A strange visitor

Twinkle Star held her baby while she watched the sun go down on the other side of Fiume. Meran had finally fallen asleep, something that usually took her a lot longer. She had never thought a baby could have this much energy. What she remembered of her sister’s twins, they used to sleep so much more and were a lot calmer. Meran, however, was always moving, and in her eyes Twinkle Star could see she was always looking for something new to discover. Only the setting sun seemed to calm her down.

Of course, this energy came from eating a lot. Twinkle Star could feel her body getting rather thin, after a month. Meran drank so much milk that she could hardly eat enough herself to catch up with it. Câlin made comments about it, but there was nothing she could do. Her daughter needed the food, and she would never deny her that.

She could hardly believe Meran was already more than a month old. She had grown so much. Was she rather small when she was born, which was natural considering the fact that she was born way too early, she had caught up completely now and according to the nurse that had visited them the day before she was now the size of a normal one-month old baby pony.

She had written her mother a letter two days after Meran was born. She did not know if it was wise, but she would not be able to live with herself without telling her mother that she had a grandchild. She owed her that. She did, however, not tell her mother where she lived, nor did she invite her over. She did not want to see her… not now, anyway. Maybe somewhere in the future… but not now. She had not even told Kiyoi about the letter.

Câlin loved her sister. She spend every free moment with Meran, telling her stories out of picture books, helping Twinkle Star with washing her… Though Câlin sometimes forgot that Meran was only a baby, and did not yet understand what Câlin told her, she was happy that they had a strong bond. Meran always looked happy when she saw or heard Câlin.

As for Câlin herself, she and Kiyoi had decided it was time for Câlin to start learning some things. There was a small group of children about her age in the little village, and they were now being taught by one of the elderly ponies together. Câlin did not seem particularly excited about the other children, but she did like the learning. She was learning how to read and write properly, she learned a little history and the basics of math and, what she enjoyed most, she learned about the different plants, trees, and how to take care of them. Of course she knew a lot already from Kiyoi, but she still managed to learn something new every day, and she loved it.

Twinkle Star slowly got up, careful not to wake Meran. She walked back to the house with her baby, and brought her to her bed. Câlin was in the forest with Kiyoi, though Twinkle Star had forgotten what for. Well, she knew Kiyoi would make sure Câlin was in bed at the right time. She didn’t need to worry about that, Kiyoi was strict enough when it came to bed times. Probably more so than she herself was.

When Twinkle Star had made sure her daughter was in bed and everything was well, she left her daughter’s room and went downstairs. She took another full bowl from the soup she had made and ate it. She had never known hunger like this before. It didn’t take long for Câlin and Kiyoi to return, for when she had finished her bowl and was washing it off, she heard them enter the door.

“We’re home!” Kiyoi said.
“Welcome back. Did you succeed?” Twinkle Star asked.
“Yes, we did. Is Meran sleeping yet?” Kiyoi asked.
“Yes, she actually fell asleep rather quickly. She’s asleep upstairs now. Will you also go to bed soon, Câlin? It’s class again tomorrow.”
Câlin smiled. “I know. I will go to bed soon.”  
"Good girl. Shall I bring you to bed? We can continue the story I was reading for a bit.” Kiyoi offered.
“Yes, that would be nice.” Câlin smiled.
“Let’s go, then.” Kiyoi said, walking to the stairs.

“There is someone in the woods. You should find them.” It took Twinkle Star a while to realize that Câlin was only talking to her in her mind, and not out loud.
Apparently she had not shared this information with Kiyoi. Twinkle Star wondered why, as Kiyoi knows the forest much better than she did, but she did not question her daughter’s motives. She would find out why when she went out to look for the person… even though she did not like going into the forest after dark.

“Kiyoi… I think I am going out for a bit. I’ll be back soon. Will you check up on Meran?” Kiyoi looked at her puzzled, but he did not ask any questions.
“Sure. I will. Be safe.” Twinkle Star smiled and watched as her fiancée and daughter walked up the stairs. She grabbed one of the lanterns from the table, lit it, and left the house.

It had become rather dark already, but the sun had not completely disappeared yet. She followed the path that led her into the forest. Câlin and Kiyoi had not been gone for long so she knew she did not have to go deep into the forest, but Câlin’s senses were keen, so she might have been able to detect them from a distance. Still, she decided to stay on the path, until she knew where to go.

Inside the forest it was much darker than outside. The trees kept the fading light of the sun at bay. She slowly followed the path, but she saw no sign of any other pony. Her lantern only lit up the first few meters ahead of her. How am I supposed to find someone like this? She wondered. If only Câlin had given her a clue on where to look…

She followed her light deeper into the forest, but she saw no sign of any pony. She did not even feel any presence. Maybe Câlin had been wrong after all, and she should simply go home.
“Hello, Twinkle Star.” Twinkle Star turned quickly. She recognized the voice, but she could not quite place it. Behind her, a little further on the path, she saw the light of another lantern. Or did she?

She approached the light, and she realized it could not be a lantern. It was way too orange for that. It was the glowing horn of a unicorn.
“Chifre.” There was no mistake. This was the unicorn, Illuvia’s sister and Câlin’s aunt, who had entrusted Câlin to her. But why was she here now? Was she here to take Câlin away from her?

“It has been a long time.” Chifre said, approaching her. Twinkle Star had almost forgotten how magnificent this unicorn was. Her large horn was glowing brightly, and her silver markings seemed to shine in the darkness of the night. A small glow behind Chifre revealed Chifre’s daughter, Corné. So she was also here… When Corné got closer, Twinkle Star was amazed at how big she had become. Corné was not nearly as big as her mother yet, but she appeared to be larger than Câlin, even though she was younger. Twinkle Star had no doubt that Corné would grow up to be just as large and magnificent as her mother.

“Yes, it definitely has been.” Twinkle Star agreed, still suspicious.
“I assume Câlin send you? I was afraid she was aware of us.” Chifre said.
“She did. She did not tell me it was you, though.” Twinkle Star answered.
Chifre did not respond. Corné was standing next to her mother now, and stared at her with her big aquamarine eyes.
“I see.” Chifre answered shortly.

Trees as black as shadows surrounded them. The bushes on the ground were lit by the combined light of Twinkle Star’s flickering lantern and the two horns.
“Why… are you here, Chifre? Why did you leave Adame forest? How did you know where to find me?” Twinkle Star asked.
She did not believe for one second that Chifre was here by accident. She knew she and Câlin were here, and that was why she was here. Twinkle Star knew.

“I left Adame Forest because I wanted to see you, Twinkle Star. Things are moving, and they involve you. You, Câlin, and your daughter. Things you have to know about.”
Twinkle Star noticed Chifre avoided the question of how she knew Twinkle Star was here, but she decided to let it go for now. Chifre’s answer only gave her more questions, but it also triggered her curiosity.

“I see… do you want to come with me to my home?” She invited the unicorns.
“A place called home is not a place for us, Twinkle Star. We prefer to stay here, in the forest. I thank you for your hospitality, though.” Chifre answered.
“Right… as you wish. Then tell me… about the things you wished to talk to me to.” Twinkle Star said, mildly annoyed.

“Now? It is dark, Twinkle Star. It is getting late. And you do not look like a woman who can afford to lose sleep. Your daughter will be up early again tomorrow, will she not?” Chifre said.
Twinkle Star got annoyed by the I-know-it-all tone in Chifre’s voice.
“That may be true, but…” She began, but Chifre interrupted her.
“So, I will talk to you tomorrow, when Câlin is back from her class. I am sure she and Corné would love to talk to each other for a bit too. They grew up together, after all. Will I see you here, tomorrow afternoon?”

Twinkle Star would have loved to say no, but she knew she had no choice.
“Yes, of course. I will be here… and I will take Câlin with me.” She said.
“Good. Then I will see you tomorrow, Twinkle Star. Good night.”
“Good night.” Twinkle Star said, only partially serious.
The unicorns slowly faded back into the darkness of the forest. Strange, Twinkle Star thought, I do not remember Chifre being like this. Sure, she always seemed to know best for everyone and everything, but somehow… it was less annoying than it is now.

When the two lights had completely vanished, Twinkle Star decided to follow the path back home. On her way home, Twinkle Star let her thoughts go over her recent meeting. How did Chifre know all the things she had just said to her? How did she know about her baby? How did she know… about all the things she wanted to tell her? And how on earth did she know that Meran always woke up early in the morning? Because she was a unicorn? Twinkle Star did not remember Stelline having such powers. She assured herself she would ask tomorrow.

As she saw the light shine behind the window of her little house, she sighed. She was not only annoyed by Chifre because of her attitude. No, it was also, or maybe mostly because, she was afraid Chifre would bring news that would disturb their peace. Was she not allowed to live here, quietly, raising her children? Was that not why she had come here, to live in peace with the ones she loved most?

As she entered her small house, she noticed Kiyoi was asleep on the couch. He, too, was really tired. Family life was hard on both of them, but Twinkle Star knew she would not give it up for the world. She turned the lantern off and put it back to where she got it from. She noticed there was a little soup left, and she decided to have some more before she went to sleep.

“You’re back.” She heard Kiyoi mumble as she lit the fire to heat up the soup.
“I am. I’ll just have some soup before I go to bed.”
“What did you do outside?” Kiyoi asked sleepily.
“I just… wanted some fresh air before I went to sleep. Do you mind if I take Câlin out into the forest tomorrow afternoon? I’d… like to spend some time with her. It’s been so long since we were together.” Twinkle Star said, hoping she sounded convincing. She did not know why she didn’t tell Kiyoi the truth, but she did not want to yet. Not until she knew what Chifre’s message was.
“Sure. You two go have fun. I’ll watch Meran.” Kiyoi said, turning around on the couch.
Twinkle Star smiled at him. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”