A/N: Okay, I am gonna change the bloodlines thing at the end of Chapter 1, but I'm having a hard time thinking up one. If anyone's good at that kinda stuff, please e-mail! Thanx! (O, and I still don't own anything yet, but I will as soon as Thianc is born! But I do own the plot.....
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Atalanta sped onwards, galloping past countless grazing unicorns, heading for the Golden One's cave. As she passed, most unicorns looked up from the grass to see who had disturbed their peace, but all resumed grazing when they realized that it was the Dreamspeaker. The only Celestial that was concerned by the purple unicorn's flight was the Sunchaser himself. Concern flashed across his deep auburn eyes, and he raised his head to follow the mare's path. Thinking that something must be wrong, he left his herd-mates and briskly trotted through the meadow after her.
Finally, Atalanta reached Numinor's cave. Sweat darkened her flanks, not from the run, but from the scare that she had gotten from the image in the Crystal Pool, and her breathing was heavy and labored. Not wasting any time, she burst into the cave. The Golden One looked up from the inscription that he was studying, the look of anger on his face quickly turning to one of shock. "Atalanta, is that you?" His tone was incredulous, with just a small hint of amusement.
Knowing how ridiculous she must look, the mare let it go, not wanting to waste her quickly ebbing energy on matters of little importance. "Numinor, I have a favor to ask of you." The purple unicorn chose her words carefully. She knew that if her mate discovered that she was to throw a foal by the Sunchaser, he would go after the bronze stallion. Atalanta knew that it would be a pretty fair fight, but that there would have to be a winner, and she didn't want to think about what would happen to the loser. She could sense that Numinor knew that there was trouble stirring; he could do without knowing the source for a little longer.
"Atalanta," the stallion sighed. "I am very busy right now. There have been reports of Shadow Unicorns in the Western edges of the valley, so I'm sure that Entia is on the move once more, and then there's..."
"It's Spring, Numinor!" Atalanta interjected. "Spring! Do you know what season that is? Have you ever known what season that is?"
"Of course I know what season this is! Atalanta, what exactly are you getting at?" The stallion's bell-like voice rang out with confusion and concern.
"A foal, Numinor! I want a foal!" the Dreamspeaker pleaded. Shocked, Numinor tried to comment, but his mate shook her head. "Don't say that I couldn't do it; I could! I am respected in the herd, but I know that the mares scorn me behind my back for never having foaled. Besides, you need to have someone to take your place at the head of the herd when your time comes."
Having finished, Atalanta gazed at the stallion, her eyes pleading. He returned her gaze with one of confusion and disbelief. The Dreamspeaker had never expressed the desire to foal before; why does she want one so strongly all of a sudden? Many thoughts rushed through the Golden One's head, but he brushed them all aside and cleared his throat, preparing to speak. "Atalanta," he began. "I can not lie; your request has taken me a bit off guard. I hope that you can understand that now is just not a good time to be discussing such things. The Celestial Herd has nearly doubled in size during the last decade; I am already trying to limit the number of mares that foal each season. Think about how it would make me look if my own mare had a young one when I am trying to discourage others to do it. I am sorry. Maybe next Spring."
Atalanta stared coldly at Numinor as he finished his argument. After a few tense moments, she shook her head slightly and let out a small laugh. "Oh, don't worry, I understand. Our herd can't grow, is that it? A young one can come when an older unicorn's time has come, but not before!" A small tear trickled down her cheek. The mare uttered a small sob, and then glared up at the stallion. "You think you're so smart." She then turned to leave. "Sorry for wasting your time with my concerns, Golden One." the purple unicorn spat as the walked through the mouth of the cave.
"Atalanta!" Numinor called, but got no response from the mare. He let out an audible sigh, and resumed his work.
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The Sunchaser trotted briskly through the meadows of the Celestial Valley. The sun gleamed off of his bronze coat, his strong bronze hooves flashing like signal beacons. His ebony horn extended far above his head, a sharp contrast to the shining ruby at it's base. He had lost sight of Atalanta a while ago, but the stallion had a pretty good idea of where she was headed. As he got within sight of Numinor's cave, he knew that his guess had been correct.
The purple unicorn was slowly walking away from the cave, head hung low. The Sunchaser took a double take; he had never seen the Dreamspeaker look so beaten. Her silver tail hung limply behind her, the bottom turning brown in the dirt. Sweat streaked her sides, and her ears flopped sideways like a mule. Knowing that something was wrong, the bronze stallion cantered toward her, calling her name.
"Atalanta!" he called. She looked up, acknowledging his voice, and gave a small whicker in greeting. The Sunchaser reached her side, and bowed his head. "What is the matter, milady?"
The mare grinned slightly, flattered at the title. The Sunchaser always greeted her as royalty, even though she technically wasn't. "You should consider yourself lucky that you don't have a mate, Sunchaser. They can be so aggravating."
The bronze stallion chuckled. "What did Numinor do this time?"
The Dreamspeaker rolled her eyes. "He thinks that everything revolves around him. I know that he's the head stallion and all, but still..."
"You don't need to explain," the Sunchaser said softly. "I more than anyone know how stallions can get somewhat conceded. That's partly why I never chose a mate; I fear that I wouldn't treat her as well as she deserves."
"What?" Atalanta asked, shocked. "I can't think of a better mate than you. Any mare would be honored to be your partner."
"Even you?" the stallion whispered.
"Excuse me?" The purple mare had heard him, but she didn't believe what he had said.
"Would you be honored to be my mate?" the Sunchaser asked, a bit louder than before.
"Oh, Sunchaser" Atalanta giggled, embarrassed. "Why would you want to be with an old mare like me?"
"Because you are the most beautiful unicorn I know," the bronze stallion whispered into her ear. He swung around beside her and began to nuzzle her.
The purple mare stood her ground, not quite sure what to do. On one hand, this was the chance she had been waiting for: the chance to have a foal. If not with Numinor, why not with the Sunchaser? But on the other hand, she was Numinor's mate, and she owed it to him to respect his promise of next Spring. "But Numinor had his chance," she said softly.
"What?" the Sunchaser asked, looking into her lavender eyes.
Instead of answering, Atalanta stepped closer to the stallion, and began returning his nuzzles. After a few moments, she blew into his ear and whispered, "I would be greatly honored."