>I'm BACK! I died for awhile back then (buried alive in homework) but I came back to life now that it's summer! I have been made pleasantly lazy by the heat, but I hope it doesn't show in the next chapter. W/o further ado...>
My mind drifted as I lead Apple down the street, heat rising from the cobblestones. The centaur's hoofs clicked as we slowly made our way to the grander part of town, where the merchants lived. The crowds parted and people bowed their heads respectfully as I passed, but I hardly noticed, lost in thought. For some reason, I was recalling one of Thared's lessons from the other day, one that focusing on a time six generations back. My ancestor from that time had been very strict, always insisting that the royal family do the exact things that were expected from them. Always traveling in the finest carriages, never talking to the lowest subjects, holding all the proper ceremonies... it must have been a very dull time. And here was me, leading a centaur through the streets of town, dodging carriages with the rest, without even an escort! The irony of the situation hit me, and I chuckled to myself.
I would have walked right past Sir Peter's manor if Apple hadn't nuzzled my pocket at that very moment, searching for a treat. It was if he instinctively knew where we were going. I patted his head and smiled, bringing out a small carrot which was immediately reduced to a pulp as the centaur snatched it from my hands.
As I reached for the knocker on the door of the fine manor, my eye was drawn to an intricate design set in the middle. I peered closer, discovering that depicted was a lion's head in mid-roar. As I stroked it's mane, I could almost feel the living hair beneath my fingers, and a triumphant bellow echoed in my eyes. A genuine Agulen indeed.
The door opened under my hand and I hastily straightened up to see an older, slightly plump woman in front of me, looking rather surprised. "Good day, You Highness," she said, curtsying slightly. "What can I do for you?"
I glanced around, trying to peer behind behind the woman. "Actually... I was wondering if..." I began, suddenly feeling like a bumbling country lad. "I mean, is...?" The woman looked at me curiously, and suddenly my mind clicked. "Mandy?"
She chuckled. "I was wondering how long it would take you to recognize me."
I remembered Mandy, for my mother had had her over to the palace a couple of times when Ella's mother had still been alive. And, of course, she and the palace cook often met at the market.
"Mandy, I was just curious if Ella was in." I nodded behind my. "This colt is for her."
Her eyes widened in shock. "Your Highness..." she breathed, then her face darkened slightly. "Lady Eleanor is not home," she said.
"When will she be back?" I asked eagerly. "Can I see her later, or I could just-"
She cut me off. "Ella will not be back for several weeks," she said softly. "Her father has sent her off to finishing school with two other young ladies."
It took a moment for the information to digest. "Not... here? At finishing school? But... why?"
Mandy shook her head.
Finishing school! "Is she not good enough as she is?" I demanded angrily. "What more must she need to learn to have to go to such a school? I request to talk to Sir Peter immediately!"
"Aye," Mandy nodded. "I wish I could do the same. Unfortunately, he too is away, at the elves' forest." She shrugged helplessly. "I don't know why the lass was sent away, and I can only pray she is in safe hands. That father of hers comes upon strange notions sometimes. If it had been up to me, Ella would still be right here in this manor. I'm sorry, Your Highness."
I sighed. It was not Mandy's fault, and I had no reason to be angry with her. "Of course." I forced a smile. "Perhaps I can leave the centaur here?" I asked. "To await Ella's return."
Mandy thought a moment, and shook her head. "We have no place to keep a young centaur like this. He needs exercise, and we don't have enough room. Do you have a space at the palace you can keep him?"
I nodded. I would put him back in the pasture from which he originally came. It would be convenient enough for Ella when she came back, but I could still easily visit him as well.
Mandy turned to go, but I called out. "Can you please tell Ella his name? It's Apple."
"Of course I will. Oh, wait!" Mandy said. "I'll get something for him. I'll be back in a moment."
As I waited, I again admired the Agulen door knocker. When I closed my eyes, I could still feel the soft mane and hear the roar of the king of beasts.
Mandy returned with a red apple, and the centaur noisily crunched it down as she patted his head. "Good day, Your Highness."
I bowed slightly, and left.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ella! Gone! I thought as I took Apple back to his pasture. How dare her father do that to her. Selfish man, he probably just wanted her off his hands. Ella was perfectly fine the way she was, and now who knows what she will be like when she comes back? Will she still be clumsy? Still curtsy awkwardly? Will she still have that teasing grin, and the sweet, impulsive little laugh?
Will I still love her?
Again, I wrote in my journal.
I miss Ella every day that she is absent, and yearn for her to make me laugh. I fear that she will have changed when she returns, and I will feel like a stranger in her presence. I also fear her father has sent her off because she is getting close to marrying age and he wishes to find her a husband. Not that that would matter, for I could never marry Ella. I could marry a noble girl, but Father and Mother wish me to find a proper princess, and I suppose I should follow their wishes.
I still hope and pray that Father will ask me to join him on the border. We have not heard from him yet, and Mother grows worried. I do my best to reassure her, but she grows quieter every day. But what an adventure it would be to fight an ogre! I can imagine my every move, dodging, thrusting, and finally forcing him to succumb to my will. My men would be all around me of course, cheering as I knock the ogre off his feet. But somehow, Ella also manages to creep into the picture for reasons I cannot imagine. Her shining face and laughing eyes stand out from the rest...
But enough of this. My mind wearies and my eyes droop. I must sleep now, and pray for a letter from Father. God protect him, and also comfort Mother.
>Wow, I forgot how good it feels to just write. I haven't written anything for five months, and I had fun with this chapter, and I hope you enjoyed reading it. I'll try to update more often now that I actually have time. Power to the squirrels!>
