A Common Heart
© Rebecca Engelmann

(Picture by Rebecca Engelmann)

A slight breeze curled about silver hooves, winding it's lazy way up the depthless black coat until it threaded it's tendrils through a silky mane of black and silver. Hooves clicked against the cobbles as the stallion walked slowly back and forth across the path before the Healer's Building. Faint sounds drifted out through the open window and every now and then dark ears would rotate to catch the words of his Bonded as she asked and answered questions.

Snorting, the wildborn finally moved over to the window just as a young woman appeared. Her dark curls fell against the sill as she leaned out, a ready smile on her lips. "We're having a short break, Jewel." she murmured into the wildborn's neck as he stepped closer to accept her hug. She placed a swift kiss on the velvet of his muzzle as she pulled back. "You're bored out here, aren't you?" she sighed, concern drawing at her brow.

{{No worries, Rilyn.}} he assured her, stepping carefully away. He was infamous for scraping horn and ears against window frames and was trying hard to learn a better way to remove his large head from them without injury... even if it was slight and insignificant. {{I am just feeling a bit...}}

"Down?"

The expansive chest puffed with a sigh as the stallion lowered his head to rub against a non-existant itch on his foreleg. {{Not down, Rilyn, just lonely when you are occupied for so long in your classes.}}

Quelling the ache in her heart over her Bonded's words, Chaldrilyn reached out to him, her fingertips brushing the silver spiral of his horn as he lifted his head again. Velvety brown eyes regarded her with love, but beneath them was a touch of sadness.

"I am sorry, my beloved." Chal swallowed the lump in her throat, unsure what more she could say. She was an officer of the Roug and she had a talent that needed nurturing, especially since there were few crystal healers in the ranks. Hers was an ability that would come in great need if they were faced with dangers in the days to come. The few times she had used her talents in the line of duty had shown her that she still had so much to learn.

{{I know, fear not, loved one.}} Jewel sent in a soothing voice. {{I understand the need for such lessons. I only wish I could be of help.}}

"Now stop that." Chal demanded sternly. "You know I feel useless in a battle. It is you that protect me, you that are able to hit hard, not me!" Indeed, Chaldrilyn's combat skills were fair at best and she relied heavily on her Bonded's reliable prowess.

Looking away again, Jewel scraped a hoof against the wall of the building. His nagging thoughts wanted to complain about his innate talent being useless, but he knew it would only upset her and she would plead sick to her teacher. Rosya would then send Heartsong after him to scold him, or lecture him about the necessity of Chaldrilyn's lessons... All of which he knew already.

Forcing his mind-voice to sound more upbeat, the stallion whickered gently and rubbed his muzzle against Chal's cheek making her laugh. "That tickles!" she scolded, rubbing his forehead beneath the base of his horn.

Enjoying the attention, Jewel whickered again. {{I know, that is why I am doing it!}} Reluctantly, he let her slip back inside as her instructor returned to the room.

Blowing him a kiss, Chal went back to her class with a whispered promise that she would be done soon.

Chest heaving again, Jewel stepped away from the building and walked back down the path. He could think of nothing to do, the newly Bonded unicorns would be heading to the meadows for a celebration as their Y'Cha was that evening. His usual companions were on Circuit Duty. Chaldrilyn and himself had returned to the Academy for her crystal healing classes and Jewel was forced to admit that he was unsure of what to do with himself.

Deciding finally to go to the stables, he arrived just in time to see the young mare Smoke being guided by Onyx. The stallions of her soon-to-be Cha group milling about her. Head hanging lower, Jewel turned away. This idea had not been a good one.

Glad that his Bonded was preoccupied with studying, Jewel nonetheless fought to control his depression and settled for a leisurely walk to the woods. At first, he did not notice the blanket of mist covering the forest floor, as absorbed as he was. But he gradually noticed a dampening about his legs and he snorted in dismay.

{{Now where did that come from?}} he wondered, confused by the rapid change in weather. {{The conditions are not right for this.}} Jewel was admittedly curious as he quietly walked on, careful to watch where he placed his heavy hooves.

It was not long before a shape began to appear out of the rising mist. The sun filtering through the canopy above shone down on a golden horn, glinting against the blue coat of the unicorn mare. Her eyes were closed as she stood there, the fog billowing out about her and the white star around the base of her horn was eye-catching.

Jewel felt a sudden tugging deep in his belly, a tightness in his chest and throat. Alarm wormed it's way inside and he quickly shook it off, his thick mane slapping against his neck.

Eyes snapping open, the mare shied away and whirled about, preparing to flee.

{{Wait, please!}} Jewel sent quickly. {{I beg your forgiveness. I did not mean to intrude or startle you.}}

Warily, the mare looked over her shoulder. Jewel recognized her as Misty, the one the Elders were known to listen too. He had never spoken more than a few words to her before, in fact, he rarely ever saw her and could not recall exactly when he had. He was surprised to find her out here.

{{Please.}} he said again with sincerity. {{I will leave.}}

The mare slowly turned around to face the wildborn. She regarded him with calm, liquid eyes as he stood there uncertainly. It was obvious that Jewel did not wish to leave. And who was she to send him away? These woods did not belong to her.

{{You do not have to leave, Jewel.}} her mind-voice was quiet, gentle and soothing. {{You have as much right to enjoy this forest as I.}}

Still unsure, Jewel bowed his head in thanks and awknowldegement. {{Thank-you... Misty.}}

Something in the way the stallion said her name caused shivers in her withers and she lifted her head higher, curiousity in her mind-voice. {{Are you not supposed to be on Circuit Duty?}}

Bobbing his head, the wilborn cautiously stepped closer as the mist slowly disipated. {{I am. We returned for Rilyn's classes. She believes we may be posted here in Pallahade in the future so that she may easily continue them.}}

{{This does not please you?}} Misty asked in her soft voice, her lovely head tilting to the side.

Surprised that it would show through, Jewel stopped moving and met the mare's eyes. {{I know of its importance, but I must admit to feeling a bit lonely and lost when she is so absorbed. It tires her.}}

The sadness in the stallion's words caused Misty to feel a slight pulling at her own heart. {{This Rilyn... the curly-haired girl from the blue class?}} At the stallion's confirmation, she sent a warm feeling to the wildborn. {{Her job is an important one.}}

Pride swelled in Jewel, outweighing the uselessness he felt for himself. {{It is.}}

Misty pawed delicately at the leaves beneath her hooves. {{What does it feel like to Bond with a human?}}

Meeting the mare's eyes again, Jewel sent a wave of feeling to her. Misty was suddenly overwhelmed with a brimming to her heart, a fullness in the void that she had not realized was there. An end to the loneliness that she mistook for time alone. Though she had never much cared for the company of others, she was forced to face the realization that she was sometimes *lonely*.

Shyness returned and Misty toyed with the idea of fleeing. Her muscles quivered, but she did not move. She found with no small wonder that she did not *want* to leave. She wanted to enjoy the stallion's company!

Sensing the warring emotions within the mare, Jewel tried to make himself less imposing and took careful steps closer, pausing between each one to gauge her reaction. Misty's nostrils flared with fear... and excitement. {{Can a mated pair feel such... things?}} she asked, her shaking voice barely above a whisper.

{{I believe that it is certainly possible.}} Jewel sent back, a thrill racing in his bloodstream. Was it possible? Was it right that he should be thinking such things? Would Rilyn see it as a betrayal?

Faltering, the sudden, distant voice of his Bonded interrupted his worries. {Follow your heart, beloved. No one can interfere with the love we share, but that doesn't mean you cannot find yourself a sweetheart to spend your hours away from me with.}

Ripples of pleasure, love, joy, and just a little fear passed between  Jewel and Misty, and therefore back to Chaldrilyn.

Grinning from ear to ear, the crystal in the palm of her hand ignored, Chal met Rosya's understanding eyes.

The healer winked and smiled fondly at her student. "You will have to share with me what is happening to that handsome 'corn of yours... but after class."

Looking out of the window, Chal imagined that she could see Jewel and the mare of his affections standing beneath the trees, and she was so happy that she felt like weeping. No longer would she have to feel guilty about spending so many hours physically away from her cherished Bondmate. And though they were both complete, there was still those times when the stallion was alone. Not in his heart- never in his heart, but it was only natural, considering his age, that the stallion should want to take a mate. Finally, there would be an end to loneliness.