Technique in ballet is fleeting. Going days without class like I had could be fatal for me when I wasn't even at the top of my game yet. Taking out a chair to use as my barre, I started with the exercises.

Working carefully through each one until I was almost finished was gruelling. A knock at the door distracted me as I ran through them again, it opened revealing Chris.

'My sweet Aurora, how fare thee this morrow?' he said smiling broadly.

'I fare well et toi?'

'Oui, oui, ca va bien.'

'You have a marvellous accent. I could never quite accomplish that.'

'I thought thee has an amazing talent for it actually.'

'Such a nice comment but I beg to differ.'

He smiled at me, 'Whatever you say, but I shall always disagree, it is such a fine day, full of sunshine! I thought we might take a picnic outside today for tomorrow I am out hunting with the princes riding party.'

'Sounds marvellous just let me dress in a more suitable attire.'

'I shall collect the basket and shall meet you back here to escort you to the stables, where we shall ride to a wonderful place just outside the city.' With a wave of the hand he left.

I pulled the alarm cord and three servants came to dress me, the dress was a light lavender, tight fitting on the chest and flowing away from the waist, the sleeves were also fitted to the elbow and descended smoothly to a large V shape. Braiding my hair up and a bonnet atop my head to match my dress as I was finished dressing I stepped outside my chambers.

Chris was already waiting, 'Shall we?' he said while holding out his arm

'We shall.' I replied taking it.

He led me down the stairs and to the stables where we mounted our horses. Him on his usual faithful mount and me on one lent out by the stables, a faithfully tame mare.

Riding out was difficult and again he held my reigns to stop me from running into people on the streets. Once out of the city once more we rode for another half hour till we came to a quaint spot near a river, dismounting he took the basket out of the saddle bags and we spread out a brown rug to sit on under a large, sheltered tree.

'Such a lovely day for I picnic.' I stated, breaking the silence.

'I agree.' He looked hesitant, 'Aurora…'

'Yes?' I asked taking out a slice of ham from the basket.

'I never really questioned you before, but I was wondering, was it wise for me to judge you and accept you as being a princess so easily?'

'I cannot prove my heritage. I have no idea how I got here, all I am relying on is trust. It may not have been wise but the kindness you have so freely given me, if it has been folly it has been the folly of friendship you have shown. I cannot ever repay I shall always be in your debt.' I replied in my sincerest voice, trying not to feel guilty.

'I do not need you to be in my debt, I was just stated the obvious. When you are presented in court not all will be as trusting as I.'

'I realise this.'

'I know you know.'

'Then what quarrel is this?'

'Hardly a quarrel, more a disagreement of opinion.'

'What be this opinion, you say we diverge upon?'

'Then let us eat and linger in the happy state we be in, come, come. Let us talk no more of arguments.'

We sat out under the tree for a few more carefree hours when the sounds of approaching hooves met our ears. Unluckily, the horse I was borrowing, a dun mare named Makybe bolted at the noise

Recognising the riding party of about twenty people, Chris stood while I still unaware as to who it was still sat gracefully, hands in my lap.

The nearest mounted man dismounted and walked towards us, 'My lord prince! How fare thee this morrow?' Chris asked.

'Well. Princess Aurora! What a pleasant surprise, and how fare thee?'

'Well, thankyou my lord prince.' I started to stand but he quickly spoke again.

'No need to arise, fair maiden.' Nodding my head in recognition, I rested back against the ground once more.

'We are riding again tomorrow are we not Count Christopher?'

'I believe we are, my liege.'

'Then you wouldn't mind aurora riding back on my horse while you attempt to retrieve the one which had not been properly tethered?' without giving him time to contradict he spoke once more, 'Excellent, goodbye dear Count.'

'See you later Christopher.' Smiling disappointedly at each other he grabbed my hand, kissing it lightly.

'Twas a pleasure Princess.'

The prince held out his hand as we neared the horse, 'I understand thou are not much of an accomplished rider, is that correct?'

'Never acquired the art, I'm more of a "ride in carriages" kind of girl.'

'Ah, I understand, well then you can ride in front of me.'

'Alright then...' slightly confused he led me towards his jet black stallion.

Grabbing the saddle horn I pulled myself, rather ungracefully up and like I had seen in movies, sat side saddle.

After mounting the prince jumped up smoothly behind me, breathing down my neck, 'Aurora I hope this shall be a pleasant ride, hold fast.' Holding his arms around me, clicking at the reigns and jabbing it with his heels, we were off.

Riding at a break neck pace we pounded back to the city, it was rather uncomfortable at times with me about to fall off and the Prince breathing down my neck.

We got back later than I would have liked, but he helped me down, grabbing me by the waist as I nearly fell and holding on rather too tightly.

With me smiling sheepishly we walked to the grand entrance hall.

'I bid you, good nigh. Oh and I told the royal tailor to meet you at your rooms about half an hour ago, he will still be there now.'

'Thank you dear Prince.' And I left, without a glance behind me, I could feel his gaze as I walked up the stairs. Getting to the top I ran all the way back to my rooms, a tingling sensation present all the way up my back.

The tailor was waiting for me when I returned to my chambers, a greying strict man who spoke little and took nonsense even less.

Standing as my dress was fitted was tiering, tis white with a pale blue rimming, tight fitting around the torso and billowing down around to the ground. Although it looked pretty twas heavy and uncomfortable, with far too many petticoats and the bodice almost too tight.

The sun was setting by the time I was left alone and by twilight I was too tired to eat with company or get undressed as I walked over and lay under my covers thinking about the day until finally, after many hours, I slept.

The suspense is building as the days progressed and finally the day of the ball dawned stormy.

Ok just a bit of French, "et toi" means and you, "ca va bien" means very good. And I get in modern English "hold fast" isnt a really appropriate term to use but in the medieval context it works just fine. And also sorry that there is no bit from Chis's point of view but I think the next chapter will just be his but then again maybe not. People have told me the plot moves too fast but i cant stand pointless storys and chapters, as soon as it stops being interesting i just give up on it. I have the attention span of a flea. (is flea double E or EA?)

Thanks to my two reviewers!

Masked Dragonfly 0926- thanks as usual

QueenTatooine- I guess it's the same idea as corsets, now you cant read a Cinderella story without corsets I mean come on they are not THAT interesting… any way, well I have a question for you, are you considering medieval times like 950-1400? A lot of stuff happened in that time and in different places, before 1300 baths we actually quiet common and a bathhouse was supposedly present in every town, but they used up far too much wood therefore making it expensive and in conclusion only the very wealthy had baths. So therefore by the times of Queen Elizebeth and James and stuff everyone smelled bad. But I guess some people may not consider that medieval, do you see my point? But I guess I varied off the subject. Also the reason I didn't put it in is exactly the reason you stated. Thankyou for your constructive criticism, it is always much appreciated.