Elspeth and Elliot sat nervously in the hospital waiting room. They didn't quite know how to settle; their nerves grew more tense with every passing doctor, every announcement over the speakers, every nurse on their break.
A ring of pearls hung around the filly's neck. She lifted each bead nervously and looked it over before going onto the next. This little ritual kept her sane as she tried to pass the time in the hallway.
Finally, the silence was cut by their father walking out of a bedroom. Hartwig looked between his two children. Elspeth's gaze averted to the floor, whilst Elliot cast his eyes to a poster on health and diet.
"Your mother is up, if you want to see her," he said coolly, ignoring the fear in his children's eyes.
The two got up from their seats and followed him into their mother's hospital room. It was small and cramped and reminded her too much of the closets back home.
In bed, with bandages wrapped around her skull, sat Linore Windroe - the most gorgeous pegasus in the world.
Usually, Elspeth loved to see her mother, but on such a day, it felt like being at a funeral.
"Hello, love," she stretched a hoof out to Hartwig. "Where are we?"
"The hospital, Linny," he reminded her. "You needed that… operation."
"I did?" She asked shakily. "Did it go well?"
"Swimmingly."
Elspeth and Elliot quickly exchanged nervous glances.
Linore's wings flapped absentmindedly. Hartwig shot her a glare and she immediately stopped the action.
"Remember, my love, the doctor says that you can't fly again."
"I can't?" Linore asked. "Why?"
"The surgery to help your brain be happy again messed with your motor skills," Hartwig said, condescendingly. "You could hurt yourself."
Linore nodded and mumbled an "I remember" under her breath. Then, she turned to Elliot and Elspeth.
"Who've you brought with you?"
"You remember our darling children, don't you?"
"Of course, our little Elsa, and my darling Ezra. My eldest, my pride and joy."
Elliot froze.
"It's Elliot, my dear," Hartwig chided. "You remember what happened a few years back… Ezekiel passed away. He was very ill."
"Oh, he did?" She asked shakily. "Well, at least I have my dearest little Elsa here, don't I?"
Elspeth tensed and swung her tail nervously.
"Her name is Elspeth, Linny," Hartwig explained. "Not Elsa."
"Oh my, simple mistake to make."
"Indeed." Elspeth fidgeted with her pearls.
"What remarkable jewels," Linore stared blankly at her daughter. "You'll wear them a lot, I imagine."