She eyed the stallion with caution. True, she knew little of those who lurked in the marshes, and nor did she wish to find out. All Artemis knew of them was that they were a threat to her family. Something was off about the stallion that she couldn't place, but if he was a part of that 'family', he had to have a screw or two loose. Strange, considering he was acting quite the gentleman toward the 'pretty lady'. She glanced toward the pegasus. She was a pretty young thing, unlike her own larger, scarred frame. She wasn't so sure why that irked her. She had never been the jealous type, though she supposed it had something to do with Storm.

But now was not the time to worry about Tharos's ex-mate, or one night stand, or whatever she had been. Beside, she and Tharos were just friends. Nothing more. It was evident he only liked pretty little faces.

She glanced back toward the muzzle of the stag as he spoke. He told her not to call him 'sir', which oddly reminded her of Apollo as he had done just the same. 'Don't call me, Lord, for that is not what I am to you. Call me brother,' she smiled slightly at the thought, and thus also to his words as she eased slightly. She knew better than to let her guard down, but her head lowered slightly. Yet it was his next words that diminished her resolve and forced the warrior to flush like a filly. Beautiful, that word again. Her eyes glanced toward the pale painted face, slightly confused as to why the word was associated with herself and not the dainty mare, though in the back of her mind she simply put it down to flattery. Still, Artemis found herself clearing her throat nervously, finding her sights pinned to the newcomer.

till, the fact that he seemed reluctant to return home bothered her more than he should. She didn't show this, not reacting to those words, and once the mare accepted her offer the porcelain mare turned to lead her home. But the pretty thing did not turn to follow, instead questioning Arlo. With a soft sigh, she turned back over her shoulder, flicking her banner in mild irritation. The mare was a friendly creature, smiling and she gave Artemis the impression that she was the 'eternal optimist' type. It was a nice change. The Foothills needed some more smiles. Still, she bothered Artemis with her words and she arched her head proudly. "Not worried, miss. Prepared. I have no qualms with his people, but I have heard rumors." No need to hide that, really. She turned to Arlo, avoiding his gaze. "Though what Parelia says is true enough. Why not simply leave?" She had no right asking that and she knew it. She had doubts about her place before, yet had never abandoned her family. Now, she stood loyal and true as a General of the herd, of Apollo's herd. Never would she leave her family. She turned away. "My apologies si-...Arlo. Though you seem decent enough. If you ever have doubts, I am sure the Foothills would gladly accommodate you." She said, turning away and signalling for the pagasus to leave, though patient enough to wait if she wished to further converse with Arlo.

That stallion was... interesting. She turned over her shoulder to nod a farewell.

Her head was overturned over broad shoulders, quietly observing the pair with ears poised forwards and eyes glancing over the pectorals of the stallion. Wy he had called her such foreign, meaningless words was beyond her, yet she could not lie to herself. The words had warmed her cheeks as well as her heart. It was an odd feelings, one that the mare had yet to experience. In her birth land, stallions had been illusive to her, for she had lived a solitary life but for the one beating heart belonging to her mother. Together the females had survived alone. Her mother had been a brash woman; as spontaneous and violent as the snow caps that surrounded them. That was not to say she was a cruel parent, she was nothing of the sort, yet she raised her daughter to be a fighter, to be a survivor, so that when her own life ended, her daughter would not become the toy she herself had once been. Her mother had refused to be a prize for stallions, to be fought for and won, and she had taught Artemis to protect herself from the lustful gazes of men, yet in this land the stallions were rarely brutish and wild as those from her homeland, so these words they spread confused her.

Apollo refusing to be labelled 'lord' despite his status, instead longing only to be referenced as 'brother', Tharos, who called himself her mate (albeit accidentally) though the word had little meaning to the snow queen, now Arlo with his words of beauty.

This was nothing of the tales her mother had spun, yet as confused as she was, she was glad of it.

She listened carefully to his words as he addressed the little dove and she nodded knowingly. Despite her initial doubts of the Foothills, the nature of her family had changed from servants of war to self preservation and kindness under the new rule of the Merciful. She felt now a determinate and a duty to protect those who fell under Apollo's lead and though she was neither a leader nor as close to Apollo as others, she felt a strong sense of loyalty toward him. He truly was her brother in heart, and if Arlo's feelings of family were as strong as the bonds Artemis was forming, she knew why he could not leave no matter what doubts plagued him.

Yet something bothered her. He spoke of danger, as if this family he seemed to be loyal to would turn against their own kin if they stepped out of line. Her expression remained neutral, yet her eyes seemed to darken. She made a silent pledge, though she barely knew why, that if this stallion ever changed his mind she would protect him from these so called dangers. Artemis knew not what he meant by it, but she was brave. She would fight for those who needed to be four for, and though he appeared strong in body, she wondered if he feared this family enough to be noble to fight for his win freedom.

And as she made that mental vow, he made his own spoken promise and her gaze softened slightly. Thou he was simply a stranger, she found herself believing his words. Her mother might have told her not to be foolish, that you should never trust the tainted words of a stallion, but Artemis paid no heed to the phantoms silent advice. He seemed honest in his words, though it was a known fact that Artemis was not renouned for her ability to read others.

She sighed softly and as she did so, his attentions turned directly to her. Her eyes flickered down toward the earth, though her ears were poised toward his voice. She nodded silently. She had to take the pretty dove home, far from whatever haunted place this stallion found himself caged within. Her head twisted to turn from him, to take his advice and leave, yet before she managed to take a step, his words froze her.

He would like to see her again? She glanced back once more, eyes raising as high as they dared; directed upon his muzzle. The doubt and confusion was easy to read upon her face as he lips parted to speak. For a moment, words did not emerge as he mind whirred and buzzed, calculating an appropriate answer. "Everything is possible." She replied quietly, uncharacteristally cryptic for a moment before she managed a faint smile. "Tell me where to find you and I will come. When, I cannot say, but you have my word". She hesitated, awaiting the place. Once he told her she simply nodded, turning her back to him once again and setting off at a slow walk.

Yet something bothered her. She paused before the darkness of the forest consumed her. "And Arlo, this danger you say follows you? Whatever it is, I assure you, I can fight it." There, that sounded more like herself. She smiled a private smile and continued to move until her form was swallowed up by the trees.