//-------------------------------------------------------//
                 Lying In The River Mouth                  
                      -by nickystar9-                      
//-------------------------------------------------------//
//-------------------------------------------------------//
                         Chapter 1                         
//-------------------------------------------------------//
Chapter 1
Daylight was drifting quickly behind the tall mountains of Freywall. Before she had even felt the first twinge in her belly, the soon to be mother, had already set out to find a remote covert to safely have her children in. She had to be quick and precise about her decision, and she had to beat the frost before it got to her again.
This was her second time having foals, and most likely her last after her mate had died and her clan had kicked her out. They were strict about their rules; a mare without a stallion was basically useless to the clan. They had no newly ranked stallions to mate her, and seeing as though she wasn't even a low ranked medicine mare, they saw no other use in her.
  She had been out in the valley for days now, searching for an appropriate birthing place, she had seen many holes and shallow pits, but those wouldn't do. Pits offered no shelter from the freezing northern winds. Though it was almost spring time, the winter was still hard and could turn treacherous in a flash, and her foals could freeze. Snow was coming soon, and she would not lose this litter like she had done the last.
The cold had caught up too quickly, and soon after she had given birth to three healthy foals, the snow came. Frost covered the floor of the den and silently killed her foals. Their heart beats still rang fresh in her ears, strong and quick, but grew dim under a thin layer of ice, until they stopped completely and there was only silence. She had licked them until her tongue was raw, dry, and bleeding.
  But alas her efforts went in vain as they died right before her, their warm bodies growing cold and lifeless, like the frost. Thinking about it now still brought a pang of guilt and anguish to her heart, and it felt as if she stepped on a shard of rock and pieces of it were still buried deep in her flesh, never wearing down, always there to be a painful reminder.
But now wasn't the time to be thinking about the past, she could feel the unborn foals kicking restlessly, it was almost time. Looking up to the dimming sky the mare watched the sun's coruscating beams of light finally begin dying down and melting into an array of pink, orange, and purple. 'Iqudia, bring good tidings unto me and my foals.' She sent up a silent prayer to the spirit, as she began trotting. The stone clashed and clicked against her cream hooves, she could feel the wind get cooler.
She knew she was running short on time. She must hurry. She would not let this birth end like her last. She knew it would be different.  It had to be.
She found cover in a small cave like structure; concealed under a strong smelling bundle of perennials. 'Good scent concealment.' She mentally noted, and with its shallow opening she could slip in with some effort.  With its height, as well, there would be a lower chance of snow or predators coming inside.
It was perfect.
She would be able to have her foals here, and keep them warm and safe until they were able enough to travel. She crawled inside, her swollen belly touching the already ice cold floor of the den.
  Laying down comfortably she prepared herself, settling in for her time. In the moment she thought about what her foals would think about the den, and snorted, 'no matter right now, they'll at least be safe.'
Then they came.
Four, healthy, young foals suckled hungrily on her teats as she lay down on her side. There were three males and one female. The males had been dark chestnut and red roan, looking much like their father, and the female was light palomino.
  Their legs were lanky and skinny, seeming too long for their bodies, and it was amusing to watch them walk around awkwardly. She would have to teach them to walk soon if she wanted them to survive. She knew they wouldn't be able to stay there for too long, she was still in clan territory, and if they found her they would take her foals, and kill her. She couldn't let that happen, and she wouldn't.
Her ears perked and swiveled as she smelled fresh snow. Looking towards the den's opening she saw the flakes of frost fall. Crisp, and white, a shining covering that transformed the landscape. It was beautiful as it was dangerous, claiming the lives of many. This was also another reason why they had to leave. She just hoped that they all would be safe for the night. She was beyond tired, fatigue shrouded her eyes and her muzzle opened wide as she yawned, her tongue curling pleasurably. But she couldn't fall asleep just yet, her foals were still full of life and energy, still excited to see the world they were put into.
   The third eldest male played and jumped around with the female, whinnying joyously as he gave chase. The mother could not help but smile in triumph; she had given birth to such strong, lively, foals. She hoped that this strength would not fade during hardships and that if they did survive their young years that they would stay true and willing to their family.
The wind began to kick up and sprinkles of snowflakes fluttered inside of the den's opening, landing on the floor and on the base of the mother's arms, melting on contact as they touched her warm pelt.  Her tail flicked lazily, as she wondered about what her foals would think about her; Their mother, who had been kicked out of her own clan, leaving them with little protection, and a low chance of survival; The mother who didn't even have the rank of a low class medicine mare, but was a breeder, the lowest of low in the clan. What would they think of that?
'Maybe not telling them is best, at least until they are older…'
The mother sighed while shaking her head gently.
With some effort she brought herself up onto her hooves, smiling as she watched her foals prance around. Giving a small snort and a shake of her head she went to them; leading them towards the back of the small den. They snorted playfully at her, and carefully she nipped at their backsides with a playful whiney.
    Finally getting them to the back of the den the mother situated herself back onto the cool floor, her foals nuzzling her soft fur.
The mother couldn't help but smile in triumph. 'Such strong foals...I'll have to make sure they live.'
'Even if it kills me.'