26-08-3 RedStable
Well, I love my horse very much. Of course, I'm one of the Eorlingas still, does it surprise you? Riding a horse is a difficult matter and it is a shame I learned it only on such late age. I didn't deserve my heritage after all. I only learned to ride a horse on my 16th! Can you belief it?! Maybe good enough for a Bree-lander who lives of the harvest. The common folk may be happy to already have a horse indeed. Also for a Gondorian it may suffice, since this people doesn't use horses very often either. But me?! A worthy heir of Eorls blood? The north should live in my blood and that's from where I belong! From the Éotheod yes.
so, enough whined. I learned to ride horse on the age of 16 after all. Simon was of course rich. I still wonder where he got that money from. Even Barliman looks a poor guy compared to him. Uncle shouldn't live in Bree-land, he looks too odd and outstanding here. After I exprimed my wish to learn riding a horse (it seems he never considered it at all) he took me to Hadorgars farm. I don't know what happened with the old lad now. Now éogar, his son, is managing the farm. But not so 16 years ago. There I was free to choose a horse according to my preference. I always liked fair haired stuff like myself, thus I chose a blond sorrel. Stormwind was his name. Hadorgar taught me how to ride and I got an introduction of a week and kept following lessons for a year. Then I was skilled enough and I was able to master any other tricks yet on my own. Honestly I still learn, even now after 16 years.
When I got Stormwind he had seen for the 6th time leaves turning red. On that age he has just become a stallion in time, being no foal anymore. So an excellent age to begin to ride. Now Stormwind is 22 years old though, slowed by the age and not so fit anymore. I do run fast, but my horse is actually pretty slow. He has a few years to live yet, 10 if he's lucky. It would hurt me to say him goodbye, we have grown fond of each other. Sometimes he doesn't wear a caparison, to breath in the free air of Middle-Earth. But He also likes the comfort and warmth of his caparison. A burgundy one with the print of the sun, an important symbol of the riders of the mark, used as a blazon, painted on shields or armor and even in the Golden Hall of Meduseld this sign doesn't go unoticed.
Stormwind loves the warmth of a campfire though and hay he loves the most. So I have a little stock of that in my garden, but on a journey I can only take few of it and only give him on the most desired moments. Else he has to be satisfied with just some barley or an apple. Of course, taking care of my horse is a nice hobby of me and I like to walk with him whenever I can.
Unfortunately I know that I should obtain a new horse. Stormwind doesn't come to the requirements of The Red Company. But I'll try to ride with him as long as I can. I hope so...
