Deep in the forest, the golden stallion poked and prodded around, eyes and ears working furiously. Each movement he made was absurdly loud. Any chance he had he purposefully crashed against a branch or a broad leaf. They were not actually deep in the forest, Ailill knew Siobhan would have his hide if they went too far, but closer to the clearing they frequented and playing a game of ‘hide and seek’. Ailill, as usual, was ‘it’ and there were no real rules for seeking, finding, or tagging. In reality, it was more of a game of ‘Get Ailill to Chase Us Everywhere’ and all bets were off. Hiding, stalking, spooking, chasing, taunting, and tackling were all fair plays against the stallion and he took each new assault in stride. His movements were strategic as the fillies played. Never would he allow them to wander too far from him or too deep into the shadows of the jungle. Seasons past, the memory of Aislinn’s mother still lingered in the stallion’s mind. With the girls in his care he knew they would visit the shadows eventually, but it would be at a time when the seriousness of the danger would sink in as knowledge instead of fear. For now, he was playing the part of the foe in the light, every sense twisting and turning to make sure the two girls stayed in his sights.

The call poked through the forest. Ailill stopped his play and called to the girls. His tone was enough to indicate he was serious and play was paused until at least they answered their mother’s call. He turned to follow the trail to the sandy beach, careful to make sure the fillies were on his heels.

Siobhan had not been gone for long yet still the stallion was eager to see her. The simple joy being next to her brought light in his life. He had come to realize the girls were the rays that pierced through the shadows and clouds. It was Siobhan’s companionship he felt had become the steady sun. When she left, he missed her support. Though he gladly took the children and would do so day in and day out, it brought him pleasure to know she would be enjoying the rest. As he approached he paused for a moment, still in the shadows of the trees. He saw her red coat on the beach and hesitated, taken aback by the clench in his chest. They had been around each other so much he had grown accustomed to the sore feeling in his heart. He had to remind himself of her love for her king, no matter how much he desired her to hold him in her heart as he did her. Pushing away his thoughts and trying to cool the heat rising in his body, he shook his head and trotted nonchalauntly from the tree cover. His usual grin on his face, he called out a greeting to the mare as he approached with the fillies.

Beside Siobhan, the dark filly shook free of the salty water she pulled herself out of. At first she looked uncertainly up at the mare who had taken her in, trying to assure herself that this everything was going to be okay. All in a day she had decided her mother was not coming back, adopted a new one, and come to a very strange island after a long swim. Everything was so new and she had taken a wild leap of trust in this woman beside her. Taking a breath, the filly stepped forward, her nose outstretched into the world. Exploring here and there she peeled herself from the mare’s side and slowly stepped through the sands of the beach.

Ailill trotted forward and stopped in his tracks at the sight of the young filly. Blue eyes widened for a moment in surprise. His mind raced with confusion as to why Siobhan had yet another foal attached to her hip. The questions were quickly shoved aside and he accepted it as fact and swept up to them with the assumption that this filly was one way or another going to become a part of their family. Hello little one. Welcome to the Ridge.

Akadi looked up at the stallion through her dark eyes and took half a step back at his approach. His deep voice and kind smile encouraged her to step forward again and sniff at his outstretched nose. She gave him a small lippy nip of acceptance before turning her attention back to the rest of the world around her, trying to learn her place in this sudden new life.

The stallion watched her trail away from them, pleased she had not run away to hide. Her energy was clearly not the same as Riosin or Aislinn, but he was confident she would not hide from the world, whatever circumstances had brought her here. Turning to Siobhan, he flicked an ear. So… what happened?