Up We Go

Gwen stood next to Uiscefhuaraithe and regarded the facilities around her. She still wasn’t entirely sure how she wound up at the Anniversary Showcase for Loshenka, let alone why she’d responded to the invitation. Sure, she had several Loshenka now, but she wasn’t sure how that had happened either. 

The blueberry mare beside her tossed her head, attempting to get Gwen’s attention. 

Gwen reached up, wordlessly petting the mare’s black and pink nose, the pink lining up with where the mare’s jagged white marking touched their skin. The mare’s blue eyes watched her questioningly, nibbling gently at the fae’s fingers. 

Finally, Gwen relented and pulled a sugar cube from her pocket, looking around at the not quite spring of the area around here. There was still snow on the mountains and the flowers weren’t quite ready to come out, but the land was beginning to turn green again. Faint glimmers of fresh green growth were beginning to show through the last remnants of the quick melting snow. “It’s pretty here, huh, Uiscefhauraithe.” 

Uiscefhauraithe tossed her head again, the jagged white of the sabino marking flashing in the sunlight. 

“So, are you ready to climb the mountain?” Gwen chuckled, pushing the mare’s nose away gently as the horse nibbled on her blue tunic in an effort to get at the treats still in the pocket. She looked up at the mountains not far from where they were supposed to start. “Am I ready to climb the mountain?” 

The trail was the one part of the competition she wasn’t certain about. The halter and liberty were mostly just letting Uiscefhauraithe show off. The mare was pretty enough and experienced enough to make it look easy. Gwen just had to stand by and hold onto a lead, or just stand back. This part she had to actually have some clue what she was doing, and she wasn’t entirely sure she did. 

She could ride well enough, sure. And she could read a map and use a compass. She’d just never had to do so for something like this. It was probably just nerves and she’d be fine, but horse shows weren’t something she’d ever intended for her life and she didn’t want to embrace the experienced horse she was riding. 

Uiscefhauraithe seemed to pick up on some of this and nuzzled Gwen gently before acting like she was going to chew on her tack. 

“Right, I guess I should check that.” Gwen chuckled and made sure the saddle was secure and comfortable and everything was as it should be. Though she paused for a moment to brush at the white markings on Uiscefhauraithe’s stomach. They stood out against the blueberry of the mare’s coat just like clouds against the sky. 

There were two other horses and riders with her, as well as a guide who was there to make sure they were safe along the trail and that they didn’t end up getting lost because they couldn’t navigate the path between the objectives. She was pretty sure that wouldn’t be needed as the other riders seemed at least as skilled if not more skilled than her, but the weather at the end of winter could be unpredictable and it would grow colder as they climbed. The last thing anyone wanted was a surprise snowstorm getting in the way of the competition. 

“Let’s get going, it’s almost our turn to start!” One of the other riders called, shaking Gwen from her thoughts. 

Uiscefhauraithe nudged her, pushing the distracted fae in the direction she’d need to go to mount. “Yes, yes I get it. You’re excited about this, aren’t you?”

Uiscefhauraithe tossed her head as Gwen mounted, taking off after the others at a brisk pace without much direction from the fae riding her. 

“Well, I’m glad you know what you’re doing.” Gwen laughed as she double checked the map and compass were where she needed them before enjoying the last look she’d have at Fjellhov Stud until they reached higher along the trail. 

The early part of the trail seemed like spring was trying to break winter’s grasp. The air was cold but not bitingly so and the snow began to melt in the sun, though once they hit the shade the white still lingered. 

Uiscefhauraithe stepped lively as she followed the other horses, the mare clearly enjoying the weather as she traipsed the low hills before the mounting, occasionally stopping to nibble at a branch along the path. There wasn’t really any leaves left beyond a few very dry brown leaves left holding on from the fall, but she tried anyway. 

The first landmark was easy enough to find. It was a lovely spot next to the lake, a gazebo designed to look natural, almost like trees bent over to form a cover. Only the more delicate work on it really betrayed it as being man made. It overlooked the still frozen waters with a view Gwen would have stopped to enjoy had they not technically been competing to see who could manage the route fastest, though she made a note to come back at another time. 

One of the other riders seemed anxious to prove themselves and took the lead on the second part of the trail. Uiscefhauraithe seemed a bit annoyed at not being allowed up front, but the blueberry mare did little more than swish her curly tail in annoyance before following along at a slightly brisker pace. 

“You want to show off, don’t you?” Gwen murmured, patting Uiscefhauraithe's neck. “We’ll see about leading on the last part. Can’t have it be said we didn’t pull our weight now, can we?” 

The mare seemed pleased with that option, prancing slightly and showing off for the other horses and riders around her. 

The second leg of the trail wound into the woods, the snow growing thicker and the air colder as the sun disappeared behind overlapping branches. It was also steeper, though not enough to be a really hard trek. It was just enough to let you know you were leaving the foothills and entering the real mountains. 

Uiscefhauraithe balked as they entered the clearing for the second marker, a lovely cave in the lower parts of the reaches. The sun glinting off the crystals seemed to startle her, not that Gwen could blame her after the shade of the woods. 

Rather than fight with her, Gwen pulled her back into the shade and admired the cave from there as one of the other riders and mounts had their photo taken. The crystals were stunning. As a matter of fact, she’d never seen a location quite like it. And it was even better because they must have just arrived at the right time of day for the shards to reflect tiny rainbows along with white of the snow on the ground. 

Uiscefhauraithe must have felt the same way now that she wasn’t being blinded by the sudden glare, as the mare’s blue eyes seemed fixated on the pretty pattern of light in front of her. Though when it was time to leave, the mare left no doubt as to the fact she wanted to lead this time. 

The other riders agreed easily enough, the guide remaining out of the matter as their only role was to see to it the group made it out and back safe. 

Gwen double checked the compass and the map and turned the party towards the last checkpoint of the race. It wasn’t a long route, or even a particularly hard one. It was a solid level of challenge with some stunning winter scenery along the route. In many ways, she rather wished it wasn’t a race so she could enjoy the scenery more. 

The blueberry sabino mare she rode shared none of those wishes, and while the mare made no efforts to throw her daydreaming rider, she did set a brisk enough pace to jar Gwen out of her daydreams and back on task. The mare seemed to enjoy the once again steeper climb. The foothills were gone, and the easy lower track of the mountain was past, so it was onto the real climb up to the last marker. 

The air grew colder as they went further up the mountain, but Gwen didn’t mind, nor did Uiscefauraithe. There were a few complaints, or at least comments, from the other riders that suggested they should have brought warming gloves along, but otherwise the ride passed mostly in silence. The woods were now winter quiet, the early signs of spring not yet reaching the colder heights, and all of the group seemed hesitant to disrupt the calm. Even the horses’ hoofbeats were muffled by a layer of snow by the time they reached the last stop. 

Gwen felt Uiscefauraithe inhale sharply, not in fear but rather awe just a moment before Gwen did much the same. Laid out beneath them was a staggering view of Fjellhov Stud and the area it was nestled in at the foot of the mountain. It was almost as if someone had placed the stable to be as scenic as possible. 

The place seemed to be where spring was blooming from, the grass peeking through the snow melt just visible from their current spot. The stone fences and old buildings seemed like something out of a painting, though they were too far away for any real details to be seen. 

Someone must have taken their picture as they admired the view, as one of the other rides signaled they should head back. And it was with great reluctance that Gwen and Uiscefauraithe turned to do just that. Race or not, chances are both would have stayed to admire the view until fading light made the return trip just a little too dangerous. A sunset up here would have been spectacular. 

Gwen shook her thoughts free of the view and settled into the return ride. Uiscefauraithe was sure footed, but Gwen wouldn’t leave the horse to navigate the trail down without an attentive rider. 

When they reached the starting area once again, Gwen waited as they turned in the pictures and got their time before wishing the other riders and their guide a good day. She then dismounted Uiscefauraithe and started settling the mare in for a well earned rest. 

“Maybe we’ll go up there on our own before we leave, huh, Uiscefauraithe?” Gwen asked as she brushed out the blue colored coat. 

Uiscefauraithe nodded before turning back to Gwen and pressing against her affectionately. The moment didn’t last all that long though as the mare soon started fishing for a sugar cube. Gwen gave her one, laughing. “All things considered, win or lose, I’m glad we ended up here.”