Protecting the princess (GXG) *Complete*

9. Want to go for a horse ride?

After eating we took a walk around the village, and my brother decided to tag along. Although I was going to dropkick him for complaining so much, I was glad he came. Ruben wasn't out this early and most of the commoners were either asleep or just inside. Well except for the shop keepers, they're always up bright and early. I walked us over to my favorite butcher, Isaac Parker. He was the butcher I brought all the stags to after a hunt. He's the best in the village, plus he gives me a discount because I give him work, which means he gets money. I asked Tyler to get a loaf of bread and sent him across the market, while Annabelle and I waited for lunch meat.

"So do you eat this on a regular basis?" I shook my head and opened my mouth but before I could speak Isaac started.

"Well she usually comes before and after a big hunt. She always fills my stock." And he gave me a big smile.

"Hunt?" She questioned.

I looked at her and lowered my eyebrows." You be never heard of a Hunt? Basically we are like wolves, my men and I usually go in groups and hunt out animals like wild boar, deer, and bulls. Then when we've got them we, well I bring them back here to be cut and served."

She nodded and looked back at Isaac. He said," yup and she always brings the best ones." He smiled.

A boy came from the back with our order and I gave the money to Isaac.  When we turned to leave the market we saw Tyler running towards us with bread, lettuce, tomato, and what looked to be an onion. He stopped in front of us with a big smile. "I was given an offer and got all of this."

I took some of the food off his hands and walked down the path. It was a silent walk home and when we came up to the house a thought popped into my head. I unlocked the door and dropped the food on the counter, Annabelle walked up beside me and started putting it away. After cleaning up, Tyler walked into his room and closed the door. I turned to Annabelle who was now putting dishes away, and smiled.

"What?" She asked suspicious.

"I was wondering if you wanted to go on a ride, through the wood?" She shifted and a grin appeared." So, yes?"

She nodded and headed to grab riding clothes, for she was still in her morning gown. I was already wearing mine so I just went outside and saddled Nolan. I tightened everything making sure that we wouldn't fall off.

She came out in another pair of my jeans and a tunic I had as a child. She looked clueless, probably because the only time she had ridden a horse was when I had to take her back the the king and then to my house. I reached out my hand and she took it. I pulled her into the stable and helped her up onto the saddle, then jumped on myself. I bet I made it look easier than it really was, I have been doing this since I was fifteen.

" Okay, so now you wanna hold on to me, so you don't fall." She hesitated, thinking that I wasn't going to let her touch me, but I grabbed her hands and wrapped her arms around me then locked her hands together." You can trust me and Nolan, he's a very nice and patient horse." I told her.

I unlached the gate and slowly guided him out the fenced area. I felt a tug at my stomach, and looked back. Annabelle was holding on tight, tighter than I expected. We kept a slow pace, following the trail in the back of my house into the woods.

It was peaceful, and serene. We were quiet, so you could hear the birds and the rushing river water. The tree leaves rustled in the wind. Annabelle eased up and relaxed, Nolan walked as slow as he could to allow her to adjust. Every once in a while we would see a woodland creature scamper across the path. Annabelle looked surprised each time and pointed them out. We came to a stop under an apple tree and I gave the reins to Annabelle and she panicked. She gave me a face like, what am I supposed to do? I explained that I was going to climb the tree and just wanted her to hold Nolan in place.

I jumped up and grabbed hold of a branch and hoisted myself up. I peered down and saw Annabelle with a worried look and waved. I stepped up a little further. The best apples are at the top, so that's where I was heading. It only took a small amount of time, but I made it to the top of the thickest branch and perched myself. Then pulled out a Swiss army knife and cut at the stems of three apples. I turned my riding cloak around and used the hood as a holster and carried the apples down to safety.

I carefully gave one to Annabelle and took her hand with the apple and moved towards Nolan. I felt her tense up under my hand, and whispered," it's okay, he's very gentle. Just as long as you are too."

She gulped and slowly mover her hand and my hand toward Nolans face. He noticed the apple and sniffed it, then gingerly took a bite and we moved our hands away. I smiled at her and she smiled back. Then I handed her one if the last two I had. I saw a low branch and after eating my apple, I took the rope to Nolans saddle and tied it to the branch. I sat down near him, and gestured for Annabelle to follow. She looked at her fruit and then walked over and sat next to me.