Dawn's early light (Gideon)

[Pinki the Pessimist]

The soft light of dawn descended on the emerald and purple landscape, as the mahogany spotted mare stirred from her dozing. She stifled a yawn and regarded the land around her peacefully. To her right, the sun was just starting to color the sky in wonderful colors, while to her left, the ebony landscape gave way to the morning, leaving the faint stars to disappear into the sky until the next night. It was truly one of her favorite times of day to behold as it reminded her that another day was upon her and how precious they were. Not to long ago, she had been unable to tell the days apart, as the sickness had tormented her and sucked the life from her, leaving behind a frail shell of her former self. It had been a very close call, and she had nearly faded away from this life. The horror of her ordeal and how close to death she had truly come still clung to her like a spider web, but she tried not to let it change her. If it had not been for her brave Knight, who knows what would have become of her. Even as optimistic as she was, she had nearly given into her exhaustion and passed into the light, until his call had awoken in her a fire that had refused to give up without seeing him one last time. And oh, had it been worth it! Her brave Gideon, heedless of the infection that had been spreading through the land and through her veins, had greeted her as if she were still beautiful despite the fact that her glistening pelt had been dingy and blood coated clinging to a skeletal frame. He had taken her aside and nursed her only leaving her side when he absolutely had to, and rushing back as if he were afraid she would disappear. With his constant care and love, she had finally found a reason to live.
Day by day she had gotten stronger, albeit agonizingly (and frustratingly on Gideon’s part) slowly, until her sickly form had finally started to put weight back on and her sores had healed over. Now, enough time had passed and she had gotten strong enough that Gideon, anxious over his land, had felt comfortable enough to leave her side for short amounts of time. Her mahogany and white pelt (while still not as glossy or soft as it had been) had finally started to regain some vitality, as had her tresses, which had been so lank and matted that they had had no choice but to cut them shorter, had finally started to gain some length. She was still too skinny, and the hollows in her hips and over her ribs showed where her rapid weight loss had taken its toll, but she was much better from the sorry state she had been in. Even the scabs on her sides from the sores where she’s been laying for an undefined amount of time had finally started to flake off leaving small scars behind them as a reminder of what she had survived.
Thea knew it was necessary for him to rebuild his herd, and to help those out who were unfortunate enough to be without a home much like she had been once. But oh how she missed him when he was away. She had grown so used to having his undivided attention and presence these last several weeks that it now felt like a part of her was missing. As she watched the golden disk edging higher into the morning, she smiled wistfully. She had never thought that she would be lucky enough to find someone who would love and care for her so much, and yet the red dun had swooped into her heart and galloped into the sunset with her. And this sunrise marked a new day that she would get to share and spend with him.
But Thea’s wistfulness was short lived, and her smile began to droop as she thought of all of those who were claimed by the sickness and would never get to see the sunrise again. Never get to marvel over the colors and how they painted everything they touched in soft shades of pink and orange. Or the way the fresh light sparkled off the dewdrops that still clung to the brightly colored flowers in glistening drops sending out their own little prismatic displays below. How many had fallen to never rise, like she almost had? Once she might have denied it, and said that such things were only a myth and that others lived long peaceful lives and only died happily in their sleep at a ripe old age. But now, some of that innocence had been stolen from her. She knew death was out their lurking, waiting to claim all of them, and she silently mourned for all those who had not been fortunate enough to have someone strong and loving like Gideon to care for them. It was just a sad fact of life, however she refused to let it change her entire outlook. If anything it meant there was all the more reason to cherish everyday as well as those around you. She spared a thought for her mother back home, hoping she was all right and that the plague had not reached her fathers lands. She had begun to suspect that her prayers were pointless, but still she labored on everyday praying that her mother would be okay and would someday meet Gideon so that she could see what a fine Stallion her daughter had fallen in love with. With a last glance over the glowing landscape she lowered her head to graze gently on the tender greens while she waited for Gideon to return from his latest search.