In the fading light of the day, a fea the hue of the sunset comes into the lands, 'er young, delicate frame drifting o'er the geo as if 'he was on clouds. 'He sticks 'er velveteen to the oxi, orbs closed, nares hungrily taking in the scents of the familiar terra. 'He sighs and opens 'er pools again, and uses them to find the form of 'er babe Koen. 'He grins as 'er sight falls on 'im, the very image of 'is father, Samos. 'He whickers to 'im, calling 'im to 'er side,

"Come o'er here Koen darling." 'He says, 'er voice melodic and as smooth as richest honey. 'He stands where 'he is and looks around for other equines, lashing 'er long banner o'er 'er lean sunset flanks. 'He tosses 'er dial and calls for the King, Blue Moon, with great excitement in 'er voice. 'He had met 'im in person while 'he wandered one day, and they had conversed and become friends. 'E had told 'er that 'he was always welcome to come back here, so 'he had chosen to come back for a visit now, and present 'er and Samos's son to 'im. Nudging 'er prince to 'er side, 'he waits expectantly for 'is arrival, 'er lanterns searching and 'er harks listening.

+|Th' scent o' newcomers filled th' withered nares o' th' rogue king, though spirited friend's seemed to possess half o' th' entirety 'is steps were placed quick as 'e two-beated to th' sound o' th' call, 'e recognized it as that o' th' fae Sunset Ember and released 'is own hoarse welcome to 'er, emerging from th' depths o' 'is terrain, orbits glittering in joy to see 'er, and th' bantle 'side 'er was as sleek as 'erself and seemed to be th' son o' one 'e knew. Lowering 'is tiara in respect, 'is lyrics seemed breathies yet still they possessed th' po'er o' eternity,

'Lo Ember, how does thee fair?

with oculars o' past days seen o' better sunlight 'e considered 'er bantle with curiosity. keeping 'is oldened cran high in 'is usual stance though twas relaxed as some arthritis took 'old o' 'is broad back.|+

Bright pools light even more in excitement as they find the frame of the King. 'He dances on the spot as 'e makes 'is way to 'er, and 'he dips 'er crown in respect as 'e does to 'er when 'e halts near 'er. Dark almond lanterns drift inconspicuously o'er 'is form, and 'he is somewhat saddened as 'he sees what age has done to 'er friend and ruler. Putting this aside for the joy 'he felt to see 'im again 'he responds to 'is enquiry almost instantly,

"I fare well dear King, I am no longer lonely as I was when we first crossed paths. I have a mate, Samos of Riverheart Valley, and this is our bantle, Koen." 'He says, pride shining through every syllable of 'er voice. 'He smiles gentley to 'im, 'er gaze meeting 'is,

"And how fare thee?" 'He asks 'im, unable to prevent 'erself from letting 'er pools drift subtly o'er 'is aged body again. Looking back up into 'is lanterns 'he instantly wishes that 'he had controlled 'erself.

+|Th' belle's glances to 'is anged frame did not fase 'im, many looked th' same at 'is features, yet with somewhat o' greed. To th' many thought's o' those 'oping 'e died to bare th' throne to any who would claim th' land 'ad better think not o' those 'gain, for th' bantle o' 'is own own soon twould be created and th' heir o' which King would be granted. With a vein sigh o' contempt and some exhaustion 'twas 'is haughty tones exibited to th' heaven's with gusto,

I am happy for thee, love was always ne'er to far, only th' perfect one could claim thee and create such a beautiful bantle.

'e answered solemnly with an approving look toward Koen and a return o' 'er radiant smile.

Oh, 'tis th' ageing part o' life that takes it's toll to my body. Arthritis in my back 'as me stiff and not 'as lithe as I once was. Still, my strength in mind 'as kept to me, and fairly well I still remain, 'tis no need to fret o'er an ageing soul.

'twas th' lowness o' 'is deep lyrics that interfered with th' now slower song sung. Weakness o'er took th' agileness o' 'is youthhood but 'e remained 'pon th' geo with pride in 'is 'eart and confidence in 'is lands, until th' death would 'e ne'er leave, twould be a miracle to tear 'im apart.|+

A tired colt snuggled deep into his mothers side, blissfully unaware of the change in terrain at his feet. It was only the approach of a strange stag that alerted him. Lifting his tiny head from his mother's pelt he cast his orbs warily over the large frame of the ageing equine before him. Snorting slightly he turned back to his mother and whickered softly, asking quietly for an explanation.

The sun kiss'd bella listens to Blue Moon's wise lyricals, happy to hear that none of the vigor of 'is past years had gone from 'is powerful yet kind tones.

"Thine blessing unto Koen is gracious M'King. As to yer aging, it matters not, yer subjects respect yer rule greatly, and I can only pray that I am as positive and strong minded as ye when I begin to get on in winters." 'He whickers kindly, admiration and respect glittering in 'er young, intelligent mahogany lanterns. 'He feels 'er babe move at 'er side, and 'he instictivly diverts 'er attention to 'im. At 'is nicker of concern, 'he explains things to 'im,

"Koen, this be the King of the Torn, the one who protects and leads our kind, and 'e is also a dear friend of mine." 'He coos softly, lipping 'is bright chestnut forelock affectionately after 'er explaination,

"There is no need to fear, 'e will not harm ye little one." 'He says in gentlest, smoothest lyrics, 'er mothering instincts driving 'er to soothe the anxiety 'he sees in Koen's large pools.

+|With th' ago o' lanterns that 'ad fallen 'pon e'ery imaginable substance o' young ones to elders on th' verge o' death, twas th' glitter o' pleasent kindness and content. A beseeching smile lit 'is withered features to th' glow o' past years. From th' turnout o' 'is dear friend came th' po'er o' such minds as Koen's and th' small fear o' 'imself was found by th' King in th' air, though it twas met with strong courage and acceptance. Th' tones o' th' battle worn warrior were sleek and fatherly instead o' th' kingly rythmn,

Ye already are.

'e answered kindly with th' gracious smile returned.

Indeed, but to a friend kindly Moon is prefered.

to th' respect o' a dear friendship and th' mighty acts o' kindness to 'is creed, th' greying facade was lowered in half a bow to th' coltine, pausing at 'is level to allow 'is towering stance to remain smaller and less fearsome,

Indeed not, for ye are just as po'erful if not more than I.

'e complimented, 'oping to encourage th' colt's antics 'round 'im with th' improvment o' sheer atitude.|+

Koen looked up at the tall stag before him and nodded slightly as his mother introduced him. As he lowered his head, Koen understood the stag posed no threat to him and he reared slightly at the stag, flinging his tiny hooves playfully.

+|As Koen lifted 'imself to a playful rear, a smile 'peared 'pon th' ageing features, pleasently enjoying th' younung's company feeling 'is own age rapidly decreasing. 'e 'imself lifted to a rear, forelegs striking outward, reaching magnificantly 'bove th' colt's cranium. Knowing by chance 'e 'ad possibly frightened th' colt 'e lowered 'imself to th' geo, allowing 'is crania to lower 'gain to th' foal's level, grinning in spite o' 'imself. |+

Embers laughs as 'er babe and Moon romp, seeing that 'er aging friend still had much strength in 'im made 'er happy.

"Good to see that age has not taken away your good humour Moon." 'He whickers jokingly, and gives a playful buck of 'er own in high spirits, 'er flints slicing the oxi hamlessly.

Koen danced playfully again around the stag hooves, having no fear of him. He whickered gently and nipped the king playfully on the rump knowing naught of how to behave around the royalty. He reared again and raced away only to raced back and rear for the king once more.

Embers looks reapproachfully at Koen, catching 'is gaze and shaking 'er cran disapprovingly. 'He bends down to 'is minute auds and whispers to 'im,

"Ye bahave yerself young man." 'He whickers firmly but 'he was kind and gentle as 'he always was. "he then nudges 'im playfully away so that 'e could continue 'is games, and smiles to Moon,

"I hope 'e is not being too much of a pest for ye." 'He laughs jokingly.

+|Glancing to Embers and noticing 'er reproachful looks 'e too realized Koen 'ad 'ad 'is fun with 'im and twas now time that 'e calmed down and acted as 'e should 'round royalty. 'e knew that 'e cared nothing for what Embers did 'round 'im for a dear friend to a withered stag 'he was and 'er colt should 'ave th' decency to understand 'ow to act 'near King's. A sharp nicker and a shake o' 'is tiara was given to th' colt with a determined air o' gentle scolding. Pricked sonars catching 'er musical tones 'e parted 'is librims and 'is deep lyrics toned th' heaven's,

Not at all, yet e'ery young colt should learn to respect that o' a King. E'en though 'e should not see me as one, others will demand 'is respect and 'e should learn easy, 'stead o' 'ard.

'e answered slowly, for years o' wise lyrics 'ad been spoken from 'is vocals and perhaps not years to come.|+

Koen dropped his head at his mother's scolding and looked up at the king. He took a tentative step forward and shook his boa before opening his librims for the first time.
I am sorry, Mighty King. Will not happen again.
With a start he pulled his head up, suprising even himself by the quanity of words which issued from his small mug. Thought not wanting to seem proud he dropped his cran once again and stepped back towards his mother.

Embers nodded in agreement to the King's words, and swelled with pride when Koen took the initiative to approach the King and apologise. 'He was all of a sudden rather proud of 'er and Samos for raising 'im so very well mannered. 'He smiles and nudges Koen softly when 'e comes nearer 'er,

"Good boy Koen, ye did the right thing." 'He says, believing that every fair and just deed should be rewarded.

+|Not surprised by Koen's well mannered response 'he nodded in content, for 'is answer was wiser than any bantle e'er older than 'im. Intelligent 'e was and Moon knew 'e would one day be great, for no greater dam could 'e 'ad 'ave than Embers,

Very good Koen, 'tis a good trait that ye 'ave learned, wise and intelligent ye already are and still ye will go farther in life as years take 'old o' thee. Ye are well respected in th' King's land, and let it be known that ye are always welcome, as ye dam is as well, welcome in my home.

'e said slowly with a returning dip o' 'is crania, 'e saw th' colt as a bold leader, commanding and well traited. Who knew should 'e die 'fore an heir twas created perhaps th' stance o' kingship would 'ave to be given to someone else.|+

Koen lifted 'is head to the King, 'is obrs unblinking as 'e watched 'is. With a slight nod of 'is already noble cran 'e accepted the King's words, yet made no comment on him. With a silent look to 'is mother 'e moved back to 'er belly, 'is stomach growling for food.
Within a few mintues 'e had drunk 'is fulll and returned once more to stand before the king.

+|Carefree seconds passed as 'is aged oculars watched th' bantle softly, from th' small steps o' 'is petite flints, to th' top o' 'is tassels that only vibrated in th' gentle breeze. And memories flashed 'fore 'is mind, o' th' claimage o' 'is terra, 'ow bold 'e 'ad thought th' terra was, and now 'e saw it as a job, so much visions and 'opes 'ad 'e allowed to pass 'is thoughts, that could 'ave perhaps changed th' way things were. As 'is decision to follow th' Shadows in their time o' need was simply regretted to th' deepest part o' 'is 'eart. Yet 'e knew no battle would there be, before 'is days were done, and an heir created so as 'is decision was neary minded no longer, and a new mind twas taken. Th' foal twould rule th' land, whether colt who would take 'is place as king or filly who would find a mate and make 'im king, 'is blood would last in th' lands fore'er 'til th' end o' time. And as 'e returned to th' present world, nothing seemed to be o' superior concequence, 'e simply lived on th' earth o' which nothing 'appened to 'im, so far th' world managed to attain their peace, although hatred was brewing and it was yet to be released.|+

Koen dipped his cran slightly as the King's obrs glassed over as he was transported to another realm. With a soft nicker to him the colt stepped forward, touching the king's nose with his own. He was drawn to the king, his age and wisdom called to the young colt. Koen lifted his head slightly, daring to step closer to the king, and further away from his mother.

+|Returning to 'is previous state o' standing with Koen and Embers 'e felt th' touch o' Koen's tender nose 'gainst 'is own and 'is once glassy hues trnasported back to th' gentle ashen o' which they 'ad always been. 'is steps closer seemed to revive 'im o' younger days and 'e felt a conection 'tween th' colt and 'imself,a bond o' which could ne'er break, yet in time 'e knew it would 'ave to for death would just await. 'e lowered 'is majestic cranium 'gain, to reach down to th' colt and peering softly 'tween 'is long forelock.|+

Koen whickered slightly, his gaze unwavering as he stood before the King. A sudden shiver ran over his spine, a cool breeze pulled unmercifully at his cropped tassels, though he did not move. A small smile crossed his mug and he stood silently, waiting for eternity

Embers watches the pair in silence, not wanting to ruin the strong moment of connection between them. As Koen moves from 'er to go closer to Moon, 'he thinks about pulling 'im back, but hesitates and then lets 'im be. Content to let Moon do whatever 'e wanted to do with 'er son, 'he lowers 'er cran and beginds to crop delicately at the foliage of the terra, gaze returning to Koen every now and then. Obviosly Moon had something in store for 'er little colt, and 'he knew better than to interfere.