Her Courter

I hopped off of Rosie, my horse of god knows how long, and began to brush out her golden coat. I rarely ride with a saddle. As I feed her a carrot I heard my mother calling out for me from the garden.

My mother was standing in the garden with a book in her hands. Her black hair fell just to her shoulders in small waves. Her smile fell when she saw my attire. Simple trousers and a flannel boy shirt is not something a proper young lady wears everyday, but I'm not truly proper.

"For once I would like to see you around the house in a dress, Avana. Soon you won't even be around the house," she said with a hand on my shoulder. I rolled my eyes and looked sown at the book.

"May I ask what this is?"

"This is your birthday present, I'm sure you will find how much it helps," she pressed the small, leather bond book in my hand. It was a diary.

"Mother, what for?" I flipped through the pages, knowing there was nothing.

"What do you mean 'what for'? You have come of age! You'll be leaving your father and I soon," I couldn't help the giggle that escaped my lips.

"Mother, my birthday isn't for another week," this time she smiled.

"Yes, on the day this season begins, darling. You will be going this year. I wrote the king about this and he said you will be coming. I have already taken care of your clothes and they should be finished by the end of this week," my mother lead me towards the house where I removed my shoes before entering.

I didn't think I was actually going this year. I haven't even thought about court.

Mother and I walked through the house until we found father in his study. He grinned when he saw us and stopped what he was doing. He kissed my forehead and then kissed my mother.

"What can I do for my two lovely women today,?"

"I just explained to Avana that she is going to court this season and now it's your turn," my mother walked into the room with a smirk present on her face. My father lightly laughed before turning to me.

"Sweetheart, you will be having an early ball for your birthday because your mother and I won't be able to spend your birthday with you,"he said with a smile. He is rarely not smiling. The problem with this revelation is that I don't want a ball, I dislike being the center of attention. I understand where they are coming from but that doesn't change my personality.

"When shall this ball occur, " I asked, biting back the dread forming in my stomach.

"Tonight, so go upstairs and bathe, the guest should be arriving in a few hours," mother rushed me out of the room and to the stairs. The dread I felt doubled in size as I walked into my room. I saw a maid already running my water and another laying out the dress my mother must have chosen. This time she had me in mind. The dress went down to my ankles and was slightly puffy from the waist down. The top was a corset. The dress was steel grey with light blue crystals here and there to bring out my eyes.

I sat in the tub and let myself relax for a moment. I'm going to court on my birthday. How would I act when I can't put on my boy clothes and ride Rosie? How will I get along with, much less marry, the suitors? I can barely keep it together at home and now I must be expected to be a proper young lady for three months. This is going to be difficult.

I washed and draped a towel around my petite body. I looked at my self and decided to do my own make up for once. After about 25 minutes I was done. I think I did a great job for a first timer

As I slipped on my undergarments my personal maid and friend, Kathryn, walked in. She smiled at me and sat me back down so she could do my hair.

"Who did your make up, you look beautiful," she commented while brushing my long, curly, thick black hair.

"I did, now tell me the truth. Do I really look presentable, " I asked liking at her through the mirror. She smiled and nodded.

"You look almost perfect, all you need is your hair and dress," we both laughed as she quickly pulled my hair into a high bun with curly tendrils framing my face. She helped me into my dress and matching shoes.

"How do you feel about going to court, " Kathryn asked as she put away the last of our materials.

"I never had to think about it, I know I'm not going to make it. You know how I am, no one is going to want to court me," I said practicing how to sit like a proper woman. Kathryn laughed.

"You'll be fine, you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. You'll have them fighting over you. The prince himself will want you as a wife, and that's saying something, " she sat next to me and put my hands in hers.

"As if, that prince would never want to marry me." The prince has had many different 'friends' every season since his 16th birthday almost three years ago.

Before Kathryn could respond my mother walked in and her smile grew when she saw me. I stood and spun for her. When I stilled I noticed a tear slip from her eye.

"Why are you crying," I wrapped my arms around her not knowing what to do.

"Oh, my little girl is growing up," she replied, hugging me back.

"Mom, you and I both know, I'm never growing up," we laughed for a moment before mother rushed off to finish getting ready. This was going to be a night I won't ever forget.