Chapter Seven: The Outing

"It really is very lovely," Sarah remarked with a glance towards the well-manicured
garden.

Peter strolled with his hands placed in the small of his back, also turning to gaze
momentarily towards the lovely masterpiece of blooming foliage. Roses shimmered with
the morning dew, and portrayed in an array of hues, ranging from a gentle yellow to the
most shocking shade of crimson red. Amidst the pride of the garden stood flowers of
varying types. None were less than perfect.

"We have quite good groundsmen here," Peter replied with a brief laugh.

She added her own laughter, feeling at last a sense of tranquillity and the beginning
of happiness entering her life. After all, the night prior had been the first peaceful slumber
Sarah had had for quite some time without the aid of sleeping pills. Medications had been
literally poured into her during her stay at the hospital, and she had vowed then that never
would the vile products be forced upon her again, unless some dire need called for them.

Still, the fact remained that her night had been restful, and she had risen refreshed.
It was the new beginning Sarah had been searching for, at last revealed to her. She had a
new career, friends, and even a man whom, (Sarah glanced briefly at him as she continued
in her thought), she believed she was growing to like quite a lot.

Peter had been by early to her room, merely to check on her and see that
everything was going well. He had come equipped with a silver tray, laden with fresh
fruits, juice and other scrumptious breakfast foods offered in abundance. Such a kind
gesture was not often witnessed in her life, and so she found herself nearly brought to
tears by his consideration.

Shortly later, Peter had surprised her once more by offering a walk around the
grounds. Sarah had, of course, readily accepted, opting for the outdoors over the stuffy
theatre anytime. The crisp morning air was also a rejuvenating experience.

Slipping on a warm jacket and thick woolen gloves, she had followed Peter around
the mansion, observing that vast yard, many gardens, and other niches and crannies that
were abundant at Fontridge. The entire place was so grand, lovely, impressive... like a
fairytale dream come true!

"Now, what is this?" Sarah inquired as she paused at a building smaller in
proportion to even the guest house.

The building was constructed entirely from wood, which appeared ageless, despite
the slight weather-worn appearance of the outside. Sarah hesitated at the wide double
doors, which slid along hinges that shone with silver perfection in the light of the morning
sun. Peter followed and then grasped the wooden handles firmly in each hand.

"Why this is our stable," Peter stated, as he slid the doors effortlessly along their
tracks.

Sarah faltered noticeably, her smile suddenly falling completely from her face.
Peter turned at the sudden silence and scrutinized the woman's obvious shock. He leaned
back against the wall, crossed his arms over his chest and then raised his eyebrows slightly
in question.

Sarah merely shook herself from the stunned silence and hurried along inside the
stable. She had always believed that horses were quite majestic animals, though had never
attempted to ride one. The closest she had ever come was, actually, stroking their warm
muzzles occasionally.

Still, she remembered the silver steed that had stood outside her window the fist
night she had been at Fontridge. The horse had seemed to appear from nothing, and
demonstrated near human characteristics in its warm dark eyes. Sarah shivered despite her
heavy clothing as she entered the clean aisle between the two rows of stalls. The scent of
fresh hay and clean bedding drifted through the air, as did the occasional lazy fly.

The overhead lights came on with a snap and a brief buzz of electricity. Sarah
nearly jumped and then, with a smile firmly placed on her rosy lips, turned to see Peter
walking from the light switch.

"Do you have many?" Sarah asked as she peered into an empty stall. Rubber
stallmats were all that remained, for it had been meticulously mucked out since the last
resident.

Peter shook his head and motioned towards the end of the stable. A light, that had
been on prior to the bulbs above the aisle, shone brilliantly down there, inside the stall.
Within could be heard the casual movement and shaking of a horse, and its black mane
and tail momentarily flipped into view.

"I never really became as infatuated with them as my father. This one was his,"
Peter remarked, his eyes suddenly darkening at the mention of his father. Sarah did not
inquire as to the hostile feelings, but instead approached the now interested steed.

She reached her hand through the cool metal bars and extended it to allow the
animal to smell her. It lifted its noble head, eyeing the guest warily and then drooped back
down to Sarah's open palm. The muscular horse allowed a warm breath to pass over her
skin, sending giggles bubbling forth as it tickled across her arm.

"I think he likes you," Peter whispered into her ear and then turned to walk
towards the many other stalls that were, apparently, empty.

Sarah remained a moment longer, gazing at the black glistening horse. She rubbed
her hand across his firm neck, loving the feel as his skin rippled beneath her touch. She
threaded her fingers through the long mane, which drifted lazily in the filtering breeze. He
was such a magnificent animal, something that appeared so very out of place in Fontridge.
Sarah withdrew her hand and backed away from the proud horse.

At once the animal balked and jumped back, casting wary glances towards Sarah
as it showed the whites of his eye. Sarah watched, horrified that she had caused this
demonstration of fright. However, warm hands fell on her shoulders and she instantly
spun about to look at Peter's understanding gaze.

"He has never adjusted since my father's disappearance," Peter explained, and then
slipped an arm about Sarah's shoulders to guide her from the stable and the snorting
horse.

Sarah glanced back once more as Peter turned off the lights, bathing most of the
stable in darkness. Still the light over the lone horse's stall remained burning brightly, and
cast its illumination upon the shining black coat. The steed raised its head one last time,
and almost appeared to fix Sarah with his gaze.

Peter shut the sliding door, snapping Sarah's connection with the wild, black horse
instantly. She bit her lip and then forced any strange thoughts from her mind, determined
to enjoy the day to its fullest. After all, she had been having such a splendid time.

"It's so lovely," Sarah remarked, breaking from Peter as she spoke and spun about
beneath a tall, ancient tree.

"You already said that," Peter joked as he watched her spin about, hair flying as a
copper banner around her.

Sarah stopped, smirking with a sarcastic air of annoyance. However she broke
into a fit of laughter the next instant and then rushed around the corner, merely happy to
be alive, and able to enjoy the positively lovely day. She regretted the time spent indoors,
wishing that all practices could be held out here, on the grounds, and next to the old
woods.

She stopped as thoughts of the wood broke into her daydream outing. She looked
over to the tall trees, their boughs heavy with green leaves which formed a thick canopy.
One could scarcely see a foot into the forest, for the undergrowth was all too overgrown
and most of the sunlight was blocked by the trees.

"Did you ever go into the woods as a child?" Sarah questioned as she walked to
the tall fence lining all of Fontridge. The fence that appeared to keep the forest from
invading the finely manicured lawns and gardens.

Peter was silent behind her and she had to turn around just to be sure that he had
not left her there alone. He was, however, still there, just strangely upset at her line of
questions. He shrugged a bit and then continued, hands in pockets, back towards the
house.

Sarah remained a moment longer, feeling such a powerful draw to the forest that it
nearly hurt her to turn away. Still, she knew very little about this place, and could very
easily become lost. It was best to wait until a proper guide could bring her in there.
Woods always held such a strong magical feeling in their old wisdom.

"Did I say something wrong, Peter? I didn't mean to," Sarah remarked casually as
she caught up with her host.

He merely shook his head, still wordless. Oddly silent, though she had not known
him very long, he had still seemed like one who did not suffer from lack of things to say.
They had had quite a pleasant conversation before the mention of the stable and the
woods. Sarah silently hoped that she had not brought up any painful subjects.

She continued with him, in silence, for a brief time longer. Yet, the mood became
far too dark, and she found that she could no longer take it. Sarah stopped, and waited
until Peter followed suite, and then glanced back at her, to see what the hold up was
about.

"It's nothing, Sarah. The group will be waiting for us, is all. They'll want the
latest sections for the play," Peter reminded, allowing a pleasant smile to pass over his
handsome features, emerald eyes glimmering in the light from the sun.

Sarah sighed, and glanced about once more, then turned towards Peter. Her
expression became positively pitiful as she silently begged to be let off of the restricting
leash which bound her to the mansion, and allowed to wander. Nonetheless, despite how
much she yearned to be outside, duty did call.

"Thank you, Peter, for doing this," Sarah remarked as she joined him at his side.

Peter merely shrugged, and reached out with his hands to rub them over her arms.
Sarah allowed a fleeting smile to snake over her lips, and then quickly sobered to the
situation. It took quite a lot to allow herself back into the real world, after so much time
spent in fantasy. It was even more difficult to become accustomed to such things as
emotions that seemed to make sense. Her feelings with Peter were a perfect example of
such an instance.

He caught her hands in his own and pulled her nearer to himself. Then, without
warning, he kissed her, and once again, she allowed it. Sarah closed her brightened eyes,
adoring the feel of reality, of life in general, and the knowledge that there was someone
else who cared for her.

"Shall we?" he asked as he broke from their kiss.

Sarah cleared her throat, her cheeks slightly flushed, and her words suddenly dried
up. She did, however, manage a slight nod of her head in response, and followed mutely
beside Peter, her deep brown eyes casting several brief glances towards the man who she
still struggled to figure out.

Sarah could understand the other actors easily, seeing most as being hungry for
work and money... hence their coming to Fontridge to perform in a play which,
unfortunately, did not seem as if it would show to a large audience. She knew why she
had come, but simply was not able to see why Peter had brought this all together.

She yearned to ask, but feared that his reaction would be one that was hurt. After
all, hadn't Gabrielle told her that Peter did not speak about the play? Sarah was not about
to ruin something that felt so very right, as what she was experiencing between herself and
Peter, over some stupid curiosity.

"They you two are!" a bubbling voice proclaimed and Sarah instantly turned her
eyes upwards, so as to see who had addressed them.

Gabrielle stood, hands on hips and a mock stern appearance taken over her
features. Her auburn hair literally flamed in the sunny rays, making her appear as a
goddess, standing in the midst of nature. Sarah laughed a bit at her interpretation of the
scenery and watched as Gabby joined in on the gaiety.

"Peter invited to take me on a walk, which seemed far more interesting than
work," Sarah remarked and continued to laugh at the look of shock Peter portrayed at her
joke.

Gabby joined in their pace back towards the mansion, and gently elbowed Sarah in
her side. Sarah turned towards her friend and noticed the many questions dancing about
in Gabrielle's mischievous mind. Sarah rolled her eyes and then silenced her friend with a
quiet hush.

"After you, ladies," Peter remarked as he paused momentarily at the still-open
mansion door.

Sarah and Gabby curtsied slightly, and then burst into another gale of laughter. It
felt refreshing to be free, happy, not fearful that a certain fantasy king would happen out
of nowhere. It seemed as if Sarah's existence had, at last, straightened itself out, and she
could now allow herself to cast aside her past into the abyss in which it belonged.

Peter waited until both walked inside, and then followed, closing the door behind
himself.