It wasn't stealing. It wasn't stealing. It was borrowing. They were just going to borrow the horse and plow. And not let them get burned up in the fire. Or burn down the farm. Or the rest of France. After all, desperate times called for desperate measures and all that. It was not stealing.
But it really felt like it, Philotes thought as they made a dash in the direction that Idun had thought the farm was located. Lottie really hoped Idun was remembering right, because they were running out of time. They had to stop that fire, fast, before it had a chance to spread. As she ran, one hand held Idun's, some part of her terrified of losing her new friend in the dark, because what if they became separated? How would Lottie stop the fire by herself? Her other hand held a small, warm, furry body against her hip, where the ridiculously stupid chipmunk was still clinging for dear life.
Maybe when they got to the farm he'd let go, knowing it was safer. And hopefully not run back towards the fire again. Really, he was not very bright.
Just when she was starting to wonder just how far this farm was, and if they were going to have time to get the horse and plow and get back before everything turned to ashes, Lottie saw the large shapes of buildings looming as darker spots against the dark sky. Oh good, they'd found the farm. Automatically, she turned towards the largest shape, assuming it would be the barn. That idea was borne out as they drew closer and with a little burst of relief, Friendship recognized something else in the moonlight.
“There's the plow,” she exclaimed in an excited whisper. No louder, because she didn't want to wake the farmer and his family while she was in the midst of stealing his property. “Now we just need the horse. Inside the barn, don't you think? I should leave the chipmunk out here.”