"You Shall go to the Ball..."

Chapter 3 - "Clumsy..."

Chapter 3 - "Clumsy..."

Clara's PoV

'Where are you doing?' Dad asked. 'The wedding is in just hours' he said.

'I know. I just need some air. I'm not really into the whole "have to look perfect" thing' I pointed out.

'You will be back in time?'

'I'm only taking the horse out for a spin. I promise I would never miss your wedding - even if it is to a strange woman' I promised.

I couldn't stand to be in the room any longer than needed. I didn't want a spray tan. I wasn't going to wear false eye lashes, and as for the shoes - no way. I didn't want my hair curled, and ow admit putting 800 bobby pins in it just to please her.

I would wear my normal make up, and have my hair straight as usual. Thankfully it was the one part of the wedding planning my Dad had agreed I  did not need to get involved in, so I went to the stable.

I jumped on my pure white horse and headed into the forest.

Dad has forbid me several times from going near the forest, but why would I not? It's the best place in the whole of the town to have a good ride. I love the feel of the wind in my hair as the horse gallops. Especially when it's early Spring like today.

I let my horse gallop, and take me anywhere it pleased, I was more than happy to comply as I just wanted to forget all the stress of this ridiculous wedding and have a few moments to myself. Even if it was "selfish" as my soon to be step mother would put it.

I closed my eyes for a breath, when I heard a gunshot from behind. My eyes snapped open, when my horse went into overload. 'Oh crap' I muttered.

We went flying through the forest, until I could hold on no more to the hair on my horses back. The poor thing was frightened - and wasn't having any of it.

I tried to hold on but went flying off the horse and straight into the tree. Thankfully I only hit my head on the ground, and didn't loose consciousness when it happened.

Only that I could feel my head bleeding.

- - -

I smelt a funny smell when I opened my eyes a few minutes later. Couldn't have been anymore than 10. 'We e found the horse sir. What shall we do with it?' A voice hollered in the distance.

'Calm him down Rory. Keep him there' the voice in front of me said. I blinked my eyes making sure what I was seeing was right, and in front of me was indeed, a brown headed man with deep green eyes. 'Hi' he said with a dashing smile. 'Stay still. I just need to apply some pressure to that cut'

He pressed suddenly a piece of white cloth that smelt funny, but clearly had antiseptic in it, to my head and I winced at the sting it made, and the shudder that went through my body.

'Sorry. It won't hurt for much longer' he said cleaning the wound and the rest of my face where the blood was trickling down. It had come to a stop now though, and was just dry blood.

'Who are you?' I asked through a weak voice, but was intrigued as to why he was helping me.

'You don't know me?' He asked as if I should know who he was.

'No. Never seen you before in my life' I admitted.

'Then you must have lived one very sheltered life. I'm -' he stuttered and changed his mind on what he was going to say. 'I'm John. Just John' he said extending a hand for me to take.

I stood up and smiled. 'Thanks. Was that my horse you were talking about?'

'White horse? Assume he threw you off?'

'That would be because of the gun shot you and your men over there let off. If you hadn't of been hunting so near the main land--'

'Actually. We were well within the hunting right. If you had been riding your horse a little closer to the mainland... Then you would have right to complain' he smiled.

'Huh?'

'How did you even get out here? Your a good 20 minutes from the main land of the town. 30 minutes from the country. You really must have been enjoying yourself. Or completely oblivious ' he smirked.

'30 minutes? Oh crap. I've got a wedding to get too' I said stumbling up the through the mud and nearly tripped again, but was caught from falling flat on my face by strong arms.

'Careful. Your a clumsy one' he laughed.

'I really have to go. I have to be back for a wedding. My Dads wedding. I promised' I said, as I reached the top and climbed on the horse that a man was holding.

'It really is dangerous for you to be riding out here alone. At least let one of my men take you home' he demanded but I shook my head.

'I have to go. Now. It will take me ages to cover up the blood for the wedding now' I said in a huff, ready to go, but he stopped the horse a second.

'Wait' he said running what I assume was his horse. He pulled something out of his bag and handed it to me.

'Healing cream?'

'Apply it generously and it will heal the cut on your face, making sure that you look absolutely perfect for the wedding' he smiled.

'How?'

'Like magic'

'There's no such thing as magic' I responded with a raised eyebrow.

'Believe it. And it will work' he chuckled. 'Now go. You've a wedding to get too'

'Thank you' I whispered, pushing the horse onwards and upwards through the forest.

'Wait. What's your name?' He shouted.

'I have to go' I shouted back leaving him standing there in confusion.

'Prince John. We're behind now. Your father doesn't like to be kept waiting' Rory said.

'Yeah. I -- I know' John said back, watching the mysterious girl as she disappeared into the wilderness. 'I really should have escorted her back' John said.

'Your highness. You barely know the girl' Rory laughed as if it was a joke.

'Maybe not. But I hope too soon' John said thinking of her deep brown eyes.