See chapter one for disclaimer, summary, etc.
Chapter Three
A/N:
Whew, okay, first - thanks to all who found the typos! (Especially "savior", I don't know how I missed that one!) LOL. I hate it when my spell checker skips over typos because they're actually spelling another word correctly. ::Glares at it::
Also - a few of you reviewed/IMed/emailed me about Frank's hair! Wow, you guys are guessing things before I get to it! LOL. Yes - the hair question WILL be answered in this chapter and you will see why the cowboys didn't notice Frank was mixed to begin with, haha. (I can tell I'm going to have to stay on my toes with this one. ::g::)
Another short note - I don't know if Frank's tribe actually had a Shaman. My knowledge of Shamans extend only to the television show The Sentinel - which means, not much, haha. But don't worry! I don't think he'll come up much in this fic. I really don't have any other plans for him, other than the small mention at the very end of this chapter, hehe.
An apology for not updating sooner. My internet was cut off for about a month so I had no way of actually uploading a new chapter. It is here now! Yay! ::g::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'Halfbreed.' The word echoed through Frank's mind painfully. It was why he refused to mingle with the whites ... and why he painstakingly took care to make sure his hair always appeared the darker, blacker color of his mother's tribe. The dye was just another way to hide his identity ... but his eyes ... they always betrayed him.
:::::::::::::::::::
Flashback
"Blue Child?" His mother shouted in their native language, calling across the camp. Blue Child rolled his eyes from where he sat with Grey Wolf, getting one of those "I'm just glad it isn't me" looks in return.
"I'll be back soon. I knew I couldn't escape chores for long." Blue Child grinned.
"Of course you can't, your mother is a very ... powerful ... woman. Besides," Grey Wolf looked warily towards his own family's tent. "I have a feeling mine will be calling me soon also."
"Good luck to you then, my friend." Blue Child laughed and ran towards the woman who stood with her hands on her hips. She may have been the daughter of the Chief, but she still knew the proper way to lay a child over her knee. Blue Child grinned however - his mother was a beautiful woman. He could see why his father had chosen her. He scowled, thinking of the man.
"Blue Child! Didn't I tell you I needed help with these blankets today? Child, you shall run me into an early grave." She smiled fondly to take the sting out of her words.
"Yes mother. Of course mother. I know mother." He grinned mischievously, earning a light whack across the rump.
"Get in there before I force you to cook dinner also!" She laughed.
Thirty minutes or so later found them slowly dipping blankets into a special dye; the dye - very colorful - would last quite a long time. The blankets would be used in the winter, for warmth or to sell for supplies.
"Mother." Blue Child looked up, trouble in his eyes. She sighed.
"Yes, my son?"
"Is it ... I was wondering ... this ..." He broke off, fingering his light colored hair and looking at the dark dye next to his mother's leg.
Frowning, she leaned forward. "My son, why would you want to hide who you are? You are not only my son ... you are your father's son ..." A sad look crossed her face as she thought of the man who was cut down by his own kind, during one of the battles over land. "Why would you wish to hide his legacy? What he left behind?"
"He is not welcome here. Nor his kind." He spat out bitterly. "I just ... I wish to fit in. I don't want to forget father ... I just want to forget I'm half white."
She nodded slowly, understanding. "Okay. If you're sure."
"I am."
Motioning towards a small stool next to them, she had him sit, then set to work on his hair. Smiling gently, the mother ran her hand across her son's face. She would do anything for her son ... he was her world.
"Thank you."
"No thanks is needed ... you are my son."
-------------
"Blue Chil-" Grey Wolf cut off, his eyes widening every so slightly. "Your hair! You colored it!"
Blue Child grinned. "No I didn't. Mother did. Do you like it?"
"Of course I like it, it looks like mine." Grey Wolf laughed. "Come on, I just heard some of the other girls are going to the river to bathe. If we hurry perhaps we can ... join them ..."
Blue Child snickered under his breath. "Always the lady's man, huh?"
"Without a doubt." They slung an arm around each other, hurrying off towards the river, friendship radiating from them brightly.
:::::::::::::::::::
Frank sighed at the memory, wishing at the moment to be back in his camp, worrying about nothing except getting caught by the females and being pushed in the river. He shook his head, coming back to the present.
"His ma was probably one of those injun' whores." Red spit towards Frank - not that it mattered, raining as hard as it was.
"My mother," Frank ground out, "is a respectable woman. She's ... she's ten times the person you could ever hope to be!"
A curse in his native language escaped his lips when Red's fist sent him sprawling backwards into the mud. A foot followed soon after, burying itself in Frank's back and causing a popping sound; pain flared from his spin, almost making Frank black out. He was dragged to his feet again to look Red in the face.
"Now you'll be crossing this water, on foot, just like the rest of us. But if you slip," Red grinned. "The only thing saving you will be this rope." He held up a coarse rope, usually used for roping horses and cruelly tied it around Frank's neck. It dug into his skin and already he could feel it rubbing the tender area raw.
"Stay tight together now. Make sure you keep your horse steady." Red addressed the other men. "Keep the half-breed between us. Don't want him running off now." Laughing to himself, Red stepped out into the water, almost being swept away right to start off with.
Joseph leaned over and tied the other end of the rope around Frank's neck to the saddle on one of the horses. Then he took the horse's lead, starting out behind Red. Frank sighed. With his hands tied the way they were, he doubted he'd even be able to get across half of this river. And the rope ... he hated to think of being strangled to death during the crossing.
It wasn't like he had any choice though. Gritting his teeth, he splashed into the water, gasping when he found out just how cold it was. It bit through his skin all the way to the bone, leaving an ache that just wouldn't quit. The rocks below his feet were like stepping on ice - slippery and treacherous with every footfall. One wrong move would cause the water-worn stones to twist, sending Frank's body below the surface and down the river until the rope snapped him back.
Lightning streaked across the sky, lighting up the river's path for a few seconds before plunging back into darkness. It was enough, however, to let Frank see just how far across they had to trek. Behind him, Bradley started forward, stepping into the water while pulling his horse along. Frank heard Rick yell for the younger man to be careful in the dangerous waters - it wouldn't be good for Red to lose another family member.
The half indian felt bad for the younger member of the white group. It was clear that as soon as Bradley stepped into the current, he was fighting an uphill battle. Not quite as strong as the rest of them, Bradley was sorely outmatched by the rushing water. He would be lucky indeed to make this crossing safely. 'Then again', Frank thought, 'at least his hands are free.'
Another arch of lightning ran across the sky, this time followed by a rather loud boom and a bright flash. It was accompanied by Red's yell and the horses spooking. The horse Frank was tied to tried to escape quickly across the water, yanking Frank along with it by his neck. Bright spots flashed before his eyes and Frank knew they weren't caused by lightning.
"-back! GO BACK! The damn tree is comin' down!" Red's voice cleared as the thunder settled down. Frank managed to steady himself as the horse quieted, breathing harshly. Wait. Tree?
Red and his horse made it the rest of the way across the river, followed by Joseph who struggled with his own horse. Frank was about halfway across the waters with Bradley directly behind him. Rick was trying to turn his mount around to make it back to the bank they had started from, to get to safety, while calling for Bradley at the same time. Lightning struck again and Frank saw that it was too late for that. He and Bradley were in the direct path of a tree that had fallen in the river and was heading their way at an alarming speed.
With sudden clarity, Frank knew that no matter how much he hated these white men, Bradley was still an innocent, not yet completely tainted by their ways of thinking. Without thought he jumped in front of the younger man, taking the brunt of the impact when the tree slammed into them, forcing them into the water. The horse - who wasn't quite out of the tree's path - was swept along with them.
Gasping in pain and inhaling a mouth full of water, Frank used his body to push both he and Bradley under the water for a few moments, just long enough for the tree to pass overhead. Branches and other debris cut deep gashes across Frank's back, almost making him black out. The tree crashed into a rock, sideswiping the horse Frank was tied to at the same time, sending the animal further down the river. Frank had maybe a split second before the rope pulled taught and dragged him behind the horse, choking him even further. Then, all of a sudden ... he was free.
The rope had come free of the horse's saddle. Frank thanked the gods for this small blessing that had saved him from certain death. Carried a small ways downstream, he crashed into a rock and held on as tightly as his numb fingers would allow. Bradley was somewhere in front of him, he could hear the younger man coughing up a lung-full of water. Frank wondered whether or not he should try to help but his situation was quickly solved for him when he realized if he let go of the rock, he didn't have the strength to make it to Bradley, much less back to the bank.
Red - who had now rounded up Joseph and Rick, as well as the rest of the horses, splashed out into the river and grabbed Bradley by the back of his shirt to pull him to safety. Bradley struggled, screaming.
"No! The indian, he saved my life! Get him!"
"Bradley damnit be still! You're gonna send both of'us down the river!" Red wrapped an arm around the younger man's waist, trying to yank him along.
"Red, NO! Get him!"
Red grumbled, turning his head. "Rick! Go get the damn injun', then we can get out of here."
Standing next to the water's edge, Rick didn't look particularly pleased with his task. Risking his life for a half-breed that was going to die anyway seemed pointless. However, Red was his boss and his friend; he owed the older man that much at least.
Moments later, Frank was dragged out of the water and thrown into the mud, given a good kick in the side for Rick's trouble. Bradley sat next to Red, panting harshly. He looked up at his cousin with troubled eyes.
"He saved me, Red. Why the hell did he do that?!"
"I saw it and he didn't save you. It looked to me like he was trying to drown you ... to take you out of the picture. That's an attempted murder to be added to his charges." Red sneered down at the bloody body, struggling to breathe in the mud. "Get him up. We need to get to higher ground, looks like the river ain't through risin' tonight."
Frank, having heard what was said, didn't even attempt to deny the charges. He knew now from experience it would only cause more pain.
-------------------------------
Grey Wolf shivered, huddling further into his deerskin overcoat. Frank's hat, now sitting on his head, kept the water from running into his eyes. As they continued, the trail slowly disappeared, rain water washing any sign of previous travelers away. Now that they had met up with Hidalgo, however, a trail wasn't really needed. Hidalgo and Frank had seemed to develop some kind of link with one another - one that had baffled the tribe's Shaman. Nobody could really explain it ... it just was. And nobody questioned it.
The horse in questioned seemed ... agitated. Restless. Grey Wolf grinned to himself, imagining just what Hidalgo would do to Frank's captors given the chance to come face to face with them. He almost felt sorry for the poor white men. Well ... almost.
"We'll get them, Hidalgo. Do not worry."
The horse snorted, quickening his pace. Beneath him, White Wing hurried to catch up, nickering at Grey Wolf.
"Get in line, sister. Hidalgo wants them first."
-------------------------------
Reviews -
leggylover03 - I hate you. I really ... really ... do. ::g:: Thankssss for the review wench, LOL, it took me back to previous ::ahem:: times. ARMAGEDDON! ::snerk::
westernrider - LOL! Thank you! :) Hopefully this is a trend I will be able to keep up, huh?? Thanks again! :)
viggomaniac - Definitely. Frank just has to be a trouble magnent. It is in his nature. ::g:: And hey! Nobody should feel guilt over liking angst. As long as we don't uhm ... kill them? No wait, I've killed characters before. Ah ... I suppose I should feel guilt. My conscience fled me though, said there was no hope. Hehehehe. Hey you! Quit jumping ahead and reading my mind! LOL! I was getting to the hair thing - a lot of things will be elaborated on or explained in flashbacks. I watched (and watch - Bonanza comes on every weekday at 4 ::eg::) westerns constantly growing up. At any given moment my dad would quote John wayne (His favorite by far was, "The hell I'm not!"). Thank you for that, the correction. I absolutely hate it when my fic has typos - and the dratted spell checker ignores them as they spell different words. Haha. I say this (not in an offensive way though!) - I'm rather glad I don't have kids and I am the only one who uses the computer in the house, besides my mom who is addicted to solitaire, LOL. Otherwise nothing would get written on time (if it ever is written on time) or posted when I would like to post. It would drive me nuts! Ah and now I'm rambling, ::g::. I thank you for the review, I greatly enjoy reading yours! :)
Allie5 - LOL okay! And sorry - the wait wasn't intentional! But it's rather hard to post with no internet, hahaha! Thanks! :)
Hiei-Rulez - Uh ... ::blush:: wow! Thanks! :) Hey, I'm sure you write very well! And thank you so much for the fav!! :D Sorry for the wait in the update, wasn't my fault! (Honest! ;) )
tigersmeleth - Who me? Evil? Are you sure?? ::snicker:: Okay I suppose you're right. Hahaha! Thanks for the review! :)
huggeroftrees - Yes, I updated! :D And of course he's always in trouble! Is it just me or does Viggo always choose a character who is trouble prone/angst-ridden?? Hahaha, I love the man anyway. Thanks for the review, I'll try to get an update out sooner for chapter four! :)
Telacontar - Thank you, that means so much to me! ::sends lots of hugs from Frank to reviewer:: Don't worry - he won't be killed. Tortured - yes. Possibly maimed - yes. Emotionally scarred - most likely. Killed - I really can't do it on my first Hidalgo fic! LOL! Thanks for the review!! :)
Elwen the Insane Elf - :P Yes, yes, yes. I know all about the typo now. :P Thanks for pointing it out (quoting from the dictionary?? I was ROTFL as I thought of the typo being the actual word instead of 'savor'!). Here's the next chapter wench. :P LOL.
Erindi - LOL yes I LOVE angst. Quite a lot! I'm uhm ... obsessed with it, haha! Awww ... hopefully you (should) have power back now! LOL. And hoping you and yours survived the hurricane season, this one was pretty bad. Thanks for reviewing! :)
Lory - LMAO!! Yes I got the picture. I'm guessing you want uh ... MORE perhaps??? LOL. Here's more! Thanks for the review!!! :)
EvilDemonicBunnyFrank ::LOL:: at your name! Very amusing! (In a good way!) :D I'm glad you like it, thanks! :)
Mirwen Sunrider/Elrondiel - Yes, indeed he is! And he will have many, many, many, many (you get the picture) more! ::evil cackle:: Innocent?? Somehow, I think not. ::g:: Thanks for the review!
Alien Angie - Thank you! Glad you like it! :) Hope I did not make you wait too long, haha.
Pegasusflight - Hmmm ... ::skims back over previous chapter to see exactly what I said:: (Mind you, I have the memory span of Dory the Fish!) Ah! When I said that I meant I finished the chapter! LOL. If the fic was finished, I would be very happy indeed, but alas - it isn't. I'm writing and posting chapter-to-chapter, so to speak, and I have the feeling it won't be finished for quite a while! LOL. Don't worry though, I have plans for this fic! :D Thanks so much and I'm glad you like it! :)
-------------------------------
TBC...
End Note: The link I've given Hidalgo and Frank is actually inspired by the movie, when on the ship Frank seemed to sense Hidalgo was in trouble and rushed down to the holding area. ::g:: I've just expanded on it quite a bit and it may come in handy later!
Reviews welcome. :-)
Chapter Three
A/N:
Whew, okay, first - thanks to all who found the typos! (Especially "savior", I don't know how I missed that one!) LOL. I hate it when my spell checker skips over typos because they're actually spelling another word correctly. ::Glares at it::
Also - a few of you reviewed/IMed/emailed me about Frank's hair! Wow, you guys are guessing things before I get to it! LOL. Yes - the hair question WILL be answered in this chapter and you will see why the cowboys didn't notice Frank was mixed to begin with, haha. (I can tell I'm going to have to stay on my toes with this one. ::g::)
Another short note - I don't know if Frank's tribe actually had a Shaman. My knowledge of Shamans extend only to the television show The Sentinel - which means, not much, haha. But don't worry! I don't think he'll come up much in this fic. I really don't have any other plans for him, other than the small mention at the very end of this chapter, hehe.
An apology for not updating sooner. My internet was cut off for about a month so I had no way of actually uploading a new chapter. It is here now! Yay! ::g::
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
'Halfbreed.' The word echoed through Frank's mind painfully. It was why he refused to mingle with the whites ... and why he painstakingly took care to make sure his hair always appeared the darker, blacker color of his mother's tribe. The dye was just another way to hide his identity ... but his eyes ... they always betrayed him.
:::::::::::::::::::
Flashback
"Blue Child?" His mother shouted in their native language, calling across the camp. Blue Child rolled his eyes from where he sat with Grey Wolf, getting one of those "I'm just glad it isn't me" looks in return.
"I'll be back soon. I knew I couldn't escape chores for long." Blue Child grinned.
"Of course you can't, your mother is a very ... powerful ... woman. Besides," Grey Wolf looked warily towards his own family's tent. "I have a feeling mine will be calling me soon also."
"Good luck to you then, my friend." Blue Child laughed and ran towards the woman who stood with her hands on her hips. She may have been the daughter of the Chief, but she still knew the proper way to lay a child over her knee. Blue Child grinned however - his mother was a beautiful woman. He could see why his father had chosen her. He scowled, thinking of the man.
"Blue Child! Didn't I tell you I needed help with these blankets today? Child, you shall run me into an early grave." She smiled fondly to take the sting out of her words.
"Yes mother. Of course mother. I know mother." He grinned mischievously, earning a light whack across the rump.
"Get in there before I force you to cook dinner also!" She laughed.
Thirty minutes or so later found them slowly dipping blankets into a special dye; the dye - very colorful - would last quite a long time. The blankets would be used in the winter, for warmth or to sell for supplies.
"Mother." Blue Child looked up, trouble in his eyes. She sighed.
"Yes, my son?"
"Is it ... I was wondering ... this ..." He broke off, fingering his light colored hair and looking at the dark dye next to his mother's leg.
Frowning, she leaned forward. "My son, why would you want to hide who you are? You are not only my son ... you are your father's son ..." A sad look crossed her face as she thought of the man who was cut down by his own kind, during one of the battles over land. "Why would you wish to hide his legacy? What he left behind?"
"He is not welcome here. Nor his kind." He spat out bitterly. "I just ... I wish to fit in. I don't want to forget father ... I just want to forget I'm half white."
She nodded slowly, understanding. "Okay. If you're sure."
"I am."
Motioning towards a small stool next to them, she had him sit, then set to work on his hair. Smiling gently, the mother ran her hand across her son's face. She would do anything for her son ... he was her world.
"Thank you."
"No thanks is needed ... you are my son."
-------------
"Blue Chil-" Grey Wolf cut off, his eyes widening every so slightly. "Your hair! You colored it!"
Blue Child grinned. "No I didn't. Mother did. Do you like it?"
"Of course I like it, it looks like mine." Grey Wolf laughed. "Come on, I just heard some of the other girls are going to the river to bathe. If we hurry perhaps we can ... join them ..."
Blue Child snickered under his breath. "Always the lady's man, huh?"
"Without a doubt." They slung an arm around each other, hurrying off towards the river, friendship radiating from them brightly.
:::::::::::::::::::
Frank sighed at the memory, wishing at the moment to be back in his camp, worrying about nothing except getting caught by the females and being pushed in the river. He shook his head, coming back to the present.
"His ma was probably one of those injun' whores." Red spit towards Frank - not that it mattered, raining as hard as it was.
"My mother," Frank ground out, "is a respectable woman. She's ... she's ten times the person you could ever hope to be!"
A curse in his native language escaped his lips when Red's fist sent him sprawling backwards into the mud. A foot followed soon after, burying itself in Frank's back and causing a popping sound; pain flared from his spin, almost making Frank black out. He was dragged to his feet again to look Red in the face.
"Now you'll be crossing this water, on foot, just like the rest of us. But if you slip," Red grinned. "The only thing saving you will be this rope." He held up a coarse rope, usually used for roping horses and cruelly tied it around Frank's neck. It dug into his skin and already he could feel it rubbing the tender area raw.
"Stay tight together now. Make sure you keep your horse steady." Red addressed the other men. "Keep the half-breed between us. Don't want him running off now." Laughing to himself, Red stepped out into the water, almost being swept away right to start off with.
Joseph leaned over and tied the other end of the rope around Frank's neck to the saddle on one of the horses. Then he took the horse's lead, starting out behind Red. Frank sighed. With his hands tied the way they were, he doubted he'd even be able to get across half of this river. And the rope ... he hated to think of being strangled to death during the crossing.
It wasn't like he had any choice though. Gritting his teeth, he splashed into the water, gasping when he found out just how cold it was. It bit through his skin all the way to the bone, leaving an ache that just wouldn't quit. The rocks below his feet were like stepping on ice - slippery and treacherous with every footfall. One wrong move would cause the water-worn stones to twist, sending Frank's body below the surface and down the river until the rope snapped him back.
Lightning streaked across the sky, lighting up the river's path for a few seconds before plunging back into darkness. It was enough, however, to let Frank see just how far across they had to trek. Behind him, Bradley started forward, stepping into the water while pulling his horse along. Frank heard Rick yell for the younger man to be careful in the dangerous waters - it wouldn't be good for Red to lose another family member.
The half indian felt bad for the younger member of the white group. It was clear that as soon as Bradley stepped into the current, he was fighting an uphill battle. Not quite as strong as the rest of them, Bradley was sorely outmatched by the rushing water. He would be lucky indeed to make this crossing safely. 'Then again', Frank thought, 'at least his hands are free.'
Another arch of lightning ran across the sky, this time followed by a rather loud boom and a bright flash. It was accompanied by Red's yell and the horses spooking. The horse Frank was tied to tried to escape quickly across the water, yanking Frank along with it by his neck. Bright spots flashed before his eyes and Frank knew they weren't caused by lightning.
"-back! GO BACK! The damn tree is comin' down!" Red's voice cleared as the thunder settled down. Frank managed to steady himself as the horse quieted, breathing harshly. Wait. Tree?
Red and his horse made it the rest of the way across the river, followed by Joseph who struggled with his own horse. Frank was about halfway across the waters with Bradley directly behind him. Rick was trying to turn his mount around to make it back to the bank they had started from, to get to safety, while calling for Bradley at the same time. Lightning struck again and Frank saw that it was too late for that. He and Bradley were in the direct path of a tree that had fallen in the river and was heading their way at an alarming speed.
With sudden clarity, Frank knew that no matter how much he hated these white men, Bradley was still an innocent, not yet completely tainted by their ways of thinking. Without thought he jumped in front of the younger man, taking the brunt of the impact when the tree slammed into them, forcing them into the water. The horse - who wasn't quite out of the tree's path - was swept along with them.
Gasping in pain and inhaling a mouth full of water, Frank used his body to push both he and Bradley under the water for a few moments, just long enough for the tree to pass overhead. Branches and other debris cut deep gashes across Frank's back, almost making him black out. The tree crashed into a rock, sideswiping the horse Frank was tied to at the same time, sending the animal further down the river. Frank had maybe a split second before the rope pulled taught and dragged him behind the horse, choking him even further. Then, all of a sudden ... he was free.
The rope had come free of the horse's saddle. Frank thanked the gods for this small blessing that had saved him from certain death. Carried a small ways downstream, he crashed into a rock and held on as tightly as his numb fingers would allow. Bradley was somewhere in front of him, he could hear the younger man coughing up a lung-full of water. Frank wondered whether or not he should try to help but his situation was quickly solved for him when he realized if he let go of the rock, he didn't have the strength to make it to Bradley, much less back to the bank.
Red - who had now rounded up Joseph and Rick, as well as the rest of the horses, splashed out into the river and grabbed Bradley by the back of his shirt to pull him to safety. Bradley struggled, screaming.
"No! The indian, he saved my life! Get him!"
"Bradley damnit be still! You're gonna send both of'us down the river!" Red wrapped an arm around the younger man's waist, trying to yank him along.
"Red, NO! Get him!"
Red grumbled, turning his head. "Rick! Go get the damn injun', then we can get out of here."
Standing next to the water's edge, Rick didn't look particularly pleased with his task. Risking his life for a half-breed that was going to die anyway seemed pointless. However, Red was his boss and his friend; he owed the older man that much at least.
Moments later, Frank was dragged out of the water and thrown into the mud, given a good kick in the side for Rick's trouble. Bradley sat next to Red, panting harshly. He looked up at his cousin with troubled eyes.
"He saved me, Red. Why the hell did he do that?!"
"I saw it and he didn't save you. It looked to me like he was trying to drown you ... to take you out of the picture. That's an attempted murder to be added to his charges." Red sneered down at the bloody body, struggling to breathe in the mud. "Get him up. We need to get to higher ground, looks like the river ain't through risin' tonight."
Frank, having heard what was said, didn't even attempt to deny the charges. He knew now from experience it would only cause more pain.
-------------------------------
Grey Wolf shivered, huddling further into his deerskin overcoat. Frank's hat, now sitting on his head, kept the water from running into his eyes. As they continued, the trail slowly disappeared, rain water washing any sign of previous travelers away. Now that they had met up with Hidalgo, however, a trail wasn't really needed. Hidalgo and Frank had seemed to develop some kind of link with one another - one that had baffled the tribe's Shaman. Nobody could really explain it ... it just was. And nobody questioned it.
The horse in questioned seemed ... agitated. Restless. Grey Wolf grinned to himself, imagining just what Hidalgo would do to Frank's captors given the chance to come face to face with them. He almost felt sorry for the poor white men. Well ... almost.
"We'll get them, Hidalgo. Do not worry."
The horse snorted, quickening his pace. Beneath him, White Wing hurried to catch up, nickering at Grey Wolf.
"Get in line, sister. Hidalgo wants them first."
-------------------------------
Reviews -
leggylover03 - I hate you. I really ... really ... do. ::g:: Thankssss for the review wench, LOL, it took me back to previous ::ahem:: times. ARMAGEDDON! ::snerk::
westernrider - LOL! Thank you! :) Hopefully this is a trend I will be able to keep up, huh?? Thanks again! :)
viggomaniac - Definitely. Frank just has to be a trouble magnent. It is in his nature. ::g:: And hey! Nobody should feel guilt over liking angst. As long as we don't uhm ... kill them? No wait, I've killed characters before. Ah ... I suppose I should feel guilt. My conscience fled me though, said there was no hope. Hehehehe. Hey you! Quit jumping ahead and reading my mind! LOL! I was getting to the hair thing - a lot of things will be elaborated on or explained in flashbacks. I watched (and watch - Bonanza comes on every weekday at 4 ::eg::) westerns constantly growing up. At any given moment my dad would quote John wayne (His favorite by far was, "The hell I'm not!"). Thank you for that, the correction. I absolutely hate it when my fic has typos - and the dratted spell checker ignores them as they spell different words. Haha. I say this (not in an offensive way though!) - I'm rather glad I don't have kids and I am the only one who uses the computer in the house, besides my mom who is addicted to solitaire, LOL. Otherwise nothing would get written on time (if it ever is written on time) or posted when I would like to post. It would drive me nuts! Ah and now I'm rambling, ::g::. I thank you for the review, I greatly enjoy reading yours! :)
Allie5 - LOL okay! And sorry - the wait wasn't intentional! But it's rather hard to post with no internet, hahaha! Thanks! :)
Hiei-Rulez - Uh ... ::blush:: wow! Thanks! :) Hey, I'm sure you write very well! And thank you so much for the fav!! :D Sorry for the wait in the update, wasn't my fault! (Honest! ;) )
tigersmeleth - Who me? Evil? Are you sure?? ::snicker:: Okay I suppose you're right. Hahaha! Thanks for the review! :)
huggeroftrees - Yes, I updated! :D And of course he's always in trouble! Is it just me or does Viggo always choose a character who is trouble prone/angst-ridden?? Hahaha, I love the man anyway. Thanks for the review, I'll try to get an update out sooner for chapter four! :)
Telacontar - Thank you, that means so much to me! ::sends lots of hugs from Frank to reviewer:: Don't worry - he won't be killed. Tortured - yes. Possibly maimed - yes. Emotionally scarred - most likely. Killed - I really can't do it on my first Hidalgo fic! LOL! Thanks for the review!! :)
Elwen the Insane Elf - :P Yes, yes, yes. I know all about the typo now. :P Thanks for pointing it out (quoting from the dictionary?? I was ROTFL as I thought of the typo being the actual word instead of 'savor'!). Here's the next chapter wench. :P LOL.
Erindi - LOL yes I LOVE angst. Quite a lot! I'm uhm ... obsessed with it, haha! Awww ... hopefully you (should) have power back now! LOL. And hoping you and yours survived the hurricane season, this one was pretty bad. Thanks for reviewing! :)
Lory - LMAO!! Yes I got the picture. I'm guessing you want uh ... MORE perhaps??? LOL. Here's more! Thanks for the review!!! :)
EvilDemonicBunnyFrank ::LOL:: at your name! Very amusing! (In a good way!) :D I'm glad you like it, thanks! :)
Mirwen Sunrider/Elrondiel - Yes, indeed he is! And he will have many, many, many, many (you get the picture) more! ::evil cackle:: Innocent?? Somehow, I think not. ::g:: Thanks for the review!
Alien Angie - Thank you! Glad you like it! :) Hope I did not make you wait too long, haha.
Pegasusflight - Hmmm ... ::skims back over previous chapter to see exactly what I said:: (Mind you, I have the memory span of Dory the Fish!) Ah! When I said that I meant I finished the chapter! LOL. If the fic was finished, I would be very happy indeed, but alas - it isn't. I'm writing and posting chapter-to-chapter, so to speak, and I have the feeling it won't be finished for quite a while! LOL. Don't worry though, I have plans for this fic! :D Thanks so much and I'm glad you like it! :)
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TBC...
End Note: The link I've given Hidalgo and Frank is actually inspired by the movie, when on the ship Frank seemed to sense Hidalgo was in trouble and rushed down to the holding area. ::g:: I've just expanded on it quite a bit and it may come in handy later!
Reviews welcome. :-)