The next day the betrothed couple had agreed to go for a ride together 'to get to know one another' Pauline had said which she knew was going to be a difficult task. Halt didn't exactly have a reputation as an open and talkative fellow. An hour after dawn he was waiting at the iron gate at the front of her home she mounted her white mare and greeted him. He could see her family watching from the doorway a look of total disgust on her Aunts face.
"Good morning" she said giving him a gentle smile.
"G'morning" he replied.
They fell instep together and road out toward the woods bordering the town. She eyed him softly taking in that he intended to stay silent. After she felt she had waited long enough she broke the silence.
"Let's play a game" she said, when he cocked a brow curiously at her she continued to speak "truth and lies, I'll state a fact and if I'm right a get to ask another and if I'm wrong and it's your turn."
"Doesn't sound like much of a game..." Halt said.
"I am betrothed to a man I know nothing and about and you are in much the same position I think it suitable that we at least try to learn a little about one another" she said.
Halt sighed and concented "alright I'll play your game."
"Alright... hmm you are from Hibernia" she said.
"Truth" Halt replied.
"Clonmel?" She asked.
Halt smirked "I'm impressed, truth."
"The more I hear of your voice the more it stands out. Hmm... you had a good family there" she asked watching him closely now.
Halts hands gripped his reins a little tighter "mostly truth."
"Mostly? Care to elaborate?" Pauline asked.
"Not really" Halt said tensely.
Pauline could feel the change in his demeanor and backed off the topic "you came here to be a ranger?"
"Lie" he said untensing slightly glad he would be the one asking questions now.
Pauline was surprised but smiled so he wasn't that simple "alright well it's your turn then."
Halt studied her a moment "you are from Arulan."
"Truth" she said.
"You are an independent woman" he said.
She smirked "truth."
"Your main focus in life is your job" he said.
"True" she admitted.
"Your father and Aunt are skeptical of me but your mother favors me" he said.
She smiled "that is true."
By now they had stopped by a small rippling creek. Halt dismounted easily.
"Is your aunt always an opinionated shrew?" He asked.
She laughed "are you this gruff with everyone?"
Halt shrugged then moved to help her down. She was surprised by the actions not because he was impolite but because he had not touched her in anyway other than their dance. She placed her hands on his shoulders feeling the strength there that came with years of shooting his longbow and his hands met her waist gently. He helped her down her body touching gently against his until she stood before him. Her eyes met his gently his hands were still at her waist and her hands rested on his arms. For a moment she thought he would kiss her and for a moment she wouldn't have minded. But the moment broke when he released her and stepped away.
"So it's my turn again" she broke the silence.
"That implies that she isn't always a shrew" Halt said.
"She's not always" Pauline said, when Halt's eyebrow raised she added "sometimes she sleeps."
Halt smirked at that a rare thing that Pauline was prettt sure no one really saw "well played."
After the horses had rested and had a drink the couple continued their ride and their game. They discovered simple likes and dislikes and idol conversation in between. Halt found himself quite attracted to the woman and she seemed to be pretty resliant to his gruff antics and Pauline too found herself attracted to him. Before they knew it afternoon had arrived and they stood at the gate infront of Pauline's family home.
"Would you like to come in for lunch," she asked though she already knew the answer.
"Maybe another time" Halt said not desiring to be cornered by her family.
She nodded and they said their goodbyes. Their days together would continue to go much like this as their wedding day grew closer. Until one day something changed.