The morning was crisp and cool as the sun rose into the sky, a light breeze flitting through the grove with tiny snow flurries mixed within that made up Pandora’s little home. Well, it wasn’t so small anymore. It seemed like just yesterday that she found herself here as a small foal, under the large willow tree’s leaves did she find sanctuary. Now it seemed like a dream. Her family had found her. She had friends and found even more loved ones. Even finding ties with neighboring herds to forge and strengthen bonds of unity. A fleeting smile crossed her face, her eyes softening. She’d even found someone she liked. Not that she had admitted her feelings yet but the time for that would be later. The Grand Willow had treated her with nothing but love and kindness, and now, with the turning of the new year, it was time to give back to Her.“Auntie?”
“Hmmm?” Pandora turned from placing a hoof made trinket for their protector curiously, and as her eyes fell downwards, the small bundle of energy that was her nephew came into view.
Zenith’s tail swished from side to side curiously as he tilted his head up towards his aunt to regard her actions in earnest, “what’re you doing?”
Pandora’s gaze went from her nephew and back to the trinket that was now hanging from one of the long hanging branches in their grove, “these are wish trinkets for the new year. They’re a way for us to commune with the Grand Willow and seek her guidance and blessings through these.”
She stepped back and beckoned Zenith to follow her towards a part of the Grand Willow that already had a number of trinkets clasped within its leaves and branches.“Each one is unique to the soquili or familiar who made them. Some requesting peace, others requesting strength, the colors and attachments beckoning the Grand Willow’s grace to follow them through the new year.”
“Have yours ever come true?” Zenith couldn’t help but ask after he came to stare at one trinket made of purple hair, glowing blue mushrooms, and a feather.
Pandora smiled serenely, “indeed they have small one.”
The colt smiled and swished his tailed in anticipation, “will you help me make one?”
With a nod of Pandora’s head she beckoned her nephew to follow her towards the base of the tree. Underneath sat boxes and bowls of various feathers, beads, flowers both dried and fresh, and many additional options. Zenith trotted over to them to get a good look at everything as Pandora hummed while pulling out some string.
“Think of what you desire to accomplish this year or wish to send out unto others, and pick what speaks to you. Let your feelings guide you. There are no wrong answers.”
Piece by piece Zenith grabbed a few beads, a hawk feather, and some colorful flowers. Placing them in front of himself once he sat down, tucking his legs under him and curling his tail around his body, he patiently waited for Pandora to join him. A moment later she did so, low hanging tendrils of her tree tickling his side as she also tucked her legs under her.
“From here follow your instincts. Place your selections in an order that speaks to you while holding your wish in your mind.”
Piece by piece he did so with determination. His desire at the front of his mind as he used his muzzle to manipulate them in an order that he felt worked best. Beads intermingled with flowers with the hawk feather as the final piece at the end.
“Okay, I like this best.”
“Looks good, Zen,” Pandora smiled down at him, “Let’s get everything on the string.”
With a whistle, Pandora called up the tree behind her, summoning a couple of squirrels from their home. Upon reaching the ground, they squeaked at her and looked at Pandora with a tilt of their heads. She beckoned them to look at Zenith’s creation, and with a chirp they began their work weaving everything together into a familiar shape that made up many of the already hanging pieces. Once they were done, Pandora thanked them by giving each a few walnuts, and with a happy chirp, they went back up the tree.
With the encouragement of Pandora, both of them stood back up with Pandora holding Zenith’s creation with her mouth. And with a hum, her partner Nova flew over and landed on her back. Between the two of them, she weaved the new creation into the low hanging leaves of the willow tree. Stepping back, she looked down at Zenith once more.
“Send your wishes to the Grand Willow in earnest, and she’ll grant them in kind.”
Zenith smiled as he did so, feeling the fleeting breeze through the grove as a few tendrils of leaves tickled his back.
“Thank you, Auntie.”
“You’re most welcome darling one. Happy new year.”
[ FIN ]
