Looking for my EDEN

[Eden]

The Clydesdale mare moved at a slow pace towards the Herdless grounds. Each stride she took showed the power her breeding had gifted her with, but also betrayed her timidness. Eden paused at the edges of Herdless Valley and her chocolate eyes scanned the area, gazing out at all of the other mares awaiting a claimer. She could still hear his cold, cruel voice echoing in her ear, Nothing, that's what you are. Nothing. Eden had come to believe the things he told her. She was nothing special, her coat didn't stand out much, and for a Clydesdale, she was on the short side. The bay sabino mare's eyes again scanned the valley, gazing on all the other mare's around, and she felt that they were all more deserving of a herd than she. She would likely go unnoticed amidst all these beautiful mares, and be left alone like she had all those years ago, when she first found herself here at only a few months old. Blinking the memories away, Eden stood with a rather un-confident stance, and her sad, abused aura showed through. Ears flickering, the Clydesdale mare lowered her head to lip at the grass offered in the valley, with little hope of being approached.

[Secretariat]

Whirlwind had been walking around in search of a mare or two to start his herd with. Walking with his head held elegantly high and proud he spotted a Clydesdale with an abused aura grazing in the distance. Making himself look less proud he was careful on how he approached her. "Hello I am Whirlwind!" He said in a caring gentle and fatherly voice. He could tell she had been a mother before. It helped that he had had many colts and fillies for he had gotten the fatherly voice down pact. He bowed as he thought silently to himself.

[Eden]

The Clydesdale mare stood there at the edge of the valley for quite some time. Every passing minute she grew more and more discouraged, she knew that this was going to happen. She was just thinking of leaving when a masculine scent her way drifted on the breeze. Ears alert, the sabino mare's head shot up, and bits of grass dangled unattractively out of her mouth. Quickly swallowing her bite of grass she spotted an Arabian stallion coming her way, and a rather attractive one at that. The chocolate eyes of the mare quickly scanned the area around her as she thought, Surely he's not coming up to me? But she was the only mare in the general vicinity, and the stallion was, sure enough, coming up to her. The bay sabino mare took a few hesitant steps back as he came closer and eventually stopped. In a gentle voice he voice he introduced himself, making Eden feel she had to answer. In a timid, whispering voice that didn't seem to fit the stout appearance of the mare, Eden gave her name. "E-Eden." Her head hung low, showing her lack of self-confidence. In a barely audible whisper, the Clydesdale mare asked, mostly to herself, "Why me?" Why had such a handsome stallion approached such an unattractive thing like her, when there were other, more beautiful mares around?

[Secretariat]

Whirlwind liked the mares name. 'It fits her perfectly!' He thought to himself. When he heard her question he was a bit taken aback by it. He couldn't understand why such a beautiful mare as herself could be so hard on herself. Looking at her with soft eyes he stepped closer to her. Nuzzling her reassuringly he spoke. "I choose you because you not only know what it means to be a herd, but you know things that are beyond what a herd is supposed to do. You where hurt and probably sacrificed and even broken. You were probably even beaten and I for one find that very wrong for a horse which by the looks of it was probably a stallion who I will murder if I ever meet him. To hurt such a prestigious and beautiful mare as yourself." Bowing he looked at her. "Eden it would be an honor for you to join me in my new herd which is found in Whirling Mountain Meadow. It is a beautiful meadow that is filled with pasture grass and is surrounded by woods. If you are willing to travel the distance you can climb the Whirling Mountain the tallest mountain on Reyan. Whirling Mountain is named this for all of the storms that form at its peak. This is the only known meadow that resides on the island of Reyan. It would only be us for a little while till I got some more mares. I will be around as long as you want me to." He asked and explained to Eden. He figured she would probably ask more questions before leaving but if he had to he would fight for her safety here and it showed as he stood protectively in front of her.

[Eden]

The Clydesdale mare shied away when the stallion tried to nuzzle her. She took a few quick, fearful steps back, nipping at him in instinctive defense. Giving herself a bit of a "comfort zone" between herself and Whirlwind, she listened to him halfheartedly. She gave a quiet, sad laugh. "You look too far into things." Sure, her past experiences were probably written all over her face, but she didn't exactly want to be babied. She didn't exactly trust this stallion, nor any other stallion. Who could blame her? She had come to learn, the hard way, that behind that carefully painted mask of lies a darker presence could lurk, waiting to reveal itself when she was most venerable. How could she be sure that his comment on her beauty was nothing more than a lie? Eden was timid, but she had her careful standards. She wasn't going with any stallion she didn't completely trust. "What's your history?" A rare bit of boldness tainted her voice from her distrust. She was doubtful that he would give her the truth, and there was no way that she was revealing her history. Though he already seemed to have figured it out.

[Secretariat]

Whirlwind listened to Eden's warning and backed further away even if she had felt comfortable. He wasn't surprised that she had asked about his history. Looking at her he bowed. "I am sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable." He told her lightly in a gentle voice. "Stupid move Whirlwind!" He then whispered to him self. Looking back at her he spoke with pure honesty. "I am going to tell you my history the only true version of it." He paused. "I was born to obviously a light herd as you can tell. I was bred to protect and breed with mares. After when I was 4 years old I bred to my sister for I had bred to every and all the other mares other then her. She had never had a foal and she wanted one. She begged and pleaded for me to breed with her. I told her I didn't want to but the way she looked melted my heart. Lightning Storm was my little sister I couldn't do that to her, but I did. I thought I did my best not to get her pregnant but I was wrong, because the next spring she gave birth to my most beautiful foal. Her name is Whirling Storm. She is the spitting image of me. My sister is a blue roan mare while I am a grey though it appears that I am white." Whirlwind paused to look at the mare with sad but happy eyes as he spoke of his daughter and sister. "We choose to name her with a word out of both our names to make it known she was ours. I stayed till she turned two. After she turned two I wandered into here. For another two years I just wandered around here learning the ins and outs of the island. Mares would ask to breed with me and I rejected them for I wanted land and a home. Also I do not believe in leaving a mare to be the only taking care of a foal all by her self. Now at 8 years old I am here to make my own new herd finally willing to claim a land and some mares. Though I will not breed with a mare who refuses to be bred too." He looked at her with sad eyes as he was still remembering his daughter. He wished she would have come with her but she choose to be with the new lead stallion. A single tear fell from his eyes. As the memory of her being born was passing through his thoughts. Lowering his head he looked away from the mare. He hated the fact his own sister had pressured him into breeding with her. He felt like he was wronged in a way himself. He wanted to reassure this mare that he was no threat. Reassuring her he spoke calmly. "I am looking for mares who in their whole life who have only seen things other then a herd. I want to make a herd where all mares who think there is no where left for them to go to find peace, comfort, and love. A place to finally call home for all abused, rejected, and neglected mares. I will never commit harm upon you. I only want mares to be happy. If that means for me to just have you though not be present then so be it. Though do not call me an offender, for I would die then to hurt you. I am not saying this just to get you I am saying this because I mean it from the bottom of my heart. You are a Clydesdale the most powerful Draught out there. You are the most versatile and ever caring breed out there. For someone to have harmed you the way they did to you to make you coward away from me. They were to have harmed you immensely. You do not need to tell me your history for I can see it causes you great pain. He explained himself and his history and all his concerns with pure honesty. He wasn't going to need to explain himself again for he had told her everything and reasons why. He was looking around with a worried expression he had been here for awhile and he knew it was about time to get out of here. He was due to check on his territory for he had been gone a long time. Though he also wanted this mare so he was going to stay until she made her decision.

[Eden]

Eden listened intently to the stallion as he told his history. Her ears were perked, trying to pick out anything that may hint that he was lying. But there was nothing, his words were so sad and sincere, Eden was unadjusted to a stallion who gave her the truth, causing her to let herself relax, but only slightly. She was still on guard. Listening to Whirlwind tell of his sister and their filly made the Clydesdale mare unwillingly think of her own foal, her first foal. The little filly she had only known for a few short hours. The filly she didn't even have a chance to name before she was killed by that stallion without mercy. He had slaughtered the defenseless creature right before her eyes. The memory made Eden flinch. Blinking away the memories the memories Eden laughed a soft, sad laugh. "Flattery will get you nowhere." She spoke in a flat tone, and that was all she said for a while. No amount of flattering would make the mare more willing to go with a stallion, in fact it kind of drew her away. That Dark stallion she was with before was a sweet flirting stallion until she turned two, when he turned mean to her. This made the sabino mare cautious of stallions who used flattery as a means of persuading a mare. If anything, she prefered one who was bluntly honest and to the point rather than one who candy coated words. Whirlwind seemed to fall somewhere in-between. He was honest and sincere, but Eden was hesitant to say yes, but not quite willing to say no. Her chocolate eyes, showing her hesitant indecision, looked over the stallion as she weighed her chances.

[Secretariat]

Whirlwind was getting rather annoyed the mare kept going in circles, though when she assumed that h was trying to flatter her he stepped back in a short burst of anger. Snorting he looked at her and spoke eerily calmly to her. With almost all the gentlness gone fom his voice. "I am quiet sad to infrom you that I don't use flattery or anything else when I try to claim mares." He looked to his right he felt a familar presence in the distance. He was rather curious about whoo it was. Shaking his dry coat he looked back at the mare. He figured that if he was blunt with her she would realize he's not playing game. Whirlwind hated being blunt because he ends sounding rude in the end. "I have told you my history and my reasoing of being here, yes you were hurt I get that but you don't have to be rude to me when all I am asking is if you want a herd. I feel like me asking a simple question has been turned into an obstical course. Now if you have a quetion or comment that doesn't go back to square one please tell me, if you don't please tell me what more do I have to give or offer you that you want?" Whirlwind basically snorted at her dryly. He looked away to let her know he was serious.

[Eden]

A small almost, happy smile, crossed the lips of the shy Clydesdale mare. She parted her lips to speak, she was about to say yes, but flinched at the stallion's words and her response was choked back. Eden physically drew back, like a turtle retreating into it's shell as she listened to Whirlwind with a returning fear. It wasn't flattery? How was she to know? For a mare that has herd nothing but insults the past two years, it sounded like he was trying to flatter her. Tears began to well in the Clydesdale's chocolate eyes. She knew it was to good to be true. She was only being cautious, but he went and yelled at her. At least that's what Eden perceived of the situation. Trying to mask her hurt, Eden took a deep breath and spoke. "Well....alright then." Her voice was strained, as she was trying not to sob. "I-I'll just be going, I guess." Tears were now streaming down her face at an uncontrollable rate, as the sabino mare turned and slowly began to walk away. She didn't look back, but she secretly hoped that he would stop her, that he would apologize and try again. But she had already set her expectations too high. She let herself be taken by his good looks and 'polite' attitude and was sent crashing back down to reality. To think she nearly accepted his offer. She was never going to find a herd, so why was she even trying?

[Secretariat]

Whirlwind felt horrible as he watched the tears falling from her face. He watched her turn away from him as he did he felt like she was ripping him in half. "Please don't leave...I am sorry I shouldn't have reacted that way. I know it sounded like I was..." He started speaking as hoof beats in the distance cut him off.

Whirling Storm galloped into Herdless Valley with her three foals galloping beside her. She had sensed her fathers need for help and was coming to help him. Smiling as she spotted her father and a Clydesdale mare who looked a lot like Thunder Shocks dead mother she galloped faster towards him and the mare. Whirling Storm noticed she was turning away from him. As she got closer to them she slowed down knowing her foals would too. Walking past her father over to the mare and stopped gingerly in front of her as to not make her feel threatened. "Ma'am, I am Whirling Storm! Please consider talking to me before looking away from my father. If there are things you need to know please ask me and I will answer them." Whirling Storm spoke softly to the mare as she interrupted her fathers apology. Thunder Shock saw the mare and tears fell from his eyes as he saw what looked to be his mother who he knew was dead. Smiling up at the huge mare he stepped forward. His painted mane and tail flowed out behind him with a elegant air about them. Walking up to her he nuzzled her chest. Thunder Shocks fear of the mare faded the moment he touched her. looking up into her eyes he licked the tears away from them as he continued to nuzzle her. Whinnying lightly to her as if to ask her why she was crying.

[Eden]

Eden heard the beating of hooves and paused considering if she should just keep moving. After a few hesitated steps her curiosity give in and the Clydesdale mare looked back to see what was going on. She was startled by sudden appearance of the mare beside her and pranced a few steps back, crow-hopping, in fearful surprise. In her surprise Eden hadn't heard what the mare, who looked so much like Whirlwind it was almost scary, had said. Then to add to her fear and surprise on of the young colts came up and tried to nuzzle her! So many things were happening at once it was almost to much for the sensitive Clydesdale mare. Backing away from the colt Eden didn't know what to do. She finally gave into him when he began to lick away her tears. "Oh alright." She sighed softly, sadly in defeat. Having been a mother, briefly, before Eden couldn't abandon the colt seemed to have suddenly 'adopted' her. Even so you could tell that she was scared. Eden didn't handle well in crowds, and it took the Clydesdale quite some time to adjust to a situation. Her chocolate eyes were wide and her breathing was fast and shallow, near hyperventilating. Not knowing where else to turn Eden looked over to the stallion with a scared and bewildered looked that seemed to ask. What's going on? What's all this?

[Secretariat]

Whirlwind watched his daughter with surprise and a bit of bewilderment. When Eden looked at him for answers to her unspoken questions he smiled at her. "This is Whirling Storm my daughter who was the result of me breeding with my sister. Those are her colts by the look of it. That colt who you are with probably thinks that you are his mother now. Whirlwind explained to her with a gentle voice.

Whirling Storm bowed to the mare. She was rather happy that Thunder Shock ended liked the Clydesdale mare, for she felt overwhelmed with three colts. Whirling Storm hoped the mare liked him for he was the sweetest colt on the continent. Watching the mare she stepped back to give her space. "I am Whirling Storm. That colt you are standing with is named Thunder shock. He likes you because you look exactly like his mother who was killed by a grizzly bear. He thinks your his mother even though he knows she is dead." Pausing for a minute Whirling Storm watched Thunder Shock. "He seems to really like you I have two biological colts that I am happy with just having. You can keep Thunder Shock if you want to." Smiling at the mare she hoped that the mare would.

Thunder Shock looked up at the mare as he eagerly waited for her response to his temporary mother. Flicking his tail lightly he continued nuzzling her hoping she would say yes to keeping him.

[Eden]

The Clydesdale mare looked at the group of horses around her, unsure what to do. Everything was happening so fast. Without warning she had been given a big decision. She was a mother without a foal, and he a foal without a mother. It was almost by fate that they had met up. So what would the mare's answer be? Looking at Thunder Shock, Eden sighed and smiled. A hesitant and sad smile, but a smile nonetheless. "Alright, I looks like I have an adopted colt now, huh?" Eden spoke in a soft, unsure tone, barely loud enough for everyone to hear. Looking up to the adult Arabians, she asked softly of them. "So what now?" The Clydesdale mare could assume that Whirling Storm would still want to see Thunder Shock. So it seemed that Eden almost had to become a member of Whirlwind's herd. Inspecting the blades of grass at her feet, the shy, insecure mare waited for a reply.

[Secretariat]

Whirlwind looked at the sky to see what time it was. The sun was at the highest peak in the sky so it was mid-day. Looking at Eden he smiled a friendly smile. "You can choose to come to Whirling Mountain Meadow which is always available to only you and your new colt or you can choose to do other wise. I do not force mares into my herd so the final decision is up to you. My land is your land Eden!" Whirlwind spoke with the most kindest voice that also let the mare know he was telling the truth.

Whirling Storm smiled as she thought she heard the mare her father called Eden accept the colt. Whirling Storm looked at the mare as her father answered the mares question. She hoped the mare would accept her fathers offer for she would try to become this mares friend. "If you like I will be here for you to talk to. I truly am a great listener." Whirling Storm assured the mare letting the mare know she could always come to her for anything.

[Eden]

Not long earlier, Eden had come to the Herdless Grounds depressed and alone, and look what's happened since then. She had been offered a home, adopted by a Clydesdale colt, and has practically been welcomed a part of the family, and she hasn't officially said yes to coming with the stallion. So what was going to happen now? The Clydesdale made could only think of one thing. An almost happy smile crossed her lips as she looked at the group, the family. One word crosses her lips: "Yes." Had the bay sabino mare finally found what she has been seeking hopelessly all her life? A place where she felt welcomed, where she felt wanted, cared about, where she felt.....loved?

[Secretariat]

Smiling as the long awaited word entered his ears he looked at the mare. "Welcome, Eden Beta Mare of Whirling Mountain Meadow to our family and herd!" Whirlwind smiled he wanted her to see her new home that she was going to reinforce leadership over. "You are the Beta Mare because you now what you want the herd to be like. So your going to make that happen." He told her as he turned to lead her home. "Lets go home everyone."

WhirlingStorm smiled as her father gave the new mare a high rank. She knew her father didn't do that unless he truly liked and respected a mare. Walking over to the mare as her father turned away she whispered to Eden. "He respects you. My father rarely has that much respect for someone that is of different blood. What I am trying to say is that he thinks of you as another daughter of his which is a good thing. That means if any other stallions or another mare tries to hurt you he will lay down the law so fast it will make their heads spin." Whirling Storm spoke with pure honesty in her voice. Following her father she smiled at Eden.

Thunder Shock reared up happily as Eden said yes. Silent Shadow and Summer Sunset trotted over to the new mare when Thunder Shock showed excitement. Smiling all three colts trotted around happily as they headed home.