. Wild and free. These islands were too small for her.

At last they came to the shelter of the hidden caves. He could breathe freely now that he was sure he would not freeze in the blizzard that approached. Glancing around, he considered her words. On Atlantis the storm would shake the ground beneath their hooves and light up the sky with a violence that would tear any mortal apart. Here, he could not imagine what the storm would bring. Would it be silenced by the falls, or would the winds outside cause the ice to protest the same way the trees did in the gale. Views from the misty caves sometimes blurred the rain as it fell. Ailill realized he had never experienced a snow storm watching from a paned window where the view would be distorted by rippling glass. Curiosity filled along with an excitement for learning more about the unknown. He was glad he was lucky enough to share it with someone, even if that someone was a stranger. His smile wide and eyes shining, he looked over at the mare and saw her shiver. The smile faded and eyes furrowed in concern. Are you cold? He shifted awkwardly, not sure how to politely offer without coming across as creepy. I could stand closer and warm you. I give you my word… I won’t try anything. The corner of his lip quirked. I am Ailill, by the way. At least he would not be sharing this with a complete stranger.