"And now I wish to God that The earth would turn cold
And my heart would forget it's made of glass"

If ever her irate expressions had been due to the presence of the boy, they eased into heartfelt gratitude at his ready offer to help. The relief was as evident on her pale face as the frosty sigh of relief that fogged in the hot air, and for the first time since her mother's passing, the little filly smiled.

"Thank you!" she breathed as the boy rushed past her, his gait colored with purpose and excitement; she could forgive him that. Actually, she was ready to forgive him just about anything as long as he chased away those foul birds from her mother's remains. Logic told her it was a pointless thing to do; once they left the scavengers would simply return and continue their meal. However, logic wasn't what ruled her heart these days. Guilt, grief, love and passion, a young heart that beat fiercely for what was right; that was who she was, what she had turned into after everything that had happened.

Her heart felt torn as she watched the stranger run in her place. Relief, oh yes, and gratitude; but wasn't there some envy too? He was able to do it so easily. Even though there was some initial hesitation where he almost stopped, the colt was soon busy stomping and flapping the wings, battling the sluggish vultures with a bravery she hadn't expected. Why couldn't she be as strong, as cool, even though it was her mother and her problem?

Erthë forced herself to take a step forward, and another. It wouldn't do to let him do it all on his own, would it? Those were big birds, and though he did his best they hardly moved at all. At one point a few of them took to the sky, and she whooped gleefully, pirouetting on the spot in celebration. He had magic, and it worked! The flaring fires left her in a deep sense of awe and admiration, mingled of course with intense jealousy - if she'd had magic, maybe she would have been braver too!

Then she noticed more birds arrive, more and more until finally the flock in the air was as big as the one on the ground. A deep sense of unease gripped her then; they were huge, their wingspans easily exceeding her own. One or two might not be much to worry about, but twenty or thirty at once?

"Hey, watch out! Above, look above!" she called, sidestepping anxiously with ruffled feathers. Would he notice them, would he come back? Oh, she hoped he wouldn't get hurt, it would be awful if he did - it would be completely her fault, for being so weak.

Wasn't it enough that one life had been wasted due to her folly - please, lady of wind and moon, protect him!

"And all the pretty tulips would disappear
And never disturb me again"