"Neeeeeigh"
The pink troll's eyes opened at the sound.
"Huh... good morning to you too Storm, and Blossom.."
She stood up sleepily and gave the horses hay and water as usual.
As she ate her breakfast she almost fell asleep.
She had been having a hard time falling asleep last night. She had been thinking too much.
That boy..... why did he help her?
She couldn't stop thinking about him. She tried but to no use.

Blossom grunted as if wondering how Poppy felt.

The horses were really loving Poppy. She was their leader and protector. She cared for them, gave them food and shelter from extreme weather, and they would do anything for her.
She was part of their herd.
Ever since their first meeting they have all been inseperable. Sure, Poppy had to go away during the day, but as soon as they met again they all felt whole again.

But their first meeting wasn't as sweet and calm as you might think.

Blossom and Storm had been chased away from their herd. Poppy was on her way to her job as the mom and her foal rushed in an insanely fast speed right before her eyes. The wind almost got her off balance.
She had been looking around wanting to know why the horses were running for their life, as she saw a gigantic cat-like predator with huge teeth. It was now running towards Poppy.
The horses stopped to catch their breath a while away, looking over at the pink troll and the big cat.

Poppy desperately tried to find a way to escape but had to fight.
The cat jumped on top of her, but she used her pole to quickly push it away and put it to the ground on it's back.
The big cat were chocked as it looked up at this pink creature that were now pushing her pole against it's throat. Not too hard but still enough to make the predator know that this wasn't the right troll to mess with.
The cat somehow slim out from the grip, and started running away.
It left a few scars on Poppy's face and arms, but she didn't care. At least the horses and herself was safe now.
She turned around to see if the horses were okay, but to her surprise they were walking towards her.

Poppy didn't know how to react. The mom had her ears forward, which was a sign of curiousness. But it could also mean that she was watchful. She did have a foal to protect so Poppy put down the pole to look less threatening and started to slowly back away.
Would she attack her?

The white-coated horse was coming closer and closer.
Her gray-coated foal was following her lead.

The pink troll stood there, not knowing what to do. Horses only attack when they feel threatened and aren't able to flee. But now the horses came up to her. For what reason!?

Now the horse lowered her head as she carefully sniffed on the troll's pink hair.
The curious foal came up to Poppy too and sniffed her arm and cheek, while playfully nibbling on her.
Poppy slightly giggled. It tickles.
Poppy tried to slowly raise her hand for the majestic mare to sniff it.
The horse lifted her head and looked at her hand and the sweet smile this pink creature had.
She lowered her head and sniffed her hand, and lowered her head more so that the hand was against her forehead.
Poppy stared. As confused as she was, this was still a magical experience.
She sweetly caressed the short fur on the horse's head.
The horse didn't mind it at all. She even shut her eyes as if she liked it.

Poppy were speechless.
She didn't know what to do now.
"Y-you're welcome. I'm just happy to help.." Poppy softly said to the white horse.
The horse didn't open her eyes. She just tilted her ears to hear the words. Just as if she understood what she had said.

Poppy rested her head against the horse's slightly before letting go and slowly backing away.
The white horse lifted her head, tilting her ears forward, looking at the pink troll.
Poppy looked at them with a smile and then turned around to continue going to the village.
But she stopped as she heard steps behind her. She turned around to see the mare and her foal walking after her!
Poppy knew exactly what this meant.

They had choosen her, as their leader. As a part of their herd. She was worthy cuz she had resqued them.

After that, Poppy couldn't go to the village and potentially hurt them, she had to keep them safe now.

So she went home and builded up stalls for the horses in her little house, and let them stay there if they wanted. She made the doors so they could open them when they wanted to go out, and she put much hay and grass on the floor so that they had a soft bed.

And as you understand; the horses stayed with Poppy, but still kept their freedom.

Poppy looked up at the beautiful brown and blue eyes of her friend. She smiles slightly.
"I'ts okay. I just.. had a hard time falling asleep last night cuz I thought too much."
Poppy petted the horse between her ears. That was her favorite petting-spot so she closed her eyes and slightly rubbed her head against Poppy.
Poppy smiled.
"Now off we go to work Blossy"
Blossom lowered her head to let Poppy put on the bridle and stood still as Poppy jumped up on her back.
Storm grunted.
"You know that you can go for a run when you want, Storm. But this week I'm riding Blossom to work, but next week it's your turn." Poppy laughed.
The horses loved to run, especially when they were accompanied by Poppy.

"See ya after work! Byeee!" Poppy and Blossom set off in a calm trott and left the building.

~~~~~~~~~~

"BRANCH!"
"HU!-"
He sat up so fast that he banged his head agains his friend.
Brownie lifted his head quickly with a groan.
"Oof- sorry" he petted the horse's head and tried to get used to the light coming through the window. He held his free hand over his eyes to get some shadow.
"You slept in today boy-" the old man said as he pulled Branch up on his feet.
"I-I did? Why didn't you wake me up?"
Branch lifted a bucket and washed off his face with cold water to wake up.
"Well ya need sum rest sometimes ya know? U r a hard workin' man."
"Not so.. You work more than I do. And you are um.."
"Older? Ya, ya. I still got it, don't ya worry. But it isn't really like ya to sleep that long. I almost thought ya were sick, boy. How do ya feel?"
Branch looked at the water in the bucket, that was mirroring his face.
"I- I don't know...guesse I was tired?"
"Ye. But ya better hurry now. Your training start soon." He pointed at the sundial outside.
"HOLY COW-" Branch started running to get the saddle and bridle and then threw it up onto Brownie's back and put on the bridle to lead him out.
"SEE YA LATER!"
He ran with his horse companion behind him.

(Sorry for not updating in a while!❤️)
20/10/2020