Teaching Luke to ride

[shieldmaiden_rohan]

Since she had known him, Luke had wished to learn to ride.  She had asked him several times if he were sure, and if his guardians were sure.  Always had he said he was, and she had believed him, but he was too small by the standards of the stables.  She had been placed on a horse afore she was able to walk, but she knew that this was not common in other lands. 

Now, though, he had grown some, and so he was able to be taught.  She had selected the most gentle of ponies and had brought it out to the fence with the saddle and the bridle and the blanket for the pony's back.  She would teach him all aspects of riding and care, for it was not merely the sitting atop the horse that was important.  She smoothed her hand over the pony's back soothingly as she waited for her lytling to arrive. 

Comments

[ithastobeseven]

When they get there, Luke practically jumps out of the car.

Before at the house, he'd never been as crazy about horses as Nellie was, but here, without her, it feels weird that he's not hearing about them and learning about them all the time. And she'd never ever had the chance to ride a horse. Nellie'd never forgive him for not even trying it out. Maybe, even though he can't feel what she's thinking here, she'll be able to tell what it's like if -- when -- they see each other again.

Besides, ever since he met Eowyn he thinks he gets it. He loves hearing her stories and learning from her, and even if he started out only wanting to ride because Nellie would want to, the way she talks about horses makes him love them too. When he thinks about riding, that's what Luke likes to imagine, more than the jumping or shows Nellie sometimes reads about. Riding free and fast through long wild grass on a horse you know as well as yourself. Sometimes he likes to think about being a knight. Or sitting calm and cool on a horse like a real cowboy. Now that everyone agreed to let him, he's been excited for days beforehand, picking out the right things to wear and telling Saoirse all about it since she's learning to ride too. Or she's going to be, he's not sure if she started already.

Right now though, he slows down as he approaches, eyes wide as he looks up at the pony. He hasn't gotten close to a lot of horses, even though he's seen lots of them before.

"Hi Eowyn!" he greets her with an excited smile. "Wow. What's its name?"