The Guardian Herd: Featherettes

New Life, and New Beginnings

The moon was peeking up above the horizon, and two pegasi were trudging through the crisp wind of early fall. The stallion, a magnificent black stallion, looked at the smaller chestnut mare beside him, worry creasing his brow.

"If I still had my starfire I could keep you warm..." He huffed.

The chestnut looked at the stallion, her eyes flashing, "I'm fine, Star..." She said, her teeth chattering.

Star, the black stallion, shook his head, and draped his wing over his mate's back, "No, Morningleaf, you're cold...and if you are..."

"Don't worry, Star, the foals are fine." She nickered, grunting slightly, "But they couldn't have picked a warmer night to come?"

Star nuzzled her, "I know...but just think of how happy we'll be when they are here. We just need to find somewhere quiet and warm." He said, lifting his head to look around, "Sweetroot should be back soon from scouting..."

As if his words conjured her, Sweetroot trotted out from a line of trees, "I found a secluded cave not too far from here. It's warm and quiet, no animals have made their homes there." She said, "Follow me, I'll take you there." She indicated to the couple with a pink wing, trotting away.

Star and Morningleaf followed more slowly, trying not to make too much noise. When they reached the cave, Morningleaf trotted inside and sank down gratefully onto the bed of greenery, Star trotting in after her.

Sweetroot watched as he approached, her ear flicking, "You can be here, Star...but please don't get in my way." She said, to which the stallion agreed.

With a nod, Sweetroot stood next to Morningleaf, drawing her wing across the mare's extended stomach, "Ok, Morningleaf..." She nickered, looking at Star with a meaningful look, "It's time."

Star balked before nodding and lying down next to his mate, nuzzling her, "The foals are going to be wonderful, Morningleaf..." He murmured, "And I'll be right here next to you."

Morningleaf looked at her mate lovingly before grunting in pain, the foals were on their way.

A few hours later, Morningleaf was lying on the bed of greenery, breathing in deeply as the pain receded from her body.

"Very good, Morningleaf!" Sweetroot nickered, "You have two beautiful fillies."

Lifting her head tiredly, the chestnut mare licked one of her foals, cleaning her. The filly was a beautiful dark bay with shimmering aqua wings that faded to black. Smiling, she noted that the little bay also had a large star on her head, "Just like her father..." She noted. Turning, Morningleaf went to clean off her other filly, a fuzzy piebald mare with white mane and tail with black streaks, and white wings fading to an icy blue. Star stepped forward, his smile bright enough to light up the darkest night.

"Oh, Morningleaf!" He nickered, nuzzling her, one eye always on his fillies, "They're gorgeous, just like their mother..."

"They are gorgeous, Morningleaf." Sweetroot nickered, placing a bundle of herbs next to the exhausted mare, "Here, eat these. It'll help you get your strength back." She said, indicating to the leaves.

Morningleaf simply nodded, lapping up the herbs gratefully.

Bleating hungrily, the bay filly bundled up her legs beneath her, attempting to get to her hooves. The rock floor of the cave, however, was kind of slick, and the little filly had a bit of trouble finding her hoofing. Star moved to help is daughter stand, but Sweetroot barred him with a wing and a shake of her head.