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"None of the females in my Glory have chosen a heart companion yet, but there have been matings. Wilca and Eclipse, the parents of our three young colts have not bonded, and it seems they have no intention of doing so. There is a couple who seem to be heading down that path, but it's too early to know for sure. Giving one's heart to another, and then being out on patrol for days at a time, might put a strain on the relationship I think. If I were to give my heart to another, I would want them with me always. I could not imagine them being away from me for so long a time. But our numbers are few, so our options are also few." She decided to tell him of her leader's request. "Lord Baldur has been looking for winged unicorns to join the Glory, but those like yourself seem to be few and far between here. Perhaps in time, more will arrive from the old world, but until then, our only hope of increasing our numbers is for those like myself to look for someone like you Rhu, who might be willing to mate with us, in the hopes that our offspring will be winged like the parent. It's the reason I am out here now. Before long, Wilca's boys will be weaned, and my time will be taken up with caring for them while she goes out on patrol." There, she had said it. She could only hope that her words would not harden his heart to her. She wanted to return to the Glory, heavy with child.

As she stood there, listening to him, her heart was literally in her throat. Would he agree? Or would he spurn her request and leave her as suddenly as he had found her? She wasn't expecting him to return to the Glory with her, not even through the birth. She would not presume to intrude on his freedom. Then the words she had hoped for him to say came.

"Show me this herb please, and I will gladly eat of it. And your condition is most acceptable dear Rhu. Be assured that any children we have will know of their father, and should they wish to go live with you, I will gladly accept their decision." She half hoped that the condition would never come to be met, for the picture he had painted of his homeland was a bleak and dangerous one, and she could not bring herself to see one or more of her children living in such a place. But that was a story not yet written, and only time would tell. Perhaps one day he would find himself living here in her land, in a Glory where her children would be safe and secure.

It eased her heart, mind and soul to hear him voice her concerns himself. She supposed that should he ever find himself in a position to care for one or more of their children, he would seek her out in her Glory. She watched him disappear into the underbrush and then emerge shortly thereafter. She lowered her head to sniff at the herb he had placed before her. Would something so simple truly enhance her chances at a larger number of children? If it would, then the chances of giving the Glory more winged offspring was well worth the risk. Looking up at Rhu she said, "Thank you," and then took the herb in her mouth, chewed it and then swallowed. She was hoping that he would not wish to leave as soon as their night was over. She had so many questions she wanted to ask him. For if she was to tell their children of their father, she would need to know more about him than what she had learned so far.

She followed him into the protected glade, and they spent the next two days, telling each other of their lives. She asked him all manner of question about his life across the border, and he humored her by answering them. On the morning of the third day, she was able to sense new life stirring within her. She told Rhu of their success, and then bid him farewell. She would return to the Glory successful, and she would revel in the knowledge that she carried Rhu's firstborn within her womb.