I don't really like myself without you
Lead stallions do this all the time. They sent their children off to strengthen their bonds with other herds and spread out their genetics across the islands. His placement for the two of them seemed fitting and he assumes they wouldn't mind it. Well, he assumes Pike would be happy, but Lakota was a hard one to please. She may not be his blood, but he had a special connection to the first daughter he raised. He wanted her close and with someone he trusts. Zharko was the best option seeing how well he protected his half sister. Zharko also participated in driving out intruders. Ironclad couldn't understand why he father insisted on being the only stallion in the herd aside from his children. I guess it made him feel more powerful and in control. A feeling Ironclad was beginning to understand the more time went on.
He catches the change in Lakota's face, but he does not give it a second thought. Who knows what the two of them were talking about prior to his arrival, but it was time to get more serious. Medusa had not told him of her daring escape, but if she had this decision of his may have changed course. In his mind, this was the only home Lakota should know and she deserves to stay. The other foals did not have the upbringing she did. Pike had some similarities, but she had a more mature father than Lakota had gotten. His greying daughter asks what he had in mind. She was the older of the two so it would make sense that she would be paired first, but as it seems, Pike was the more adventurous. If he didn't guide his palomino daughter in the right direction then she could fall into the same trap her mother did.
His gaze turns to Pike as she pleads with her father. It was obvious how young she still was. Then the filly mentions her mother and he feels a shot to his heart. His head shakes. "No," he says flatly being continuing. "Unfortunately, I don't think your mother will return here, but I do hope you two can find each other again." He tries to give the girl a half hearted smile, but it was obviously fake. He really did hope mother and daughter could rebuild their bond, but he didn't want to lose Pike's attention. The girl barely had time for the Inlet...just like her mother.
Dark eyes look between the two of them now as he begins to tell them the reason he has approached today. "One day I hope you will have a better understanding of what I am about to say." His throat clears loudly. "A part of building a herd and maintaining it is to make friends and keep those friends close. That being said, the two of you are my firstborn and soon you will be considered mature in the eyes of nature." How will they take this? Ironclad looks to each of his daughters. He figures each of them might protest in their own ways. Pike about her mother needing to be here and Lakota about just not wanting to do as she is told. The very last thing he wants is for them to hate him, but he thinks he is placing them in the right direction.
He settles his eyes to his eldest daughter first. "Lakota you are my eldest and as such I would like you to stay in the Inlet under Zharko. He is a kind stallion who helps protect this herd and thus, deserves some mares of his own. I would like you to meet him and see for yourself. He is a worthy suitor." Without giving her much time to respond, he turns to Pike. "And Pike," he beings knowing Lakota was probably ready to protest at this point. "You are still too young to leave home, but come spring you will be the same age Lakota is now. I have promised you to Solomon in hopes that you may find one of his sons a suitable mate for the future. It is wise for our herds to grow together especially with Solomon being our King." Would she understand? Ironclad takes a deep breath before speaking again. "This does not mean you won't be welcome back home. You can come back here any time you wish. I hope you will visit your father and the rest of your family." He did worry about how much Pike loved the Cove. She may never return to see her family tucked away in the Inlet.
"Come spring it will be time for you to go to the Cove and meet with Solomon. He will then be responsible for your safety." Ironclad couldn't say it wasn't incredibly hard to trust another with his daughter's heart and her body. He was putting a lot of trust in Solomon right now. His gaze turns back to Lakota. "And Lakota if Zharko doesn't treat you right I won't blame you for leaving him. I do hope you continue to come see your father even if you decide to leave our home in the future. For now, please give Zharko a chance." Ironclad seriously hopes his second was still interested. The stallion was a gentlemen (as far as he could tell), but he was often quiet.