They had continued traveling for another day. It had reached the point in time where the sun was to be recycled by the horizon to be reused later. For now it was too dark to continue so Stone Star and Bird Mane began to rest where they were.
The next morning the duo awoke and were pleased. The place they had barely entered and rested in was a large meadow full of beautiful flowers of different shapes, sizes and colors. They watched the sunrise, it's rise faster here then any other place they've been before.
"We should name the meadow Sun Leap for how fast the sun moves here." Bird Mane suggested. Her cream mane flowed with the wind like they had been surrounded by other worldly water, the sun shining upon her white coat. Stone Star glanced at her with his golden pelt also graced by the light of the new day.
"We will make this a sanctuary for all herd less horses..." Stone Star declared.
And in time they did, the Sun Leap Meadow became a short lasting haven to weary horses who were choosing to travel alone in the big, great world. Bird Mane would help any injured or sick horses that crossed into the meadow, Stone Star guarded the borders and gave directions to any who asked, or sent away those who did not belong.
With the thought of prosperity and success Stone Star and Bird Mane decided it was the right time, and safest time, to have a foal. They continued to keep the meadow a safe and flourishing territory for the birth of their child, and any who asked for refuge.
Bird Mane became heavier with pregnancy, soon it made her role in the meadow difficult to keep up with. Again they were smiled upon by destiny as a lone grey mare and her own foal arrived at the meadow for food and water. The mare revealed herself to be Dusty Sky and her foal to be a filly named Nimble Rain. Bird Mane had asked Dusty Sky to stay to help her with giving birth to her own foal and she was fortunate Dusty Sky was kind and agreed to help the other mother.
The day of dawning came and Dusty Sky helped Bird Mane give birth to a healthy colt, his fur a bright gold and his mane just as creamy as his mother's. His legs were socked in the same color, and his eyes bore a hazel eyesight. Bird Mane had been so relieved that her son was born with ease.
Dusty Sky nickered at her.
"What will his name be?" The grey mare asked. Nimble Rain watched from a distance, being told to keep a few feet between her and the birthing as to not scare her. She approached now slowly.
The small philly was still very young, her walk was still a little uneven and she didn't speak at all except for nodding or shaking her head. She had a grey body like her mother but her mane was a darker grey, but not exactly black. She had white spots all along her hind legs. Bird Mane looked from her foal to the sky, seeing the sun.
"I will name him Sun Leap.. this meadow will be his..." Bird Mane said with gentle promise. Dusty Sky nodded slowly.
"I'm grateful for you allowing I and my foal within your meadow. I hope this help I have given you will repay that debt. I should leave before I owe more to you humble horses." She called for Nimble Rain as if she were planning to leave there and now with Bird Mane standing over her new foal.
"No. You will not owe us anything, you never did. Please, Dusty Sky, stay with us. You'll be safe here." Bird Mane offered. Dusty Sky paused and Nimble Rain slowly walked around her mother. The grey mare glanced back at Bird Mane who had a hopeful look in her eyes.
The mare glanced at her foal who was looking at the newborn, Sun Leap, sighing.
"Very well. It is a comfort to have somewhere safe to raise Nimble Rain..." Dusty Sky admitted. Bird Mane smiled at her.
"Thank you." She said quietly.
××××××××××
Sun Leap had begun walking and had started becoming familiar with the meadow. Nimble Rain had realized all this meant she could have another foal as a friend. She would chase him and tease him, but he was still rather young. He couldn't escape her but Nimble Rain knew he didn't get mad at her.
Dusty Sky and Bird Mane had been happy to see Sun Leap and Nimble Rain getting along. Stone Star had been informed of what happened and was very pleased with Sun Leap. His name, his appearance, his gender, it was everything his father wanted.
Stone Star decided he would allow his son to accompany him on a tour around the meadow. He didn't expect to give his son any responsibilities yet, he just planned on making him familiar with the land. Nimble Rain would sometimes accompany them, her new living arrangements urged her to want to know this land as much as possible alongside Sun Leap.
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By years they learned and guarded the land, letting what it represented stand strong. The legend of Sun Leap Meadow spread miles upon the world, becoming a presence in the back of any horse's mind to remind them there was a safe place for refuge if they ever needed it.
Sun Leap and Nimble Rain had aged appropriately and were now the new guardians of the meadow. Stone Star still patrolled the meadow, but Sun Leap had taken more vigorous trips around the border. His mother and Nimble Rain's mother had aged and spent their slow days grazing in the meadow.
Sun Leap now stood as a modest stallion, generosity gifted to his list of qualities due to the factors of his upbringing. He was strong and forgiving, but he was ruthless. He was gentle but severe all at the same time. He could allow any strange horse within his meadow, but he could slay a cougar when necessary.
One night he returned to the center of his meadow with Nimble Rain and saw his mother and father resting by the river. It's waters flowed steadily, the small sounds it made soothed his ears. Stone Star and Bird Mane looked upon him with pride and gratitude.
"Sun Leap, come here." Bird Mane requested of her son. The mix of gold and cream trotted over after offering Nimble Rain wishes of a good nights rest as she left to address her mother.
"Yes, mother?" Sun Leap asked, flipping his long mane from his face so he could see them better. Bird Mane smiled sweetly at him, a look only mothers could use.
"You know our time is coming. I don't wish to make you sad, Sun Leap, but we will be gone someday," Bird Mane cast her gaze to Nimble Rain not too far from them. "So we wanted to talk to you. You and Nimble Rain are close, aren't you?" His mother asked. Sun Leap followed his mother's gaze to the youngest mare in his meadow. He nodded slowly and faced his parents again, understanding what they were hinting at.
"I understand why you're concerned. If Nimble Rain is destined to be mine, then the Herds of Starry Paths will make it so." Sun Leap said. Stone Star sighed and Bird Mane nodded slowly, her greying mane gentle waving, as if the breeze didn't want to caress her too much in fear she would fall apart. Stone Star still had his edge, but he could not deny the change age gifted to him.
"This is your meadow now, son. Keep it alive long after us." Stone Star spoke up, the first time in the entire day. Sun Leap bowed his head to his father and moved away to give them the privacy they earned.