As Zevulun expected it took little time at all from when he crossed into the Forest territory to when he heard the drumming of hooves against the pine-needle carpeted ground. He halted immediately and turned to make sure his attention was given to the approaching stallion. While the stranger was larger than Zevulun by a few inches, he had a muscular density to him that Zevulun did not. Scars of past battles littered his coat the same they did Zevulun’s, but he didn’t seem anxious or aggressive as he stepped into the clearing Zevulun had stopped in.
It gave Zevulun a touch of hope. Perhaps he didn’t need to worry about Luthien being torn to shreds by metaphorical wolves (leaders with greed in their hearts). Maybe, despite the myriad of leadership changes in the territories, Luthien was going to continue to attract those like him who wanted somewhere quiet and peaceful and safe to raise their families.
His pink-lined ears twitched as the stranger introduced himself. Rilke, the new lead of the Forest.
Zevulun tilted his muzzle, offering a brief nod of respect, before he introduced himself. “Rilke, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Zevulun, I lead the Prairie.” He offered, gesturing the way he’d come where the rolling grasslands of his home lay. “I’ve been meaning to make my way by sooner,” he admitted, “but things have been rather busy with foaling mares and the like.” That made him grin a little. Zevulun loved children and having new foals in the Prairie had lifted his spirits considerably. “I was also close with the mare who led the Forest previously; it was an adjustment thinking there was someone other than her leading here.” Zevulun admitted.
“I’ve led the Prairie here on Luthien for quite some time, though I was born on Tinuvel.” He explained, “If you have any questions about the islands, I’d be happy to try and help.” Maybe it was ignorant of him to assume Rilke was new to the islands given that he had once left and returned himself, but Zevulun offered anyways. He’d rather his new neighbor know he had a helping hoof in Zevulun, so to speak, and rebuild the friendship and allyship the Prairie and the Forest had before.
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