Lizzie just finished brushing her horse, Tiara, and collapsed onto a pile of hay. I’ll just rest my eyes, she thought to herself faintly.
It couldn’t have been more than two seconds later when she heard a neigh. Lizzie jerked awake. Tiara was standing in front of her.
“Tiara?” she asked, confused. “How did you get out of your stall?”
A smile glittered in the eyes of the black-and-white mare. Climb on my back, she said without moving her mouth.
Lizzie gaped at her. “Did you just talk?” she whispered.
A laugh echoed in the young girl’s mind. No, Tiara replied, her mouth again not moving, I thought to you. I can not speak aloud, only in your heart.
Lizzie blinked in confusion. Why had Tiara never done this before?
The mare pranced anxiously. Come—quickly! There’s no time to waste! Swiftly she knelt and Lizzie immediately mounted. Tiara galloped out of the stable and into the night.
“Where are we going?” Lizzie called above the wind.
You’ll see! her friend answered, quickening her pace.
Soon they passed beneath dusky trees that blocked the light of the moon. Nervously, Lizzie tightened her grip on Tiara’s mane.
We’re almost there! her friend said reassuringly. Not long later, the rhythm of Tiara’s footsteps slowed and the pair came to a stop.
Lizzie dismounted and glanced around the dark forest.
Over here. Tiara stepped towards a large tree.
Remaining by the mare’s side, Lizzie studied the tree with sweeping branches and a nearby cave surrounded by gnarled roots.
She’s in here, Tiara said softly.
“Who?” Lizzie questioned.
Tiara’s ears lowered. A little filly. She got trapped in there last night, but I can’t get in there to help her. Would you be willing to help?
“Of course!” Lizzie replied quickly, even though her heart fluttered with fear at the idea of climbing into the dark hole.
Tiara’s eyes filled with joy. Thank you so much! Hurry! She’s been in there for a while!
Lizzie quickly entered the small cave. “Filly?” She called softly, waiting for the sound of a young horse to respond, but all she heard was her own voice echoing. Feeling her way through the cave, Lizzie continued to call for the little horse.
Suddenly a young voice spoke in her mind. Who are you?
“A friend.” Lizzie responded quickly, traveling faster. She had to be getting close!
Friend?
“I’m here to help. Tiara brought me.” Lizzie saw a light in front of her now. Where was it coming from?
Tiara?
“Yes, do you know her?”
Yes.
Just then Lizzie came around a bend into the light. She stopped in surprise.
Standing before her was the filly. She was glowing and tucked to her sides . . . wings.
“Are you a Pegasus?” Lizzie whispered.
The filly shuffled her white wings. Yes.
“How did you get down here?”
A huge wolf chased me. I’m not very good at flying, so I hid. This was the only place the wolf couldn’t get me, but then I got stuck.
For the first time Lizzie noticed the vines tangled around the hooves of the filly. “Here, let me help you.” She said softly, approaching the Pegasus. Kneeling quickly, she began to untangle the plants from the Pegasus’s glossy hooves.
You’re doing it! The filly exclaimed.
Lizzie unwound the last vine.
I’m free! The filly pranced, flapping her wings with excitement. She stopped, looking with adoring eyes to the girl. Thank you so much—
“Lizzie.” Lizzie quickly supplied her name.
Lizzie! Thank you so much, Lizzie! Oh! I never told you my name! It’s Dove.
“Dove. Nice to meet you!” Lizzie smiled.
Dove’s eyes sparkled and she quickly glanced around the cave. I need to get home, I’ve been away for far too long!
“Then let’s go!”
Quickly the pair wove their way back through the tunnel. Before long, they emerged into the forest.
Tiara! Dove exclaimed with joy, and hurried to the mare.
Dove! She nuzzled the little filly, then turned to Lizzie. Thank you for saving her!
“No problem.” Lizzie smiled.
Tiara’s eyes sparkled.
Dove whinnied. I need to get home, Tiara, but I’m not very good at flying. Can you take me?
Only if Lizzie is willing to hold you while you both ride on my back—it’ll be faster that way.
“Of course I’m willing!” Lizzie beamed.
Dove neighed with joy. Let’s go then! I want to see my family!
Quickly Lizzie climbed onto Tiara’s back and Dove landed lightly in her lap Tiara soon galloped into the night.
Follow the brightest star! Dove called softly as they entered a field.
They galloped for a long while, stars glimmering above them, always following the one that glowed brightest. At last they arrived at a ridge and Tiara stopped.
Dad! Dove exclaimed, looking into the sky. Lizzie followed her gaze.
The star they had followed was brighter now. With surprise, Lizzie realized it was coming closer. Before long the light was right above them and Lizzie saw a Pegasus. He landed gracefully next to Tiara.
Dove!
Daddy!
The father folded his wings and looked with admiration to Tiara and Lizzie. Thank you so much for saving my daughter! he whispered gratefully.
“No problem.” Lizzie replied softly.
Crown, Lizzie needs to get home! Tiara announced.
The stallion nodded and a smile entered his eyes. Would you allow me to take you, Lizzie?
Lizzie’s eyes glowed with joy. “That would be amazing!”
Swiftly Dove glided to the ground and Lizzie switched from Tiara’s back to Crown’s.
Hold on, he said as he opened his mighty wings. Lizzie clenched his silky white mane.
Crown’s wings came down powerfully and he lifted majestically into the air. Lizzie laughed with joy.
I love flying! Dove exclaimed as she came up next to them.
“Me too!”
They soared through the night sky, stars glittering above. Before long they were above the stable. Crown landed softly with Dove next to him. Lizzie climbed down.
“Thank you so much! That was amazing!”
Crown’s eyes held light. No. Thank you for saving my daughter. That is what was truly amazing.
Lizzie smiled.
Farewell, Lizzie! Dove said softly, nuzzling the girl.
“Farewell, Dove!” Lizzie returned the hug and then stepped back as the two glowing horses turned and lifted into the sky, flying higher and higher, until they joined the many stars sparkling in the darkness.
Lizzie entered the stable and knelt on some hay, waiting for Tiara to return. Before long, she fell asleep.
When Lizzie awoke, it was still dark. “Tiara?” She called softly, standing quickly. She hurried to the mare’s stall, and found her resting inside. “Tiara?” She quietly asked again.
Her friend gave no reply.
Filled with confusion, Lizzie asked, “Was it all a dream? Did you talk to me? Did I fly on a Pegasus?”
Tiara simply gazed out of her stable window to the two brightest stars in the night sky.
~The End~
Illustration Copyright © 2009 Jack Foster
Copyright © 2009 by Kimberly Kay