My Friend Loki: Strange Magic

Chapter 12

Just hang on, I told myself, keep following instructions...

However, the word 'whoa' did not work!

Attempting to give gentle direction to Doodlebug with my legs wasn't exactly working either. Then I thought about Loki's advice - if he was spooked by something, I'd be there and ride it out with him until he was okay...

Don't get me wrong, I was scared, but because I was already semi-comfortable with the pace of a lope, I was able to focus my mind a little a bit. I knew had to let Doodlebug run until she felt safe.

But where was she taking me? Thank goodness this area was flat!

I swear I could hear voices behind me, but I dared not turn my head to look, I had to hang on to the reins and focus on what was ahead.

But it was starting to get to be a little too much for me...

Then I heard a familiar voice call out my name...

"Beverlee, hang on!"

I risked a quick glance in the direction of where I heard the voice - sure enough, Loki had caught up beside me with Major.

"Keep going!" he advised. "I'll stay alongside, if she doesn't stop, I'll try plan B!"

Fear prevented me from talking and I tried to nod, but with the motion of the horse, it was hard to do. To acknowledge, I quickly lifted one of my hands that already had the thumb up - thanks to Sara's instructions.

But despite the fear, I now had a sense of renewed hope and felt that my chances of getting out of this in one piece just doubled.

It had been another minute, or least felt like it, and Doodlebug still had not stopped. How long would Loki wait before implementing his 'Plan B', I wondered.  But I trusted when the time came, he would do what was needed.

In the distance, an area of open pasture came into view...

I began to have an inkling of what Loki was planning.

"Get ready for Plan B!" he called out to me.

Even with letting me know that he was going to make his move, there was no way I could prepare for it. I was doing everything I could do at this point - short of offering up a silent prayer... which I did.

Reaching the edge of the pasture, Loki propelled Major to overtake Doodlebug, then drove her into the area. Whether it was the feel of soft grass under her hooves or that she was tired from running - most probably a bit of both - Doodlebug finally slowed down then came to a stop.

My mind was a jumble. I wasn't sure what to do except breathe.

It was then I saw Loki dismount and walk over to Doodlebug. He looked at her face-to-face. Grasping part of her bridle, he gave it a careful tug, then said, "it's not your fault," he then stroked her muzzle. "Good girl... and thank you for not throwing my friend."

Sara soon arrived on the scene with Tanner. She dismounted, then walked over to me, "are you all right? How is Doodlebug?"

"I... I..." It was hard to talk as my brain was starting to process what had just happened to me.

"You see to Doodlebug," Loki said to Sara. "I'll tend to Beverlee."

Sara nodded.

Loki helped me dismount. Once my feet touched the ground, he immediately lifted me up in his arms, then carried me over to a nearby area of the pasture. He sat down cross-legged and held me on his lap. His arms enfolded around me in a warm hug.

"Are you hurt?" Loki whispered, with concern. "You were loping on that saddle for a long time..."

"I don't think so," I replied, feeling a blush to my cheeks. "But as for my muscles, I won't know the extent of that until later on in the day or tomorrow."