A New Generation

    Golden sighed and looked back out the window of her stall. No, she was aging. There was no getting around it.  She'd seen her children come and go. Soon they would be returning to her with their own foals. She'd seen them from her pasture. The flash of orange and yellow, a moving flame. Literally, Flame was moving. Flame was her fourth, no fifth daughter. Even as a foal she'd loved to roam and explore. Such a sweet child.

    Flame galloped around the field next to her mother. Her figure was still heavy from childbirth, but she was energetic. Had she once been so care free? If she had she could not remember it. Golden's own mother's face alluded her. She began pacing. Flame was the fifth. Danger had been first, followed by her dear Finny. Then was Wolf. Daisy was fourth. She still saw Daisy occasionally, usually at a distance. The young mare was still a quiet soul. She looked lonely. Why had she not gone to her daughter?

    Growling in frustration, Golden kicked at the wall. Her own thoughts betrayed her today. She should be happy. She was a celebrated mare, known across the world for her beauty and bravery. She was one of the most revered of Nordanners, yet she was worrying over something as minuscule as her foal's odd moods? Never! And this was the mood that NES' staff found their prized mare in when they came to claim her.

    Golden pranced eagerly as she was haltered and nearly trampled her handler's feet as she left the stall. She had energy to burn. As they turned her loose into the pasture she kicked her heels up and took off. Around the field she went, again and again. The world spun as she rocketed from one side to another until at last she was exhausted. The mare stopped and took a deep breath to cool down. Then she looked around the pen.

    Two foals lay curled up in the center. Golden blinked. She hadn't noticed them before. One as tar and another as light as the winter snow. Both looked up as she moved closer. The large black one, a filly, stood first. Her green and black hair curled slightly and she seemed to quiver with pent up energy. The younger cream-coated one stumbled to his feet and hid behind the filly. His head peaked out from one leg.

"Grandma?" came a timid voice.

 ES Golden Girl stopped at once. Grandma? Her? NOW? She couldn't be- it couldn't be-

"It must be her, look at her hair. Mamma said her hair was like gold," the filly moved forward, clearly more adventurous than her younger brother. She stopped under Golden's neck and looked up.

"Hey Grandma!"

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    She was getting old. The regal queen shook her head to clear the thought, but a smile lingered on her face. Old, but not weak. Her eyes glanced down at the sleeping foals and the smile grew. These were her legacy. Her children had come home for her blessing. Flame had raced to visit her as soon as she was allowed close. Then came Finny, dragging young Daisy. The three of them had shuffled and preened, excited to once more visit their mother. All these years and she'd forgotten how much she loved to see them. Of course they were grown now, mares instead of fillies. But they were still her precious children.

    Flame had left her with the two small bundles next to her. Rain and Kye, two budding children. She'd taken them on a walk through the forest earlier. Rain had scampered about, interested in all the little things. Kye had followed after her, tripping and running into the trees in his haste. Golden had seen his father earlier, a bay dun named Minotaurus. Shy and sweet described both of them.

    Golden sighed and lowered her head. She could feel herself settling in for the night. Tomorrow was another day. She would again be spending time with some of her children. For once the thought of company didn't seem so bad.

-------- End Chapter

And there we have it. Something of a follow up to the doodles I did yesterday. I love drawing Golden and her girls, so I thought I'd draw her and some of her grandbabies! Tink is actually a great-grand baby but don't tell anyone~

I'm just having so much fun drawing Brindle's horses I don't think I'll bother stopping. Too much fun~

Stock used

- Reference for background mirandarose-stock.deviantart.c…

- Golden and Kye www.deviantart.com/art/Mare-an…

- Rain aussiegal7.deviantart.com/art/…

Art, Flame, Rain, and Kye (c) me

Golden Girl (c) NorthEast-Stables