Disclaimer ( of awesomeness ): I don't own Heartland. I am, however, damn sure that I own this fanfic and Rogue Enmity.
This Ride is almost over, beloved readers. Just a few more chapters to go. Hang tight - and thank you for all the feedback. You guys are amazing :D
Did a couple of ( crappy ) drawings of Rogue:
http:/ . com/art/Ride-To-Suicide-264942406?q=gallery%3Aevilness-2008%2F32950699&qo=10
and
http:/ . com/art/Ride-To-suicide-Rogue-260339437?q=gallery%3Aevilness-2008%2F32950699&qo=20

I'm not bold enough to actually ask for fanart, but know that if you guys create any, I will love you. Lots.

Apologising in advance - I'm as much of an Amy fan as anyone, but there's a (slightly) twisted side of me that enjoys diversity. I was disappointed by Ben's lack of involvement in the books and how he never really forged a bond with any of the horses ( apart from Red ). Also, I've never actually read a fic OR book that had a horse ( disregarding Spartan and Gallant Prince, as they were just traumatised out of their minds ) that simply took a disliking to Amy. I thought it would be interesting to write ( considering a similar chemistry to the one between Sundance and Ty - those two tolerate each other and that's about it xD ).

Whether or not this has any plot significance in the long-term, I shall not say :P

Yours Insanely,
{E~L~L}

It took over an hour after the clinic had ended to clear out the remaining visitors, many of which peppered Ty and Amy with questions on how they'd managed to successfully subdue a ' vicious mankiller ' ( Ty thought this label was horribly exxagerated, of course, but oddly, Amy went slightly pale and said nothing ). Rogue, unsurprisingly, was not in a sociable mood; the team did their best to keep the barn as quiet as possible during the tours, but when the constant lingering around her stall caused the mare to become restless, Ben took up a guarding post at the door to keep people moving.

When Ty hurried back from escorting the last group to the car park, he was rewarded by the sight of Rogue snuffling sceptically at Ben's hair. Ben stood frozen in place, not daring to move, talking quietly to the mare so as to keep them both at ease. Upon seeing Ty, Rogue whickered a welcome and lifted her head; Ben looked devastatingly relieved and quickly slipped out of biting range.

" Thank God you're back! She kept sniffing at me; I was terrified that I'd end up losing my scalp if I tried to escape - "

" Would you quit that? "

Ty wasn't exactly sure why he snapped at that remark. Perhaps it was the fact that he'd been putting up with similar comments all day. Perhaps it was the fact that the more he'd heard from visitors regarding snippets of her owner history, the more Rogue's reputation seemed grotesquely unfair. She hadn't been born hostile; she hadn't been born with those scars, or that paranoia towards trailers, or a fear of doors. Humans had pushed her into what she'd become and now, humans had the gall to condemn her for it.

" What is it with you people? Rogue's not some Devil-horse, trying to hurt people every chance she gets. Rogue's an abuse victim. Victims often undergo a drastic behavioural transformation - "

Rogue flinched, eyes flashing agitated whites. Ty hastily lowered his voice and continued,

" - to end that abuse. I'm sick of this whole 'mankiller' rubbish; whatever the reporters like to think, Rogue did not mean to break that girl's neck. I saw the footage. "

Ben glanced at the black mare then averted his gaze, ashamed. Ty stepped over and gently touched Rogue's face.

" It was a freak accident, nothing more. " He murmured, looking into the mare's liquid brown eyes. They looked back at him steadily. After a long moment, Ben cleared his throat awkwardly and spoke up.

" You're right. Sorry, Ty. "

" It's okay. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. "

" Rough day? " Ben attempted to joke. Ty sighed and nodded, curt.

" Something like that. " Another pause. Then:

" You know, why don't you go up to the house and sit down for a bit. You've been on your feet all day. "
Ty turned and gave his friend a look.

" So has everyone else - " Ben rolled his eyes, then cut him off impatiently.

" Oh, you know what I mean. Go on. Scram. I'll take care of the horses before dinner. " He gestured towards the house, indicating that Ty should leave. The brown-haired man ran a hand through his hair, considering.

" Even Rogue? "

" Especially Rogue. I've been letting you have all the bonding fun; I think it's high time me and her did some bonding of our own. " Ty raised an eyebrow at that. Ben raised his hands in a shrug.

" Hey, it'll be good for both of us - and for you. No offense, but you look like crap. "

" Thanks. "

Ben grinned impishly. " You're welcome. "

" No, really. " Ty gave him a tired smile. It was good to have someone else on board; Amy had been distant lately.

" Thank you. "

I'm not the same as yesterday; it's hard to explain
How things have changed, but I'm not the same as before

She found his presence slightly bemusing at first. Still, he was persistent - and very respectful - so it was with dismissive countenance and occasional, heavy exhalations ( not of content, as with Quiet-speaker, but more of mild exasperation ) that the mare allowed Waving Arms to touch her.

First a gentle stroke, then grooming, then massaging. How on Earth this had all led up to him sitting on her back, the mare had no idea, but as long as Quiet-speaker kept producing more sweet foodstuffs from his jacket pocket she wasn't in much of a mood to complain.

After all, Waving Arms just sat there. It was actually easier to ignore him than when he was on the ground.

And I know there's so much more ahead;
I can barely believe that I'm here

She followed Quiet-speaker around, over coloured sticks, between coloured sticks. She even popped over a couple of crosses; Waving Arms was the perfect passenger, passive and unrestricting. The mare rarely even thought to challenge Quiet-speaker any more, so reasonable and unflappable was his manner. For Quiet-speaker, she accepted the gentle re-introduction of saddle and bridle ( regarding the latter, Quiet-speaker had considerately chosen one without mouth-metal, so it didn't feel all that different from the standard headholder ) without a fuss. He was more herdmate than human. Waving Arms was another matter; the re-introduction of a rider even more so. Both were things to be challenged.

And I won't surrender quietly;
Step up and watch me go

The mare tossed her head as Waving Arms settled himself - with caution - on the leather on her back.

Quiet-speaker patted his human friend's leg and then stepped away, inviting the mare to follow him around the ring as usual. She took a short step forward. Then another.

Then she felt what she'd been waiting for and bolted forward, letting out a rebellious buck mid-stride.

Break down; d'you really want it?
Wanna make a scene? Show me what you mean

The contact on the reins abruptly lessened, as did the pressure on her nose; Waving Arms sat unshakeably still, letting her buck and twist as she pleased, the passive passenger once more.

The mare had intended to send out a message - she was not a pushover - but instead, she found herself receiving a message through Waving Arms still, but firm leg contact.

Neither was he.

Intrigued and somewhat impressed ( gone was the meek caution; Waving Arms was just as calm and unfazed by her behaviour as Quiet-speaker was on a daily basis ), the mare slowed to a trot and then a halt.

She turned her head to look at him, blew through her nostrils in acknowledgement - as far as tests were concerned, Waving Arms had passed with flying colours - then turned back to face front. Both ears flicked back, attentive.

Let's get it started;
Let me see what you've got

When the slack was taken up this time, she did not resist the sensation. Instead, she stood, quivering slightly in wary anticipation. When all that was asked of her was a slow walk, the mare was almost disappointed.

They completed a half-lap of the ring; Quiet-speaker joined them for a while.

Both mare and rider seemed to share a restlessness, however, as it was about the same moment that she grew bored of walking laps that Waving Arms gave the smooth signal - without any jabs or kicks or slaps to her flank that she found so offensive - for a trot.

Can you take it up a notch? I don't think you've got it;
Can't handle the pressure? Get off, stop talkin' about it

It wasn't exactly nervousness that made the mare quicken her pace and whisk her tail, though a certain element of that still sang through her veins.

She felt oddly springy and euphoric, a mood not unlike a filly's first sighting of a stallion. Excitement bubbled up as she eyed the crosses from yesterday, set up off the outside track.

The emotion was fleeting as a butterfly, however; when she snatched at it and sized up the jump, it abandoned her a few strides away.

Waving Arms tipped forward as she swerved back, suddenly shy and resistant once more, but held his seat. The light, yet consistant contact of reins and legs sought to reassure rather than to punish, asking her to pace large, loose circles until she relaxed and put her trust in them.

In Waving Arms.

Quiet-speaker was a spectator at the gate now, but spotting him restored some of the mare's boldness. He was at the other end of the ring; the jumps were between them.

There was something beautiful about this simplicity.

Gotta make this count, let's go - !

Waving Arms was prepared this time. Though sceptical, his contact was supportive; he lined her up and interfered as little as possible, letting her focus her gaze on her target: Quiet-speaker.

Barely a glance was given to the jumps themselves - they were little more than a couple of hops. Quiet-speaker treated it as a great achievement and ( as expected ) fussed over her thoroughly when she stopped by the gate.

Waving Arms rubbed her crest fondly; the mare half-closed her eyes in enjoyment of all the attention. She was slightly irritated when it ended - all too soon, in her mind - and she was asked to repeat the trick.

This time, she threw in a little buck. Just to see.

Waving Arms never shifted an inch.

We live for this and nothing more;
We are what you created

All three of them crowded her space that afternoon, accompanying her to the open spaces where the Others were waiting; strangely, the mare didn't really mind.

There were a lot of things she no longer minded now.

Quiet-speaker led the way. Waving Arms strolled alongside, an arm over her crest. Gentle-touch walked by Quiet-speaker, their shoulders brushing.

The mare decided she disapproved of this.

" OW! Ty, she just bit me! "

Rogue snorted, arched her neck imperiously, then galloped off with her tail kinked.

Ben started laughing.

" Pay up, Ty. I was right; Rogue really just doesn't like her. "