Welcome to Gaia! ::

The slight swell of her stomach was merely confirmation-- she had sensed the change weeks ago, but, unsure, had waited, observant. Unlike her mother, few were the bucks in her life, but like Edge, she spared no thought for the father, her mind was on the children. That morning she'd risen from her customary bed in the cavern, taken a whole rabbit from the Killstone for herself (for who knew how long this journey would take), and left with only a soft word to the ever watchful Dares-To. She hadn't a clue where she was going, but like the search for her own mother years before, she let her hooves guide her, trusting the Swamp to draw her to one whose blessing she sought.

[quote="Amorpheous]And thank you again, we can make these short and quick if you prefer - Edge and Marshdove will get right to the point xD

Marshdove didn't miss a step at the sudden appearance of the cheetah-- her ensuing pause was so that they might converse, and that she might fully absorb how exactly it had appeared. A shifted leaf allowed a sunbeam to reach the swamp floor and then it was there, as if the light itself had brought it forth.

"Wondrous." The word was soft as a sigh, borne by the tranquil smile she gave the mare. She bowed her head, a fluid sweeping motion. "Thank you for coming."

The doe's soft smile, a gentle curve of the corner of her lips, indicated Marshdove's agreement more than words could. Rarely was the tranquil state of her mind perturbed by emotion, but there was a touch of excitement, nigh delight, at the life that grew within her.

"If I may, I would request your blessing for them."

A question in exchange? Oh the stories the mare must have heard and collected, from the many kin who approached her.

"Of course, I would be happy to."

She pondered the question for a long moment, turning it over in her head. Struggle was not something she agonized over, or even really disliked. It was something she undertook as necessary, a means to an end that she carried out with such innate diligence that it wasn't really a hardship for her, it just was. That was not an answer the mare wanted, though, so she turned the words over once more. What did she most value that she had had to work for? Instantly her thoughts turned to the relationship she had very much had to build with her mother, and the change it had brought about in the older doe, the formation of the tribe, her mother's learning of leadership and her own hoof in that education.

"The unity of my tribe," she said at last, paused a moment to organize the details, then added in explanation: "My mother is a stubborn leader, better at settling conflict with a well placed hoof than a well chosen word. It is a delicate balance, advising without undermining her while still letting no dispute go unsettled." It was also something of a thankless job, but for that, Marshdove was not bitter. She did not begrudge the struggle, merely took pride in the result.