The Princess is a Spitfire

Ch. 2: Spirit

Ada rushed upstairs to her bedchamber, and retrieved her cloak, and draped it around her shoulders as she turned heel and ran to the stables. Smiling in satisfaction as she was the first there. She pulled out an apple she snuck from the kitchen and handed it to her beautiful mare, while stallions are consistently the fastest her Ethne, defied those standards. She was the fastest horse the royal family had ever seen. She earned her name, she was a spirited and fiery creature, which let few people pet her, and only one ride upon her. Ada watched as Ethne gobbled up her treat, and nuzzled her with her velvety nose.

Ethne had already been harnessed, Ada noticed happily. Ada stepped into the stirrups and swung herself onto Ethne's back. Ada chuckled as Ethne whinnied as if complaining at the weight gain.

"Oh come, you've seen the brutes that you may have to carry otherwise, lord knows how uncomfortable that would be" Ethne nickered in response.

Ada urged Ethne slowly out of the stall, until three blurs flashed by in front of her, and her horse reared back in shock. Ada let a cry of outrage as she turned to see the blurs that nearly ran her over. Cadell, and Tristian sat atop their steeds the picture of innocence, Griffith's expression, however, held a slight smirk, as if trying to keep from laughing. Ada cocked an eyebrow at the impudence of her brothers. "I realize that Griff is the eldest son and all, but is that truly all it requires for you to follow his every whim.

Tristian as always was the first to pipe up " I only follow him when it involves harassing our little sister, it's a team effort Ada, we work together to infuriate you."

Ada shot the youngest brother a look, that would most men weak in the knees, for his cheek. "Lord, save me", Ada breathed under her breath." Shall we be off, I'll even give you a two minute head start, even though that still won't be sufficient for a win. Cadell spoke up "Ada, you could give us a quarter of an hour of a head start, no one is capable of besting that mare of yours.", jutting his chin at Ethne. Ada cocked her head to the side as if pondering her brother's statement. "True, forget the head start," Adaira tightened her grip on the reigns "Hyah" and bolted out of the royal stables; the tell tale sign of rumbling behind let her know her brothers were attempting to chase her down. Ada breathed in the fresh air as the sky opened up and wind whipped around her. Her cape rippled behind her as Ada stretched out her arms wide, riding brought her this undeniable freedom.

Riding down the hill that their castles sat atop, wind flowed through her hair, Ada sighed at the bliss of the moment. Ethne slowed the pace as they approached the village protected in the valley behind the castle. Adaira swung her leg around and hopped off of Ehtne, and led her to the Shaw's home. Ada knocked on the wooden door, moments after the door was cracked open. A little voice squealed "Princess Adaira" a small, and excited six year old hurled herself onto Adaira. Ada was tackled to the ground laughing by the other children.

Their mother, Greer, approached the mess on the floor, "Alright, that's quite enough. Could my darling children please get off of the princess?" Adaira laughed pushing herself off of the ground. "Pardon for the sudden invasion, but I come bearing gifts." Greer curtseyed lowly. "Your Majesty."

 Greer's three children left the house to play outside as Greer and Adaira sat back and talked. The coins clinked on the table with a loud plink in the leather pouch. "I brought something to help with any snags that you might encounter. I know times have been tough ever since your husband passed" Adaira said. "Things have been tough for Cara and Alastair but Darren is too young to notice. And this one..." Greer sighed placing her hand on her stomach "Will never know it's father." Adaira placed her hand on Greer's "I'm so sorry, Greer".

"Adaira, we finished our business in town, we need to get back soon." Cadell piped in breaking the silent support Adaira and Greer sat in. "Certainly Cade, one moment." turning to Greer and standing "I'll see you and your family again, as soon as I can", Ada hugged her tightly then turned to leave. Griffith and Tristian were already waiting on horseback for their siblings. "You really need to be careful Ada, if people find out about you backing the Shaw's family they could get jealous, and go after her and her family. " Griff said staring at his little sister. "Why should they, even the small sum I give them is usually shared with other families, she's a matriarch, and her husband was a good man." Ada questioned in reply. "Still" Tristian cut in "We need to get back soon, Father said he had some news to share with us once we go back." Adaira swung herself on Ethne, and urged her forward as thy headed back to their magnificent stone castle on the peak.

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So next chapter I'll be starting the "Inciting Incident", hope you like it so far, still unsure what the future schedule for this story will be. Please tell me what you think about.

That's the Castle, personally I think it is absolutely breathtaking! Their castle faces a great big bay of water, it's a port city.

- SecretlyAMermaid