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Chapter 2

Her eyes, so deep and true. A color blue brighter then any he had ever seen. His heart immediately warmed up to the young foal, seeing her deadly situation. He reluctantly scooped her up and dashed towards the other side of the rock. The shadowy men began to circle around the rock the other way. He quickly headed towards the edge of the trees on the other side of the clearing, out of sight from the pursuers.

The foal was dead silent but kicked every now and then, obviously startled from this sudden journey. He could feel something warm soaking his right sleeve where her back leg was still. Every now and then she whimpered in pain, but not loud enough for the men behind to hear.

He swiftly rounded a large tree trunk, exposing a small bundle and dying campfire. The elf carefully set down the foal next to the fire. She suddenly whinnied in shock and pain as the wound on her leg was exposed. The elf examined it with gentle touch and eyes. It was deep, very deep. He slowly parted the foal's flesh, examining the inside of the cut. In some places against the crimson red, he could see the white of the bone. He shuddered, unable to imagine the great pain that this newborn was in.

He quickly rebuilt the fire and gathered his flask. He flushed out the wound and was soon searching for a plant to help the wound heal. He fingered through a mass of weeds to find nothing. He searched under the boughs of the trees and in the hidden bracken. After his search, he had only found a small amount of KnitBlossom that would will the blood to slop flowing for an hour or so.

He returned to the foal's side, carefully chewing the leaves into a poultice and placing it inside the wound. The foal suddenly lashed out with its unharmed hoof and caught Legolas in the knee. Legolas gasped when a flare of pain burst up his leg. He winced and waited a moment. The pain soon subsided to a dull ache. He continued his work.

After he had the poultice in the wound, he carefully wrapped a small amount of cloth around it. The foal winced in pain. Tears came down her cheeks now, splattering on the ground silently.

When he was done, he wondered what to do now. He sat on his knees, examining the young one from head to toe. Though in a weak and defeated state, her head was as elegant as the wings of a dragon and her legs long and ethereal. He thought she was beautiful. Not pretty, or lovely, but beautiful. She reminded him of his mother.

Slowly, the elf took the foal's head and place it on his lap, stroking her young neck. He whispered in soft tones to her, examining her deep eyes. He found himself ready to cry. It only took a short glance to realize that the pain she was in was much more the physical. Her eyes told of sorrow and misery. He felt a single tear roll down his soft cheek.

"It's safe now." He assured her kindly. "Those people will not harm you." He found that he couldn't find any words to console this newborn mare. He felt awkward crying in front of her as well. He had been there before, and he had survived, but he was older. He knew what life was about and why it was worth living, but this young colt didn't. Her first steps were in flight and her first calls were in agony and fear. It was so wrong for a newborn to come into this world in so much peril. "I am Legolas, and I will help you. You are safe by my bow and heart."

Then, he wept over her neck.

*

When he awoke, everything was still. The fire had died and the breeze of the night before had left. Everything. Still. The bundle on his lap felt cold.

Legolas choked back a sob as he looked down at the still form. He carefully lifted the head to his cheek, feeling the soft coat against his face. Tears dripped from his face into the dead foal's pupils.

Then, something moved. A light touch. Something fluttering against his cheek. An eyelid!

Legolas pulled his head away to see the tired expression of the foal. She stared up at Legolas, her eyes as unreadable as stone. She shifted and her warmth suddenly surged through the elf prince. He smiled in great gratitude. He looked down at the wound.

The bandage had slipped off during the night, revealing... nothing. The wound was gone. Not even a scar remained. Legolas carefully touched it. The expression on the foal's face remained the same.

The foal quickly stood, shaking her mane that fell back elegantly. Legolas then stood as well, facing the foal.

For a fleeting moment, they stood and watched each other. Their breathing grew in unison, quick yet graceful breaths. The foal's large blue eyes twinkled then, something that hadn't been touched since her life began.

Trust.

Legolas reached out and stroked the newborn's face, feeling her short fur and silky muzzle.

"You need a name." he said quietly, kneeling. He looked deep into the foal's wide eyes, twinkling even brighter now. A name... it was not an easy task. Her eyes and white coat definitely defined beautiful, along with her silver hooves and her strong build. Her name had to be as beautiful as her, if possible.

"Otrinity."

The foal whinnied and pranced with acceptance.