Small beads of precipitation cascaded down from the cloud-veiled heavens as a lone mare wandered aimlessly below. Pearls of rain water clung to her silvery hide as she gradually made her way across the terrain, flanks swollen wide with the final stages of pregnancy. The harmonious sound of gentle rain coalesced concertedly with the calming dissonance of the ocean tide as shimmering waves lapped continuously against the beach sand.

Her movements were leisurely and drawn out as she walked along the shore, admiring the untamed beauty of the sea. Mutely she observed as a lonesome gull swooped with great difficulty through the thickening downpour, desperately seeking shelter.

Misery was often alluded to the rain, but at that time you couldn't tell. At that moment, things were calm, peaceful: Cassiopeia treasured every second of it. The roan dame had come to love this beach dearly since her time in Helovia. She had forged many wonderful memories with Azzuen at this location, and it was without hesitation that she had chosen to arrive at this beach when she knew the birth of her foal was eminent. She could feel it in every fiber of her being.

It would soon come, and she would finally be able to meet the child she had carried within her womb for months now. Its very first glimpse at the world would be of this beach, and she didn't want it any other way. She was ready.

The rain was erratic. One moment it showered the earth in a dense, vehement torrent, the next a gentle drizzle. No thunder clapped in the distance, nor did lighting streak across the dreary sky. Only the tranquil melody of the cloudburst and the ritual ebb and flow of the acrid tide – acquiesce the occasional squall of a frantic aquatic bird – existed to serenade the soon to be mother. Each instant the delivery of her daughter loomed closer. She was halted in her tracks as a wave of cramps washed over her. Mere seconds later, her water broke.

The foal wasn't going to wait any longer.

She laid down where the tide lapped gently against her lean legs, and exhaled a long, fluctuant sigh. The mare remained motionless. She seemed almost content as she awaited what was to come. She rolled over onto her side. Her breathing became raspier, laborious. The contractions had started in earnest and they continued, occurring increasingly more rapid. The rain almost yielded, seemingly relented by the spectacle about to take place. Sweat had begun to form upon her hide so that dark patches now marred her chromatic coat.

Sides heaving dramatically, she lifted her slender face tiredly into the air, mustering the strength to bellow out the name of her beloved. "Azzuen!" Her normally melodic, feminine voice was now urgent and distressed, pleading frantically for the company of her mate. She had awaited this moment for some time now, but she couldn't do it on her own. The muscles keeping her neck suspended relaxed, allowing her head to descend with a thump upon the aureate grains below her. Her long, svelte legs thrashed occasionally in pain, and her flaring nostrils trembled as air rushed forcefully from her lungs.

Her sizable argent wings remained unfurled on the ground behind her lithe physique as she finally began to push, pining for Azzuen to arrive in time to witness the birth of his foal.

She couldn't hold it off any longer.