She cradles her two small daughters with affirmations of their effort, eagerly running her lips down both of their damp manes. Already they had grown so much and yet still they did not know the face of their father. Had not felt the warmth of his touch on their small bodies. Did not know what it was to lay beside him and count the stars.

Movement ahead of them caught her eye and her body stiffened reflexively, preparing to chase away any villain that sought to do them harm. But instead of a thread, she found her lover racing along to her side and she froze, disbelief in her eyes. Hungrily she stared at him, afraid that it was a mirage come to torment her in her worry until Saoirse's soft voice murmured into the space between them. "Momma, who's that?"

And then he was there, his pale muzzle caressing her as if they had never been apart and a soft sob of disbelief echoes from the red mare as she steps ahead of their daughters to crush herself against him. "Ailill," she replies into the silk-soft of his skin. He smells of other places, other mares, but she can't bring herself to care right now. All she knows is that he is here, and she feels safe for the first time in months.

Ailill speaks and she hears the urgency in his voice, and her gaze worriedly drifts back down to their precious daughters. They were so strong, and becoming more so every day, but they were so small that she still worried for their safety in the ocean. Having her lover here would provide much-needed support, but Siobhan knew firsthand how viciously cruel that fate could be and the prospect of losing either of them made her heart clench in her throat.

It is only when Ysabel speaks that she truly acknowledges that her friend is here and she moves to greet her, thankful and confused as to her presence. She had known that Ysabel was in the Cove, but had not wanted to bother her or involve her in more drama, especially when she was heavily pregnant. Siobhan had known that Ysabel was attempting to get away from Bjorn, and didn't want to drag her friend back into it... but heavens was it nice to see her here. "Ysabel?"

She begins, intending to ask a question but a few things dawn on her at once. First, that Ysabel looks as though she had run a marathon, and that the tang of rust hangs in the air around her, and secondly, that Ysabel looks distinctly as though she has just given birth, despite there being no child at her side. Her brow clouds with worry, but before she can inquire as to her situation and potential loss, Ysabel is offering for them to all go to the Cove and rest there. In truth, Siobhan is torn.

The girls could use a rest after their practice this morning, and she would love to have more time to catch up with Ysabel (and take care of her if she had lost her child), but the urge to also take advantage of Nyimara's lack of attention was strong. After so many months of living in the Inlet, afraid and alone, she yearned for the familiar jungle of the Ridge and the beautiful face of her daughters. Her heart lurched at the thought of seeing Roisin and Akadi again. However, Siobhan also worried that in going to the Cove, they would be bringing the silver mare's wrath down upon Ysabel and her new stallion.

Ultimately, it is Ysabel's condition that tips the scales. Siobhan could not leave her friend alone looking this rough, especially if the golden mare had lost her child. She turns back to Ailill, still hungrily drinking in the sight of his face and murmurs softly. "We should rest first, my love." Her gaze drifts back to her daughters, aware that they were likely confused by everything had happened in just a few brief moments. "At least for a few hours, and then we can go home."

Her heart hammered in relief at the thought. Home, where she belonged. Where her daughters waited. Where her entire family was supposed to live.

She couldn't bear Ailill not knowing his girls a single moment longer, and while she knew it would cost precious seconds, she steps back and nudges the two tiny fillies forward. "Before we go," she begins with a smile that touches her eyes as they begin to pool with relieved tears. "You should meet your daughters, Naenia," she says as she brushes the golden girl, and then turns to their pale daughter. "And Saoirse."

"This, my little loves, is your daddy." Siobhan wants to give them all the time in the world. The reunion that they deserved, but she knew time was of the essence. "First, we must be very quiet, and follow auntie Ysabel."

Moreso than anything, Saoirse reacts to the seriousness of her mother's tone, and even though her small muzzle remains safely at Siobhan's side, she stares wide-eyed at her sire. He is strange and foreign to her, but she has heard his name spoken with love all her life, and now was no exception. Already she loved him, even if his size and the worry on his face made him momentarily intimidating. As they begin moving, she cautiously makes her way forward between her parents to tentatively walk at his side, her soft lips very carefully brushing against the strong muscles of his foreleg.

Siobhan worries for her friend, and while she settles near to Ailill, her muzzle stretches for Ysabel, concern clouding the expression on her brow. "Is everything okay?"