Chapter 10

A/N Please note chapter 9 is now a actual chapter and not a Author's note.

Alfred finished his meal in the comforts of the kitchen; Lincoln had left him as soon as he sat down to eat. The cook was a lovely middle age woman who talked animatedly with Alfred the two sharing stories and comparing recipes, they know.

"You know Alfred I don't know many men who talk about cooking like you."

"When I was young I spent some of my time in the kitchens watching the cooks who worked for my caretaker and they eventually let me start helping. They were the ones who taught me the basics and as I grew, I started to pick up new recipes. My brother Matthew he is an awesome cook, he makes the most flakey pastries and some of his food are to die for!"

"Where is your brother?"

"He lives in Canada."

"Oh he's a British citizen?"

"Yeah."

"I always thought you were born around here."

"I was I have always lived in the States area, our family is complicated."

The cook sensing Alfred's darkening mood changed the subject and the two started to talk about different types of bread and how to bake them. Hours later Alfred thanked the cook for both the food and her time and left the kitchen and headed for the stables to check on his horse grpping his hat on his way out. He walked down the aisle checking in on all the horses and taking in the smells of the stable. Finding his horse halfway down he stopped at her gate and opened it rubbing her muzzle gently as he set his hat on the gate and started to checked her out. She leaned against him making him glad he could take some weight for if she did that with another person she would have knocked them over. He rubbed her shoulder and started to check her out for any chafing or scratches, he ran his hands down her legs and pushed her slightly to get her to shift her weight so he could check her hooves. He was glad to see that all seemed to be cared for and that she was all right from any damage she could have gotten while out. While he was checking her over he didn't notice the stable master who appeared soon after Alfred entered the stall.

"She's a good horse."

Alfred jumped slightly surprised that there was another person.

"Ah yeah she is." Alfred said relaxing from the scare.

"Sorry about that you wouldn't be the first person I have startled."

"It's alright I was just zoned out."

"Making sure she was alright?"

"Yeah, I told one of your hands I was going to come back out."

"Yeah he told me, wasn't really expecting you to thought. Most people don't really care how well treated their horse is they just expect us to handle everything and make sure it is ready when they need it."

"Sadly I would have to agree with you, but I like making sure all who work for me are taken care of. Animal or human. I know when to expect trouble if I am aware of what is going around."

The Stable master hummed in agreement or what Alfred was not sure.

"You're an interesting young man; I remember seeing you from before you don't seem to age a bit."

"Guess I'm lucky like that." Alfred laughed rubbing the back of his neck.

The stable master sniffed and leaned against the door. Alfred looked down rubbing the horse who sensed her masters uneasiness and rubbed her head against his leg.

"I have to say she likes you, she seems to very at easy with you."

"I did help raise her; I was there for her birth and was the one who trained her. She is a good girl." Alfred said scratching the mare behind the ear she closed her eyes and happily moved her head closer to Alfred.

The stable master watched the pair for a few seconds before leaving, Alfred sighed in relief when the man left and stopped scratching the mare's ear. She nudged him asking for more but Alfred shook his head.

"That's enough for tonight girl, I need to get some rest and so do you we have to get up early tomorrow so we can get home."

She nickered and rubber her head against him making him laugh, opening the gate he left the box and latched it. The horse stuck her head over the gate and watched Alfred as he picked up his hat putting it on and left. Just before Alfred left the stable he was able to get one of the hands attention. The boy approached Alfred and waited for Alfred to talk.

"I am planning on leaving after breakfast, could you make sure she is feed before then so she has time to digest before I leave?"

"Yes sir she will be ready."

"Thank you." Alfred said ruffling the kid's hair before leaving and entering the building again to sleep remmbering to take his hat off upon entering the building.