The King And Queen

[Dusty's Girl]

King pranced into the Breeding Canyon, his neck arched and his crest reflecting his power and strength. It had been some time since he had brought a mare here, but now. Oh now, he had the perfect mare and the one that would stand by his side and rule his herd as well. His tail lashed behind him in grace, his large hooves lifting in a prance. A forced neigh powered through his muzzle as he called for Faradera, his love.

He stood steady, waiting for her to come. It was late in the season and a late foal would have some troubles, but then again with a herd like this one, it would surely be protected from the cold and the rain. It would be provided with every chance that they could conceive, provided that it lived. He was sure that it would survive, but he would wait and see. He did not want to make his beautiful love scared about anything. He wanted to happiness and love to fill the world, to shine upon all places in their terra.

[Swede]

Faradera followed at her own flowing trot, slightly hampered by her damaged shoulder but still more graceful than most. Despite her poor condition and scarred body, she still bore an aura of regality as she moved forward, tail fluttering in the breeze. She was bred from noble lines, raised to reflect them, and old habits die hard. And she had every reason to go forth with grace, for this was the moment in which her hopes would be realized.

She answered his call, a light flute beside his thundering drums, and broke into an easy lope as she approached. Slowing to a halt within a few steps of her love, she stood still, regarding him with liquid brown eyes. She felt her spirit lift, but at the same time hesitated. Perhaps it was not meant to be. Perhaps she was supposed to learn from the past, dedicate herself to something else. But if the gods denied her heart's desire, then any other life was not worth living. She had faced death more times than she had the will to count, and each time someone else had taken her place. Perhaps she was no more than the scapegoat, taking on guilt so others could be free.

As the thought entered her mind, she stiffened. She deserved better. This mare was not going to lie down and take her dues; she would continue fighting for her right, as she always had. She arched her neck, mane falling like snow upon her crest. ''My King,'' she said quietly.

[Dusty's Girl]

His loud coloring next to her stark blackness made both horses stand out among the deepness of the autumn red hues. He touched her nose gently with his muzzle, his neck arched deeply as he stood before her, ready for anything. He sensed her muscles gather with uncertainity and then relax with desire and courage. A deep nicker forced its way through his muzzle as he let his tail fly behind him.

He was bred for showing off, bred for courage, and bred for being noble. In fact, Gypsy gold does not clink, it neighs in the dark. And that is just what he was. Sure, he had been a jumper before his so called retirement, but look at his offspring. More than half were pure Gypsy horses that lived nomadic lives in their own terras. He was ready to start a family that was bred like that. To stand with this one mare, his true love, was perfection. If a foal did not result or the foal passed onto the great pastures, then he would still have his perfection and they could try once more. And try until they were unable to try anymore.

His black veil fell heavily into deep eyes as he waited for a moment, pausing to give her some time before he got on with the breeding. He was making sure that everything was perfect, that she was comfortable and that she was more than ready, "My love, my Faradera." He nuzzled along her neck softly, his muzzle trailing down her neck and her shoulders to her sides and hips.

[Swede]

She lowered her head parallel to her body, feeling a stretch in her back that was not there in her days of eventing. Faradera was older than her years, aged by hardship and pain that this so-called freedom had blessed her with. But she had found her love; the only good that had come from that fateful night on the highway, it seemed. But how many years were left for her to spend with him? Among humans she was young, but here she was swiftly approaching the far side of the metaphorical hill; and each year, she came nearer to crossing over at the same time as her innocent newborn. it would quite likely kill her one day, if the hungry winter didn't take her first.

And she longed to spend time with her beloved before then, longed to raise a brood beside him, for him, with him. She rested her muzzle briefly on his warm flank, and whispered, ''I am yours, King, my love. Forever and always. No matter what happens, my heart is with you.''

[Dusty's Girl]

His neck was still arched deeply, his voice deep when he did speak. He was not young either, his years well advanced. Age had started seeping into his joints, into his back. Too long had he spent in the jumping arena and too long had he spent tending to others and not himself. It had taken too long in his mind to find that perfect one to spend the rest of his life with. But now he had her, now he was ready to settle down and protect the one that he loved, his Queen. Though his true name was Essence of Gold, he was meant to be a King. A name that Raidho had given him. And it truely fit him.

He nuzzled her softly, "You will be mine always as I shall be yours. My heart soars with you, lifts when you are around and departs when you are not near. From the first day that I had set my eyes upon your deepest ebon flanks to the day that I spotted you sobbing in the terra, I have never let my love for you go. It grew stronger until I could not contain it any longer and I had to be by your side." With those words uttering from his throat, he moved behind her slowly, letting her get ready for his coming actions. Of course he had done this before, but never to a mare that he had truly loved. And never in this terra. He only wished for her comfort and true happiness.

[Swede]

She smiled softly. She had loved Rosemont, then; or thought she had. And she was forever indebted to that young stallion, for saving her life. Then, in those days when she wept alone, she had taken little notice of her neighbor, the stallion who had comforted her. Only when the web of deceit was cleared from her mind had she seen him for what he truly was: a leader, a lover, a king. What a fool she had been then! But she was still a fool; but even fools may love, may have hope for the future.

Her left ear flicked backwards unconsciously, tracing his movement, while the right ear remained focused on the land surrounding them. She braced her body slightly, hooves making light indents in the dry soil, and swished her tail smoothly. She was ready for him, whenever he was.

[Dusty's Girl]

He smoothly danced up on his hind legs, his front hooves caressing her sides as he rose above her. He took care with his actions, his muzzle gentle across her neck and back. Like always, it was over too quickly and he pulled back slowly, his muzzle tracing along her back as he did so. Once back on terra firma, he nickered to her quietly. Slowly and quietly, he retraced his steps back up to her side, his muzzle touching her sides, neck, and finally her muzzle.

"I do so hope that you are alright.." His voice was full of concern, full of love for this mare that he had fell so deeply for the first time that his eyes had beheld her body. Surely this mare was the one for him, he felt it deep in his bones, deep in his soul, and he could only pray that a foal from both of them would be a spectacular beauty that would grace the fields of the Ridge.

[Swede]

Faradera laughed musically, a brief feeling of joy flooding through her. ''You worry too much, King. I am always alright with you.'' It was a white lie; she was not alright- the pain of her loss was still raw. But she would be, in time. She would be while she stood with King. But it is said that time heals all hurts, and so it would be with her. She would never forget, and she would always feel sorrow, but she would learn to move on. A new life at the ridge and new life within her would do just the trick. Ironic it was that he feared he was harming her, when everything he had done had only helped.

[Dusty's Girl]

He nuzzled her softly, nipping at her neck playfully. "Shall we head back to the Ridge so that Raidho can let his guard down a bit? The old man is starting to tire of aloneness once again." He snorted softly, his long mane rippling in the breeze. Winter's kiss was starting to touch them, but the days were still showing plenty of sun and warmth that they needed still.

He moved a bit away from her side, his hooves making dents in the terra. He waited for a moment, then sent of triumphant neigh into the air, his happiness revealed in that call. He was ready to take his love back home to their herd to start their life. He moved away slowly, letting her follow at a speed hardly above a walk.