Silent as the Water

Featuring Shilo
Mentioning Noctis
Late Summer, Year 760 of the New Age
Silverthorne, Silverwood

A buckskin doe, light in her colors with contrasting points. Her dark legs, folded neatly beneath her golden pelt hidden. A dark muzzle was angled downwards, while her creamy white spots curled against her flank. The sun high above, Grian’s watchful gaze ever careful and always warm, was filtered beneath the bowing birch trees the doe laid beneath. tilted to near breaking, her chocolate eyes were lifted to regard the bent trees.

A low shrubbery, trees young and quick to bend, had succumbed to the previous winter’s winds and heavy snow. Toppled to the near snapping point, yet refusing to yield. She admired them, yet pitied how far they’d have to bend before dying. From breaking, or the lack of sunlight.

Humming softly in thought, Shilo curled her thin tail against her belly. The dark hairs long and adding extra warmth. She didn’t need it, the summer was providing enough. The low birch grove had given shade, her dark muzzle shifting to point towards the whispering brook not to far away. It was small, with clear water that grew ferns and small greens occasionally. Moss covered the wet rocks, which were light and fluffy to step on. But just as slippery she’d learned as a fawn.

Distant, fond memories caused her to smile wistfully. She’d had good times and bad. Met new friends, learned a few things about the herd and herself over the years. The whisper of the water and a refreshing breeze brought back a flash of gold on the white sand, cold and salty winds battering against her own coat. She’d never forgotten that fatefull moment in time, that turned into what felt like hours, yet flashed her by in key moments. She’d long waited, years actually. Thinking on it, this would be the fourth - her second rut. The first was spent in waiting, avoiding most of the herd. She’d caught up with a few others, but this year was different.

Four years was a long time to wait, she knew. Her eyes closed slowly, sides heaving in a forced sigh. A promise though, she wasn’t one to break them normally. But four years, she wondered if he’d even remember. Part of her knew he was coming back, that same side refusing to admit that something might have taken place. Things change all the time. No, another part argued deftly in keeping her good on his word. He’d come back, he promised. She just had to wait a bit longer.

Patience was something she cherished often, but both sides were agreeing that avoiding having a fawn this year would be harder. Putting off the stags and avoiding the the herd was a specialty, even as the blackwoods retreated suddenly. It was safer, in her opinion, even if the wilds were stocked with predators.

Opening her eyes to gaze at the water glazed rocks, she got herself up onto her hooves. Her pace was short and lazy, ducking under a reaching branch that wanted to catch her dark mane. The quiet doe stopped before the water, looking back at her distorted appearance. It was rocky around the edge, she could feel the difference of the earth beneath her hooves.

Taking a deep breath, she decided she’d give Noctis more time. She didn’t know how long it’d take… but maybe she’d get lucky before starting trouble.

Smiling once more, Shilo lifted her head. It was high time she visited her mother in Silverwood. She wasn’t far, just a short walk and she had the day with her. So, with a nod the doe turned in swift movements and began the trek back home.