III- The Accident
As time passed, Reginald Tremaine was pleased to see little Anastasia, or "Annie", open up more and more. The girl had the most wonderful of smiles and Reginald was of the opinion she should show them off more often, which she was.
He felt less success with Dresella. The girl seemed to like him just fine, but she still shadowed her mother for all the hours of the day that she could (not that there was anything wrong with that of course) and seemed so serious, Reginald wondered that she'd allowed herself a childhood at all.
He'd tried to coax her to go riding more with Anastasia and Cinderella, but the girl seemed uninterested, so Reginald's next task had been indoor activities, perhaps she was the studious type that wanted to take up Chess. That attempt had fallen flat as well.
As of a bright sunny day about a month after his remarriage, Reginald Tremaine was at a loss as to what to try next. With a sigh, he turned his attention to watching Cinderella give Anastasia a lesson in some of the finer points of horse grooming.
The young blonde glanced up, to tell Anastasia something about the way to brush the mane, when she froze and gasped a delightful gasp as she saw something behind Anastasia. The red head turned quickly to see what had captured her step-sister's interest and found young Arthur, one of the castle guard's sons, approaching!
Anastasia immediately straightened up and smiled her best smile, though she was still curious as to why ever he would be here in the first place.
"Hello Arthur" Cinderella greeted the other boy politely. Anastasia just smiled. "Did, you have a note for my father again?" the blonde next inquired, remembering that one time the young boy had visited the estate to deliver a note from the castle, even if that was usually the royal messenger's job.
The story behind the occurrence was quite the gossip stirrer for a week or so, apparently young Arthur had physically tripped and knocked down the poor royal messenger in order to essentially steal his message meant for Sir Tremaine. Then the indecent young man (as he was called for a bit) rushed off with the message himself and delivered it.
Many in town thought it a ploy to get at seeing one of the three Tremaine girls, and many said there wasn't much of a guessing game as to which one.
It is a sad occurrence that many gossiping women do not pay attention to their surroundings when spinning their tales, otherwise this group might have done best not to say their statements when young Anastasia was just around the corner, having been told to wait while her mother was in one of the shops. Dresella had insisted on following her inside in the hopes of working her mother over to buy her something.
This was the reason, that now, all Anastasia could manage to young Arthur was a smile, feeling her chances already shot.
Arthur shook his head to Cinderella's question, "Oh no Miss Cinderella" he said, "I am actually here to inquire if you have any colts that might be right for training as horses of the royal family" he said. "The royal family has overlooked the fact that as of late they own too many stallions".
It was implied, "and not enough mares", but to add in that little statement in these ladies company would have been highly indecent. Really, with the properness of both ladies and gentlemen at the time, it was possible none of the three children on the verge of their less innocent ages really knew why there weren't colts for the training at the castle.
Either way, it was grand honor for Sir Tremaine's household. Both Mother and Father will be well pleased! The thought occurred to Anastasia. Oh she just lived to see the joy that would spread across their faces! Even her mother would be forced to drop her proper attitude and possibly give a bold smile!
Plus...Arthur might even think well of her...despite the fact she wasn't as beautiful as Cinderella! Oh!
"I shall deliver your message Arthur!" Anastasia cried in joy, leaping up. "Annie, no!" Cinderella cried, seeing her step-sister's mistake in such a bold move even as the red head did not.
The horse they were tending reared up, startled. In another not so great move, Anastasia grabbed at the reigns to try and stop the beast, but was merely flung, by such actions, straight under the path of the frightened animal.
The young girl hadn't time to even scream as, in her shock, she beheld the shadow of the great animal above her and the front legs coming down...
Yet with a blur and slightly audible grunt of pain, the horse was pulled aside towards where Arthur stood. Having much experience with horses, the young boy knew exactly what to do and grabbed the reigns along with the first set of hands as the horse came down over near him.
With a jerk, mingled with gentle pattings and soothings, the horse was quieted. Cinderella and Anastasia both shakily took stock of the entire situation now that the split second chaos had ended.
Arthur stood over near the horse, still patting and calming it, and over near him...
Oh! Both girls' hearts stopped for a moment, for there half stood Sir Reginald Tremaine, no longer holding the reigns as he had been and hunched from where he had received quite a nasty kick when pulling the great animal aside.
"Father!", Cinderella was at his side at a moment, as Anastasia remained where she was, frozen in horrible shock, guilt and worry. Sir Tremaine grimaced, trying to say some word of encouragement, yet couldn't stop himself from collapsing to his knees.
"Arthur! The doctor, quick!" Cinderella next exclaimed, turning her wide eyes to the young man standing before them in his own form of shock. With a quick nod, and willing himself to motion, the boy was off, streaking away from the Tremaine estate and down the path to town as fast as he his young legs would carry him.
While still standing in her shocked state, staring unblinkingly at where Cinderella knelt next to her...to their father...Anastasia heard the horrid shriek from the front entrance of the manor. "Mother! Come quick he's been hurt!".
With a hurried rush, two other figures soon joined the pair huddled near the ground, and still Anastasia couldn't move, not even as her mother's accusing gaze took in both her and Cinderella.
"What have you two done?!".
At that, finally, Anastasia broke, and ran, as if she would run from the whole situation, convince herself it wasn't happening. She ran towards the back of the stables.