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 Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 9:49 pm
The brown and spotted filly took a moment to watch the other little ones. All rushing, and tripping and tumbling. Her ears flattened a bit as she saw the large light colored big one move to the other filly. She didn't like the attention seeking. It was just rude. After all she hadn't even tried to get up yet, why did she deserve all the attention? She snorted lightly, looking back at the ground before her ears picked up the encouraging murmurs from her larger look alike. She let out a happy whinny in response, tail flicking as she looked back at her hooves. Sliding one leg, then the other, and planting the hooves, she managed to hoist herself up. The sudden height change made her head swim a moment and she kept it low till it stopped. However she then lifted her head to beam at the others, feet spread apart to far to allow her to walk, but enough to keep her stable. Moving her feet hadn't even crossed her mind yet.
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Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:30 pm
The little painted colt stood again at his father's urging. As his he stood his legs wobbled unsteady for a few moments and then he was standing quite solidly on his own. Now what? The colt could feel that his stomach was trying to tell him something again. It wanted something, he looked around and spotted what instinct told him was his mother. There! She had what he wanted.
Slowly, and very very carefully the little foal moved his hooves, picking one up at a time and placing it in front of the other. Well now, this was quite easy really! His short little tail wiggled a little in his excitement and he made it over to his mother without falling again.
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:59 am
Maponus wasn't sure where to keep his eyes. All the foals were getting up and walking about, oh my this was going to be a big job keeping up with all of them. Looking up at Shylah he was still all smiles. "Yes, I will speak with Alaunus shortly about it." He didn't want to leave just yet, four foals was alot of look after and Shylah would likely appreciate him sticking around for a little while longer. He closed his eyes for a moment and let out a content sigh. The Spirits had blessed them well on this day, with so many strong and healthy foals. The herd would be thrilled to find out. Though he was sure they had a pretty good idea that the foals were here from his rush though the grove earlier.
The tawny and white cold slowly took a few steps away from Shylah. While his legs were still a bit wobbly he felt a bit more comfortable with walking now. Lifting his legs he began to walk around small grove, he stumbled here and there but never fell down. His short tail flickered back and forth happily at this. Slowly he made his way over to his father and smallest sister. Once standing with them his snorted happily and stretched his neck out, nipping at his sisters mane in a playful manner.
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 5:49 am
Shylah watched with proud eyes as the foals all got their legs starting to work - she had seen foals learn to walk before but it was different she out hen it was your own younglings learning, she found herself catching her breath at every stumble and nickering approval at every step. And this she knew as just the start o things - imagine how proud she would be when they got thier names...grew up, got jobs in the herd why maybe someday even one of them would end up taking over for her and Maponus when they were no longer capable of leading! There would be many moments in the future she knew of which she would be proud, and this seemed to be a pretty good stat to all their lives together.
With these thoughts flooding her mind and no doubt filtering out through her eyes Shy turned her gaze to look upon Maponus where he stood with two of the foals. He would be an excellent father she knew and the foals - they would grow to be excellent members of the herd. There was no doubt of this in Shylah's mind, they would never suffer the loss and terror that she and Maponus had before. Shylah would stake her life on ensuring that never happened.
"They are all walking' She told the stallion "I think it is time to leave this small grove and introduce them to he herd properly. We must not wait t much longer to name them or the spirits will think we don't appreciate their gifts" She concluded with a slight bob of her head and well - she didn't want to considered what might happen if the gods started to think that.
The small filly returned her brother's friendly nips with some over exuberant ones of her own - he was quite a bit bigger then her but if that bothered her she certainly didn't let it show. Letting out a loud snort she used her muzzled to shove her brother n the neck happily.
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Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:39 pm
The larger filly snorted a bit at her siblings movements. All running around willy nilly. There was no reason to do that, was there? However at her mother's approval, she figured she should move. At least to find a better spot to- The filly's stomach clenched and she blinked. It kinda hurt. She sniffed, nose flaring, before she took careful steps, picking her way along the ground to reach her larger double. She nudged her mother's side, when she reached her, before looking at her siblings again. A winny and she shook her little mane out. She'd moved all this way, those by the other one could just have their play time. Besides, the other brown one was by their mother as well. Maybe he'd play with her? Or something? However she noticed the big one was making noise. Her ears perked and she bobbed her head as her mother had done.
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Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2010 7:05 pm
The little brown colt looked around at his siblings for a few moments, then noticing the other brown one near him he made his way closer to her. Carefully and softly he nipped her a little and backed away playfully. The other two foals were seeming to have fun and he wanted to join in. Unlike them however, he wasn't quite as brave about it. He didn't want to hurt his siblings and he wasn't about to get hurt too badly himself.
Quickly, before his sister could bite him back he moved to hide under the large brown one. He carefully placed himself behind her legs in a small attempt to hide, ready to dart if she chased after him.
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Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2010 7:12 pm
The white and tawny colt was having a great time playing with his siblings. Letting out a soft whinny while his sister pushed her head into his neck. It unbalanced him a bit, but he managed to stay up. His attention turned to his parents, first to his mother, then to his father. He looked so much like his father and he let out a whinny as he watched him leave the grove, but his attention returned to his siblings quickly. He head butted his sister back, not all that hard, just enough to nudge her, before glancing at his other sister and brother.
Maponus had to agree with Shylah. He knew not to anger the spirits, especially not after what happened to the herd only a few months prior. "Yes, I will go speak with Alaunus right now and arrange for the ceremony." With one last quick glance at Shylah and their foals Maponus turned and left the small grove.
---
Carrying himself at his full height, bear pelt on his back Maponus let out a loud whinny as he entered the larger grove, alerting all the others of the news. A chorus of whinnies called back to him as he made his way over to the section of the grove that was for the elders. It was Alaunus who met him with a smile on his maw. "We have been greatly blessed today Grove Keeper Alaunus." Maponus told the older stallion as he came to a stop.
Alaunus dipped his head slightly as the Astral Walker came up to him. He had known well before the stallion came of what news he carried. The Spirits had been restless all day, a sure sign of something to come. "Indeed Astral Walker. The blessed sprouts have arrived." A soft breeze came across the open grove shifting the vines within the elders mane. "A special occasion for a new herd."
"Yes, it is indeed a special occasion. One that we wish to not overlook. That is why I am here. Shylah and I want to have the naming ceremony shortly so as to show out appreciation to the Spirits of the gifts they have bestowed upon us." He was still unsure of what they would call the foals, but he had no doubt that the Spirits would grant him that knowledge when the time came.
Alaunus bobbed his head. "Yes, we can arrange for it immediately. It will take us not long to prepare, we have been awaiting this day for some time now." He said with a smile on his maw. The three elders had been discussing in much depth as to when the foals when arrive and were mostly ready to preform the naming ceremony at a moments notice. It was merely a matter of gathering the herd and items required for the particular ceremony. From what he knew Duska and Divone had already gathered what was needed and were merely waiting as he had been for the word from Maponus. "Now, go return to your family. Bring them to the grove and we will be ready for you."
"Thank you Alaunus." With a small tip of his head Maponus turned and began trotting back to the small grove he left Shylah and the foals in. His heart was racing over the excitement of seeing them again and giving them their official names. That made his mind race, what should they name them? They needed to be good names, strong names that reflected the foals personality but also the herds beliefs. Taking a deep breath he walked through the bank of trees again, entering the smaller grove. His eyes settled upon the foals and Shylah and he couldn't help but smile. "Alaunus will be ready for us whenever we get to the sacred grove." He told Shylah as he stepped close to her, giving her a nuzzle before looking back at their children. "Amazing isn't it?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 3:09 pm
The smallest of the foals let out a pleased whicker as her brother nudged her back, snorting at him she tossed her head slightly eyes widening as their father left, though mother didn't seem to concerned about it so she decided it wasn't worth worrying about and went back to tormenting her brother, lipping at his mane and tugging at it lightly.
Shylah watched as Maponus left, his tawny hide disappearing from sight before she turned back to her foals - all of whom were still trying to get accustomed to walking and moving on four feet, Shylah knew that once they were standing such things came quickly and she was right. By the time Maponus returned with news of the Naming Ceremony all the foals looked much steadier then they had been when he left.
Nudging them all in the right direction Shylah encouraged them to follow "Come on everyone - time to get your names" She told them in a sing-song voice as they left the relatively closed in grove of trees and entered the meadow, in the center of which lay their destination - a larger grove with the Sacred Oak its defining feature. "They are learning so quickly!" She exclaimed to Maponus as she watched them moving on hooves only a short time ago they had found awkward and disconcerting.
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 8:06 pm
The brown colt watched a little wide eyed as his father left and then continued on trying to play with his sister. He had barely even noticed his father's return until his mother made more noise. It seemed that she and his father wanted something. The colt stood for a moment in slight confusion until his mother nudged him forward. Once he realized what she wanted he was happy to prance about and follow his parents. The foal found great joy in his new legs that seemed much more sturdy then they had been just a little while ago.
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Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:32 am
Maponus smiled as his watched his children, somewhat wobbly, make their journey into the sacred grove to where the herd had gathered. With the occasional bump from his muzzle he helped steer the four foals to the center of the circle made by the other herd member. The he carefully lined up each foal beside one another, whispering in their ears for them to stay silent and still during this ceremony. Maponus had no doubt that they would listen to him. Then he took his place behind them, standing at Shylah's side and nodded to Alaunus they they were ready to begin.
Alaunus stood in silence as he watched the parade of foals appear in the grove. They all looked strong and healthy, a sure sign of the new herds strength. Once he knew that they were ready for the ceremony to begin he lifted his head and let out a loud whinny, bringing any chatter that may be occurring to a stop.
"We have gathered to celebrate and bless these new lives in this world. Love has created a gift and from across the veil spirit has joined within. As parents, the birth of these children has transformed your lives. That transformation will continue as long as you live. You have many gifts to give and share with these small ones. There is power in names, to name is to know. How will we know your children?"
Maponus listened to Alaunus' words and eyes glanced at the foals. He almost instantly knew what their names would be, the Spirits were making that quite clear. Taking a step forward he rested his nose on the back of the first colt, the one who looked almost exactly like he did. "We name him Gawain."
Then he took a step to the side and laid his nose on the smallest fillies back. "We name her Keelin." Taking another step to the side he rested his nose on the filly that looked very much like Shylah. "We name her Katima." Finally he took another step and rested his nose on the last colt. "We name him Ortzi ." With the foals names being given he returned to his spot beside Shylah.
All good strong names Alaunus thought before continuing on with the ceremony. "Behold the children of the Ancestors: Behold the children of the earth and nature, Behold the children of spirit. May they be blessed with a strength of spirit that will guide them on their own chosen path. May they be blessed with a kindness of heart. May they be blessed with beauty in all the realms. May the family be blessed with the joys that only a children can bring." Letting out another loud whinny he glanced at the other two elders flanking him. His part of the ceremony was over, now it was Divone's turn. Alaunus took a step back to give her room to work.
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Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:45 am
As she had on the day the grove had been blessed Divone once more held a small burning oak branch in her grasp, unlike the first ceremony however this branch had been born of the new tree and the new grove,the last ceremony had used the last of the old groves sacred branches. It was fitting however the roaned mare thought to herself as she stepped towards the new foals, the foals were the beginning of new life for the herd, the first born using the first sacred branch.
The branch burned brightly and the smoke drifted in swirls though the air about her head as she made her way to the small beasts, she moved slowly knowing that the smell of the smoke and the blazing branch could sometimes be frightening to young foals - but she had done this before and kept things slow and smooth. Nothing frightening here in the least she told them with a warm gaze although she could not speak due to the branch in her mouth.
Waving the branch in a circular patter first around each foals head to bind the names to their souls as individuals - and lastly trotting a circle about the entire family to bless them with each others strength and bind them together as all families were meant to be before moving back to the group of elders.
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Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 9:56 am
Duska moved forward as Divone made her way back, the bones woven into her tail rattling loudly with each step before she drew to a stop before th foals and regarded each of them individually with a slight turn of her head and few unheard mumblings, as though she spoke to something only she could hear before nodding her head slightly as though in agreement.
"The spirits are pleased with the names chosen!' She declared. "The Astral Walker Maponus has heard their whispers correctly and so shall the foals be blessed with a long and fruitful life - as long as they stay true to the herd and the way" She continued, adding a bit of caution to her last statement, caution that was meant more for the rest of the herd and their parents then the foals themselves. Foals were pure beings - it would be the parent and the herd that would have to make sure they stayed that way.
"Their names have been bound by the sacred flame..and never shall these four be known as anything else save the title they earn as adults" Moving once more Duska dipped her head into the pouch hanging around her neck and pulled out a leaf that seemed somewhat sticky, sticky with the sap of the sacred oak, sap she had carefully harvested just that morning. Wiping the leaf and the sap across the forehead of each foal in turn before returning the leaf to her pouch. "So are they indoctrinated into the herd, members in full of the Followers of The Moon, bound to us all by the blood of the mother tree" Giving her tail one last clattering swipe she returned to her place.
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Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:06 am
Alaunus stepped forward again, taking his place ahead of the other two elders."And so we welcome the first Blessed Sprouts into the herd. May they bless our days and nights with their presence. May they grow strong in our ways." His eyes fell upon the foals once more for a few moments and then glanced our at the herd. "So ends the naming ceremony." He stated firmly. The herd was now free to return to their duties or whatever they had been doing before they were called.
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Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:13 am
Keelin's eyes had gotten just a little bit wider with each step of the naming process, but she had managed to stand still as he father had asked her, had even arched her neck proudly upon receiving her name. Keelin...it was a good name she thought, she liked the way it sounded, the spirits had chosen well for her.
When the older grey-white stallion had seemingly dismissed then she turned her head to look upon her brothers and sisters, they all had names now an wasn't that exciting?
Shylah smiled and bobbed her head in thanks to the elders as Alanus dismissed them all once more. Turning she nuzzled Maponus "Those are good strong names...they will serve them well throughout their lives" She told her mate proudly even as she nodded to the passing herd members offering their congratulations and own private blessings to th foals.
The under current of pride in the herd was unmistakable, these foals showed for sure that the spirits were pleased with the herd once more and that whatever sin had brought the disease upon them before had been forgiven.
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Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 10:27 am
Maponus bowed his head to the elders as they departed before returning Shy's nuzzle. "Yes, I'm sure they will." It would be a complete and utter shame if any of the foals did not live up to their strong names. Though he pushed that thought quickly out of his mind. They would be good foals, and mature accordingly as they grew. Once the last of the herd members stopped to bless the foals and congratulate the parents Maponus turned his attention to the foals for a moment before looking at Shy. "We should show them around now that their legs are getting nice and steady."
Gawain had stood silent and still just as his father had directed. Though his eyes did roam a bit to each of the horses that were doing their part of the ceremony. When he had felt his fathers touch on his back and heard his name called out he felt so much joy. Gawain, what a good name, he thought. Once the ceremony was over and it was just his parents and siblings standing there he turned to face the others. Standing proud and tall of his name, as well as his siblings names.
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