Welcome to Gaia! ::

Renesme had finally given birth to three beautiful babies, luckily his daughter Chandra had prepared for this and had three made... it appeared she also expected three from Alice, who Maion had to admit was much bigger than Renesme was and seemed to be having much more difficulty simply carrying than her daughter had. A twang of guilt wormed its way into the pit of his stomach... had Sengdroma had difficulties? He hadn't been there, hadn't known she was even prgenant.... but the thought of her being in pain, of suffering and him not being aware of it to help broke his heart.

He forced it away, he knew he would do better next time... whenever 'next time' occured. Yet right now Maion needed some fresh air and a think, he had spend most of the last few weeks supporting the herd, lending them a shoulder to lean on an open ear willing to listen to their troubles. Moral had started to lift again, the worst of the trumor after the skinwalker attack was behind them now -something Maion was very happy about.

Maion was currently going to check on the protectors he had positioned all around the herd lands, it was also a good excuse to think and may be even find a treat for his mate Sengdroma. Berries where her faviourite but he would often bring her back a variety to ensure whatever she fancied was available to her. Elijah wiggled in Maions mane, the little fox had been Maion's companion for years and one of Maion's dearest friends. "Are you ok little Elijah?" He asked with a slight chuckle in his voice, recently his little familar had become smitten with Chandra's little mouse Moon. Quick friends. It pleased him to see his own friend happy but anothers doing... it had been so long since Elijah had trusted another. He hoped that was yet another sign that things were changing. Becoming.... better. For everyone.

When the Miakoda herd was happy, Maion was happy.

Maion was nearly done passing through the area when he felt a sudden change in the wind, trained eyes found the source easily enough as a stallion made his way towards him. In many ways there was nothing unusual about it; for years those of the other breeds had beamed in on him due to his breed -hoping that he could help them in some way. If he could Maion would try to. Though some requests where heartwrenching he had no power to help... one that always stood out was a small mare who begged him to bring her mate and child back to life. He couldn't, Maion had no power over the dead no matter how much he wanted to help the desperate mare. It still stung.

Still the stranger approched, and from a distance it almost looked like Scythe coming to join him. Since Maion had been dating and then mated with Scythe's daughter Sengdroma, Scythe had taken the time to mingle and report updates of the are to Maion -which return Maion would do in return. A well informed herd was a stronger herd. The alliance between the two family herds had been benefitical to them both, and Maion wasn't sure if the Miakoda herd could have stood alone against the two skinwalkers who dared enter their lands with malice intent.

Yet as the stallion got closer Maion could see it was not Scythe, but someone else -someone Maion had met a long time ago. Aether -Sengdroma's travelling brother. He smiled politely listening to Aether's words before finally saying; "Welcome back Aether. You know you are more than welcome here... you sister will be overjoyed to see you again." It was true, Sengdroma held famly very close to her heart. He chuckled softly; "But since you are asking for my permission -it is granted." Elijah wiggled again and then popped her little head out of Maion's large mane. Most just thought that Maions hair was magic as it wiggled and danced seemingly of its own accord, Maion didn't reveal Elijah to many in fear that she would become injured or harmed in some way. After everything that little fox had been through Maion had no intention to make her life worst. "Everything is fine... what about you?"

The only problem Maion was having was trying to figure out why Aether was here, over the years they had seen or heard little of or from Sengdroma's littermate brother. Still, there was only one way to learn that -to talk. "Walk with me Aether, I am about to return to the herdlands." He smiled softly and turned to head in the lakes direction, the motivation of seeing his own family a growing need within him.

"The wanderer settling down... do my ears desieve me?" Maion asked with a c**k of his eyebrow and a smile of his lips. The very idea that Aether was 'returning home to stay' would cause such a tantalising sensation of gossip for weeks between the herd... so much so that Maion wondered if the other stallion knew what he was doing. Still, with a playful chuckle he said; "There is always room for family Aether, so... who is this mate of yours? A pretty little thing no doubt."

Maion may joke with his herdmate about pretty young mares, but the truth was he couldn't really see it to pass comment. He only had eyes for his mate Sengdroma -Aethers sister from the same litter- sure he could pass a glance and say that any mare was pretty, but in comparison to Sengdroma they were pale examples of womanhood. No.... to him Sengdroma was everything. He smiled at the thought, wondering if every man who had their heart stolen by a mare believed the same, and if like him they would have it no other way?

After a moment he turned and started to lead them to the herdlands, they probably could have flown... but since his mate was grounded Maion had made a habit of walking most places, he usually only used his wings for long journeys without because he wanted to return as soon as he could -a trip that would take days on foot would take much shorter in the air. "How have you been old friend?" Part of Maion wasn't sure how to act around Aether, they had only really met the once all those years ago.... had he changed much in that time? Maion knew he had, so surely the same could be said for Aether. The only question that really remained was -how had the other stallion changed? No matter what had befalled him Maion hoped he was happy.

Maion smiled and just from listening to Aether's words knew that the other stallion was very much in love. Love was a good thing, it seperated them from the heartless beasts such as skinwalkers.... the attack of the skinwalkers was still fresh in his mind, the protective impulse in his body twicthing for him to keep his herd safe, to protect his family. "Sgina, that is a pretty name. She sounds wonderful and different from what I remember of Nevaeh." Maion had only met Nevaeh for a moment from a distance, but she had seemed much different to the mare that had stolen Aether heart. "She is welcome to come here, even if she does not join the Miakoda herd with you."

Still, there was a curiousity to this sudden change in his brother-in-law... why? "Not that I am not pleased to have you join us.... but why now? What has changed Aether? Are you in trouble? Or is it as simple as wanting to protect your mate?" The urge to protect was something Maion could relate to with ease.

At the mention of the new baskets Maion nodded with a smile, he had missed the popping of his own babies but he had been lucky enough to see several new arrivals in the herd. "Yes, there are three beautiful baskets. Everyone is taking bets about what secrets lie inside given how unique and different the parents are. My current guess is two boys and girl- given that there is one very pink basket and two greeny blue ones. But I could be wrong. Sengdroma tells me that she believed she was having two boys and a girl... but we had two girls and a boy." He would have loved to have seen his children as baskets. But he had already sworn to himself that only something extreme would keep him from his mate next time... and he was sure there would be a next time.

Then the conversation changed direction again, a seriousness filled his expression as he spoke. "The herd is healing, getting stronger again.... you see, two seasons ago we were attacked by two skinwalkers. Thankfully the protectors and I managed to drive them back." He didn't wish to reveal secrets, secrets that he had only told his mate. Kimi was family.... adopted or not, he was her brother and so she was his sister.... Maion couldn't kill his family, though he had promised Sengdroma that if she ever dared to threaten them again.... he would kill her.

Maion smiled softly, "I am sure Rune and Renesme will be honoured and glad you are here. I know your sister, my mate, is especially happy that we have so many new arrivals in the herd. Renesmes mother is also pregnant." Poor Alice was very ill though, and even with Chandra and Io working as hard as they could they still found it difficult to keep the mare awake and lucid most of the time.... she was hanging in, for her children, but no one knew how much longer any of them could last. It was a worry indeed. "How does it feel to be a grandfather? I hope to be one too one day.... I only fear that day will come too soon, it will mean my children are grown." He chuckled, "Is it silly that I still see them as my babies?" He said as he watched Aether softly, he loved his children, even wanted more.... but part of him was scared they would grow up too quickly. Scared he would miss them.

At the mention of Aethers other son Auberon Maion chuckled once more, "I wish the boy luck.... he will have his hooves full when he manages to accomplish the task he has set himself. I trust the mare he has picked is good for him?" He had heard rumours that Auberon was indeed a character, though Maion couldn't remember ever meeting the stallion in person, he knew that Rune had mainly been brought up with his mother and Scythes herd.... how different a childhood could be for siblings of the same litter.

"It was a dark time." He said, stating it as a matter of fact. The skinwalker attack was a darkness, but thankfully the light could also destroy the darkness when it was strong enough..... a beam of light, guiding, caressing and keeping those warm and save if they embraces it. What better light than that of the Moon and stars, magic lingered in each... and for the Miakoda herd the light was returning. "No one was injured too badly, thank the Moon. We took some damage but we left the skinwalkers far worst then they us. One recieved a broken wing, the other deep cuts. Hopefully they will think twice before attacking us again... especially with our numbers increasing. I must admit the two pregnant mares did much for moral." Yes, the pregnant mares had shone like beacons of hope after the attack. Good timing.