A Final Resting Place?

[Dusty's Girl]

Weary hoofbeats sounded in the Alley as a dapple grey stallion strode into the beautiful place. Though he was strong and handsome, age could be seen on his face and in his movements. As sure as day, arthritis was setting into his joints and he was not as quick as he once was. His scars were more pronounced on his face and his white mane and tail were just more snowy. His dappled hide was even starting to fade to a glorious white color.

This old timer sure had stories to tell, stories that were something unique and rare in the horse world. Stories of rampage and theft, of travel and new things, if you could understand the thick Russian accent that was. His gait was a mere walk, as if idly traveling through a pasture or arena. He was unphased by the trees around him, the water nearby, or the other horses. He was here to reclaim his position with the younger stallion, Patriot, as a lone stallion and protector of the mares.

[bullseye14]

Patriot released a loud snort as he trotted into his territory. Dream would be behind him shortly, he was sure of that. The two were never far from each other these days, not after what had happened last time they had been parted. Neither wanted another accident to happen and neither wanted to break their vow, Patriot was sure of that. Today seemed like any other Summer day to them; hot and sticky. Just another day in paradise. Or was it? The ebony stallion, gave a clear whinny, informing everyone that he had arrived. The only other residents of his territory were Firedancer, his lead mare, Nirvana, his first Sunshine River born foal and Joker, the elderly mule. He still hadn't gotten to know the latter real well yet; he was a bit of a loner, from what Patriot could tell. Taking a deep breath of the hot air as he approached the center of the territory, he took roll, identifying each horse by there scent. But wait, there was another scent on the air.

"Parlos?" he muttered. Moving into a canter, he followed his ears, eyes and nose as best he could and before he knew it, the grey form had come into sight. Releasing a greeting whinny, he shouted to Dream, "Would you look who it is?!"

[Dusty's Girl]

Dream, who was lagging a tiny bit, raised her head at Patriot's words and the familiar smell. A whinny raced through her muzzle as she halfway reared into the air and clumsily galloped towards her sire. Tossing her head and prancing, she met him almost halfway as the older stallion had started to approach her. Together they danced in pleasure and harmony. It had been a while since father and daughter had seen each other. After the small dance, Dream went back to Patriot's side and nuzzled him softly, playfully nipping along his neck.

Parlos bowed his head to Patriot and nickered softly, "It is good to be back, old friend. If you will have me back, that is." He raised his head slowly, his tail lashing behind him in a friendly gesture.

[bullseye14]

(OOC: The TV is on while I'm doing this, so this post is not going to be my best ever....)

The ebony stallion watched with a grin as the two family members were reunited. He was just as overjoyed at seeing Parlos as Dream was, but his joy had to be contained - stallions and dignity walked hand in hand. Stepping forward with a friendly snort, a smile gracing his features and his eyes twinkling, he said, "Welcome back, my dear friend. I wasn't sure if you would return to Sunshine River or not." It didn't take a single thought to reply to the Russian stallion's inquiry. "Indeed, you will rejoin this herd as our knight. We'll gladly have you."

(OOC: Blah.)

[Dusty's Girl]

He bowed his head low, in greeting to Patriot, in thanks for his position back in his herd. It had been some time, but the older stallion had things that he had needed to settle, things that he had needed to finally rest and mourn. Like the loss of his dear Fury. Should she be reborn one day, oh how he hoped that she would come to him.

"Thank you my dear stallion friend. I welcome this herd and these mares as my own for protection. I do so hope that you will trust me in all that I do, as I am just an old stallion. What more can I do in my life?" Truer words were never uttered. But this stallion still had much to do in his life. Sure he was old and sure his age was starting to show, but he was a hardy breed, bred for many long years in the cold climates and harsh work. He would stand strong for a few more years at least.

[bullseye14]

"You have never given me any reason to not trust you, my dear friend. I should be surprised if you ever do," Patriot replied, with a slow shake of his head. Both Patriot and Parlos had lost mares. Only one of Patriot's had ever tasted bitter death under his watch, but he had a whole herd stolen. He could sympathize with Parlos to an extent, though he knew they would never truly understand each other. However, it seemed fitting for the elderly stallion to live out the rest of his life at Apple Alley, defending a herd of mares - an opportunity he had never had with a herd of his own.

The two stallions looked so conflicting, standing there together. One, turning from gray to white, had said fairwell to his youth long ago and was starting to feel the bite of old age, while the other, sleek and black, had almost reached his prime years. And yet, the souls shared the same desire to protect the same herd or die trying.

"Stay with us as long as you would like, Parlos. Your company will be welcome."

[Dusty's Girl]

Parlos nodded to Patriot, his tail slowly swishing behind him, "Thank you ever so much, friend. I shall enjoy it here in my later years, watching the young foals and the mares. And with company by my side, growing old will not be so painful." His voice seemed to carry years of wisdom. The old stallion had seen much and would see much more before his time was through. His breeding was impeccable, his aging slow and graceful. He was much more than just your old typical horse, he was living history.

In Russia, he would have been considered deceased by now and have been sent either to slaughter or to a pasture with many other horses to live an uncertain fate. But fate had seen to it that this old stallion was living life to the fullest and he had once more found the reason to keep on living. This herd, this stallion friend, and these herdmates were what caused Parlos to feel young again. And if by some miracle Parlos found a mate, then she too would cause the old stallion to feel like a young sprite once more.

[bullseye14]

Patriot nodded, with a smile on his face. The stallion's dark eyes wandered to the afternoon sky. This summer had seemed to stretch on longer than others. 'Such a small herd doesn't require much time, that must be it. It just seems like life is taking longer.' Still, the challenge of foals was sure to liven it up. More than one foal, that was. But when should he expect the next one to be born? Could be the next day, or could be a week from then. Foals; they always chose to come at strange times. Nirvana was a perfect example.

"We already have one foal keeping us busy, Parlos, though I daresay our jobs will be much more difficult once the next little ankle-biter comes," Patriot said with a laugh. "I think I'll leave the two of you to catch up a bit while I go patrol the territory." The ebony stallion smiled at his mate and knight and trotted off. He wouldn't say he valued Parlos as he would a father, but the elderly stallion certainly wasn't typical of a young stallion's friends. 'He's a good horse to have around.'

[Dusty's Girl]

Parlos stood by Dream's side, the two of them in deep conversation once Patriot trotted off. Dream would catch up to him soon, but first the two needed to catch up. There was some news of a stallion having come from the Far Herds over by the Whispering Woods Canyon and the trouble that he could bring to the land.

Dream snorted at the thought and shook her head, it was not good to have her foal brought around in a time like this. But one cannot control when one foals. She heaved a sigh, glad to at least have her father protecting her little one now as well.