The shaded guardian

Time past, and the overhanging sunlight passed into the bright and vibrant midday shine, the  sun was high in the sky and the forest was alive with life. Various creatures scurried past the two of them across the forest floor, the bright colored plants popping up and blooming in their eerie and slow way.

The forest was alive and didn't seem like it would let up, the sounds of the whooping native inhabitants filled the ears of both Shade and Fluttershy. Each creature was unique, each possessing something that Fluttershy hadn't seen in the everyday creature that came across her cottage.

Yet, Fluttershy felt at peace next to the tall, grey stallion, her hope was now resting in him, yet he wouldn't know. Fluttershy thought about how different the forest was compared to the rolling pastures next to her home, how much more untame and uncontrollable it was, it was like an alien world to her.

Occasionally she would look up to the stallion that had previously saved her, her soft cyan eyes fluttering innocently. His gaze was fixed on the path before them, his thoughts not straying from his duty he had put upon himself. Fluttershy would of course look back towards the ground she walked upon, keeping quiet and to herself.

She didn't want to bother Shade, she knew he was protecting her and all and didn't want to ruin it. Fluttershy had a way of shooting her own desires and wants down in the desire to make others feel better, or in fear of ruining things. She wasn't exactly a social butterfly anyway, being cooped up in her cottage around her animals didn't help her with socialization.

In an attempt to make conversation, Fluttershy left her own comfort zone and cleared her throat, looking back up to Shade with a slight curiously look "S-Shade?... How long have you been in this forest?" She asked her petite voice, unsure of his reaction. Surely he wasn't as young as he looked, he must've looked just around her own age.

Shade turned to face her, his emotionless expression turning to one of minor content. He spoke in his deeper voice, his crystal blue eyes locking with hers. "I have been in this forest for quite sometime, it is my home.and refuge from the outside world"

"Why exactly do you live here?... Nopony likes the Everfree forest, i-it's too dangerous" Fluttershy spoke up against him. Shade finally cracked the biggest hint of emotion yet, a very small and gentle smile on his muzzle "I live here because it is my home, I have been here for all I can remember"

At his response, Fluttershy looked to the path ahead, pondering what he could possibly mean by "I have been here for all I can remember" He must've been born somewhere, have a family or had a family possibly. This perplexed her, more so than how she ended up in the situation in the first place.

She then turned up towards him once again, this time feeling a tad more comfortable with speaking. "Do you have a family? Maybe some friends?" She asked of him. Shade returned his gaze to the path ahead, his smile leaving quickly "I had a family long ago, yet they were lost to me..."

Fluttershy immediately retracted herself as she head him, feeling more insecure from probably making him remember things he didn't want to "I-I'm sorry...." Was all she could muster, thinking she must've upset him. "It is not a problem, Fluttershy... Ponies come and go, it is our deeds that are eternal"

His saying got Fluttershy thinking, thinking about how much a pony can have and how much they could desire, but their actions are the only thing they are remembered for. He was certainly a wise stallion, or at least the kind that had his head on straight, much like that of her father.

She remember the days when she spent time with her mother and father, all the peace and serenity that came with such moments. They were but a distant memory, the Everfree forest was all that lied ahead of her at this point, and that's what she wanted to focus on.

After a few more minutes of walking, Fluttershy became restless in thought and turned back up to Shade "Shade?... When do you think we'll get back to my home?" She asked of him in her innocent tone, obviously wondering how much longer it would be. The forest seemed endless, and the lack of light was starting to play with her mind.

Shade turned down to her and blinked his eyes a few times. "I suspect, at the pace we are on, perhaps another day, we must go up and around the ridge that you had fallen off of." Fluttershy was relieved and disheartened by his comment. Another day wasn't an extremely long time in retrospect, but the forest and time seemed to pass so slow, like and everlasting entanglement of flora.

"O-Okay..." She replied, keeping close to him and being vigilant herself, scanning like he did. She could barely see anything in the darkness and shrouded cloak of the forest, yet movement was abundant. There were shadows in the darkness, sometimes the glow of eyes could be seen in the darkness.

Yet nothing seemed to venture close to them, as if there was some sort of barrier that was between them and the outside forces. Fluttershy felt safe next to Shade, like he was one protecting her from everything. She still wondered why he would do this, why was he protecting her, and why was he leading her back. It was strange, yet she wouldn't question a good thing.

The two of them ventured on through the shroud of darkness, the forest still alive and moving around them. She felt as if she was safe, so many questions were yet to be answered, yer through her conversations with him, so much was answered. She just kept close to him, wondering what lied ahead of them both...