A Quiet Dream

Gwen stood near the fence watching the blueberry mare race across the grass. Uiscefhuaraithe’s sabino markings caught the sun in flickers of white as the mare chased a butterfly across the field and then got distracted by a scent of some kind on the wind. 

‘At least someone is in a good mood,’ Gwen thought as she started to walk along the fence and check for any damages the most recent storms may have caused. So far she’d been lucky, but that luck wouldn’t necessarily hold.  

She’d gotten about halfway around when Uiscefhauraithe caught up to her and nipped at the hem of her blue tunic, trying to get her attention. 

“What?” Gwen brushed at Uiscefhauraithe’s blueberry coat, paying extra attention to the jagged white sabino marking on the mare’s nose. She knew that was one of her favorite spots to have scratched. “If you’re looking for a treat, you’re in luck. I brought a few extra sugar cubes today.” Gwen slipped one from her pocket and held it where the mare could get it.

She was just about to turn back to her work when Uiscefhauraithe moved into her way, blue eyes watching her with the horse’s equivalent of concern. The mare headbutted her gently, nudging her away from the fence.

“I have work to do, Uisce.” Gwen smiled trying to get around the mare, but she once again found herself blocked as Uiscefhauraithe gently pawed the ground with her hoof, her white marked front leg getting flecked with dirt.

“Okay, okay.” Gwen chuckled, once again giving attention to the mare. “But I can’t do this all day.” 

Uiscefhauraithe seemed to disagree, gently pushing Gwen towards a spot on the fence. It took the fae a moment to realize the blueberry sabino horse wanted to go for a ride, but once she did she shook her head. “I can’t. I have work to do.”

Uiscefhauraithe gave her a look that was almost scolding, her blue eyes regarding Gwen pointedly.

“Look, I don’t need you telling me I need a break too!” Gwen tried to shove Uiscefhauraithe back towards the field, but the horse dug in their hooves.

After a few failed attempts, Gwen threw her hands up. “Okay! Fine! You win. We can go for a ride.” 

Uiscefhauraithe seemed happy with this, maneuvering themselves so it was easier for Gwen to mount without giving the fae room to escape. Her blue colored tail swished away whatever flies it could reach without hitting Gwen, even as the fae stepped up on the fence rails and swung her leg over Uicefhauraithe’s back. She wasn’t the greatest bareback rider, but she could manage and she didn’t suspect the blueberry sabino mare would give her too much of a fight. If anything, Uiscefhauraithe was probably her easiest horse to handle. The others weren’t hellions, but they all had their quirks. Uiscefhauraithe was just gentle. 

Uiscefhauraithe apparently had a few ideas about where they were going, because as soon as Gwen was settled the mare backed away from the fence, got a running start, and jumped the fence into the open ground beyond.

Uiscefhauraithe paused only long enough to make sure Gwen was still comfortably seated before taking back off at a gentle lope along the field and into the woods. There were several paths now that were big enough for a horse and rider to comfortably navigate them, and Gwen tried to keep them clear as she wasn’t overly fond of wild rides. She’d still get them from time to time, but she had a feeling she couldn’t avoid that.

This time the trail was a little more lively than usual as there were parts of the trail she hadn’t gotten around to clearing. Fortunately Uiscefhauraithe was a skilled mount who needed little guidance. The first down tree they were jumping over almost before Gwen realized it was there. It was probably a good thing Uicefhauraithe was paying attention, because clearly Gwen wasn’t. There were far too many other things on her mind just now. Her son, the rest of her family, and the chaos that seemed to dominate her life most days leaving her with little time for quiet.

The woods rushed by, sunlight filtering through the leaves and casting lace shadows on the trail. Uiscefhauraithe white stockinged front legs kept catching glints of sunlight that Gwen might have found beautiful on another day, but for the moment she found she was lost in her own thoughts. The mare could take her wherever she wished at this point and Gwen would trust her judgement. It was, perhaps, the first chance at quiet she’d had in weeks. Perhaps longer, really. 

It wasn’t until they were spilling into a clearing with one of Gwen’s favorite springs that she realized where it was her lovely blueberry horse was bringing her. Uiscefauraithe stopped at the edge of a rocky, springfed pool in the middle of a green filled clearing and tossed her head, glancing back at the fae as best she could with her clear blue eyes.

Gwen dismounted as Uiscefhauraithe stopped and tossed her head, clearly telling Gwen to get off. The fae landed a little more heavily than intended, her muscles tired from the ride. Far more so than they should have been given the ease of the ride and the fact it truly wasn’t that long.

Uicefhauraithe moved closer, letting Gwen rest her head against her side for a time, the fae’s fingers tracing the jagged edges of the white sabino pattern. Though eventually the mare swatted Gwen gently with her blue curly tail, nudging the fae towards the pool of cool spring water. 

Gwen chuckled and drifted towards the water, Uiscefhauraithe following behind leisurely. The fae dipped her toe into the water, enjoying the cool and quiet of just that little moment. Uiscefhauraithe lowered her head to take a drink, the ripples from the water reflected in clear blue eyes as Gwen lowered herself the rest of the way into the spring.

“You’re right, I needed this.” Gwen reached up, gently stroking Uicefhauraithe’s nose for a moment as the mare knelt and then folded her legs under her, laying near Gwen and occasionally sniffing at the fae’s hair or otherwise just letting her know she was there as Gwen quietly drifted off to sleep to the first quiet dreams she’d had in weeks.