It was a normal day in the lakota villiage. The sun shining down on the teepee's, a small trail of smoke leading up to the skies. It was early evening, and everyone was tired. A pregnant chesnut mare named Ellie lay on the hill near the small pasture, watching the beautiful sunset. A young boy was watching her, sitting on the fencing. The mare felt a sharp kick and looked at her swollen belly. Another few folowed. She neighed loudly, knowing that her foal was coming. The boy knew too and called over some men, no one came. Her kneeled beside her and rubbed her belly. Half an hour later, the mare became a mother. The boy smiled and watched the me get nursed. My chocolatey brown tail swayed from side to side, showing she was content. When I finished all my milk, I looked at the boy, named Little Creek, he stroked my back gently.

3 weeks later, I was named as Valerie. Her mother was grazing in the pasture. I boredly lay down and snorted, looking at the thin strands of grass, seeing small insects. I never knew there as so much! I suddenly heard gunshots and gasped, looking up. Mother kept her close. A girl with velvet black hair, about Little Creeks age ran over.

"Go!" she shouted. Little Creek ran over. They got us to run, but a rope settled around mothers neck. I gasped reared up, the men simply cracked a whip to make me back away and they galloped off. I watched as my mother disappeared into the smoke and sighed sadly. I saw Little Creek trying to fight off a soldier, it looked like he was going to get captured. I was about to go and help when I realized I was just a filly. I was about to run, but a sudden wave of determination took oover me and sent me charging forward. I skidded as a neared the soldiers feet and knocked him over. Little Creek nudged me to run. I obeyed him and bolted through the smoke, dodging a few fallen mena dn horses. As I brushed past a fallen soldier, the dagger he was holding cut into my flank. I cired out in pain, falling to my knees. Little Creek was right behind me. He helped me up and jogged to saftey. I had saved his life, he had saved mine. I looked at him, wondering why he had saved me, when I had just fallen. It was as if he had read my mind and told me a few soldiers were chasing us.

Me and him grew very close. A year later, I grew taller. He took care of me. I was now the size of, him, my eyes were in line with his. I excericised every day to make me grow strtonger and taller. By a few months, I was taller than him. He told me his dream was to became a warrior, fighting for the Lakota's freedom. I liked this idea, and shared his dream. Now I practised dodging bullets and galloping fast. Then came the day he tried to teach me to jump. Little Creek had set up two large hay bales, and a few thick branches. It was 5ft off the ground! I gulped, but tried to look confident. It took 4 strides of gallop to get too the jump. With all my power, I launched myself into the air, for two seconds, I felt like I was flying. I then landed a little wobbly, but managed to keep my balance. I looked back at the jump. It looked like it did before I jumped. I felt so proud of myself and trotted to Little Creek hugged me. I actually felt like I could be a war horse.

When I was 3, I had been given a lucky charm. I wore it with pride. Our training became more advanced. I was now swift and quick, but also very strong. I was now fighting other stallions. The dreaded day came when I had to fight the chiefs horse, Steele. I looked helplessly at the 17hh black stallion. I was only a 3 year of filly! I snorted, trying to look tall, really, I was only half his size. 

He charged at me instantly, I just had time to swerve and wheel around to face him again. He snorted. I raced forward, he laughed. I smirked to myself and knocked him off his feet. I reared up, my hooves slamming onto the ground a couple centimetres away from his shoulder. He got back up and bucked at me, one hoof hitting my leg hard. I whinnied in pain, looking at Little Creek. He was in as much pain as I was, maybe worse. I stood up and tried to keep my blance, but fell again. All the other men laughed at me, but the kinder mares gasped, trying to snap their ropes. Steele walked up to me smirking. I scrambled to my feet and dashed round him, as fast as I ever had, and shoved him. he landed in the mud, covering the men that had laughed at me. I had proven myself a worthy war horse.

That night, Little Creek was bandaging my leg, which was sprained.

"I'm might proud of you gal" he patted my neck and walked to the gate. As he left, he pulled the gate closed. I lay my head down to rest, not noticing Steele in the corner. He let out a small nicker. I looked up, seeing him, my eyes grew wide. Even though I bet him, I was still terrified of him. Instead, Steele was akind stallion to me like the mares. I don't know if it was because I bet him, and he was ashamed, mayeb even afraid I would do it again! Or he didn't want to fight me, but had to. He told me that the battlefield was a horrifying place, and that I shouldn't go there, but I knew my destiny.

One day, a black stallion called "The Dark Legend" was brought to the villiage. I studied him closely, realising he was a cavalry horse. I looked at Rain, who seemed to know too. We both became uneasy, watching Little Creek take off his saddle. When he took of the bridle, he bit Little Creeks hand. At the time, I was 4, so I was almost a fully grown mare. I galloped to Little Creek and the stranger and knocked him over, rearing up. He growled at me, standing up and walking to the far end of the paddock. Little Creek smirked and left me in the paddock. With HIM. I neighed after him. He seemed to ignore me. I stomped my hoof of the ground with frustration, then looked at Legend. He gave me a flirty look, and I pinned my ears, watching the sunset. 

The next morning, Little Creek went too far. he tied a rope around his neck, and then the other end around mine. Great. I so wanted this. We walked out of the paddock, heading towards the lake. I had to drag him some of the way, but finally he gave up and followed me. I drank at one side of the lake, he drank at the other. As I went frther out to get the colder water, I didn't realize he was too. Soon, our muzzles touched. I backed away, a shocked look on my face. He did too, but the rope stopped us from going any further. Rain had been watching, and she smirked. 

When we got back to the lakota villiage, Little Creek smiled. Legend and me stayed away from each other for a while. One day, I was grazing on the hill near the villiage, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Legend sneaking up on me. I smirked, playing along with the game. When he got tooo close, I let out a small buck, making him fall on his rump. I laughed. He rolled his eyes smirking and stood up.

"Valerie, can I talk to you." 

"Sure, what is it?" I replied between giggles.

"I think I'm....well it's just...I think I'm in love with you." he stammered. My giggles stopped. Recently, I have also developed a crush on Legend. I guess it was confession time.

"I think I'm in love with you too." His face lit up.

"Really?" he asked. I nodded "Will you be my mate then?" I gave a long and hard think, then nodded.