|
This
site best viewed with IE 4.0+ and at 800 x 600
Wind Runner's Magic
Walking along slowly Thistledown would occasionally glance back to the Village. The shimmering was gone and the path just continued on as though the Village was never there. He wondered if he would ever see Rosepetal and the baby again. With the men looking for him he was sure that he had to stay hidden and not let them find him. If he was captured Rosepetal would surely try to rescue him. That would put her and the baby at risk.
Lost in thought the day passed quickly and it was soon getting dark. The shadows of the trees grew longer as the sun dipped lower and lower in the sky. A breeze rustled through the trees and sang a song of nightfall gently on the air. The path was getting steeper as Thistledown gradually climbed toward the Mountain Dwellers home. A few more rocks were in the path and the trees became a darker green. Pine cones lay on the ground and beds of sweet smelling pine needles dressed the bottom of the trees in a rich mattress.
Thistledown felt the need to rest. After all it was a busy day and so much had happened. The Village Dwellers welcomed them and made them feel so much at home. Game playing with the children was so very nice and when the boy could stand and walk it made him warm all over. Then the sad news about the men coming to the Village and his quick departure leaving Rosepetal and new baby behind. Yes indeed it was a busy day and now was time for rest.
Resting near the path was not a very good idea. Thistledown started to look about to see if he could find a safe place for the night. Something told him that if he moved off the path that his tracks could be found and then he would not be safe. Looking down he could see his hoof prints in the soft earth of the path.
Just then he heard a soft voice say, "Make yourself light of heart." Where did that come from he wondered and what did it mean? Again the voice said, "Make yourself light of heart." Thistledown thought how do I do that? The voice answered back, "Remember that your mother and Rosepetal's mother are safe. The Tree Dwellers helped set them free. And keep in mind that Rosepetal and the baby are safe in the care of the Village Dwellers. The cares and worries in your heart will lift and you will be light of heart."
Thistledown thought for a moment and realized that the voice was right. His cares lifted and he realized he was on his own and that the most important thing was to stay safe, to keep his head up and his mind clear so no one could find him. With those thoughts he walked up the path a bit farther and looking back he saw that his hoof prints were getting dimmer and dimmer. Finally realizing that he had to stay safe he saw that as he walked along he was no longer leaving any prints.
Turning off the path he walked into the brush lined mountain approach. The brush grew taller and taller and he was soon hidden from all who might look for him. A large tree had fallen and its trunk was held off the ground by the branches it had come to rest upon. Thistledown laid down on the far side of the fallen tree. He was sure he could not be seen by anyone nearby, especially someone traveling the pathway. Now for a good nights rest and start the journey again in the morning.
No sooner did he lay down and get comfortable and his eyes lids got so very heavy and closed. Deep even breathing could be seen with his deep muscled chest and sides moving slightly. A peaceful sleep fell upon Thistledown and he sighed. Dreams filled his sleep and he saw wonderful things.
In his
dreams Thistledown tosses his mane with a joyful whinny, and gallops
ahead as if he is starting out on a wonderful new adventure, leaving
his troubles behind him. The morning sun glints on his golden horn,
and he feels glad of the spring day. He set out across the green
meadow as if it were the first morning of the first springtime in all
the world. Tiny lavender wildflowers are scattered through the grass,
and thick wisteria vines are in full bloom, hanging down in grape-like
bunches as if they would meet the wildflowers. In his dream he
tells Rosepental, "I think this is going to be a very important day,
indeed!" Thistledown calls back over his shoulder. "One of those days
in which nothing can go wrong."
While he was dreaming, standing in the deep dark underbrush of the forest is a silent figure watching, watching, watching. With thoughts whirling about like fireflies on the wind the silent figure ponders the past and remembers. She was there as Thistledown and Rosepetal walked together toward the sunset, her sad eyes watched them. She was a Unicorn too but her coat was not as lustrous as that of Rosepetal, nor was her neck as long and sleek. Though her horn was golden it was not as long and tapered, and the shine was not quite as bright. However, she was by far one the fastest Unicorn’s in the meadow, and almost ran faster than Thistledown. That’s is where she got her name, Wind Runner!!!
They had grown up together, she and Thistledown. Good friends from the very start. They had romped and played throughout the meadow, shared secrets and protected each other from danger. Together they began to explore their magic powers.
She had hoped for a long time that Thistledown would look at her the same way he was looking at Rosepetal but for him she was just his good friend and “buddy”. In those early days Wind Runner finally turned away with a heavy sigh. She believed destiny lay in another direction. Sadly she began to move away not knowing that same destiny would one day bring she and Thistledown back together at a time when he would need her strength and friendship. But that was then and now it was a different world entirely. It was the time of the needed strength and friendship. It was her destiny to return and be Wind Runner once again.
Thistledown dreams on and frolics in the meadow of his dreams. Just as suddenly as the dream began it ended. Down into the black of sleep drifted Thistledown. Restful yet not resting was his sleep. He tossed and twisted with his flanks quivering every so often. The sleep is lifting and Thistledown's attention is creeping over to the trees. His eyes open slowly and he senses something or is it someone watching. Oh it must be the little red fox again he thinks. But no, that can't be, for there he is on the log sleeping away the night. Yet there is something, now what could it be?
Slowly Thistledown raises his head and begins to survey his surroundings looking for danger in all the shadows. He feels no threat and senses no danger but yet there is something. Standing slowly he raises his head and looks all about. Slowly he scans the forest. Wait, there, next to the big maple tree. Yes there, there it is.
"Come out of hiding ! Come on, step on out where I can see you! I know your there behind the maple tree. Now don't be shy and just come on out. I won't hurt you." said Thistledown Slowly the brush begins to stir. Then the branches of the maple tree that bent down to the ground moved aside and out steps..................
Wind Runner !!!!!!!!!!! Thistledown could not believe his eyes. Yes, there she was. Now how in the world did she find him? And why? My goodness how long had it been since he saw her. It must have been ages for he didn't have a golden horn then and he certainly wasn't taller that she was. They played together all the time and the other unicorns said they must have been twins. You never saw one without the other and if there was mischief about you almost bet that the two of them were at the bottom of it somehow. Oh, but look at her now. Sleek and neat with beautiful lashes and a mane long and silky. Wind Runner is Rosepetal's cousin and they were inseparable when they were young mares together. They always seemed to know what the other was thinking.
“Thistledown”!!! she said softly, “I am so glad I found you.” She walked gracefully toward him and nuzzled his nose, just as they did long ago. “I have sensed something was wrong”, she said, “and I have come this way hoping to find you. It has been a long time since you and Rosepetal walked out of the meadow. Tell me what has happened and why you are alone and troubled.”
Thistledown recounts all that has happened since leaving the meadow and tells why it was necessary for him to leave Rosepetal and the baby. The men were still searching for him and he knew that he had to avoid capture so they traveled to the Village. Rosepetal was heavy with child and they were being protected by the Village Dwellers magic while he lead the men away.
"Oh, now I understand, says Wind Runner. On my last day in the meadow I was drinking at the pool of wonder. All of a sudden there was Rosepetal looking up at me from the pool. She spoke to me and told me 'Wind Runner you have to find Thistledown. Tell him that the Village Dweller magic is failing and the baby and I need his help desperately.' I didn't understand what she meant by the Village Dwellers magic but I knew I had to find you quickly. Rosepetal looked so very tired and worried."
Thistledown's thoughts spoke to Wind Runner. "The Village Dwellers magic shielded the Village and everyone in it so that no one could find them. Rosepetal and the baby were safe and the doctor could care for them. If that magic is failing then all may be lost."
Wind Runner listens with growing sadness and anxiety. "You must return to Rose Petal, Thistledown. She is ill and grows weaker each day." Thistledown hangs his head but not before Wind Runner sees a single tear fall from his eyes. Slowly he raises his head in agreement. "Will you come with me?" he asks Wind Runner. "I don't think I can do this on my own and may need help with the baby."
Wind Runner nuzzles his nose, "I will always be near to help you any way I can." Thistledown nuzzles her back in acceptance. "We should rest now for it is very late and we should begin our journey at dawn. That way we can be more alert to our friends along the trail and they can help us scout for dangers." The two friends lay down to rest through what was left of the night, each touching the other's hoof...just like when they were children together...
|
