SoulHorse

She stroked the black mane of her Friesian warhorse. They lay in the green field, her head resting on his strong body, his curly black mane blowing in the wind. She felt safe and loved. No one understood the bond the two of them shared. She had always joked with her family that he was her soul mate in equine form.

This was knowledge that she kept secret. She knew his secret. As much as she had wanted to reveal it, she knew it would mean losing him forever; horse form or another. She wasn't really sure where this knowledge had come from, in dreams, she supposed. But the dreams were more of a reality to her than the waking world.

He came to her each night. She would climb off his back after a midnight ride and lead him to the stables. He would lay down and allow her to sleep beside his warm body. That was when the dreams first started. When she slept in the stables with him. He looked nothing like she had imagined he would and yet she knew. His hair was raven wing black, it was long, a mane of careless curls like his horse mane. His eyes were the eyes she lost herself in, waking and asleep. Passionate, intelligent, his body taut and firm, like was evidenced of his flank in horse form.
"Tell me your name. Please I need to know. Who are you?"
"You know who I am, you have always known." This was the only answer he gave her for months
"I awake and you are gone with my dreaming. When will I find you?”
"You already have. Look into my eyes." She did and she was stunned by the realization that she did indeed know him. "We are not meant in this lifetime to enjoy the physical love we crave. It would be unnatural." She burrowed against his hard chest. He stroked her hair back.
"I need you." She begged.
"You have me." He replied. "We can only be together in dreams, be content with that."
"Because in the real world you are only…" She began. He finished with a strong embrace,
"I am just your horse.” She smiled at the silliness of it, but it never reached her eyes.
"You are not just my horse. You are my best friend and companion."
"I am. But don't depend on me solely. I am a mortal as you are and mortality can still find me." She put her finger up to his lip, replacing it with a kiss.
"Shh, no more words, please, I couldn't bear it, again."
"You remember?"
"Of course I do." He kissed her forehead.
"Sleep now."
"But I don't want you to go." He touched her cheek with feather light touches. He kissed each eyelid. "Rest my love." She did and he left her lying beside the horse. She nuzzled into the horse's mane and he nudged her head.
Her sister walked out of the house and found her in the stables. "Will you ever sleep in a bed again? It's been a long time Loryn, you have to let it go." Her sister said gently, helping her to her feet.
"When I am here with Storm, I can still feel him. It's as though Storm has his spirit inside."
"Storm was his horse, so it makes sense, but winter is coming. The stable is not warm enough. Come inside I’ll make us some tea.” Loryn agreed and followed her sister into the house, after she kissed Storm’s muzzle.

“I have these dreams. I don’t have dreams about Collin anymore. I have dreams about Storm. There is a stranger always there, dark and mysterious. He haunts my every thought. I can no longer sleep.” Her sister Brianna hugged her gently. She knows how much Loryn misses her love. Their’s was a tumultuous love. It was wild and carefree, he taught her to embrace life, even while his own was fading.
“Do you think this stranger is Collin?”
“I don’t know. He tells me we know each other, Collin always said that. He also tells me only in dreams can we be together. Even when Collin was on tour we’d meet each night in dreams.” She sighed.
“Perhaps it is Collin and he wears a different face to make it easier on you, have you thought of that?” Loryn was grateful that her sister at least tried to understand her. She never reprimanded her or teased her about getting her head out of the clouds.
“I suppose it could be him. I am certain that Storm has something to do with it. I love him more than anyone now. We have only been together for a year. Remember? Collin surprised me with him for my birthday, the day before he died.” Her sister nodded.
“I do remember. You were so happy finally getting the horse you’ve always dreamed of. He is a gorgeous creature. Anyone can see the special bond you two share.”
Loryn walked into the stable and saw her neighbor’s 7 year old daughter climbing up the stable door. “Be careful Sonya, I don’t want you to fall and get hurt.” Loryn said.
“I won’t. I just want to see him again. Can I ride him today Loryn? Please please please? Momma said if you said yes I could and Collin he wants me to.” Loryn laughed at the pleading and nodded her head.
“Collin?” The name registered in her head.
“Yah, him and Stormy want me to.” The little girl stated matter of factly. She skipped over to the tack room and brought out the saddle and bridle. The thing that gave Loryn hesitation was that Sonya had never met Collin before, he had died before her family moved into the neighborhood. She put the thought aside and helped Sonya saddle Stormy up.
“How is this? Is the bit too tight?” The child asked eagerly.
“Not too tight, it’s just right. Are you ready for a boost up?” Loryn questioned her as she cupped her hands ready for her small foot. “Alyoop! There, now you look like a dressage champion.” The child stroked Storm’s curly man and nuzzled her face into his soft hair.
“What’s dressage?”
“It’s a type of horse show. It is like dancing. You dress up and then you dress your horse up and you dance with him in front of judges. Storm is a wonderful dancer. If you whisper in his ear the magic word he will dance for you."
“What is the magic word, Loryn?” Loryn walked up to the horse and whispered in Sonya’s ear “magic.” Sonya giggled at the word and leaned forward to whisper into Storm’s ear. The horse straightened up, stopped eating out of his bucket and stood at attention. Sonya sofly pressed her heal to his flank.
“Magic Stormy.” Storm took the cue and sauntered around the stables in circles, his head high, his coat gleaming and a horse grin on his face.
Loryn removed the saddle and bit from Storm, she kept the saddle only for conventional purposes. She never needed the aid of a saddle She preferred bare back riding. Despite the concern her friends and family showed she. Collin had warned her about riding so carelessly.
He had agreed that Storm would never throw her or hurt her on pupose, but supose something startled him?
The wind whipped the black mane of the horse, which tangled with Loryn's long hair. Against the blanket of white that the snow was, they stood out. together.
Snow flakes fluttered down landing on Loryn's long eyelashes and tickled Storm's muzzle. The wind caressed their bodies. Horse and woman flowed as one.
The sound of a branch breaking echoed on the mountain. Snow tumbled down and the horse neighed. Loryn spotted the hunter and dug her heels into Storm. Storm, startled reared up and charged toward the hunter.
Loryn held on with all her might, but the snow was heavy, weighing her cloak down. She seemed frozen to the horse. The only way she wouldn't be crushed under the hooves would be to let go. Her hands warmed of their own accord and loosened their grip on the mane. She closed her eyes and prayed to be safe.
She flew off the horse's back and landed hard her head hitting an ice encased boulder. He held her in his arms. He placed a gentle kiss upon her lips. Her body temperature warmed and the ice thawed from her body. All was white, not even Storm was here, in this place.
"Loryn, come back to me." She opened her eyes seeing those dazzling, familiar eyes tat she loved. He knelt on the snow a glow surrounded him. For one second the face of her true love looked upon hers. It was then replaced with another.
"It is easier this way." Collin's voice lulled. "Loryn it is time to go back. You were never meant to come here so soon."
"And you were?" She questioned.
"It was my path."
"You are Collin?"
"I am. I am many names and all your love."
"Will I ever see you again?"
"In dreams, awake and find Storm, he needs you."
"Wait, I..." She opened her eyes and struggled to sit up. Only bruises showed her battle scars. Storm had wandered over the frozen lake. The ice was thin where he treaded. She ran to him.
"Storm!!!" She screamed.
"Oh no, not again.. I cannot lose you." She coaxed him back over to her where it was thick ice and safe.
He obeyed her and walked over to her. She wrapped herself around his neck and cried with relief. She now knew, that forever, her Soul Horse, her soul mate would be with her and watch over her.