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The Meeting
Time has gone by and things of the past have all but been forgotten. Once in a great while a small, silvery, trickle of the ancient time creeps into our wandering thoughts and spills into our hearts. This is one of those times. Modern though the day is, ancient is the feeling we have, and ancient is the story to unfold once again. Fantasy is love !
It is a cold winter night and the moon brightly lights the forest floor. Laying very quietly in the glen is a frightened and alone creature. Being very cautious looking from side to side there is nothing stirring. When his mother told him to hide he just followed what she taught him and found this deep pocket in the grasses. Keeping silent was his biggest problem. Where had his mother run off too? When would she come back? How long should he wait? What if, oh no better not think of that. How did this all start in the first place?
It was a very peaceful day. All the creatures of the forest were roaming and visiting with one another. Suddenly there was a sound. What was that? No one had heard anything like that before. Loud, noisy, harsh and scary. All the birds flew off up into the highest of trees. His mother, Silentlove, looked at him and said, "Thistledown, I want you to be very, very quite and go to the hiding place I showed you. I will come for you as soon as I can. Now off you go and hurry, but be quiet."
Thistledown saw the look in his mother’s eyes and knew it was time to do exactly what she said and not to act like a teenager and get into trouble. Quickly he trotted to the appointed hiding place. Just as he laid down this terrible machine came roaring by with one of those frightful men riding on its back. And then another, and another, poachers. But they were not after wild deer, they were after his mother. A quick thought passed through Thistledown. Did his mother have enough time to work her magic? Was she safe?
A picture of his mother stayed in his mind. She was sleek and graceful as all unicorns are. Her flanks and shoulders were well muscled. You could see the muscles ripple as she walked. Ah but no, she did not just walk. She would glide across the ground as if on a cushion of air. Her neck was long and sleek, curving gracefully to her head. The long mane of hair was white as snow and seemed to stream down like a white foaming waterfall. Her hoofs were clean and shiny, golden in color and softly padded on the ground when she walked. A long flowing tail, also ever so white, followed her every move like a cloud. Yes his mother, Silentlove, was beautiful and no one could compare to her in Thistledown’s mind. She was his queen, his idol, and his only true love. Well almost anyhow. There is this new lady unicorn.........
But now was not the time to daydream. Mother has not come and it is getting late. The moon has risen over the mountain tops and the stars are twinkling. The men and their machines disappeared long ago. She should have been here by now. Thistledown decided he had hidden long enough. Now was time to worry about his mother and to go look for her. He knew the signs to follow. She would run very fast and dig her hoofs into the ground so the men would have a trail to follow. Then she would lighten her step and the trail would fade to almost nothing. Her scent would remain, but only unicorns could follow the scent. It was a secret they had so they could always find one another.
Walking back to where he last saw his mother he saw the tire tracks of the machines. They were headed to the same place he was headed. A new sense of danger ran through Thistledown and he shivered. He hurried to the spot he knew would start his journey to his mother. Finally, yes there is the place, and yes, there are the hoof prints he knew he would find. Quickening his pace he quickly followed the trail. His eyes constantly moving and his senses keen for any sign of the men. Now was the time to be wary. The tire tracks followed his mother’s hoof prints so he knew they were after her to capture her. A prize they could get many riches for, a unicorn.
The hoof prints began to lighten just as he thought they would. But wait, the tire tracks are still there. How can that be? Thistledown pressed on now concentrating on the scent he was following. The hoof prints could no longer be seen. The scent was strong and he could follow it easily. A happy thought came to him then. The men had no trail to follow so they must have gotten lost. Wait ! Something is wrong. The tire tracks are still there. His mother turned left and then quickly back to the right and up the hill out of the creek bed and the men followed her. How could they do that? There was no trail.
Suddenly the scent changed. Now Thistledown could sense fear along with his mother’s normal scent. Urgency quickened his step as he ran up the hill following the scent. There! There is his mother. And the men have her surrounded. They have ropes around her neck and they are getting ready to lead her off. Thistledown is ready to charge into the men and rescue his mother, when he hears her silent voice whisper to him, "No Thistledown. If they see you they will want to catch you too. Hide, hide, hide. I will be okay and will come to you when I can." Thistledown crouched low in the brush so the men would not see him as they led his mother off. He was angry, and sad, and wanted to run after his mother but he was obedient and did what she commanded. He was brave but he was also wise as unicorns usually are.
Walking back slowly to his part of the forest Thistledown was thinking of his mother and wishing he could have done something. The evening was getting late and the moon was high in the sky. Bright pale yellow it seemed to have a halo around it. Not a cloud in the sky now and the stars were all bright and winking on and off. With a sadness in his heart Thistledown was deep in thought, head down and walking along slowly. As he passed by all of his small animal friends saw the sadness in him. And as he passed by they whispered to each other, "His mother is gone. Poor Thistledown." The forest grew even quieter.
As Thistledown got close to his home he heard a soft voice saying, "Thistledown, I am so sorry. Can I help?" Quickly Thistledown looks up. Was that his mother’s voice? How could that be? I just saw her being led away by those men. "Who is there?" he asks. Alert now to the new voice, he looks around and sees no one. "Who is there?" he asks once again. "Speak up and show yourself." he commands in his best manly unicorn voice.
Stepping gracefully from behind a large maple tree is Rosepetal. Thistledown looks at her and is silent as she walks to him slowly. He sees her bright eyes and flowing mane. She is so white the moon beams reflect and flash from her back and flanks. Her hoofs are golden like his mother’s and her neck is so graceful and proud. When she walks it is like she is on a cloud. "Hello. he says, my name is Thistledown."
"Yes I know, she says, my mother told me all about you. She knows your mother really well. They are best of friends. My name is Rosepetal."
"Yes I know, he says, I have seen you before and my mother told me all about you. I have wanted to meet you for ever so long but I just, well, I did not have the chance. Would you like to walk with me? My mother has been taken away and I feel, so, lonely."
"Oh Thistledown, I feel so sad for you and yes I would love to walk with you and keep you company." says Rosepetal.
Walking slowly, side by side, Thistledown and Rosepetal are silent. They walk on through the night back to the meadow they both know as home. Every so often Thistledown glances toward Rosepetal and looks into her eyes. He wonders what he sees in the light of her eyes? As their flanks touch gently while walking he can feel the tension leave him and a flow of energy pass from Rosepetal to him. Thistledown is content. He knows time will be his friend as he moves closer to Rosepetal.
As Rosepetal walks beside Thistledown she can feel the tension within her. And each time, when he looks into her eyes, she wonders if he would see what she is thinking and feeling. She has heard about him for so long and was anxious to really meet him.
Suddenly Thistledown stops. He looks to Rosepetal and says, "In my rush I was so surprised to see you alone. Where is your mother? I have never seen you alone before."
Rosepetal looks at Thistledown and a large tear roll from each eye and trickles down her face to silently fall to the ground. Each tear hardens as it drops through the air and now rests on the forest floor in the leaves as perfect, round opals with all the lustrous colors of a rainbow.
Rosepetal speaks very softly and almost in a whisper says, "My mother was taken by the same men earlier this morning. I was hiding just as you were when they came. I am all alone now too."
Thistledown moves slowly to Rosepetal, nuzzles against her to comfort her. "You are not alone Rosepetal, he says, if you will let me I would love to be your companion." A sudden feeling overcomes Thistledown. He is puzzled and wonders to himself, "Why do I have these feelings ?"
The warmth and tenderness in the touch and snuggle of Thistledown, gave Rosepetal a nice feeling. She felt safe and loved. Rosepetal knew that she has found her companion and would never be alone anymore. Rosepetal says in a whisper to Thistledown, "Yes, I would love you to be my companion, sweet Thistledown."
Thistledown looks closely at Rosepetal and he could see the look in her big, bright, brown eyes. They were gleaming and he could not stop looking into them. She was beautiful, more beautiful than he had ever imagined. They both turned and began their walk once again, stealing glances at one another. As they walk on through the forest it seems all the Tree Dwellers followed. Bright colored birds flew through the air as if dancing to a waltz of golden strings. Velvet winged butterflies flitted about and one purple velvet wing dropped ever so gently upon Rosepetal's mane. With wings fluttering the butterfly appeared to be a wondrous jewel of the finest quality. Cotton tail rabbits hopped along following with noses twitching as though they could sing along with the birds that were nested high above. The deer and the antelope skipped along keeping pace and tapping a rhythm with their finely chiseled hoofs. It seemed as though even the wild flowers along the trail brightened with renewed color.
Thistledown brushed gently against Rosepetal as they walked along and a thrill ran through his flanks. His horn, once dull and gray, began to change color back to its vibrant golden color. All the Tree Dwellers rejoiced and were happy, for they had seen love bloom. Thistledown and Rosepetal continued slowly on their journey with the Tree Dwellers following behind and alongside. Stepping more lightly now, and with necks arched in great pride, the two lovers stole glances and looks secretly. But all their fine little friends knew, it was no secret, the Unicorns had truly become devoted, lifelong companions.
The unicorns slowly walked through the Tree Dwellers realm talking softly and stealing glances at each other. The Tree Dwellers kept pace and smiled all knowingly as the companions strolled along together. Happiness filled the forest and warmth was all around. As evening began to fall the unicorns knew they had to secret themselves off the path they were traveling. Thistledown lead the way into the thickened forest and found a small glade surrounded by deep, thick underbrush that would hide himself and Rosepetal from prying eyes until morning. Rosepetal slowly lowered herself to the ground for a well deserved rest. They had quite an adventure during the day and had traveled a long way. Thistledown stood and kept watch to make sure the forest remained quiet and then he slowly lowered himself to the ground beside Rosepetal. Both Unicorns nestled together nuzzling each other and slowly drifted off to sleep. Both dreamt of the day and slept lightly seemingly to listen for disturbing sounds once again. Slowly nightfall took them to a deeper sleep and they rested.
A cool light breeze drifted lightly across the sleeping Unicorns. Through the canopy of leaves golden streams of sunlight angled down from a brightly lit morning sky. Thistledown stirs and wakens. Quietly standing so as not to disturb Rosepetal he looks around through the surrounding brush and trees. Seeing no threat he walks slowly around the glade, surveying all to be seen. Satisfied that there is no threat, he gently brushes his muzzle against Rosepetal to rouse her from her slumber. Blinking the sleep away she hears Thistledown say, "Time to rise. We must be on our way. The Meadow Dwellers await our return. And I am sure that is where our mothers would like us to wait for them. They are near now and we will have our morning meal on the Meadow of Magic." Rosepetal rises and joins Thistledown. They nuzzle each other in greeting and slowly walk to the trail and resume their journey.
As
the two young unicorns walked along the path, Thistledown kept hearing
his mother's words, "No Thistledown. If they see you they will want to
catch you too. Hide, hide, hide. I will be okay and will come to you
when I can."
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