(Haven't made one of these in a while, so let's do ittt)
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The flight back to Snow herd felt even longer with the deep feelings and thoughts that plagued both Ravenleaf and Alderflare. Ravenleaf's thoughts were consumed on how she could wean both her foals early, then send them off to Icepebble for flight school. After a year of flight training, then they would start training for the war. The war that Twistwing and Deathsight created. Forcing yearlings to fight will not win wars. If anything, it will cause more death.
The sight of Whisperfrost as a yearling struggling to fight a massive Mountain herd stallion flashed across her mind. No way....Not Whisperfrost. Whisperfrost can't fight...won't fight. Even with harsh military training, flight drills, and strategy exercises, Whisperfrost will not fight. She's too kind-hearted and innocent. War will destroy Whisperfrost.
How dare Twistwing ruin her daughter's perfect spirit?
Ravenleaf's blood boiled at the thought and she pinned her ears. No. Ravenleaf will not let that happen. She's not going to let her family be ripped apart. She's not going to let Twistwing murder thousands of yearlings for his cause. This is Twistwing's fault....no....This is Deathsight's fault. Her own mate will be the own who kills Whisperfrost. Perhaps not physically, but his putrid ideas and his horrible plans with crush her spirit-and there's no one to blame but Deathsight.
Alderlfare on the other hand was simply pleased that he was allowed to stay in Snow herd. His father and his mother didn't much care for him, not like they cared for his siblings. Are they even worried about him? Are they worried where their son is? No, probably not. But, that didn't bother Alderflare too badly.
He raised his golden eyes to look at the gray mare who he drafted off of. This mare cared for him. She fought to keep him. She fought to love him. His parents only fought for themselves. And Whisperfrost...was his best friend. He couldn't imagine leaving the pretty filly. Alderflare didn't understand what Twistwing was talking about. A war? What war? Did it concern Star? And what about that talk of yearlings fighting? That was almost unheard of. Yearlings are still developing and barely full grown. Who would ever force them to fight?
All these thoughts were too confusing and it gave him a headache to think about. He glanced up at Ravenleaf and noticed her pained and angry expression. He nickered up to her and nuzzled her flank. Ravenleaf turned her head to look at him and offered a small smile, "We're almost home Alderflare. Whisperfrost will be excited to see us." She whinnied to him, and the mention of seeing his nursing sister made him flap his wings faster, a grin spread across his face. Ravenleaf's smile broaden and she too, flew faster, anxious to see her daughter.
~
Meanwhile in Snow herd, Whisperfrost laid next to Owlspot, her favorite Elder, beneath the oak tree that the Elders and story tellers always laid under to tell their legends.
The old mare was telling a long legend about the strange Landwalkers who supposedly live across the Dark Water , but Whisperfrost wasn't listening. The idea of hair-less creatures that walk on 2 legs on an entirely different continent sounded highly unlikely to the maroon feathered filly.
One day every year, her dam flies Whisperfrost to the coast of Anok, as a sort of vacation. Every time Whisperfrost looks across the massive expansion of water, it was hard to believe that there was land on the other side. No, correction-it was impossible to believe there was land on the other side. Anok is the only continent and Whisperfrost was content with believing that fact.
The legends about the Landwalkers didn't make her excited, not like the other thrilling legends that Owlspot told. Whisperfrost would much rather hear about Nightwing, or Raincloud and Spiderwing, or even tales about the backstory of Anok.
Owlspot finished her story by saying her trademark motto. After every legend she shared, she always finished with the same 3 sentences.
"Never forget, our legends are not myths. You may believe whatever you want, but at least believe in something. I personally believe in our legends." She said, speaking in a proud voice. As the pegasi who gathered around started to disperse, Owlspot slowly turned her neck to look at Whisperfrost. "Did you like the legend, darling?"
Whisperfrost flicked her ears forward and smiled gently, "I don't like the legend of Landwalkers, you know that. I'd much rather hear about Nightwing or Lake herd." Owlspot chuckled breathily, "I know. What story would you like to hear now? Your mother and brother must be getting back soon." The elderly mare asked, her kind gaze lifting towards the northern horizon and Whisperfrost followed the mare's gaze, but she looked away quickly-she couldn't see anything small from far away, especially not with only one eye. Whisperfrost stared at her hooves, frustrated and embarrassed.
"I want to know if there are other pegasi like me. Born half blind, I mean." She whispered, moving closer to Owlspot's wings. The elderly mare smiled and laid one of her fragile wings over Whisperfrost.
"There are many like you, darling. You are nothing to be ashamed of. But, none are as special as you." Whisperfrost blushed sheepishly, and shook her head, "No, Owlspot. I'm nothing special...am I? I'm not a warrior or a healer...or even a storyteller like you. I'm not even a weanling yet." She responded and Owlspot blinked slowly, accepting Whisperfrost's words carefully before replying seriously.
"You are more special than you know-perhaps the most special pegasus in all of Snow herd. You just can't see that yet, but one day, you will know just how special you are." Owlspot nodded, and Whisperfrost was about to ask Owlspot to elaborate and explain more, but Owlspot turned her head and looked away from Whisperfrost, leaving the small filly in silence-she'll have to figure out what the mare meant on her own.
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(I hoped this one would be shorter, but the characters didn't like that idea and I couldn't convince them to shorten their dialogue XDDD sooooo maybe next chapter will be lil shorter for ya Hope you like it! I really enjoyed writing this chapter for some reason)