The voice came to her like a whisper on the raging wind, soft and faint yet still somehow reaching her without trying. Pale eyes widened as the storm around her warmed, the memory of summer winds and lazy days basking in golden sunlight bubbling up to the surface - happy thoughts barely recalled, forgotten emotions like a sweet ache in her chest. From the wind emerged a bird, dressed in flames and beautiful, more so than any she had ever laid eyes upon before, and Erthë realized that it was it who spoke, it from whence the gentle, soft voice sprung.

But for all its radiance, all its calm reassurance, the sight of the bird and the message it brought made something flicker and die within her. A hope perhaps, a lingering belief that everything would be alright. Ophelia's reappearance had kindled it again, but now Erthë was left with a feeling that the darkness would feel twice as deep for this sudden burst of light. She could no longer remember if she had ever believed that the gods would be interested in aiding one such as her, couldn't recall if she even carried the conceit of believing she deserved their attention. A bolder person might have protested that after heeding the summons to four different fields of battle, after spilling blood and tears for their sake they were obliged to do something for her in return.

But... that was not her way. Erthë knew that she had not been forced to do anything, that none of the gods owed her. Everything she had done so far, every step she had taken and every threat and danger she faced had been met out of free will. Her own free will. Happenstance and coincidence might have played a part in it, misfortune may have tailed her on every path, but though she regretted much of what had happened and missed those she had lost, she was not sorry. Disappointed, yes, frustrated and dejected, but not angry. Who was she to blame this god for whom she felt so little, who was she to demand anything from the driving forces of this world?

She closed her eyes as the phoenix turned back to wind and savored the warmth of its soft touch against her skin, not hot or uncomfortable but soothing as a mothers embrace. Smiling, Erthë could feel how all the aches and sores, all the pain and discomfort that clouded her senses fell away, swept off into the raging storm.

It wouldn't last, of that she was certain. It was a gesture of apology, perhaps even sympathy, but while it was not much it was enough to be grateful for.

When the warm light died away from her eyelids, the filly sighed quietly and opened them again. The sun had set and darkness was draping around them as the storm once again swept in to wreak havoc on the barren rocks. Only the blue glow from bubbling magma in pools and streams around them remained, a welcome aid to guide them back onto the mainland.

"Thank you" she said, a quiet murmur into the night. She glanced up at Ophelia, regret coloring the smile that curved her lips as she reached out to touch a small nose to the mare's shoulder. "For trying, thank you."

Hesitating slightly, she wondered if she ought to say something else... but no words came to her that felt sufficient enough to convey her conflicted emotions. Tucking pale wings firmly in place against her shoulders Erthë turned and began to pick her way back across the lava fields. Her stride was easy and suddenly graceful, rid of the heavy limp that usually had her wobbling about. Neither legs gave her pause, and for that, she decided, she would have to find the Sun an even better flower the next time she visited.

Erthë

and my knees are shaking - - and my dreams are breaking - - but i know i live today