Chapter 7:

Leaving London

The next mourning Emma woke up to a room that was all packed up. Everything was gone; she wondered how they had gotten everything out without waking her up. Even the bedding on which she had slept the night before was gone. She stood up, stretched and looked out the window. There stood four packed horses, and only one man, Othello, holding them.

'He must be great with horses,' she thought to herself just looking down at him. It was obvious that he had no idea that someone was watching him. He was gently whispering to a large brown horse with auburn eyes. The horse moved it's head slightly in excitement but calmed again when Othello ran his hand across the velvety snout.

A slight relaxed smile spread across Emma's face while she was watching, but the smile soon faded when she heard Adam's voice echo through the room.

"I see you're awake now madam Emma," He said seriously standing up about as straight as any person could.

Emma couldn't help but be startled at Adam's presence behind her. How long had he been there? Had he seen her looking at Othello? These questions plagued her thoughts but she still somehow thought of something to say, as she always did.

"Uh…" She started off weakly but then regained her composure, "Hey Adam, were are we off to today?"

Adam smiled widely, "To fair Verona," he stopped smiling, it's a long ride but I think you'll be able to manage on your own."

Emma looked out of the window again; Othello and Bassanio were both mounted on their horses, Othello on this brown stead and Bassanio on a beautiful brown and white one.

Suddenly a realization came to Emma, "Do I have to ride… alone?"

Emma bounced up and down on the horses back, she much resembled a rag doll being tossed about by a young boy. They had been riding for hours and the insides of her thighs hurt like hell. On top of all that she had a growing pain in her stomach, she hadn't eaten anything all day. The men ate weird things that she swore she would never try. Things that looked a lot like chopped up and fried squirrel, but only the cook of the meal could be sure.

"When are we going to stop and get something to drink, or eat… or just to rest?" Emma said all out of breath.

"Well," came Othello's reply, "We will be stopping in about five hours to sleep and eat." The other two men looked back and smiled at Emma's facial reply.

Her eyes were wide and her mouth hang open like a yawning dogs. They all laughed with each other while Emma, who was falling behind the others, still stayed in her shocked state.

"No need to worry Emma," Said Bassanio pulling his horse close to hers, "We'll be stopping in Paris next." With this last word he sped up to catch up with the others.

Emma vainly tried to make her horse speed up too but for some reason it just slowed down. She angrily whipped at its reins and pulled, pushed and tugged. Eventually, her horse came to a stop.

She rolled her eyes and yelled back at everyone who hadn't noticed that she was far behind them. Othello whipped his horse around and tied Emma's reins to his. They rode like that far into the night until they reached Paris.

"Emma?" Othello whispered deeply into Emma's ear, "Emma, wake up." He set his largely gentle hand on her shoulder and rocked her. Emma's eyes glazed open and saw at first sight Othello's deep brown eye's staring back at her.

"Where are we?" Emma whispered whipping the sleep from her eyes and raising her head from Othello's broad shoulder. She didn't think that it was possible but she had fallen asleep on the bumpy ride.

"We are in Paris," He said while jumping down from his horse. He turned to help Emma off. 'Oh no,' Emma thought to herself. Thought's of the last time this had happened came back to her. But this time she thought she could do it, mostly because it wasn't wet here.

She slid off of the saddle gracefully but when her feet hit the ground her ankles seemed to buckle under the pressure of her weight. She fell into Othello's muscular chest; luckily he caught her before she was able to hit the ground.

Using his strength, Othello lifted her back to her feet and then leaned back slightly. Emma's arms were around his neck ad his, around her waste. She looked up into his eyes to try to find a way to thank him but she was completely tongue-tied, the beauty of his eyes had completely captivated her.

He tried to think of something to say to her too, but he to was hypnotized. The darkness that surrounded them gave everything a slight glimmer of gold. The little bit of light from the buildings candle glimmered in Emma's eyes.

Othello opened his mouth to say something but Adam's jealous voice came from behind them, "We have our room, I suggest that you get your things upstairs, Othello."

Othello jerked away from Emma the second he heard Adam's voice, but the romantic gaze still continued up until he carried her things from the horse to the building and disappeared within it's walls.

Emma stood alone outside with Adam saying nothing until he broke the silence.

"You should be on your way upstairs, Emma." He said looking own at his feet. Emma nodded and followed his instructions.