Arthur was in the middle of paperwork when he heard a knock on the door. Even though it was unusual for Merlin to knock, Arthur assumed it was him, and he simply said, "Enter."

Athena walked into the room, but Arthur didn't even bother looking up.

"You can polish my chain mail, then muck out the stables when you're done with that." Was his only response to the person entering. He was certain it was Merlin, so he didn't bother tearing his eyes away from his papers.

"Well, since you asked so nicely." Said Athena, smirking slightly and leaning against the doorway. Her words, at least seemed to grab the Prince's attention, and she held back a soft chuckle. He seemed surprised that she had payed him a visit.

"What is it you want, Athena?" His tone was harsh, and he felt a slight tightening in his chest when he looked up in time to see a look of hurt flash over the girl's face, before it was replaced by a mask of cool indifference.

"I was just going to ask if you'd like to join me for a ride, but you seem preoccupied. I'm sorry I disturbed you." Athena then turned quickly away, for she knew if she stayed any longer, he would know just how much she didn't want to care about his words.

"..Athena, wait." Just as she had reached the end of the hall, he managed to grab her wrist, and pull her back. She knew that she had the strength to push him away, but she was just so tired of everything. She gave up, and looked at him, making sure her emotions were collected and in a neat tiny line in her mind.

"Yes, Arthur?" Her words were cool, but he could see the gleam of hope in her eyes.

"I'd love to go for a ride with you. Let me get some things ready, and I'll meet you outside. You have my permission to pick any horse in the stables."

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Well, technically the horse wasn't in the stables, but close enough, right?

The horse she was talking about, was right now in the middle of the circle pen, and was rearing and bucking at any of the knights who came near it. The horse was humongous, easily 18 hands (6 feet) tall. He was a light chestnut colour, with a white mane and tail, and white feathers across his feet.

If she came close enough, she could feel his panic. He was scared, and their yelling wasn't helping. Well, hers was about to.

"Hey!" She shouted at the men, and they all turned to her. The horse even stopped, and stared at her, tilting his head slightly.

"Can't you see he's not happy? You're obviously scaring him!" Athena sounded like a stern mother, and she walked into the pen with the men and horse, when the men immediately tried to get her out.

"My lady-"

"The horse is dangerous-"
"He'll have to be whipped into submission-"

"I will whip you into submission if you so much as touch that horse. Do you understand?"

The venom in her voice seemed to carry enough fear into the men, that they backed away, and allowed her to walk up to the horse confidently, but with respect.

The horse knickered, and walked up to her, laying his head atop hers. She grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him and laughing. The horse's response was to whinny and snuffle at her hair, searching for treats. Thankfully she was prepared. She took of her "Dress" which was just a cloak wrapped around her waist, for underneath she was wearing her brown leather riding pants. Her shirt was a loose-fitting, green blouse.

She reached into the cloak's pocket, and her hand returned with an apple.

The horse immediately tried to take it out of her hand, but she pressed her empty hand against his nose.

"Uh-Uh. Learn to share." She took a bite out of the apple, and then tossed the rest at him, which he impressively caught mid-air.

She heard someone clear their throat behind her, and she turned around, expecting to see a guard, not the Crown Prince.

"Sire. How long have you been standing there?" Her voice was apprehensive, and her eyes lowered to the ground in embarrassment. He had just seen her acting like a child with a horse. What would he think of her now?

"Well. A guard came and got me the second he saw you heading for that pen, and I've been here since you yelled at my men. I have to say, we were thinking about killing that horse. He wouldn't let anyone touch him, much less feed him directly. How do you do it? How do you make everything, and everyone like you?"

He was slowly stalking towards her, and when he had almost reached her, the horse suddenly whinnied loudly, and stomped his foot, sending a warning to the Prince. Arthur looked at the horse nervously, before looking back at Athena, a very predator-like gleam in his eyes. It sent a shiver through her body, and let me tell you, that shiver hit all the right places.

"I-…I don't know, Sire." And her answer was honest. Maybe it was her magic, maybe it was her looks. Maybe it was the fact that she was nice, unlike some people. She had no clue.

"May I name him, Prince Arthur?" The question was out of respect, but she already had the perfect name for him.

"Well he's yours now, isn't he?" Said Arthur, turning away, before turning right back on his heel.

"Where did this, "Sire" and "Prince Arthur" stuff come from, Athena?" His question was very accusatory, and he almost started walking towards her with his finger pointed, when the horse stomped his foot in warning.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." She replied, petting her new friend's neck.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to get Alistair ready for our ride"

At the sound of his name, Alistair started bobbing his head in agreement, following Athena without the use of a lead rope.

Arthur watched the girl pass him, and couldn't help but turn and watch her go. His eyes couldn't help themselves when they wandered across her derriere and hips. They were simply enchanting.

He turned around, and also saw his men doing the exact same thig he was doing, and he lifted his arms, shouting at them angrily, and partly to hide his embarrassment, which, he would admit to no one but himself, tinged with jealousy.

"Get back to work!"