He loves me.

He loves me.

HE LOVES ME!

Those three little words were all I needed to hear!

I swung round and cantered towards him, throwing my head on to his neck.

He placed his head on my neck, too.

The other horses neighed loudly, and the girl grinned.

The soldier with the gun was being picked up by other soliders.

"So this is it." The colonel said. "There's no way we can tame these two. They're practically joined at the hip. No, everyone, I order you all to never ride these two horses!"

I smiled at Rhubarb and he smiled back.

The cheers subsided after a while, and everyone went back to doing their own thing.

"So...you never fancied Dark Mane?" Rhubarb asked, embarrassed.

I shook my head and laughed.

"No way!" I replied, "Him and his brother, Red are like, my worst enemies!"

Rhubarb laughed.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that. But why have they got a grudge against you Sadie?" He asked.

"I don't know." I replied.

And that was the truth. I don't know! I doubt I ever will!

We walked round the ranch for a while that night, just talking.

Rhubarb looked up into the sky and spotted a bright, twinkly star.

I followed his gaze and looked, too.

"Make a wish!" Rhubarb chuckled.

I thought hard, then eventually I came up with the perfect wish...

"I wish we were all free!" I whispered.

He suddenly went quiet and lowered his head sadly.

"I'm sorry..." I said. "I didn't mean to upset you...what upset you?"

"I miss being wild. But being wild means I'd probably never see you again, Sadie." He replied.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Rhubarb took a deep breath.

"I'm a bachelor stallion, Sadie. I've never had a mare-friend before. I'm a loser. You're too good for me...I'm just...here for the heck of it!"

I widened my eyes.

"That's not true!" I cried.

Rhubarb sighed again. "That's just how it feels sometimes. I'm used to male company...and no! I'm not...that way! Mares never look twice at me." He muttered.

I lay my ears back and gave him a sympathetic look.

"I looked at you twice!" I smiled. "If those other stallions tease you or make you feel down, come to me and...well, live with us!"

Rhubarb looked at me.

"Thanks...but the stallions will find me and call me a freak for hanging out with mares."

He walked away sadly, and I hung my head.

Silver Mist joined me; "he looks upset." she commented.

"oh really? you think?" I replied, walking away. I guess I was being a bit harsh to my friend, but Rhubarb was upset, and I needed to help him...