Home At Last

[Kailolu]

Xavier gave a low nicker and came closer to the mare, no hesitation.


*Black Fade* (Lol )


When done, Xavier stepped next to Hestia and nuzzled her shoulder. He watched her carefully, his eyes soft. He sidestepped so their sides touched and he started to groom her sorrel body, thinking of the future. Already he himself knew he wasn't acting like a Rebel and it didn't bother him. He could do what he wanted and still be classified as one. Everyone here had a sterotype for a Rebel, and most if not all the time it wasn't true. Xavier knew that from experience, meeting and fighting other Rebels. All one had to do was take charge, and get what you want whatever the cause. The rest of the time you could do pretty much anything, and Xavier liked that.

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Go 1 sentence starters!!! ;D

[fORTE]

Now it was dusk: the light had faded from the trees and the air was cool, blue and calm. Firefly season was beginning, and a few now were beginning to flicker like stars. Hestia, again lying calmly in the grass, watched them, mesmerized, as she had every night, every summer since her birth. She was not tired, having slept most of the day: she regretted her long nap now. It would throw her sleep cycle off for days, but she supposed there was nothing to be done about it now. Crickets were singing not far away, she assumed in the grassy plain, but they were a poor replacement for the choruses frogs that had soothed her to sleep each night in her homeland. It was only because she was so used to the little amphibians singing her to sleep and because she missed them that she could almost hear them now though they were no where close.

Hestia felt happy. For the first time practically in her whole life she felt wanted, needed, loved, and as if she had a sure and pleasant future.She was glad to be alive, here in the starlight, basking in the companionship of Xavier and her promising future.

[Kailolu]

Xavier was resting next to Hestia, watching the light bugs showing off their colors. For once, he felt at peace for some reason. Not chasing after mares, not fighting with stallions, and not worrying about tomorrow. It was nice. Shifting his body weight to one side, he let his hind leg rest, lowering his head. With his eye lids threatening to put him to sleep, Xavier let his eyes relax on Hestia. She seemed to be liking the day as well. He chewed on his teeth, a habit of his that was in desperate need of kicking. It was one he always did when he was relaxed and off in his own little world. The future seemed bright for now, and Xavier welcomed it.

Time skip

It had been nearly eleven months since Xavier bred Hestia, and he grew more anxious every day. The sun was lifting itself into the sky, but it would be another hour before it broke past the vast mountains in the distance. Xavier was awake, grazing quietly. His ears swiveled in every direction, watching for anything that may come after him in the new day. The ground was wet with dew, and there was a slight mist that scattered the area. It was very thin, and easily visible, so Xavier disregarded it.

The morning air was cool, but the temperature was rising quickly, Xavier could feel the change. The birds started to call to each other, morning doves cooing softly to the sky.

[fORTE]

Almost a year had past since Hestia's still-unborn foal had been conceived, and her instincts told her that it was due any day. Therefore it was no real surprise when Hestia's first labor pains seized her early in the morning and woke her. Again confused in her new wakefulness she was afraid perhaps that she was being attacked, but after a moment she realized what was happening. Not that giving birth was much less scary, but...still.

Her first instinct was to roll in the hopes of relieving the pain in her belly, but she knew that might hurt the foal, so she restrained herself and stood up to walk instead. As she did so she gave an anxious nicker to Xavier, "It's time,", and began to walk in a circle around the small clearing. This the mare did for several minutes, the pain fading and then spiking, fading and then spiking, until it became too much to bear. She laid down and in a few minutes a wet foal lay beside her and it, more exhausted than its mother, lay still with its head resting on the ground while Hestia sniffed it intently to be sure it was normal and healthy. Yes, the foal was fine. It looked black but Hestia could not tell yet if it was black or some other dark color. It would be an hour or two until its coat dried.

She looked at Xavier and smiled and then, though she would rather have lain back and rested, she stood up and nudged the foal until it too got up. It took a few tries for the little thing to get it right, but as soon as it could stand confidently enough it began to nurse.

[Kailolu]

Xavier’s heart burst from it’s well placed area, right up into his throat. With dark chocolate eyes looking at Hestia in fear and excitement, Xavier drew alongside her when she left to find a spot to birth their foal. She was walking in circles, and Xavier did everything he could to try and comfort her. He walked next to her, nuzzling her occasionally in encouragement. When she dropped to the grassy bed, Xavier backed up, giving her room to breath. It was fascinating, and nerve racking, watching Hestia push out a small warm body. After Hestia got the foal onto its feet, Xavier stepped forward and nudged her forelock gently. “You did wonderful.” He said softly, looking at their beautiful creation.

The foal nursed quietly, and Xavier couldn’t help but smile, feeling his pride swell to unimaginable height. The thing he realized he and his mare hadn’t done was think of names, and it stopped him from speaking. What would they call him? Or…her? Xavier couldn’t tell from the angle, but he didn’t want to go looking, fearing that he’d startle the newly born.

[fORTE]

Hestia stood with her head slightly lowered, and said nothing as Xavier praised her, only looking thankfully into his eyes.

After a few minutes she turned to look at the new foal as well--her head being she could see that the newborn was a colt. He was beginning to dry and she could tell that his coat would indeed turn out not to be black, but some kind of bay or chestnut, and he had no markings.

Suddenly Hestia remembered a character from the stories she had been told as a foal: "Notus," she murmured to herself; then, when she realized Xavier had heard, "is what I want to call him, if you think it's good....Commander of the south wind and bringer of summer storms...Notus was always my favorite, for some reason or another," she finished quietly, still reminiscing and unaware of the fact that there was a very slim chance the stallion would have any idea of what she was talking about.

As a filly Hestia had watched distant skies flicker from green to white, between clouds and lightning, and thunder, which had usually unsettled the other horses, had not frightened Hestia. It had not made her feel elated or powerful, but storms had always interested her.

A particularly vigorous tug at Hestia's teat brought her out of her memories and she awaited Xavier's verdict on her idea for the colt's name.

[Kailolu]

Xavier’s ear turned when she spoke. Notus? That name sounded somewhat familiar. She continued to speak, and when she spoke of him being the south wind giver, a spark set off in his mind. The wind Notus brought was moist and warm; often the air carried rain and fog. Not sure where he had heard it from, he pondered the thought of his foal being named after a wind god. Xavier looked at the spider legged thing and gave a soft snort. “Notus it is.”

By the smell, Xavier could tell it was a boy, and that was something he wasn’t looking forward to. In the future his son would be exiled from these lands, and it wasn’t a ritual Xavier wanted to do to his own flesh and blood. But, there was the chance of his son challenging him for these parts, and Xavier wasn’t going to risk his status, land and mares for that. His chest tightened suddenly as he thought of what Hestia would do. He’d chase their son out, and then try to return to her. What would she think of him then? Hopefully she’d understand that it was something he just had to do.

Leg’s crossing, Xavier side stepped away from Hestia and Notus and lowered his head. Soon, he’d have to teach Notus how to survive out here. It wasn’t the best place to raise a foal, being in the Rebel Lands. Xavier would teach him all the basics, after all, he didn’t want his first foal to die within a week of him leaving.

[fORTE]

Notus, the mare thought again, getting used to the name and watching him as he finished suckling. After looking around for a few moments the colt put his head to the ground and sniffed intently all around him as if to assure himself that the ground was solid. Then his sharp little hooves, which had been planted far apart to help him balance while he nursed, now moved: he took a step away from his mother, wobbled precariously, but managed to keep his balance. He had done his share of falling right after birth and was already becoming more confident.

In less than ten minutes Notus was galloping excitedly around the meadow in the morning sunlight, squealing occasionally as he took a tumble. Hestia looked on fondly, still tired from giving birth to him. Besides, as she believed and had for years, the best way for a youngster to learn was by doing. He would not benefit from her concern, though it stabbed her heart each time he fell.

After a while she turned to Xavier and said, "I wasn't wrong about this clearing. It's lovely and safe: we haven't been attacked by predators or anything since we got here. And the trees must insulate it or something; it's always warmer here and in the forest than in the fields." She hesitated. "But I feel like Notus will soon outgrow this place." Since she had let Xavier breed her so many months ago, the dream that had brought that about had gradually slipped away until she knew that the only reason she could imagine it so well was because she had thought about it so often and so hard. The sense of security, though, had faded completely, as emotions and feelings do when one has them too often. Still, her insight that the colt would soon outgrow this little forest clearing was reason enough for her to want to search out a more suitable place to raise him. "I don't suppose you know of anywhere better? A bigger version of this place, maybe? Somewhere I can always watch him but he can still have freedom."

[Kailolu]

Xavier had to think. There was a place somewhat like this, but there were small groups of trees scattered in the small valley. He had spent some time there alone when his brother ruled over these lands. The place he was thinking about held no predators that he was aware of. Because there used to be so many horses that would walk through there, the deer would find different places to graze, not wanting to compete for food with the larger animals. Without deer, what reason would wolves or cougars have to roam there? Sure there were horses, but the only being that resided there were large equines. Any foals that were apart of the herd were heavily guarded by stallions and mares. It seemed perfect at the moment. If there were to be something that attacked them, Xavier would be able to fight it off long enough for his mare and son to get away.

“Where we had come originally, “He began confidently, “There’s a valley to the east of it, only a couple miles away. There’s a few trees scattered around it, and its somewhat surrounded by trees. That’s the only place I can think of that’s similar to here.” He hadn’t mentioned the brook that ran through it, but he would have to keep a sharp eye on Notus if he were around it. There were certain parts where even Xavier couldn’t touch the bottom. He’d most likely explain about it when they got there.

Watching Notus flying across the plains was somewhat entertaining. He definitely go his legs where he needed them. And it saved Xavier a lot of grief knowing he was that fast. He’d need to be, should anything come after them. They would have to cover only four miles, but that was a long way for a new born foal. But Xavier expected to stay in this small valley until Notus got older. He’d feel more secure about the journey if he knew that Notus would be able to make it.

[fORTE]

"That sounds just fine to me." Hestia nodded and returned her attention to Notus, who seemed to have tired and was resting near the edge of the trees, nearly hidden by the tall grass. His dam made her way over to him and nosed him to be sure it was indeed fatigue rather than injury that caused his inactivity; he was alright and Hestia drifted into a doze with her head near the colt while the spring sun warmed her coat.



Two months later Hestia turned to Xavier as she watched her son bounce away into the forest. "I think it's time to take him to that valley you were telling me about," she said. Notus had grown rapidly and every day he roamed farther and for longer. It made Hestia very anxious while he was gone, but she told herself it was natural and he was unlikely to be hurt. All the same she would feel much better if she could keep a closer eye on him. That might be more possible if he had someone his own age to play with, she thought, though she didn't voice the opinion for fear of offending Xavier. He had no other mare and that not only was rather boring for herself but made her foal seek entertainment further from his mother.

[Kailolu]

Xavier had turned and looked at his son bound away. Hestia’s voice took hold of his attention and he turned to her. Time to move…right. Unaware of the loneliness Hestia felt, he turned toward the forest. He didn’t know what it was like to be a mare with a foal with no other females to talk to. He didn’t even know she felt that way, and oblivious to her feelings he started to walk. “I suppose I’ll get him.” He only took a few more steps before picking up into a trot and entering the forest. Notus had just ran into the wood a few minutes ago, so he shouldn’t be far.

Still Xavier looked around as he trotted, letting out a nicker for him. “Notus,” He called out roughly, “We’re leaving and if you don’t want to be left behind I suggest you come now.” Of course Xavier wouldn’t leave him, Notus was his first son. First child actually. Xavier would protect him with his life, but that didn’t mean Xavier could lose his temper with him.

[fORTE]

The forest around the clearing where Notus had been born was much darker than one would expect; the old trees made a thick canopy and little light made its way through. Notus liked this. Despite that he had no one to hide from he liked the way his dark chestnut coat blended with the perpetual dusk and made him virtually invisible. His father's coat was too dark to do it and his mother's was too light. But, the colt supposed, that wouldn't matter anything once he finally got out of this place. He was so tired of his father, always being so abrupt with him and his mother paying so more attention to herself than is probably healthy. She loved him though, he knew because she tried to keep him close. But Notus didn't like that either; he got so bored staying around the clearing. The forest was boring too, and he really had nowhere else to go except the plain, where Hestia didn't like him to go without supervision. In conclusion, the colt was simply bored all the time.

Of course in late spring it was very warm, but the shade the trees cast was much cooler than the clearing. Notus swiftly trotted deeper into the forest, enjoying his alone time. Birds flitted about above him, eating seeds, singing to each other, feeding their chicks. Boring, thought the colt as he moved directly away from where his parents were. He had no destination in mind, but then he didn't know what lay ahead, so he could stumble upon anything at any time.

But before very long at all his young and sensitive ears picked up the sound of hoof beats approaching from behind. Unsure of whether to avoid what he was sure was one of his parents, Notus stayed where he was and waited, His father came into view soon and spoke, and the words he said made the colt take interest. "Going where?" he asked eagerly, approaching the large black stallion, any bitterness toward his father forgotten.

[Kailolu]

Xavier’s ears twitched and he rounded his son and started to lead him back, keeping an even pace Notus could keep up with easily. “Your mother wants to move,” He shook his head, “It’s a few miles away. It’s bigger then here, more room for you to run around.” And more room for more mares. Inwardly, Xavier wanted to leave Hestia and Notus to collect more mares, but he knew there was another stallion here somewhere. He’s a damn coward, Xavier said voicelessly to his conscious, He knows I’m here. “What would you say to me bringing home others for you to play with?” Surely his son had some opinion to him gathering more mares. And more mares meant more foals; therefore Notus would have more company then just himself and his mother. After all, Xavier hadn’t paid particular attention to Notus. More so he had been revolving around Hestia for the past months and inside he was getting tired of just one mare. He needed a little more excitement.

Despite the trees that bent to shade the grass, Xavier was uncomfortably hot. His black pelt had been soaking in the light and it was becoming irritable. The air felt thick with heat and bugs. The insects Xavier would deal with, but if he didn’t find somewhere cool to rest, he’d be grouchy and complaining all day. Not even a breeze was there to offer Xavier shelter from the sun, just to cool him off. The green grass screamed for water, and surely soon it would start to brown and become dry and unpleasant to eat. The trees seemed fine for the moment, but soon they’d become parched, like their stringy brethren on the ground. It had only been a few more minutes when the two reached the unprotected valley, Xavier gulping in more unwanted heat. He gave a nicker to Hestia, and then turned to his son. “Go drink. We won’t be stopping much on the way there.”

Xavier made his voice loud enough for Hestia to hear too, and he turned to walk to the small stream that was slowly drying up. He stopped at it’s edge, stepping on rocks making his stance uneven. His muzzle pushed a rock to the side and he drank his fill, the water balmy from the summer sun. It wasn’t the best he’d had, but he knew there would be more water and food where they were going. He jerked to the left when the rock he was stepping up tumbled over and he stumbled into the shallow water. It was tempting to lay in, and he fell into the appeal almost instantly. Despite the rocks he dropped himself slowly, the water just coming a few inches up his side. He shifted himself onto his side to try and let the water slip over him and give him some resistance against the sun, but a sharp pain traveled against his side and he stood quickly. He’d only got one side of himself wet before the idea that rolling in rocks was bad kicked in. He stepped out and shook himself, ready to go when the two had their drink.

[fORTE]

Hestia waited patiently while Xavier was gone to look for their son, listless in the summer heat. The humid air was hard to breathe and flies swarmed around the usually-fiery chestnut mare’s face. She sighed; the bigger problem than the flies and heat was her boredom. There was nothing to do around here…not that there was necessarily more to do elsewhere, but there would be new places to see, and she hadn’t been anywhere new since she had first arrived at this place. It had seemed perfect. And granted, it would have been so had she been less spirited. She would have raised her colt, perfectly content to do the same thing day in and day out—graze, watch Notus, sleep. But she was not dumb and placid. A wild wind blew over her heart, carrying scents and sounds from far away and trying to lift her up and take her there. The state of motherhood she had agreed to be subjected to was like a great boulder that she was tied to so the wind could not carry her away. But now the boulder was moving and she was to decide—more or less—where it went. It was an exciting day for the mare, and her spirit was dampened only by the heat.

A brook called to her from nearby in the woods, and she plodded slowly toward the welcoming sound where it was cooler. The number of flies did not increase as she approached as they tended to do near water, due to the quickness of the shallow stream, and Hestia drank deeply and quickly, her energy restored somewhat by the coolness near the water. Then she contented herself to stand calmly and await the return of her family.

At this time Notus had reluctantly reunited with his father and was being led back to the clearing instead of exploring as he had wanted. But he was not angry. The thought of going somewhere new excited him, as did that of having new playmates as his father had suggested.
They arrived in almost no time at all and Notus went to drink as his father advised, drawing alongside his mother and brushing his muzzle to hers affectionately. Hestia also topped off, aware that their journey would be longer than anything she had become accustomed to in the last few months. Surely she had gone a bit soft during her stay in Xavier’s forest, whereas before she had been able to travel for hours without tiring. No doubt Hestia would not be able to keep that up anymore. But she would try. She was ready to move on and as Notus finished drinking he stood alongside her, their idleness signaling that they were both ready to start off.

[Kailolu]

Xavier started off confidently, leading his two prized possessions to his favorite place in the Rebel Lands. The valley Xavier had told Hestia about lingered with unwanted, horrible memories. The earth had drained much blood there, and scarred with hateful words.

It’s the valley his brothers discovered, possibly the safest, and most dangerous place in the Rebel Lands. It was a beacon, that beckoned all horses to it. The grass was endlessly green, the trees gave the best shelter, and the crick that ran through was cold all year round. With such a welcoming place, horses fought to claim it as their own, warding off unwanted visitors. Xavier tossed his might head in excitement, the thought of returning to his valley made his legs quiver with anticipation. He had to refrain from bursting into a flying gallop, from his smooth gaited trot.

It would take a few hours to get there, and if Notus couldn’t make it in one go, Xavier would reluctantly stop and let him rest. He was confident Hestia would be able to make it without a problem. She was strong. The thought of the two brought up a different idea. He needed to find more mares for his own harem. What kind of reputation does a rebel have, if all he owns is one mare and his child? Xavier’s eyes glazed over as he fell deep into thought.

What if another rebel stallion came and challenged him? With just the two of them, the loss would be greater than anything Xavier had experienced. But with more members to his herd, it wouldn’t be as painful because he wouldn’t be so attached to them. Yes, the number is greater, but the idea of losing his own son and the mare that birthed him made him sick.
Nickering sharply at nothing in particular, he rolled his head back to check on his two followers. His brown eyes brushed over Hestia, and down to Notus. They seemed fine at the moment, and he swung his head back around, twitching his ears. Memories of the valley flooded his mind, and it made him smile. He was going home.

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Oh my gosh I am soooooooo sorry! This is about the worst post I’ve ever made T-T I haven’t been roleplaying much at all, and have no muse what so ever.