The Reluctant Princess

"I wish I could take you on a ride with me." She said

A stable hand was refilling the stallion's feeder with oats, but Merliah noticed they didn't look like Mandelian oats.

"I swear this horse is hungry ALL the time." the stable hand said.

She didn't think much of it, "Is Star ready?" She asked.

"Yes My lady. She's all saddled up and ready to go. Just Don't push her too much, she is pregnant after all." the stable hand reminded.

Then the stallion got a little fidgety in his pen.

She sighed, "I'm sorry I can't take you."

He whinnied and stomped his hoof on the straw covered floor.

"Be quiet you spoiled animal." said the stable hand, "Geez, whoever that horse belongs to should teach him some manners."

"OH really?" spoke a deep voice at the door.

She turned to see Oberon. She glared at him, "I do not know how such a sweet horse would belong to such a cruel man."

He ignored Merliah. His focus was on the stable hand, "Insulting MY steed are you?" he frowned.

"N-N-No Your highness." he stuttered. Oberon glared, "Get out of my sight." the stable hand left the stables.

He still didn't acknowledge Merliah.

"Do not speak to my people like that." She said. "You have no right. You are a guest here."

He got his horses saddle and bridle, setting him up. All while pretending Merliah was not in the stables.

She turned to Star, "You know what he is an Oaf."

He twitched an eyebrow, but still didn't look at her. He looked to his horse, "How have you you been Carradine? I hope you are being treated as well as you are back home." his voice was so calm and gentle.

"Of course a guy like you can only be nice to an animal. But a human being, what a pain!" She walked off with her horse.

He finished setting up Carradine and he was off on his own ride about.

After the ride he ran into Adrian.

"Oh. Afternoon Adrian. Is something the matter?" he asked him.

He shook his head, "Nothing is the matter. I was only wondering when you'd be leaving."

"You want me gone already Adrian?" he chuckled.

"I do not know, maybe a month and a half." he estimated.

Adrian sighed, "I'm gonna miss her."

Oberon sighed, "I am sorry about this Adrian. But it is for a good cause. I will take care of your daughter." he assured him. 'As best as I can.' he added in his mind.

He sighed,"I know. The council suggests you two leave sooner due to winter approaching rapidly."

"ANd how soon is soon?" he asked with a sigh.

"2 weeks possibly"

"A fortnight?! Forgive me Adrian but your council are being to pushy." he frowned a slight.

He sighed, "I know, but they are right. If you stay a month a blizzard will come and you will be stuck here until spring."

He took a deep breath, "Very well Adrian, we leave in two weeks. But May I ask that you break this to your daughter. She and I aren't NOT talking right with each other currently." he asked.

He had an annoyed look on his face and sighed, "You called her a brat didn't you?"

"She called me an oaf. Adrian. And only a brat would respond in calling me so." he grumbled.

"Do not call my daughter a brat. She is many things, but not a brat! You have no idea what she's been through. Her mother died 7 years ago. She's had to take care of her younger siblings and be a mother figure to them. She was my heir, but now your taking her."

"Do not get angry for me talking her away Adrian." he frowned, "You KNEW that some day she would be leaving the nest soon. I will try and refrain from called her names, but if she called ME names, be assure I will NOT back down." he kicked Carradine and the went off in a trot.

2 weeks later...

All of Merliah's stuff had been packed and she was saying her good byes. "I will miss you all. Promise me you'll be good for Rena." She asked the triplets. The nodded, "We will."

For that last FOrtnight,

Oberon and Merliah hardly spoke to one another. But the cold setting in now and they had to start their journey to Norine.

Oberon got onto Carradine looked over to Merliah, saying good bye to her family.

She hugged them, "Oh, I'm gonna miss you three so much. I promise I'll be back to visit as soon as I can." She hugged the rest of her brothers and sisters

Oberon got Carradine next to the carriage and waited for her to come along. He wasn't going to tell her to hurry, for he could see it on her face. She was struggling.

She hugged her father last, "I promise I'll keep in touch."

Finnegan stood at the door of the carriage to open the door for Leah, "My Lady," he opened the door.

She smiled at him, "Thank you."

He closed the door, "You're welcome my lady." he bowed and headed to his horse.

Oberon looked to his head soldier, "Onwards!" they got on their way.

She sighed and looked out the window till she couldn't see the palace anymore.

They travelling until the sun went down, they camped at the edge of a forest, to keep out of the cold breeze of the oncoming winter.'

Oberon was walking around the camp, board out of his mind. He went to check on Carradine and he found Merliah with the horses.

She was petting Star, "I know, I miss them too."

"And you say I speak to animal's so kindly." he said walking to Carradine. He sniffed, "Have you been eating sugar Carradine?' he questioned the horse.

"He wanted one so I gave him one."

He shook his head at his steed, "You eat too many apples anyway. I am surprised you haven't lost your teeth yet."

She sighed, and lead Star away to her tent.

"You're not going for a ride are you? It's much to dark and the wind is getting colder," he said.

She shook her head, "No I'm just bringing her to my tent. She's pregnant and it's to cold for her out her."

He nodded, "Very well." he turned back to Carradine, putting an extra blanket on him and the other horses.

Merliah took Star into her tent, "Come on girl lets lie down," The horse layed down on the ground. And Leah went to bed.

The next morning was chilly, everyone had to dress in their winter furred attire.

"No snow and it is so damn cold!" cursed Oberon as he was preparing his horse.