They rode in silence through the town. People waved as they walked by on their horses. Elizabeth was enjoying the warmth of the sun on her face and the steady pace of the horse beneath her. Will looked so confident as he rode beside her. The sun brought out the little gold strands in his hair and his features were defined by the shadows that his chiseled features cast.

Will was glad that she had agreed to go with him. He knew it had been very out of line, but she was his friend as well as his superior. Last night when she came to him he had seen that sadness in her eyes. There was another emotion at the very back of her amber eyes that he hadn't been able to distinguish. The poor girl seemed to have so much to deal with that she wasn't ready for. Yes, she was technically a woman… but she still hadn't been able to be a child.

When they finally reached the end of the small village, they turned down a trail that had been made from years of cutting through the reeds. Before them was a white sand beach with the turquoise water lapping gently at it's shoreline. They stopped their steeds for a moment and gazed at the beautiful scenery. Elizabeth hardly ever got down to the beach.

"Will, it's beautiful!" she breathed out. He smiled and looked at her.

"Yes, it's wonderful isn't it? I'm sorry I was so forward about inviting you here…"

"It's alright! I appreciate it. You're my best friend, Will, I should be able to spend some quality time with you every now and again," she said, clucking to Tessa and moving forward. Will tried unsuccessfully to hide the blush on his cheeks at her compliments.

He caught up to her quickly and they trotted alongside another. Elizabeth's hair had fallen down from it's ties and was blowing behind her. Will picked up his pace and she did too as their horses moved as one. Diablo began throwing his head with excitement as a breeze blew through their path. His long black hair blew back in Will's face

Elizabeth pulled up on Tessa's reins. It was a moment before Will noticed that they had stopped. He turned around and went back to her side to see what had caused her to stop so suddenly.

"Let's race!" Elizabeth said with excitement in her voice. Will was unsure. If anything ever happened to her in his hands, he would never be allowed to see her again.

"Elizabeth, it would be too dangerous…"

"Oh, don't be silly! I'll be fine!" she said. Will couldn't turn her down when she was this excited about something. Besides, she was an adequate equestrian.

"Ok, just be careful. Where are we racing too?" he asked. Elizabeth scrunched her forehead as she scanned the beach for a finish line.

"That pair of palm trees over there seems like a good spot. If you're not scared of losing, that is," she said with a grin. Will returned it and turned Diablo so they were side by side. He raised his eyebrows and gestured forward.

Without warning, Elizabeth shot forward on Tessa. Will dug his heels into Diablo's sides and gave chase. What came next happened so fast that Will didn't have time to react.

Tessa stopped and spun on her heels. She reared into the air and all he could see was Elizabeth crashing to the sandy beach. Tessa took off running in the opposite direction, leaving Elizabeth huddled in the sand. Will whipped Diablo around and jumped out of the saddle. He ran to her side.

"Elizabeth! Elizabeth, dear God, speak to me!"

"Ouch…" was all she said. She wasn't crying and she wasn't screaming. Will breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't seem to be hurt. He stuck his hand under her arm and helped her into a sitting position.

"Are you alright? What happened?"

"She must have seen a shadow… I don't know. She just spooked and bolted," she said. She had a hand clung to her ribs.

"Are you hurt? Why are you holding your ribs like that?" he said. He was getting more and more worried. Broken ribs were painful and took forever to heal.

"I think they're fine. Just a little swollen, that's all," she said, trying to smile. He tried to help her to her feet but she winced and fell back into the sand. Will knelt beside her.

"Are you going to be able to get back to the fort?"

"Yes! I just need to sit here for a moment. Please, sit with me?" she asked with a painful smile on her face. Will couldn't say no. He had to see to it that she got back safely.

"Of course, Elizabeth."