Merry Christmas again! Please read, review and enjoy! ^_^
~Lainfaer~
Chapter 4: Riding Lessons and Learning.
The next day, her father took Beinlóth out riding, as he promised. She was genuinely surprised at this, but hid it well. She rode Kayla, as she was the smallest mare they had. Aronuel taught her the proper way to sit on the saddle, and how to hold the reins. Beinlóth was a fast learner, and by lunchtime, she had managed quite a fast trot. It helped that she knew Kayla so well. It helped her to put her trust in the horse.
They continued all afternoon as well, and Beinlóths' laughter could be heard for miles around. She could tell Aronuel was in a reasonably good mood, and she used it to her advantage. Every now and then, he would have a good day such as this, and he would actually seem to like her.
"Steady Beinlóth, we don't want you falling off!" he called to her. She laughed. "Don't worry father, I am fine."
They practised until dusk fell, then Beinlóth took Kayla back to the stable. She tied her up in the pen, then went to look at the stallion. She peered over the pen, but he didn't go to her.
"I've been thinking," she said, "but I cannot think of a decent name for you. No name I have thought of suits a beautiful horse such as yourself." He turned round to look at her. She smiled. "Come here." She held out her hand, and he walked over to her.
"Fán," said a sharp voice from the back of the pen. Beinlóth started in surprise.
"Who's there?" she called bravely.
A shadow moved in the far corner, and a hooded figure appeared. She immediately saw the quiver of arrows upon his back, and the bow in his hand. "Fán, tulo-sí," he commanded the horse.
Fán turned around and walked back to the cloaked figure.
"Who are you?" Beinlóth asked.
"I am the keeper of this horse," he replied. She noticed his voice was clear and pure.
"Show yourself," she ordered.
"I do not have time for this," he said. He mounted Fán with such grace that Beinlóth had never seen before. He also rode without a saddle or reins.
"Please, just let me see your face," she begged. "Then I will let you pass without arguments."
She heard him sigh, but he reluctantly lifted down his hood. She gasped.
A wave of beautiful golden hair tumbled out. His eyes were the clearest blue eyes she had ever seen, even clearer than her own. His face was perfect, so fair, and proud. He looked down at her. "Happy now?"
"Your ears…" she whispered. They had pointed tips.
"What about them?"
"They're…they're like…mine." He raised an eyebrow questioningly.
She tucked her hair behind
her ears, and it was his turn to gasp. "You are the missing one? The one we
have been searching for? What are you doing here?"
"I was found alone in the streets as a baby. My parents were nowhere to be
found, or so I have been told."
"What is your name?" His voice was soft and kind now, and a hint of a smile
played upon his red lips.
"Beinlóth," she replied.
"I thought as much," he told
her. He leapt neatly down off Fán, and walked over to her. He peered over the
door at her. "Let me see your left arm."
"Why?"
"Just let me." She held out her arm, and he gently pushed her sleeve up.
"No scars…" he whispered, more to himself than Beinlóth.
"Scars?"
"Beinlóth!" came a sudden shout.
"It's father, hide!" she hissed. He ducked down and hid behind Fán again. She quickly rolled her sleeve down.
Aronuel came into the
stables. "Come on girl, I've told you before about staying out here too long.
What you looking at?"
"Nothing father, I'm coming." She gave one last quick glance at Fáns' pen, then
ran to him.
"You been looking at that stallion?" he asked as she walked back to the house with him.
"Sorry father, I couldn't
resist. He's so beautiful."
"I know. I'm going to take him out of town soon, and try to sell him."
"Oh no, you can't sell him!" she cried, stopping. He looked at her, puzzled by
her sudden strange behaviour. "Why not?"
"He's too lovely. Let me learn to ride him."
"Oh no, no way Beinlóth. He's far too wild and big for you. You're sticking
with Kayla my girl."
"But father…"
"No arguments. Come on, get inside." He ushered her in, and shut the door to
the darkness.
Terena and Alonia were sat in the lounge, Terena patching up one of her husbands' shirts, and Alonia was brushing her hair in the mirror. She sneered at Beinlóth as she entered. Beinlóth sneered back.
"Girls…" Aronuel warned.
They looked away from each other, arms folded across their chests. Beinlóth grinned to herself before making to go upstairs.
"Oh no you don't young lady. There's a large bowl of washing up out in the kitchen to be done," Terena told her firmly.
Beinlóth sighed quietly. She turned away from the stairs, and instead headed out into the kitchen.
Terena had understated 'large'. The pile seemed huge to Beinlóth. She sighed, and rolled her sleeves up. But she knew she had to repay them somehow. After all, Aronuel had just taken her out riding, a thing which she had been begging him to do for many years now. She braced her shoulders, and started the washing.
So, have a fantastic Xmas, and hopefully we'll all get what we want! Unfortunately, it won't include Orli! Never mind. Merry Xmas, and if I don't see you before, have a very Happy New Year. ^_^
~Lainfaer~
