Disclaimer: See Chapter One…

Disclaimer: See Chapter One…

Chapter 3: Utopia

The barn was always a favorite place for Danielle. When her father was alive she would spend many hours watching her father groom the stallions and see to the mares and foals. After her father died she still spent hours in the barn, reading and remembering. The barn was in shambles when Henry took over the manor. Today, the barn was alive once again.

"Oh, Henry. It's beautiful. And there are already horses here. Are these all from the Royal Stables?"

"Some are. Most are from Paris. Others are from throughout France. I have a something to show you though." Henry took Danielle by the hand and brought her to a stall that contained a beautiful bay mare. The mare looked up as Danielle and Henry approached.

"This my dear, is your horse. I personally picked her out myself."

"Henry, she's magnificent!" As she was about to enter the stall, the was a loud crash, followed by the scream of a horse. Suddenly a young groom came running around the corner and was stopped by Henry.

"What was that noise? What is going on down there?" Henry boomed.

"Your Highness, that new cobalt stallion that arrived yesterday is acting up again. He has already bitten one groom and kicked another. I fear no one will be able to tame him." The young groom was shaking from head to toe and a bruise was beginning to form on his arm. Henry let him go telling him to run to the manor to get some ice on the bruise. He then turned to Danielle.

"Stay here. I don't want you getting near him and getting hurt." He turned and headed toward the loud neighing.

Danielle, who was used to handing her share of rough horses, gave the mare on last pat on the head and followed Henry. When she arrived at the stall she was amazed at what she saw.

The stallion was completely black except for a tiny bit of white on his head in an abstract "U" shape. He was pawing the ground and his nostrils were flared. His eyes were wide and he seemed very agitated. He was staring Henry down and if looks could kill, then Henry would have been dead.

"Milady, stay back. I fear this horse is going to need to be put down. He has injured to many and he will never make a good stud horse."

"Oh, Henry, please don't put him down. He is beautiful. I want to get a closer look."

"Danielle, NO. Stay Back." Fear could be heard in Henry's voice.

"My dear, have you forgotten I have tamed many a stallion in my day. Now stand back and trust me. If I can't tame him then you can do as you wish with him."

Henry stepped back and watched as Danielle started for the stall. He could hear her voice as she spoke in soothing words. He could not understand her but it was the tone that mattered. The stallion had stopped pawing the ground but his ears were perked forward and he was listening to Danielle. She slowly went over to the stall door and began to open it. Henry was about to speak up but held his tongue. He was ready to help at a moments notice if the need arose. The stallion heard the door open and began to bob his head up and down. Danielle spoke more to the horse and slowly put out her hands and allowed him to come up to her. The horse continued to move his head but getting closer to Danielle's hand in the process. He then lowered his head and allowed Danielle to touch his nose. At the first touch he backed up in the stall but didn't bolt forward. He continued to stare at Danielle and was listening to her. Danielle finally slowly walked up to him and began to rub his nose again. She then began to work her way down his neck and then his flanks. The stallion's muscles were twitching with every touch but he remained calm. He reached his huge head around and nibbled Danielle's hair. She turned to Henry.

"I believe this animal was abused. Come and see this scar for yourself."

Henry slowly went to the animal that seemed to now be in some sort of trance as he had his head lowered and eyes closed. He was listening to Danielle's soothing voice. As he approached her, He then noticed the scars that littered his head and neck area. They were not noticed before, as no one was able to get that close to him until now.

"Henry, as much as I love the mare that you gave to me, I would like to take this as my horse. I feel I can turn him around and he will be a fine steed and an excellent stud. He will be a welcome addition to the royal stables." Danielle put her arms around Henry and looked up into his eyes. "Please milord. I have always wanted a stallion but father always told me they were too dangerous. I am a princess now and which to have a steed worthy of my title."

Henry looked into his wife's eyes and knew he could not refuse her. "My dear, you know I cannot refuse you. But please, I beg you to reconsider."

"No, Henry. I have am as sure as this as I was sure about marrying you. This animal was mistreated and he deserves better. Henry, can't you see, he is just like me. Abused as a child but given the chance to overcome that."

"Your right. I never would have looked at it like that. Yes my dear. You can keep him. He will remain here where you will look over his training until he can come to Hautefort. Now my dear, what name are you going to give him?

Danielle turned and looked at the stallion. His eyes were no fixed on Danielle as if he knew his life was in the woman's hands.

"That's easy. I will name him Utopia. That is the only name fitting this horse." As she said his name, Utopia began to nod his head up and down as if in approval. Danielle went over to him and rubbed his neck again gave him a small hug. She then went over to Henry and threw her arms around his neck and gave him a long passionate kiss. Their kiss was rudely interrupted by Utopia, who was nudging Henry in the back. Both Henry and Danielle began laughing and both gave Utopia a well deserved pat on the cheek.