Bridgid was at the stable before the sun rose. How she managed to get out of the cottage without Jack knowing is going to remain a mystery because out of a lifelong habit he was up at four bells.

The place was quiet and she really enjoyed brushing and grooming Skipper. It was her first chance to bond with the gelding.

"We're going to get along just fine, son." she cooed to the horse. "I bet you have more spirit than Jacks big stallion, don't you. I bet you're going to love a good gallop. I can see it in your eyes." She cradled his velvety nose in her palms while she spoke then she placed a good firm kiss there. "I've missed riding. You and I are going to do some exploring."

She saddled him carefully, making sure that he was not pinched or rubbed in any way. Once she was satisfied, she led Skipper outside, mounted up and took off at a canter. The air was crisp and exhilarating for this time of year in the southern hemisphere. Slowly but surely she let the reins slide though her hands, giving the big gray more freedom to run. In a short bit of time they were galloping at the edge of a field. The horse stretched out and she lay flat against his neck, laughing with joy at the feeling of freedom it gave her.

Suddenly she felt the horse coil beneath her. She raised her head and pulled back on the reins to slow him down. What got his attention? When they finally slowed to a walk she saw him. The man on the horse was looking right in her direction and with a bit of leg pressure she guided Skipper over to him.

"General." Bridgid called. "You are up early. Good morning to you." 

Skipper arched his neck and snorted a greeting to the General's stallion. Legion had no reason to be intimidated by the gelding and responded back with a soft wicker.

"Bridgid," Maximus acknowledged, one eyebrow cocked a bit more than the other. "Good to see you." He looked back the way she had come. "Is the Captain lagging behind today?"

"No, General. I'm by myself."

How could she explain to him that she'd basically snuck out of the house without telling Jack where she was going? There was a wash of guilt knowing that since she left no note, the Captain would be worried sick.

"I left before he got up. Thought I'd get a ride in before the sun got too high. Shall we share the trail?'

Maximus knew Jack would not wish his lady to be riding alone, not yet, and so he smiled, "I should like that," and turned Legion so that he was riding just out
from her side along a line of fog-shrouded evergreens. The rising sun tinged the fog with amber, giving an almost magical light to the scene.

Without being obvious about it, he checked her seat, made one slight suggestion as to how she held the reins so her hands would feel more comfortable, then rode companionably to her right. "The Glen is beautiful," he commented. "This valley is a good choice for a settlement."  He tipped his head, looking up at
the high branches of the tall trees. "It is a good place for a home."

She adjusted her hands graciously. Though Bridgid had been riding since she was a child she respected the General and took his advice with a nod and a thanks.

"It is a great place. Jack and I are close enough to the shore to keep our first love of sailing in our sight yet we are with people we love like you and Joi. We're going to meet the rest of the community at Richie and Toni's wedding, too. I'm excited about that.

Ducking a branch she laughed a little. "Providing I don't get clothes lined...there's a clearing up ahead. Would you like a little gallop?"

He grinned at her, one of those beautiful Maximus grins that always grabbed anyone graced by it because his nature was so often serious and deeply thoughtful. He didn't say a thing, just nodded with that grin on his face as her answer.

At his nod she heeled Skipper into a canter, then giving him his head she was off at a full gallop. Where was Maximus? Legion was a bigger faster horse than Skipper and he should have bolted by her by now. Bridgid turned in her saddle to see him behind her.

Face it! Maximus was just like Jack in many ways. He was concerned and protective whether she needed him to be or not.

"C'mon, General. I know you have more steam than that." she called to him. Too bad she wasn't paying attention to her perfect expert seat.

He wanted to stay behind her so he could observe her as she rode. All in all, he was quite pleased with how she handled the horse. She seemed to know what she was doing. He relaxed, planning on telling Jack that in his opinion the Captain needn't worry about his lady while on horseback. Just then, though, she turned
to look back at him and call out.

"BRIDGID! Be care...." But she'd already lost her seat, falling cleanly off to one side in the deep meadow grass. He dismounted almost at a run, dashing up to her. "Bridgid, are you...?" But she was already sitting up, looking chagrined.

She sat there for a moment with a 'where the heck am I look', then she began to laugh. Oh, my gosh! I just fell on my ass! I can't remember the last time it happened to me."

Pushing herself up she grabbed the General's hand, stood, brushed herself off then grabbed for Skipper's reins. "Well, at least he thinks its funny." The horse just stood there. He was calm as can be.

"General...Maximus...please don't tell Jack that I fell. He'd shit a brick..I mean he'd never let me out to ride by myself ever."

When he was assured she was, indeed, all right, he sighed and shook his head slightly. "It was when you turned to look back. You realize that, don't you, Bridgid, that that was when you lost your seat?"  At her nod, he continued, "That is your wish, then, that I not speak of this to him?"  If he had not seen how well she rode
before the fall, he would never have agreed to keep silent, not with her safety at stake. But she was, overall, an excellent rider who'd simply had a brief lapse in judgment.