Chapter Nine
Walking along the path beside Will, I saw that the scenery reminded me of the forest in Aspen. Whenever I wasn't working, I would wonder the cross- country trails. If I had been stranded there during the night, I would know exactly which way was to go back in order to get out to the chalet. The forest was filled with bird noises and that had always put a smile on my face. Looking at the forest more, I could see squirrels running along the branches or down the trunks of trees. I caught sight of a rabbit moving ahead of us across the pathway before he disappeared into the brush on the other side. As I moved along the pathway looking at things, I caught sight of Will watching me, opening his mouth then shutting it. He continued to do this and each time he did, I kept getting the feeling he was going to ask if I was getting tired.
What felt like several hours later, I saw that the clearing Will and I were coming to already had Marian and the others were getting the lunch Will had given to them from Tuck. I walked over as Will got down off his horse with the food for us and sat down beside Marian and Will once Sarah laid out the blankets.
"I thought it was a good time for us to take a break. Give the horses time to graze."
We all nodded as we dug into the sacks, pulling out bread and fruit. As we all began to eat, I noticed that all the women were wearing riding pants of some sort. Marians were that of a deep blue while her cousins were either black or red. Sarah's pants were a forest green with black patches over top of them. They all looked like something I might have worn back at Aunt Medda's. Marian tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the silver rose outline on my pants.
"Dodger, that is an interesting design. What does it symbolize?"
Symbolize? I don't know. I was into rose designs when I bought the pants.
"Uh...It symbolizes... familiarity and toughness." I smiled to myself, that was good on the spot.
"Familiarity and toughness?"
Will asked with a mouthful of bread. Guys never seem to grow up and swallow.
"Well where I used to live, pretty much everyone knew who I was. My signature marking was a rose. The toughness comes from the thorns. As you guys saw the other day, I'm tough when I fight. Thorns are really tough and hard to break."
The women and Will nodded in understanding, actually believing the explanation. We sat and the others chatted about the route to take while I focused my attention on a pack of squirrels. They were running over the trees chasing each other. It was amusing, almost like seeing the Discovery Channel up close. When everyone had finished their food, the women all got back on their horses and started off, as Will and I folded up a few blankets and put them on his horse.
"Are you going to continue to walk?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
"Just thought maybe you'd change your mind."
Will secured the blankets and hopped up on his horse, looking down at me. The sun caught on his hair a little, really making him look like Specs for a few minutes.
"Well I'll keep on walking. You don't have to stay beside me. You can go up with the others. Not like I'm gonna get lost if I can still see you."
Will shook his head.
"I promised my brother I'd watch over you and I will."
It seemed as though I wasn't going to shake him so I shrugged my shoulders and started walking. Will motioned for his horse to move and was soon back at his place beside me. There were a few minutes of silence before he started whistling a tune of some sort. At least this time it wasn't as tension quiet as before. Ahead of us I could see the others and off to the left I noticed some rustling. The entire bush seemed to shift and it was too big to be a squirrel or rabbit from what I thought. I quickened my pace and soon I was running to catch up. Will noticed my movement and using the reins he caught up to me. Just as we reached the women, 3 men from the left came from the bushes. Taking a quick look, I saw that 3 more had come from the right. I'm not entirely sure why, but the first guy I saw, I tackled him before he could get to Jade's horse. One man tried going for the women's reins and Marian and Leighanne started kicking at him.
The man I took down finally gave up after I punched him several times. Will got a man as well and started to tie him up using some cords that they had provided to, in my estimate, tie up the others. Two of the men were knocked out by kicks and the other two had fled. I helped Will tie up the man I got and when that was done, he grabbed him and pushed him hard against a tree.
"Who sent you after us?!"
In Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Will had never let true anger show. Sure he had gotten angry, but looking at him now, there was a hot blaze over his face and everything. I stood back watching the man's face turn a pale colour and start stuttering.
"It...it was Lord J...Joseph of P...Pulitzer."
Pulitzer? I wondered if he looked like the history teacher.
"Well you're going to tell us why Lord Joseph sent you."
"He...he sent us to get L...Lady Marian and all who follows her. She...She was to be held cap...captive until a ransom was p...paid."
By now, the women had gotten down from their horses and were standing in a semi-circle around the tree. Marian's face was flushed, her hair slightly out of the braid.
"See here, exactly why did you go at us?"
Once again the man relayed his orders and once he finished, she punched him in th efface.
"Tell his Lordship that no one will take me or my family against their will."
Marian stomped off towards the horses, her cousins and Sarah trailing after her to calm her down. Will and I untied the two men and warning them again of not being as nice the next time, watched the 2 men hobble off into the woods, one supporting a fallen man. When we made sure they were out of sight, Marian came back towards us.
"Thank you Will."
She wound her arms around him, hugging tight.
"Anything for a sister."
When they finished the hug, she turned to me.
"Thank you very much. If you hadn't moved when you did, we may not have gotten any kicks on them."
With that said, she did the same to me, catching me off guard. We stumbled a little and I stood there while she hugged me. This was too odd. Just the other day we were close to fighting till someone was out and now she's was hugging me as though we had known each other forever.
"Uh, you're welcome."
I patted her back a little and she soon let go, but everyone else decided to take her turn in hugging me. Each time new arms wound around me I just stood there, unsure of exactly what was going on. Will was the last one to hug me. His hold over me was longer than the others and for some reason felt warmer. Looking over his shoulder, I noticed Marian and Sarah whispering and Jade and Leighanne showing small smirks. A cold shiver ran down my back and I pushed away, smoothing out my jacket.
"Dodger, how about you ride up with us? Will and Sarah can share a horse. You take Stinger."
Biting my bottom lip, I wasn't sure hot I was going to get out of this. Marian continued to speak.
"Either that or you could share a horse with Will. Fire there is strong enough for two. I want us to reach Nottingham before dark. My cousin Richard is staying there for awhile and I want to say hello."
Great, now I had 2 choices. Ride solely on a horse up with Marian or ride in the back with Will on his horse.
"I could continue to walk."
"But if you do we'll be slower. Plus I want more protection in the front. Will can cover the back easily with Sarah. You've got a quick eye and that would be a nice look out for trouble."
I stared nervously at the horses and then over at Marian. She had a pleading and hopeful look mixed with the puppy eyes.
'That look is going to be the death of me.'
"Oh all right."
The three cousins all got on their horses while Will helped Sarah up on his horse. I walked over to Stinger and stared at the mare.
"Just stay where you are and I'll be fine and you'll be fine."
"Hurry up Dodger."
I jumped a little and shook off the nerves before grabbing a hold of the saddle horn, putting my foot in the stirrup and pulled myself up. I sat up on the horse looking around, my heart beating crazily inside my chest.
'Okay, lets see if I can remember what I've been taught.'
I noticed everyone watching me and feeling warm under the collar I clucked my tongue and Stinger started to move. Marian and the others followed suit and soon all five horses were starting back on their way. As we rode, neither Marian nor I really spoke. I wasn't sure her reason but mine was because I was concentrating more on the horse. I could feel Stinger breathing against the inner side of my legs and the smoothness of my trench on the outside.
"So Dodger how exactly did you learn to be the way you are? Most ladies I've known are nothing like you or I."
"I guess I felt more comfortable around men than I do women, no offence."
"None taken. Continue."
"Well I felt as though I was being put on for showing when I was younger. I decided that everything I did would be my choice. I started dressing differently and it went from there."
I looked from the ears on Stinger's head to Marian, seeing her take it in.
"I know how you feel. Since I was young I didn't feel as though I fit in. The only people I was truly close to were Jade, Leighanne and my other cousin Richard. Robin didn't make it very much easier when we were younger. He would tease me and bothered me so much that once he left for the Crusades, I learned how to fight. Since we got married, Robin has helped a lot in that area beside others."
We laughed, knowing what other area and continue to ride listening to the chatter of those behind us until Marian spoke up again.
"Did you have a suitor where you used to live?"
I shook my head and finally felt well enough to keep eyes up.
"No, I was always around boys so that either threw their interest off or intimidated them. Seeing a girl hang out with boys most likely makes them see only a tomboy."
As soon as I said the word, Marian gave me a curious look. I explained that it was a girl who didn't act like a girl and when she understood it was my turn to return the confusion.
"Why did you want to know if I had a suitor?"
A small smile crept to her face, making me feel a little uneasy.
"Well first, you said you were 18 right?"
"18 turning 19...why?"
"It's such a wonderful age."
"I guess...now why did you want to know?"
"Well normally I'm not one to do this, but I'm pretty sure I know someone who would love to court you."
I should have seen that coming. I shook my head and turned my attention back to the road, ducking under a branch.
"I don't really know anyone here though so don't think that'll work."
Marian gave a laugh, one that wasn't full of falseness that I had heard many times from my mother.
"I think you do."
Using her head, Marian pointed back to Will and Sarah. I raised an eyebrow and shook my head. I turned my gaze back briefly then back to where we were going.
"No...no way."
Once again she laughed.
"You may not see it, but he likes you. Why else would he have stayed back with you when you refused to ride?"
"Well, he's a gentleman"
A slight pause filled the air between us. Will being a gentleman? That wasn't in much of the books about him and Robin Hood. Marian shook her head.
"No, he usually isn't unless towards me or my cousins. Before you came yesterday, Will would keep to himself. He would never have left his post at the river. Since your appearance, he's smiled more such as I noticed during the meals."
As we rode on, I let the information sink in. Hearing the possibility of a guy actually liking me was odd. I'd always been one OF the guys.
"Plus I did notice that you are wearing his shirt."
I snapped my head to Marian then down to the shirt.
"Yeah, I'm wearing his shirt. So what?"
"Will rarely lets anyone borrow his clothes."
"He didn't really have a choice... or maybe he did who knows. I was cold and he was using the blanket beneath him so he put his shirt over top of me."
"Ah yes, but he could have asked for it back this morning but as we can see he hasn't."
Hearing the argument Marian was giving about Will liking me was becoming more possible. I decided then that I would give him his shirt back once I was able to get some clothes of my own. A gallop was heard coming up from behind us and turning my head slightly, I saw that Will and Sarah's horse was coming up beside Marian.
"Marian, how much longer do you think we will be on the road?"
"Probably about another hour or so. Why?"
Sarah, whom with a laugh that reminded me so much of Frenchy, smiled.
"Now don't get me wrong, I love riding with Will," she patted his cheek softly "but it is getting a bit cramped on here."
Marian turned her gaze to me and I turned my eyes back on the road trying hard to avoid those eyes of hers.
"Would you mind switching with Sarah?"
"I, uh..."
Why couldn't I just say no?
"Great. Let's stop up at the edge of the forest for a quick drink and Dodger, you and Sarah can switch places when we start up again."
Will pulled the horse back to tell Leighanne and Jade the plan and we were soon at the edge of the woods. As all 5 horses were pulled to a stop we dismounted and while the others went off and had a drink and do their business, I stayed behind to look after the horse I had ridden. I hadn't really enjoyed the sport when I was forced to participate, but I did like hanging around the horses during spare time. I would groom them and feed them whenever there was something to spare.
"Hey Stinger."
I said as I ran my hand over her mane. Stinger whinnied and from the food pack on her saddle, I took a carrot out and held it up for her to eat. Her wet lips slurped up the carrot, tickling my palm. I laughed softly and went back to scratching her nose.
"Interesting."
I spun around, surprised to hear someone back already and saw that Will was leaning against Fire, his arm draped over his neck scratching softly.
"What is?"
"It's just interesting to see how much Stinger seems to like you. She normally doesn't take to strangers right away."
I rolled my eyes and turned back around. My hands slide over her mane and the strong neck.
"I guess I'm an exception."
My ears picked up the sounds of his feet on the dirt and grass, thumping softly as they neared me and soon stopped right behind me.
"Or just very similar."
He leaned over my shoulder, stroked Stinger then walked back over to where Fire stood. My neck tingled slightly from the brief time his breath whispered over my skin. I gulped and after grabbing another carrot from the bag I fed it to Stinger before turning and looking to Will.
"What do you mean by similar?"
He didn't turn to tell me his answer, but pulled his vest off and then his shirt. From where I stood, I could see his defined shoulder blades and back muscles until he put the vest back on. Will then turned around and looked at me. His dishevelled hair looked quite good and added to the fine looks. I could see even more muscles. He didn't have a six-pack but there was a slight hint of a four. Will crossed his arms across his chest and I could see his biceps. I shook my head and focused on his face.
'He may look like Christian Slater but he's only an actor...this is...who knows what this is.'
He ran his hand back through his hair and locked eyes with me.
"What I mean is that like Stinger, you took awhile to warm up to me or anyone. You've told me small things about yourself and so you are slowly beginning to trust."
"Uh, ok...I guess but I grew up for several years around horses. I never treated them rough and if they behave they get treats."
Will gave me a cocky smile as though I had just given him the secret to life. Will moved from his place at Fire and made his way towards me. From the look on his face I could tell he expected me to back away as most girls would have. I stood my place though, watching as he slowly stood over me. As he stood over me, the position reminded me of all the fights I had been in and resisted the urge to punch forwards or kick his legs out.
"So you're telling me that behaviour and trust are important to you?"
I nodded my head.
"Behaviour comes before trust."
The smile on his face grew and just as he was about to say something, Marian, Sarah, Leighanne and Jade come from their places in the bushes.
"Well lets get moving. We want to make it to Nottingham before dark."
The others climbed onto their horses and once Will was on his, he rode over towards me and offered his hand.
"M'lady?"
'Oh boy...here goes.'
I took hold of his outstretched hand and he held tight to mine. On the count of three, Will hoisted me up onto the horse.
"Hold tight."
I knew where I had to hold and slipped my hands around his sides and felt the smoothness of his skin. Every time he breathed in my hands rose with him. I gulped and rested my head against his back and hearing his soft cluck of his tongue we started on our way.
Walking along the path beside Will, I saw that the scenery reminded me of the forest in Aspen. Whenever I wasn't working, I would wonder the cross- country trails. If I had been stranded there during the night, I would know exactly which way was to go back in order to get out to the chalet. The forest was filled with bird noises and that had always put a smile on my face. Looking at the forest more, I could see squirrels running along the branches or down the trunks of trees. I caught sight of a rabbit moving ahead of us across the pathway before he disappeared into the brush on the other side. As I moved along the pathway looking at things, I caught sight of Will watching me, opening his mouth then shutting it. He continued to do this and each time he did, I kept getting the feeling he was going to ask if I was getting tired.
What felt like several hours later, I saw that the clearing Will and I were coming to already had Marian and the others were getting the lunch Will had given to them from Tuck. I walked over as Will got down off his horse with the food for us and sat down beside Marian and Will once Sarah laid out the blankets.
"I thought it was a good time for us to take a break. Give the horses time to graze."
We all nodded as we dug into the sacks, pulling out bread and fruit. As we all began to eat, I noticed that all the women were wearing riding pants of some sort. Marians were that of a deep blue while her cousins were either black or red. Sarah's pants were a forest green with black patches over top of them. They all looked like something I might have worn back at Aunt Medda's. Marian tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the silver rose outline on my pants.
"Dodger, that is an interesting design. What does it symbolize?"
Symbolize? I don't know. I was into rose designs when I bought the pants.
"Uh...It symbolizes... familiarity and toughness." I smiled to myself, that was good on the spot.
"Familiarity and toughness?"
Will asked with a mouthful of bread. Guys never seem to grow up and swallow.
"Well where I used to live, pretty much everyone knew who I was. My signature marking was a rose. The toughness comes from the thorns. As you guys saw the other day, I'm tough when I fight. Thorns are really tough and hard to break."
The women and Will nodded in understanding, actually believing the explanation. We sat and the others chatted about the route to take while I focused my attention on a pack of squirrels. They were running over the trees chasing each other. It was amusing, almost like seeing the Discovery Channel up close. When everyone had finished their food, the women all got back on their horses and started off, as Will and I folded up a few blankets and put them on his horse.
"Are you going to continue to walk?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"
"Just thought maybe you'd change your mind."
Will secured the blankets and hopped up on his horse, looking down at me. The sun caught on his hair a little, really making him look like Specs for a few minutes.
"Well I'll keep on walking. You don't have to stay beside me. You can go up with the others. Not like I'm gonna get lost if I can still see you."
Will shook his head.
"I promised my brother I'd watch over you and I will."
It seemed as though I wasn't going to shake him so I shrugged my shoulders and started walking. Will motioned for his horse to move and was soon back at his place beside me. There were a few minutes of silence before he started whistling a tune of some sort. At least this time it wasn't as tension quiet as before. Ahead of us I could see the others and off to the left I noticed some rustling. The entire bush seemed to shift and it was too big to be a squirrel or rabbit from what I thought. I quickened my pace and soon I was running to catch up. Will noticed my movement and using the reins he caught up to me. Just as we reached the women, 3 men from the left came from the bushes. Taking a quick look, I saw that 3 more had come from the right. I'm not entirely sure why, but the first guy I saw, I tackled him before he could get to Jade's horse. One man tried going for the women's reins and Marian and Leighanne started kicking at him.
The man I took down finally gave up after I punched him several times. Will got a man as well and started to tie him up using some cords that they had provided to, in my estimate, tie up the others. Two of the men were knocked out by kicks and the other two had fled. I helped Will tie up the man I got and when that was done, he grabbed him and pushed him hard against a tree.
"Who sent you after us?!"
In Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Will had never let true anger show. Sure he had gotten angry, but looking at him now, there was a hot blaze over his face and everything. I stood back watching the man's face turn a pale colour and start stuttering.
"It...it was Lord J...Joseph of P...Pulitzer."
Pulitzer? I wondered if he looked like the history teacher.
"Well you're going to tell us why Lord Joseph sent you."
"He...he sent us to get L...Lady Marian and all who follows her. She...She was to be held cap...captive until a ransom was p...paid."
By now, the women had gotten down from their horses and were standing in a semi-circle around the tree. Marian's face was flushed, her hair slightly out of the braid.
"See here, exactly why did you go at us?"
Once again the man relayed his orders and once he finished, she punched him in th efface.
"Tell his Lordship that no one will take me or my family against their will."
Marian stomped off towards the horses, her cousins and Sarah trailing after her to calm her down. Will and I untied the two men and warning them again of not being as nice the next time, watched the 2 men hobble off into the woods, one supporting a fallen man. When we made sure they were out of sight, Marian came back towards us.
"Thank you Will."
She wound her arms around him, hugging tight.
"Anything for a sister."
When they finished the hug, she turned to me.
"Thank you very much. If you hadn't moved when you did, we may not have gotten any kicks on them."
With that said, she did the same to me, catching me off guard. We stumbled a little and I stood there while she hugged me. This was too odd. Just the other day we were close to fighting till someone was out and now she's was hugging me as though we had known each other forever.
"Uh, you're welcome."
I patted her back a little and she soon let go, but everyone else decided to take her turn in hugging me. Each time new arms wound around me I just stood there, unsure of exactly what was going on. Will was the last one to hug me. His hold over me was longer than the others and for some reason felt warmer. Looking over his shoulder, I noticed Marian and Sarah whispering and Jade and Leighanne showing small smirks. A cold shiver ran down my back and I pushed away, smoothing out my jacket.
"Dodger, how about you ride up with us? Will and Sarah can share a horse. You take Stinger."
Biting my bottom lip, I wasn't sure hot I was going to get out of this. Marian continued to speak.
"Either that or you could share a horse with Will. Fire there is strong enough for two. I want us to reach Nottingham before dark. My cousin Richard is staying there for awhile and I want to say hello."
Great, now I had 2 choices. Ride solely on a horse up with Marian or ride in the back with Will on his horse.
"I could continue to walk."
"But if you do we'll be slower. Plus I want more protection in the front. Will can cover the back easily with Sarah. You've got a quick eye and that would be a nice look out for trouble."
I stared nervously at the horses and then over at Marian. She had a pleading and hopeful look mixed with the puppy eyes.
'That look is going to be the death of me.'
"Oh all right."
The three cousins all got on their horses while Will helped Sarah up on his horse. I walked over to Stinger and stared at the mare.
"Just stay where you are and I'll be fine and you'll be fine."
"Hurry up Dodger."
I jumped a little and shook off the nerves before grabbing a hold of the saddle horn, putting my foot in the stirrup and pulled myself up. I sat up on the horse looking around, my heart beating crazily inside my chest.
'Okay, lets see if I can remember what I've been taught.'
I noticed everyone watching me and feeling warm under the collar I clucked my tongue and Stinger started to move. Marian and the others followed suit and soon all five horses were starting back on their way. As we rode, neither Marian nor I really spoke. I wasn't sure her reason but mine was because I was concentrating more on the horse. I could feel Stinger breathing against the inner side of my legs and the smoothness of my trench on the outside.
"So Dodger how exactly did you learn to be the way you are? Most ladies I've known are nothing like you or I."
"I guess I felt more comfortable around men than I do women, no offence."
"None taken. Continue."
"Well I felt as though I was being put on for showing when I was younger. I decided that everything I did would be my choice. I started dressing differently and it went from there."
I looked from the ears on Stinger's head to Marian, seeing her take it in.
"I know how you feel. Since I was young I didn't feel as though I fit in. The only people I was truly close to were Jade, Leighanne and my other cousin Richard. Robin didn't make it very much easier when we were younger. He would tease me and bothered me so much that once he left for the Crusades, I learned how to fight. Since we got married, Robin has helped a lot in that area beside others."
We laughed, knowing what other area and continue to ride listening to the chatter of those behind us until Marian spoke up again.
"Did you have a suitor where you used to live?"
I shook my head and finally felt well enough to keep eyes up.
"No, I was always around boys so that either threw their interest off or intimidated them. Seeing a girl hang out with boys most likely makes them see only a tomboy."
As soon as I said the word, Marian gave me a curious look. I explained that it was a girl who didn't act like a girl and when she understood it was my turn to return the confusion.
"Why did you want to know if I had a suitor?"
A small smile crept to her face, making me feel a little uneasy.
"Well first, you said you were 18 right?"
"18 turning 19...why?"
"It's such a wonderful age."
"I guess...now why did you want to know?"
"Well normally I'm not one to do this, but I'm pretty sure I know someone who would love to court you."
I should have seen that coming. I shook my head and turned my attention back to the road, ducking under a branch.
"I don't really know anyone here though so don't think that'll work."
Marian gave a laugh, one that wasn't full of falseness that I had heard many times from my mother.
"I think you do."
Using her head, Marian pointed back to Will and Sarah. I raised an eyebrow and shook my head. I turned my gaze back briefly then back to where we were going.
"No...no way."
Once again she laughed.
"You may not see it, but he likes you. Why else would he have stayed back with you when you refused to ride?"
"Well, he's a gentleman"
A slight pause filled the air between us. Will being a gentleman? That wasn't in much of the books about him and Robin Hood. Marian shook her head.
"No, he usually isn't unless towards me or my cousins. Before you came yesterday, Will would keep to himself. He would never have left his post at the river. Since your appearance, he's smiled more such as I noticed during the meals."
As we rode on, I let the information sink in. Hearing the possibility of a guy actually liking me was odd. I'd always been one OF the guys.
"Plus I did notice that you are wearing his shirt."
I snapped my head to Marian then down to the shirt.
"Yeah, I'm wearing his shirt. So what?"
"Will rarely lets anyone borrow his clothes."
"He didn't really have a choice... or maybe he did who knows. I was cold and he was using the blanket beneath him so he put his shirt over top of me."
"Ah yes, but he could have asked for it back this morning but as we can see he hasn't."
Hearing the argument Marian was giving about Will liking me was becoming more possible. I decided then that I would give him his shirt back once I was able to get some clothes of my own. A gallop was heard coming up from behind us and turning my head slightly, I saw that Will and Sarah's horse was coming up beside Marian.
"Marian, how much longer do you think we will be on the road?"
"Probably about another hour or so. Why?"
Sarah, whom with a laugh that reminded me so much of Frenchy, smiled.
"Now don't get me wrong, I love riding with Will," she patted his cheek softly "but it is getting a bit cramped on here."
Marian turned her gaze to me and I turned my eyes back on the road trying hard to avoid those eyes of hers.
"Would you mind switching with Sarah?"
"I, uh..."
Why couldn't I just say no?
"Great. Let's stop up at the edge of the forest for a quick drink and Dodger, you and Sarah can switch places when we start up again."
Will pulled the horse back to tell Leighanne and Jade the plan and we were soon at the edge of the woods. As all 5 horses were pulled to a stop we dismounted and while the others went off and had a drink and do their business, I stayed behind to look after the horse I had ridden. I hadn't really enjoyed the sport when I was forced to participate, but I did like hanging around the horses during spare time. I would groom them and feed them whenever there was something to spare.
"Hey Stinger."
I said as I ran my hand over her mane. Stinger whinnied and from the food pack on her saddle, I took a carrot out and held it up for her to eat. Her wet lips slurped up the carrot, tickling my palm. I laughed softly and went back to scratching her nose.
"Interesting."
I spun around, surprised to hear someone back already and saw that Will was leaning against Fire, his arm draped over his neck scratching softly.
"What is?"
"It's just interesting to see how much Stinger seems to like you. She normally doesn't take to strangers right away."
I rolled my eyes and turned back around. My hands slide over her mane and the strong neck.
"I guess I'm an exception."
My ears picked up the sounds of his feet on the dirt and grass, thumping softly as they neared me and soon stopped right behind me.
"Or just very similar."
He leaned over my shoulder, stroked Stinger then walked back over to where Fire stood. My neck tingled slightly from the brief time his breath whispered over my skin. I gulped and after grabbing another carrot from the bag I fed it to Stinger before turning and looking to Will.
"What do you mean by similar?"
He didn't turn to tell me his answer, but pulled his vest off and then his shirt. From where I stood, I could see his defined shoulder blades and back muscles until he put the vest back on. Will then turned around and looked at me. His dishevelled hair looked quite good and added to the fine looks. I could see even more muscles. He didn't have a six-pack but there was a slight hint of a four. Will crossed his arms across his chest and I could see his biceps. I shook my head and focused on his face.
'He may look like Christian Slater but he's only an actor...this is...who knows what this is.'
He ran his hand back through his hair and locked eyes with me.
"What I mean is that like Stinger, you took awhile to warm up to me or anyone. You've told me small things about yourself and so you are slowly beginning to trust."
"Uh, ok...I guess but I grew up for several years around horses. I never treated them rough and if they behave they get treats."
Will gave me a cocky smile as though I had just given him the secret to life. Will moved from his place at Fire and made his way towards me. From the look on his face I could tell he expected me to back away as most girls would have. I stood my place though, watching as he slowly stood over me. As he stood over me, the position reminded me of all the fights I had been in and resisted the urge to punch forwards or kick his legs out.
"So you're telling me that behaviour and trust are important to you?"
I nodded my head.
"Behaviour comes before trust."
The smile on his face grew and just as he was about to say something, Marian, Sarah, Leighanne and Jade come from their places in the bushes.
"Well lets get moving. We want to make it to Nottingham before dark."
The others climbed onto their horses and once Will was on his, he rode over towards me and offered his hand.
"M'lady?"
'Oh boy...here goes.'
I took hold of his outstretched hand and he held tight to mine. On the count of three, Will hoisted me up onto the horse.
"Hold tight."
I knew where I had to hold and slipped my hands around his sides and felt the smoothness of his skin. Every time he breathed in my hands rose with him. I gulped and rested my head against his back and hearing his soft cluck of his tongue we started on our way.