-Made it early, couldn't wait, post coming-

I must've spoken too soon, and not long from when I had been rummaging in the canyon, I was now rushing up the ledge as fast as my waddling legs would let me go. I gritted my teeth to sharp pains in my barrel, and I'm sure I had gotten some strange looks from the two in the herdlands. I didn't know whether or not Agni would come with me, nor did I really care right now. Right now I was damning that brute straight to hell. Twice I stumbled in my rush, but I caught myself before letting myself fall to the ground.

My pace slowed with each step I took, my sides heaving with deep breathes. Coming into the field, I was relieved to feel fresh grass on my hooves and legs, and it was all I could do not to collapse on my side. Carefully, I bent my knees to lower myself to the earth. Oh how good the cool grass felt, pillowing my sweat-beaded body. My tresses clung to my boa, another sharp pain in my stomach over-whelming me as I cried out to nothing. I just wanted the pain to stop, never in any battles or anything of the sort could match the suffering I was being put through. I snapped at the grass, figuring it'd be better to gnaw on that instead of grinding my teeth into nothing.

There was nothing I could do now except push, this foal was coming whether I liked it or not. And I sure as hell did not like it. By now I wasn't paying any attention to the world, it was like everything was blurred. For all I know Agni was standing right beside me, then again, so could that black stallion that almost got to me. Who knows, I could have been giving birth to that rogue's foal instead of my king's. Digging at the earth with my daggers, I cried out again. It seemed like a thousand years had past, but only a couple of minutes had gone by when my foal's front hooves were finally seen.

I tossed my head in the grass, trying to distract myself from the pain of the labor. Tears streamed down my blazed muzzle, the vegetation by my hooves destroyed from my daggers striking the earth. What did I get myself into? I led a care-free life, then I decide to say 'what the heck' and go to the claiming grounds. There I'm claimed and bred to Agni, putting me where I am no. What was I thinking!?

No, that's not the worst part though, me having to birth his foal. No, the worst part was that I had started caring about him, and two weeks ago was down-right excited to have his foal. I felt him by me, licking my neck and speaking to me, but his words were muffled mentally. Black legs had already been seen, and soon came a bit more of the foal. I wanted to give up, I wanted to just stop pushing and lay here to my death. Yet another part of me didn't, part of me wanted this foal. I kept going, more century long minutes passing by until the last of the pains had stopped.

I attempted to raise my crown to look back at my foal, but exhaustion prevented that, and I lay there on the grass for a couple minutes, trying to catch my breathe. The rest of the world was coming back into focus, and I had gained enough strength to roll onto my belly to look at our child. Quickly I began to clean him, instincts causing me to be sure he could breathe of all things. As I bathed him, plenty of chestnut spots could be seen on a white base, his neck and legs having fewer spots and some roaning. Signs of feathering from his sire was apparent on his black stockings.

Looking up to Agni, I realized our son looked almost just like him, except without white socks and a different eye color. Nosing my son, I got him to look up to Agni. "Meet your father... Agni." I smiled softly, still quiet weak from the whole ordeal. My muzzle still streaked with tears and the rest of me soaked with sweat, I could use a bathe as much as our son could. Looking back up to Agni, since he was standing and I was still on the ground, I spoke again. "And as for you... meet your son... Mirror image.... I'd say."

As I try to think of a name, I rise to my shaky legs, trying to encourage our son to do the same. Instead he glared at us, nickering lazily that he was hungry. I smirked, shaking my head. "If your hungry, you've got to stand." I watched him with a small smile as he tried to stand, tripping over one of his legs and falling down. But he didn't seem to give up, and was soon standing up proudly. I'm taken by surprise as he comes to me, pushing my belly before figuring out how to nurse. "Still have to get used to the whole mothering thing..." I chuckle, looking down to see my son's fluffy tail flinging back and forth with content. "How about the name...Zarek?" I ask, looking back up to my King and, have to admit, love.


How dare she stand up like that! I don't want to be alone down here! I want food from her, somehow I know she has it. I looked at my legs folded beneath me, sticking them out one by one. Just when I was about to completely stand up, I tumble down. Oh, come on! Can't someone just pick me up? That'd be a lot easier than using these long things. But I'm hungry, and the mare seems intent that she won't feed me unless I stand. Well doesn't that just suck. Pinning my ears back, I stick my gangly legs out again, successful this time. I grin to my parents, high stepping towards my mother. I knew she had food, now where to find it? I poked her belly with my nose, a sweet smell and constant lipping leading me to her milk.

I nod, I'm more amazed that after Agni had forcebred me, I'd come to grow attached to both father and son. I watched as Agni tried ruffling his short tuffy mane. My strength renewed, I'd wait for Zarek to finish nursing before we left.

As the giant one breathed on my rump, I pinned my auds. Yet I continued to drink my fill, licking my lips as I pulled away from my mother. Then as my...father, I believed is what she called him, started to mess with my mane, I kicked out side ways at him with a hind leg. Not like it could do anything to him since he's huge compared to me.

I smirk at my son, watching him attempt the side kick. "Looks like he's got a bit of me there too. Anyways, let's go ahead and head back now..."

[x]to the herd topic and away! -rides2AC-