January 28, 2009
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The little fawn quickly discovered that the only way to change his color was for other deer to do it for him. And he must do it to other deer. It was the way things worked. Selfishness was not allowed in this forest.

He often practiced his magic. He loved to zip by deer and quickly change their color, trying to surprise them with the amazing gift. Unfortunately he would often trip over his own hooves and ruin the surprise.

He found that you could also give masks to deer… and even antlers! Oh, how he loved antlers. They were like carrying two great trees on your head! And the fawn loved trees. Especially those skinny white ones in the sunny part of the forest…

Yes, it was fun to cast magic on other deer. And even more fun when it was cast upon you, though the fawn only had this pleasure once in a rare while. He didn’t mind. The forest was enough to keep his little mind distracted. He was easily distracted.

One day he found a big herd of deer gathered around a tree. They were quite large deer… and a bit intimidating. Especially when they were all crowded together like that. Sometimes deer didn’t notice the smaller beings at their feet. What if he was stepped on?

He puffed up his chest and strolled into their group. He looked up at the grown-up faces. They were talking and laughing amongst themselves. Did they notice him? He didn’t care… he was in the grown-up group now!

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Something cold touched Chenaniah’s ear. His ear flicked as he opened his eyes.

The land was whitewashed in a chilly mist. Small snowflakes fell softly to the ground. Chenaniah shivered. The cold snow didn’t register well in his memories.

As he wearily rose to his feet, he began to remember the day before. After his encounter with the doe, he must have fallen asleep, for he awoke alone later on in the evening. He hadn’t had any dreams that time…

He had spent the rest of his day playing with fawns and climbing on the playground which had been, thankfully, abandoned.

And today he was again alone. In the snow.



He didn’t hate the snow. He loved the beautiful white colors and the calm. He loved to stand so still that he could hear each snowflake softly thud on the ground. But he had never had a good experience with snow. It was cold. And it stole away the warmth of the Birch Forest.

Chenaniah wondered off, heart a bit more heavy than usual, until he found a small fawn to play with.



The fawn bowed and then nuzzled him, and his heart became a trifle more warm. The fawn ran off to play, and Chenaniah followed. He began to smile…

But when they crossed the border of the Birch Forest, Chenaniah stopped. The fawn faded away. His heart wanted to follow. He pulled. He pulled and pulled. But his body refused.



Chenan turned away. Back to the Birch Forest. Back to safety. Back to solitude.

He walked slowly along the perimeter of the birch trees. Staring coldly out into the darker forest. Not sure if he wanted to go there, and not quite sure if he hated it.



He broke into a run. It was a good thing to do, when one had too many thoughts. The flurries of snow whipped against his face. The grass was cold and icy.



Then he saw the fawn. Laying right on the border of the Birch Forest. Curled up. Alone. Alone under the snow.

There was always a fawn. There was always at least one fawn. One freezing lonely little fawn. Then again, Chenaniah never knew the fawn’s story. But he knew his own. And empathy is a powerful thing.



And then his eyes darted to the pond.

It was right there.

Right there.

Oh gods, the pond was right in front of him.

He stood frozen, hooves glued to the ground. The grass snaking around his legs. Like icy tentacles pulling him away from that little fawn. But also away from his memories.

No, pond. Not this time. I’m a grown stag. I don’t fear you. I don’t fear…

He walked to the fawn in slow lurching steps. His heartbeat was reduced to a dull, aching thump. He felt sick.



He curled up, and noticed how heavy his body had been on his own hooves. The fawn was breathing slowly, fur bristled and laced with snow. How many fawns were out there tonight, shivering beneath the cold, unforgiving sky?

Oh, little one…

Memories began to creep to the surface of his mind, like worms to wet soil. Those snowy days and rainy nights. Shivering. Alone. Why? Why had he done this to himself?

The pond. The deer. That’s why.

His eyes crept back up towards the pond; a soft blue layer of mist hovered above its icy waters. The Willows swayed to their own slow, sad rhythm. Water fell from the crying stone and bubbled along down the stream. Sadness. Tears. They fed the pond.

The thudding of hoofs stirred Chenan from his thoughts. He jerked, almost jumping to his feet.

A deer came trotting past. Chenaniah tensed. It was too close. But he was determined to stay by the fawn’s side.



After considering them for a bit, the deer moved on.

As time went on, deer after deer would watch or walk past Chenaniah and the sleeping fawn.





But eventually, all would go trotting away again. Leaving the pair to the lonely snow.



Chenaniah wondered, if he were to sleep… would there be another deer to care for the fawn? Was he the only one?

And through the night, Chenaniah guarded the frail body. It never woke.

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I'm a little late, lol. Sorry. I had it written out but forgot to post it. >.< Also, it's almost exactly like this but I guess with a bit more... I don't know... story. Anyway, sorry AGAIN. Chenaniah just does these things a lot. .____.

Hm. Not much to say. Kbai now.