The herd meeting dragged on far longer than necessary. Obediently, I remained to hear the myriad opinions of my herd mates. How many knew Aurelia directly? I would never have guessed the sheer numbers the World’s Edge housed, and compressed between the heat of so many bodies, I quickly grew uncomfortable and wished to leave. Thus, when the press began to dissipate, I spared a momentary glance each for Faeanne and Evangeline, and turned to leave, as well. No doubt another conversation awaited me, though at least I counted myself master of my own fate, in that regard. I had an explanation for the filly, that burden thrust upon me so suddenly and unexpectedly. The sooner Evangeline learned of that particular event, the better. My thoughts curled in disgust the moment I entertained any notion of the filly being my own... biologically, of course. It was no resentment toward Faeanne, but toward her mother, that drove me to speak.

     “Evangeline, could you spare a moment?” One ear cocked back toward the weight of the dragon on my back – a pleasant warmth, and one I hoped to keep as we paced through the trees in search of our own meeting place. “I’ve a story to tell you. I think you’ll find it... amusing, at least.” I glanced at Faeanne, then. “I don’t know where your brother is, but come along. You should get to know Evangeline, at least. And Tallis.” I nodded at them both as I spoke. Only when I had left behind the crowd of bodies and the uncertainty of that haphazard meeting place did I slow, and with a long breath, turn to look at both of them.

     “Evangeline, this is Faeanne.” I nodded at the filly, uncertain of just how I should act in her presence. Should I touch her? Or give some reassurance? She certainly possessed a sense of self beyond that of most her age, quite probably brought about by her mother’s carelessness. Perhaps what she needed was comfort, then. I reached out tentatively to brush my muzzle over the filly’s ears, if she would allow it. Then retracting my head, I gazed at the chestnut mare. “Faeanne, this is Evangeline. She is a friend of mine.” Good. Introductions finished. And where to start...? My tail whisked earnestly at my hocks. Where, indeed.

     “I suppose you know,” I said with a sigh, “the filly belongs to Aurelia. Hmph. Belonged. She was left in my care under no uncertain terms some time ago. Aurelia abandoned her in the Threshold, and I think it best she not be returned to the care of her... mother. But I...” I glanced away, struggling to repress memories better left unexamined – of the last child put into my care, and the bloody flight that hat, ultimately, finished in my entrance to Helovia. I would do better with this one. I... must do better. “Though it may be surprising to hear, I am both out of practice with children and exceptionally poor in dealing with them, in the first place. So.” I cleared my throat. “I hoped, perhaps.... you would help me in looking after her.” I found any attempt at meeting Evangeline’s green eyes too difficult to sustain, and so I gazed again at the filly with the delicate, star-spattered wings. She deserved better than she had gotten. It was a story too often repeated, in the world.

     One I did not wish to see repeated again.

     It all went... more easily than I expected. Better to overestimate the difficulty of a task than underestimate, however. Faeanne appeared almost fond of me, though I could not be certain why. A wry grin touched my features as I drew away from her. She would grow up greater than her mother, certainly. Greater than whatever absent fool had sired her, as well. As she wandered off to graze, I continued to watch her. Did the story of our meeting make her anxious? Did she... miss Aurelia? I thought not, and anyway, I had an obligation to Evangeline to tell the story however truthfully I could. Once it was over, none of us needed ever to speak of it again. I certainly would never care to. The entire event left a lingering sour taste in my mouth.

     Banishing concern for the child momentarily from my mind, I returned my attention to Evangeline. “She had a brother, I am led to believe.” I shook my head. “As I said, however, I don’t know that one’s whereabouts, and honestly...” I glanced at Faeanne once more, hoping the sentiment would not upset her, “I’ve no use for two children. I am a healer, not a nursemaid.” I fell silent then, watching as Evangeline greeted the girl. A strange sensation prickled in my chest as they interacted. It felt surprisingly tight, tense... Perhaps my lungs had chosen an inopportune moment to complain again. All seemed to be well between the two; I could not guess at any secrets thoughts either mare harbored, but at least they greeted each other without enmity. I nodded approval. Wherever Faeanne had learned manners from, it seemed she had learned them well. It was with some difficulty I ignored her for a moment to ask Evangeline the more important question. In truth, I found the child an easy outlet for my wandering attention – I might pretend to be concerned for her, if in fact I was merely too much a coward to look anyone else in the eye. A dangerous thing to have around.

     My head jerked with surprise when laughter met the inquiry first. In bemusement, I blinked at Evangeline – was I so obviously inept? I could do little more than grin, embarrassed, when she finally began to speak. “Not as surprising as you may think, dear.” When had I become dear? Why did I feel suddenly feverish? I turned away, uttering a short bark of a cough. Perhaps I was ill; perhaps I should run away and spare them both the possibility of coming down with it, whatever it may be... I fidgeted, tail twitching between my hind legs. “Well.” Dignified I had never been, but I always prided myself on, well... pride. I had long worked in the areas in which I had so carefully cultivated my own knowledge, and yet willingly I threw myself into this foolish pursuit, as if I might bear it with any grace.

     “She needs a mother.” Evangeline spoke again and I seized the opportunity with some gratitude, content to still my chagrin if only by distracting myself with further abuse of the absent Aurelia. “Yes. A proper one.” I cast a sidelong glance at the chestnut mare beside me. Of course, I had never before hesitated to ask of her what I required; she had proven an able student, and an able queen, and I had always stood beside her faithfully. All the same, this particular request bred within me an uneasiness I wished to leave behind. It was beyond my long experience; I did not attend to children unless they were ill. I certainly did not have anything to do with mothers, or... I snorted. “That is why I asked you. Of course, I will do my utmost to keep that creature away from her. She requires care, and I thought... you might be the best to provide it. Having raised children yourself, and being the wise individual I know you to be.” There was a bite of wry humor in the statement, and I smirked at her, hoping perhaps to lighten to mood. “Thank you,” I added after a moment, with a sigh.

     On weary legs then I stepped toward Faeanne again, my whiskered nose reaching out to brush her shoulder. “What do you think of that?” I asked, unable to make my voice sound quite as gentle as I wished. “Would you like Evangeline to be your mother?” Of course, she had no choice, but I thought it seemed kind to ask her opinion, nonetheless. She had gone so long with her own needs ignored, I felt I should do as much as I could to attend to them. How else would she grow up to be sure of herself? “We’ll take care of you, so you need never feel lonely,” I declared, a little more confidently. That did sound like a generous thing to say. Lifting up my head again, I peered down at her, awaiting some sort of response.