Maybe somewhere her fawn was here. Or maybe just an answer to what had happened. Theano did not hold out much hope and lacking any other idea what to do she decided to go back into the forest to seek shelter from the coming storm.

Theano turned and wandered back into the the ominous forest that was nearly as dark as the clouds over the bay. The storm sent out a cool breeze ahead that caressed the leaves which adult deer knew was a warning to find shelter----a small respite before the fury began. Theano was not frightened. Storms had always fascinated her. She was able to maintain calmness and peace while the forest thrashed and crashed about her. The fawn had changed that some what by making her a bit more tense as storms approached because it was no longer just about her. Theano always had managed to find shelter. She never failed to see the primitive beauty in the howling wind, rolling clouds, and pelting rain. At times it was almost cleansing.

As she continued to move through the tall trees despite the darkness the feel of the land brushing against her cinnamon fur began to feel familiar once more. The landscape morphed into the landmarks she had come to know and love in the endless forest. The large tree with its female like entrance was always a safe haven from any impending storm. As she passed the spigot like fountain where transformation occurred daily she sniffed the air and all ready sensed the cleansing had begun. Theano quickened her pace as the storm seemed to pick up speed with its breeze becoming many gusts much like an animal's breathe after a long run. The dark damp entrance beckoned her with its moisture. Theano slid into its darkness feeling safe and warm and loved. She quickly bedded down in a crevice far from any opening. Not wanting to think anymore, she curled her ample deer body into an arch and tucked her soft velvet deer nose between her hind feet and willed herself to sleep.

Theano did not know if hours or days had passed, but she felt strangely warmed. She did not open her eyes right away, but like the story of the blind men touching different parts of the elephant she began to form thoughts on this strange warmness that hugged her back. It could not be her fawn. It was much too large. She had mated with a fine buck in the winter before the birth of her fawn. He had never bedded her. The mating had started out as play and frolicking in the downed timbers near the Ruins. Before long she had a new strong instinctive emotion arise within her as the play turned into the neck caressing. It went on and on and on until she could no longer think and could only have her body do what her mind was demanding. Before long her and the buck mated. She decided this warmness beside her did not evoke that type of response from her body.

Finally she opened her eyes and got quickly get to her feet. Theano turned to look at the spot the warmth had come from and there laid a delicate and beautiful adult deer that looked vaguely familiar. She stood still as the sun gazing, hoping, longingly and instinctively knowing what lay before her was a part of her she had lost. No longer a fawn, the adult deer was her offspring. Magnificent in her adult lines softly breathing not the sleep of death, but the breath of life with each passing moment. Surreal and dreamlike Theano hated to interrupt the moment's peace and joy that had unexpectantly returned while sleeping. Theano simply and gently descended into the sitting position. The weeping of the night had turned into joy in the morning without a word spoken.