Colorado Mountains, Present Day
Diana. That is the name I was given when I arrived on this ranch three years ago. I was purchased by a kind middle-aged man at a county fair and brought to the 5-acre property. Never before had I set my eyes upon such a beautiful landscape as the Colorado Mountains, but it wasn't the snow-capped mountains or crystal clear lakes that I adored about my new home.
It was the sweet girl that gave me the name that depicts the Roman goddess of the moon, that I adored.
Faith was just a depressed, lonely 15-year-old when I met her. She and her parents had been in a car accident a year before. She was the only survivor, but she lost the ability to move her legs. Her grandparents took her away from the city and brought her to their farm out in the country-side. They had tried everything to raise Faith's spirits, but she remained isolated, detached from the outside world.
That's where I came in. Apparently, before her accident, Faith had been an incredible equestrian, excelling in dressage and show jumping. Her previous horse had been sold in order to pay for her medical bills and parents' funeral, her relatives snatching away her inheritance from right under her. Faith's grandparents hoped that by bringing horses back into her life, Faith would recover and try to have as normal a life as was possible.
When my eyes first set upon the girl in the wheelchair that warm, summer day, I could tell she had been through a lot; her eyes clouded, head bowed, skin pale. However, when Faith did raise her head and bring her eyes to me, her whole demeanor changed in a flash. Her silver-grey eyes lit up, her skin brightened, and her mouth opened in a perfect 'o' shape. She then placed her hands over her mouth and began to cry, letting out tears that she had held back for oh so long and hugging her grandmother, who stood at her side.
The grandparents hired a special trainer and worked with me to become a therapy horse. Maybe it was my desire to be there for Faith and aid in her healing that helped me speed through the training. Whatever the reason, within a few months, Faith was riding once more and we became the perfect team. We would travel in the summer across the country, competing and sharing Faith's story wherever and whenever we could. It was just recently that Faith was offered an opportunity to try out to compete in the next Paralympics, which was to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016.
And now, I closed my eyes as I let the soft breeze flow through my mane, tail, and coat. I knew it was a dream, for it was the middle of winter but the scene around me was that of summer, only at night. The grass was of the deepest green and flowers of white glowed in the moonlight. Crickets played their songs, chirping a melody that was only known to them and creating a serene atmosphere.
I looked to the moon, something I had found myself doing in the last thousand years of my seemingly-immortal life. I've known of humans who have tried to find the secret to immortality, and I hoped for their sake that they never found it. No being seemed to understand the consequences of being immortal; you had to watch as your loved ones grow old and die while you remained the same, madness often taking hold. Even though my life hadn’t been that of cupcakes and butterflies, I wouldn't say I had hated it. I traveled all over western Europe and North America, meeting many different individuals along the way. I've been the guardian of two gypsy children, the ray of hope for a family of African American slaves, and, at the time, the therapist of a heart-broken teenager. Legends and rumors had arisen following my journey, from The Gypsy's Jewel, to The Mare of Shadows, and The Miracle Horse. Yes, my life on Earth was hard, but I wouldn't have had it any other way.
The wind suddenly picked up, and I brought my eyes back down to see, to my surprise, Faith, sitting on the edge of the large pond a few feet away, her wheelchair absent. Curiously, I walked over to her and nudged her lightly from behind.
Faith looked over her shoulder and her eyes grew wide upon seeing me. She reached up and pet my snout, a confused look on her face. "What are you doing here, Diana? You've never visited me in these dreams before."
Wait. Does that mean that this isn't my dream, but Faith's!? I thought to myself. I moved to Faith's left and settled down onto the grass, eyeing my caretaker and dear friend closely.
Faith only smiled and scratched me behind the ear, causing me to close my eyes in pleasure; she knew me so well. As she continued the motion, she started talking to me, something she often did after training. “You know, I use to come here all the time with my parents when I was little. My dad and I would swim in the pond while my mom watched nearby, always having a book in her hand. At night, we would lay out a blanket and look up at the stars, seeing if we could spot any constellations.” She laughed slightly. “In reality, this place got torn up and a mall was built over it. I remember how upset I was, but I’ve managed to return here in my dreams. Still, I wish I could go back there for real.” She stopped and I looked to see tears starting to fall down her face, but I quickly nudged her cheek, wiping them away. That made her laugh once more and she hugged my neck. “At least I have you, Diana. You’re such a good friend and listener.”
I rested my head on her lap as she slowly ran her hand down my snout, humming to herself. I didn’t believe I had ever seen her so relaxed before. She truly seemed to be at peace there, and I wished it could have lasted longer.
However, it was not so, as a strong light started to radiate above us. We both looked up and saw the Moon shining brightly. The light then began to separate from it and float down to Earth.
Faith crawled onto my back and I slowly got to my feet, Faith hanging onto my neck as we watched the strange illumination touch down in the center of the pond, levitating just a few inches above the surface. I felt my caretaker squeeze my mane, her hands trembling slightly.
”Do not be afraid, young ones,” a young male voice suddenly spoke, coming from the light. ”Step closer.”
I was unsure of what to do. I didn’t wish to endanger Faith, even knowing that it was a dream. However, I felt Faith’s hand stroke my neck softly, urging me forward. With great reluctance, I complied and took cautious steps into the water.
It felt warm on my skin, sweeping away my unease as I continued towards the light. One of Faith’s hands let go of my mane and I heard her dip it into the water, sighing and losing the tenseness in her body. When we were before the light, the water had only gotten to the lower part of my shoulders. There was another slight splash as Faith moved her upper body so her legs were submerged on opposite sides of me.
”Greetings, Diana and Faith,” the light said. ”I have longed to meet you both.”
“Who are you?” Faith asked timidly.
”I am unable to answer that question, my dear child, but know that I am a friend. I have watched you for some time now, and been Diana’s guardian since her arrival.”
My guardian? I asked myself. What does he mean?
”Faith. From the moment you set eyes upon Diana, you knew there was something special about her, am I right?”
I felt Faith nod. “Yeah. There was something about Diana that told me she had seen a lot in her life and wanted to share her experiences with someone.” She stroked my neck once more.
The light bobbed, as if that was his way of nodding. “Indeed. Diana has very much seen and experienced many things in her life. For you see, child, Diana is far older than what you and your grandparents believe.”
I felt my heart skip a beat. Does this mean he knows that I’m immortal!?
The light seemed to notice my shock, for he chuckled. ”Do not look so surprised, Diana. After all, I did say I’ve been your guardian since the day you came into this world, did I not?”
“But then, why are you here?” Faith questioned.
The light, to my surprise, sighed. “Faith, in order for you to understand my actions, you must know of Diana’s story. Is that alright?” He seemed to be asking me, so I gave a slight nod, and he continued. ”Diana has been alive for well over a thousand years. She traveled Europe in her earlier years, looking for answers as to why she never grew old. At one time, she accompanied two young gypsy children while in France. She then went on to Spain and was brought here to The New World by Spanish conquerors. Later on, she helped several African Americans escape from slavery, befriending a particular family. After that, well, she found her way to you.”
For several moments, Faith was silent. I wasn’t quite sure how she would react, seeing as my life is a work of pure fiction. However, I didn’t expect her to break down crying and hug my neck tightly, soaking my dry withers and mane with her salty tears.
“I’m so sorry, Diana,” Faith said, still crying. “It must have been so hard for you, wandering aimlessly and searching for answers that wouldn’t come. If I had known, I would have helped you look.”
“You can still help, Faith,” the light stated.
Faith lifted her head, sniffling. “H-How?”
Does he have the answers I seek? The thought was almost too overwhelming.
”Listen. A thousand years ago, Diana’s mother came to me, asking if I could protect her daughter and take her someplace safe. I agreed, and brought Diana here to Earth. Diana comes from another dimension that is unlike your world, so her form changed and her life became that of immortality. I promised to return Diana to her home only when balance is restored to her dimension and my powers are fully restored.”
“And that time has come?” Faith hiccupped.
The light tilted once more. ”However, I will not do anything if Diana wishes to stay here. I will explain to her mother of Diana’s decision, and will take away her immortality. She will live the rest of her life as a normal young mare would.”
All of this information came as a shock to me. My mother sent me away to protect me? What was it that I needed protecting from? Was she still alive? These questions all flashed through my mind, but then my current situation stopped them. I had Faith to look after. We were a team, and I wasn’t about to break that up just so I could have a few silly questions I hadn’t thought about in decades answered.
“You should go,” Faith suddenly said, and I saw that she had gotten off my back at one point and was swimming with her arms in front of me. “You deserve to know where you come from. You shouldn’t pass this up just because of me.” She gave a warm smile. “I’ll be okay, I promise. We’ll visit each other in our dreams, alright?”
If I could cry, I very well would have. Faith was such a selfless human, one of the greatest I had ever met since my journey began. I dipped my head and allowed Faith to wrap her arms around my neck in a hug. ”I will never forget you, Faith,” I whinnied lowly.
“I won’t ever forget you, either, Diana,” Faith replied, seeming to understand my words.
”It is time,” the light stated.
Faith and I looked to see the light rising up towards the sky once more, just as a similar aura surrounded me. I quickly pulled Faith back to land and nuzzled her one last time before I began to rise into the air. My eyes never left Faith as she waved goodbye, tears forming in her eyes once again.
“Don’t forget to visit me!” She called. “I’ll be here, waiting by the pond!”
I nodded as my chest ached. Just before I joined the light, I let out one final farewell before the radiance of the moon consumed me.