Everything has changed today. After leaving Cam and Yael by the oasis, she wanders. Where, why, she is unsure. Her sides heave. Her pregnancy is come to it's end. The child was late, but the shock of the early morning will make sure it comes now. Her eyes wander to the sunrise, looking to the spirits beyond this world. She thinks of Neraza, and whispers into the dawning day, "Stay close my sister, for I am scared. Keep us safe, but most of all, watch over my child in this brave new world,"
Then she is forced to sink to her knees. The pain becomes overwhelming. She groans, clenching her teeth and wringing her neck between her forelegs, screaming out. She is old to have her first biological child, very old, and she feels it in her immortal bones, punishing her for her brashness - why on earth would this have been easy? She glances up at the sun, beginning to flicker through the clouds, peaking down to see her golden form splayed upon the sand.
Another pang, a louder scream. She pants, pauses, pants. So much is running through her mind. Fresh tears come to her lids, she thinks of the shifting world she has just witnessed and questioned the chaos that will come to be her babies home. What world is she bringing this child into? Will it be a better one than that she grew up with?
She is exhausted. Years have passed her quicker than this labour is going. It is taking it's toll. She is weak and the water is far away. Her eyes flicker open, then shut. Every time they lapse into darkness, she wonders if she will wake again. Will the gods have taken her by the end of the morning? Did she choose the wrong fate by remaining a Queen?
The darkness bares down on her despite the sun climbing higher in the sky. A merciful spring breeze strokes her broken, sweaty, exhausted sides. She opens her eyes, blinking away the blurriness. A muzzle touches her own, she can feel the warm breath of another horse against her nose. She looks up and see's slate grey. It inspires her to try harder and with a greater effort, she tries to open keep her eyes open. "Shh... be still my love," she hears and a gentle pressure on her neck wills her to rest back against the sand. She can feel the muzzle trace down her sides, touch her exhausted muscles and give them enjoying, renewal. "It is almost done. Be strong, my girl," she hears and with one definitive squeal, her efforts are doubled.
The pain is relentless, but now she fights. She fights for her unborn child, she fights for her own primeval instinct and she fights for her kingdom. They need her, she see's that now... they need their sunshine Queen. And she needs them.
Finally, the pressure ceases. She feels a wetness slip between her thighs, out onto the cool morning sand. She glances up to see a smiling face, a warm smile to rival even her own. She realises now, it is her mother. The grullo mare fades from her vision now, disappearing as suddenly as she came.
It is Pevensie who is the mother now. She turns, famished and deliriously tired to see the fruits of her labours, and they are rightly rewarded with the wriggling golden child set upon the sand. Her heart melts and breaks all in one moment, and she knows the effort was worthwhile.
@[Evie]