Open My Eyes [Pallarang/Open]

[Tiggs]

The world was different somehow. Things were brighter, she could hear better, smells were sweeter. Eumina cantered down the gentle mountain slope, dainty hooves neatly placed around rocks. The frail filly had filled out a little in the last season, her ribs no longer showed too distinctly, and her stomach had a distinct roundness to it. Her constant wariness was not completely gone, but her eyes did not constantly show white, and her delicate ears were perked forwards in interest.

Beside her ran a big bay roan stallion. The most bizarre thing was that Eumina was not running to flee the stallion; she even altered her gait to match his so they could run together. He was Pallarang, her saviour. When she had been alone and vulnerable, he had come to her. He had fought away the monsterous stallion who had sought to take her, and claimed her as his own. At first she had been frightened, but something more powerful than fear had drawn her to him, and soon she could not be without him.

She ran by his side every day. The pale red dun filly grazed by his side always. She could not stand to be too far away, as when she could not feel his warm presence next to her, that was when the fear returned. Without Pallarang, the High Country was an overbearing terror. Anything and everything worried the filly but the big roan stallion quieted her fears, he chased away the shadows and the demons, and when he was there with her, nothing could be wrong.

Feeling a surge of joy rise up in her chest, the filly bucked and nipped his neck playfully. Picking up speed – but not too much lest she get too far away – she led the way down the slope to the lake nestled just below the mountain’s peak. She had been here before with Ekala, but bad memories lurked in the corners of her mind. She had been chased here once by a stallion and separated from Ekala for days. Wherever the filly went, it seemed there were bad memories associated with it. At least with Pallarang, she could push those feelings away, and concentrate only on him.

Propping to a halt, the filly turned her white-splashed face to him, bright blue eyes wide and earnest. Huffing breath out through her delicate pink nostrils, she reached out to him with a trembling muzzle, so sure that he would dissipate like a cloud of mist every time she did. But he was not a dream. He was as real as the mountain beneath her hooves. He was Pallarang. Her stallion, her mate, and her protector.

[Li<3]

Life had begun a new. Pallarang had never felt this happy and carefree. He was still wary of other stallions, especially now because of his dear Eumina, but everything seemed right with the world. His life now had some meaning to it. To protect and care for someone other than himself. And as he ran down the slopes of the great mountain, he knew that this was what he was supposed to do.

Life for a brumby meant running free and not having to answer to anyone. To build a community with others and enjoy the fresh wind. He was doing exactly what it meant to be a brumby, and it was perfect. He couldn't understand or even think of anything better then racing down a hill with his dear Eumina. Pallarang snorted happily, matching the dun's pace.

As they neared the glassy surface of the lake he looked at Eumina. She was beautiful. Suddenly she picked up speed, bucking and nipping playfully. It took Pallarang by surprise, but he quickly joined in the game, forcing himself faster and nipping at her withers.

They slid to a stop together by the edge of the lake. He breathed heavily, soaking up air after the long run, but it felt good. As the red dun extended her nose to him he nickered and pressed his own against hers. The feeling of his own breath mixing with hers was exhilarating and he breathed in her scent deeply. After a few moments he nickered gently and pulled his head back. Pallarang scanned the area to make sure they were safe and then rested his head on Eumina's back, keeping watch of everything around him.

She had been filling out since she had started running with him, and he was glad of it. It would be winter soon enough and they both had to store up as much energy as possible. When he was satisfied that they wouldn't be bothered by any others in the near future, he lowered his head to graze. "Make sure you eat as much as you can, Rose," he said gently to Eumina, though he still didn't know her real name. He didn't want to lose her. Not to another stallion, not to winter, not to anything.