Love and Loss Ch. 1

Love and Loss Ch. 1


It was night, and the moon shone exquisitely in the sky, no clouds dare hide its radiance. All was still, except for the sounds of groaning and heavy breathing. In the valley below, a shelter, made of low, over-hanging tree branches covered the moons view of a restless unicorn mare in her plight to give birth. Her pale blue coat was glistening with sweat and exhaustion from the strain. A mid-wife was soothing her struggling friend with her velvety voice, hushing her now and again.

“Aalyah, you must calm yourself. Rest, my child, it’ll do you no harm.” The wise, old mare, hailed Forte, had witnessed and helped along many births in her long years of existence, but none have been as troublesome as Aalyah’s. She knew that her young friend should rest, for it won’t be long before the real work began. She watched as Aalyah’s breathing slowed, her eyes closing briefly before hoof steps were heard outside of the makeshift tent. Forte craned her long neck, eyeing a dazzling, dark gray stallion with his head low. He looked up to see Forte staring at him.

“Hail, Forte. How goes Aalyah?” His deep voice resonated lightly through the shelter, waking the tired mare inside. Gregan, Aalyah’s mate, was a dashing example of a fine warrior stallion. His dark gray body was lavished with scars, large and small, but they only added to his mysterious outer layer. His black mane and tail danced in the light breeze and his black horn glistened in the moonbeams, cascading light to dance along the valley. His eyes shone like liquid rubies, drinking in everything around him. He was a tough warrior, but more than that, a loving mate and soon-to-be sire. His chest swells up at the thought of fathering a foal, let alone Aalyah’s.

Forte nodded respectively. “Hail, Gregan. She is fairing well, but she is having trouble staying calm. I advised her to rest, since it shall not be long till she gives birth. Perhaps, you could help her calm herself- it seems that she needs you.”

The stallion nodded with a small smile. He shuffled forward quietly and ducked his head as he ambled through the entranceway. His eyes glowed with love as they set on his mate. Her pale blue coat shone as the moonlight snuck into the dwelling. Her eyes turned to his, a small smile appearing on her muzzle.

“My love, come to me. I-,“ she paused as the baby shifted, causing pain to her abdomen, “I don’t think I can do this without you.”

Gregan rushed to her side and lay softly by her side, but before he had time to reply, the mare squealed slightly as the first contraction gripped her sides. Forte came swiftly and quickly told Aalyah to be calm and push. Aalyah was mentally kicking herself for not heeding the baby’s movement as a warning. She did as she was told, finding it hard to concentrate long enough to listen to the older mare’s orders.

One last push, she was told, and so she gave one. She gritted her teeth, and felt the relief as the baby slid to the grassy floor. Aalyah sighed deeply, grateful that the ordeal was over. She heard Gregan nicker to her and she turned to him. His face was glowing with pride, love, and happiness as he gazed at his foal.

Forte began to clean the foal, as Aalyah was mentally and physically exhausted. Although she was tired, she collected the last bit of strength she had, and dismissed the old mare. “I can take it from here, Forte. Thank you, my wise friend, I am forever grateful.” With that, Forte nodded with a smile, and left the couple with their newborn.

As Forte left, both stallion and mare got up, looking over their new filly. “Look at her, Gregan. She’s beautiful!”

And she was. Her coat was that of a rich and bright chestnut that shone a reddish tint. Her mane, short and fluffy, was a darker, earthy brown, also showing a strain of red. Her face, with its dainty features, was covered in white, reaching the middle of her cheek and fading into the reddish chestnut. Her hooves were a dark gold, and above each, were four white stockings. The young thing gazed at her parents with dark, amethyst eyes, and she squealed playfully.

Gregan chuckled deeply. “Look at her, she looks so proud, like a queen.” Aaylah agreed, and came upon a name that was perfect for the proud filly.

“Reina.” the mother called to the filly. The foal turned to her and whinnied in response to the name. “Come here, darling.” Aalyah guided her daughter to her teats, hearing the soft suckling of the foal. The young filly finished feeding and soon began to drift off to sleep by her mother’s side, loved and protected.

This is the end of Reina’s birth, but the beginning of her life- a life spent in love, joy, disappointment, loss, and hopefulness.