Pants? Venitia thought. That was what was on her bed, on top of a mannish blouse. She struggled to put the pants on, and was struggling with the blouse as well when her door opened.
She screamed. "I…I am sorry, your highness," Donovan stuttered as he backed out of the room.
Still shocked, Venny quickly finished with the blouse and went to put her hair up. Five minutes, she thought. Who can get ready in five minutes?
Outside, Donovan was heavily breathing, still red in the face. The door opened and Venitia stepped out of her room.
"Right," he said, trying to maintain his composure. "First breakfast, then warm-ups. Off we go."
They headed off for breakfast as the sun slowly started to rise. After a heartier breakfast than she had ever had in her life, and trying to avoid Donovan's eyes, they headed out to the fields.
Now more awake, she noticed that Donovan was actually extremely handsome. He had sandy brown hair, and green eyes that sparkled. His smile as he stepped outdoors would have made any woman swoon. Venitia shook her head and determined not to think of it again.
"Alright, then," he said. "I thought we should start with riding. Have you ridden a horse before, your highness?"
"Only when I was behind my father," she said. "And it's Venitia," she corrected.
"Oh…alright, Venitia. Well, that makes things a tad more difficult, but do you at least know how to get on a horse?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered stubbornly.
"Good." He whistled. "You can ride Crystal," a white horse trotted over, "and I will ride Sky," he said as bluish-black horse also trotted over.
Venitia stared at her horse. She just remembered that it had been at least five years since she had gotten onto a horse. "Um…Donovan?"
"Yes, your hi…Venitia?"
"Well, it's just that…I mean it's been…" she stammered.
"Here," he smiled and grabbed her by the waist. He lifted her onto the horse. I hope she didn't feel that, too, he thought as he felt a fire go through his body at her touch.
Venitia blushed as she was lifted onto her horse. Well, this is embarrassing, she thought.
"Now gently nudge her sides like this," he said as he demonstrated gently digging his heels into the horse's sides and his horse started to trot.
Venny did the same, or at least she thought she had done the same, for her horse started to run full speed. Her head started to rock back and forth as the horse went flying. She held on as tight as she could.
Suddenly she heard a whistle from behind and Crystal slowed down. Venitia felt her head swim as she started to slide off the horse. Her vision went black and she kept sliding until, seemingly out of nowhere, two strong arms caught her and lowered her slowly down.
"Your highness? Venitia? Can you hear me?" Donovan said, sounding worried.
She opened her eyes to see him bending over her, much like he had when he had woken her up, yet now his face looked concerned.
"I'm fine," she said. She smiled, and he finally smiled back.
"Venitia!" They turned their heads to see Aragorn sprinting toward them. "Is she alright?" He said as he came nearer.
"I'm fine," she said.
"Your majesty, I am so sorry, Crystal is usually a very quiet horse, I thought she would be okay to start on…I fully understand if you wish me to leave…actually I'll get going right now…" he babbled on as he started to turn and leave.
"Donovan! I do not wish you to leave. I told you, you were the right person for the job and I still hold to that. Crystal usually is a very humble horse, it was not your fault," Aragorn said rationally.
"But…your daughter…she…"
"Is going to be fine," Aragorn finished.
Donovan seemed to breath a sigh of relief. "Thank you, your majesty. I can assure you nothing like this will happen again," he said.
Venitia smiled. To see a tough soldier turn into a rambling boy was something to see. She decided to give him a chance.
