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Dark Ion arose one morning with a fire in his eye. He shook out his coat and noticed that Enthallion still slept and his brother was still off on a mission. He presumed he was scouting but wasn't so sure anymore. Perhaps he had found himself a mare to bed down with. Ion snorted at the thought, as is anyone could beat his fare Opal with looks or brains. She was simply too smart and too beautiful and all his. He grinned. His lovely little river. Ion felt the wind course through his mane and felt a heady zest for life. He went out for a quick graze to take the edge off and then loped to the apple tree to gather apples for Opal. He chose only the juiciest ones and gathered some alfalfa while he was at it.



Opal had disappeared well before day break. She was always around the others never just a moment alone with her Ion. She lay next to the river staring at the fish in the water. She let out a small sigh. "Some times I just wish for some time alone with him." She spoke to the fish. "Ohhh well. Guess that is the problems with being the leaders of a herd. Never any alone time. But I get alone time before anybody else wakes up." She rambled at the fish.

Ion was striding by the river when he saw Opal. Three apples dangled by their stems from his mouth and he cocked his head in consternation at her sweet voice. Was she talking to the fish? He thought only Tide did that. He lay the apples down and approached his mate. Opal my sweet, are you talking to the fish? he asked. He went and got the apples and lay them at her feet. Good morning, he murmured and rubbed his neck along hers. Isn't it s beautiful day? Tide is gone, Enthallion is still asleep and we are together alone at last. And to top it all off it isn't raining. He grinned.



Opal blushed a bit. "Yes was talking to the fish. I talk to them almost daily since I'm the only one awake at this time." She rubbed back against him. "Ohhh so we get alone time? Just you and me?" She felt elated at the prospect of just the two of them. "And you brought me a treat!" She started nibbling on an apple.

Yes my love just you and me. I hope you like the apples, they were the sweetest smelling I could find. Remind me to raid some carrots out of one of the gardens one day for a change of pace. Perhaps the humans would let me mow their grass for payment? What do you think? he laughed. I'll be right back, I have some alfalfa as well that I left back there. I could only carry so much. Ion raced back for the alfalfa and then deposited it at Opal's feet a smile on his face. There, breakfast. He began to munch his portion and the sweet aroma began to fill the air.

Ion crunched his alfalfa thoughtfully. He was enjoying the day when he noticed her watching him.
What? he asked. It's alfalfa. It's a very sweet plant that is very good. It carries a lot of energy! To demonstrate he stuffed his face full of his share. Haven't you ever had alfalfa? Ion poked a purple flower with his nose and inhaled the sweet scent. He hoped she liked it. Tide nudged her bunch closer to her and it rolled in a sweet smelling cascade.

So now a stallion can't treat a mare just because she deserves it? I haven't done anything wrong, you usually demand apples for breakfast anyway and I thought the alfalfa would make a nice side dish. I'm lucky I found it before Tide did, he hoovers the stuff within a three field radius usually.

And we need lots of energy because I want to spend the day with you alone. Just us. Enthallion will sleep for a good while and Tide should be back soon to babysit. That leaves you, me and that alfalfa some sweet and well deserved alone time. What is the point of leading our herd if we can't pull rank once in a while? he pranced around during his speech, looking for all the world like a puffed up little colt again, except bigger and more muscley.

I was thinking a sedate walk by the river actually. Since you seem so fond of the fish. Also your knees still pain you a bit don't they? He nodded to her lovely legs and brushed his muzzle over a knee.

Dark Ion gave her a flat look. Leave it to Tide to screw up his day but still the foal needed protection. Even now the two of them were not far from the sleeping colt. If Ion strained he could hear the snoring. Enthallion was a good boy who didn't deserve such a bumpy start in life. Ion was glad his memory wasn't quite complete. The colt slept quite soundly and was never disturbed by bad dreams unless there was thunder outside. Then he squished himself between Ion and Opal and stayed until it stopped.

Do you here hoofbeats? Ion was instantly on alert. They were heading for the tree. He had seen a strange stallion around a while ago, he might be following Enthallion's or Opal's scent. Well no one was going to harrass his adoptive son. Ion puffed up and loped off toward the tree, to see his brother cruising to a stop to plop down beside the foal for a nap. Ugh, There you go, he is back.

Tide shuddered at the truth in Opal's eyes.
"Okay okay, I'll make sure he lives through the day!"
Ion smiled at the protective mare. "Yes Tide and once shes through with you it is my turn." The stallion bared his teeth wickedly and stomped at his brother.
"Wow you guys woke up on the wrong side of the tree," said Tide. "He will be safe, I won't leave and patrol went well by the way. I met someone who I hope you guys will really like. I'm hoping that she will become my mate. We are just dating now. Also there is a mare on the crags who might come down to tell Enthallion some stories one day."

"I am entrusting the youngest member of our herd to you, don't disapoint me brother. Oh and while you are at it, why don't you take Enthallion over
to the apple tree, there are some nice ripe ones on the grounds at the moment." Ion made a point of not mentioning the alfalfa.

Tide gave them a flat look for all the rules that were being imposed on him. He knew that Kainda would never hurt a foal. He was also pretty sure that Mystic's Night wouldn't either. He brightened at the mention of a run though, he was a little cramped from too much walking recently.

Ion grinned at his brother from behind Opal's back. He turned and began their journey. Perhaps a nice mountain hike would work for a change of scenery. "Come on Opal, let us leave the poor confused stallion to his nephew." Ion nudged her tenderly. He wont let anything happen to Enthallion with our wrath hanging on the other side.

I was thinking a hike up the mountain would be good, there is a nice look out that is easy to get to and will not strain your knees. Ion hummed a little, he was happy that they were together too, without the tag along distractions of Tide and Thali. How are your knees? Are they nearly healed now? he asked as they walked away from the pine.

"That was a good idea, i wish i had thought of it. I slept well thanks, Tide's snoring wasn't there to wake me up." he laughed. "I am glad your knees are healing." he nudged her back and snagged at a few blades of grass as they passed them. "I hear there are mountain blueberries where we are going but i have yet to try them."