Disclaimer: Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a horse belongs to Anna Sewell and I am not making any profit with my fan fiction.
Horses speak softly to me
By: MovieDreamer
Summary: Based on Sewell's Black Beauty, Winifred Gordon is a 16-year old girl who has the gift of speaking to horses living in the 1800's living the tragedy of her mother's sickness, her arranged marriage, her friendship with Ginger and her love for a young stable boy…
Author's note: In this fanfiction I decided to use both elements from the novel and the 1994 motion picture.
Chapter 3
Winifred woke up early; she could not sleep throughout the night thinking of Beauty. She got up, bathed and dressed. Stepping out, the sun had not risen yet and it was cold. Winifred huddled herself, it was almost dawn and knew Sir John was waking up at this time but she needed to make sure Beauty was fine. As soon as she sees he is well, she can go back to bed and rest for at least two hours.
Coming to the stables, she saw Beauty lying down by the straw. When Beauty noticed her he gave a low painful moan. Winifred did not need her ability to know what that meant.
"Beauty…" Winifred looked at the handsome horse in pity; she had not wanted this to happen.
"Miss Winifred. I am so cold and in a lot of pain."
"I will go fetch Sir John." Winifred ran out of the stables when she saw Sir John coming her way. "Sir John!"
Sir John looked worried the moment he saw Winifred. "What is it Miss Winifred? Why are you up so early?"
"It's Beauty. He's cold and in terrible pain."
Sir John did not need to hear more, he raced ahead to go look at Beauty. Winifred followed in case she can be of any help.
"Miss Winifred, tell Miss Senaida to go fetch Joe. I will go get some extra cloths and inform your father."
Winifred nodded and raced off first Joe's room. She was angry and even though she was supposed to go to Senaida, she wanted to tell Joe a few things.
Finding his room quickly, she banged the door loudly. A very tired Joe afnswered the door as he rubbed his eyes. "Where is the fire?"
"You thick, brainless, dim-witted--!" Winifred said the moment she saw Joe.
"What are you doing waking me up this early? For a girl who says to loath me you—"
"I did not come here to be your company. Because of you Beauty is sick! What did you do to him! In this cold, you left him without a blanket and now Sir John is looking after him. My father will be furious when he finds out about your negligence. If something very bad happens to Beauty, I promise you I will make it difficult for you to ever find work again in London!"
Winifred did not bother to hear another word as she turned around and stomped away heading to her father's room.
Joe dressed quickly hoping Winifred was not pulling his leg but when he came to the stables he knew it was not a joke at all.
When Sir John noticed Joe he was stirring Beauty some warm gruel. "Stupid, stupid boy! No cloth put on and I dare say, the water was cold."
Joe froze as he tried to defend himself. "But Uncle, I thought Beauty may be too hot and—"
"I do not want to hear any excuses boy! I thought I and your father taught you well. You always put a cloth on a horse. Go on and bring another blanket and expect the master to be furious. This is the mistress's favorite horse and he saved the master's life yesterday."
Joe did not say another word. He looked at Beauty on the ground wheezing and giving a low moan that broke Joe's heart. He had caused this. He turned with his head down back to fetch another cloth.
"Boys are no good." Sir John said before feeding Beauty the gruel.
---
Winifred was outside her house waiting to see if either her father or Sir John would head her direction. By luck, Dr. Blomefield had come that early morning and went to see Beauty. As he was coming back from the stables, Winifred stopped him.
"Dr. Blo-"
"Andrew," He corrected her.
"Andrew." She said feeling the informality strange. "Please tell me what you know of Beauty."
"He is very ill. He has an infection in his lungs. It has caused an inflammation which makes it very hard for him to breath."
"I need to see him." Winifred pleaded.
"Not yet. We have to make sure this infection can not pass on to humans. I will have to send a telegram to Dr. Bond, he is a horse doctor. I know about all animals, but I can not do this alone. I will be here during the week and I promise to tell you everything." He looked at Winifred sympathetic. "Do not cry Winifred. I promise I will do everything in my power to cure him." He turned angry. "What did that blockhead do to him?"
Winifred looked down. "See Beauty was running an errand with my father and Sir John to Dr. White to come see my mother. On their way back, the bridge collapsed and my father fell in the water. Beauty saved him and Joe… Joe tended to him since Sir John was far too weak. No cloth from what I can see but it could have been something more."
"I knew from the day I set my eyes on that boy, that he was no good. Well I have to go back, I just came out to get a few of my things. You should go back to your house and watch over your mother."
Winifred nodded as he placed his hand on her cheek before parting.
---
That evening Dr. Bond had arrived and Beauty was moved from the stables temporarily to one of the houses far from the main house. As Winifred walked holding an oil lamp she turned to Joe. His head hung low as he kept quiet. His father and uncle walked ahead talking among each other as her father spoke with the two doctors.
Winifred would not have been here if it were not for her pleads to her father. She kept her distance from hearing any of the men's conversations. Once inside where they had Beauty, Winifred wondered if he was moved to a room because of comfort or fear of the infections spreading to the other horses.
It was an old house and the room where Beauty was kept had a fireplace and possibly an old kitchen as she looked at the stained black brick walls. It was transformed into a stable for Beauty's comfort.
Dr. Blomefield checked Beauty's breathing and spoke in medical terms to Dr. Bond.
Joe turned to look at Winifred but she looked away. She wanted to feel bad for the boy but her anger was too great.
"He has a fever as we feared." Dr. Blomefield. "I need to inject him to calm him."
Winifred saw all the men ready to pin down Beauty. "W-wait." Winifred said feeling nervous. "Can I just speak to him? That way you do not hurt him when you inject him."
Dr. Blomefield turned to look the Squire Gordon. "My daughter has a gift with talking to the horses. They seem to understand her, we can give it a try." He said letting go of one of Beauty's long legs.
Winifred walked up to Beauty. "Beauty, I am so sorry I have not been able to see you. I was not allowed for fear of the infection spreading. How are you feeling?" She said ignoring the strange looks she received from the other men in the room.
Beauty let out a low wheezing moan. "It hurts… to breath."
"D-Do not talk. It is fine. See Beauty. Dr. Blomefield is going to inject you so that you can be calm." She nodded at Andrew as he started to prepare to inject him by spreading out his coat.
Winifred spoke in a smoothing voice. "It will hurt a little but I want you to think of fresh green grass and freshly fallen apples—"
At that moment Beauty jerked as all the men came close hoping to pin him in case he decided to move but Beauty quickly settled down.
Winifred gave a small smile. "That's my good horse. My Beauty."
The Squire gave a soft chuckle. I say she got a gift from her grandmother. Loved horses and they loved her."
Blomefield nodded as Bond took out a long knife. "Yes, thank you Winifred. Now Squire Gordon."
"Yes." He nodded. "Joe, can you please accompany Winnie outside?"
Winifred looked nervously as Dr. Blomefield came with a pail. "W-What are you going to do?"
Her father held her by the side of her shoulders. "It will be fine Winifred. It must be done to rid the infection."
"B-But father, let me speak to him so he knows. He'll grow nervous and—"
"Joe, please." Gordon said looking at Joe. Joe obligated as he nodded. "Follow me Miss."
Winifred wanted to fight it but it seemed hopeless. She stepped outside in the hallway as they closed the door behind her. Resting her head on the door, she closed her eyes remaining silent. Joe watched Winifred before looking down on the floor.
A loud neigh was hard that made both adolescents jump up. She heard her father say. "Woah Beauty." With Sir John saying. "Woah, boy… ho..ho…"
"Gordon hold him. Sir John, I need you here."
Winifred backed away from the door and huddling herself she looked at Joe. Joe felt her staring but did not dare look at her.
"I am sorry Miss Winifred. This is my entire fault. Because of me Beauty is going to die. He is the Master's and Mistress's favorite horse. No one will ever speak to me again and I do not blame them. Nor do I blame you for yelling at me. I think I am such a man but everyone is right I am merely a boy. My uncle and everyone else are right. I am a stupid boy! I am of no use." He kicked the wall.
Winifred looked at him. He was pale and looked quite sick. He even had faint line of bags under his eyes. She can tell Joe had not slept or eaten. She started to feel bad for him and wanted to reach out to him.
"I can see why you admire Dr. Blomefield so much. He is actually of use. He can cure any animal and he is intelligent coming from a university. Not like me, I go around and kill them all." Joe spatted bitterly.
"I apologize for yelling at you today. It was very unlady like of me. I think you are of use Joe. I think it was unfair to make you hold the entire responsibility of a horse with such little experience. Dr. Blomefield has gone to school to learn, you should not be so hard on yourself. I admire you…"
Joe looked at Winifred at that remark. The staring made Winifred nervous as she felt her cheeks burn. "I do. Anyone, would find a lot of excuses and defend themselves. They can say, maybe it was the horrible rain or he could have caught it from a horse on his way here, but not you. You take all the blame, even if you know everyone may come and detest you and put the blame of a horses' death on you. I admire someone who takes responsibility."
She breathed in. "But Beauty… he is such a rare horse, not because of his breed but his soul. I sometimes believe he has a far gentle soul than any human and to see him go away just like that…" She breathed in before she turned around and started to walk away.
Joe saw Winifred walk away and he raced after her. Standing in front of her, her saw her face pink, her eyes red and swollen as tears started rushing down her face. He could not think of anything else to do but hug her. Holding her, he felt her dark locks caressing against his cheek. Winifred returned the hug as she wrapped her arms around from under his arms and buried her face on his neck. She started to cry harder.
Soon she calmed down as Joe held her tighter. He has been feeling alone all day, not even his father would turn to look at him. At the sound of the door opening, Joe and Winifred pulled away turning to the door.
The Squire stepped out and looked at Joe. "Joe, I need you to bring a mop here. Beauty kicked the pail and there is blood everywhere."
He turned to Winifred. "He will be fine." His face did not convince her much. "He will be moved back to the stables and we will move Merrylegs and Ginger until his fever comes down."
With that Winifred was escorted by her father back home, she turned around dismissing herself from Joe before parting. He replied back before giving her a small smile.
That whole week, Winifred tried not to visit Beauty because his fever made him hear every noise and it tortured him. Joe though would visit him every day once he was done with his chores, lying down beside him caressing him pleading for him to become well.
Winifred was outside with her family as Alfred was on a small rowing boat with her two sisters. Sitting down beside her mother she watched in amusement as Alfred started to rock the boat from side to side causing screaming of joy and laughter from the girls.
"Al-fred!" Her father bellowed before returning to his newspaper.
"Alfred stop it!" Jessica rang out in her sweet light voice.
Flora teased. "Ha, ha told you!"
Winifred noticed as her mother placed her hand on her chest watching with a glow in her face the joy of her children. Alfred continued rocking the boat, the ever disobedient devil. Her father looked away from his newspaper when he heard her mother gasp. Placing his hand over hers, he turned to his children. "Children, that's enough!"
Her mother shook her head. "They are fine dear." She gave a weak smile. Turning to her eldest daughter, she put her hand over hers. "Your father told me the excellent news about you and Dr. Blomefield."
Winifred smiled sheepishly.
"We can start preparing for the wedding, but I have spoken to your father and Dr. White, and we have decided to wait until you eighteenth birthday, for now." She smiled. "I would love to see you in one of those dresses and the vicar's son is a very educated man, although, I wish he would spare me his animal treatment stories." She gave a soft chuckle. "Has he given you any news on Beauty?"
"My dear, I told you not to fret over that, it will make you worse." Gordon said squeezing her hand.
"I can handle emotions my dear." She said raising her eyebrow as she turned back to her daughter.
"He just has a fever and he will be well soon. He is getting better."
Her mother smiled as her father nodded approvingly of keeping it brief and light.
"I am going to go ask Sir John on how he is. Maybe if his fever has come down I can finally see him." With a pat on her hand from her mother she started to walk towards the stables.
As Winifred was walking she saw Sir John along with Joe's father. Joe's father had every trait of Joe, he did a well job painting his son to his image. It was like looking at an older Joe, every trait identical, down to his brown straw like hair.
They were speaking to each other to which she could not help but to listen. They passed directly in front of her but they were very into their conversation to take note of her. She followed close enough behind them to listen.
"I wish John, you'd say a bit of a kind word to Joe. The boy is quite broken-hearted; he can't eat his meals and he can't smile. He says he knows it was all his fault, though he is sure he did the best he knew, and he says if Beauty dies no one will ever speak to him again. I, my self, have been very hard on the boy. It goes to my heart to hear him. I think you might give him just a word; he is not a bad boy.
John stood quiet for a moment before he turned to Tom speaking slowly. "You must not be too hard upon me, Tom. I know he meant no harm, I never said he did I know he is not a bad boy. But you see he is the pride of my heart and the favorite of Squire Gordon and his mistress. Seeing him suffer and losing his life in this matter is not something I can bare, but.." He exhaled loudly. "If you think I am hard on the boy I will try to give him a good word… that is… if Beauty is better."
Joe's father looked relieved. "Thank you John. I knew you did not wish to be too hard, and I am glad you see it was only ignorance.
John's voice made Winifred jump up and gasp. "Only ignorance! Only ignorance! How can you talk about only—" He paused as he both men turned. "Miss Winifred."
Winifred stood still feeling her face burn up.
"That is called eavesdropping Miss."
"I apologize Sir John, but I could not help it. I was just afraid Joe's father was here to take Joe away since I know you are really angry at him. I just wish you would forgive him; Joe has gone every day to the stables. He cares a lot about Beauty. I apologize again for my eavesdropping." With that Winifred walked away in the other direction.
Tom looked at Winifred and then turned to John. "I can see why my son fancies her. You should see his eyes every time he sees her pass by."
"I told Joe to mind his matters and keep his distance."
"Well you can not blame the boy. He is growing up and Winifred is a lovely lady. I raised my boy well, he knows to respect, but do not be so hard on him for noticing. It is only natural."
John shook his head. "Tom, we were fourteen before and you know better than I, that looking is the first step."
Tom chuckled. "Right, John, how about we go inside and see what Old Lady Senaida cooked today."
Joe was brushing his thumb under Beauty's eye pleading as he did every day for Beauty's health to get better. Beauty's fever had finally come down and Ginger and Merrylegs were put back in their original stables. Beauty though was still sick, lying down and remaining as still as can be. He brushed his hand all the way down to Beauty's long neck admiring its clean shiny black coat. Beauty started breathing loudly through his nostrils and the breathing quickened.
Joe watched in awe as Beauty picked himself up standing strong. A smile came across his face as he watched the beautiful mare. Placing his hand on Beauty's nose and back he said joyfully. "Beauty…"
Beauty started to neigh happily bobbing his head merrily. Joe heard the stomping of the other horses. He saw as Merrylegs try to stretch his pretty little head to see as his nostrils flared. As Joe watched at the celebration of his hose, he felt Ginger nudge. He caressed Ginger's nose smiling before turning his attention to Black Beauty.
Reaching out to touch his neck, he caressed it before hugging him. Beauty neighed softly, almost like a purring cat. Pulling away one person came to his mind. "Winnie…"
Pulling away, he ran out closing the stable behind him. He had to tell her the good news. Racing out he noticed Winifred walking. "Winnie! Winnie!"
Winifred hearing Joe started to race to him fearing the worst. When Joe reached her he held her tightly in an embrace picking up. Spinning her slightly he brought her down.
"Joe! Are you mad, what happened?"
"Beauty, he's well. Beauty is better! He just stood up! Winnie, he is no longer sick!" Placing his hand on her side of her cheeks he planted a kiss on her lips. Winifred blinked taken aback by the kiss. She did not expect that to happen.
Joe broke the kiss quickly before racing off yelling at his Uncle even though he had no idea where he was. "Uncle John! Uncle John! Come and see Black Beauty!"
Realizing what happened, Winifred's eyebrows lowered. Who did he think he was! How can he just go up to her and kiss her that way! Had he no respect? Fuming, she told herself that he will hear from her later. Reaching the stables she saw Ginger and Black Beauty caressing and nudging their noses as they neighed lovingly.
"Oh for the love of Michael!" She turned around angry deciding to head home.