!X!X!X!X!

[Scottish Girl]

Andrew and Charlie looked up at her, Then Andrew[ leaned over and whispered in Charlies ear "Who`s she". Charlie answered in another whisper. They winked at each other and walked to each side of the horse. Andrew grinned "Well, I suppose we could. But there is a fair chance that you wont go far considering you haven`t tied your saddle properly" said Andrew as Charlie fixed it. The boys mounted their horses and grinned at Thalia "Well fi you think you are as good as to take on the best horseman in the country. Go on" said Andrew, and Thunder bowed like what he had done in Dressage.

[summer monday]

{ t h a l i a }

Thalia winced at his remark. How was she meant to know how to tie her saddle? She hadn't been taught how, and she didn't use the stirrups, anyway. She pointed out honestly, "No one's ever taught me to ride before. How would I know?"
She regained the small bit of composure she'd lost, straightened her back, and looked at Andrew. He made her nervous, just the way he was so obviously comfortable in his saddle. She stroked her mare gently, hoping she would be good as she always was, and kicked her into a canter, flying off into the flowered pasture. She kept one hand on the reins, the other used as a gentle reminder whenever the mare lost pace, and looked backward to see if the boys had followed.

[Scottish Girl]

Andrew and Charlie grinned at each other, then started after her. They had caught up with her when Andrew heard a whistle and a shout. With a sigh he turned back to where Thalias father and the prince had come out of the large house. Andrew stood in front of them as they explained something to him. Then the prince and the man shook hands. The prince then walked away, got his horse and rode of without Andrew. Charlie took hold of Thalia` mares reins and dragged her out of view, go through there up to your room miss, the master will be furious if he sees you riding," said Charlie. He then walked back to the stabls naturally with the two horses, praying the master din`t notice he had two horses tacked up.

[summer monday]

{ t h a l i a }

Thalia's heart froze when she heard her father coming, and realized Charlie would have to head back to the stables and Andrew would head home. Her first hopes for human interaction, already - but, then, Andrew wasn't leaving, and Charlie was pulling her into the bushes. She dismounted quickly and followed his instructions, swinging back up the trellis she'd already climbed twice that day. She didn't completely enter her room, though, instead sitting on her windowsill of the high tower and looking down as the stable hand led both her horse and his towards the stables. She wondered, curious, why Andrew hadn't gone when the prince left.

[Scottish Girl]

The king knocked softly on Thalia`s door and came in. "I was just thinking I would tell you. I have bought the slave of the princes. Now, he is not used to ladies, but I believe that everyone should know how to ride well. So you are going to learn from him. And slaves that have a tattoo on them are considered extremely important. People will frown upon me giving him to you. But you must learn how to handle a slave, along with a horse. Now, for the periods whe you are getting taught you may wear trousers, but only then. And forgoodness sake Thalia. Act like a lady," said the king and walked out. A few minutes later a maid came in and put a pear of trousers and a top on the bed and walked out, looking disaporving.

[summer monday]

{ t h a l i a }

Thalia had to hide her smile as her father came in, speaking of lessons and trousers and learning to really ride, but as soon as he was gone, she was grinning huge, thanking the maid profusely who brought the pants, rather unwillingly. As soon as the woman was gone, she was changing into the pants. They were tight, touching her skin, so unlike anything she had ever worn before. Thalia surveyed them happily, but only after a while did she realize she had no shirts to match. Grabbing a towel from her closet, she wrapped it around her torso and left the tower, in search of Andrew. He'd definitely have a shirt to lend her, right? Masking her smile for something like a simper, Thalia headed for the servants' chambers. When she neared them, she called, "Andrew?"

[Scottish Girl]

Andrew turned as she came in. He froze looking at the towel. "Shirt?" he asked after aminute and went to a smal cupboard and took out a white one. A small puppy lay on his bed, snoring away peacfully. It was a collie puppy, black and white with large round brown eyes. It was also very fat becuase people kept feeding it. Andrew had to wrestle it out of the cefs grip because he kept giving his puppy food. It was male, and called Tweed. The puppy opened it`s eyes and rolled onto it`s back with it`s legs in the air, it`s large round eyes staring at Thalia. Across it`s cheek was alittle scar from the time the prince had kicked Tweed for getting in his way. Andrew had saved him from being drowned, and had him as his own ever since.

[summer monday]

{ t h a l i a }

Thalia laughed shakily, taking the shirt from him with a grateful smile. "Thanks," she said with a smile, turning to face the corner so she could properly change..
She pulled the shirt over the towel, then let it fall out from under the shirt, hitting the floor. She did her best to clear the awkward air by straightening the shirt, latching her arms behind her back. She was ready to say something to break the silence when she saw the puppy on the bed roll over, flashing its stomach at her. His big, chocolaty eyes searched hers, and she slid onto the bed, lifting the pup into her lap. "Is he yours?" she asked Andrew, grinning as she tickled it stomach.
Thalia played with his pudgy paws as she waited for an answer, falling in love with the animal. She hadn't ever been able to keep a pet, let alone a young one, and he was stealing her heart. Leaving a soft kiss on his head, she tilted her head upward to look at Andrew.

[Scottish Girl]

Andrew nodded "Yes, A man wanted to drown him, but I took him instead," said Andrew. He was rather annoyed though. Not that much to get him worked up, but that was his only shirt and the rest of the things he had were all short sleeved. The master probably wanted him to wear thoe though. For masters to have a slave with a tattoo they want to show it off. But it is horrible for a skave becuase is signifies they can never be free. Andrew looked at the rose tattood on his arm for about five minutes before he realised. He pushed the shots out of his head and turned to he princess "Shall we?" he asked.

[summer monday]

{ t h a l i a }

Thalia said, "That's kind of you."
She smiled; she hadn't saw this emotionless boy could have a bit of heart in him too. For a moment, she stood, wondering what to say, but the way he was staring at the tattoo made her worry. It took her most of the five minutes he occupied with deep thought for her to realize she was in a long sleeved shirt of his. "Oh, do you want this one? I'll take one with short sleeves, if you want," she said, gesturing to the shirt.
She hadn't meant to interrupt him, but Thalia didn't want the boy to be troubled for the whole ride. "By the way, thank you," she acknowledged, "for helping with my lessons and such. My father said you're unaccustomed to girls. It's alright, I'm not as scary as I look."
She winked, pulling her mane of dark hair over her shoulder, for a moment shielding her eyes.