The time spent on the island of Atlantis was a pleasant experience. Though she had spent enough time in the hard winter climate of the Bay to learn how to manage through the cold months, the warm tepid climate of Paradise was a welcome relief. Once more her coat of brandished gold shimmered in the sunlight, skin stretched taunt by the heavy swell of her unborn foal. She had imagined that like Amber, this foal would come sooner rather than later in the season, but as one by one the other mares of the Bay began to emerge with newborn foals clung tightly to their sides, her rising anxiety began to leave fines creases across her brow. Surely she should have brought her foal into the world by now too. Today was spend as much of the others, ambling aimlessly through the thick foliage and tearing hungrily at the bountiful selection of nutrient rich fruits and grasses that Atlantis offered to the jungle herd. Here and there her steps would sway, still not quite accustomed to the heavy pendulum that was her enlarged belly. Once again, she was lost deep in her own thoughts.



She had thought that their small world would find a sense of calm peace. However since her own confession to Liland’s transgressions, Talien found that she felt nothing but anxiety coloring her thoughts. Though Dex tried to appear unmoved and nonchalant for her benefit, she did not miss the flash in his eyes that day. Any other might have mistaken it for the gleam of sunlight but not Talien… she knew him. Fear clenched her heart. Was he mad at her? No, but she was sure that it was not news he had wanted to hear in front of the rest of the herd. Hurt. Yes no doubt he was hurt. Hurt by the fact that she kept her secret... but she had no choice. Liland was a seasoned stallion of the iceland. A vindictive stallion. Even if Dex had managed to beat him to bloody pulp... the gray stallion would never have left them at peace. At least now, now they were protected and safe. But had the news wounded their relationship? sure he was always at her side, his gaze adoring and concerned even as the days past and others bore their foals... but was there more to it?

Fear gripped her heart again and she swallowed the thick lump that had built up in her throat. She had just gotten him back in her life... she was not ready to give him up. If she had to fight for him, she would. Dex had always held her heart and now was no different.

Small ears flicker atop her skull as she watches him move from the corner of her eye. Pale silver blue eyes blink against the bright sunlight as she admires his lithe form, a stark contrast to the brilliant green backdrop of the dense jungle. A warm smile plays upon her lips. His time in paradise had done his body well, his lanky frame rippled with lean muscles beneath his coppery colored skin. Emerald green eyes were bright if not clouded with worry as he gazed at her. He was always worried about her lately. Could she blame him?

Movement was painful now at this point in her pregnancy but nonetheless she lets her swollen legs carry her towards him. Nostrils flare with exertion as she reaches his side and affectionately tugs at the straying strands of his obsidian mane. "Stop worrying m'love. He is just stubborn... like his da" she murmurs bumping his neck. Truth was, she too worried, but she did not need him worrying too.

Like spiders working over a web, the pain begins, almost as if summoned by the worried thoughts shared between mates. The fur along her spine stands on end as all at once the tremors of labor grip her, robbing the breath from her lungs. Exhausted, she finds herself with no more energy than what could be spared to lower her small form to the ground at Dex's feet.

It would not have been her ideal place to give birth here in paradise, no doubt she would have preferred someplace a bit more guarded from the ocean winds or hidden from the sun's bright glare. In Tinuvel she had been careful in her selection, choosing a place not far from the herd but guarded by the low hanging branches of a large cedar tree. There, she and Amber had been protected by the snow and biting winds, and yet close enough to the herd that she nor her newborn faced no danger of prowling wolves.

While she did not need to fear the wolves here in paradise like she had need to fear them in Tinuvel, still the jungles had its own dangers for mother and newborn. Like for her, Dex was here. The only stallion she ever truly trusted. It was with him that she placed her life. This would have to do.

Time seemed to stand still now. Talien found herself lost in her own thoughts, drowning out all other sounds and feels besides those that worked within her own body. It does not take long for the lanky colt to be born, but his birth does much to rid her of what energy reserve she had saved for his birth. Ehausted she lifts her head to gaze at him, adoration gleaming in her pale silver eyes. "You gave us a scare little one." she teased, craning her neck forward to nip free the slimy membrane that encased his golden coat.