Dreams of the Blue Veil was filled with a great deal of excitement and trepidation. She liked Hold a great deal and enjoyed his company even in spite of his cranky tendencies. And was more than surprised to hear that he wanted to remain involved with their future children.

It was actually he that recommended he goes out to find a Legendary to seek counsel. But Dreams wasn't interested in just lying back and allowing her friend to do all the work. After all, she was very much involved, seeing as how it was her body the children would be growing in. So they agreed to a race of sorts, and while Hold would absolutely be taking it seriously, Dreams was happy to see him so fired up.

That didn't mean the doe was going to throw the race, that wasn't an honorable thing to do. She had gone deep into the heart of the swamp, having heard of rumors that she could find a Stag or Mare there.

Giveforward had blinked and spring had given way to summer. It had been bittersweet, for the masses that sought her and her kindred spirits out had lessened. It had left her with far too much time; time that lead to far too many thoughts that she did not have answers for.

Today was promising to be the same as she awoke from slumber. Perhaps she would seek out her sister. It had been too long, a whole three days, since they had spent time together. Or perhaps she would seek out her niece-daughter, Breach. It had been ages since she had seen the other mare, a drawback of one residing near the ocean and the other in the heartland of the swamp. Of course, Breach did journey inward at times, but that did not mean that Giveforward couldn't journey out to the sea herself. Just because she hadn't done it before . . .

The thought proved to be more interesting than any lament from days past. It was so encompassing that it took her far too long to notice the familiar rush as though she'd been able to eat eleven hives of honey. Excitement and joy flooded her mind and body. She was needed.

With a grin, Giveforward broke into a gallop and shot straight for the source.

The totoma wasn't being particularly intense in her search, though she kept her senses aware and open. She was cautious as far as traveling was concerned, making sure she could not be taken by surprise and that she had a clear path to escape. She could fight back, she was quite hardy and her incredibly fluffy coat belied the dense muscles underneath.

She contemplated calling out and declaring why she was here and what her purpose was, but felt silly about that. Surely just saying out loud that she wanted to meet a Stag or Mare wouldn't bring one out, would it? Her mother did tell her that the MotherFather could read one's thoughts especially those hidden in their hearts, so perhaps those on the surface level could even be easily heard?

While she considered this even more intently, Dreams of the Blue Veil suddenly heard hoofbeats. Her ears twitched towards the direction it was coming from and said "Hello?"

The mare slowed to a happy trot and her ears swiveled forward when the sound of a hello rang out. She grinned, further, and then called out, "Yes, I'm coming!"

It really did not take long for her to finish the distance and burst through three blackberry bushes. She looked at the totoma, eyes bright and shining.

"Hello! Were you in search of a Legendary?" she inquired, even though she knew the answer already. Of course the doe was looking for a stag or mare; there were scents about kin who sought them out. One scent of desperation for the non-carrying parent; one scent of duty for the carrying parent. It was rather astounding, she conceded, as she thought about it.

The world it seemed was whispering things into Dreams' ear, vague suggestions of counting things of three as she tried to pinpoint the hoofbeats. There was a solitary flower, there were seven buds awaiting bloom, there were four snapped branches, and...

She paused in her tracks, having found a group of three blackberry bushes when out from the foliage bursts a mare!

Dreams couldn't believe her incredible luck! Here she was, merely hoping for the chance of even catching a mere glimpse of a Legendary. And one came out in search for her! Truly the MotherFather could read one's heart and mind, she never should have doubted her mother's wisdom.

"Yes! Yes I was, I mean I am! Hello, I'm Dreams of the Blue Veil and I have come to seek counsel and a blessing for my future lambs."

"Hello, Dreams of the Blue Veil. I am Giveforward," the mare introduced herself with a smile. She gave a soft laugh, "My sister calls me Lamb! How fortunate we are to have met!"

But getting to know one another and chatter could wait. An expectant doe took precedent.

"What is it you want for your children? Are you in any pain?" Giveforward asked.

The totoma doe beamed in pure delight. She couldn't believe in her incredible luck! The MotherFather had sent her what she needed and the Legendary before her was a sight to behold! At the prompting, Dreams had to give this serious thought. Hold would want their children to be strong of body, mind, and will, but Dreams didn't want them to end up too stubborn.

"I am not in any pain. Not yet at least," she chuckled. Her mother assured her that the pain would not be unbearable but it would exist.

"But that's not what I have in mind. I would like for my children to be strong but flexible be it by their body or the way they see the world."

Giveforward was not disappointed that the totoma was not in pain, rather she was disappointed that she could not use her gift for more than a blessing she might give anyone in need or want of one.

"If you do experience pain, please let me know. I can relieve it for one day and one night," she instructed, voice full of concern. "But then, you came all this way to find me, perhaps you will not need any relief!"

The mare thought carefully, taking in the doe's desires, before nodding.

"Yes, I think that'll do nicely," she murmured, before continuing on, "Your children shall be strong of bone and mind, their health shall never be in question, for they will not be unyielding in their thoughts and beliefs. They shall know that there is always more to learn, more to know, and that the Motherfather has placed each of us here because our own strengths shall benefit the world as a whole."

A smile lit her face as she concluded, "Will that do?"

Dreams considered the mare's offer of relief from pain, and while she believed herself hardy and hearty, perhaps some of her siblings could benefit from such a gift. "I shall definitely keep you in mind if such a time comes that pain proves too great to bear."

Quietly, she listened as the Legendary spoke her blessing and like the voices from earlier, Giveforward's words seemed to echo in the back of the totoma's mind. She could feel the weight and the joy seep into her very bones, and as Giveforward wound down, for a brief moment it seemed like the world looked different to Dreams of the Blue Veil.

Bright blue eyes blinked and everything was as it was. And at the same time it was inexplicably better. She beamed in gratitude, "Yes, thank you. And I hope that in the future we may cross paths again even if it is just for company."

"I am always happy to help," Giveforward replied at being kept in mind. "And that would be lovely should our paths cross again!" she grinned.

The happiness of the encounter filled her and the mare faded as a songbird appeared, a song weaving through the air. And then the mare faded away leaving the songbird to take flight.