[C a r r y] .You. Home

[Swifthoof]

He was still in awe of how things had changed in the span of less than a day. Earlier, he didn't care if he had lived or died when he had trespassed on enemy lands. If another horse had seen him and captured him, he would have gladly went with them to see Alasdi or would have simply exposed his neck, letting them take his life.

But to his surprise and disbelief, it was Coldheart that had caught him asleep in the Darksun forest and last he heard, the bay mare was supposed to be dead. The logical side of his mind had tried to convince him that it wasn't her even if her scent and form told it otherwise. In the end, it really had been her and even now as he finally managed to exit the dense forest and enter the woods of his home turf, it had almost seemed like a dream. Of course, the recent battle with three stallions and the wounds he had received on his shoulders, neck and hindquarter were enough to tell him that it really did happen and that it was no trick.

Tossing his head, he slowed to a canter then a trot until he came to a full stop before looking around for Coldheart. He knew that she had followed him here and even if she hid it, she was hurting. A deep sigh escaped the stallion as his eyes and ears were alert for danger, knowing that his wounds and the scent of blood would alert predators. Better try and hide the scent.. thought Graystorm as he spotted an old spiderweb hanging onto a branch by a few tendrils. Rearing upward, he brought them down with his nose making sure that the cobweb was not occupied with bugs before he pressed a wad onto his right shoulder. He watched as the white material turned to an immediate shade of crimson as it soaked up the blood before he began treating his other shoulder, his senses alert for Coldheart or mountain lions.

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[[R].ebel]

Dead to the world, she followed without a word. Coldheart didn't dare look back, she only focused on Graystorm ahead of her. At least she still had him. Knowing he was still there took the aching pain of being driven from her homeland away, but as her hooves crossed that line into Cimarron territory, Coldheart couldn't help but suddenly feel betrayed by Alasdi, and feel like such a stranger on these lands. What would another Cimarron do if they saw her? Would they know she meant no harm to the Cimarron herd? And loved this Cimarron stallion, Graystorm? Her thoughts forced aside when she slowed to a stop, seeing Graystorm working on his wounds. It was then she realized his wounds, fresh blood on his pelt. He was working on a wound to his shoulder, pressing a spiderweb on his wound to draw out the blood. Quietly, Coldheart searched for something similiar to help him, not yet sure if he realized she had kept up with him and was now on foreign lands.

Upon finding a suitable spiderweb, she grabbed a bit of moss to give the spiderweb a more sturdy hold, and walked to Graystorm, stopping at his wounded neck. Her eyes stayed focused on the blood on his neck, avoiding his eyes. Quietly and gently, she pressed the moss-web to his wound, holding the make-shift gauze partly in her mouth. The mare did not say a word, and kept her eyes focused

[Swifthoof]

The stallion was so focused on the bite on his shoulder that the touch to his neck almost made him jump out of his skin until Coldheart's scent reached his nose. Pausing, he turned his head to see her focused on the wound on his neck and nothing else as she pressed a gauze of moss and cobweb to it. He wanted to say something, anything to try and ease her pain, but he knew that there was nothing he could do.

A small smile made its way across his face in thanks before he went back to treating the injury on his shoulder which seemed to be the most serious. He tensed slightly at the burn caused by the cobweb as it touched, but it only lasted for a moment before it was slowly beginning to fade. His mind went to what would happen if another Cimarron member caught them and he hoped if it happened, he would be able to at least explain. No doubt they would be shocked to find out that he was in love with a Darksun and that she had been banished from her herd because of it.

The stallion couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Was it his fault that she had been banished? Would it have been better if he had never went to the Darksun lands in the first place? No. He knew that if even if he didn't go earlier, he would have gone later and it still would have happened the way it had. Sighing, he turned his head to face her before he stepped forward and laid his head over her neck as he gently guided her toward him, a nicker of comfort escaping his muzzle. It was all he could think of now to try and help her.

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[[R].ebel]

The spiderweb was soon dark red, but it seemed to have helped cause the bleeding to slow. Coldheart kept her gentle hold on it, eyes drifting to the ground, when she felt Graystorm pull her into him. She allowed the gauze to drop as she rested her head against his neck, her blank mask hiding every bit of emotion that tried to seep its way through the hardened mare. But as she stood quietly, allowing his scent to cloud her head, she couldn't help but give a faint smile. No matter if she had been run off or not, he was right here beside her. After a moment of silence, and allowing her anger and frustration with Alasdi to be her focus, she spoke.

"It will take some time for me to get used to these lands; to your home. But I'm not called 'Coldheart' for no reason. Land is land, and the Cimarron land will be no different to me than the Darksun... I just hope we haven't caused as much trouble as I fear..."

[Swifthoof]

Feeling her lay her head on his neck, a small smile crossed his muzzle before he briefly nuzzled her neck as his ears were alert for danger. A moment of silence passed as it was filled with the occasional twittering of birds in the nearby trees.

It will take some time for me to get used to these lands; to your home. But I'm not called 'Coldheart' for no reason. Land is land, and the Cimarron land will be no different to me than the Darksun... I just hope we haven't caused as much trouble as I fear...

[/color]

At her words, he gently nipped at her mane as he stepped back, ignoring the small twinge of protest from his shoulders. Don't worry about the trouble. They'll get over it eventually.[/color] he answered as he tried to keep the hopefulness in his voice to a minimum. Spirit hadn't been around in a while and neither had Rain and the stallion knew that without proper acceptance into the herd, there was bound to be trouble sometime in the near future. Did you get any wounds while fighting Alasdi?[/color] he asked, changing the subject as his gaze flicked over her form in search of injuries while he pulled some cobwebs off of a another branch.[/blockquote][/size]

[[R].ebel]

Don't worry about the trouble. They'll get over it eventually.

Strangely enough, for Coldheart that is, she found comfort in this. She felt safe with him here, something Coldheart was not used to admitting to herself; Coldheart feared very little. It wasn't until Graystorm said something about having wounds that she remembered she was injured. Her worst injury was the one on her chest; Alasdi's hooves had managed to hit her hard, one hitting harder than the other and cut into her, blood oozing from the wound. If the hair on her chest had been gone, it would be a nasty bruise in its place, but her dark hide would hide it well, although the soreness wouldn't go away for at least a few days. However, typical Coldheart lied about her wound, not willing to give into the weakness of pain.

"Not many, but I'll be fine."

Taking a look around her, Coldheart took in the sights and sounds. The place was really beautiful; far more so than the Darksun lands. The new life of spring was everywhere; flowers, budding trees, birds and new grass. The grass here looked greener than what she was used to. Coldheart absorbed the new air, actually feeling happy about being in such a place.

"Say, Graystorm. Where are we on the Cimarron lands? Does this place have a name?"

[Swifthoof]

Not many, but I'll be fine

[/color]

Graystorm's head couldn't help but tilt slightly to the side at her words as he kept his eyes on her for a bit. He couldn't really see if she gotten injured back when they were fighting in the Darksun lands, but even if she did, her dark pelt hid it well. After a moment, he nodded before going back to his own wounds to see that the one on his right shoulder was beginning to scab over ever so slightly while the other was just beginning to stop bleeding. Looking to the one on his hindquarter, he saw that it was merely a minor wound, more like a scratch. As to the one on his neck, he could feel that it too was starting to slowly heal over.

Say, Graystorm. Where are we on the Cimarron lands? Does this place have a name?[/color]

At her words, he glanced over at her, a small smile crossing his muzzle. He supposed that this part of the forest was a bit lighter than the Darksun forest with the sunlight splashing the grass in puddles rather than dots. The grass looked greener in color as well. Guess the grass is greener on the other side.. he thought, chuckling. I don't know about a name, but I do know we're in our part of the forest. It doesn't have the awesome lake in the middle, but the extra space and clearings make up for it.[/color] he answered, a grin appearing on his features. [/blockquote][/size]

[[R].ebel]

'I don't know about a name, but I do know we're in our part of the forest. It doesn't have the awesome lake in the middle, but the extra space and clearings make up for it'

Coldheart sighed quietly to herself, pushing the thoughts of the Darksun away. A little hungry, she lowered her head to eat a bit of grass. She couldn't help but feel that her emotions weren't the only thing she was pushing away. After a long quiet moment, the small bay lifted her head to look in the direction of the Darksun. The longer she looked in that direction, the more she couldn't help but feel guilty. Coldheart felt as though because she loved her homeland, that meant she didn't love Graystorm but that wasn't the case; she did love him. In a quiet voice, eyes lowering, Coldheart heard herself whisper these words.

"I'm sorry, Graystorm..."

[Swifthoof]

His ears pricked to Coldheart's quiet sigh and he felt his grin fade slightly, wondering if he had said the wrong thing. Mousebrain.. he said, internally kicking himself. Then she had started grazing a bit, so he did the same. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as the bay mare glanced back at the Darksun territory.

I'm sorry, Graystorm...

Her voice was quiet, but that stallion still caught her words. For a moment, he was confused and he couldn't help but think that she thought that she had made a mistake coming here and would rather go back to her homeland. Stop jumping to conclusions.. he thought, his gaze even as he spoke.

For what? he asked, his head tilting in confusion as he pushed his own thoughts away.

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[[R].ebel]

'For what?'

'For everything.' Her mind yelled it, but she did not. Coldheart's eyes never left the Darksun, thinking of Alasdi and what he had done, and thinking of the sweetest revenge she could get. How she just wanted to turn the tables and run him out. Perhaps someday she could. After a moment, she replied.

"I love you, Graystorm. I don't want you to think any differently... but, that was my home..."

[Swifthoof]

I love you, Graystorm. I don't want you to think any differently... but, that was my home...

[/color]

His ears flicked forward to catch her voice and after a moment, he really didn't know what to say. Sorry didn't really cut it in the mind of the stallion. He really didn't have any idea of how he would feel if he had been banished from his home and made to wander alone in the lands. But from what he saw, it was heart wrenching. Snorting softly, he soon spoke, slowly as he searched for the right words to say.

I know it must be hard...and I won't expect you to just turn around and call this your home right away. It'll probably take some time...but...I guess all we can do now is try to look at what's coming next...[/color] his tone was soft as a small hint of uncertainty was mixed in and he prayed he didn't sound like a fool which was the last thing she needed. Stepping forward, he nuzzled her neck hoping to provide the comfort she didn't receive with his words. [/blockquote][/size]

[[R].ebel]

'I know it must be hard...and I won't expect you to just turn around and call this your home right away. It'll probably take some time...but...I guess all we can do now is try to look at what's coming next...'

Though Coldheart had not yet taken her eyes off of her homelands, her only thoughts now where on Graystorm and how amazing it seemed to her that he could empathize for her and she found comfort in that. He, at least, understood. Feeling his touch, the bay leaned into him a bit, her eyes still on the Darksun. Feeling at least a little better by his words, Coldheart quickly changed the subject to what was coming and what she knew was going to happen...

"Trouble... That's all that's going to come of this.... We should let Spirit know what has happened... and about us."

It was time for Coldheart to come clean to the Cimarron, whether it meant trouble for her or not. The secret was out in the Darksun, which was the only reason Coldheart had kept thier love a secret; to spare Graystorm's life. But it seemed now, that bridge had been burned and Coldheart would need to step forward. Looking to Graystorm, that familiar fiery spirit was in her eyes, her mind dismissing the thoughts on her home for now.

[Swifthoof]

A small smile crossed his face as she responded to his touch and he gently pulled at her black mane before stepping away. He knew that their relationship would cause a tiny ripple in the herd, but he hoped that it wouldn't last long and that they would get over it soon. But he knew that if there would be trouble, they would face it together.

Trouble... That's all that's going to come of this.... We should let Spirit know what has happened... and about us

[/color]

At the mare's words, he nodded before responding. Trouble is...Spirit hasn't been around in a while..I don't think anyone has seen him in over a season and the same goes Rain...I just hope they get back soon[/color] he answered as his gaze flicked to the horizon, noting that the sun was starting to set. Glancing back to Coldheart, he soon spoke again. I think the best thing we can do now is just deal with the ones that find out...and maybe find somewhere to rest for the night.[/color] he added as he looked around for any shelter that would keep them well hidden from the hunters of the night. The trees were rather sparse in the area they were in now providing little cover.

Tossing his head, he motioned for Coldheart to follow him hoping to find a cave in the mountain bases to the east. And one that is not occupied by a bear.. he thought. His shoulders protested slightly at the movement, but he hoped that the cobwebs would hold until they arrived at a cave. The distant howl of wolves reached his ears and his eyes narrowed as he quickened his pace slightly until the trees started thinning out more to reveal the base of the mountain, their peaks blotting out parts of the sky. Snorting, he soon spotted a rather large crack in the side of the mountain, the entrance big enough to fit one horse. Sniffing the air, he checked to make sure it wasn't occupied and once he made sure he poked his head inside to see that it was rather spacious and the sound of a tiny runoff stream reached his ears. Nickering, he stepped inside, his eyes taking time to adjust to the darkness before he turned around to see if Coldheart was coming.[/blockquote][/size]

[[R].ebel]

Trouble is...Spirit hasn't been around in a while..I don't think anyone has seen him in over a season and the same goes Rain...I just hope they get back soon. I think the best thing we can do now is just deal with the ones that find out...and maybe find somewhere to rest for the night.

Coldheart couldn't believe that Spirit was missing. Though he was leader of the Darksun's rival herd, everyone knew how decoted he was to his herd. The bay thought vigorously on this new information, wondering if it meant something horrid for the Cimarron herd... and if it was something Alasdi would use against them. But before she could say anything about it, Graystorm suggested to find a place to rest. To her, that sounded like heaven; she hadn't realized how tired she was until Graystorm mentioned it. With his beckoning, the bay followed him, forcing her eyes to stay off of the Darksun lands.

In silence she followed, ears pricking to the noises of the forest as the red sky began to darken. A distant look was in her eyes, and it seemed she was following in a numb state; as if her legs were moving without her knowledge. When Coldheart looked up after a while, she realized Graystorm was out of her sight. Stopping for a moment to regain her boundries, she soon saw him disappear into a crevas at the base of a mountain. His nicker met her ears and Coldheart picked up into a trot to meet him. The cave, as she would loosely call it, was dark and damp, her eyesight having to adjust to the sudden darkness. She could hear the trickle of water somewhere in the cave, but with the echos that reverberated off the walls it was difficult to tell from where.

"Wow... As long as we don't run into any bear, I'd feel quite at home here."

Home... It felt strange to say that word on the Cimarron lands, but Coldheart quickly pushed the thought aside, stepping beside Graystorm as her eyes took in the cave, now adjusted to the darkness.

[Swifthoof]

Wow... As long as we don't run into any bear, I'd feel quite at home here

[/color]

A small grin crossed the dapple gray's face and he nodded in agreement. Yep, but I don't think this cave has been used in a while...[/color] he answered as the scent of damp moss and stale fox met his nose. From what he could tell, they hadn't been the only ones using this crack in the mountainside. His gaze then traveled to the cave floor, seeing that it was rather rocky and not really comfortable to lie down on, but he guessed that he would have to deal with it and was too exhausted to care anyways.

Sighing, he walked a bit further in the sound of his hooves hitting the floor echoing before he snorted softly and laid down, careful not to open up his wounds. [/blockquote][/size]