Sun Leap and Nimble Rain had taken heavy blows. Stone Star had passed the previous night in his slumber. All Sun Leap could say was he was relieved his father was capable of dying peacefully.
Stone Star had been a father of brick and mist. He was mysterious, strong, approachable, yet intimidatingly curious. Sun Leap paused as he walked the perimeter, his head was low but his ears were alert. He may be briefly mourning for his father, but he would not allow himself to fail his father only a day after he passed his legacy of the meadow to him.
He heard no hooves, he couldn't sense any dangers around him. His ears continued to swivel in every direction, almost silently challenging the universe to send something at him.
Someday he knew it would, though he was uncertain if his father was that challenge. Sun Leap sighed and continued his prowl of the meadow's rim. Nimble Rain was deep within the meadow, her eyes on the small river that traveled within.
Her mother was not far away talking to Bird Mane. Nimble Rain had been conscious of their conversation, they wanted her and Sun Leap to be together but she knew it wasn't the right path. She and Sun Leap were very close, but not in love.
They had spoken about it together in private, each of them receiving a push toward each other from their parents. Sun Leap said he respected Nimble Rain, loved her like a sibling and wouldn't dare step over that boundary unless she absolutely believed he should. Nimble Rain could admit to herself that Sun Leap was an attractive stallion, but she never saw him as a romantic interest.
They had both agreed they wouldn't participate in romance with each other, even if their parents tried to force them together.
She sighed and glanced at the mothers behind her. Bird Mane seemed sorrowful, but she looked up at Nimble Rain and some happiness appeared in her lost eyes. Stone Star had been an acceptable loss to all of them, they understood he was going to pass, but his death couldn't be ignored or glossed over that easily. Nimble Rain was saddened as well, the strong stallion had been a father to her in many ways.
He let her learn alongside Sun Leap and allowed her to be taught how to fight. He let her have the freedom of choice, though usually mares were expected to be elegant and prepared to take on a mate. She was proud of what he helped her become, though she wasn't as head strong as the average stallion.
Sun Leap was returning and she saw his large figure softly traveling through the meadow towards them. He took a drink from the river not far from her, but he turned his gaze toward their mothers. He glanced at her a moment before walking away.
Nimble Rain watched him. He was off to guard the border of the meadow again.
××××××××××
Soon Bird Mane had passed as well, and Dusty Sky had decided to leave the meadow, claiming she didn't want her child to see her die. Nimble Rain understood her mother, though she was distraught by it. Sun Leap had done his best to comfort her, but he couldn't always be with her. He had a responsibility to guard his meadow.
Nimble Rain did her best to return the comfort, he had lost his mother and his father, he should have been in much more pain then her. Sun Leap did miss them, wishing he had longer moments with them before they died, but it was the way of life.
Now they were running in the path of starlight above with their other ancestors.
Sun Leap stalked the rim of the meadow, his mind beginning to clear after their losses. Nimble Rain was starting to move on as well. The year began to pass, feeling as if it moved faster and faster each dawn and dusk, as if the world was galloping to new horizons so Sun Leap and Nimble Rain could be given a new reason to gallop with it to those daily sunrises.
They had plenty, a home, visitors, and each other. Their cycle wasn't destined to end for some time.
But for now it rained, showers gifted to the grasses and the meadow by dark clouds. Sun Leap marched along the rim of his meadow as he always did. Nimble Rain accompanied him this time as she occasionally did. They had an incident with a cougar a few days before and she wanted to be with Sun Leap to help him if they needed to fight it off, and Sun Leap wanted her with him so she wouldn't be alone to fight it off if it got into the meadow.
Thunder clashed along the skyline, striking wherever it wanted. Amongst the storm a stallion appeared amongst all the chaos. Sun Leap and Nimble Rain stopped their patrol to confront him. He stood tall, head high and muscles sternly held at bay incase a fight were to ensue. His coat was golden, a white blaze present in his features.
The stallion, obviously trying to boast a challenge to them, began to walk forward but he stumbled. When they saw that, Nimble Rain and Sun Leap rushed forward to help him stand properly. They brought him into the meadow as he protested.
"I don't need your help you free runners!" The stallion roared in anger, but the hint of pain in his voice was easily recognized by the guardians of the meadow. They've met horses with similar attitudes to this stallion.
"If you don't need our help, why did you come to my meadow?" Sun Leap demanded, his voice raised to be heard over the storm above. The struggling stallion whipped his head to face Sun Leap as if he were to snap at him with a retort but his neigh failed him and his resistance lessened as he was brought to safety by Nimble Rain and Sun Leap.
They helped him reach the river where he rested. Nimble Rain went to find him something to eat that would get his energy up while Sun Leap stayed by his side. The other golden stallion looked over at him. The white blaze of his face must have been the most noticeable feature about him, but with the rain matting his mane to his forehead, and the lack of sun, it was barely seen except for the exposed parts of his snout.
"So this is it.. you're the legend.. the owner of this meadow...." The stranger spoke up. Sun Leap barely heard him over the rain.
"I may be the legend, but my father owned this meadow long before me..." Sun Leap corrected gruffly.
"You know my name, tell me yours now." Sun Leap nearly demanded of the other stallion.
"Lightning Cloud." He said softly, again going nearly unheard by Sun Leap.
"You're from a herd obviously, the way you addressed us..." Sun Leap commented. Lightning Cloud glared at him, but Sun Leap knew he wouldn't dare to attack him.