As always, the smell of horses and hay brought back memories of home in Rohan, and Laurie felt a wave of homesickness wash over her and settle into her stomach with an uneasy feeling. She worked much slower than usual, her back still sore, but she enjoyed being around the many horses. It was interesting to see the many different shapes, sizes, and personalities; Laurie could never understand the people who insisted all horses looked alike. Why, the quaint grey hobbit pony standing next to Rave's strong horse from Rohan looked like a completely different creature!
Laurie skipped Nell's stall until she had finished with the others. Nell had been unusually quiet; she hoped nothing was wrong. Laurie peered over the stall door and laughed quietly to see her brown mare curled up and sleeping upon the shavings. Careful not to make the door squeak as she entered, Laurie slipped in and sat down beside Nell. She stroked the brown mane thoughtfully, and as she sat, Laurie felt a longing, stronger and more poignant than ever before to stand upon the edge of the sea and look out across the water to Elvenhome beyond. Laurie sat there for a long time, lost in her thoughts.
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