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// 3. Fore Legs and Four Legs 
// Story: Fish and Lilypad 
// by teamidris 
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The next day Fish was awake bright and early. Sam managed to convince her to eat a good breakfast at a steady pace before she was gone out of the door. Wearing her aqualung she made her way downstream all the way to the river. Once there she fitted the mask and set off excitedly downstream to the gravel flat.

Lilypad and Whitecap were already there practicing the spell as Fish surfaced and made her way ashore. Lilypad recited the spell carefully as her horn began to glow. 

"One of the sea, be one of land, four hooves I have, that I can stand." 

As Fish watched the purple and turquoise tail transformed into rear hooves and a rather odd looking tail. Fish tried to hide her giggles. 

"Don't worry little one," comforted Whitecap. "That was a very good attempt. You nearly have it now."

Lilypad turned to inspect her tail which was still more fin than hair. The new sight got the better of her legs and caused her to fall back into the water with a splash. With a loud "Oh!" she turned back into her old self. 

Her mother laughed. "They follow behind you, but they aren't a tail. You need to run around with Fish for a bit and get used to them. Even I get confused by them if I get frightened." 

With another glow of her horn Lilypad became a proper unicorn filly, with a beautiful turquoise tail flowing behind her. "Yes!" she said proudly looking at the extra pair of golden hooves. 

"Here is a little present," said Whitecap hanging a reed purse around Lilypad's neck. I made it myself between boat moorings. You can put things in it and I've written the spell on the inside. Now off you go and play in the water meadow."

Fish and Lilypad chased dragon flies and grasshoppers around the field for the afternoon. Fish was careful to look after her new friend who was still quite wobbly. When they rested Lilypad tried using her magic to make daisy chains. But no matter how far she stuck her tongue out in concentration, they still broke. They tasted just as good though. 

Soon it was time for Fish to leave for home. "Will you be able to come to Black Brook Farm next weekend?" asked Fish.

"I think I could," said Lilypad. She didn't sound too confident though. "Your pond sounds nice. I can rest there if my legs get tired. Maybe Mummy will come with me."

It seemed a long week at school and by Saturday Fish was getting very restless waiting for Lilypad. She had stayed near to the farm yard since early morning so that she didn't miss her new friend. Sam had said that maybe they wouldn't be able to make it this far on land, but Fish was sure they could. 

It was mid morning before Whitecap and Lilypad arrived at the gate. They thanked Glyn for his directions with landmarks, but still looked hot and bothered. Sam showed them to the pond where they quickly changed back to their natural state.

As the little fillies chattered Sam made a cup of tea for Whitecap. Passing it to her she asked; "I thought that might have been too far for you?"

"It wasn't too bad, but I had to go at Lilypads pace. She has never walked any distance and it took much longer than I expected. I thought I might have to find a pond for her half way."

Sam nodded. "Glyn had better carry her back to the river later. The day will only get hotter."

Once everyone was refreshed the seaponies transformed into unicorns to tour the farm. Whitecap was interested to see what a winter's supply of food looked like and Lilypad was keen to see everything else. She and Fish ran off across the meadow to check out the 'Black Brook'. 

Lilipad eyed it carefully before sticking her head in. "It sort of tastes of river" she commented, digging the bed a little with a hoof. "It must take hundreds of these to make my river." Fish thought so too. The river was big! 

Next on the list was the view towards the village from a low ridge at the edge of the farm. Climbing a short way up they sat down and took in the view.  

"Are those more barns?" asked Lilypad, pointing a hoof at a larger building with a bell on top. 

"That's my school," replied Fish. "I have to go every day and learn to read and write. Then there is history and art. Last week I was drawing seaponies, but I couldn't draw your gold eyes right. The books didn't help."

"There are books about us?" asked a surprised Lilypad.

"There are books about everypony," replied Fish. "And other things too like dragons and yaks."

Lilypad didn't have a school to go to. Maybe they had one in the sea, but the river didn't. She learned all her history from her parents in the songs of old. There were songs of wars and great heroes, city builders and healers. She wondered if she could go to school with Fish.

After a while they thought it time to return to the pond and see if there were any snacks going. Entering the yard they could see Sam and Whitecap lying in the pond. Fish had never seen Sam anywhere near it and giggled at the scene. Lilypad stepped into the water with a sign of relief as she lay down.

"I would like to go to Fish's school," announced Lilypad.

Sam and Whitecap looked at each other with surprise. 

"I guess that's a good idea. What do you think Sam?" Whitecap asked. "I want her to be able to read and write properly."

Sam thought for a moment. "All we need is a big tub at the school house so she can rest at break time. I'm sure we can find one of those. My friend Jenny lives near the river and her little filly is starting school soon, so they can walk in together."

And that was how it worked out. The stallions moved a large wooden half-barrel next to the school house and re-directed a drain pipe so it was always full. Lilypad would come to school a couple of times a week when it wasn't too hot or very cold. It stayed like that for many a year as the two friends grew up together. Adventure was always just around the corner though!

The End