1912
The icy morning mist drenched the rich English countryside, the morning was still a dreary gray and nor man or beast moved in the earliness of dawn. Young Albert Narracot's green eyes fluttered open slowly, dragging himself from the warmth of his bed Albert hurried to dress, and raced down to the kitchen to grab his breakfast, scorching his fingers only slightly, Albert grabbed a fresh roll from the tray and an apple as he rushed out the door.
"Albert, after you've taken care of Joey come back and have a proper breakfast!" His mother called after him. Albert smiled, this was their morning ritual, he'd grab a light breakfast and an apple for Joey and his mother would always make him come back for a proper breakfast after he tended to his leggy yearling. When Albert reached the barn he threw open the doors and smiled brightly,
"Good morning Joey!" Albert said cheerfully the little yearling nickered his greeting, Albert went to pet Joey's muzzle when he noticed something was off as he peered into Joey's stall he gasped. Huddled in the corner soaked to the skin was a girl around his age. Her dark hair was plastered to her pale face and her icy blue eyes were wide with fear. She was shivering violently though from fear or from cold Albert couldn't tell. Albert and the girl stared at each other for a long time, long enough for Albert to realize the girl's lips were blue. "Hello," Albert said quietly, the girl was shivering so hard she could barely manage a hello in return. Albert carefully slipped into the stall and helped the poor thing to her feet, she was awfully thin and her patched clothes were too big for her. "I'm Albert, Albert Narracot. Who are you?" Albert said
"D- Dublin." The girl replied through chattering teeth. Her voice though shaking, was soft and feminine.
"Dublin," Albert repeated "What an odd name." Rage flashed in Dublin's eyes.
"No odder then yours!" she said putting up her fists. Her ears, cheeks, nose and fingers were bright red with cold and she couldn't stop shivering, but she was intimidating. Albert quickly grabbed an old saddle blanket and wrapped it around Dublin's shoulders,
"I'm sorry, I meant nothing by it." He said, "Let's get you in the house and warmed up before you catch your death." Without another word Albert rushed Dublin from the barn and into the warmth of the kitchen.
"Done already Albert? Oh my!" Rose Narracot gasped in surprise when she saw a girl about her son's age standing in her kitchen half-frozen.
"I found her in the barn" Albert said, Albert's mother hurried the poor child to sit by the fire.
"What's your name, my dear?" Albert's mother asked gently.
"Dublin O'Reilly, Madam." The girl said much warmer now, her thick Irish accent more noticeable.
"How old are you miss O'Reilly?" Albert's mother asked smiling,
"Just turned thirteen in October, Madam." Mrs. Narracot was shocked,
"Thirteen? Where are your parents?" Dublin looked saddened.
"Dead, I'm an orphan." Albert took this time to excuse himself to finish his chores. Rose Narracot fussed over the poor girl making sure she got warmed up and ate a healthy helping of porridge once she was warmed up Rose lent her some clothes she had. They were a little big for the girl, but they were dry and that's all that really mattered. The two talked about how Dublin had come to be half-frozen in their barn and how she had been born, raised and named after the city of Dublin. Dublin told Mrs. Narracot stories of Dublin as they worked side-by-side washing dishes and preparing food. Rose told the girl all about Devon and how nice it was there, and how kind everyone was to one another. By nightfall it was decided, Dublin would stay on the Narracot farm, and thus began the friendship of Albert Narracot and Dublin O'Reilly.
My first War Horse Fic! I been planning this one for a while but have never gotten to it. please review!