Clearly no one here is familiar with the last phase of Klingon mating rituals, in which you saddle your dominated mate and ride them into battle as a final declaration of your vows. After the battle is won and the vows consummated, one of the pair heads back into battle, while the other lovingly cares for the saddle as a symbol of their eternal blood bond.

Clearly Picard is caring for Worf's saddle, but who's the mystery warrior in Pike's life?