Aine kicked her horse Tempest's side, making the black stallion speed up. The girls' long black hair flew behind her, and when she twisted around to smirk at her brother, Aine's dark hazel eyes twinkled with mirth. She turned back around and leaned in close to the stallion's neck. She closed her eyes, loving the feeling of freedom that the wind brought her. Opening her eyes again, she pulled gently on the reins, slowing the horse to a stop in a small clearing. They both sat, breathing heavily, the horse from running, and her companion from the taste of freedom.

Niallan trotted up with Wildfire, barely breathing hard. "Haven't I told you not to speed off like that?" he asked his sister in a mock-serious tone. She merely rolled her eyes. "Seriously though. You've got to be more careful, Aine. You wouldn't want Tempest to get hurt, would you?" The girl shook her head, patting her horse fondly. Sliding off his back, she stretched. Riding, even if for an hour, gave her cramps.

Niallan slid off his horses back as well. The two siblings tied their horses to a nearby tree branch and went to sit in the shade of another. Mid-summer in Caledonia didn't usually get very warm, but this was one of the days that it did. Aine lay with her back on the cool grass, gazing up into the leaves of the tree. She watched as they danced through the wind, constantly shifting the shadows around her. Closing her eyes, Aine breathed in the clean Caledonian air. Her brother sat beside her and pulled out a block of wood and a knife. Humming quietly, he began to carve into the wood.

A half hour later, Aine opened her eyes. She hadn't fallen asleep, had she? Sitting up, she glanced around. The sun was slowly beginning to set and she shook her head. Calm and peaceful settings always did that to her. Turning her head to look at Niallan, she rolled her eyes. He had fallen asleep as well, and as usual, was drooling. The wood and knife lay forgotten in his lap. Aine stood up and looked for something to... ah, that'll do. She reached up and plucked an apple from the tree above her. Inspecting it, she nodded in satisfaction. Taking carful aim, she threw it...

at Niallan. The attacking fruit hit him on the head and bounced into his lap. The boy woke with a start, looking around for his attacker and saw his sister on the ground, holding her sides. Glaring at her, Niallan sat up straight. He grabbed the apple and took a large bite. "Thanks for the apple sis." He said after swallowing. Aine nodded her head, still laughing. Rolling his eyes, Niallan stood up and stretched. "We should be heading back."

Calming her laughter, Aine nodded again and stood up. "We should. Don't want to be late for dinner."After saying that, she hurried over to the horses. Untying the reins, she mounted Tempest. "Ready?" she asked calmly, a smirk playing across her lips. The dark haired boy finished his apple and tossed the core behind him. He leaned down and picked up his knife and carving, stuffing them in his shirt pockets. Walking over, he mounted Wildfire.

"This time, let's not rush off after the first hoof step." He suggested. Aine rolled her eyes, but a grin spread across her face. Wheeling Tempest around, she started off at a steady trot, heading towards the road. "Coming dear brother?" she called over her shoulder. Aine knew without turning around that he was following her, most likely glaring at her head in the process. Her grin widened. "I do hope you're trying not to melt my head. Mother would be so disappointed." She said.

She heard Niallan mumble something, but couldn't understand the words. "What was that?" she asked, barely containing the smile in her voice. Niallan trotted up to her and said it again. "If I was trying to do so, which I wasn't, it would've improved your looks." Aine glared at him and smacked his arm. He rubbed it, trying to look hurt. The sibling bantering back and forth continued until they got to the road, where they paused to see if anyone was coming. People weren't supposed to ride through the woods, but the two O'Durren siblings didn't listen. It was one of the few places they could escape to.

They trotted the horses side by side; talking about what they hoped would or wouldn't be for dinner. In the midst of laughing, they heard the cantering of many horses as wells as the clanking of armor and weapons. Aine looked to her brother, eyes wide with terror. Looking into his own, she found the same feeling in his eyes. Almost in sync, they turned in their saddles and saw the cloud of dust. Caledonian soldiers didn't come out this far away from the castle keep, and there was a strong treaty between Caledonia and Britannia.

There was only one explanation for what army this was, and Aine's suspicions were confirmed when a red flag emblazoned with a gold eagle shown above the mass of soldiers.

Romans.


A/N: Yes, I know, it was very short. But don't you just love cliff hangers. (please note the sarcasm) Anyways, I hope you liked this.

Now, here is the key in case you need some help with imagining things or understanding stuff.

Caledonia- present day Scotland

Britannia- present day England and Wales

Niallan looks like Eoin Macken, the guy who plays Gwaine in Merlin.

~ultimatefreakofnature