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Finally! So sorry this one took so long! Merry Christmas(Hanukkah)!

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After Whisperfrost drank her fill, she tiredly walked toward Ravenleaf's head. Ravenleaf was snuffling her nose in the ground and searching for plants that weren't completely buried by snow. Whisperfrost curled up around her mother and just before she started to doze off to sleep, she felt another warm body next to her. She opened her one good eye and saw Alderflare laying next to her. His eyes were closed and she watched as his chest rise nd fell with every small breath he took, but soon he was shivering.His eyes popped open and his teeth began to clatter, gathering to attention of Ravenleaf. "What's wrong?" she asked, not bothered by the cold. "I-uh...I'm c-cold....I c-come from R-River herd where we d-don't have cold-d winters." he clattered. Ravenleaf nodded and smiled. She walked over to the colt and laid down next to him, using her wing to pull the colt closer to her. Once he was settled, she wrapped her wing over him. "Thanks! But, why are you so nice to me? That big stallion didn't like me and those two captains made fun of me, so why are you so nice?" he asked, his large eyes looking straight up at her. Ravenleaf replied, "First off, that big stallion was Twistwing. He is your new over-stallion and he made that very clear to you." she said, pausing to lick his red, sore cheek. "He is the reason why you are here. Whisperfrost, listen up, okay? I haven't told you why Alderflare is here either." Whisperfrost shyly scooted forward to listen to her mother. "Some of the steeds in our herd are very sick with a disease called Blue Tongue. Many stallions and mares have lost their lives to this sickness and that is why Twistwing sent two captains and their battalion to bring you here. You are supposed to help us 'repopulate' but you are too young to understand that." she said, chuckling at the foals' confused faces. "Like I said, you are young and a little too young, which is another reason why Twistwing was mad at you. He wanted a 2 or 3 year old- a yearling at youngest. So, the fact that you're not even a weanling upset him greatly. Now, this is the part that will be most shocking. But, we are in this together. Alderflare...." she turned to look at him. "I'm your nurse mother." she said, quietly. At first, Alderflare had no emotion, then his eyes became big and round as it clicked. "You mean....that....I'm now a...." he began "A Snow herd steed." finished Ravenleaf, nodding. "But...what about my herd? Where will....." The rest of Alderflare's words were tuned out by Whisperfrost. She stared blankly at her mother, not knowing how to think. Sad for this colt because he was taken from his family? Happy because she now has a milk-brother? Angry at Twistwing? Angry at herself? Angry at her mother? She had no idea how to feel.

A warm muzzle brought her back to the present. Ravenleaf's dark gray muzzle was pressed against Whiperfrost's. "I know it's a big change, honey. But just, give it a chance. You might like having a brother, so you're not so lonely." Ravenleaf said, turning her head to look at Alderflare. Whisperfrost whimpered slightly and her gaze dropped to stare at her little hooves. What about the routine? She and her mother never needed anyone else, so why did they need Alderflare now? Life was perfect with just Whisperfrost and Ravenleaf, but what will happen now that he's in her life? As if Ravenleaf read her mind, she said warmly "Give this a shot, Whisperfrost. Please? For me?"

Whisperfrost glanced up. "For momma..." She thought and gave the smallest nod imaginable.

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This chapter is kinda bad... again. Oh well....