CHAPTER TWO
Edward's horse galloped across the wood, her able body swiftly maneuvering through the trees with the grace of an antelope. His body jolted with every step, but Edward and his horse were well trained partners and he trusted her completely. She also knew her rider and his reflexes were as good as hers.
Edward could hear the neighing of the palace guards behind them. Their armor clinging and clashing heavily as the horses crashed and skidded into trees. They weren't trained for such a pathway; instead they were use to the open battle fields of war and training.
It wasn't too long before Edward heard only silence. He had lost the guards.
"C'mon then," he called, pulling the reigns and guiding his horse toward the meadow. Her fierce run slowed to a comfortable gallop as they made their way to the clearing. She loved it as much as he did. For him, the meadow provided peace, where he could be a boy and carefree. He didn't have responsibilities or troubles. He didn't have a kingdom on his shoulder. He had a horse.
As for, Dawn, as that was the name of the horse, she simply enjoyed the feed and the cool stream of water. Soon the trees became scarce and the meadow opened up, shining brightly and almost seeming to glisten with the heat of the afternoon.
A few sprites danced around the field, pollinating the flowers and making sure the stream was clear and clean. They giggled when they spotted their prince, bowing, and then fluttering away. Edward nodded at their greeting and watched as they seem to drift away with the wind. Such odd creatures, he thought.
Edward jumped from the horse and fell into the overly grown grass, feeling it puff with air as he landed. Dawn walked her way to her favorite flower and began to munch.
Edward laid back in the grass. He laughed as he imagined his tutor absolutely red faced if he were to catch Edward here. But the thought of the tutor only lived to amuse him temporarily before he remembered why he run away from lessons. Today they had told him he would need to marry. MARRY! He was 17. He could not marry. He was a boy. Marriage was the last thing on his mind. He could not even take care of himself, yet alone another person or a whole kingdom!
He groaned. He envied the peasant boys who had nothing more to worry about that making sure they had enough crops for the rations. They were able to live carefree lives. Marry who they wished and when they wanted.
Edward wondered if he could possibly escape from it all. He imagined living life like the other half. He imagined his only responsibility tending a farm. It wouldn't be easy. He understood people dreamed of living like he currently did, but they were wrong.
Edward's life wasn't easy. His choices were never his own. He had to answer to his father, the court, the whole kingdom. His mistakes not only affected him, but the entire land.
As he imagined his fantasy, he wondered why it could not be reality. He could do it. There would be nothing to it really.
He would simply sneak into the castle, take the coins, and convince Bella—
At her name he stood up at once. Bella! Oh! How could he forget Bella?
Bella was a handmaid.
She had been brought to the castle at a very young age. She was orphaned and because she was near Edward's age, they kept them together. They immediately took to each other and remained best friends as they grew.
When it was time for Edward to take studies, he would not do so without Bella. She was allowed to join him, to keep him clam and to provide his tutor with some relief. They learned better together than apart. When it came for Edward to learn swordsmanship and riding, they had to be separated. Bella was still allowed to attend studies separately. Edward never questioned why Bella was treated better than the other servants. He simply figured that his parents had grown to care for her, as he had.
Though it was true, the King and Queen had an ulterior motive, one that Edward would never have imagined.
But he would soon find out as he raced back to the castle to tell Bella of his impending marriage.
So just keep in mind that this is a made up world, so nothing is historically accurate. It's a magical kingdom, full of magical beings and pretend things and what not. The story will switch between the real world and the fantasy land.
Well tomorrow will bring two more updates.
-TT
