Random Rainimator Stories

The Horse

This story is inspired by a dream I had from like 2-3 years ago. If Hilda's horse has a canonical name, then I don't care what it is.

This was meant to take place during/after You Can Do Better with the beginning scene intending to match that of Hilda, Patrick and the footsoldiers leaving the Far Plains in said episode but it's been changed to be after the battle in Gotta Get Outta Here. 

No horses were harmed in the creating of this story.

Silence decided to accompany Hilda after her battle. It stretched its weak limbs for miles, head at the far plains, feet at the Frostbourne Castle. It wasn't the first time silence had joined her side. Silence was an old friend, after all.

Silence had brought along friends too. Birds sang songs for the weary soldiers behind. The wind flew overhead, howling in Hilda's ears. Leaves rustled as the wind passed by, shivering in its presence. Rabbits ran across the terrain along with the soft patter of feet and horse hooves on grass. Green shifted to white, going from crunchy to soft. Hilda urged her horse to go faster. They were nearing home now.

Silence was leaving now. Hilda did not bid farewell as the castle's silhouette came into view. Hilda slowly led her horse to the gate, which began to open at the same pace. The soldiers followed behind and the guards bowed in Hilda's presence.

"Congratulations on your victory, Commander Hilda!" One of them exclaimed.
Hilda nodded in response, a tired but triumphant expression spreading on her face.

The gates were fully open now. Silence had finally left and in its place was sound. Sounds of people chatting, sounds of swords and shields clashing. Sounds of excited laughter from the young ones, sounds of sizzling food. Hilda breathed in the air as she trotted her horse past the gates, her face softening. It was good to be home.

Hilda led her horse to the edge of the frozen lake, a place away from people. She steered her horse around and looked at her fellow soldiers, who were slowly stopping in front of her. Some had their own horses. Most did not. Many were in good shape but Hilda knew everyone had left the battlefield with injury. Hilda certainly had. A bruise was beginning to form on her right eye, proof of her encounter with Hogsworth.

"Listen up, soldiers! Naeus may be dead but the Empire continues to fight and so shall we. We have fought long and hard these past weeks to protect the outpost from the Nether Empire and it has proven useful as today will go down in the history of the Frostbourne. We have won against the Empire today and we will continue to persevere. Death to the Nether Empire!"

There were definitely fewer soldiers than they started off with, but the cheers were still as loud. Hilda sighed before a tired smile crossed her face. She waited for the crowd to die down before speaking again.

"Now, my dear soldiers, let us rest after our well-deserved victory. We must prepare for our next fight and we must be in good shape to ensure triumph in this perilous war."

With that, everyone began to depart. Some headed for the medical wing, others towards the dining hall. A few retreated to the castle chambers, many lingered outside to catch up with friends.

Hilda looked down at her horse. He had a brilliant white coat which was currently adorned with fine golden armour. She gave her horse a gentle pat on the head and he perked his head, leaning into her touch.

"Come on, Grani. Let's take you to your stable."

Hilda chose the name Grani for her horse, a homage to Sigurd's steed from old Norse tales. Of course, there was another reason for naming her horse Grani, but nobody had figured it out yet. Grani was a gift from Patrick when she became the Frostbourne Shieldmaiden and she loved her horse dearly. He had never abandoned her and neither would she.