Look Who I Found! [Stephen]

[Niamh Dunlevy]

Country: Allied France
Current Time: 14:18
Weather Conditions: Sunny and mostly clear, with a touch of cirrus cloud in the sky. A cool breeze blows over the French landscape, and it is obvious summer is in full swing.


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"C'mon...c'mon boy, justh a few more stheps...t'aaaaaat a horsey...."

The four-legged creature was stubborn, Niamh could say that. Ever since the horse had been unloaded back in town, the animal had been impatient and temperamental, determined not to go anywhere. Several noises and flashes had made him spook, and its tail was wrung tightly, whipping here and there. The poor beast was probably as shell-shocked as many soldiers were, not used to pulling carriages amidst mortars and gunfire. There were even a few scars along his sides and flanks.

"Eaaaaaasy boy, t'at's a nice horsey...nice boy..." Niamh murmured softly, gently leading the horse along as he looked cautiously at the nearby base. A whinny from the stables caught hia attention, and the horse whinned back, suddenly lunging forward. The Volunteer yelped, nearly falling over, but managed to hold onto the lead and pull the horse back. Stephen better had thank her for this later....

"Need some help, ma'am?!" yelled a soldier nearby, waving at the Pavee. The poor stallion's eyes went wide, and he pranced backwards, squealing in surprise - the nearby soldier winced. Niamh threw a glare his way, then huffed and shook her head. She would have yelled back, but the horse was nervous enough as it was.

Several tiring minutes later, Niamh managed to bring the horse into the main area of the base, near the quarters for the men and women respectively. She led the horse behind a nearby makeshift toolshed, tying his lead rope onto a metal pole sticking out, most likely used to put buckets on. With a tired but satisfied sigh, Niamh pivoted on her heel and began walking, heading over to the Scottish Volunteer Lyne.

"Oi, Whitney!" the Pavee boomed, waving the woman over. "Can ya find me Privathe Colly? Tell 'im ith's importhant, I goth a lil' somet'ing for him! Thell 'em tho waith by the ladies' barracks!"

"Will dae!" cried Lyne, waving back. She immediately ran off to find Stephen, leaving Niamh to rub her hands eagerly and wait for the young soldier's arrival.

[Stephen Colly]

Stephen had just finished a patrol, his was tired, his feet were killing him as he stumbled back to base. A few other soldiers were with him; he limped slowly into the base and sat down on a little bench outside the food hall. He had been on patrol since earlier that morning so was tired, yawning; he looked up at the sky into the sun that shone over head bright and clear. Summer time was finally here, how wonderful. Summer time had been lovely at the farm; the ploughing was mostly over done with so Stephen would have been able to ride out over the fields and forests in the blaze of the summer sun…bliss and peace…galloping through fields with the wind in his hair, shouting aloud at the joy of summer…not now thou however.

”Alright Steve?” it was Allington who came up to him now, as he sat on the bench. ”Suppose so, just tired.” Stephen said, smiling slightly.
”Go and get some rest mate.” Allington said, helping the young soldier up and pushing him lightly towards the barracks. Suddenly, a woman came running towards him, Stephen stopped and watched as she came towards the pair.

”Private Colly? Niamh Dunlevy has goth a little something for you!” the woman began to drag him towards the women barracks, he heard a high pitched whinny, he frowned and stepped forward, Allington close on his heels. ”What’s that noise? Niamh?” the boy shouted, frowning. The sound came again, that sound was familiar. ”What’s behind?” Stephen spotted Niamh, she was standing with her hands together, beside…JOEY!

Stephen stared open mouthed at his horse, his horse was standing there. ”J-Joey?” tears sprung to his eyes and a few people who were around stopped to watch. ”Is that you? Is that you boy?” Stephen’s eyes were on the horse and no one else. He stepped forward, and then turned his back on the horse, putting his hands to his mouth and blowing a long, low whistle. A breaking and tiring of wood and rope was heard behind him and suddenly a horse’s soft, velvety nose was at his side, the horse gave a loud nay, happy to see his master.

”Oh Joey!” Stephen half shouted as he turned to the horse, hugging the horse’s neck and face, tears springing to his face.
”It’s his horse! His fucking horse!” came a shout from one of the men and more men appeared, watching in delight and some slight confusion, ”Where have you been eh boy? Been in the war I bet! Oh Joey…!” the boy’s full attention was on his horse, he had almost forgotten Niamh. He broke away from his horse that was nuzzling him and turned to the girl. ”I can’t thank you enough!” tears rolled down his tired face as he gave her a massive hug like he had Joey.

[Niamh Dunlevy]

"HOLY - !" cried Niamh as the horse tore forward, ripping the metal pole from the shed out of sheer joy. She had heard of starving horses tearing their lead ropes to get at a nearby grain bin...but this was insane. So shocked was she, it took a moment for her to register the sight before her, and when she did, she smiled warmly. Stephen had finally found his horse - no, his sidekick, his best friend. The bond now shown between horse and master was not unlike that between Niamh and Drummer.

All around the pair, there was clapping and whistling, although some were just staring blanky at Stephen and Joey. The former was babbling, tears streaming down his face, the latter nuzzling and pulling at his hair. Joey loyally followed his owner over as Stephen ran up to Niamh, crushing the Pavee in a hug. Niamh's face screwed up as he squeezed the wind out of her, her face betraying her surprise at just how strong Stephen was.

"I can't thank you enough!" cried the boy-soldier. His friend was silent for a minute, but then, she slowly returned the hug, patting Stephen gently on the back.

"Ehhhh...y-yer welcome, l-laddie..." said Niamh, something between a grimace and a smile on her face. "Buth, eh...ehhhhhh...could you p-please...please loosen up...a liththle? Yer crushin' me spine...."

A velvety nose nuzzled the side of Niamh's face, and her odd-eyes flickered to the left. The long, red-brown and black muzzle of Joey's was rubbing against Niamh's cheek, the horse probably as grateful as his owner. Niamh patted the stallion on the muzzle as well, so that he wouldn't be left out of the "happy-reunion-everything's-great" moment that was going on.

"Yer welcome thoo...Misther Joey," the Pavee said with a chuckle. Upon noticing the debris attached to the stallion's lead rope, however, the young woman suddenly realized Section Leader Fell was not going to be happy. That toolshed was where the spare tools for the vehicles and the general repair of the base were kept; Fell would slaughter anyone who messed around with it. There were also the Allied commanders of think of as well...they could be even scarier then Fell, too.

[Stephen Colly]

Stephen let go of Niamh immediately as she asked him to, ”Sorry.” he said, smiling and glancing round at the soldiers and ladies standing by. Allington had come up to pat him on the back, and then turned to stroke Joey. Joey nuzzled Allington a bit; one ear went back, the other forward. Stephen suddenly noticed the debris hanging from the horse’s lead rope. ”Shit.” he muttered, walking towards the debris and began to un tangle it all, the yard looked slightly messy.

The crowd began to disperse, going off back to their duties. ”C’mon Joey, come on boy.” Stephen said as he took the lead rope, the horse stood close by, leaning his head in the small of Stephen’s back. Stephen took from his pocket a drawing, ”Look at this Joey, isn’t it beautiful, Major Stewart did it for me before he got himself killed in ’40.” he muttered, shoving it under the horse’s nose, the horse blew at it and gave a short nay, Stephen cupped his hands and blew back at Joey who chucked his head up, snorting.

Stephen began to run his hands over the horse’s legs, checking everything, every nock and cranny about the horse, checking if he was alright, a few scratches here and there that made the horse throw his head back and his ears go flat on the top of his head. ”Gotta get these fixed up have we Joe?” Stephen muttered as he ran his hand over a little gash in the horse’s hock, the tail was caked with mud.

He came back round to the front of the horse, rubbing his forehead against the red one, ”Good boy Joey, good boy.” he smiled, kissing the horse’s nose and stroking it’s muzzle, the horse half closed it’s eyes, resting it’s giant head on the boy’s shoulder. ”If only Ed was here…” Stephen muttered, more to the horse than to anyone else. ”I better go and put him away.” he looked over at Niamh, ”I’ll give you something for this Niamh, what ever you want…money…food…anything.” he said to the Irish lass as he began to lead the horse away towards the stables. Joey walked now with a spring in his step, after being reunited with his loyal friend and companion.

[Niamh Dunlevy]

She gasped slightly as Stephen released her, placing strands of auburn hair back behind her ears and patting her uniform back into semi-neatness. Private Allington had come up and begun to pet Joey; in return, the horse was nuzzling him. Niamh made a mental note to remember Joey's reaction, knowing from experience horses were excellent judges of character. The way the horse had so lovingly ran to his master, even breaking his bonds to return to one so kind, was proof enough.

Suddenly, Stephen cursed, seeing the debris attached to his stallion's lead. Swiftly and easily, he untangled the hunk of wood and metal from the rope, and began to lead his horse. He produced a piece of paper from his pocket, showing it to Joey; apparently, a "Major Stewart" drew it for him four years before. The horse snorted and whinnied, and Stephen pretended to snort back, causing Joey to snap his head back in surprise. Niamh smiled, but then, a waving, running, female figure caught her attention.

"NIAMH! OI, NIVVY! SHE'S OUT FOR BLOOD! RUN!!"

Niamh blinked, paling slightly. "She" probably referred to Section Leader Fell...but one could not always be sure. Cupping her hands over her mouth, the Pavee yelled back, "WHO IS, CHIEF VOLUNTEER REED?!"

"SECTION LEADER FELL!!" the Canadian yelled back. "SHE'S GOING TO BE OUT HERE IN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR REAR END MOVIN', LASS!"

Why am I noth surprised? thought Niamh. Whirling around, she quickly walked over to Stephen, grabbing his hand and pulling him roughly along. There was a look of focus (and a hint of fear) on Niamh's face.

"Leth's noth be slow, Sthephen!" the Volunteer barked. "We're abouth to geth our gooses cooked if we don'th hide! Secthion Leader Fell guards t'at shed like a dog; do you realize how accurathe t'at woman can be wit' a frying pan?! Did you have to make the horse rip off parth of ith?!"

[Stephen Colly]

Stephen was stroking Joey’s head, muttering words to him. A shout came from somewhere and Joey’s ears pricked, his body became suddenly stiff as he snorted and looked around, trying to find the source of the noise. Stephen looked over and saw a woman talking or rather shouting at Niamh from across the courtyard.

Niamh was at his side in an instant, she had grabbed his hand and was pulling him along. Stephen grabbed hold of Joey’s rope, the horse wouldn’t move…”Come on Joey!” Stephen tugged at the rope, whistling, the horse pricked his ears at the sound and began to follow, cocking his ears back and fourth. ”What? Why?” Stephen had been in a daze from the minute he had seen Joey and so now was suddenly rather frightened that he was being pulled along, his brain hadn’t registered that he needed to be quicker than his feet was taking him.

”Sorry about the mess…” he glanced back at the pile of wood and metal, realizing that it was quiet a lot…”Didn’t realize I made such a mess…or rather…not me, it was more Joey.” he glanced up at his horse, rubbing his forehead again, smiling. ”I’ll take him round to the stables, you better get going Niamh.” he glanced over at the kitchen. ”Come on boy, come on, off we go.” he pulled Joey along, whose ears now were looking towards the stables as he heard horse sounds from within. Stephen stopped, a sudden idea coming into his head.

”Actually, I have the day off don’t I?” he smiled. Letting go of Joey’s lead rope, he turned around, walked a few paces away from the horse and then turned, the horse stood as still as stone. He ran towards the horse, putting his arms up on to its withers and back, springing up onto the horse with such ease and ability that he looked like he had done it for ever. Joey tossed his head up, stamping his foot. ”Good boy, calm down.” Stephen murmured as he lent forward to catch the lead rope and swung the horse’s head around. ”God it feels good, don’t it?” he patted Joey’s neck.

[Daniel Brennan]

Mod-Post:

Eh, Addie asked for this to be closed.

CP:
Stephen: 5CP

Niamh: 5CP


~Dan