Coming Home
Birds chattered noisily, fluttering back and forth at the edge of the forest. An eagle, soaring gracefully over the nearby mountain range, let out a wail of despair as a rock slide roared down the mountainside, crumbling a path down into the valley below. In the forest, a lioness placed her paws on the edge of a long forgotten fountain. Her paw darted out, thudding against the old spout. The only response she received was a fresh puff of dust rising from beneath the great paw. She glanced back at her mate, her dark eyes full of sorrow. The lion cried out, roaring angrily at the fountain that held no life-giving liquid, then collapsed wearily on the grass. The shadows of the forest began to lengthen, but a bright white light entered the forest. Every animal of the forest, drawn by the light, began to gather near the dusty old fountain. They gazed at the light as it grew nearer, hoping with all their hearts that the light was brought forth by one thing... And suddenly, she was there. Her horn, dirty and chipped, still gave off the bright light of her joy. Her amethyst eyes were weary and drooping, but they showed joy as she gazed upon her old friends. Fatigue overtook her as she stepped forward, and she crumpled to the ground. The animals could do anything but stare, unable to believe that this unicorn, their unicorn, was home. She lay in the shadows, sleeping peacefully for the first night in a long while. Her heavenly coat was caked with mud, and her elegant mane hung in dirty chunks around her face, but still they knew. She was their unicorn, and at last she had returned home...