Just You and Me
It was the last week in August, summer was almost over, soon it would get cold and the nights would draw in. Ariel and Eric were in the castle courtyard, both were wearing their riding clothes and sat on horses.1 Sitting on her grey and black mare called Venus, Ariel looked across at Eric who was sat on his jet black stallion called Saturn, as Sofia walked towards them.
"Are you both ready to set off?" she asked looking up at them.
"We are, and Mother try not to worry about us, we'll be back by tonight" Eric replied.
"I cannot help it, to me you are still my little boy. Just be careful is all I asked, have a good time" Sofia replied as the pair set off.
Leaving the castle the pair galloped down to the beach, letting their horse's race through the water. As they did, Eric looked at Ariel, her hair flying around her, the wide grin on her face, how beautiful she looked.
"I am the luckiest man in the world to have her, I never thought I would find her again after that day. I always wanted to marriage Mother and Father have, ever since Father told me the story of how they fell in love. Ever since that day upon the shore I have loved her, I would have been a worse prince without her."
Riding off the beach the pair followed the road, the same one in fact that they had driven along eleven months before. Ridding up through the park, they reached Willow Lake. Stopping their horses they looked across the lake, remembering that night together, and how happy they had felt.
Leaving the lake they left the park, riding out into to the open countryside. All around them were fields of crops and animals. They passed cows, sheep, horses, pigs goats, carrots, potatoes and wheat. The sun was out and the sky was clear, warm with a gentle breeze blowing. On the road they passed a farmer on his cart, a large shire horse pulling it, with a crate of clucking chickens in the back. The pair waved as they went passed. A few miles later they found their way blocked by a farmer and his dogs moving a herd of sheep. The herd was large, with small lambs running ahead of the main group, with a dog running in front.
"OH heck, this is going to take some getting passed" Eric said as he and Ariel slowed the horses to a walk.
Soon the sheep were around them, with several looking up at the horses, some lambs scampered around their feet. The horse twitched their ears with apparent annoyance, not giving the sheep or dogs a second glance. Following behind the heard was the farmer, his boots muddy and his face tanned.
"Sorry abou this, your majesties" he said.
"Do not worry about it, sheep have to be moved" Eric replied with a smile.
"They do, I just wish they would have more upstairs, most stupid creatures on earth" the farmer replied as he passed.
The herd soon passed, allowing the pair to ride on. Soon they reached the river, ride over a solid stone bridge. Leaving the road the pair rode up a large hill, getting off their horses once they reached the top. Tying their horses up to one of several trees, the pair put down a blanket and opened the picnic basket they had brought with them. Opening it they found sandwiches, cakes, orange juice and some fruit.
"This is bliss, just you and me alone, no one to bother us" Eric said lying back once the food was finished.
"As much as I love your family it is nice to have some time alone" Ariel replied.
"Nothing to do other then lay in the sun, I cannot believe it has been nearly a year since we first met."
"So much has happened since then, yet is feels like I have known you forever."
"I feel the same, now I cannot imagine life without you" Eric replied leaning over the kiss Ariel.
"I'll have to catch me first" she whispered getting up and running away.
"Do I? Well this shouldn't be hard" Eric replied running after her.
Running through the grass Eric chased Ariel, both laughing as they ran, the breeze tugging gently at their clothes. Putting on a burst of speed Eric and caught Ariel, pulling her close to him and kissing her passionately.
"We are the only ones here" Ariel whispered seductively.
"We are" Eric replied guiding her into the trees.
Arriving home a few hours later, the pair found Sofia waiting for them in the courtyard.
"Did you have a good time?" she asked as they walked up to her.
"We did" Eric replied.
"And how on earth did your clothes get in that state? They are covered in grass stains" Sofia asked.
"Oh we were having fun and it got a little out of hand" Ariel replied grinning at Eric.
"Well, oh you pair!" Sofia stammered in reply.
1 Follow this url to see a pic of Ariel and Eric in their riding clothes .