05-05-2016, 01:06 AM
She’d never really thought about adoption before. In her old herd, foals had never been abandoned - they’d been too rare, too precious. Mothers had simply taken care of their foals, no matter the difficulties or deformities. In the rare occasion that a mother died, the foal had been taken on by the lead mare.
But, ever since meeting Weir’s adoptive daughter, and discovering her own pregnancy, the topic has been playing on her mind. It seems so cruel, so horrible, that some mares actually abandon their own offspring. The love she feels for little Newton is stronger than anything, and she simply can’t imagine deciding to give that up. She would die before giving up her son.
But …
She’s seen firsthand the good that abandonment can sometimes end with. She’s seen the love and care between Weir and Neva, and knows the roan stallion cannot imagine life without the little speckled girl in it. Despite their lack of shared blood, they are family, as true as any other. And Eira knows that Neva’s life is better for having had the chance to become Weir’s daughter.
And perhaps … just perhaps she can give that chance to another child. She’s full with milk, she knows she could take on another. And her heart aches to think that there might be a child suffering in the den. So one day when Newton is off playing with Weir and Neva, she makes her own way to the den.
Within moments of arriving, the scent of other horses fills her nose. She tracks the scent, coming out upon a brindled red mare and a tiny little winged foal in the grass. Eira approaches, and it becomes immediately clear to her that the foal (a filly) and mare are not related, that this girl is one of the poor abandoned ones that ends up in the den.
She clears her throat, trying not to startle them, then raises her voice. “Is she alright? Does she need milk? I have plenty …”
But, ever since meeting Weir’s adoptive daughter, and discovering her own pregnancy, the topic has been playing on her mind. It seems so cruel, so horrible, that some mares actually abandon their own offspring. The love she feels for little Newton is stronger than anything, and she simply can’t imagine deciding to give that up. She would die before giving up her son.
But …
She’s seen firsthand the good that abandonment can sometimes end with. She’s seen the love and care between Weir and Neva, and knows the roan stallion cannot imagine life without the little speckled girl in it. Despite their lack of shared blood, they are family, as true as any other. And Eira knows that Neva’s life is better for having had the chance to become Weir’s daughter.
And perhaps … just perhaps she can give that chance to another child. She’s full with milk, she knows she could take on another. And her heart aches to think that there might be a child suffering in the den. So one day when Newton is off playing with Weir and Neva, she makes her own way to the den.
Within moments of arriving, the scent of other horses fills her nose. She tracks the scent, coming out upon a brindled red mare and a tiny little winged foal in the grass. Eira approaches, and it becomes immediately clear to her that the foal (a filly) and mare are not related, that this girl is one of the poor abandoned ones that ends up in the den.
She clears her throat, trying not to startle them, then raises her voice. “Is she alright? Does she need milk? I have plenty …”
EIRA
nothing's only words, that's how hearts get hurt