Winterfall

The cool spring air rustled in my hair as I rode on my beautiful white horse. White sand flew behind us as we raced along the shore-line. My heart started to pound just as fast as her hooves was hitting the ground.

I had four lessons scheduled today with my parents and all I wanted to do was relax in the warm sun. So, I had set up a plan. After we had gotten up from our night out on the beach, I would ride my horse until my horse couldn't run any more. My horse would run until the sky turned pinks and purples, creating a cascade of color touching the clear blue water of the ocean.

“Maria! Get back here!” Theo's voice cut through the wind as his own horse was pushing max speed to catch up with mine. We raced along the shore of South Haven Beach, one of the largest beach coasts that The Isle has.

As he inched forward I could hear the sounds of his horse’s hooves pound against the sand, but my horse was faster. I kicked the sides of her gently, urging her to lurch forward. "Faster." I whispered to her as I brushed my hand through her tangled white mane.

“Please, love, I need to get you back to your parents!” Théoden huffed as he mimicked my own gestures and kicked the side of his horse, "Faster Eclipse!" I felt magic release from his body and fall onto his horse as his horse suddenly began to be more hasted than before.

Damn spells...I muttered through the bond.

As he was now twenty feet from me, “No!” I shouted as I looked back and realized how close he was. His face wore that of desperation, plea, and frustration mixed all into one. His face was priceless. I knew once I returned to the castle I would have to slip back into my reality of duties as a princess and have those dang lessons. Most importantly, I would have to be poised, innocent, charming, and quiet. Nod when spoken to and speak when directed to. Those were the parts of being royalty that I hated. I had to be something I was not.

Meanwhile Théoden, my assigned guard, granted me my escape from that reality. Allowing me to be truly free, he allowed me to be me. Despite knowing it was wrong and that it could result in his termination if caught, we embraced our own reality. Hidden to my parents, the king and queen of Winterfall, we shared a bond that was beyond love, it was pure, magical. and invisible to the outside world.

“Please Maria!” Théoden begged again. He was close to me at this point. Close enough to rope me like cattle.

If only he had a… I began to ponder the thought of him roping me like the ranchers did with cattle. He had done it once prior when I tried to escape his grasp, however I didn't think he would do it again. I was surprised as I glanced back just as the thought crossed my mind and saw him swinging a rope.

"Shit. Please don't." I begged him. Hoping he wouldn't lasso me.

"You have left me no choice Maria." Théoden said disappointedly in the bond. It was rare that I didn't follow his orders. However, this time, I had enough of my lessons and just wanted freedom.

“You really think that is going to work this time?” I flashed him a grin and continued to race him along the shore.

“It worked last time.” He smirked as he began the process of flaking the rope. My eyes widen as I saw the loop in the rope start to grow.

The last time was a week ago. At least once a week we slipped away from his guard duties and my royal duties to have a bit of fun.

“Like it will work…” I began to utter but stopped myself as the rope wrapped around my frame as he pulled it tight. He made the mistake of pulling the rope too tight and flinging me off the horse. Thankfully, his reaction skills were impressive as he jumped off his own horse just as quickly and was able to catch me before I hit my ass on the beach.

I watched as Juniper's speed slow against the sandy beach. Eventually coming to a halt as Théoden uttered the word "Halt" underneath his breath casting a magical effect upon her.

Théoden's own horse walked next to mine and stood still. Théoden glared at me with his crystal blue eyes. “Maria, I know you despise your royal duties, but they are something you are going to have to get used to if you are ever going to take the throne.”

I looked away from him. “I just hate the fact I have to pretend to be someone I’m not.”

“You are not perfect?” He was amused at my testament.

I could feel him look at me through our shared bond. Tempted, I peered through his eyes to see what he truly saw of me.

~Théoden’s Point of View~

Maria is perfect in my eyes. Her curled long brown hair flowed down her back. Her short frame brought her to a height of five foot three inches and fit perfectly in my arms. Not to mention her emerald green eyes and captivating smile.

I glanced down at her chest for a brief moment. Which allowed her to see how her curved features looked in my eyes and how her overall body looked. Her body is beautiful in my eyes, her curves, her muscles, every bit of her body was stunning.

~Maria’s Point of View~

I pulled out of his vision as soon as I felt the heat rise in my cheeks. “What if I won’t make a good Queen one day?” That was something I often worried about. My parents handled the kingdom well. What if I couldn't hold to their expectations? What if I failed the kingdom?

“You will, I promise.” Théoden smiled at me. His support was something I admired and appreciated deeply.

“Then let’s go back to the castle.” I pouted in defeat.

He sighed in relief as he released the rope, gathered it up, and hung it from his saddle. “Let’s get back before the sun rises.”

Looking to the east, the sun sky was just starting to peek above the hilltop grasslands. Showcasing vibrant hues of pinks, reds, oranges, and yellows as the sun shown our time of freedom was coming to an end.

He took the lead as we rode back to the castle. It was about a two mile ride from the beach, and it took us about ten minutes to get back home.

As we rode to the stables, the grand structure of the build was quick to come into view. The building was built out of dark oak wood, limestone, and granite. The structure hosted up to ten horses throughout the year.

The doors slid open as Bernard, our stable hand, looked exhausted. He walked over to the iron gates and opened both of them. He watched us as we closed the stalls. “Having the horses out all night again?” He looked annoyed with us as that meant he had to guard the building all night. He shifted a yawn and grabbed the reins of the two horses after Théoden and I both hopped off of them.

“Didn’t I put in a request?” Théoden walked over to the message board. “Yes, I did.” He tapped the message on the board. It clearly indicated that we would be out all night.

“I saw the request, but that doesn’t mean others don’t question why two of the horses are missing.” Bernard said with a grumble.

“Bernard, please tell me you-” I began to say, but he interrupted me.

“I didn’t say who took them, Princess, but it is getting harder to keep the secret.”

I sighed in relief, “I understand. Thank you.”

“When do you plan on telling your parents?” Bernard questioned as he began to prep the feed for the horses.

“I’m not sure.” I said quietly.

That was a conversation I dreaded having. I knew Théo felt the same about it, as he had no idea how my parents would handle such a tale. I feared he would be reassigned and I would never see him again as something like this was not widely acceptable.

“Thank you again Bernard,” I said as I walked towards the entrance of the stable. I looked back and waited for Theo.

“I’ll follow shortly. Let me finish up a few things here.” Théoden sounded off which gave me an overwhelming feeling of concern.

I nodded and continued to the castle alone. An overwhelming sensation of fear crept through my body as I was pulled into Théo’s mind.