Chapter 7: Learning

We...excuse me... I was forced to continue the journey with that pig headed jerk, Fred, in silence. He would occasionally try to attempt a conversation with me, but I would not give him the pleasure of talking. Oh, no I kept my lips zipped and my gaze hard. In fact I didn't even deign to look at him. He really didn't even deserve that. Well, I didn't look at him when he was looking. I would sneak peaks at him once in a while to find out what he was thinking, or just to make sure I hadn't missed anything in his appearance. Nope he was still a dirty man who likely slept with pigs. Ew! He was always nonchalant, and didn't seem to care I was mean to him, just walking along his merry way.

That didn't help my mood. But what did was the very pretty scenes and countryside we passed. I may have been rather cynical but I always had a soft spot for beautiful landscape. I don't know why, it was just in me, which was why I spent most of my time in the gardens. This place really impressed me because it was almost as beautiful as my gardens only it was natural. No one took care of it but itself. Yet it still managed to grow some beautiful weeping willows, large noble looking oaks, and the hard to find maples. There were many fields along the way an they were always either filled with tall, lush, green grain or filled with every flower I had in my garden and some I didn't recognize. Oh, I could go on and on about the sheer beauty of my surroundings...but Fred had to interrupt my thoughts about this moment.

"Are you thirsty?"

I forgot my resolve and gave an icy glare. "Thirsty?" I repeated in disgust. "Of course I'm thirsty!! I've been practically dying of thirst this whole time. Finally! I was wondering when you would attempt to be a gentleman and offer me a drink."

"I wasn't offering you a drink," retorted Fred. "I was simply wondering if you were thirsty."

My mouth practically dropped open. Why that little inconsiderate...

He cut me off abruptly by grinning evilly and adding, "Shucks, I was just kidding, princess. There's a stream nearby where we can fill our water skins."

That made him doubly evil. Fools weren't allowed to tease princesses. Especially me. Heck, no one was allowed to tease me!! Giving him a proper menacing glare I snapped, "The stream is probably filthy, but I suppose it will have to do; since that is all you can offer."

"Oh, I can offer more," assured Fred. He tilted his head to side a bit and added with fake concern, "But I'm not sure your pride will accept more."

My pri...! Wait, he had a point there. I was rather proud. But that was a good thing...right? Of course right! I had a right to be proud. It was only right. Right. Ugh. I hated that word.

The stream was not far as he promised and I had to admit that its sparkling bubbling surface matched beautifully with my already gorgeous surroundings. It wasn't quite as filthy as I imagined. Fred offered his hand to me but I completely ignored it. I would get down by myself. I moved my leg over the horse's neck so I sat side saddle, away from the fool. Suddenly I had a sick feeling.

It was a long way to the ground. I hated heights!

Swallowing my fear and being filled with pride, I slowly let myself slip down. Yes, it was a very long way down, I forgot that this was hard ground, not the soft straw or even cushioned pillow they had for me whenever I stepped down from anything!

My landing was hard and excruciating, but before I could completely collapse, Fred caught me. I gasped from the contact of...the pain! It didn't hurt too much but the last time I had experienced so much pain was when I had kicked my bed post because father wouldn't let me get a new dress from Froc. Needless to say I don't handle anger with violence anymore.

It was at this moment that I realized the fool's arms were still around me, holding me...tenderly. Desperate and shocked I yelped and grabbed onto the horse for support. I clung as if for dear life and glared at Fred. My ankle was officially in pain, and I was sure it was sprained. Oh, how I hated that fool.

"Are you ok?"

"My ankle is sprained," I said flatly.

Concern, real concern flashed through Fred's eyes. Ha! He certainly should be concerned. I was sure there was a law somewhere that punished jerks who injured royal persons. I decided to rub this in.

"The last time I got hurt the kid who injured me got banished."

Fred's eyes widened. "Well, you better not let your father know about this. We can't have you be banished."

"Me?!" I repeated, dumbfounded. "You're the one..."

"No, I'm not. You slid off the horse yourself and you landed on your own. I had nothing to do with it...Except to make sure you didn't fall completely."

How could I argue with that? Duh, how I always argued!

I opened my mouth insist that it was his fault no matter what when a thought struck me: Argue without sounding like a spoiled bratty idiot. Hmm...I racked my brain. I couldn't. Confused and frustrated I shut my mouth tightly and shot dagger eyes at Fred who was waiting for a biting response.

When he got none he gave a little nod and said quietly, "May I look at your ankle, princess?"

"What do you think you are? A doctor?" I slid my dangling ankle behind my other leg as if hiding it from him. There was no way I was going to let that...man touch my ankle.

"Well, I am an odd man," he countered. "So I have been taught some art in healing. If it is just a sprain I can easily..."

"It's a sprain, and it'll stay a sprain. I don't want it to get broken. So stay away!"

He hesitated and for a moment I thought he was going to hog tie me just so he could examine the thing. I prepared to use my teeth and nails. In the end he shrugged nonchalantly and said lightly, "Well, if you put it in the stream here it will feel better."

Now I hesitated, uncertain if I should. I didn't have the slightest idea for a sprain cure. Maybe the cold water would just make me have frost bite! I went to the low bank and tried to gracefully squat but to no avail. Having dipped my hand in the cool water, I examined it. There were no bugs, but I thought I saw some sort of dirt, or moss...My thirst overcame my pickiness and I sipped it up.

When my throat was satisfied and I made sure Fred was not looking, I slipped off my shoe and stuck it timidly into the stream. The sparkling water was ticklish, and...I liked it. I thrust both my feet in the stream and wiggled my toes. It hurt to wiggle the sprained one, but I did it anyways. It felt so good! I loved it! A smile crept to my face as I burrowed my toes into the gooey mud. That felt funny too, but it also felt very soothing.

Fascinated with my new discovery I didn't notice Fred watching me, smiling as well. I didn't even notice when I began humming happily. The sound startled me, and I looked up as if to see whom it was that hummed.

Fred seemed to read my thoughts because he said matter-of-factly, "It was you."

Again that infernal blush crept up my cheeks, and I abruptly pulled my feet out of the water.

"Oh, no stay here. You have plenty of time to soothe your feet, I'm going to go up stream to...do a little fishing. I won't be gone long." He smiled encouragingly and disappeared into the trees.

Slightly nervous, but happy to go back to my serene moment, I snuggled my feet into the river mud. My smile returned as I realized something, Fred was actually learning to be somewhat of a gentleman.