Alioth could see something akin to doubt lurking behind Eriana's eyes. It struck him in a way he didn't fully grasp, gnawing at his heart while she falteringly committed to trying. The spotted male knew better in that instant than to tell his friend that she had to keep going. It wouldn't be productive or encouraging to point out the obvious here. So, the dark male nodded and proceeded to stick by her side, matching her stride for stride as they slowly crossed the snow-covered field.
At roughly the halfway point, the amber-coated mare stopped. He could hear the jagged drag of air from her lungs, could see the way she trembled in the cold. Alioth drew in closer, his side flush with hers to lend some warmth and stability. When the stallion saw the new tracks on tears on the mare's cheeks, he hummed softly to her. It was an old melody. Truthfully, it was something his mother had used with him in those rare soft moments of hers, and thus he had used it with his young son to soothe the boy on restless nights.
Now, though, Alioth sought to comfort Eriana. The assuring sound rumbled gently through him as the stallion reached for her. If she let him, the mottled male would seek to touch his maw to her throat in a nuzzle before licking a few of her tears away. When he pulled back a few inches, Alioth murmured to her with conviction: "You can do this, Eriana... We can do this." He couldn't leave her behind; moreover, he found that he wouldn't.