Free as the Wind (Meave)

[neav]

the noble steed I ride upon
is fleeter than the wind
with silver he is shod before
with burning gold behind

Morning dawned sharp, clear and cloudless. The sun blinked her sleepy eyes. Light scattering from her lashes to catch the dew and make it gleam like gold. She wore her best morning-colours of saffron and rose pink and the birds called their joy for seeing her again. The sun smiled down at them.

And another face smiled up at her. Neav, the little dark-haired stable boy had stopped watching his horses for a moment to watch the sun. But only for a moment.
Neav was not mounted, but stood in the dewy grass with two stallions circling round him. Their circle and stride were perfect as they raced shoulder to shoulder and Neav turned with them as if he held an invisible rope to their necks. They were two Prince Arthur's special horses and not long given in Neav's care. The dark one was Comet and the bright bay Rising Sun.

The Camelot Jousting Tournament was coming close and so both must be exercised hard. Early morning was Neav's favourite time for this task. He could take the horses out without saddle or bridle and no one was around to think him strange or tell him 'no'.
Neav held up a palm and the stallions skidded to a halt. The boy ran to Comet and scrambled onto his back. For a small boy to mount a warhorse it really was a scramble! But once he was up he looked as though he were born to be there. He nudged Comet into a run. Rising Sun raced at their side, dark mane streaming. They galloped and danced, Neav laughing in delight. He was as free as the wind!

Suddenly he felt a shift in Comet's attention. They slowed to a walk. Neav thought he saw someone, a silhouette on the hill... certainly Comet was interested that way. But the boy was squinting into the sun and could not be sure.


Timeline: a few days before the jousting tournament in season 2, episode 2
Place: the grassy lands surrounding Camelot City
Tags: Meave

[Maeve]

Maeve was riding back towards Camelot. She had been here many times before and she found it to be the most risky location. With the kings harsh penalties on those who practiced magic, she knew it was dangerous being here. But that did not stop her. She had to try. She had to fight for her people, and if Camelot was the place to find those who could potentially help it, then it was work every risk she was taking by just stepping on Camelot's soil.

She was riding her graceful pure white horse, Mirshann; a word that meant 'Angel' in her language. Her hood was up hiding her pointed ears, as they would always remain hidden when she was away from her home. In Camelot, she had to be extra cautious, taking extra precaution. When she heard the sound of nearby horses, she began to follow it. It was not only the horses that caught her attention, but she sensed something. Felt something. And she found herself drawn to the source.

Then, her eyes rested on the source. A small boy, but certainly no ordinary boy. Maeve found herself overwhelmed with both his emotions and her own. She felt a strong connection to him, because he was a boy of magic. Maeve dismounted from her horse, knowing Mirshann would not leave. She began to walk over to the child, her grace making it look as if she was gliding on the ground as her cape trailed behind her.

She approached the boy, her demeanor not a threatening one. She placed her hands on the side of Neav's head and in a very soft voice, whispered Amin hin She did this right before gently kissing his forehead, as a single tear rolled down her cheek. He was a boy of magic; he had a great destiny for the was the direct descendant of Anhora, ad this was something that Maeve did not have to ask to know. Those which magic, were inevitably connected, and she felt a strong sense of maternal instinct towards this boy.

[/color]

[neav]

Normally, Neav would have sensed that a horse was so close. But the thrill and freedom of racing had made him unobservant, so it was only now that he knew she was there. Even though he could not see her, he knew she was a mare and that she carried a rider. Neav squinted into the sun, trying to see...

Then out of the white sun-blindness came the most beautiful lady he had ever seen. She walked as if made of water or mist, gliding over the grass with her cloak trailing behind.
Neav found himself moving as if in a dream. He slid from Comet's back, though he remained close to the horse's side. Rising Sun took a step forward. Then all three were still, waiting.

And in a dream-like way, Neav felt that he knew her. In a dream-like way he was not afraid, when he was normally afraid of everyone. He stood as if enchanted as she cupped his face with gentle hands, brushed his forehead with her lips.
Neav had not understood the words she said. His ice-eyes met herself of endless blue, eyes that you could gaze at for ever and ever and not know a minute had gone by. Why did he feel that he knew her? He would have remembered if he had seen her before. Then a tear ran down her perfect cheek. Why did she cry? Had he done something wrong, something to make her unhappy? Neav's face clouded with worry and he stepped away from her hands.

That movement seemed to break into his dreamy mind. Neav was suddenly so aware of how dirty he must look to one so perfect. His clothes were all frayed at the ends; too obviously they belonged to someone much bigger than him and had been cut down to size. His hair stood in tangled spikes, and he had an ugly, sunset bruise across one cheek. And he smelled of horse.
"Can I help you, my lady?" Neav murmured, staring at the ground as a servant should. She was obviously someone very important.

[Maeve]

The fact that he was dirty and disheveled, went unnoticed by her. She could sense his shyness, and this became more evident when he stepped away from her and lowered his gaze to the ground. She just kept looking at him. Captivated by who he was. He was a boy who held such promise, such a future, and he would without a doubt fulfill his true destiny. She wanted to help him get there. She felt obligated to help him arrive to that point. Appearance was not everything. He may be a servant, but he would be great, just as his ancestors were.

Though silence filled the air for several moments, she did not feel it awkward. She was allowing this moment to soak in and when he asked if he could help her, she gave him a gentle smile and spoke in a soft voice, a bit louder than the previous hushed whisper. This time, she spoke in English so that he could understand. My child, she said, not in the literal sense of course but more as a term of affection. Even if she had not met him prior to today... she still felt a bond with him.

What is your name? She asked, consciously ignoring his question. Could he help her? Could she help him? She wanted to, desperately for he was alone and he looked untended to. She would find out as much about him as she could, and offer him aid. Though, something told her that he did not know who he was. She felt the magical connection he had with other beings of magic, but she did not sense that he knew the reason for this; the origin of his abilities.

[neav]

The silence made Neav nervous. Once he risked a glance up at her, saw her gentle smile and stared at his feet once again. Even the two great war-horses stood silent, their heads lowered to Neav's shoulder height, watching the lady with liquid eyes. Neav swallowed, waited for her to say what she wanted. He was stubbornly ignoring the feeling that said I know this lady because he knew it could not possibly be true. It was just his mind playing games.

My child, she said. Neav bit his lip. It would have been easier for him if she haughtily ordered him like everyone else he knew. He was not used to people being so, calling him sweet things like my child. Neav did not know what to say in return.
Then she asked his name, and at least that was easy.
"My name is Neav, my lady," he told his shoes. "I am stable-boy at the Castle."
He added this, because his name did not seem to be enough. It was not even his real name! The stable people had called him 'Neav' when they had found him, because he would not speak to them. And now Neav had long forgotten what he had really been called. Nor did he normally care. A name was just something that people could shout when they wanted you. But he must be in some strange mood today... first thinking he knew this so-beautiful lady and then worrying about his name. As if it mattered.

[Maeve]

A stable boy. He was a servant. He was destined for such grand things...but he did not seem angry by this position. She sensed no bitterness or hostility due to his work. She sensed a genuine love for horses, and an innocence and purity about him. It was because of who he was a descendant of; keeper of the unicorns, creatures who were the epitome of purity. My people would call you Colla, She informed him, giving the direct translation of his name to the language of the faeries. She instinctively trusted this boy as he was certainly no threat to her.

She continued to softly smile; how could she not in his presence? She felt as if the honor was hers. I am Maeve, she introduced, lowering herself in an elegant curtsy. She did not need him to call her with such titles as My Lady, even if she was a Queen in her land. There was not as much of an emphasis on statuses in her land; it was more equalized and she could only implement this belief with those who she trusted to reveal her true identity to. Otherwise, when outside her realm, she had to accept the class differences and abide by them to remain cordial and respectful.

Then then began to speak in a foreign tongue once again. She spoke in a very soft voice, barley audible and hardly above a whisper. Tul amin revanthas Seconds later, a white horse began to steadily walk towards them. She kept her gaze on the graceful animal and it only took a few moments for him to be standing right near her and Neav. And this is Mirshann, She formally introduced to Neav. I feel that you would have wanted to meet him, as he is very anxious to meet you. She did not possess such an amazing gift as Neav, but there were some things she knew.

[neav]

Neav still would look up at her. He was waiting for her to tell him what she wanted - people did not speak to him unless they wanted something. But when she said that her people would call him Colla, Neav did look up. Stared at her, in fact. What did she mean, her people? She have come from a very long way if her people spoke a different language. How had she come here all on her own? And how could there be a name for him in her language? Why should there be?
These questions burned inside him, but he said nothing. Boys got hit for asking such wild questions.

He watched in amazement as she curtsied to him. She curtsy to him! Oh, it was all so strange and he did not understand... she said her name was Maeve, but just Maeve. No 'Princess' or 'Lady' of such-and-such-a-place.
And now she was speaking again in that language he did not understand. Neav gasped. He sensed that the white horse, left standing a little away, had heard and answered the call.

"Mirshann..." the boy whispered and the name sounded like angels on his tongue. And he forgot that an important lady stood next to him. He knew only that this was the most beautiful horse he had ever seen in his life. Neav stepped up to the stallion, held out a hand... "You are so beautiful..." he whispered.
And then Neav had his forehead pressed against the white stallion's as though they had known each other forever.
Behind him, Rising Sun pawed at the ground and Comet tossed his jealous head. Neav was their boy, not this strange stallion's!
Neav turned with a laugh that seemed to spill brightness all over his face. He really had forgotten that Lady Maeve was there.
"Silly ones," he told them fondly. "Mirshann is not competition for you. He is... different."

((I really hope it is ok that I control your horse a little? If you do not like, just say and I will change it. ))

[Maeve]

She could tell he was confused, but she would wait before disclosing information that would hopefully make her words make sense. There would be a time for that. She smiled softly, watching his natural ability with the horses, hearing his innocent laughter fill the air. He was just a boy, was he truly alone, working as a servant? She felt his happiness however, his sincere love for these animals. It gave her great comfort, to know that this particular boy had such a fitting personality.

Mirshann means Angel, he revealed to him. His interest in horses was clear but she knew it went deeper than that. Would you like to ride him? He asked. He seemed in awe at the magnificence of the animal, and she had a reflexive trust for him, and of course she trusted the animal to keep the boy safe and away from harms way. Do not worry for the other horses. I will watch them, or they can join you and Mirshann in your leisurely ride. Whatever he was comfortable with, for she did not want to cause any alarm in him. And so far, it seemed to be successful.

( I don't mind at all! Your the expert, so I give you full control over him ) [/blockquote]

[neav]

Neav startled when Maeve spoke to him, and then at once felt foolish. His mind was so quick to be filled with nothing but horses... but she did not look angry at all. Instead she told him that Mirshann meant 'angel' and Neav could not help but smile. It was a perfect name.
And then she asked if he wanted to ride him... Neav started at her, eyes wide and disbelieving. She would let him ride her so beautiful stallion? Just a small boy, who she knew from no-where? But it was what Neav wanted more than anything in the world.
"Oh please, Lady Maeve," and his whisper was filled with awe. He looked to Comet and Rising Sun. If they came also, he knew they would show of to the white horse in a very annoying way. Neav would have to spent much of his mind keeping them calm.
"I... I would rather they stayed with you," he admitted. Normally he would never have dreamed of leaving his precious horses with a stranger... but though he could not explain it, he trusted Maeve with all his childish heart.

So he turned his full attention to Mirshann. First he reached up to the reins, and then knotted them so they would be out of the way. Neav never just climbed onto a new horse. He had always felt, deep inside himself, that this was rude. Only when a horse gave him permission to ride, would he ride.
Neav touched Mirshann light on the nose, and he did not move away. Then Neav turned his back on the horse and began to walk without looking back. Mirshann followed. When the boy stopped, so did the horse. When he moved again, Mirshann copied him. It was almost comical, like a little child's game.
At last Neav turned to the horse, smiling. He ran his fingers down his neck in little nibbling movements. And then suddenly he was running. The boy ran as fast as his spindly legs would take him and Mirshann cantered by his side. This time when Neav stopped, the white stallion continued to run round him in a perfect circle as though he were attached to a line. Neav turned, always keeping his face towards the horse. He sighed happily.
Mirshann moved like a dream.


((Thank you!! But I worry I may be writing too much on this... with horses I go on forever. But I try not too, else you will be bored I am sure.))

[Maeve]

He seemed so excited and overjoyed to ride Mirshann. This only reaffirmed her offer, though she never would have taken it back. When he began to mount himself on it, she went up to him and Mirshann. Clearly, the boy had spent a lot of time around these animals for he knew exactly how to position himself. In a soft voice, she leaned a bit towards Mirshann's ear and whispered. Z'har faer adon, ent sila ho n'alaquel sreen'aur And with those words, took a few steps back so that they would have the space to ride freely.

She watched them for a bit, before returning her attention to the other horses. She approached them, gently grazing their snouts, speaking to them in a soothe and comforting voice. He has a great future ahead of him. This is only the beginning for he is destined for greatness. She was trying to reassure these animals. One day, he would not just be the keeper of horses. One day, he would be the keeper of the unicorn, and what an important task this was...especially since there were not many left in the world. His love and passion for them was very evident in the way he acted, but also strong in his heart, for she felt it.

( You can write as much as you like about them! I'm not bored at all ... sorry my posts are a bit short though! I am definitely enjoying reading yours!
Oh and just in case you were curious, she said in her language "Ride with peace and bring him back safe") [/blockquote]

[neav]

Neav was riding Mirshann now. He had shortened the stirrup leathers so that they might fit his legs, and knotted the reins out of the way and did not touch them once. The beautiful white horse wheeled and danced. He followed every command that could not even be seen. And Neav... Neav was more happy than he had ever been in his life. Mirshann was the horse he had always dreamed of riding.

Proud Comet gave a snort and tossed his head as Maeve went to rub his nose. But he did not prance away. Anyone who knew the horse could not have been more amazed. For after that first slight rebellion, Comet consented to let Maeve pet him. And he did that for no stranger!
Rising Sun was more gentle, looking at that Faerie Queen with wise, liquid eyes. They sensed she was not human, even if Neav could not.
Then both stallions turned their heads. Neav was bringing Mirshann back at a slow canter, his face shining with joy. Jealousy burned in Comet's heart and he turned his head away. Well used to these ways, Neav gave a small laugh.
"Oh Comet, don't stick peas up your nose!" he said childishly, swinging himself from Mirshann's saddle.
"My Lady Maeve!" the boy was so happy he forgot to be shy. "You are so, so lucky to have Mirshann as your friend. I have never met another horse like him, not ever."

((I am curious. Is it really the faerie language that you speak?))

[Maeve]

Maeve watched the boy ride gracefully back into the clearing. She let out a soft, almost musical laughter at the boy's genuine excitement and enjoyment of the ride. It was at that moment, that she decided she wanted to introduce him to a world...to her world. She did not take many back to her realm, but she wanted Neav to be one of these exceptions. She first of course, had to reveal her true identity, but wondered if now was the appropriate time. My child, he is just as much your friend as he is mine.

The connection he had with these animals were obvious; his devotion to them unique. And this would be a trait that never ceased in his life, for it would only grow stronger and hold more importance than merely assuming the role of a stable boy. And you will meet more like Mirshann, she assured him. But tell me, what of your parents, of your family, of who you stay with. She wanted to know the details of his life, the way he lived as she hoped and prayed that it was in comfort and with love. She knew who he was a descendant of but she did not know those who brought him into this world or those who cared for his well being.

( hehe I wish I actually use the language Elvish, inspired by Lord of the Rings! ) [/blockquote]

[neav]

Neav returned the stirrup leathers to their proper lengths and unknotted Mirshann's reins.
"Thank you, angel-horse," he whispered, almost to soft to be heard. Mirshann dipped his head as if in reply.
Comet and Rising Sun pressed themselves close to Neav, asking for his attention and nibbling at his hair. Neav smiled and pushed them gently away.
"I wish that I will, my Lady Maeve," he said when she assured him that he would meet more horses like Mirshann. But if he did, he would not take the horse to Camelot's stables. Neav did not agree with the way many of those knights rode the animals.

Neav was not afraid of this lady. Even for one as shy as him, it was impossible to be afraid. She was so gentle, so smiling that it called to his natural happiness and let it fly free.
But when she asked the question about his family, shadows gathered in Neav's eyes.
"I have no parents, my lady." he murmured. "I have no family."
Most of the time this fact did not worry him. Neav's head was filled with horses and that was enough family for him. But when someone was asking these questions it filled him with unease. As if something terrible had happened that he had chased from his memory.
"I was found in the forest when I was maybe four years old," he told her, still in that same low voice. "Master Williams found me - he is head groom of the stables. Two years his Mistress did look after me... and then I became the stable-boy. I live there now," he added with a small grin. "In the hay-loft." In his mind, the best place that anyone could sleep. So close to the horses he could even share their dreams.

((Ohhhh Tolkein's Elvish! Did you know that it is based on Finnish? My language was turned into the language of the elves! ))

[Maeve]

Maeve listened carefully as he answered her question regarding who looked after him. She felt her heart break for him when he said that he had no parents, no family, and that his caretakers were those who did care for him, were stable workers. And yet, he seemed very content with his life, and she felt the joy he had being around his companions every moment of every day. It made sense for him to be found in the woods, but she could not help but have wished a better upbringing for him, a more comfortable one for him.

Know that you are not alone in this world my child. That there are those who will always be there for you. She was not just talking about the horses, she was now talking as a representation for her entire race. She wanted to explain things to him, explain why it was that he was left in the woods, and how it was that he could communicate with horses through this natural inherited gift of his. Are you able to leave tonight for a little while? I can send Mirshann to bring you for there is something I would like to show you. Her world; her realm. She wanted to introduce him to where she was from, as she felt that those with magic should realize that they have the support of others like them. Especially for him; he was living in Camelot...such a dangerous place for a young boy with magical abilities.

( Ohh really?! I didn't know that! Hahah thats so cool! Hopefully you don't understand Elvish because I'm pretty sure I have massacred the language but thats awesome that your first language is Finnish!! ) [/blockquote]

[neav]

Of course Neav thought that Lady Maeve meant the horses when she said that he was not alone. The boy had never truely trusted any human.
This was the first time he had ever been so open, so joyful in a person's presence and though he did wonder why Maeve might affect him so, he did not even consider that she might be Faerie. Or that he might be a hild of magic himself. But as for someone always being there for him... he supposed that she had to mean the horses again. It was they that comforted him when Master Williams grew angry and beat him, or the other grooms were merciless in their teasing. And so he did not answer Lady Maeve, gave only a soft smile. Of course someone as noble as her could not understand the life of a stable-boy. She must have had people caring adoringly for her since she was born.

He bit his lip when she asked if Neav might be able to come away that night. If he was caught, he would be beaten... but it was possible to get away. He was the only person who slept in the stables and he had sneaked out once before to ride under the moon.
Neav did not even consider saying 'no.' He felt that he would do anything in the world for Maeve.
"I can get away tonight," he said and tried not to think about what would happen if he was caught. "If Mirshann will wait for me outside the wall, I can get to him... what is it you want me to see?"
What could a noble lady possible want with a boy in the middle of the night?

((No, I cannot understand it. It is only based on Finnish; the grammer and the sounding of words is something the same, but the words are all different. Like you say 'mirshann' is angel but in Finnish it is 'enkeli'.))

[Maeve]

Maeve was glad, and excited, to hear that he would be able to get away for a night. Are you sure? Or would you need me to talk someone? She would not mind. She practically had such strong automatic care for the boy and did not want him to get in trouble, and she could sense the worry within him. She wanted him to be relaxed tonight, and did not want him to have in his mind that he would have to hurry back so that he would not be yelled at...or worse. Tonight, I want you to have a free mind. And to be open to endless possibilities. For tonight, she wanted to tell him of his destiny, and of her world. Though words could not always be enough, which was why she wanted to physically show it to him. And I feel we would not be able to do this if you fear those who could get angry with you.

She motioned for Mirshann to come forward, even though he was not far. Would you like to ride him back to the city? She asked, softly smiling. She did plan to walk back to Camelot with Neav, to continue their conversation, and though she knew he was rather independent, she still wanted to make sure he got there safe and that no harm would come to him. Perhaps their paths crossed so that she could help protect him in this world that persecuted those of their kind.

( Ohh thats so cool though! Hahaha I have to say that I'm pretty relieved to hear you can't understand... that way, I can keep making it up as I go along )

[neav]

Neav chewed on his lip. It was a nervous habit of his and sometimes he got so worried that he actually made his lips bleed. He was trying to decide if he could let this lady talk with Master Williams... He did not think that he wanted her too. The head groom would never let him just go out at night, not even for the word of a noble lady. Perhaps if he thought that the lady had some need of a horse-boy in the night... but it did not sound like Maeve wanted Neav to work. She said she wanted to show him something.
Besides, he did not want this gentle lady knowing how Master Williams thought of him. Neav knew it was the right way, the way that all boys were treated but he was worried Lady Maeve would not see it as such. He remembered the trouble there had been when Kazria had seen Neav hit across the face. Even though it had been his own fault for forgetting his job, she had been very unhappy. Neav did not want this lady to feel the same.
Even if she only spoke to the head groom his attitude was so obvious that she might start to wonder where the boy's bruises had come from. Neav did not want that at all.

So he forced a smile onto his pale face and tried to chase the worry from his eyes.
"There is no need for you to talk to anyone, my Lady," Neav said. "I will not get in trouble."
It was not really a lie, his mind tried to excuse itself. If he was careful he would not be caught and then he would not get in trouble and his words would prove true.

Then Lady Maeve suggested he might right Mirshann back to the city. Neav felt a thrill of delight. But then he carefully pushed it away. He could not ride the lady's horse back to the city. Comet and Rising Sun were his charges - if he did not arrive back on them he really would be in trouble.
"Thank you," he said with a shake of his head. "But I should ride Comet, my lady."
Neav scrambled onto that stallion's back. He was so curious about what Lady Maeve wanted to show him... he really wanted to ask what it might be. Normally he would never had dared but Maeve had been nothing but kindness from the moment they met...
"What are you going to show me? My lady?" he added hurriedly, almost forgetting that politeness in his wanting to know.

[Maeve]

Maeve smiled when he assured that there would be no trouble. Are you certain? She did not abuse her powers but in this case, she felt she would have to. She would ensure that there would be an image of Neav sleeping soundly in his quarters, when in reality, he would be with her. And just to make this plan even more fool proof, she would pay a short visit to the man in his dreams so that he would enter a deeper sleep. Who is it that you answer to? She knew there were probably many, but if she could get to the main man and just give Neav an extra hour or so, could make all the difference. Though, with her naive ways, she would believe whatever he told her, despite whatever conflicting emotions he was feeling.

When Neav said that he had better ride on one of the other horses, she gave a bit of a nod of understanding. You truly are loyal to your friends. And that was why she knew that even if she offered a place in Mabon for him, he would probably not stay. She mounted on Mirshann, waiting for Neav to lead the way so that she could ride alongside him. You will see my dear child. It would be far too much to explain now when their time was so limited. How did one explain other realms and species in the world in only but a few minutes? It is nothing to be alarmed about, I promise you. I will just be showing you what else is in the world, beyond what we can see.

[neav]

Neav nodded his head. He was not certain and so he could not say that he was because he knew he was so bad at lying. So he lifted his spirits in the special way the Comet could sense and know meant to move forward and began to lead the way back to the city. Rising Sun followed him, needing no guidence or leading-rein. At least there was no need to skip around lies to answer the lady's next question.
"Aaron Williams is head-of-stables," Neav told her. Because he never even suspected this lady of magic, Neav had no idea of her intentions. But he did wonder what she could possibly want to show him. It was all so strange! It was like a story that could not be believed.

"I will not be scared if you are with me," Neav said simply. From any other lips these words must have sounded like false, honey-sweet flattery but for Neav it was the truth. For him Lady Maeve was all gentlness, all goodness and kindness. And as he was thinking this, Neav had a suddenly flash of remembering.
A dream he had had, months ago now. That terrible time when there had been the drought on all things people ate but nothing else. That time when he had dreamed the death of the unicorn over and over until he had dreamed that it was alive again.
He had been told by a gentle maidservant he must never speak of the unicorn creature because it was magic. So he had not. But Neav had thought of the creature so often and when Maeve said he would see things that were beyond the world he thought of the unicorn again. Neav sighed whistfully without knowing that he had done so. Of course he was not going to see unicorns. That creature was forbidden to be anywhere except in his dreams.

[Maeve]

Aaron Williams. She would have to meet this man, even if it was just to take a strand of hair or something so that she could use her abilities, in this case, for good. To protect Neav and hope that exposing him to her world would bring some kind of peace and serenity and diminish any sort of loneliness he might be feeling. Though, he seemed to be doing rather fine in the company of his horses. Would it be alright for me to meet him? She asked, wanting that permission and go ahead before doing anything that could land him into trouble. She would truly never forgive herself if she managed to get Neav in any sort of trouble and so had to take the necessary precautionary steps to avoid that.

His next words were quite a high compliment to her and she smiled upon hearing them. I have no intention of leaving you for a moment tonight. You will be safe. Trust in Mirshann, if not me, as I can see that you have a great understanding of horses. She valued that trust he bestowed on her though, and would not do anything to alter it... especially if she wished to help him. Hopefully after she explained everything, that trust would only grow. Such a great boy of magic... she would forever be honored in his presence. Tell me, do you feel safe here in Camelot? She asked without outwardly saying that she knew of his gifts, and she asked because she truly did worry for him. Was he threatened at all being in such close quarters with a king who despised magic so? Was he living every day in that fear?