Nell walked quietly as Laurie admired the countryside through which she was passing. The wind whispered through the trees and a bright bluebird lit upon a branch hanging over the path, singing merrily as they passed underneath. The breeze was slightly cold, but the sun was warm; Laurie shook her hair back and closed her eyes with a smile, the sun shining through the trees seemed dappled against her eyelids. Nell stopped at a clearing and Laurie, upon opening her eyes, saw a bright green field, the path winding through grass long enough to brush Laurie's toes. The wind made the grass ripple and sway, bringing back the dream or vision Laurie had seen earlier. Pio turned back with a grin.
"Keep up, as you can," and her horse sprang away like an arrow from the string. Nell pranced, eager to be off as well, her ears pricked forward, and her head tossed proudly. Laurie leaned forward slightly, gripping tighter with her knees and picking up more rein. "Let's go!" Laurie whispered and Nell bounded forward with a playful buck, her long legs stretching forward to catch up with Pio. With her golden hair streaming out behind her, Laurie grasped Nell's dark mane and held on for dear life. Nell was used to being out in the field all day, and it felt good to finally stretch full out after being cooped up in the stables. Laurie's eyes watered as they mounted a large hill and the wind whistled in her ears when they descended down once more. Up another, even steeper, hill and Laurie finally brought Nell back to a walk at the top. Pio was waiting for them; as fast as Nell was, she was no match for the Elvish steed. Pointing down, away to the left of the path, at a grey plume of smoke in the distance, Pio spoke:
"There lies the home of Ms. Bolger."
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