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"I am just going to stretch my legs"

That is what she said to him, Zeda was far into her pregnancy now and was finding it more and more troublesome. Almost every night now she was getting cramps which only seemed to wear off if she walked, so her going out for a stroll in the middle night had become something Heha was used to. Since he found out her condition he had been wonderful, always there to dote on her every need and even though Zeda would never admit it she was very grateful to him for it. Even though the mood swings and rapid fire complaining was probably not the best way to show her gratitude. The moonlight shone down on the lands and the dark mare wondered along the path by the lake. Her coat sparkling with the light from the stars above.

The lake had become her favorite place to be, the cool water soothed the pains in her stomach and the soft sound of ripples and drops calmed her nerves. She came to the edge of the lake, walking into it so the liquid wrapped around her swollen ankles. She took in a deep breathe and turned her crimson eyes to the sky. It was a full moon, it was so big in the sky it seemed to light the land, not a cloud in sight. The stars where clear in view, breathtaking. The sky was always so much more stunning when the winter months had started, she knew the snow would come soon. It was a odd time to be having foals, usually they came in spring, at least that was the impression she got. Trust her to be odd. She chuckled and shook her head, going deeper into the water so it tickled her inflated belly.

How many were in there? two, three? she wondered. It felt like a army at times. She was looking forward to being back to her normal weight. Women were meant to glow when they were pregnant? she did not think so. She looked at her reflection and pouted. She was hideous? how could this be attractive? Heha was such a liar! She tutted and shook her head, kicking one of her legs so her image scattered in the water.

Zeda's ears pricked up slightly and she turned around to see a dark, yet brightly coloured mare heading her way. Daughter to the herd's alpha. Crimson eyes looked at Chandra neither showing a possitive or negative reaction to her company. She did not mind being alone or with companion. It was funny to say Zeda once lived her life in complete solitude, now she was part of a herd and could even go as far to call some friends. The fact she was here was proof she had come one million miles to what she once was. Ontop of that she was with child and had a loving lifemate. The dark days she spent were behind her beyond sight and memory.

"Good morning, I am sure we are in the early hours by now."

Came a all too familiar voice, Zeda was not a feminine sounding mare by far, she had the voice that was like a witch, sausy and in some ways sinister. It is what most people commented on when they first met her. However it suited her, she was not a fluff and love mare, she was tough, she had always had to be and even though that was no longer needed it was hard for a old dog to give up its bone, the fighting spark she had to trigger as a child was still burning bright. Her rock and roll attitude still as fresh as it was when she was a teenager.

"A little too much if you ask me, never give their poor momma a break, can feel it, they are going to give Heha hell. Just like their momma, fighting from the off start. Would not have it any other way."

She resonded to her question, it was yet to sink in, she knew she was having children. However it seemed surreal that lives had grown and flurished inside of her. I guess the true extent of what was going on was not going to sink in until they took their first breathe and opened their eyes to look on the world for the first time. She could not imagine them here, besides her on there own. They had been trying for so long it did not seem real. She was going to be a mother, sure she knew that, however she was yet to understand what that word truly meant, what new mother ever did, especially one who never had their own to take reference from...

"Even if I had just one, as long as that baby was healthy I would be happy. I dont know if I could handle three. If thats what the all mighty spirits have in store for me so be it. Sometimes, it feels like I have my own regerment parading in my womb..."

She let out a small laugh, well a cackle like sound which was as close to a laugh as Zeda got. Then turned in the water to face the beautiful angeni mare. Kids these days, taking all the looks. Chandra was a looker and Zeda was sure if someone showed her how to use those eyes and batter those eyelids and shake that booty she could awake to multiple stallions doting over her and confessing eternal love, like little perfect puppets. Oh god help her children! What things she was going to teach them. It put a small smile on her face. She could never imagine herself being a stict mom, she would teach them her rule, live how you want - however face the music when it comes calling. She brought herself up, had to learn every lesson the hard way and even though it was not easy its what molded her. So a few hard lessons leant by her children would not kill them.

However there was one difference, unlike her, they were going to have loving parents.

As Zeda turned she flinched slightly letting out a small groaning sound. Another cramp? a painful one at that. It would not be long, however the mare would be suprised just how soon a new chapter in her life would begin.

Zeda smiled at her, everyone seemed to be offering them out and it shocked her a little just how many people were their for her and Heha. They were all being so sweet and caring. She was grateful, in the past months she had found kindness, goodness in people which she was blinded to before. In a way she envied these children, they would be surrounded by love, a love that was still new even to their mother, she just hoped they appreciated it, as much as she did.

"T-hank you."

The mare finally uttered, bowing her head slightly in a soft voice which was rare for her. Those words still felt odd coming from her mouth, however she knew right now she had everything to be thankful for. Everything to live for. She squinted slightly, however pushed herself to stand straight once more filling up her lungs deep with the crisp winter air and releasing them. The pain fleeing from her for a moment, she forced a small smile onto her face to try and reassure the young mare. She was fine, these pains had been bothering her all day and she was used to them. She had to admit though as time went on they were getting more violent.

"I am fine, don't worr-"

Before she could even finish her words another pain started, she twitched once more letting out another small squeak and before she knew it she was on her knees in the water. It hurt so much what was going on? was it - no not yet, not here, she was not ready, Heha was not here. This could not be happening! In the shadows watched a young goat. Koda was Zeda's familiar and someone who was always worrying about her. Even when she did not know it he was always following her. Just to make sure she was safe and well, when he saw her fall to the water his little heart started to beat ten to the dozen. His crimson eyes widening. He had to get Heha! Soon little hooves where pattering as fast as he could force them.

Zeda opened her eyes to look at the mare. Even though she did not mean to, her eyes were asking the angeni for help. She needed it. More than she could imagine she needed it. Her heart seemed to sink, she was terrified about what was happening to her...

Zeda let herself be lead by the young glittering mare, her urge to fight against any kind of command had died and she was more concerned about the monsters trying to rip themselves out of her. She was dreading this. She had been told by countless mares it was the most painful thing anyone went through, especially for the first time. She never thought she would have to fight a opponent which she could not win. She could deal with pain when fighting but she was not fighting, she was just being hurt. Its all she could think about. She tried to think of other things. Anything to keep her mind off of what was happening to her. She felt the cool water cover her more and she seemed to just flop onto her knees. The water reaching up to her neck. Tears starting to form in her eyes. Her hair drooping and sticking to her with the moisture.

She then felt a slight release. Like a warm sensation in her stomach. She opened her eyes once clenched. A tear rolling down her face. She saw Chandra. She heard her. She knew she was not alone but for some reason she felt like she was. She gave her a small release. She saw she was trying to help as much as she could. Chandra was fighting, so should Zeda. She had to fight too. She had something to fight for - her children. She had to fight - to make sure they came into this world safely. Childbirth was a dangerous thing. She gritted her teeth another wave seeming to come over her. She took in some deep breathes, letting out small screams. Names? Oh she had some names alright, she could come up with some right now!

"Yes- Heha's heritage. Native American- with influences from my father. The names shall flow.... when we see them."

She managed to splutter out, taking more deep breathes, she could not seem to talk through the amount of air her body seemed to be sucking in. She thought about names a lot. However was stuck to narrow it down, she had decided she would choose the names when she sees her faols. Watch them grow, see what suits them. However Heha seemed to like the idea of naming them with influence from both their families. More tears flowed from the mates face, there was no doubt about it, they were coming....

"Hush little baby don't say a word... momma's going to buy you a mocking bird...

It seemed silly. However she started to sing, anything to keep her mind off of the pain. Off of the chaos and the blood that seemed to be flowing in the water. The full moon shining brightly, illuminating the soft surface of the lake.

The dark mare heard the words of encouragement and even though she was greatful for them she did not feel like she was doing that well. To be honnest she felt sick to her stomach and only a few moments in she felt like she was going to die, this could go on for hours and she did not know if she could take it. She wanted Heha. Everything would be so much better if he was just here, just his being near her, giving her a cuddle would be enough to calm her, even though she was greatful to Chandra it was not the same. However she was helping more than she thought she would, she knew that the pain would be so much worse if it was not for the healing abilities of the mare.

"And if that clover rin-"

She began before she gritted her teeth some more. Pretty much loosing all ability to make any noise other than moans and screams. Its funny, I am sure any other time people would be over the moon to know that Zeda could no longer talk. She cried some more. Any other time she would be yelling at herself for showing tears to people. Her crying was rare, in recent memory she can only remember twice, the first was when she told him they were having children. However crying from pain was something new, it usually just made her angry. Then again this was beyond any pain she had felt before.

Koda ran through the forest, his little feet pounding the floor leading the dark male to the lake. They were in too deep for him to stand near, after all he was small and did not posess the long legs the horses did. He came to a stop at the waters edge and panted. lttle legs had never run so fast.

"This way..."

He panted looking back to see if Heha had kept up, no dount he would. Zeda looked back over her shoulder, to see her familiar, her heart lifting slightly.