Relief crashed through Akadi at the impact of Siobhan’s body. The instant the red mare surged forward, the filly knew she need not have been worried. The days of trying to cover herself with mud, or scratch the flecks off against trees were forgotten with the words uttered in her ears. She was beautiful and Siobhan was back. Her life had come back together again at last. Unwilling to let her go just yet, the youth held stayed in the embrace as long as she could, ignorant to the feel of the water soaking into her own fur as well. Before she could say anything herself, she stepped aside as she heard Roisin’s approach.

Through the time Siobhan had been gone, Akadi had stayed beside her sister. Every once and a while she would leave to rage at the injustice that had happened to them. Other times she stayed where she was while her Roisin did her own raging. She could not possibly have known everything she had been going through, but she kept quiet counsel at any time Roisin had needed it. Young as she was, she could not find the words to help, or offer any sort of sagely wisdom. But she listened and she mourned for her kin, at the same time mourning herself for things she could not even comprehend she had lost.

Akadi grinned, more to herself, as Roisin put her face deep into her mother’s mane. The feeling of safety, security, and love of a mother and daughter was something to be treasured. She stepped closer again, not to intrude, knowing the two family by blood needed their special moment, but to just be near, and enjoy the feeling flowing from them.