Chapter 33

The Choice

The usual peaceful silence that fell over our camp each night had once again overtaken us. It was quiet as the humans retired in their newly made teepee tents, and those who didn't have their own yet, were invited to share with their friends and thus everyone, despite all the horrible events that had passed, continued living in harmony. The horses too rested nearby the settlement, most of them exhausted of the day's events. I couldn't blame them, they had gone through a lot of stress and were mistreated by those pale-faced men. If it weren't for a brave determination of my handsome stallion, most of these horses would have been doomed to work on that railway construction sight forever. I shuddered at that thought.

While most of our small village slept soundly, I couldn't bring myself to shut my eyes or rest. Especially after all the things I've heard just few hours earlier. I stood bit far away from the Lakota camp, desperate to have some solitude. So many new and unheard of stories I had discovered over these past days. First Silver Moon with her devastating news about her owner and the fact that so many of our horses had been taken, then Aranda entered my life unexpectedly and I found out all about my grandam's early life. Afterwards, I was shocked by the unforeseen return of my friends, who we believed were lost forever. Then the humans added the new information about the strange forest fire that had broken out on the Pacific Railroad. And to top things off, as if this wasn't enough to keep me awe-struck for a week, Great Conquest and Wind had blown my mind about what Spirit had done, and how heroically he had rescued them all, allowing them to escape.

I needed to process all this.

How could I sleep after such eventful findings?

It was a little too much.

I remained dead-quiet, as my gaze was drawn up towards the clear night's sky that was filled with numerous blazing stars. They reminded me of my beloved stallion's burning eyes that had both tenderness and fierceness in them.

Oh, how I had missed him! He was so selfless and so courageous. The more I got to know his nature, the more I fell in love with him..the more I wanted to be with him and the more I became sure that he deserved to remain wild and free.

I watched the lovely shade of the moon that glowed in a silvery light. Countless memories of Spirit and I trotting together in our favourite getaway flooded my mind. The first time we had confessed our love, the first time we had swam in the beautiful autumn sunshine and the first time we had shared the most intimate moment. Small tear rolled down my cheek, as I hoped and prayed silently that somehow we would be reunited. I knew that he was strong and firmly believed that he'd make it out alright, but part of me couldn't help but still feel anxious. What if he was lost in that forest fire? What if my human couldn't find him in time?

On that note, my mind drifted to Little Creek.

Where was he?

What if the cruel men of the cavalry regiment had captured him once more?

The more I thought about it, the more I worried and became utterly troubled.

I lowered my head down, shutting my eyes tight and shook my head. No! Both Spirit and Little Creek were incredibly brave. They'd survive anything and I had full trust in them. They would come back to me safe and sound. I was going to remain positive and hopeful no matter what.

After all...that's all I had left.

My inner restless soul calmed down a bit, as I perked my ears to listen to the cracking sounds of the burning wood of the campfire that our humans had made to keep warm. Just then, I heard delicate hoof steps making a way towards where I stood. I tentatively turned around, only to meet the cheery countenance of the wise, elder mare, Aranda. She came up to me and we exchanged a pleasant greeting.

"Why aren't you resting, young one?" She asked sweetly, her voice as tranquil as the deep thickets of forest.

"I couldn't bring myself to close my eyes." I responded honestly, my gaze shifting back to the clear, crisp sky.

Aranda nodded thoughtfully in understanding.

"Yes, the news you've received requires certain amount of processing." She agreed.

I nodded weakly and continued staring at the outstretched distance in front of me.

"Your grandam, Bonita used to be like that." Aranda added with a small smile of amusement.

That caught my attention and I stared back at her, my eyebrows slightly raised. "She would always go away and seek out solitude whenever deep thoughts were racing inside her."

"They're worried thoughts rather than deep." I said, my tone had a melancholy ring to it.

"I wouldn't be so concerned about that fiery stallion if I were you." Aranda spoke up simply. "It looks like he is more cunning than both horse and men."

I smiled at that, feeling reassured. "I just can't help it. Besides, my human is also somewhere there looking for him."

"Be confident, Rain. All will fall into place. Both, your human and your stallion shall return to you safe." Aranda promised, as if she had seen the future.

She looked so calm and so convinced of their well-being that it made me extremely happy.

"Thank you for the encouragement." I nickered brightly.

There was silence again, as I moved my eyes from that of Aranda's and back to the stars above us. She was right and deep down I believed that both Spirit and Little Creek would be safe. They were fighters and never gave up. So then, why was my heart so restless? Why did it pound so much whenever I recalled them?

"You know," The elder, bay mare began after a while, " I've decided to remain with the Lakota tribe to live out the rest of my days. And I'd love nothing more than to have you here with me. You're the only thing left of my old homeland...of Bonita, Raphael - your grandsire, of Sierra..."

She caught my blue eyes and smiled, nuzzling me affectionately as a dam would her young filly. "But I'm being selfish, you must decide where you belong yourself. Whether it be here with your human and me, or whether it be with that courageous stallion Spirit and his wild herd."

"It's such a difficult choice to make." I admitted, my frustration enhanced as I swished my long creamy tail. "I know you told me that fillies grow up and leave their sires to join their beloved stallions but Little Creek is different. He is not my sire...he is my everything. He's been my best friend since I was born. Somehow, life without him is just so incredibly impossible and scary."

Aranda tilted her head to my side, slightly confused. "Scary? You mean you're afraid to leave your home?"

"I don't know what exactly I'm afraid of." I whimpered in defeat, my blue gaze was downcast.

"Alright, let's take both your stallion and human into consideration. Tell me, what are the benefits of being with one and the other?" The wise mare spoke up confidently, as she motioned me to lift my head and look into her eyes. "I can see that you're having trouble with this. So I'll try to guide you, alright? But in the end, you must make your own choice." She smiled in a motherly fashion and I sighed with a small nod.

"Let's start with your human. What binds you to him?"

I took a deep breath as I gathered my thoughts. "Like I said before, since I was born he was there for me. When I was orphaned, he raised me, took care of me, loved me, understood me. He was the only one I could trust..." I paused there, flashbacks of everything Little Creek and I had been through over the years came back to my mind. "...I really don't know life without him and my loyalty will forever be his."

"And how do you feel about the Mustang stallion?" Aranda nickered cautiously.

"Spirit..." I sighed, my blue eyes shifting up towards the sky again. "...he came...so unexpectedly in my life." As I said this, I instantly remembered the first time I had seen him proudly thundering on in the desert prairie, his handsome features glowing in otherwise dull scenery. "I must admit, I tried hard to not like him. He was different and so mysterious...it would've been easier if I continued ignoring him. But how can I deny that feeling I had the first time he gazed at me? He steered my soul, slowly making his way in my heart...day by day."

Aranda couldn't help but beam at that with an approved little whiny.

"At first, I tried to convince myself he was no good and only paid attention to me because he was a stallion and let's be real, that's what they do. They collect mares to extend their herds. It's natural." I explained and Aranda agreed with a nod. "True, that's a main job of every stallion especially, wild ones."

"But he was not just being a stud. He put me above everything...he put me first." I said quietly, memories of Spirit saving me from Great Conquest and then returning back to the village surfaced up again. "He did things for me that shouldn't be done unless you really care and love someone. Unfortunately, his actions confused and fascinated me on many levels. I had never experienced anything like that before. All my life, I had known Little Creek as the only one who put me first. To have a stallion - a wild one at that, doing all that for me was just too puzzling. In short, over the course of our time, I developed such growing love, respect and trust for him...that sometimes, even now, I don't think I trust anyone as much as I trust Spirit. I love him so much." I blushed, my eyes focused on the far away stars. "And I really miss him..."

"So what's holding you back, then?" Aranda asked once more.

"I don't know." I stuttered, shifting my gaze back to the wise mare.

"You do realize that you just admitted that you trust Spirit more than anyone...including Little Creek?"

I blinked in shock. "Oh dear, looks like I did." I gasped.

Aranda couldn't help but giggle at that. "So? There's your answer right there."

"Wait, How can this be? I trust Little Creek too it's just-"

"Rain, it's normal." Aranda cut in with a gentle nicker. "I'm sure you love and are completely loyal to your guardian, but you heart just belongs to the stallion. Nothing to worry about. This is how it should be."

"My goodness, did I just make a choice?" I cried in disbelief.

"I'm afraid you did." The elder mare confirmed softly.

"Then why am I still so reluctant?"

"Because you're afraid...I see fear in your eyes. You don't know life without your owner and therefore, it's scary to take this step." Simply explained Aranda.

I thought about her words and weighed them. There was some truth in there. Yes, I did love my human but the part of my attachment to him, was that I didn't know life without him. He represented comfort that I was used to. The wild mustang life was thrilling to be sure, but there were so many aspects to it that I still didn't know about and wasn't familiar with.

I sighed in defeat. "You are right. I do want to be with Spirit yet fear is holding me back. And I'll miss Little Creek too."

Aranda came forward to nuzzle me softly. "It's not an easy choice to make. Take all the time you need. But do not have any regrets."

With that, the bay mare turned her head, bid me goodnight and she trailed back to where the other horses were resting. I watched her go as the wind began to blow in the cold air. My heart knew where it wanted to be. I longed to be with my stallion, Spirit. I wanted to gallop with him together with his wild herd. I wanted to see his homeland, everything he loved and admired. I wanted to experience the freedom he so desired, and most importantly, I wanted to remain by his side.

Why then was I so afraid to make this decision? Why couldn't I leave my home? Was I truly that dependant on a human way of life? Or did I really love my Little Creek so much? I did love him... however, there was no competition here. Both the stallion and the man represented different things for me. One was my soul mate and the other was my guardian.

I lifted my chin in determination. I would make up my mind soon. It wasn't going to be easy as Aranda said, but I would decide in these coming days. For now, my blue eyes stared up at the night's sky, and I realized that no matter where my Spirit and Little Creek were this moment, they were both under the same sky as I.

Letting out a deep exhale, I prayed once again for their safe return.

The next couple of days were spent in leisure and peace, like all of our Winter seasons. Since the kidnapped horses had returned, the humans became even more determined to rebuild our camp and start our new life. Some of our kind were given away to the neighbouring tribes and one of them were Dawn and Wind. It was sad to see them go, but I knew that they'd be better off in their new home. Poor Dawn had lost her human as did Wind, and since they were so fond of each other, our humans gave them away to the two worthy and honourable warriors of the neighbouring Sioux tribe. The good-bye was bittersweet but it was for the best. They were looking forward to their new life and I was quite happy for them.

Silver Moon's yearling colt finally got a calling, he was named Takoda which means "A Friend to Everyone". His name suited him really well. As for my wound, it was looking a lot better... in fact, I no longer felt pain at all, not even the slightest. Few more days and it would be completely healed. The medicine man of the tribe, who had taught all his knowledge to Little Creek was really proud of my improvements. He loudly praised Little Creek's ability to heal me so swiftly and effectively.

The winter days dragged on as we were accustomed to. The children and most of the adult humans passed their time in their teepee tents as the weather was rather harsh. Some hunting was done...Long Knife recovered at last and together with Great Conquest began to lead the men out on the prairies to find game. Lakota women made Winter Counts on the skin of a brained tanned buffalo hide, pictures were put on the hide depicting all sort of events that took place during the year. Some were sad, some were funny, some exciting, in other words, that was our history...all of the things we've been through. We hoped that for now, enemies were far away from us. It was a slow time for everyone not just the two-leggeds. My kind lazily munched on the hay and preserved food, we mostly spent our time standing around, trying to keep our bodies warm and healthy. I passed my hours by observing the interesting things the humans did.

I noticed that after few severe cold days, the weather improved and one morning, sun was shining so extensively, that it melted all of the snow around the territory. Although it was still Winter, I couldn't help but think of the beautiful Spring days that would come to us in few months.

Upon remembering Spring, my mind drifted back to Spirit...my beloved stallion. I sighed heavily, my head lowered in sadness. I missed him terribly. Where was he? Why wasn't he coming back to me?

On this shiny afternoon, as the snow completely disappeared I noticed Great Conquest standing few feet away from me, staring at my direction in curiosity. I met his gaze, smiling I walked over to greet him.

"How was your day?" I asked in a friendly manner.

After all the things Great Conquest had admitted humbly to me about Spirit, I became sure that we were back to being friends like we used to. The tensions that we've had before in the past were incredibly heartbreaking for me. I had known him all my life. I didn't want to lose a friend in him. I was so glad that things had changed for the better.

"Hunt was alright. We couldn't catch deer but caught a fox instead." He chuckled. "How's your shoulder?"

"A lot better." I smiled weakly, my heart still longing for Spirit's return.

The grey stallion detected my downcast countenance and gazed deeply into my blue eyes. "Are you alright, Rain?"

"Of course, I am." I nickered, trying to sound convincing and moved my forelock from my eyes. "I'm just happy to have you as a friend."

"He'll come back." Great Conquest smiled in assurance. "They both will."

I stared at him little surprised. Was my longing that obvious?

"To be honest, I was extremely shocked at what you said about Spirit. You never liked him and to have you say those words was...incredibly sweet." I finished brightly.

"I wasn't being sweet Rain," the grey war stallion responded cooly. "I just said the truth. He is one unbreakable nut."

I giggled at his statement. Great Conquest caught my blue gaze again and smiled. "He deserves all the respect there is. A horse like that should never be detained...if I were your human I'd release him back to where he belongs."

My expression changed at that and it didn't go unnoticed by the grey war horse. "And you should go with him." He added firmly.

"What?"

"If you love him so much and I can tell that you do...you should go too. What's holding you back? Don't tell me it's your human."

"Maybe it is." I whispered in a low tone.

"So you're telling me, you'd rather stay with Little Creek than follow a stallion who is almost as legendary as the ancient stories that we hear from our humans?" Great Conquest asked perplexed.

"I don't know really...I just want them both to return first." I nickered lowly again, trying to avoid this inevitable topic.

Great Conquest smiled in understanding. "They will. They sure will."

"This is my home...how can I leave all this?" I muttered to no one in particular, my eyes scanning the area.

"Well, how could you offer yourself to me when you didn't want anything to do with me?" Great Conquest whinnied.

"I love Spirit and I didn't want you to hurt him." I responded right away and then stopped at my words.

Great Conquest chuckled at that. "There's your answer...Love. You said it yourself. Love."

Just then, our time together was interrupted when Silver Moon trotted up to us with a frown on her face, elderly Aranda trailed after her.

"What's wrong?" Asked the war horse when he noticed her distressed look.

"One of our two-legged scouts have returned claiming to have spotted Little Creek." She said.

"What?" I gasped in shock.

"He was seen riding a dun-colored stallion as the cavalry chased after them." She added with a scowl. "We don't know much, this is what I overheard from the humans and other horses."

My heart failed at that. Both Spirit and Little Creek were in deep trouble. "It's over." I whimpered in fear as Aranda nuzzled me comfortingly.

"Don't be fooled." Exclaimed Great Conquest. "I'm sure things will resolve."

"How? Didn't you hear Silver Moon?" I screamed in rage, tired of hopeless optimism around me. "They're being chased by the ruthless army!"

"We don't know if they'll catch them. We must have faith." Aranda said calmly.

"They won't catch them!" Neighed little Takoda eagerly. "I'm sure Spirit will come up with something."

"Yes, there are plenty of ways to outrun them. Both Little Creek and Spirit are smart." Silver Moon agreed with her yearling colt.

"Exactly!" Insisted Great Conquest. "If push comes to shove, that stallion would rather jump over a canyon or a cliff than be caught by those merciless humans."

"Oh, I don't know." I whimpered and began to cry quietly. Both Aranda and Silver Moon embraced me, trying their best to remain positive.

They all grew sober as they realized how hurt and concerned I was despite all the encouragement. Everything seemed to quiet down, the breeze swayed our manes, and we remained silent, each of us hoping and praying for the well-being of my stallion and human. We stood like that for hours and the evening was already slowly setting in. I had become so very desperate and missed both Spirit and my human so much, that I was beginning to imagine Little Creek's familiar whistles.

"Did you hear that?" Great Conquest nickered in alertness, his ears all perked up.

I snapped my head instantly. "Wait, you heard the whistle too?"

"We all did!" Neighed Takoda with a bright smile. Aranda and Silver Moon agreed in unision.

My heart began to race as I slowly walked forward to investigate. There was a smoke of campfire blocking my view, making everything all blurry and I squinted my eyes to see where this whistle was coming from. In the distance, I could make out a horse and human standing over a small hill top... could it be? I quickened my pace and trotted out of the foggy smoke to have a better look. My heart pounded like no other. I couldn't believe my eyes when I finally recognized who those individuals were. My face lit up as I laid eyes on the golden stallion of my dreams and next to him stood Little Creek. "Spirit!" I called out in utmost joy.

The dun stallion neighed loudly, his happiness and triumph echoing as thunder over the entire land. "Rain! You're alive!"

I responded back with a similar squeal of exultation as both of us began to gallop towards each other as fast as possible. In seconds, we were reunited. The words can't describe the amount of joyfulness that we experienced upon seeing each other again. We reared, dancing in circles, revolving, neighing, rejoicing, squealing loudly for everyone to hear how utterly happy we both were in that very moment.

I felt his warm cheek against mine once again as we nuzzled, kissing and brushing each other sweetly. "My love...my Rain." Whispered Spirit as his intelligent, blazing eyes gazed deeply into my bright sparkling ones. "You're alive." He repeated in disbelief.

"Oh, Spirit...I missed you so much." I murmured, my nose rubbing his as we embraced yet again. This was a miracle.

"I love you." We both nickered at the same time, caressing and nuzzling one another. In that very moment, I forgot everyone but him. I even blocked out Little Creek who was most probably watching us with a huge grin plastered on his face. Spirit was all that mattered to me. I loved him. I wanted to be with him and yes... I had chosen him!

We held on to each other, refusing to break apart even for a second. Spirit's brown eyes shimmered like the glittering sun. "My beauty, my one and only." He breathed tenderly.

I pressed my forehead against his, taking in his scent. "My soul mate." I nickered back.

We abided in this everlasting rapture of delight, intently gazing and stroking one another for few more minutes, before my attention was caught by Little Creek, who had slowly begun walking towards us. Nickering happily, Spirit and I both trotted up to meet the kind human. Little Creek touched the stallion's muzzle for a second before affectionately turning to me. He gently rubbed my nose, his eyes were filled with small tears. And I knew in that very second, that he had understood my decision and where I truly belonged. He knew me all too well to miss such an important detail. His hands stroked my face softly, his eyes never leaving mine. This was our good-bye...I could feel it in my bones. My heart sank at that. My human smiled and rested his head against my nose, holding me there for few minutes. My human...my Little Creek. Oh this was so difficult. I didn't know if I was ready to let go. I lowered my head, shutting my eyes tight. I'd miss him terribly.

"You will always be in my heart." Little Creek assured me ever-so sweetly. He lifted my chin with his hands and smiled, his eyes were still glistening with tears. Oh, and you will forever remain in my heart...my understanding best friend, my guardian, my owner, my human. My blue eyes started to feel watery as well, as our emotional good-bye was being observed by the thoughtful Spirit. His gaze was full of sympathy as he comprehended everything that was occurring right before him.

Little Creek gently reached out and removed that very feather he had placed in my creamy mane years ago. My heart broke at that...this was really happening. No... and before he'd move back, I went up and nuzzled him again as he petted me once more. This was so hard.

My human and I finally ripped ourselves from each other and Little Creek turned his attention to the dun stallion.

"Take care of her, Spirit...Who-Could-Not-Be-Broken." He brushed the mustang's nose and then lowered his hand. Little Creek's eyes fell and I could detect how heartbreaking this was for him too. He had become attached to not only me, but to Spirit as well. Letting us both go was so hard for him.

In that very second, my beloved stallion reached out and pulled Little Creek into a tight hug as they both embraced. My human wrapped his arms around Spirit's neck. "I'll miss you my friend." He whispered quietly.

I watched the two, tears leaking from my eyes. They had truly found a special connection...they had bonded. It was as if I was watching two brothers under the sun. They remained like that for couple more seconds and then broke apart. Spirit nickered at me, motioning that it was time to get going. We both reared slightly and started to canter to where the homeland of the wild stallion awaited us.

When we ran up to a small hill, Spirit and I both stopped and looked back at Little Creek, who was watching us depart with sadness. He had just turned around, ready to join the Lakota camp when Spirit suddenly called him. He jerked his head back at us and smiled as Spirit reared up and neighed in a thunderous voice of a stallion. I couldn't help but beam at that. A smile broke out on my human's face as he saw us one last time and he whopped in excitement, jumping up and down with a piercing cry.

"Goodbye, my dear friend." I muttered softly, my gaze focused on Little Creek.

We spun around, and began galloping and making our journey to Spirit's homeland.

In the end, I realized that despite the choice I've made to go with my stallion...Little Creek would always be part of who I was. He would forever remain in my heart. And though, one might think that I had chosen love over loyalty. I knew full well that I had chosen both. How can you be loyal to someone you don't love? And how can you love someone if you aren't loyal to them?

I wasn't entirely sure if I had made a perfect decision, maybe my life would've been easier back with Little Creek in the village. However, I was determined to be with Spirit. I had decided to follow my own kind...Someone I truly loved and admired and someone, who even though confused and conflicted me at first, now made me come alive and want to experience the way of life I had never known before. I had chosen to run free with the most courageous and selfless stallion out there. But that did not mean that I was going to forget my loyalty to Little Creek. Just as Aranda said, I grew up, matured and was heading to start my own family.

Who knew what sort of adventure awaited me in Spirit's wild homeland? Maybe my entire destiny was with this golden stallion, after all.

The end!

I want to thank you all for reviewing and supporting this story. Especially to the special 'guest' reviewer who has been following me since day one. Thank you! You truly motivated me to update this story often. Thank you and shout out to ilovechips4ever as well. There will be a sequel coming up in few weeks so those of you who are interested, be sure to come back and check it out. It will most probably be a third narrative and concentrate on Rain balancing her life as an upcoming lead mare, Spirit keeping his herd in check, and of course there will be Esperanza and new characters...not to worry Little Creek will make an appearance too.

Stay tuned!