I smiled at Safear as I saw her awake and stretching and said, “Good morning to thee." I too, stretched my legs, for they were still asleep and numb for lying down in the same position for more than just a few hours. My attention then turned to Fleur. With her eyes barely open yet, she got up and spread out her skinny fawn legs and yawned. Then she looked over at Safear and from her expression, I noticed how she thought how different Safear looked from most deer, but that didn't seem bother her. As a matter a fact, I think she admired the way she looked.

"Fleur, this is my good friend, Safear," I said.

"Hello! I'm Fleur. FleuraLune ," Fleur piped to her cheerfully.

Safear smiled at her and replied, "And what a beautiful name it is. I am pleased to properly meet you Fleur."

Then, she quickly snatched it up her mask and yanked it over her face. "Silly me, I left my mask off while I slept," she said rather embarrased.

Fleur smiled up at me and Safear. It warms my heart to see the fawn so happy. I grinned and then asked, "What should we do today?"

Fleur shrugged and looked at Safear.
"Has she been to the playground yet?" Safear asked.

"Nay. Should we go there?" I asked them, but more directly to Fleur.

"Let's go there! Let's go there!!!" Fleur cheered as she was sort of dancing with excitement, shifting from one leg to the other.

Smiling at Fleur, Safear got to her feet and shook the leaves from her feathers. "Then to the play ground we go!" Safear declared.

But before setting off she turned to see if I needed any help, but I just shook my head and motioned for her to lead us. I watched Fleur ran ahead of us both as swift as the wind, jumping over logs in her way. Safear matched my pace, bushing stray twigs and sticks from her path.

The mossy boulders of the playground soon came into view, running up she clawed her way to the top and gave Fleur a sharp smile.

"This is the playground." she motioned to the other surrounding rocks with a flick of her feathered tail.

"WOW!!! This is amazing!" Fleur said in awe as she stared at the huge boulders.

She galloped as she came closer to the rocks and leapt upon the biggest one and turned to me and Safear that were watching her and urged us to follow her. I ran to get some energy going and then jumped up to the rock and stood next to my daughter.

Safear leapt over to join me and Fleur. I could hear the birds signing in harmony and the doves flap their wings and take to the air, getting out of the way of the deer that ran across the ground. WE stood there, overlooking the peaceful forest. Watching the leaves slowly drifting to the ground and the doves flutter in the air. We were all enjoying that moment…

I inhaled and let out my breath with a sigh of ecstasy. My eyes trailed up to the white, puffy clouds that loomed over the oh-so heavenly forest. I looked at the sun with my bright yellow neon eyes and noticed that it was in the center of the sky. I began to get a little worried, for I did not have that much time left.

"Come," I said as she turned to them. "Follow me."

I leapt off of the rock and began to trot towards the pond.

Fleur turned and went to the opposite edge of the boulder and sprinted towards the other side and leapt off and landed on the ground with a shaky thud and once she maintained her balance, she went over to her mother, smiled, and blushed a little. I shook my head, chuckled and waited for Safear.

Safear watched Fleur jump, sitting up she hastily shook craps of moss from her pelt and joined us. Trotting up to Fleur; she smiled.

"That was some jump there kiddo!" she commented.

Fleur smiled up at Safear as she trotted behind me and replied, "Hehe..Thanks!"

We kept on walking for some time, our hooves hitting against the lush ground, beginning to ache. Then, I could hear water slowly swish from side to side. We had finally arrived at The Pond. I quickened my pace and the water pouring from The Crying Statue came into sight.

"Over here!" I called as she neared the bridge with moss hanging from it. I was rushing. Time was slipping easily from my grasp.

I waited patiently for the two to catch up to me and then ambled on to the pond with Fleur and Safear beside me. I pushed through the plants that poked out of the water, lowered my head and lapped up some of the icy water. Ahhh, so refreshing.

Then, I heard a sound like a slight ‘thump’. I looked around and spotted Fleur and the pinecone next to the pond shore. I watched in amusement. Fleur twirled her head around to see what hit her and noticed the pinecone on the ground. She bent down and took a bite out of the pinecone. Fleur took one bite and ended up eating the whole thing.

‘Silly fawn,’ I thought to myself. Chuckling, I asked, "Dost thee like it?"

Fleur nodded and grinned. Since she was eating some of her own food, I decided to get some myself. I walked up to a tree and ate some of the few blossoms that clung to its’ trunk and went back to Safear and Fleur. Safear took a few swipes of water.

Fleur smiled and explored some more. I stayed close by, watching her; to make sure she was safe. Fluer then came across two combined statues and looked at them curiously.

I silently came up from behind her and whispered in the fawns' ear, "These are the Twin Gods, FleuraLune. They make the seasons change, bring life and death. Anything you can think of. They are the masters of this forest. But they can give and take away as well as throw obstacles of life situations at you. So maintain a strong faith in them my daughter, for then you will live a long and happy life and get through your troubles."

Fleur nodded and bowed to the statue of the twin gods in respect.

As I gazed at FleuraLune proudly, my ear heard the bawling of fawns not too far away from where they were. I turned her head in the direction of the many voices and noticed Rev sleeping with some of his friends lying down next to him and his four fawns running about close by. My ears flopped down against my face and I grew sad. Then, I shook my head, and thought to myself, 'You foolish doe. You dote someone in whom you cannot be with. He is gay, and always will be. You dare even got your hopes up. Well, now thee knows better.'

But it doesn't even matter anymore since I will be gone anyways.

Fleur got up from her bowing position and looked to where I was looking and saw the fawns, Rev, and other deer, but surprisingly, she had no interest in seeing any of them. I expected for her to ask me, ‘Oh, momma! Can I go over there???’. Well, being the curious one she is. But no, she did not..

"Momma, have you ever had a mate?" she asked me rather quietly.

Blocking out my thoughts and snapping back to reality, I turned to her and said, "No dearest. I do not, I have fallen in love with two deer, but neither of them were meant to be." I sneaked a glance at Rev, then back to my daughter.

Fleur's ears went back in sadness. I pitied her. This fine and sweet fawn had no father to look up to…Just me. And I will die sooner than she thinks…

"But love always finds a way, right?" Fleur asked with sadness and hope in her voice.

I looked into her eyes; her big, pleading eyes. I wanted to tell her that you could have anyone you wanted and live happily ever after. But life is not a fairytale. It’s not always going to be a happy ending.

But, not wanting to get her down, I simply replied, "Sometimes and sometimes not. But as long as you have someone to love; yours friends or your family, you'll be ok."

I nuzzled her trying to cheer her up. I grinned at Safear and she returned her smile and looked to the hills and the sun sinking lower into the sky. The soft blues of the morning has brightened to the reds and oranges of the autumn-colored sunset.

It was nearing my expiration. I then turned and walked down the little hill in which the Twin God statues were and walked towards the bridge, flicking my stubby tail, signaling for them both to follow. I sat on the bridge and watched the sun lower until it was sunset. Fleur lied down next to me and also watched. I knew that it was time to break the news to Fleur before it was too late. ‘How would she take it?’ I thought with curiosity and worry. I looked at Safear, slightly worried. Safear sat, fidgeting on the bridge. I think we both knew it was time for Fleur to know the truth. It wouldn’t be easy. But she shot me a look of confidence and silently urged me to speak. I gave a quick nod and then looked at Fleur, and suddenly, my night pelt came back to me. I looked at myself, puzzled. I was now beautiful again. But pushing that aside, I looked back to Fleur and told her the news...

"Fleur. I must tell thee something. I won't be around for that much longer," I said growing nervous.

Fleur looked at me as tears come into her eyes as she cries, "What do you mean!? You're gonna
die!!!! You can't leave me-You'll never leave me!"

"I will always be with you, even when you don't see me. And Safear will watch over you after I'm gone.This day is my last! Please understand fair Fleur. I know this is hard for you, but momma is dying,” I sobbed with tears pouring from my eyes.

I couldn’t believe this is happening. This is actually happening!

"Why can't the gods heal you?!" Fleur wailed as she sank into my side. "You said they can give and take away. They're taking you away from me!"

I held her close with tears cascading down my cheeks, my strength getting weaker and weaker as the sun was setting faster and faster.

I choked out these words, "It is my destiny. Everyone dies, Fleur. Please know that. Someday Safear will die, and then you too. But in replace of it, something new and...wonderful."

"Goodbye mommy!!!! I LOVE YOU!!! I'LL MISS YOU SO MUCH!!!! " Fleur cried as she watched me.

"And I love you too. More than you can imagine. More than you can imagine."

Then I looked at Safear and more of the watery, salty tears came into my glowing eyes as I said, "Dear friend. Although I have not known you for too long, I feel you are part of my family. Take good care of Fleur. I love you dear one."

Safear staggered up blind with tears and pressed her warm body against mine. Gently she rested her muzzle on my neck.

“I love you too Bayleen, go knowing that everything will be alright here, I'll see you again, we both will,” She hoarsely whispered. She began to gently nudge Fleur closer.

Despite this heartbreaking sorrow, I smiled at how wonderful our love for all three of us share and lied down on my full side and looked at the sky. Stars were coming out...

"Goodbye dear friends. Thus Bayleen ends. I love you both. You'll see me soon," I whispered as I was breathing deeply.

Fleur leaned against Safear as she watched, her small salty tears dropping to the bricks of the bridge. I began to hum her lullaby. The lullaby I’d always sing to her when she couldn’t sleep or when she had a bad dream. Fleur etched a little closer to me, she heard me hum.

I began to sing Fleur's lullaby.

"Baby mine, don't you cry
Baby mine, dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part, baby of mine

Little one, when you play
Don't you mind what they say
Let those eyes sparkle and shine
Never a tear, baby of mine

From your head to your toes
You're not much, goodness knows.
But you're so precious to me
Cute as can be, baby of mine.
(Fleur sings along >>>) Baby mine, baby mine. "

(Now the moon and stars are out)

As my last tear left her eye, her voice slowly faded away and my body slowly disappeared and with it, my vision of them. I turned into white puff of smoke being lifted up from where I was and floated to the glorious heavens, gladly welcomed.

“You see, the people we love or have loved, never really leave us. They’ve left…sort of an imprint on our hearts. If they die, it’s ok, because sometime in your life, you will remember them, even if it does take time to remember. But when someone dies, you should not cry, but rejoice. For they are now in heaven. If you can’t find them, because sadness or anger has blocked your way of thinking, just look in your heart. And you will see them. You will see.”

Bayleen