Beyond The Stables (epilogue)

EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS!!

Just a quick epilogue to wrap everything up!

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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														Epilogue. A New Day

News of what had happened on Schnee's ranch spread all around town.

The videos and photographs that riding students had taken were now on half the phones in the town, and just as many computer screens. There were headlines in the paper as well: Schnee's daughter saves horse from death by riding with broken arm.

A small crowd of news reporters and similar companies paid visits in the following days, interviewing Weiss and her father. Weiss told of the secret lessons she'd practiced during, and stressed how important it was not to give up on something just because everyone else had.

After being the stallion's final stop before euthanization, Schnee's ranch was praised for being the place to save him. Business flourished, as there was an influx of students wanting to ride and take lessons there now. Visitors stopped by to see the miracle stallion and take pictures.

The ordeal ended up being one of the best things to happen to the business since Weiss' father had inherited it.

As for Weiss herself, she no longer snuck out to hold night lessons with Ruby.

She was confined to bed-rest and a small amount of tutoring lessons until her arm and ribs were fully healed a few weeks later. During that time, she would go outside at lunchtime and watch the horses and their riders, of course with Ruby glued to her side. Their relationship became known, but they weren't timid about it – rather, they were more than willing to flaunt it.

After Weiss' cast was removed and she was officially pronounced to be healed, she and Ruby had a private discussion with Weiss' father.

Weiss told him her dream, how she'd gone through all of this not only to spare Zuri a senseless death, but also because she wanted to ride horses, not sit behind a desk and do paperwork.

He listened to her suggestion of switching hers and Winter's roles, since her older sister wasn't all that thrilled about riding and would be much more suited for Weiss' previous line of work.

He discussed the suggestion with Winter as well, who ended up eagerly accepting, declaring she just wasn't cut out for riding. He approved Weiss' desire to practice riding, and declared she would begin lessons the following week.

In addition, he praised Ruby for her work in assisting Weiss to ride, despite never having ridden before herself until just a few weeks ago.

He permitted her two hours off from her usual stablehand work per day to use as she pleased.

So naturally, Ruby used that time to saddle up, and follow Weiss out into the corral...

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There was a warm breeze on the air, accompanied by the sounds of galloping hooves.

Weiss steered Zuri toward the line of jumps that had been set up for the lessons that day, controlling her grip on the reins. She could hear Ruby cheering for her from behind and imagined her jumping up and down in Ebony's saddle to clap.

Weiss increased the horse's speed until he neared the jump, and then it was all up to him. He cleared the first jump, then the second, and at last the highest third.

Weiss bounced on his back as he hit solid ground again, then slowed him down and brought him back around to the waiting crowd.

"Very good!" the instructor praised. "This is how it's done, everyone. If you ever intend to ride bareback, you've got to take lessons from Miss Schnee herself!"

Ruby met Weiss as she returned to the gathered line of horses and riders. They were given a ten minute leisure break, so the two girls decided to walk their horses around the corral, side by side.

Of course, Ruby spent her free time praising Weiss.

"Your jumps were awesome as ever, Weiss! You're like, professional, I think!"

"You flatter me."

"No, really! Those guys on TV almost always hit a bar or something, but you've never hit one once!"

"That's hardly my doing. It's all Zuri's work." She reached forward to pat his neck.

"Mm, yeah. But he never would've been able to do it without such a great rider to work with!"

Weiss couldn't find the words to refute that statement, so she simply sighed.

"Dunce."

They continued to walk their horses, until they'd broken away from the main crowd. Ruby and Weiss enjoyed the warm summer breeze as it pulled through their hair after passing through their respective horse's manes.

A moment of silence passed between them, and they came to a unanimous halt.

"I still can't believe it," Ruby mumbled. "How we did all those crazy things. How it really worked out in the end. You saved Zuri, you switched work with your sister, and you taught so many people a super important lesson." Ruby turned a bit in her saddle, her lips a smile and her eyes sparkling pools of silver. "I know I've said it before... but you're really incredible, Weiss."

"And I know I've said it before, but it's all thanks to you, Ruby."

A shy giggle, and Ruby hid her face.

The two girls dismounted, letting their horses wander freely as they themselves headed for the gates. Ruby scurried to catch up to her girlfriend.

"Hey, Weiss~" She grasped her wrist and pulled the white-haired girl back a step.

"Yes, Ruby?"

"Mm, nothin'. I just wanted a kiss."

Weiss couldn't help but smile.

"Than who am I to deny you such a thing?"

Her hands found their way around Ruby's shoulders, and the brunette pressed her palms onto either side of Weiss' waist.

First their noses brushed, and then lips found lips, trapping a warm breath of air between them. It was a relief to finally be able to do this with nothing left to worry about.

They parted, resting their foreheads together and releasing blissful sighs. Then, Ruby wrapped Weiss in a soft embrace, held it for a moment, and pulled back.

"So, you wanna grab some lunch?"

Weiss leaned forward to kiss her cheek.

"I'd love to."

Hand-in-hand, they walked out of the corral, and a soft whinny carried on the warm breeze behind them.

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A/N: With this, my Equestrian AU is complete! Thanks for reading, everyone!