"I... have to tell you something..."

This morning was hard for her. She felt so alone for the most part. Alone and hurt. Why had he left her? She had grown up with him. True, for the most part she did not see him for a long time...and when she had seen him again he was fully grown...but to her that didn't mean anything.

He was her childhood friend, yet she knew...she knew deep down. He had not been seen for many days prior; she knew that Touraga was going to leave her. She just stayed in denial.

She did not know what to think as she lay there under the willow. The scent of her children Wish and Ice still hung in the air. And the warming scent of Lorque was there to. Yet she felt alone. They had gone...after some time Ice came over and tried to comfort her. She tried to be a mother but found herself not knowing how to cope. She knew they needed a father. She knew...she was almost glad that Wish and Ice never really spent much time with Touraga.

Him leaving would probably have been more hurtful for them. In truth she did not know what to think. Last nights events were fresh in her mind. She had hurt herself attacking a tree. She shook the thoughts from her head.

After some time she had felt someone lay next to her. The body was warm and comforting. She awoke to find Lorque laying next to her. Without much thought she nuzzled him as she always did and even smiled somewhat. Just seeing him would bring a smile to her face. They spoke for some time, she telling him how she felt that her children still needed a father.

This is when it happened. This was when her life would change forever. He looked to her and told her that he loved children. That he wouldn't know if he would be good enough to even raise children. Her mind went in a whirl. Could it be possible?

Even after all the pain she put him through choosing Touraga over him. Even after all that he still seemed to care for her this much. She could hardly contain herself.

"But...but I had rejected you...Lorque...I hurt you before.", she had said, "I could feel it from the moment I had chosen Touraga. You were so hurt... I hurt you... I... and now... you still want... you cared for me this much... all those times i was afraid, you were there to help me, to dry my tears and even now.. you..." she could not stop herself now. Her heart was heavy with sorrow "I hurt you... I knew in my heart... I knew... why.... why... WHY DIDN'T I CHOOSE YOU!!"

She had surprised herself. She had told him something she thought she would never say. She got up and ran. Ran as far as her hooves could carry her. She thought to herself, "Why...why did I say that? Why!?" She heard him calling for her.

She would not answer, she felt ashamed now. "why... why didn't i see it before..." she knew she had wanted to choose Lorque, and known from the beginning. But...she had chosen the other, and now her heart was broken because of that choice.

Even with Touraga she had always known that Lorque was better for her...she knew... "why.. am I... so stupid..." she knew she had chosen Touraga, for the only reason that he had been her childhood friend. Yet in truth the one who was always there.. to dry her tears and make her smile was Lorque. She found a rock slab where she could crawl under.

She cried for a time feeling her heart grow heavy. She knew what she was feeling. It was much stronger then that wish she had felt for Touraga. After some time she had almost fallen asleep trembling under the large rock, when suddenly she had felt someone press close against her. She knew who it was. She could smell his scent. That scent which made her heart calm. He was the only one who would be this kind to her. She tried to speak but no words came out and for a moment she just lay there. She did move her head just enough to show him she was awake. She kept quiet and only managed to say she was sorry. He had nuzzled her and told her it was fine.

She then spoke again. She told him everything. About how she had been confused. How she had been so excited from meeting Touraga again. How that clouded her mind. How she even did not deserve him as a friend. He listened and told her about how he felt.

She listened in stunned silence. She knew what his feelings were. She knew he had wanted to be with her. He had nuzzled her then. She nuzzled him back, now sure of her own mind. For the first time all her confusion was gone. She knew what was best. She knew what she wanted more then anything. She spoke then.

Telling him she was not confused anymore. For him not to worry. Of how she wanted her children to have a father that would love and care for them. She then told him to tell her what was on his mind. He finally told her.

He said he wanted to be her mate more then anything. That he wanted to be close to her. She felt something in her just freeze. She wanted to hear this...wanted this more then anything. She needed to be with him. She then spoke to him told him how she had felt that she would accept him "Not only because... you have been there but... because.. I have fallen for you.." she spoke freely as her tears fell "Even when I was with Touraga... I wanted to be with you. I would have been loyal to him but deeply wanting to be with you. I... I have wanted to be with you.. since that moment we met... I... grew to care for you... and Lorque... I..." she then let her heart speak as she said the words she had been wanting to say for so long "I love you.".

He had nuzzled her then. Told her how he had felt when he first met her. He told her how he felt at that moment. She listened and smiled and nuzzled him. He had finally told her that he loved her also. She cried then. Nuzzling him and smiling. She then spoke "You have always made me so happy.. It is my turn to make you happy... I am glad to have you"

She continued to nuzzle him lovingly. After that they spent some more time playing and frolicking. Then finally laying down together. She fell asleep next to him, a smile on her muzzle. Yet it was not over. She knew she would have to tell her fawns at some time. She hoped they would accept him. Those were her last thought and she drifted off to a peaceful sleep.