[Prompt 16]

“Easy, ho.” I said gently as I finished working on Andunë’s tack. The stubborn filly insisted on being freed, but that wasn’t an option with how fast the storm’s were rolling in. 

“Ta’ra, you and Andunë ready to go or what?” Zuko asked, his tone impatient, his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes rolling. I’d bet him and Andunë would get along well if he ever gave her a chance. He always insisted he got the better twin. I don’t think so though, Andunë is definitely faster and has more stamina than Kaiidth.

“Almost.” I grunted, fixing the last piece of leather on her saddle. Andunë was a powerful girl, and quite stubborn for only being four. Her beautiful blue eyes matched with her brother’s, Kaildth who was unfortunately, or fortunately ridden by Zuko, my best friend. 

“Let’s go, storms moving in fast and we need to race through it.” Zuko nodded as I looked around. Everyone was packing up all our tents. We wouldn’t stop for a proper rest for days, the only rest we’d get is in the back of a caravan. The horses would have less rest than us, and be expected to move nearly constantly the entire time. It wasn’t like we’ve never done this before, I’ve been on the move with Zuko, Andunë, and Kaildth for the better part of two years, though at that time Andunë and Kaildth weren’t ridden by anyone. 

I walked Andunë, holding the leather that made her reins tightly as Zuko did the same with Kaildth. These two were known for racing off before the rest of the group without riders. 

The dark grey storm clouds contrasted the bright coastal land. I slipped on my thick gloves, my hands still having calluses from the last time I’d forgotten. 

“Ready?” I asked as we walked towards the front of the group. 

“More than ever.” Zuko said as he paused to hop onto Kaildth. I did the same, turning Andunë around enough to throw my weight on her back. I settled into the comfortable seat of the saddle. It won’t be comfortable for long. 

We took off in the middle of the group, Andunë and Kaildth racing each other as per usual. Zuko whooped as we gained speed, entering the front of the group. These two horses were some of the strongest we’ve had in years. The sound of their hoofbeats striking the ground again and again as both of them raced. All I could do was stand in my seat, putting all my weight into my stirrups as the two kept going. 

It didn’t take long for us to pass most of the front. The only few in front of us now were the generals, their horses somehow faster than Andunë and Kaildth combined. 

I sighed as Andunë found a steady pace, no longer working to race her brother, instead keeping his pace. That’s not to say we weren’t going fast, we were still galloping across the plains getting closer and closer to the storm, but we weren’t going at their top speed which was swell. 

This is what happens when Andunë and Kaildth don’t run a marathon every day, we end up with two strong horses who have too much energy to spare. It must have been at least an hour of going nonstop before Andunë finally began to slow down. She moved into a canter, finally allowing me to sit in the saddle again. 

The saddle was comfortable, similar to an endurance saddle, but made by hand by my grandfather as a gift. The saddle fit Andunë perfectly, and provided the most comfort for me on our long rides. Her bridle had a soft noseband, and was bitless. She seemed to enjoy this bridle more than the others I had tried with her. 

Andunë slowed down even more after another hour or two. She was finally settling back into the middle of the group, where we belonged. By now it had begun raining, and the storm was only going to get worse. The elders decided to go through the storm, instead of around, to save time. We had to be in Gantrick by tomorrow’s sunset. 

I slowed Andunë down even more, might as well take a break in the back since she’s already run herself out. In a while, we’ll probably stop for a quick hour or two to let the horses relax.

“Anton!” I called, trotting beside a caravan. 

“Ta’ra, hey, you guys need a break?” Anton asked, peaking out of the caravan.

“Yeah.” I said, steading our pace as I kicked off my stirrups and reached for the rope to attach to Andunë. The rope clipped onto her bridle with a click. “Easy girl.” I whispered as I stood on the saddle and jumped off of her back, rolling into the back of the caravan. 

“You good?” Anton asked as the caravan kept moving, not even slowing down a touch.

“All good!” I called back, finding a sleeping bag already prepared for me. “Thanks.” I smiled even though he couldn’t see me, and layed down.

“Change first.” Anton grunted. I sighed and pushed myself up, finding a clean set of sleeping clothes, and quickly changing before laying back down. 

The sleeping bag was wet, which was entirely my fault but oh well. I drifted off to a light sleep, the sounds of hooves hitting the ground filled the caravan. 

I woke up shivering from the cold and wetness of my sleeping bag. “Anton?” I groaned, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. We were still moving, that was a good sign.

“You might want to wait a bit before you go back out.” Anton said. “Come out here and look.” He instructed me. Reluctantly I pushed myself out of the sleeping bag, and opened the curtains, revealing the outdoors. 

“Fuck.” I whispered. Snow fell on the ground. “Doesn’t look like we’ll be making it to Gantrick on time.” I sighed. “How long was I out for anyway?” I asked while wiping a bunch of snow with my sleeve. Although the path in front of us wasn’t covered in snow, that was only thanks to the riders riding ahead of us. 

“A good six hours.” Anton chuckled. “I think you really needed that. Anyway, letters came. I think mom and dad sent you one if you want to open it.” He nodded to inside the caravan. 

Mom and dad lived in Gantrick, they were part of a large population who decided to settle down instead of moving around constantly. I couldn’t say I blamed them, but it was so much fun constantly being on the move. It wasn’t like we had to worry about much either since we were in a big group, everyone helped everyone. 

I retreated back into the safety of the caravan. I shivered as I wiggled out of my cold wet clothes, into thick, dry, warmer ones. Once I was changed into fresh clothes, I hopped to the table where a lone letter laid. I picked it up, swiftly opening it and pulling out the paper. 

“Anton?” I called, dizzily making my way to where Anton was in the front of the caravan.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, keeping his eyes on the road. 

“Look, look at the letter.” I stuttered, shoving the letter into his hands. His posture went rigid as he scanned the letter.

“Ta’ra, get on Andunë, and the letter to–” He started.

“The head. I know.” I said, snatching the letter and stuffing it safely into my pocket before racing through the moving caravan to where Andunë was hitched up.

“Come on girl.” I called, taking longer than I’d like to undo the clip with my hands stuffed in gloves. 

Once the clip finally fell from her bridle, I steadied myself and hopped onto her back. The moment I was safely on her back, she took off, only taking directions from me. 

We raced from nearly the back of the pack, up to the front. 

“Do you know where the head is?” I shouted to Zuko. 

“Up, very front.” Zuko shouted back from Kaildth’s back. It was almost as if Zuko could sense it was important, so as me and Andunë raced forward, Zuko and Kaildth also raced forward. 

It took forever to locate the Head, for some reason he was running by himself instead of being surrounded by his soldiers. 

“Sir!” I called. I saw his head whip around, and as we got closer he slowed down to allow us to catch up.

“Ta’ra, Zuko.” He greeted us, a large smile plastered on his face. “Is there something you two need?” Worry lines creased his face as he stared at us.

“Yes. My parents sent a letter from Gantrick.” I shouted over the wind. Zuko’s eyes stared me down. “There is a war, it's not safe.” I shouted again. 

The Head, as he is referred to, whipped around. “May I see the letter, child?” He asked, worry saturated his deep blue eyes. 

“Yes.” I croaked, nodding. 

“Follow me.” He sighed, swifting his direction leftward. We galloped away from the pack moving behind us, maybe so we wouldn’t get trampled, and into new territory, our horses drilling a path into the snow. 

Eventually, the Head stopped, and we all dismounted. 

“May I see?” He asked as I dug my hands into my deep pockets, pulling out the letter. I carefully handed it over to him, and as he opened it I could see the worry in his face turn to despair. His wife is still in Gantrick. “Okay.” He sighed. “May I keep the letter to show the others?” He asked. I nodded, honestly I wanted nothing to do with that letter.

As we turned to grab our horses, Andunë, Kaildth, and his horse were all rolling in the snow. 

“Are they trying to make snow angels?” Zuko chuckled. 

“Maybe.” I laughed, even the Head joined in. It was a light hearted moment. One of the few that would happen for the foreseeable future.

Andunë tried to flip over, the soft tack being squished. The tack was made for this exact reason. It’s strong enough to hold us, but flexible and soft enough not to harm the horse if they roll. 

Eventually Andunë, Kaildth, and the Head’s horse got up, and we remounted. Fear soaked into my veins as I realized what this would probably mean.