Blessing Moonbane
The hill rose high, surrounded by bushes of marsh rose and low-hanging trees. The sun rose just over it's peak, and the brilliant light seemed no more than a bound away. Moon's father had brought her here this dewy morning with serious intent. It was obvious by her scent that she had found a suitor not long ago, and her eggs were soon to come. Not long after she would be heavy with foal, more importantly, sons. Her father had not feigned his disinterest when a daughter found her way to him, legs bent like broken cattails, eyes swollen and blind. She was strong, but she was no son. She resembled him greatly, but she was no son. This was the only way she felt she could ever repay him - her son would be his, and this foal would grow into a great buck beside his Grandfather.
The dark colored doe trailed behind Night Heron, nose high and tail held above the ground. She was proud, but only because father was proud. If you were to ask Moonbane her opinion, she felt only maternal. There were no other words to describe the embarrassment, the discomfort, the unusual thickness of her belly...
Just as Night Heron had expected, the doe was already waiting for them. She stood long and elegant, shades of springtime intertwined upon her coat like dancing clouds. Her neck arched toward the rising sun, warming her face, ebbing the glow of her superior eyes. Her kind were elders to the swamp, despite their age...her kind were mysteries. Heron felt humbled as he stood before her, his gait ceasing it's boundless energy. This elder was known only as Sleep, though her voice ran with sleepless excitement as she called to the pair. "Welcome, Son, and Daughter, too." Her vibrant green eyes lingered upon the new Mother, sensing her hesitance.
Heron bowed his neck low, almost gracing the dirt with his nose. This gesture was no returned, but a feeling of warmth seemed to envelop the buck as he rose, meeting Sleep's eyes with his own. "You have come here this day to bless this clutch." Stated the pastel doe, drawing Moonbane nearer. Heron's doe could not speak, not in the presence of this ethereal figure, so foreign to her travels. She took father's lead, adding a second kiss to the dirt, to which Sleep smiled. "We need not pleasantries, I know your heart is good, young one." With that, she led the new mother to the peak, standing her in the silhouette of the sun, father left dwelling beside the trees.
Moonbane had many questions - was this really one of the swamp's children? Could she change faces, as the legends often told? Sleep's demeanor proved this was not the time for silliness, and the elder doe stretched her neck toward the sun. "See there - the brilliance and the light, chasing away the darkness." Moonbane nodded, whirls of peace and tension clashing within her chest. "Be like the sun. When your heart questions, look to the light. Be righteous and true. And when you doubt, do not forget, even in the darkness of night there is light." The young doe strained her eyes against the burning sun, thoughtful.
"Now, see there -" And both turned to survey a stream on the land. "The power and the energy, forever pushing on. Be like the water. When you grow fearful, pull the strength from within you and carry on." The new mother nodded, her body growing understanding of the elements. When the elder turned to face the sky, Moonbane followed. "See there - Purity and honesty. Be like the Sky. If you are ever scattered, let the wind make you whole, and always carry those who wing beneath you." Again the young doe nodded, her face turning to the very mountain beneath her, for she knew this was the only remaining piece. "And, yes, see there -" began the elder, "The strength and solidity, the comfort. Be like the Earth. Find your roots and dig them deep, for when your trouble weaken you, you will need them." Sleep came to rest her nose on the doe's forehead to soothe the young one's shaking.
"Take all you can from the Swamp, for she will make you whole. She will tell you how to care for your children. Never forget your true Mother, child, and your children shall not forget theirs." And with this final phrase, Moon felt herself jump right out of her skin, immediately settled by the warmth of the sun, the taste of the air, the sound of rushing water and the strong earth beneath her hooves. The elder brought her head to the earth, plucking the growing sage from it's place beneath her and bringing it across the new mother's side, around her back and along the other side. She left the scent of sage across the doe's belly and up to her nose. When she came to rest again before the doe and offered her the sage to eat, the blessing was complete..."May Mother grant to thee, Moonbane."
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