_________________________________________________________________

               Estel looked doubtfully at the pony that stood before him. He had seen the others ride horses thousands of times but it seemed a lot easier when the pony was not right in front of him. He held out his hand to touch it but quickly stepped back. He wondered what happened to the eagerness he felt a few minutes ago, for now it was replaced with a queasy feeling in his stomach.

               "Come on, up you go…" said Cevina as she lifted him up onto the horse. He felt pretty tense and clung to the reins with all his 5-year-old strength. She smiled at the face he made as he looked nervously at her.

               "You ready?" asked Cevina as she stroked the pony. He nodded not taking his eyes off the horse. He closed his eyes for a few seconds and then opened them. He was moving; it wasn't so bad. After a few seconds he was even enjoying it.

               "He's doing great…" Came a voice from behind.

               "He's a natural." Cevina answered without looking back, "Wish I had been this comfortable my first time." She added with a smile.

               "My lord!" She turned around and her eyes widened. She bowed quickly trying to hide her embarrassment.

               "There's no need for that…" He answered with a quiet smile, "It is kind of you to teach him to ride." Cevina felt her cheeks burn and turned away to look at Estel.

               After riding for quite a while, he had become pretty smooth. He was sitting on the horse like he had done this long before. Just when Cevina was about call him back, something seemed to have hit the pony. The horse gave a loud cry and started to gallop suddenly. Estel yelled in panic and clung to the horse.

               "Estel!" Cevina cried as she lifted on the nearest horse. She rode hard after the pony. By now the poor boy had closed his eyes and was clinging onto the reins as hard as he could.

               "Help me!" He cried. Cevina drew close to the galloping horse and reached her hand out to him.

               "Grab my hand!" She said sharply, trying to get as close as possible to his steed. Estel reached out his hand but it was too far to grab. Cevina started to whisper to the horse and the pony began to slow down, but only a little bit. She was able to grab him quickly and set him on her horse.

               "What happened?"

               Cevina wheeled around as she set Estel on the ground. The lady Gilraen stared sharply at her. Estel ran to her mother's arms though still eying Cevina.

               "The horse," She began quietly, "He panicked and started to gallop, I'm sorry, I was trying to be careful…"

               "Course your sorry…"

               "Lady, I did not mean for this to happen," She added as calm as she could, "The last thing I want is for him to get hurt."

               "That may be but it still doesn't change the fact that he could have gotten seriously hurt."

               "It wasn't…. I didn't…." She muttered, lowering her head.

               "Alright, but, I'd feel much better if you did not care for my son anymore…"

               "Mom!"

               Cevina opened her mouth to reply but she could not. It felt like being stabbed in the heart by a thousand knives. She bit her lip and turned away. "I'm sorry." She added, "I really am."

               "Mother, she didn't do anything!" Estel protested although no one heard him. He was carried away with his eyes still on Cevina.