Ebony and Gold (Loki fanfic/prequel)

Chapter 1

Keya pulled her brown hair into a high ponytail and grabbed the horse feed. She scooped two scoop-fulls of the green and grey pellets into each bin. The horses walked up and sniffed it before they stuck their noses into the bin and shoveled it in.

She put the empty bucket by the other buckets that needed cleansing and walked around to the sides of the barn and opened the outer door so the horses could enter the pasture. When they all finished eating, one by one exited the barn and began to graze on the ever-green grass. She walked around and back into the barn and checked all the stalls to make sure they were empty.

"Good morning, m'lady. How are the horses?" A young, red-haired man said as he decended from the upper level where the stable hands sleep.

"They are all fine and in the pasture, as per always. How did you sleep last night, Aydin?" Keya asked him as he rolled up his sleeves and picked up a pitchfork.

"Just as good as always. These beds are actually comfortable to this man." He said with a grin as he began to take out the dirty hay.

"Good. Because after you replace the hay, I need you to get some more horseshoes from the blacksmith." She told him as she began to wash the buckets.

"Here, ma'm, let me wash those." Another man gently took the bucket from her. Keya backed up and let him take over.

"If you wish, thank you, Bjaldgor." She dried her hands on her dress and began to open the other stall doors for Aydin.

"Don't worry about doing that, m'lady. I'll take care of it." Aydin said as he forked clean hay into another stall.

"If you boys keep doing everything, then I won't have anything to do." She joked as she looked out towards the pasture. She saw a man, Fandral, walk out to his horse, Karna, a brown and white tobiano paint. She saw him pull a carrot from a small bag and feed it to her. She nuzzled the bag, wanting another. Keya walked out of the barn and towards the two. Karna saw her comming, and trotted over to her.

"She likes you more than I." Fandral said as he walked up to them.

"Well, animals in general tend to like the one that feeds them and cares for them than their actual owners." Keya said as she stroked the young paint's white and brown mane.

"I try to visit her everyday, if not ride her often."

"She does like you a lot, and is pleased that you are her owner, but she likes me more."

"So, is now a good time to ride her?" Fandral asked.

"The saddles are about to be cleaned, but if you can ride bareback, then feel free." Keya smiled at the blonde warrior and he returned her smile with a warm one of his own.

Fandral had always had an eye for the Goddess of Horses. She was humble, beautiful, and kind to all.

"I can ride bareback." He said as he stroked her strong neck. "Would you like to join me for a trot through the forrest?"

"I'd have to make sure that my stable-hands have jobs to do."

"I'll come with you." He insisted as she headed back to the stables.

"Ma'm, the stalls are all cleaned out. I'm heading to town for the horseshoes from the blacksmith. Is there anything else you need?" Aydin asked as he mounted his bay horse, Jacobi.

"More treats for the horses. We are low on strawberries and we need to put in an order because it's almost harvest season."

"Speaking of, ma'm. what are the plans for the harvest festival?" Bjaldgor asked.