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On To the Village Dwellers
Lingering among the Lake Dwellers brought strength and renewed confidence to Rosepetal. The afternoons she spent with the swan gave her information she needed and a bit of sadness as well. She knew she should be getting her new found knowledge from her mother. As the days passed she would secretly watch Thistledown as he roamed the lake edges and kept watch for her safety. A look of strength and resolve appeared all about his countenance. His stride became longer and firmer with his hoofs resonating as he walked about his realm. Smiling softly to herself she thought, "He is my companion and companion he will always be."
On the third day of their rest Thistledown woke early to survey their safety as he was want to do each morning and all day long. Looking to Rosepetal he nodded to her thoughts. "Yes today is the day we need to set out for the Village Dwellers. We have lingered long and need to move on and get you the care you need." Rosepetal nodded in agreement and thought to herself, "Yes we do need to move on and see the doctor. Thistledown would certainly be worried if he knew how quickly the time will come."
After a leisure breakfast side by side at the lakes edge the Unicorns strolled on slowly to the swans lingering at the waters edge. Bowing his head gracefully low to their host Thistledown says, "We both thank you very much for your hospitality and the rest we have been able to gain here in your Dwelling. It was sorely needed and we appreciate all you have done to keep us safe." Rosepetal nodded in agreement.
The lead swan drifted closer to the Unicorns and said, "It was indeed our pleasure to host your short stay. We wish you a safe journey and please know your resting place will stay hidden should you ever need its refuge again. Prince and Princess of the Realm, we are always at your service." With those words the swan drifted back in line with the other swans. They all bowed together in unison and gently swam away.
Thistledown and Rosepetal turned slowly and started to walk back along the lake to the hidden trail that Thistledown had found earlier. They walked along in silent thought, each listening to the other. The same thoughts were there. "What did the swan mean by calling us the Prince and Princess of the Realm?' Both of them were puzzled by the new title. Approaching the entrance to the secret trail Thistledown was suddenly alert to any possible dangers. Rosepetal thought to him, "Yes we need to be alert to what is happening now. We can puzzle out the titles later when we have reached our destination."
Following the trail Thistledown and Rosepetal saw that it was a well planned route. Rock outcroppings sheltered their travel from above with high rock walls on both sides of them hiding them from view from the meadow as well as the lake. The trail was wide and easily traveled for it was paved with soft green grasses. Sweet and succulent, they did not have to search for food through the day or into the evening. The sun shown brightly and as it warmed the rock at their side it lit the pathway perfectly. It was as though the path was carved from the white stone with a lush green carpet was just for them and this journey of gentleness to make sure the new baby would be safe.
As evening drew nigh the light dimmed and the rock began to refuse to give up its glow. At the very next bend in the path the path opened into a wide bedding place. The overhead outcropping opened and revealed a night sky full of bright twinkling stars, all of them caressed by a surrounding ring of white. The moon was full and bright casting its soft silvery light upon the Unicorns. Thistledown drew to a stop at the bedding spot and turned to Rosepetal thinking to her, "We will rest here tonight. Tomorrow will bring us to the Village Dwellers and there we will linger as long as need be." Rosepetal nodded in reply. As Rosepetal was preparing to settle for the night Thistledown looked at her closely. She seemed more beautiful than ever. Her eyes were gentle and dark, reminding him of the shadows of dark water in pools at the lake they had just left. Her lashes swept across her eyes as she blinked and he thought they must be as soft as the wing of a humming bird. If she was changing with child it did not show in her chest or body. The muscle was just as well chiseled as ever. Smoothly covered in white it rippled as before as she moved gracefully about. Her mane was long and draped ever so gracefully about her neck and shoulders. As he looked at her he thought, "Rosepetal is so beautiful. I am so happy she has accepted me as her companion." Rosepetal looked up and seemed to smile. Thistledown turned to survey the bedding area once again to make sure they were safe. Rosepetal laid down to start her evening of rest.
Thistledown, as was his usual custom, surveyed the surroundings carefully and noted there were no other hoof or paw prints in the trail or the bedding area. Just to be on the safe side he decided to back track a bit and see if they had been followed. After a few minutes of carefully following the trail back the way they had come he felt safe in assuring no one was lurking about waiting to spring upon them as they slept. Just as he was about to turn about and head back to the nights bedding he noticed a little red fox sitting in the trail. Slowly he walked up to the fox who thought out loud, "Hello Thistledown. My name is Foxy and I have been following you to make sure no one snuck up on you from behind." Thistledown smiled and bowed in thanks. Foxy went on to think, "I and my many friends will be on watch through the night so please go back to the beautiful Rosepetal and get your rest as well. Should anything be amiss we will give you plenty of warning." Thistledown nodded in thanks again and turned and went back to Rosepetal. He quietly moved close to her in her sleep and laid down next to her. Soon his breathing matched her rhythm and they both slept soundly.
As Rosepetal slept she dreamed or so it seemed. A faint stirring and warmth spread though her and she was at peace. Though the night the nearness of Thistledown was a comfort. He was always careful not to disturb her and when he did move to touch her the touch was soft and gentle, caressing her. She moaned softly in her throat at the thought of that caress in her dreams. The night passed enfolded in peace.
As the sun rose the shadows that sheltered the Unicorns faded and the bedding grasses began to restore to its rich green color. Rosepetal stirred from her much needed sleep and noticed that Thistledown was not by her side. He had already gotten up and was roaming up the trail slightly to see if it appeared to be the same as the trail they had traveled the previous day. Just as Rosepetal stood and shook her mane to fully waken Thistledown came back into the bedding place. The looked at his beautiful companion and thought to her, "Good morning my lovely lady. Did you get a good nights rest?" Rosepetal replied, "Oh yes Thistledown I had a wonderful nights sleep and the most wonderful dreams." Thistledown then thought, "We can eat on the trail this morning. I have scouted ahead a bit and there is a nice cool mountain spring just a short way ahead. We can eat grasses and have a cooling drink before we take the trail the rest of way to the Village Dwellers." Upon that the two companions moved side by side down the trail eating at leisure to their fill. The spring water was sweet, clear and cold, just what they needed to finish their morning refreshment.
After their leisurely breakfast they picked up the pace slightly and continued on the trail. Early in the afternoon they walked up a slight hill in the trail and found that the stone walls started to fall away and the trail widened. At the top of the hill they could hear a rhythmic ringing and a joyful sound of music. Looking off across a short meadow they could see the thatched roofs of houses and shops. The trail they were on opened into a winding road that led directly into the midst of the village ahead. The Unicorns and reached the protection of the Village Dwellers.
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