Forest in the Light, Forest in the Darkness

"I thought I might find you here," Ronan said, emerging from behind the trees and stepping out into the clearing. "Bane is wondering where you are."

Firenze lowered his eyes. So predictable of Bane, to deny his own concern and send a messenger instead. "Come here, Ronan," he said.

His friend approached, eyes uncertain yet trusting. When they stood next to each other Firenze put a hand on Ronan's shoulder. "Look up at the sky. I think it will happen tonight."

They gazed upward, starlight streaming down from the heavens and creating a pale, ethereal glow in the forest. Ronan tilted his head. "I see nothing."

"It has not arrived yet. We will wait."

"What are we waiting for?"

"You will see."

The minutes passed. Ronan flicked his tail in impatience. "Firenze, Bane is waiting. If I do not return with you soon he will worry. Come."

"We will wait," Firenze repeated. He knew in his blood that it would arrive tonight. He needed to know that he was right; he needed something to distract his mind from the death of the unicorn and from Bane's fierce anger.

Through the leaves of the trees something moved in the sky. It had come.

The comet streaked through the sky with the energy of a young centaur foal who has just learned he can run. Ronan's eyes widened. A white brilliance emitted from the comet's core and tail, dimming the stars it passed. And then as soon as the comet had come it was gone, streaking out of view, leaving the forest dimmer in its wake.

Firenze shut his eyes for a moment and then opened them again. "So quickly it moves," he said. "So bright, so full of fire. A comet will not arrive when others want it to. It travels on its own time, at its own pace." He let his hand fall from Ronan's shoulder. "The day will come when Bane will learn that I am right. The forest is our own but it is a part of the world. The world will not leave it in peace forever. It has already destroyed the sacredness of the unicorn."

Ronan was silent. "Bane loves you," he said at last.

"He does," Firenze agreed. "He loves me and yet he is infatuated with his own sense of pride. Depending on the course his life takes, one of these things may destroy him."

*~*~*~*~*~*

"I sent Ronan out an hour ago," Bane said when Firenze walked slowly through the mouth of the cave. "Do not try to tell me that it took him that length of time to find you. He knows where you go."

"He does." Firenze moved from the light into the darkness under the earth. "I will not apologize, Bane. I do not think I have anything to apologize for. If that will anger you, so be it."

Bane opened his mouth to protest but then shut it again. Firenze was young, with a young centaur's stubborn determination and disregard for the advice of others. "It is growing cold," he said instead.

"It is."

"Come here to me."

Firenze obeyed; the skin of his arms was soft and warm. Bane drew him close. "Please do not let me worry about you again," he said. The words lodged in his throat at first but for Firenze, his strong and brave Firenze, he would say them.

We are a race apart, he wanted to whisper to Firenze. The humans do not understand us, our ways are foreign to them. Let them fight their battles. Let your mind stay here with me, in the forest, among our people and in my arms.

"The hour is late," he whispered. "You ought to rest, my dear."

"I will," Firenze said. When he sighed his entire body relaxed and his pale hair slipped forward.

Outside the night birds called. Inside the breathing of the two centaurs slowed as they succumbed to sleep.