The Lady Knight

Chapter 1

Katherine pulled the tiara off of her head and set it near the dresser. It was early in the morning, probably about 5:30. She slipped off her pajamas and changed into a plain white shirt with an old skirt she made herself. Slipping on her boots, she walked to her closet and grabbed her bow and arrows from the back. She slowly walked out of her room and quietly sprinted to the castle doors.

The green grass was still wet from the morning dew. It was a cloudy winter day with a gentle breeze blowing.

"I won't let the weather stop me." Katherine muttered and made her way down to the village.

At the village, she saw many things. Bakeries, libraries, food markets, a black smith, many horses, portraits, and even a pet store. She kept walking, waving at the people and exchanging a sweet "hi" or "hello".

She walked up to an old man with a small white pony.

"Excuse me, could you please show me where I could purchase a horse?" She asked.

He smiled. "Of course. Please follow me." He led Katherine and the pony to a large stable with many horses.

"Pick which one you would like. I will give it to you for free My Lady." The old man gave a slight bow and stepped to the side.

Katherine walked from stable to stable, trying to find the perfect horse for her.

"Hey...." She stopped at a tall black one. "Who is this?" She asked.

"His name is Shadow."

Katherine traced her fingers through the long black mane on Shadow's head.

"Open the stable door. You can walk in." The old man opened the stable door for her.

Her eyes widened. He was beautiful. His black coat was sleek and clean. He was very tall. He showed off his muscular body and raised his majestic head towards the moon.

"He's the fastest and strongest horse we have. You like him?" The old man asked her.

"I love him. I'll take him." Katherine gently pat Shadow's side. He neighed quietly and nuzzled her.

"Of course My Lady."

She climbed onto the tall horse and smiled. "I feel so tall." She grabbed onto the reins tightly.

She very gently kicked Shadow's side, which sent him trotting out of the stables. "Faster boy!"

He ran faster and faster until he was running as fast as he could.

The cold wind pierced Katherine's skin. She ducked down and held on tightly, fighting to keep on.

'He's fast...I can't hold on much longer...!'

"Slow down!" She whispered weakly into his ear.

Shadow began to slow down until he was completely still. Katherine raised her head and rubbed her tear stained cheeks.

"Wow...you are the fastest horse I've ever rode before. And I've ridden a lot of horses on my days."

She climbed off of the horse. She noticed the horse had stopped right on top of a large hill. Down below were targets that the Knights used to practice archery.

"Just what I came here for."

She pulled out her wooden carved bow and her arrows. She placed one of the arrows in place and pulled back, aiming for the center. She slowly let it go and watched the arrow land squarely on the bullseye.

"Yes! Woohoo!" She giggled.

Drawing back another, she walked to the side as she shot, making eight perfect shots that landed straight on the bullseye.

"If Papa was here I know he would enjoy this. But if Mama knew...." She sighed.

The tiniest moment caught her attention. A snowflake. It landed straight on her nose. Then another. Then another. Another. Another. Another. Snowflakes wee beginning to rapidly fall now, getting harder and faster by the minute.

Katherine quickly climbed on Shadow and gently kicked his side. He neighed and galloped towards the shed.
"Faster!" She held on rightly and lowered her head as Shadow sped up. She could barley open her eyes from the harsh wind and snow.
•
"There ya go." She smiled as she wrapped Shadow in a blanket.

"Would you like an apple?" She pulled a fresh green apple from her bag she had packed that morning. He pushed his nose against her arm, making her nearly fall.

"Okay okay here." She giggled and held out the apple to him. He ate it with one bite.

"Now stay warm. It's going to be a hard snow." The 14 year old said. She exited the stable and quickly ran back to the castle.
•
"Beautiful!" Queen Diana clapped her hands together.

Katherine groaned. "Mother...it's so uncomfortable." She looked at herself in the mirror, wearing a long white dress that started to split when it reached past her waist.

"Nonsense! You look darling." The Queen said, gently brushing her daughters hair with a silver brush.

"But I don't like it. Not at all. Why do I even have to go to this ball? Can't I just skip it?"

"Shush! You are going and that is final. You will also dance with the youngest sons of the men of the kingdoms capital. Got it?"

"Yes Mother...."

"Good. Now please, take off that old necklace of yours and put on a beautiful pearl one." With that, Queen Diana exited the room.

Katherine glanced down at the necklace around her. It was a short silver chain with a small circle at the end. She gently flipped the circle over and read aloud what was carved into it.

'For my lovely daughter, Katherine.
With love, Papa'

Angered boiled inside her.

"Who does she think she is? Telling me what necklace to wear! Papa made this for me and I shall not take it off. Not now, not later, never!"

Salty tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked outside at the falling snow through her window.

"Papa....why? Mama only married you because you were the king. You shouldn't of married her. But now......it's too late."