A beginning
Harsh winds wailed through a snow-covered valley. Few patches of green grass were the only food a rather small herd had. The herd had been large, their leader proud. But now, most of the unis had been taken by humans, and the leader spiralled into depression. Being only two year's old, I didn't really understand what was going on. The herd tried desperately to comfort him, yet nothing would work. My mother, a black and white unicorn, was angry with him; all this lead to the herd's doom.
The night was colder then ever. I had a heavy feeling in my heart as I huddled close to my mother in the snow. She had a worried look in her eyes as she looked down at me to tell me to get some sleep. I nodded and closed my eyes, not really intending to go to sleep at all. But, I guess I must have fallen asleep for an hour or two when my mother awakened me. I heard a cry of a stallion, most likely our herd leader. I saw the mares rushing around, trying to hide their foals. I scrambled to my hooves, seeing for the first time what shocked me. Unis; with humans upon their back. As my mother and I were the only unicorns in the herd, the humans took interest in us. My mother told me to run so we could lead them away from the herd. I agreed and ran like there was no tomorrow. The unis were fast; faster then us. They caught my mother first. I cried out to her and she told me to run and I did too much disappointment, but I stumbled, hitting my head, and they caught me. I was dizzy from the fall and I must have fainted as everything went dark.
A hornless unicorn?
I awoke the next day. I was in a small, makeshift paddock, alone. I looked around desperately for my mother, but I couldn't see her anywhere. I whinnied as loudly as I could, but it was no use. I heard voices and I looked around, seeing the humans. They came over to me and I backed up, ears pinned against my head. They laughed at me and said something that I didn't hear. They jumped into the paddock and tried to catch me with this thing that they tried to put over my head, which I soon found out was a halter. I put up a fight, but they caught me. I squealed and tried to get away when one of the humans stabbed me with something. I suddenly grew very tired. My legs buckled underneath me and I closed my eyes, drifting off to sleep.
I woke, feeling groggy. My head was pounding. The sun was dying, yet it hurt my eyes. I slowly stood, falling to the ground. I closed my eyes in pain and determination. Finally, I stood. I looked around and saw that the humans had left. I saw a stream and slowly walked over to it. I sighed and took a long drink. The water seemed to clear my head and made the pain go away. I groaned and looked at my reflection and gasped. How could this be? I felt sick and hurt. Where my horn used to be was now just a reddish wound, stitched up. I was shocked. I was now a hornless unicorn and nothing more.
I stayed by the river that night, not sure where to go. Had the same fate fallen upon my mother? I did not know. I knew I'd most likely never see her again nor hear her sweet voice call to me in the morning. Tears formed in my eyes whenever I thought of it. Then I would think about my father. Where was he when I needed him most? These questions went through my mind unanswered. I needed someone to tell my troubles too, my fears, someone to pour my soul out to. Yet that someone never came. And I was left with a heavy burden in my heart.
A past remembered
I decided I should search for my father. I didn't know where he would be, or if he was even alive, yet something made me more determined then ever. I didn't know much about my father, Zhanjii. My mother wouldn't speak of him; all I knew is that he was a very proud, pure white stallion. I traveled far and wide for two years, spying on Uni and unicorn herds I found, yet with no luck. The journey was longer then I expected and it was already taking its toll on me. Without my horn, I carried less power then before. I was practically a common horse. Yet I still had power within me, within my soul.
I stumbled over strewn pebbles and tripped over vines and upended roots. I had come to a dark forest, which just by looking at it persuaded me to go in. I was becoming rather thin and my coat had lost its glossy sheen. The forest was dark, yet it's beauty took my breath away. I gazed at the white, purple, pink and occasional rainbow flowers. I felt great magic here, powerful magic. I knew I should've been scared, but something calmed me. It was like returning home again. Suddenly, I stumbled on a root that caused me to fall to the ground with a thud. Even as the thud was dull, it echoed loudly. There was a flash of white light which blinded me. I squeezed my eyes shut and it disappeared. I opened one eye and looked up into the face of a stern, old looking unicorn. I opened both eyes and quickly scrambled to my hooves. The unicorn looked at me, his face suddenly softened. "That is no way for a mare to be seen." He said, but his words fell upon deaf ears as I gazed out behind him. There was a large meadow, with a crystal clear stream running through it. And there was a herd. This herd was full of unicorns. It's beauty is unspeakable, you'd have to see it to know how magnificent it was. "Welcome Nalantii." The stallion said. I looked at him in shock. How did he know my name?
The stallion wouldn't answer any of my questions. He insisted that I rested first. I saw deep down in his eyes regret and sadness. So, I rested that night by myself. All I wanted to know was how the stallion knew my name. Well, anyway, morning came and the stallion called me over to him. The herd watched me as I approached him, which made me feel uncomfortable. The stallion sighed. "Come." He said softly and started walking away from the herd. I paused before following him. "How do you know my name?" I demanded. The stallion looked at the path that we were walking on. "You're mother was very kind; and beautiful." He whispered. I looked at him. So he knew my name and my mother? This was all confusing for me. "Nalantii, I know your name because I named you. I am Zhanjii, your father." He looked at me as he said this. I stopped, stunned. "You're my �¢ï¿½ï¿½ My father?" I didn't quite believe him. I just stared at him. It was then I noticed the sadness in his eyes. "It is true then.." I whispered softly to myself. "It is, my dear. I am sorry for the grief I have caused your mother." I suddenly remembered the pain in my mother's eyes when she talked of my father. "She's gone; dead probably." Zhanjii stayed quiet and let me talk. I was thankful for this. "It was.." I lowered my voice to a whisper. "Humans. They took mother and I. They.." I couldn't bare myself to say it. "..Also took your horn." Zhanjii finished for me. I just nodded.
Nal, there is nothing I wouldn't give to be able to turn back the clock and save you and your mother." I opened my mouth to argue with him, but he shook his head. "Let me explain. I had a terrible feeling you were born. At the time, I thought it was just because I wasn't used to fatherhood, but, obviously, that wasn't it. Don't get my wrong, but I did love you and your mother very much. You were my pride and joy. But I couldn't cope. My heart heavy, I told your mother I had to leave. I had to look inside myself and see if I was ready for this, so I left. Over the next year, I became part of a herd. I became close friends with the leader, that when he moved aside, he asked me to take his place. Now, the leader's son didn't take this well, and he challenged me, soon dying, speared by my own horn. Later, a beautiful pure ebon mare stumbled into this very forest. She was hurt, so I trusted her and took her in until she was fully healed." "How did you know you could trust her?" I interrupted. Zhanjii smiled at me. "There is much you do not understand. Only those who wish for help, knowledge and hold great sorrow in their heart are able to find this forest."
This mare, Keliser, wouldn't tell me of her past and how she was injured." Zhanjii continued, "It took many months before she was fully healed, and over those months, we became very close. She told me she had to leave, but she couldn't because she loved me. It was then I told her that I, too, felt something between us. I hadn't forgotten about you or your mother, but I could not bear to tell Keliser of my past. Over the months, Keliser became rather quiet. Until, one day, she came to me with horrible news. She was leaving, for good. Then, she told me she was to have a foal the next winter; my foal. She left and I never saw her again.."
A long journey and The Meeting
I had nightmares of my father and an ebon mare and an ebon filly, with white socks and stars, which resembled me, and my mother hiding in the shadows, crying, as she watched the three.
I told my father that I was leaving as I felt there was something I was missing. He respected my decision. So, I continued on my way. I didn't want to leave the herd and the forest's beauty, but something inside me told me to continue on my journey. My father told me that the loss of my horn was not the end of the world. He told me that a unicorn's magic does not come from the horn, but from the heart. I will forever remember these words.
I travelled for months going wherever the wind called. I had met none who seemed fairly interested in me at all, so I didn't bother trying to join a herd. But one day, I was out for a stroll one day when I came upon a small group of unis. I decided to introduce myself, as I had no friends. Eventually, the group became large. I've always had a fear of large groups and I galloped away towards a stream. I calmed down again only to see a large brown stallion had followed me. He looked like he could be vicious, but his eyes told something different. He introduced himself as Lantaane, or Taane. We started talking and I could tell that he was a really nice stallion. I told him what had happened to my horn and he seemed fairly disgusted that someone could do such a thing. Despite the pain of remembering the past, I smiled.
Over the weeks, Taane and I grew closer. He was my first real friend and I knew I could trust him. I have always enjoyed his company. He has introduced me to some other mares that seem really nice, but I seem to have a problem making friends. Taane has shown me the wonderful things in life, including storm racing which I find extremely exhilarating. He also saved my life in one such race, which I am very grateful of. I know I will never be able to pay him back for the kindness that he has shown me, but I will try.
I decided to stay with where I could easily find Taane, as I feared losing the only friend I'd ever had. I began wondering if my horn will ever grow back. I had heard stories of a Unicorn's horn growing and repairing it's self. But as my father said, "A unicorn's magic does not come from the horn, but from the heart."
A New Hope
Weeks passed, months vanished. Seasons changed, as did my heart and mind. Taane had become my greatest friend; my only friend. He showed me there's more to life then darkness. Day by day, a pain grew in my head. I didn't know what it was, but I wished it would go away.
One day, I was resting by a river, contemplating my thoughts when I suddenly had an urge to look upon the river's surface. What I saw shocked me. I had a horn. I do not know how it got there; I think it must have just appeared. I stared blankly at my reflection. It couldn't be a trick of the light, for it seemed so real. I then realized that my horn had grown back. That was what the pains were! I was so happy! For the first time in ages, my thoughts had been cleared of darkness.
Lost kin
Over time, I gained new friends. I also gained the love of my life, Taane. Taane and I decided to create our own herd, The Shadowed Spirits. Everything was going wonderful until I met another mare by the name of Taeriyn. She was a kind mare, but I could tell something was causing her pain deep inside. I asked only once, but she snapped at me. I decided it was best to leave her alone. She was a part of the herd too, but she hardly stepped foot inside the herd lands.
Then came a day that Tae was gone. Days turned into weeks and there was no sign of her. I often thought about her, worrying about her safety. But I had another worry. Another had come to the herd lands. As I had grown connected with the lands, I was able to travel through the forest silently. I soon learned that it was a stallion who had come about our lands, and he watched me whenever he was near. He watched me at night, hoping to remain unseen, I guess. Though, I knew he was there. This worried me further. I didn't tell Taane of my fear, as I did not want to trouble him.
I was out searching the forest one day, when I came across a clearing. In this clearing stood a black mare, along with a white stallion. I stared at the stallion in astonishment. The stallion was my father. The mare next to him was none other then Tae. Hearing me arrive, they both looked at me. Ignoring Tae, I turned to my father. "Why are you here?" I asked, rather bluntly, unable to believe that it was my father standing before me. He looked at me, yet he avoided my eyes. "Nal.. I see you've met Tae." He said softly. I stared at him. "Yes.. And I see you've met her too." Zhan sighed and shook his head. "Nal, do you remember how I told you about Keliser?" He asked softly. I nodded, brow furrowed in thought. "Well, this is Keliser's daughter.. Your sister."
I stared at Tae, unable to believe what I'd heard. She'd been my friend for so long, and now I find out that she is my sister! I was shocked, but then it all came back to me. I remembered those odd dreams of a filly that looked like me, but was opposite. I looked at my father, sighing and shaking my head. "Tae, you were more then welcome to stay at the herd for as long as you wished. But as you as my sister, I wish for you to stay here. There may be times when I will need you." Tae watched me silently, before nodding my head. "I'll stay. Only because I know that I'll need you one day too."
My father decided to stay too. He told me that he had grown weary of being a herd leader, and that he had appointed the herd to a young colt that'd arrived with a new mare. Zhan wanders the herd lands alone, or with Tae. Love continues to blossom through Taane and I, yet we are both faced with the hardships of our past. But I must move on. Forgive and forget. I look forward to a happy life with Taane, and nothing will come in our way. I am quite certain of that.
I often think of my mother. I wonder what ever happened to her. Did she die, like I sorrowfully thought? Or did she live, and is now enslaved by humans? Father tells me she is dead, and I feel it. But there is something else there. I feel as thought she is still alive somehow, or her spirit is near. Maybe in the very land in which I lead the herd? Only time will tell..
