Proud Love [Nepelle Herd/ Thalera/ Open]

[Tiggs]

Fira dished out punishment ruthlessly, kicking and biting the insolent mare a fair few times before Nepelle arrived on the scene. She spared him a glance, and was met with that beautiful anger. She whinnied and moved away from Goolara, tossing her head proudly. Somehow he ignored the reprimand that was directed her way and interpreted it fully as Goolara’s well deserved ultimatum.

The chestnut mare bared her teeth triumphantly at the spotted filly, and snickered. “Your newest prize is disobeying my, our, orders. She repeatedly leaves the safe confines of the herd, and she’s horrifically disrespectful.” Fira told Nepelle. “I attempted to take her back to Kurrin and my daughter where I could watch them all as you drove off the colt, and she lashed out at me. I had no choice but to punish her.” Oh yes, she was not below playing on Nepelle’s fondness for Kurrin. “If this moody little mare hadn’t wandered off, we’d both be watching your little golden princess right now, wouldn’t we? Goolara is a safety hazard!”

As if to prove her point, the sabino mare turned and left, heading away through the trees. Fira stamped a hoof and brushing past Nepelle – aware that he hadn’t tried to stop her – she trotted after the filly. “Come back here! You disrespectful little mare. Can’t you see how you’re ruining this herd?! You’re a thorn in my side. You’re worthless!” She spat, voice rising to carry the increasing distance. There was no way she was chasing after some mare through trees. Nepelle could very well do it himself.

[Ehetere]

Goolara’s spurns made him flinch; his pride hurt. He was not a mean or unreasonable stallion. Surely any mare would be happy to run with him. And really; she had started it! Despite the fact that Nepelle knew that Fira was a bully, she was wise in her own way. Especially after that cocky colt had come sniffing around! Who knew what other dangers might be waiting, and the safest way to keep the herd out of danger was to have everyone sticking together. Fira was perfectly justified; at least he thought she was, in wanting Goolara in plain sight with the rest of his herd.

A chill entered Nepelle’s chest and a dark fire filled his eyes. “Go,” he said coldly to the pale mare, “Go and do not come back. You are no longer welcome in my herd.” As she ran away over the snow grass with Fira hot on her heels, Nepelle reared and left her with one last haunting call, not filled with the usual warmth it held and almost sounding menacing and threatening. She was dead to him. Goolara would never be welcome in his presence ever again, nor her pale sister of sorts or her roan stallion. He now held quite a great resentment for the roan stallion; though it was not his fault surely that Goolara was so difficult. But in Nepelle’s current state of mind, he was willing to think anything to justify what had just happened.

Nepelle snorted once more at Goolara’s retreating figure before turning back to the gums and in the direction of dear Kurrin. He had only two mares again. He called gently to Fira; surprisingly appreciative of her help. The pale filly was not worth the handsome chestnut mare’s time either and he called her away. With his mood dark, he moved back to the little glade of his. Kurrin would be waiting. Kurrin, dear sweet Kurrin, would make him feel better. She always did.