Greetings to all,

This may get me killed by David Eddings fans and/or mauled alive, but I have decided to write a story dedicated to a character in The Belgariad, the Algar known as Hettar. Forgive me if my potrayal seems inaccurate, since my only reference is The Belgariad series itself.

Any comment should be directed to the button called 'Review' below (see?). Wish me luck! :)

Disclaimer: I want Althalus. And Bevier. But since I don't own, I can't. TT

The light of the morning sun made its way through the narrow windows and the front door to fill the large sturdy wagon with its glorious warmth. Just outside the wagon, a young woman with auburn hair could be seen stacking up clean dishes and cleaning the fireplace where she had made breakfast. Beside her, standing excitedly, was a boy of about four, with dark hair and a serious manner – although it did not currently show.

The young child seemed impatient, shifting his weight from one small foot to another as he waited for his mother to finish tidy up the place. Once she straightened and unrolled the sleeves of her dress, he took it to mean that she was done, and he clutched at her skirt.

"Mother, come!" he urged. "Or father will be angry with us!"

The beautiful woman, Sallia, laughed warmly as she wiped her hands on the apron she was wearing before untying it and hanging it on a nearby peg. "No, he won't. But you seem to be very impatient this morning." She fondly ran a hand through his hair, and then held out the hand to the eager child. "Come, Hettar. You certainly don't want to keep the horses waiting, now do you?"

The boy's face registered a momentary horror and he violently shook his head as he took the proffered arm. His mother laughed again as she led the way along the somewhat busy 'street' to the spacious horse pens where her husband was waiting for their arrival, along with a few of his cousins.

Hadran broke off his conversation when he noticed them, and smiled proudly as he beheld his only son's expectant face. As was the custom in Algaria, Hettar was to have his very own horse today as a birthday gift – and all the responsibility of caring for it – which would be followed by a grand feast in the evening, befitting the child's position as the grandson of the clan's herdmaster. Already he had shown a remarkable empathy and instant rapport with the noble creatures for one so young, and his parents had no doubt he would bring great honour to the clan when he grew older.

Hadran approached them and kissed his wife's cheeks before scooping up the young boy and spinning him around to his childish cries of delight. "Well, are you ready?" he asked with a grin, setting his son back on his feet.

"Yes!" Hettar declared loudly, as the others laughed at the display of enthusiasm.

"Good. Now go on, choose your horse," the man said, pointing to the nearest panels at the left. Last week, he had carefully selected four of the finest colts from his clan's herd in preparation for this day, all strong-built and half-trained. He and the rest stood watch just outside the gate as the boy slowly moved from panel to panel, murmuring softly to each young horse as he inspected and caressed them lovingly. Hadran trusted the child's instincts when it came to horses, so he merely looked on without word.

After almost half an hour, Hettar stepped out of the last compartment, stood briefly in thought, then went into the second panel and resolutely untied the slender rope that held his chosen colt in place. Hadran exchanged a smile with his wife and his cousins clapped in approval as the child led out the spirited colt out towards them, handling the creature just as easily as his father would. The proud parents had anticipated what his choice would be, and they were pleased with his decision.

"Isn't he beautiful, father?" Hettar asked eagerly as they drew near. He stroked the chestnut-coloured horse's nose, then beamed with pride as his uncles each ruffled his hair or patted his shoulder and congratulated him. "I already have a name for him, and he likes it!"

"Oh, really?" Hadran asked with a broad smile. "And what would that be?"

"Shan," his son replied firmly. Shan snorted briefly, as if confirming his word.

Sallia gently touched the colt's dark mane. "That is a good name. Welcome, Shan. May you and Hettar journey long together."

Shan nickered softly in reply and briefly dipped his head.

"He likes you, mother." Hettar said matter-of-factly. "I told him he would." He cocked his head slightly towards Shan and frowned, then added, "He said you remind him of his mother – kind and noble."

Sallia blinked, and she and her husband exchanged a quick, startled glance. The others looked sharply at the boy's serious face, but said nothing.

Hadran bent forward to his son. "How did you know that, Hettar?"

Hettar seemed puzzled by the question, and by the grave expression on his father's face, but he answered, "He told me so himself."

The man nodded. "I see." He took the rope from the smaller hand. "Why don't you go and say goodbye to the other young horses? I'll take Shan to the fields, and we'll wait for you there."

Hettar nodded obediently. "Alright. They were sort of sad because I didn't pick them, anyway. I'll tell them I'm sorry and comfort them." With that, he went back towards the compartments, hardly noticing the reactions to his casual words.

The adults moved on to the large meadow that served as their grazing and training fields, talking excitedly. "Do you think he has the ability?" one cousin asked.

"It seems so," another agreed. He turned towards the astounded parents. "Haven't you ever noticed it before?"

Hadran shook his head in amazement. "Not really. He's always been friendly with the horses, and talks to them a lot. We thought it was just a childish habit... until now, that is."

"If it's true, then it would be the first time that our clan has a Sha-Dar after ten generations," the first one said with a speculative look on his face as he absently tugged at his lock of hair. "I think we should keep an eye on that boy, just in case."

"If he's really one of the Sha-Darim, shouldn't we go introduce him at the Stronghold?" a third one inquired, referring to the traditional seat of the Algarian kings, which was currently under the rule of Cho-Hag.

"He's still very young," Sallia spoke quietly but firmly. "Let him grow up and be sure of himself before we announce his status to the others. I don't want him to be overwhelmed by it, or grow arrogant and prideful. He cannot claim honour with that kind of attitude."

The men grew silent at her assertive decision. It was Hadran who broke it. "My wife is right. We should not burden him with such a status right now. As his parents, we shall explain to him about his ability, but we'll let him decide what to do with the knowledge."

The others shrugged. "If that's what you both want, we'll respect it," the second cousin said. "Let us congratulate you both at least on this remarkable discovery."

"Yes, and we're going to have a double celebration tonight, it seems," the third one noted with a laugh. "This boy is going to be the best warrior in Algaria, mark my word."

For the uninitiated, a Sha-Dar (or 'Chief of the Horse-clan') is a person who can communicate with horses by thought alone (refer to Pawn of Prophecy, chapter 19).

Chapter 1, done! Next, Hettar at seven.