Faith

Chapter 27: Welcome Home

(Photo isn't mind)

       The next morning we were up early. I guess they wanted an early start since the herd was a few miles away. Miraculum sat by the fence while Myla brushed out my coat. "You ready to see your herd again?" Myla sounded excited. If only I could tell her some how. I just nickered in response to her while Miraculum seemed to notice a change in me. "You seem upset, what's wrong" she asked as she walked over to me. I lowered my head to Miraculum's level as I answered. "Nothing, just found some answers to some questions I've had for years" I sighed. Miraculum was about to ask what I meant by that when I lifted my head and allowed Myla to slip on the bit less bridle. Eric put a bridle on Sparrow when he was finished brushing him before he lead him out of the paddock. "Think it would be safe to bring Miraculum" Myla asked as she lead me out of the paddock and looked at Eric. "Well, as long as she stays close I don't see a problem with it" he answered but I was curious as to how she would keep up with us. It's quite a ways from here and I don't think even Miraculum and keep up with us for that long. "But how do you plan on her keeping up?" Phew, Eric asked the question I was asking myself. Myla was thinking about that before she had an idea pop into mind. "Hand her up to me once I get on please" she asked before she started to hoist herself up on my back. Eric raised his brow as he gently picked Miraculum up and handed her to Myla who took her and laid her on my back in front of her as if Miraculum were a dead buck. I looked at her as she looked like she want to jump off. "Umm, I think I'd rather walk" she whined as she looked at Myla who just held her down so she wouldn't slip off. "That's new" Sparrow said as he looked at Miraculum who snarled in annoyance. "Well come on, let's go" Myla shouted before she clicked her tongue and had me start to lope. She gave me free rein since I knew where we were going. I looked behind us to see Sparrow following at a lope close behind. "You doing good Miraculum" I asked glancing at her. "I'm peachie" she huffed. Sparrow and I both laughed before we continued.

We ran for a while till I slowed to a walk when I caught the familiar scent of our herd boundaries. "Everyone, welcome to my home land" I whinnied as we continued. "It's beautiful" Sparrow sighed as he looked around. "Can I get off now" Miraculum asked. I giggled before I nodded. "The here isn't too far ahead" I nickered as Miraculum already jumped down. "Finally" she barked wagging her tail. "Am I that bad of a ride" I joked. "Only if the rider feels like a hunted deer" she said before all three of us laughed. We continued to walk for a while before I stopped and smelled the air. Sparrow gave me with a concerned look. "What's wrong?" I was silent for a while but I stayed silent for a while. "They know we're here" I stated. Miraculum stayed extra close to me as I continued further. A harsh scream of a neigh pierced the air and made us all stop in our tracks. That neigh was all too familiar to me. "Father" I snorted pinning my ears as I watched the black stallion rear and glare at us. I felt Myla grow nervous as she watched my father who seemed upset that I was home. "So your home" he snorted as he walked over his head high in pride. "Yes" I answered with my ears pinned flat against my head. He looked at Myla and Eric before snorting again and stomping the ground. "You brought humans." His voice had a hint of disgust that made me wanna kick him. "These humans are my family" I argued in their defense. Father was a bit surprised but he quickly took a daring step closer. "Get out of here, your not welcome" he snorted. "I thought you'd be happy to see me father, besides, this is my home" I snorted as I started walking closer but kept him out of reach of hurting Myla. "You can't bring those humans into the territory, continue any further and I will not hesitate to fight you" he threatened. I rolled my eyes. "Oh I'm so scared" I said sarcastically. "You've threatened me my whole life dad! I only came to say hello to my brother who I'm not guessing in the leader" I snorted. He was shocked and I continued. The others followed me close behind and kept an eye on my father as we walked past.

I stoped at the hill where I could see the entire herd that was pretty small now. I feared and let out a loud neigh, announcing my arrival to everyone. All of their heads shot up and all you would hear were snorts and insults but I didn't care. I scanned the herd looking for one horse in particular. I didn't see him though but I saw this unfamiliar mare who seem surprised to see me. She was a pretty buckskin paint and from what I could tell she seemed new. While everyone ignored my presence, this one mare walked over to me with her ears perked curiously. I stood tall and proud and she lowered her head in respect when she neared me. "Hello, I'm Sunflower" she softly nickered. I bowed my head back to her and we raised our heads at the same time. "I'm Imani" I nickered. Sunflower's eyes widened at the mention of my name. "Y-your... Flash is going to be so happy your home" She neighed as she pranced in place a little. "You know my brother?" She quickly nodded as her eyes were bright. "Of course. He's my mate" she said before she looked to the left and let out a loud neigh to I'm guess call Flash back to the herd. "Mate? Wow, didn't think he had it in him to find one" I chuckled. She smiled as she turned back to me. "He's a very sweet stallion" she trailed off as she seemed to blush when she looked to the ground and brushed it with her left hoof. "He sure is" I sighed. I felt Myla slide off my back and look at Sunflower who looked at her and backed away. "It's ok, she's not like the other humans" I nickered. Sunflower looked at me before she walked closer to her and sniffed Myla. Myla had a huge smile on her face as she gently and slowly placed a hand on the beautiful mares face. My attention turned to the white blur coming to us and I instantly knew who that was. I neighed happily before I took off towards Flash leaving Myla where she was. Me and Flash quickly came to a stop close to each other before he wrapped his head around my neck in a hug. "I thought I'd never see you again" he sobbed. I hugged him back as I felt a tear run down my face. "I've missed you so much" I said before I backed out of the hug. "H-how did you get back?! Where were you?" He asked so many other questions that I only answered the first two. "Well, I was in Texas with new family and I got back with their help" I chuckled before I motioned for him to follow me as I started walking back to where I left everyone. Flash was a bit hesitant to come close but he followed closely. "Flash, this is my other family" I nickered looked at them all. "The two humans are Myla and Eric, that's Miraculum" I said gesturing towards her as she sat down by Sparrows front hoof and wagged her tail. "And last but not least, Sparrow" I finished and Sparrow lowered his head in a bow. "A pleasure to meet you" he said and Flash returned the bow. "Thank you so much" he said looking at Miraculum and Sparrow before he turned to Myla who stood by Sunflower. He slowly walked over to Flash and nuzzled her before he walked over to Sunflower and nuzzled her. "So I hear Sunflower is your mate" I teased. Flash smiled a little as he nodded. "Yup, and I'm guessing you two have already met" he nickered and both me and Sunflower nodded. "Anyway, now that your home the title of herd leader belongs to you" Flash said with a smile as he bowed his head. I perked my ears in shock. "What? But that's your title now" I nickered only to have Flash shake his head. "I protected the herd while you where gone. The title of leader belongs to the first born" he gestured to me with his ears perked. I was about to explain why I shouldn't hold that title when a harsh neigh was let into the air by my angry and tearing father. "You can't just give that title away Flash" he snorted as he landed and stomped over. "You are leader of this herd now! You can't give that title away" he snorted. Flash pinned his ears as he took a step closer to dad. "As leader of the herd I can do what I Please and that is give the title to the rightful heir" he protested. Father was about to speak when I stepped in. "And besides! You have no right to tell him what he can't and can do! You may be our father but you were never a true father! Never one that would let the herd treat their mate and the leaders daughter like trash! All because she was a tamed horse" I neighed as I kept stepping closer causing him to back away. Flash was stunned at what I said. "Besides, the title is rightfully mine and if he wishes to give that title to me I will gladly take it" I snorted pinning my ears. Dad was shocked but he backed away and backed down.

      I thought we were going to get into an all out fight but I guess due to his old age he backed down so he would not be injured. I turned to Flash who's eyes were wide open. "That's why" he asked sounding like he was just struck by lightning. I nodded. "I found out from one of moms friends, the herd hated me just because I looked like my mother" I snorted, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Just because someone may be born in captivity doesn't mean they have a wild spirit" I added and I heard the herd murmuring with each other.

        Everyone fell silent before I snorted in my fathers face and turned to walk back to Myla who seemed to be trying not to break down in tears. "Well, your home now girl" she sighed. I knew exactly what she meant by what she was saying. I gently nuzzled her and she kissed my forehead. I looked at the herd who had what looked like guilty expressions on their face than Flash and Sunflower's faces. I was being given the chance to be free but I didn't want to loose the family that loved me. I felt her take off the bridle and watched as she placed it on a nearby tree before she came back. I lowered my ears as she stroked my face and backed away. I watched as Eric dismounted Sparrow and put his bridle by mine. They were both letting us go? Sparrow poked at Eric with a confused and sad expression on his face before he nuzzled him. I heard Miraculum whine before I lowered my head to her and nuzzled her as she licked my face. I loved being home but being without them was going to be hard. I watched Them with sorrow in my eyes. A thought came into mind and I quickly neighed to the herd. They responded with a neigh as well before they got ready to run. I nudged Myla towards my back until she got on. Sparrow did the same and I turned to Flash. "Ready for a run brother" I asked with a smile. He nodded and him and Sunflower got ready to run. If I could do one last thing for Myla and Eric before they leave, it's give them one last amazing ride through the prairie of Mexico. "You wanna ride or run" I asked as I looked at Miraculum. "I'll run" she said with a wag of her tail. "Alright, let's run" I neighed before starting and leading the herd at a gallop. Sparrow followed at my side with Flash and Sunflower close behind. Surprisingly Miraculum kept up with us and ran between me and Sparrow. The rest of the herd followed behind Flash and Sunflower. We ran and ran to our hearts content as Myla and Eric enjoyed the ride.

       
        We ran for what felt like an hour till I had the herd come to a stop close to Kara's house. This land was unclaimed so I could have it claimed for the herd. I let out a happy and soft neigh letting the herd know that they can graze close by and they ran over to a very wide open field. Me, Sparrow, and Miraculum ran all the way to the house and came to a stop. Myla slid off my back as Eric slid off Sparrows. Miraculum panted as she was out of breath and I found it kind of funny but I had to hold back the laugh. Flash trotted over and stood beside me. "Are we claiming this land" he asked with what sounded like a happy and hopeful voice. "We are" i answered and he started back to the herd. "Oh and Flash" I called. He stopped and turned around with his ears perked. "If you would like, I would like you to be the bachelor stallion" I suggested with my ears perked. Flash was shocked but he smiled brightly. "I would love to sis" he answered and bowed his head before returning to the herd. I turned to look at Myla who had a huge smile. I think she now knows she can come visit any time since her, Miraculum and Eric are now a part of this herd. I looked at Sparrow with a soft smile as I nuzzled him. "If you choose to say, the herd needs a lead stallion as well as lead mare" I said. Sparrow was a little stunned at the suggestion. "Are you saying..." he trailed off. What he really was asking was if I chose him as my mate. A lead stallion and mare were always mates and I choose Sparrow. He's kind, strong, loyal, and brave. He will make a perfect lead stallion. I nodded to answer his unspoken question and he smiled as he hugged me. "I promise to protect us" he said. I had everything I could want. A mate who loves me, a herd, my freedom, but most importantly, I have a loving family.

       After a while of settling in, Canción had met some of the herd members and was let out of the small paddock to graze with us. Flash and his mate grazed side by side. Me, I was running side by side with Sparrow as we carried Myla and Eric on our backs. We ran to our hearts content and into the sunset.