(Taken from my blog on Wolf Play, account Shadow Hunters)
The small filly opened her eyes to the moonlight, blinking. Two shadows watched overhead and she shifted her gaze to them. One was a handsome chestnut stallion, his flaxen mane hanging off his neck in long silky strands. Her Father. She nickered to him and he nickered back,, looking proud and pleased with himself. And then she felt the other horse nuzzle her. The newborn snorted and looked into her Mother's dark chocolate eyes.
"Rose." The spotted mare nickered. "Wild Rose. You are as pretty as a flower and shall always be free." The filly, Rose, looked up at her parents in awe.
"Look Arrow, she has your spots." The stallion nickered, nuzzling the white speckled mare. It was true. Rose blinked and saw two long legs stretched out in the grass before her. They were the same colour as her Mother's coat. But instead of brown speckles over a white hide, Rose had midnight black spots that seemed to pop off her glowing white coat in the silver light. She whinnied in delight. The handsome chestnut stood above her and she looked at his strong, sturdy legs in wonder. Would hers do that? In a moment, she was collecting her legs up underneath her. Arrow stood up and nudged her filly encouragingly. Rose lifted up onto her hooves and stood there for a few seconds, getting used to the feeling. She took a tentative step forwards and fell back into the soft grass of the meadow.
"So quick to learn." Her Father breathed in delight. Rose tried standing again and was even faster to get up. She waddled up to her mother and began nursing. A peaceful quiet fell upon the small family.
A branch cracked and the two adults snapped to attention. Arrow quivered in fear and Rose felt the tension arising. What was happening? Her mother seemed to want to know the same question. "Branche? What was that?" The spotted mare asked. Branche, the chestnut, snorted and began backing away from the now obvious footsteps.
"I don't know Arrow. But whatever it is, it wouldn't be sneaking up if it didn't mean harm. Take Rose. Shelter within the herd. You'll be safe." Rose's Father whinnied. Arrow whirled around and shoved the newborn filly away from her father.
"Papa?" Rose nickered, looking over her shoulder. The stallion was facing the noise, his ears pinned and his hooves ready.
“No, my little one.” He has to stay here. He’ll protect us.” The mare snorted, pushing Rose out of the moonlit clearing and into the dark forest.
Warming, with Sleet and Heavy Icing
