A/N: Because I still remember the first time I saw a real horse...

Chapter Two: Horses

"We should get going," Arthur ordered them soon enough. "We're at least two days from home. Merlin, get the horses set."

Eve looked up from where she'd been marveling her new butterfly image. She hadn't even registered the horses yet. As Merlin brought them out into the clearing from the trees, she gazed in awe. The only horse she'd had back home seemed small and scrawny compared to these majestic beasts.

"Do you ride?" Percival asked her, helping Eve up.

"A little," she shrugged. "Not much. I walked more than rode."

"Come say hi to Gringolet," Gwaine gestured as he took his black stallion's reins from Merlin. "He's gentle enough."

Eve looked up at the tall, muscular horse and hesitated. She stood a foot from its head. Gwaine chuckled, but Eve stood where she was.

"Come on, he's not that big." He smirked.

Eve snapped back at him, "He is to me."

Gwaine dropped his smile and nodded. "Fair enough."

"Sorry." Eve felt tears spring to her eyes. She sniffed back the tears and shook her head, scratching at her arm. "As I've said… I can't control my anger."

"It's fine," Gwaine assured her. He gestured over to Arthur. "I've taken worse from the king over there."

Her eyes shot open wide as she looked at the king. "You're King Arthur?"

They all chuckled, but it was Arthur who responded as he pulled himself up onto Hengroen, his white stallion. "Yes. And these are my best knights."

"See, you've nothing to fear." Gwaine shook his head with a laugh. He gestured to the others. "Take your pick."

"May I pet him," Eve asked slowly of Gwaine. "Gringolet?"

Gwaine nodded. "Of course. Like I said, he won't bite."

Elyan rode by them, circling behind Gringolet. "Unless you're keeping apples from him."

Leon smirked. "Are you sure that's not Gwaine you're thinking of?"

"Of course!" Elyan winked. "How could I be so silly."

Gwaine rolled his eyes. "Hah hah, boys. Very funny."

He took Eve's hand and placed it on Gringolet's forehead. She looked deep into the horse's eyes and saw a mixture of emotions. Sureness, steadfast wisdom, and gentleness all floated in the depths of those eyes. It took her breath away.

"Hi there," she murmured, a small smile forming. "Aren't you pretty."

Gringolet shook his head, causing Eve to jump back for a moment. The knights held their collective breath, but Eve just laughed. She tilted her head to the side and placed a hand on his neck.

"Want to ride him?" Gwaine asked. "After all, you have to ride with someone. I'd suggest Merlin, but he's already got all the packs."

They all glanced at where Merlin had mounted his own horse. He agreed immediately. "This stuff already weighs a ton."

Eve smiled at Gringolet, placing her hand on his head again. She leaned in and whispered. "Would that be alright with you?" When Gringolet didn't back away, she chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes."

Because of her injured wrists, Percival lifted her up into the saddle in front of Gwaine instead of Gwaine pulling her up. She marveled at the former's strength. She wasn't that light.

"Gringolet seems to like you," Gwaine told her quickly as they set off. "He's rather picky."

Her eyes burned with fresh tears. "He's not as smart as I'd have thought, then."

Gwaine chuckled quietly. "Or maybe you need to realize that you're not evil, you're not hated. Maybe, if anything, you've just made some mistakes."

Eve sighed and looked at her bandaged wrists. "That's for sure."

"Well hey, at least you're alive right?" He shrugged. "What matters now is you stay that way. No more hurting yourself."

She frowned.

"Gringolet wouldn't like that," Gwaine added with a smirk.