Fall For You

A Day With Robin

"Good morning your highness." My hand maid comes in.

"Sara, you can call me Regina. No need for formality, we are friends." I smile and she returns it.

"Today you're going to be out with King Robin. You're mother chose him first for some reason." She says setting down my breakfast. "You're mother wanted me to bring this up for you. She doesn't want you to eat with her and the kings this morning."

"Okay, thank you. Would you mind helping me pick out my clothing. Do you know what we are doing?" I ask.

"Yes, he's taking you out riding after breakfast and out to have a picnic in the woods. Also, something about archery, I think." Sara says, while helping me look through my riding outfits. We decide upon a pink jacket and navy blue, almost black pants. (Picture above.) Sara wishes me good luck and to have fun before she leaves. I dress and eat breakfast. I am to meet Robin out at the stables, so I make my way there.

"Good morning." I smile seeing our horses prepped for our day. I was sad that I couldn't groom Rocinante before hand, but I will definitely afterwards.

"Good morning, m'lady. Are you ready for our day?" Robin flickers a smile walking over to me.

"Yes. I am excited to have a good excuse to ride my beloved Rocinante." I pet my horse and mount him swiftly. I see that Robin is impressed that I didn't need any help. I'll probably get in trouble by mother later, but I'm not a damsel that needs saving- or help for that matter.

"That's good. You're not allowed to ride?" Robin asks, mounting his steed.

"Once in a while, yes. But I have to get everything done, and not sass my mother." I say as we ride out onto a path that will take us to a meadow in a few hours.

"You enjoy riding, what else do you enjoy?"

"I like reading. It's my escape from reality; just like riding, it makes me feel free." I reply, "What else do you do, on your free time?"

"I like archery and going down to the village and talking to the people. I like hearing their opinions on how I am ruling. I don't like absolute monarchies. I like having them be free with their words and having say of what goes on. I make sure that they are filled with bread, and their shelters are taken good care of." He explains.

"You sound like a great King. I wish to be able to go down to the village, but mother would have my head if I did so."

"Why is she so strict, controlling?" He questions.

"Because I am a lady of honor. A Lady doesn't do that stuff, she doesn't ride, she doesn't want to be highly educated, and she doesn't socialize with people less than her." I roll my eyes, "Race me? There's a clearing up there. First one there wins!" I take off speeding through the green forest, free from the castle. Robin is on my tail catching up, coming up next to me.

"You're gonna have to go faster m'lady!" He says loudly, taking the lead.

"It's Regina!" I yell back picking up my speed and winning our little race.

"Good race, Regina." The way is said my name in that moment sent butterflies all throughout my stomach. "Since we're on a first name basis, I'm Robin, then." He says.

"Alright, Robin. Let's keep going." I really like Robin. He seems to have a good heart and soul. I like how he involves his people in his work as King and makes sure they're taken good care of. We ride in silence, a comfortable silence, until we get to the meadow.

"I packed sandwiches." He says while setting up the picnic.

"Can I help you in way?" I offer my assistance but he turns me down. I hate standing here looking like an idiot, and not knowing what to do. I end up tying our horses to a fallen tree a few feet away from us, but still in close proximity of our eye sight.  We sit down and start to eat this lovely lunch.

"This is a great lunch." I say taking the last bite of my sandwich.

"I'm glad you like it. Maybe afterward I can show you how to use a bow and arrow?" He asks.

"Yeah, I'd like that." I nod and grin at him.  

After we finish he goes and grabs his bow from the saddle bag. He comes over to me and offers a hand to help me up, I gladly oblige. We hold hands while walking over where a target was set up earlier, before he got there.  He hands me the bow and grabs an arrow out of his quiver and hands it to me. 

"Put that end in here," He points to the spots, "Now draw it back and bring this part to the right corner of your lips." 

I'm starting to have trouble with bringing it back, so he comes behind me, so close to where I can feel his breath upon my skin; his breath is warm and kind of comforting. He helps me draw it back, "Now steady it and take a deep breath, and once you're ready, let go. " He whispers in my ear. I release it, and it flies  into the target. "Good job." He smiles. 

"Can I try again?"  I ask. He hands me another arrow,, and I draw it back myself  and release it. This time I got it right on the bulls-eye, and Robin's smile turned into a wide grin. 

"What a natural." He takes his second bow and another arrow and shoots it through the air in less than a second of drawing it back; it hits the bulls-eye. 

"Show off!" I push him playfully and stick my tongue out, he reciprocates the gesture, and I start to giggle. 

"Only for you, would I show off." He says simply, joining me in laughter. 

   ~

"How was your day with King Robin?" My mother walks into my bed chamber scaring half to death. 

"It was fun." I reply. 

"How do you feel about him?" She asks sitting on my bed. 

"I don't feel anything, Mother. I don't want to marry him, or any of them for that matter." I state. 

"Well, you have to, whether you like it or not. You are to wed, end of story. Tomorrow you have an outing with King Graham. He is taking you down to the shore below. You better be on your best behavior. Also, why didn't you accept help while mounting that horse? You need to act like a lady, daughter. No one will want you if you don't start acting proper." She says coldly.

"I will be good. Robin was rather impressed that I didn't need help mounting, for your information. Please leave, I would like to rest now." 

My mother gets up and leaves without saying another word. Think back on today, Robin was great, he is very kind and honest. But, I don't think he is the one for me. I just don't like how becomes quiet at times, There is something about him that I can't quite get. I guess I need to talk to him more to get what I need to see if him and I are somewhat compatible.