Little Creek got the bridle and saddle off me in the morning, and I snorted amusingly with Joey as we watched Spirit reunite/play with Little Creek. I neighed, seeing the Colonel and his soldiers up at the hill ridge, and Joey nudged me, galloping alongside Spirit, rode by Little Creek.
"Where do we go, Joey?!". I whinnied questionably.
Joey neighed smirkingly, "Divide and conquer".
I smiled, nodding as we got the maze cliffs in our view, and I parted from Joey toward the right part as Joey went to the left part, and of course, Spirit with Little Creek in the middle. I glanced back to see an soldier on his horse, and I looked ahead, smirking as I saw a ridge ahead of me, and I jumped, landed, and turned to rear toward the soldier who was jumping right now. The horse ducked his head as the soldier yelped, my hooves hitting his torso, causing him to fall down.
I snorted smugly as the horse neighed and whinnied, admiring me in awe. I nodded, smiling, then I turned around, galloping on and on, until I came upon Spirit and Little Creek. I ran alongside Spirit when I heard an triumphant neigh, seeing Joey leap into sight, and winking at me as he joined me. We got ahead of Spirit, braking our hooves tightly to the left, and stopped at the dead end, waiting for Spirit and Little Creek.
Joey warned him to stop immediately, and he did. I glanced to see the rock path up above, and nudged Spirit to the path, and he understood, with myself and Joey following behind. We cantered up to the top, and Joey glanced at me with a grin as we all lined up at the back end. I waited a few moments until Spirit reared. I snorted excitedly as Joey neighed joyfully. I barely heard the music in my head as we three horses leapt and flew, with Little Creek's whoop of triumph.
I landed roughly as Joey clumsily landed beside me. I snorted softly as I glanced to see the Colonel staring at me and Spirit with defeated and respected eyes. I nodded respectfully as Spirit joined me. Joey reared, neighing as I whinnied, snorting. We got our freedom back, ha, victory! Joey and I then galloped beside Spirit, Little Creek riding once more. We got to the new location of camp, and Joey whinnied loudly to grab Lily's attention as we saw her with the few horses close to camp. Lily looked up, neighing happily.
"Mama, Daddy!". nickered Lily as she reunited with us.
I nickered, "Oh, darling, thank goodness you're okay.".
"Mama, I missed you. Guess what? I got a friend in the girl I protected. I think I want to stay here, guys.". Lily snorted decisively.
Joey widened his eyes in surprise, "Baby girl, are you sure? I loved it here, yes, but Black Hawk's gone. I think it's best for us to find a better place.".
"Your father lost his rider, darling. Sooner or later, these soldiers will get closer and closer, and the Lakotas will be forced to move every decade or so.". I snorted gently.
"I feel like I'm needed here, Mama, Daddy. And besides, I won't be alone here, I have these horses here and Little Creek and my little friend to keep me company. I'm six months old here, and I got weaned recently, and I'm getting used to eating grass and hay.". Lily nickered wisely.
I nickered to Joey, "What do you think, husband?".
Joey sighed, "She's growing up so fast. All right, Lily, if you wish to. But, understand this, when they get closer, you have a choice for yourself.". Lily nodded, and we then galloped closer to Little Creek and the others.
We told Spirit and Rain of our talk, and Spirit offered a place for us in his herd. We accepted, and we rubbed, nuzzled Lily goodbye.
"Red Thunder, be happy and free with your friends, all right? I promise to care of your daughter for you and your mate, okay?" replied Little Creek gently. Joey nodded, nuzzled Little Creek on the cheek, and then it was my turn.
"You know, Black Hawk had names for you and your filly. He called you 'Sun Runner', for you gleam of the sun and run so wonderfully. And for your filly, 'Starlight'. Is that all right, girls?". Little Creek asked. I nodded, smiled, as Lily snorted, nickering, approved of the new name for herself. Joey nudged me, and I nodded. I reared slightly as I turned to join Joey as we ran up alongside Spirit and Rain. With a final neigh from Spirit, and Little Creek's whoop mixing with Lily's whinny, we then tuned up to gallop, giving a last glance at Lily as Joey neighed silly, making me snort amusingly.
We got to our new home, introduced ourselves to Esperanza and the others, and Spirit made Joey a Beta Stallion while I was made Beta Mare. We came to get used to our ranks of the herd, and quite often, we wondered what Lily did/became at the Lakota camp. One night, in my dreams, I met Strider, and I thanked him for everything after a bit of chat. He casually shrugged it off, saying a friend is a friend. And he told me that Lily's fine. Then I woke up, telling Joey what happened and all, and Joey smiled gently as he glanced up at the bright stars, murmured a prayer that I didn't hear. He then went to watch over the herd in shifts with Spirit as I joined Rain to sleep once more. We're home, all of us, just in different places. Joey and I in Spirit's herd, and Lily in Little Creek's village camp. I hope everyone's safe over there. Through I wonder what happened to the Colonel and his soldiers.
