A/N: Remember: This is the second part of the previous chapter (in case you missed it) and also: FIVE REVIEWS is all I ask! In other words, you don't get chapter 10 until I reach 14 reviews. So read, and... you guessed it! Review!

9. Charm vs. Chivalry

Sunday found me sitting beneath the oak tree in the meadow. Emily had invited me shopping with her and I'd told her I couldn't. When she asked why, I hesitated. I didn't want to mention Aaron and it get back to Gavin, I already felt bad for lying to him, so I told her I was going for a walk instead.

I stared out over the water. I was waiting for Aaron to get back after he told me he was going to go get 'something.' Moments later, he emerged from a narrow trail in the woods riding a horse and pulling along another.

"What's this?" I jumped up and stroked the golden mare's neck.

Aaron swiftly slid down from his chestnut horse and handed me the rains to the golden one. "You want to ride?"

I stared at him. "Really? I mean, I love horses, but I haven't ridden one in ages." One of the households I'd worked for as a child had a whole field of horses. I loved the animals and used to ride all the time.

"It's okay. I'll help you."

I looked at him for a moment. Aaron had told me before how much he enjoying riding. The assurance in his blue eyes gave me confidence. I smiled and he held the horse still as I mounted it.

He got onto his own horse and nodded to the path ahead. "We can ride down this trail. It gets wider further in."

I nodded, concentrating. I gently nudged the horse, and, to my relief, it began to amble forward. I sighed. Aaron laughed and signaled his own horse forward. We rode slowly through the grass and reached the shelter of the trees. I followed Aaron down the trail. He handled his horse with such ease. I thought to myself, he must ride all the time.

Once the trail widened, I came up beside Aaron. "This is fun." I nudged my horse and passed him. He caught up to me and we increased our speed to a steady canter. I enjoyed the wind in my hair as we rode down the winding path and came to a clearing atop a hill. We slowed as we reached the far edge.

"Wow," I said, looking down at the river below us. It seemed to snake it's way all the way up to the castle and extend back the other way past town.

"Your riding is good," Aaron commented.

"Yeah, well, when I'm not going too fast," and added, "You're really good. Are these your family horses?"

Aaron was gazing out at the castle. "Yes. My dad loves to ride. He, my brother and I play polo sometimes."

This made me remembered something. "So am I going to get to see your house soon? I really want to meet your family. They seem really great from what you've told me."

He looked back at me. "Yes, well, my parents are busy a lot with work, but I will certainly make sure you meet them soon."

I beamed. "I'm looking forward to it."

Just then, there was a rustling noise in the grass. I looked down and gasped when I saw a snake slithering towards my horse. I prayed that my horse wouldn't see it, but it was too much to ask.

With a frantic whinny, the golden horse whipped its mane and reared back. I held on with all my strength, trying not to fall off. Then the horse stomped its hooves and took off.

"Help!" I shouted in a panic as the horse sprinted down the hill and into the trees. It ran along the rocky path at an alarming pace. I heard Aaron shouting behind me to hold on as he tried to catch up. The trees became a blur as I held on for my life.

I gripped the horse tighter as I felt myself slipping. Then I heard galloping beside me. Aaron had caught up.

"Briden!" Aaron shouted over the beating of hooves. "I'm going to pull you off the horse. Are you ready?"

I gulped and shot a nervous glance at him. Now was not the time for hesitation. "Okay!"

Immediately, Aaron's arm shot out and went around my waist. He secured his hold on me and pulled. I lifted my leg around and jumped onto his horse, which slowed down at once. I gripped Aaron about the shoulders and pulled myself up, facing him. Once I was seated on the horse, I wrapped my arms tightly around Aaron's neck to steady myself. As the horse slowed, I realized I was shaking. Aaron tugged on the reigns and the horse came to a stop. He dropped the reigns and hugged me.

"I am so sorry, Briden, are you okay?"

My head was tucked into his chest. "I'm okay," I mumbled. I felt his hand on my back, rubbing soothing circles. I looked up and he brushed the hair out of my face.

He smiled apologetically. "Are you sure?"

I shook my head but released my grip on him.

"The horse will find its way home. I'm going to take you back to the meadow now." He gripped my arm and helped me turn around in the saddle. With one arm secured around me so I wouldn't fall, he used the other to turn the horse around and we made our way back.

I sat in the grass beside the river, waiting for my heartbeat to return to normal. Aaron had apologized several times already and kept asking if I was okay. I assured him I was fine, just shaken.

"I perfectly understand if you no longer want see the play," he said later as he walked me home.

It took me a second to remember what he was talking about. "No, I still want to go," I insisted, putting on a smile to show him I was sincere. "I just need to change. I'll meet you there."

He smiled and nodded. "Okay."

As soon as I got home, I told Carolyn I wanted to go to the play with her, and that a friend of mine would be joining us. Of course, she was thrilled to take me. She had to deliver the costumes beforehand, so I showered and dressed quickly and then helped her loaded up the carriage. When we arrived at the theatre, I helped Carolyn bring the costumes back stage.

As we hung up the costumes, I spotted Gavin talking hurriedly with a woman about something. He saw me and I waved. Smiling, he gestured for me to wait for him. I stood there and looked around as Carolyn handed out the right costumes to people. He finished talking to the woman and turned to me. I waved again hesitantly, unsure if I should be bothering him when he was about to perform, but Gavin approached me and pulled me into a hug.

"I'm so glad you're here." He smiled down at me as he let go, and I couldn't help from blushing as I spotted Carolyn standing nearby, smiling at us.

"I'm excited to see it, I mean you...you in it." I blushed again for babbling.

He chuckled.

"Gavin!" someone called. We both turned. It was the woman he'd been talking to earlier. "It's ten minutes to curtain and you're not dressed!"

He shook his head, not looking troubled in the slightest. "Don't worry Jen. I'm coming. Give me a second."

He turned back to me. "Sorry about that. Listen... Do you want to have lunch tomorrow? I would love to see you tonight, but our director always keeps us late after each performance..."

I smiled. "Sure, that sounds great."

"Well, I've got to go..."

I nodded. "Go ahead, um, break a leg."

He grinned, "Thanks," and he took my hand and kissed it. I blushed as he turned around and took his costume from Carolyn. Then she and I left and found a place in the grass where we would have a good view of the stage.

I kept looking around for Aaron. We had gotten there early, but soon more and more people came and I worried he wouldn't be able to find us among the many groups of spectators. As the sun began to set, I looked over my shoulder and finally spotted him walking through the crowd, wearing his usual black hat low over his eyes. I waved, and he spotted me and began making his way toward us.

Carolyn looked up when Aaron came near.

"Good evening," he said, with his usual politeness.

"Carolyn," I said. "This is my friend Aaron. We met in Draeden."

Carolyn nodded. "It's nice to meet you Aaron. You're from Bast?"

"Yes. I live a bit on the outskirts of Gala."

"Oh, that's nice. Who are you parents?"

"Roy and Renna Chambers." Aaron spoke quickly, not missing a beat. It was like he had rehearsed this. I realized he had never mentioned the names of his parents to me.

Carolyn nodded. "I've heard of them. I don't believe I've ever had the pleasure of meeting them though." Then I noticed Carolyn looking at me curiously.

I looked away from her calculating gaze and offered Aaron a seat beside me. I didn't think I should feel guilty about enjoying the company of my friend. I mean, it's not like Gavin and I were boyfriend and girlfriend anyways—we'd only been on one date.

"Briden's friend Gavin is in this play," Carolyn mentioned casually.

Aaron only nodded. "I know. I heard he is very good."

I looked ahead, hiding my surprise. So, Aaron had known Gavin would be performing? I wonder why he wanted to go then... Well, maybe he was making an effort to like Gavin.

I smiled to myself; glad everything seemed to be working out.

The play began shortly after, and the three of us sat and watched. Gavin was brilliant. It was great—the perfect ending to a wonderful weekend. After the play, Aaron bid us farewell, promising he would come by soon to visit me.

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