"Now...It's time... to choose..."

I awoke today with that confusion in the forefront of my mind. Who would I choose? Who would be the one for me? I yawned and was surprised to see Touraga next to me. He bowed to me and then nuzzled me and I couldn't help but smile.

I nuzzled him back and jumped around him as I used to do when I was a fawn. We played together and I changed his pelt a few times. He looked at me giving me that frowny face he would do when ever I gave him a goofy pelt. I had missed that so much. A few deer came close and he immediately stood in front of me eyes on the other person. He bowed once then turned to me and nuzzled me to calm me down. It worked but I was still scared. It took him a few tries but I warmed up a little.

I ran over to a patch of flowers and rolled in it and he looked at me and laughed. Then without a second thought jumped into the flower patch and changed my antlers to horns... actual tooting horns... I glared at him playfully after concentrating to remove the horrific adornments. We played and frolicked some more and nuzzled until I fell asleep in the middle of a mushroom patch Him sleeping next to me. I slept for a long time. At one time I felt a little cold then warmth again. I awoke then to realize that Touraga was gone. but in his place was Lorque. I was so happy and nuzzled him. Yet I felt something was missing. I couldn't explain it. I looked around a bit but didn't see Touraga anywhere.

I played with Lorque and was so happy to have him there. He nuzzled and played with me a lot and I was happy for it. Then at one moment I looked up and there was Touraga. I jumped with joy and ran to meet him. I nuzzled him but then looked back to see Lorque looking down. I went to Lorque and nuzzled him.. but... I don't know. They both seemed anxious about something. I knew I had to do it soon. I had to pick. I could tell they where getting somewhat uncomfortable with each other. Especially when I was around. I ran towards the lake then. I went into the waters and drank some looking at my reflection. "What am I to do" I asked myself. I went into the shallow waters and lay down. I looked to see Lorque coming in to join me. I could not see Touraga anywhere. I sat there and looked at Lorque who sat across from me.

I thought of all the fun times we have had together. Then I thought of the old times I've spent with Touraga. Touraga was there when I had grown into adult hood. He was there through everything with me. I shook my head and looked again to Lorque. He was my newest friend. I've spent so much time with him. He's been there through my newest trials. I even remember how we had met. I was so scared of him at first. He was able to coax me into coming close to him. We spent that whole day together. I looked over and saw Touraga sitting at the bank. He seemed somewhat sad. I couldn't help it. He was looking into the Lake waters so sadly. I got up and walked over to him tilted my head and nuzzled him a few times.

He finally got up and nuzzled back. I seem to have cheered him up because he gave me a soft smile. Then I turned and saw Lorque looking down sadly. My head spun. I went over to nuzzle Lorque then for a few seconds i continued to nuzzle them both then stopped. I couldn't keep this up. It was now or never.

I ran off into the forest leaving them behind. I hid in the Great Oak and thought to myself. "Ok Ayanel... which one... pick..." I tried to clear my head and think hard. I thought of Lorque first. Of his sweetness, of his soft nuzzles, of how he would calm me when I was frightened, of how we played together and had fun. Then I thought of Touraga. Of his kind nature, and of how he had tried to warm me up when it had rained one night; even though he was a fawn and I was already full grown. And finally how we had first met as fawns in the cemetery. The times he defended me even though he was so small compared to the Large deer that was trying to harm me. My mind flooded with memories. I thought then.

I finally got up and stepped outside. I looked around and didn't see them. There was another person there and I was scared again. I backed away when Lorque then Touraga showed up. I backed behind them as Lorque lowered his antlers. The other deer didn't seem to want to cause trouble and just left. I looked down. I moved a bit and motioned for them to lay down. They both understood and layed down. I then looked at them both. It was so much harder having them both in front of me. "Its Time Ayanel.. choose now..." I layed down for a little bit as memories of both flooded me. After some time I stood up and nuzzled Touraga.

I turned then to Lorque and lowered my head sadly "I'm... I'm sorry Lorque... I choose... Touraga" I felt some stress leave me then. I had done it. I had chosen. I then saw Touraga get up and nuzzle Lorque after bowing. I went over and nuzzled him also "Let's always be friends, Lorque". I then nuzzled him again. I then moved off towards a mushroom patch with my new Mate and my best friend and rested in the middle of it. We continued to play the rest of the day. I knew Lorque was sad. I was sorry... but... I had to make this decision... I hope he will forgive me and still be my best friend.