Wandering after my Flower [Lancelot]

[neav]

Neav held his breath as the knight once again began to weave a spiderweb of words.
When at last he understood that Sir Lancelot meant no, he would not give him more money, he let his breath out in a rush. He had been so worried that he would offend! But it was ok.

And for once, Neav caught the joke in the last sentance.
"Aye, sir knight," he answered with a brightness that prooved he had understood it. Neav swung himself into the saddle with a lightness and grace that was curious in such a skinny little boy. He took Sher-Fore reins - though he would rather have ridden without saddle or bridle, there was no way he could be rid of them here - and grinned down at the knight. Sher-Fore's ears were flicking, one forward and one back as he waited for his commands.
"He will be back at the stable when you want him, sir," Neav told Lancelot, and asked the stallion to move forward. They would have to be slow while here in the market, but once they were out the castle walls they could case and race the wind.

[Deleted]

Lancelot watched the boy carefully to see what his reaction to his words would be. He criticized himself silently for using combination of words and phrases that even some adults might have difficulty with. However, in pretty short order he sought that Neav understood what he was saying, and that Lancelot was going to allow him to run Sher-Fore, but he would not complicate Neav's life further with any more coin.

Also, the smile that he got from Neav, at the end of Lancelot's torrent of words, indicated that the boy understood both that Lancelot had been joking, and what Lancelot really wanted him to do. Just in case Lancelot was not joking, though, he knew that the boy would take the horse quickly and begin the process of exercising him. He saw that the stable-boy lost little time in climbing back into Sher-Fore's saddle, and the stallion obviously was not opposed to the care and attention that Neav was supplying him with. He gave Lancelot a quick smile before using the reins that were now in his hands to direct him out of the market, as he indicated that the horse would be back at the stables later, and Sher-Fore and his young rider quickly cantered off. Lancelot smiled and waved, before wrapping himself tighter in his cloak, and setting off for a tour of the Lower Town. "Have a good exercise .... Neav!" He knew better than to venture too close to the castle.

[neav]

Neav glanced behind him in time to see the knight smile and wave. Neav took an easy, unconserned hand off the reins to wave back and then did not look behind again.

Soon they were outside the castle walls. Neav knotted the reins and let them rest on Sher-Fore's neck, guiding the horse with his legs and his thoughts. He spread his arms out like wings. Wind whipped his ragged hair and he laughed for joy.
The boy and horse raced and danced over the grass as though they had known each other forever.

- THE END -