Choosing a Mount

[Perran]

*As the King spoke....Perran bowed low...his eyes lowered in respect. He grasped the reins tightly in his small hand, as if to gain courage. The man was big....very big and towered above his slight form.....but he stood tall again, puffing out his chest as Sienna nudged his shoulder.

He bit the inside of his cheek...chewing hard upon his lips as he took the stance of a well educated young man. A slight frown that showed he was thinking of a good answer to the King's question...when in fact he was shy and very embarrased to speak. His face contorted into many perplexing masks as his eyes lit up.

Finally....as he continued to stroke the horses muzzle....allowing him to chew upon his sleeve and lick his hand.....he spoke with enthusiasm.*

"Ohhh Sire.....'e be a good 'un....tha lady dus be knowin' 'er stuff....."

*He smiled then.....releasing all tension within his features as he layed his head against Sienna's neck. He liked this horse very much.....he wished he could ride it....galloping along the fields......free from all his duties......alone...with no cares. But he would never say that to the King, after all he was but a stable lad who cleaned the King's armour. A servant he was....but he could still dream.*

[Admin]

" hmmmmmmmm * lays a hand to my jaw for a moment.trying nae to give away the surprice too early * Iffn thee think he be a fine steed... I guess I am going to have to see for sure. Perran, since this pony be a wee bit small for me, would thee please ride around on him so I may see the steeds stance and movement. *

[Lady Alexandreania (Andrea)]

~Andrea had followed behind His Majesty as He came around the forge after taking the finished shoes from him thanking for the quick work on them. Hanging back near the opened door of the smithery she nae gave Perran any kind of push or prod on what to say to the Kings question. She remained steadfastly silent as she looks around to see if Lady Dream was watching while she herself then turned and watched the young lad cast about for an answer to give the King.~

~In the end Perran's awe and shyness in the King's presence won out and he spoke what had to be the quickest and shortest answer possible. Andrea's own cheeks pinkened at the compliment Perran gave of her own skills with the animals. But what he did next, to Andrea's eyes said more than any words could possibly say. Burying his head in the neck of the horse, one arm wrapping up around it from underneath and the way Sienna's head came around as if to cuddle the lad back spoke volumes. ~

~A gloved hand coming up to her lips covering a soft chuckle as His Majesty then looked thoughtfully at the the Lad and Mount asking Perren to get up on the gelding and put the animal thru a few paces. Perran looked rapidly to Andrea, shocked and surprised. Andrea had purposely not worn a riding habit so she gestured to her gown and showed him she could not comply with the Kings request.~

~Watching as Perran nervously mounted the horse, but once settled in the saddle and his booted feet in the stirrups, she could see as a calm came over him and again the two were as one. Perran then with a few verbal commands, his heels and his hands on the reigns, started Sienna thru a round of peirouetes and then thru the more strict dressage Andrea had taught him. Apart from minor faults Andrea felt a strong pride go thru her for the Boy. She turned to watch the Kings features wondering what he thought of the young Lads skill.~

[Admin]

*standing there..watching the boy with the steed... I can nae but be reminded of how I felt when I was given me first steed. Every feeling and emotion echoed through this young lad as he experieces a bond that shall bring much love and pride to teh young lad. *
" ye have done quite the job M'lady and excellent steed and the lad seems to be a natural now under ye care. I am sure Lady Dream and Beren are most proud of him.
* as the lad continues to ride around... I simple call out in a firm voice. " Perran..tis good, can thee come here for a moment. The lad rides up... and dismounts quickly to stand beside the horse.

" Well Perran.. ye seem to have done a fine job indeed getting this horse ready for his master. A verra fine job indeed. *slowly I kneel down so I can look the young lad in the eyes. *
Since thee have done such a fine job, I belive the best master for this steed... be thee lad. Enjoy him and remember, he is ye friend, treat him with respect and he wil treat you the same back. * reaches out to ruffle the young lads hair... and laughs as he stands there mouth dropped open in surprice.....

[Perran]

*The Best Master.......the best.....the King said the best.....he was speaking to him......his eyes widened...his mouth dropped open as if to speak......Sienna nudged him again.....the butterflies within his stomach threatened to fly out of his mouth now. He was simply stunned.

He started to tremble and shake his head.......he reached out a hand towards the king...the reins still clenched tightly within it......then he saw the King was speaking the truth and dropped his hand to his side.....leaning against the horse for a moment lest his legs would give way.

Gathering his thoughts now... he stood upright....proud...thinking of his Grandfather and how truly proud he would have been. This was the start for him.....perhaps his dreams could come true after all.....he could become somebody...not just a servant.

All manner of notions ran through his head as he finally bowed low to his King......lifting his head ...he smiled a beaming smile to the Lady and nodded to the Kings words.*

"Ah shell Sire......ah dus be 'aving tha same respect fer 'im....as ah dus fer me King.*

He knew he should have thanked him more......but if he let loose his tongue...then it would be galloping all over the place...just as he knew he would be when the shoes were finally fitted and he had finished his chores for the day.

He just stood there now.....stroking his horses muzzles and not blinking at all......just in case a rogue tear might fall....and he could not have that happen.... not now.*

[Dream Loxley]

*He had come to her later in the day...his face was a picture of delight...he beamed and swaggered into the kitchens, like the cat that got the cream. His words came so quickly, they were jumbled and confusing...but she knew what he was saying, for the King had told her. She simply listened...nodding appropriately and grinning too....oh so proud of this young man as he grew up.

He was just a lad when Beren and she had brought him here.....hoping to give him a fresh start in his short life. It had been tinged with sadness and so much loss.....and instead of staying the orphan he had become.....he now was stable lad, come King's helper, come general handyman. One thing now was different. He owned a beautiful young horse.

He told her how he had ridden it around.....showed off slightly he said as he grinned......the King was impressed...the Lady Andrea also.....she was so nice...so pretty he said. His face flushed then...as a young lad with perhaps a crush....but she did not ask more of that. It was his business...and he was still impressionable. She hoped he would take an interest in one of the village girls...or the servants within the Castle. Time was on his side.....and she was a grand Lady indeed......but kindly......very kindly.

He had taken her by the arm then....almost pulling her in his enthusiasm.....she must see his horse.....see for herself....his gift from the King. Yes..yes...she almost ran with him....so proud...so excited for him.....knowing this was the begining once again for him....another new chapter in his book of life. One she knew he would enjoy immensely.*