Kaldir’s gray stallion had backed away with indignant snorts from the invading hobbit, trying to get a better view of the swift moving creature. Thinking this rather fortunate, Gilly had then checked the floor for something, a sign of Benia, some clue about Kaldir perhaps. She didn’t especially like horses, never had any call to be so near one before. But she had to admit this was a fine one, so tall and imposing, albeit a bit skittish.
Gilly had swept quickly along the floor; the horse uneasy with the hobbit’s agitated demeanor had continued to back up toward the wall all the while.
With some trepidation Gilly had drawn abreast the beast’s dappled side, stooping low to search the among shadows. She was most discouraged that she found naught but that the stall needed cleaning on that side particularly, and thus had failed to notice Nico’s head swing around to attack her flank, so to speak.
The hobbit shot upright in response, hitting her head rather hard against her assailant’s ribs.
“Oh you vicious brute!” she had snapped retreating, for the horse had begun bobbing up and down on it's front legs, muttering his own abuse before rearing up on his hind legs to launch a fresh assault. Each lunge had brought him closer to Gilly as she made her hasty departure. She could hear the angry beast's hooves batter the stall door with emphasis after she had ran out of the stable.
Clack, clack, thud. Clack, clack, thud. Clack, clack, slosh, crack!
I see he's found his water bucket, Gilly had thought. Perhaps it will quench his temper as well!
Hand on her injured hind quarters, the winded hobbit painfully crossed the yard toward the inn.
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