My tricoloured mane blows gently against my neck as I watch over the steep, icy cliff. The freezing breeze whistles through few remaining spruce trees as a black eagle swoops down the mountain line.

I can't help but take a deep breath of the chilled and refreshing air. Snowflakes fell softly over my thickened body. A slight kick hit me near my flank as my foal tried to play in the snow.

Dear child, you're going to have to wait for that.

It sure is beautiful up here on the mountain. The ground is soft and white, the scarce amount of trees are all thick and dark green and the sky... Oh, the sky. The purest blue you could ever lay your eyes on.

Spirit and Ranger were grazing further down the mountain. I had taken their rest stop as a chance to get a head start on the climb. I also took it as a nice way to relax and get away from the fuss.

Not that my boys are fuss. I just enjoy being alone sometimes. Reminds me of the old me.

Another gust of wind blew the scent of horses towards me.

We're about half way up the mountain. It's only a few hours journey until we reach Ipsich.

I shuffle over to a nearby tree and painfully ease to the ground. I rest my back against the tree and let out a huff of breath.

The foal shifts and I place my nose against my stomach.

Of all the things I've done in my life, of all my struggles, all my pain, being a mother is definitely going to be the toughest.

Of course I've had Ranger, but he's different. I didn't carry him for year inside me. Astro had done that.

I watched carefully as young birds danced across the sky and the trees spoke softly to each other through the breeze. Snowflakes fell delicately over and I closed my eyes, just for a moment.

The distinctive squish of hooves on snow emerged. I opened my eyes and lifted my head. Spirit and Ranger were happily conversing as they strode confidently up the mountain. They noticed me.

"Amazon, are you okay?" Spirit asked, concerned.

"Yes dear, fine. I've just got to get up and-." I grunted as I rose off my hind legs, eventually balancing the weight onto my front legs and standing up.

This is one big foal.

"Shall we continue to Ipsich?" I asked, turning to follow the track.

"Uh, no, no. You seem... Exhausted. The sun will set within a few hours, we may as well stay here for the night."

I turn to face him.

"What? No, Spirit, I'm fine. We should just go and rest at Ipsich. You know it's only a few hours journey anyway."

"Amazon I don't want to push you. We shouldn't be travelling this much and even so we shouldn't be climbing huge mountains." He explains, stepping forward.

"Spirit I'm the one with the foal. I don't mean to snap but I'm fine, truly. Let's just go."

I begin to trot up the mountain and Spirit and Ranger follow suit.

***

I grunt as my hoof collides with the slippery dirt. Spirit and Ranger are behind me. We've reached the steepest section of Snow-Peak Mountain, not far from Ipsich. But I've been struggling. Not simply because I'm pregnant but the lack of water and grass has weakened all of us. We need to get to Ipsich for food and water or I fear what could happen.

"Ma, let's just rest here. We'll get to Ipsich in the morning and then we can spend all day grazing and resting."

I sigh.

"I suppose we can rest here for the night. It looks like there's a rock shelter over there, we can sleep under it."

***

I watch over the mountain again, but this time I can see lights dancing across the sky. Much like the Southern or Northern lights, if you've ever seen them. Something you could never forget. Far too beautiful to forget.

Spirit and Ranger are laying under the rock shelter, sleeping. I can't help but be restless. With all that's going on, how couldn't I be?

I suppose I'll just have to try.

The snow falls quietly over the mountain and everything seems to be asleep. Nothing is stirring, not even a mouse.

I sigh and step heavily over to my family. I tuck myself beside Spirit and Ranger, snuggling into the shared warmth.

Author's Note ~ Hey guys! Sorry it's been so long... Merry Christmas from me and Nova!