Author's Note: Somehow these posted out of order and I blame the dumpster fire that has become my life ahaha... Apologies.
CONTENT WARNINGS: teratophilia, omegaverse, mention of family physical abuse
The roan stallion snorted and shook his head, nearly taking the reins from my stiff fingers. Staring out past his perked ears, I swallowed as I took in the vastness of the lake. Mist lingered along the mirror-like surface, disturbed only by the barest of waves and the gentle lapping of water against the pier's wooden poles. With another snort, the stallion pawed at the soft earth and sidestepped in impatience.
Shaking myself out of my daze, I patted the roan's neck. "Easy, Roark, easy..."
Murmuring soft words to the beast, I nudged the horse's sides with my heels, encouraging the stallion closer. When his hooves sank into water-soaked mud, I pulled up on the reins. No reason to get him stuck.
Taking a deep breath, I slid from the saddle. My boots squelched into the mud and I sent thanks to whichever shoemaker had made the leather sound. I gently pushed my horse back away from the muddy edge and looped the reins around a low branch, loose enough that he could get free if a predator showed up—or munch on the greenery on shore.
Then I turned, straightening my back and smoothing my fingers over the supple doublet fitted to my slender form. A shudder rolled down my back as I scanned the lake's surface again, making me adjust my thick cloak.
"Looks enchanted enough," I muttered, rubbing my hands to warm them. I closed the distance between the stallion and the edge of the pier, where the mud turned to wooden planks. The thunk of my boots on the planks was a stark contrast from the squelch of the sodden mud. I knocked off as much mud as I could before walking slowly down the pier. I couldn't see the end of the pier—
But according to the stories, the Lady of the Lake would only appear at the end of the pier. Trusting this, I kept going, even as the mist closed in around me and I could no longer see the shore. The thick fog muffled my boots upon the pier as I trudged forward. No wind danced along the surface or disturbed the mist, pulling all sense of the passage of time from me.
With just the sounds of the water pushing against the pier supports and my boots against the planks, I hugged my cloak tighter against me to fight against the oppressive chill. After what felt like an eternity, the mist opened, wrapping around the sides of a covered gazebo. I swallowed down my fears and strode forward into the gazebo. As I stood under the gazebo's roof, I turned in a slow circle, wondering briefly how anything could possibly hear me so far out on the lake.
"Make yer wish in the gazebo at the end of the pier. The Lady will hear you and appear. Iffin yer worthy, mind you."
"That old man better be right," I muttered, stepping up to the edge of the gazebo. I cleared my throat, my eyes searching the water's surface for any signs of the Lady—or danger.
"Lady of the Lake, I've come to beg my wish be granted," I began, casting my voice to be heard over the lake. "I wish to be strong, to be needed by someone, to have the power to protect!"
Silence answered me, followed by the croaking of frogs and the buzzing of insects. I sighed, leaning against one of the thick, sturdy wooden beams of the gazebo.
"I said it right, didn't I?" I asked, turning to watch a dragonfly land on a bench off to the side.
The dragonfly buzzed on the back of the bench for a moment, then took off and skimmed the water. The mist engulfed the creature before too long. Sighing, I stepped to the bench and sat, staring out over the water.
"I just... if I could be strong enough..." I began, feeling like the only person in the world in the sea of mist. "If I could be strong enough, my father would acknowledge me. My brothers wouldn't sneer at the very sight of me. My mother... my mother wouldn't worry herself sick over me." Running a hand through my red-gold curls, I leaned forward and rested my elbows on my knees.
