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Beige hooves dug gently into the grassy earth as the lone figure traversed the bare terrain. The mare’s eyes had seen nothing but endless hills and valleys for weeks, and she was growing tired of the never-changing scenery. Everything looked the same; collines appearing one after another with no end to the waves in the earth. Aruna was usually fond of the open land; she could run if there was danger and at night the stars were easily visible, but after being in it for so long, she felt more trapped and isolated than ever. She hadn’t seen a single other being since her sister’s death several months ago, and she was itching to speak to someone. Preferably someone friendly, but she figured she would even put up with hostile company if it meant she was reassured she wasn’t the only equine left in the world.
Violet eyes soon brightened and ears perked, however, when Aruna mounted yet another hill and spotted a change of scenery. It was the edge of a forest, and a very pretty-looking one at that. Aruna felt a fraction of the weight in her chest lift at the prospect of the forest; she absolutely adored woodland; she had grown up in it and she felt safe in it. The trees were her own personal guardians, the animals her alarm systems. On a day such as this, the breeze through the trees would be pleasant; cool, but not too strong. The sunlight would cover the loam and undergrowth of the forest floor in golden dapples, and the birds would be singing. Aruna could practically feel the new environment around her as she picked up her pace, trotting down the grassy hillside in anticipation of the shelter of the trees.
The forest felt familiar, like home. As little as her herd had respected her, she would never associate it with the land in which they’d lived. It was as if she could feel Gaia and Herne all around her, always present in the extensive wildlife. A small smile formed on Aruna’s face for the first time in what felt like ages as she trekked on. She wouldn’t stop, not until she found a home or a companion (preferably both). She didn’t care how long it would take; it could be years before she managed to meet someone else and become their friend, but patience was a virtue that Aruna had plenty of. She could wait if she must, and wait she did. She continued onward, only stopping to graze and drink, until darkness began to fall. The flame-spotted mare finally decided to give herself a rest as the sun started to set, casting an orange hue through the trees. She heaved a sigh of contentment; she needn’t fear tonight. She felt safe, and that was enough for her for the time being.
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