A few months had passed, and Fulu was old enough to walk and speak. She asked many questions, and Jayla was patient enough to answer them. Word had spread about the few final victims of a mysterious disease that had been going around. She knew one of them was the one taking care of Skokey. She found herself more worried about him now that he had no one to look after him.

The day of Siki's funeral, Jayla and Fulu walked a little close to the Graveyard, where the funeral was held. She knew Skokey was there, and she didn't want to go over and meet him now. Now was not the time. She remembered what that stag had told her in her dreams. He had not visited since that one night, but his words still hung in her mind. Was it almost time? Was Skokey old enough to understand yet?... No, not yet, she thought. His wounds are fresh, I don't want to add any more to them.

They walked by a few trees, the ground becoming darker, and paler as they passed by the Ruins rather closely. Fulu pricked her ears and looked in the direction of the Ruins. "Mama, look, I see rain. But it's coming from the ground and going up!"

Jayla, obviously confused, looked over to the Ruins. She didn't see anything, nothing close to rain coming from the ground. She lowered her head, "Sweetie, there's nothing there. I don't see any rain."

"But it is there, Mama! But it's only in one spot." The two of them looked on, and Fulu said quietly, "I hear deer crying, Mama..."

Jayla lowered her ears. Is that what she meant? Fulu had said many strange things like that, often relating what she saw to what she heard. Jayla wondered what was wrong with her. She heard those deer crying, and she saw rain in reverse? Perhaps something did happen when she became a dove...

"Why are they crying? What's the matter?"" Fulu lifted her big black eyes up to her mother expectantly.

Jayla paused, and said quietly, "Because those deer had lost a friend. And they miss him. So much so, that they're crying."

"Did you lose someone and miss them so much you cried?" Fulu asked in her usual tone.

Jayla caught a lump in her throat, then sighed, "Yes, Fulu. I have before. And I did cry. I think they deserved a few tears from me..."

Fulu looked down, then asked, "Where did they go?"

Jayla held back her tears. Fulu could hear her voice trembling, "They went to a wonderful place, Fulu. But they can't come back. And that's why we cry. Because we miss them, and we have to wait to join them... I cried because I miss my father. And I have to wait before I can be with him again."

"Grampa?..." Fulu looked down at the ground, and her heart began to sink. But she didn't know why. She found the question she always wanted to ask, "Mama... Where's Papa?..."

This time Jayla let a few tears out, turning her head away so Fulu wouldn't see. She finally gained her composer and replied, "Papa's away, Fulu... I don't know where he went..."

"Did he go to the place Grampa went?"

She shook her head, "No, sweetie. He's not where Grampa is. He's somewhere else."

"But why?"

"Enough questions, Fulu... I'll tell you when you're older. Let's just go to the Pond and have a little bath, okay?" Jayla dried her tears and smiled weakly at the little fawn.

Fulu paused for a minute, but nodded, "Okay..." She smiled widely, which made Jayla's smile stronger. They both trotted off in the direction of the Pond, and Jayla looked back one last time.

She checked to see if there was any rain coming from the ground.

***

The two soon reached the Pond. Few deer were here, because of the funeral. Many were at the Ruins, most were at the Twin Gods statue to purify themselves. Fear of this disease had taken over once more, making the deer go to be purified more and more. Jayla wasn't too worried. She took Fulu and prayed every couple of days, so she knew they were safe.

She watched as Fulu splashed around in the water, giggling as the ripples distorted her reflection. She stumbled a little and landed on her belly. She bubbled the water a little and got up. She shook the water dripping from her ears, but soon stared at the strange little creatures infront of her. "Mama... What are these?"

Jayla walked over and smiled, "Those are dragonflies."

"Dragonflies?" She asked, as one landed on her nose. She looked down at it, taking in its purple-pink body and glossy wings.

"Yes. Some say they are the keepers of the Pond. The buzz around, never leaving the water. Legend has it, that these dragonflies are the ones who planted the willows. The sun was so hot before, and so they asked the Twin Gods for some shade. They gave the dragonflies special seeds, which they carried all over the Pond. And soon, many willows sprouted and grew. And now the dragonflies take care of the Pond in thanks for the shade the Twin Gods had given them."

Fulu smiled as the dragonfly flew off her nose and back to the group. The flew around and landed on the grasses that stuck out of the water. "Do you think that legend is true?"

Jayla chuckled softly, "Oh, I don't know... There are many legends surrounding the water. So many, I don't know which to believe. But legends are meant to inspire. For sparking imagination, and they make good stories to tell. But that doesn't mean they're true."

Fulu looked in awe at her mother, "You know everything, don't you?"

Jayla smiled and nuzzled her daughter, "Not everything, little one. Not everything." She watched as Fulu stood up and shook off the rest of the water. "Come on, it's getting a little late. We should go home before it gets too dark."

"Okay, Mama."

They both got out of the shallows, Jayla gracefully walking, and Fulu happily trotting beside her. Jayla looked down at the little fawn as she skipped and bounced over little rocks and flowers. She smiled, the sight warming her heart. She never knew it would be so warming to be a mother. It made her realize that she was given a second chance. Heron wasn't around anymore. Seeing Fulu grow up made her come to know that Heron would never be a good father. She was almost grateful that he left. It was his idea to leave Skokey. What if he had stayed? He might have made her give up Fulu as well.

Suddenly her heart didn't seem as shattered.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

w00t! finally, i churn out another chapter. i love making up legends <3

im rather pleased with this one. after taking a little break from writing, i find it being a little less sloppy. anyway, i hope you like it <3