Desert Winds (a Percy Jackson AU)

I Want to Show You Something

Hazel was sketching a horse on a piece of papyrus when she heard a knock on the door. She set down the sketch and rolled over into a seated position before standing up. When she opened the door, she saw King Frank smiling bashfully at her.

His hair looked nearly trimmed and his brown eyes were shining. "I want to show you something."

Hazel looked over her shoulder at the bed where her sketch lay. King Frank followed her gaze. "You look like you've been having fun. Is that papyrus?"

"My father gave me papyrus and drawing supplies for my thirteenth birthday," Hazel said. "I was sketching a horse."

    King Frank's smile grew wider. "You're a talented artist. Would you want to go on a walk with me?"

     His cheeks were pink and he was looking down at his shoes. Hazel smiled. Despite his ox-like physique and royal status, King Frank was as kind as a lamb. King Frank hesitatingly hooked his elbow around Hazel's, causing them both to blush.

     They walked down the hallways and towards the gardens. As they strolled through it, they inhaled the heady scent of blooming flowers. The garden was awash with colors and they both waved when they saw Katie laying under the shade of a date palm tree. "I've never known anyone who loves plants so much," King Frank remarked.

      Hazel nodded. They left the gardens and headed towards the back of the palace. Hazel's interest piqued. She had never been here before. The smell of hay tickled her nose and she inhaled deeply, closing her eyes.

    When she opened them, she was astounded by what she saw. "It's beautiful!" she whispered.

    The stables before her were wooden and handsomely built. Inside of them, horses neighed and whinnied. Hazel's eyes were drawn to a handsome stallion. He had beautiful brown coat and a darker mane that shined in the sunlight.

"Nobody has been able to even pet him," King Frank said. "He rebuffs anyone's responses."

Hazel approached the horse. She locked gazes with him and held out a hand. She stroked him gently. He tossed him head, but allowed her to continue stroking him. The horse snuffled at her hand as if looking for treats. He neighed loudly.

    "I don't speak horse," King Frank said, "but I reckon that if I did, he'd be cussing."

     "You don't speak equine?" Hazel asked in  a mockingly surprised tone. "I would have thought you spoke Egyptian to men, Sumerian to women, Akkadian to the gods, and Phoenician to horses."

     King Frank smiled and laughed. "You are a wonder. Next thing I know, you'll be using bracelets to escape this palace."

    "With this horse," Hazel said.

    King Frank's smile deepened. "Of course. Would you like to take a ride?"

   Hazel jumped up in excitement. She let Arion out of his stable and mounted him. She had never been on the back of a horse's back before and for the first time in her life, she felt powerful and in control. As Arion began to trot, Hazel hung on and enjoyed the sensation. If being a queen meant being able to do this, then Hazel wanted it very much.