my waves meet your shore, ever and evermore;

It dawns on her that Corvette is likely young enough to be one of Fearne’s daughters. She doesn’t know for sure, of course, but something about the naked relief that washes over the smaller grey mare’s face has Fearne’s maternal instinct kicking into high gear. She’d been alone for the first child she had – and he’s long since left her, opting to remain in the Desert on Salem. She’s not heard from Cahir in years - sometimes, she imagines that he found his half-brother that she dumped with the King of the Hills to avoid Fell’s wrath, but more often than not Fearne knows the quiet truth - Salem swallowed up her sons and spat out nothing but bones.

She kept Merric and Fiadh much closer, having had one at hoof and being pregnant with the other when she arrived, leaving Fell no real reason to rage at some other stallion seducing her out from under him. Only this past fall had she finally made Merric leave – knowing that this new daughter is just as likely to be Raegar’s, she again did not want to tempt the wrath of the silent Bay leader.

Lost in her musings as she is, Fearne still does not miss it when Corvette speaks. She confirms Fearne’s suspicions, that this is her first, and then goes on in a burst of words to explain that she’d never been around other mares giving birth. This surprises Fearne – perhaps Corvette hasn’t been with Fell long? Every Spring in the Bay they’re overrun by his new crop of children; at this point in the year Fearne is usually tripping over mares in labor.

Fearne laughs at the question and murmurs, “Some more than others - but not so terrible I gave up after the first time.” Overall she’d only had one difficult birthing experience - Merric. He’d fought her every moment, leaving her heaving and exhausted and sobbing alone. “Whim,” Fearne says quietly, gesturing to the quietly sleeping filly, “Was one of the easiest.” Gently, Fearne extends her muzzle and brushes it over Corvette’s shoulder. She’s nervous, that much is obvious.

“Dreading it only makes it worse,” Fearne soothes the other mare. “You’ve come this far - don’t you want to meet your child?” That’s always been her favorite part, meeting the new little soul she’s brought in to the world. “You should lie down - I’ll keep watch.” The Bay is remarkably safe from other equines, but there are always predators lurking.