Gwendolyn nodded along, straightening up in the saddle as she peered into the distance, "My trip, while it was thankfully uneventful, took quite a while, and was very boring. I would not be in any hurry to repeat it so soon. And... thank you. I shall keep your words in mind and heart... but," the heaviness was gone suddenly, with a laugh in the back of Gwendolyn's throat, "Senex Peanut is adding some spring to his step. I did not think it was possible for him - I suppose wanting to run and be free never leaves a creature!" The trail widened up, and a long stretch of smooth terrain laid in front of the horses, "Any spots to avoid? Or all good ground?"

Aldwin nodded as Gwendolyn spoke, he'd imagined that for a woman such trips were a bore, even to most men they were. Granted, when he went on trips, people did their best to entertain him, being a king and all had its advantages, he had to admit. Regardless, he could understand Gwendolyn's need to see places before even thinking about returning home.

Aldwin nodded and looked about the clearing, the grass was relatively short, so any holes could be seen from quite a few feet away. He also came through here often, so most holes were covered up by his men so there were no accidents. "I would avoid the edge of the forest where it meets the field, those are the places where the animals are more likely to lurk and dig holes and such. As for the rest of the field, it should be good. I've put together a few jumps if you'd like to do those, 'course you could always just run about too." Aldwin grinned, and although Oswyn shook with excitement, Aldwin easily held him in place. Sometimes, Aldwin had to remind the horse that he couldn't just take off in this particular area every single time they came.

Gwendolyn dipped her head formally to Aldwin, although it was ruined by her mirthful smile and mischievous eyes, "Why, my lord," she teased, looking at Aldwin through her eyelashes, the title not holding as much weight as when they first met, "I have never been one to pass up a jumping course."

And with that, Gwendolyn brought her head to its full height, chin raised daringly, assessing the jumps, "For now, though, running will definitely have to be done first. Hold onto your horse, Aldwin, if you don't want him running yet. The old man and I are going to run." After giving Aldwin a second to process what she said, Gwendolyn reached out with that thread that always seemed to connect her to a horse, and whispered, "Vādo." Peanut's ears pushed forward, and with no apparent cue, yet as smooth as can be, the pair took off.

The old man did indeed have some spring in his step.

Gwendolyn's words caused a small smile to take shape on Aldwin's face.

She really was quite unlike anyone he'd ever met.

Aldwin held Oswyn for a moment, watching Gwendolyn take off on Peanut, and although her fair hair was pulled back into a braid, the light that dappled her hair made his eyes wide in wonder. How could one hold so much grace and power, and yet be so utterly welcoming? Compared to her, he was a clumsy oaf, perhaps that was why men were so against a woman holding true power, because people would respect them more than the man in the marriage.

Oswyn pulled Aldwin out of his thoughts, quite literally, as Oswyn was practically eating the bit in his mouth. Aldwin cleared his throat, felt Oswyn's strong legs beneath him, and with a gentle nudge with his foot, they were off.

Aldwin allowed his steed to fly as fast as he wished, which was rather fast considering the stallion wanted to catch up to Gwendolyn and Peanut. Aldwin lost himself in the thunder of Oswyn's hooves, his auburn hair caught up in the wind. Time seemed to slow, and Aldwin felt as if, for a moment, the world had stopped, and it was just him, Oswyn, and Gwendolyn on Peanut. There had been a time when he could never feel so free with another person, when even when it was merely a guard, he felt trapped in his own skin. For a long time, he had been alone, and as such, very lonely because of it.

And now, he was no longer quite so alone.

s i m p

---------

After racing across the pasture, Gwendolyn collected Peanut up into a more collected canter, and having scanned the field as they raced past, formed a wide half-circle, and set herself onto a single log jump. It was small, as Gwendolyn didn't want to do too much too fast, and after Peanut hopped over it, she brought the horse down to a working trot, and made a more concrete pattern.

With her path in mind, Gwendolyn began her course, starting with the smaller jumps, then going onto some of the larger ones, all at the trot. Although Peanut was older, he was still quite capable, and after the first few, it was obvious the horse was getting into it.

While Gwendolyn split off and tackled the jumps with that graceful ease that she seemed to do everything with, Aldwin remained on the outskirts of the field, running twice, though on the second run he began to slow down his steed. Unlike Peanut, who although energetic, was easily steadied by Gwendolyn's hand, Oswyn needed to slowly power down. Eventually, Aldwin had slowed him to a collected trot, and down to a walk. This gave Oswyn a break and allowed Aldwin to watch as Gwendolyn gracefully flew threw the jumps.

Her form was practically perfect, and she did it all with an ease that took Aldwin's breath away. So rarely did he find a person with such a talent at riding, so often people found horses as a means of transportation and nothing more. Aldwin was surprised by Gwendolyn's ease and steady hand, though he supposed he shouldn't be, all things considered. He admired how well she worked with Peanut, and simply watched her jump while Oswyn got out the last of his rush of adrenaline beneath him.

Once Gwendolyn finished her pattern, she began to turn Peanut in large circles, working to soften his head, and round out his form. The whole while she talked fondly to him, and eventually, the horse seemed to just... relax, and after another circle, Gwendolyn asked him to canter, and did so for a circle or two, adjusting his form. They broke back down into a trot, then into a walk, and headed over to Aldwin. The horse was relaxed, with a low hanging head and extended gate, while Gwendolyn was smiling easily, and tucking loose strands of hair behind her ears.

"We are going to take a moment to walk... but after you are done warming up with some jumps, would you be interested in making a pattern and testing our steeds?" There was a playful glint in the young queen's eyes. She knew that while Oswyn was younger and more energetic, Peanut was steadier, and less flighty. It would be nothing more than a friendly competition - although there would be no real winner.

Eventually, Aldwin had stopped staring at Gwendolyn in awe and focused on his own horse. The world slowly faded as he focused solely on Oswyn and his own position, he began to speed up into an easy working trot. Aldwin kept light contact with the bit, as they were still in an area where Oswyn would normally run free. Under Aldwin's steady hand, Oswyn soon quieted, and the duo trotted at a steady pace with good enough form. Aldwin was not striving to be perfect in any way, he rode with a content ease, with a quiet, but firm hand.

Aldwin slowed at Gwendolyn's approach, and came to a stop in front of her, Oswyn was alert, quietly waiting for whatever Aldwin told him to do next. "That sounds perfect, Gwendolyn. Also, your form was absolutely breathtaking, you ride with an ease in which I have never seen before, it is most enchanting." Aldwin gave Gwendolyn a dashing smile before setting off.

Aldwin did not immediately start off with the jumps, he just weaved around them, giving Oswyn a taste of what they would be jumping. At times, his steed could be a bit spooky, and the last thing he wanted was to fall off in front of Gwendolyn, who seemed to be a master at riding. Once Aldwin had cantered around the area a few times, giving Oswyn the chance to understand what was where, he began to jump. Whilst cantering around, he'd made a small course in his head, though he did not begin immediately with that of course.

Instead Aldwin worked his way up, much like Gwendolyn only a little bit quicker, as to keep Oswyn's mind engaged as smaller jumps bored him. Soon enough, the two were hopping over the largest jumps with ease, and although Aldwin's concentration never wavered, a smile blossomed across his face.

Peanut, finally showing some of his spirit, chewed on the bit and took ahold of it, his easy walk pace gaining more purpose and impulsion.

Gwen wasn't complaining, and let the horse have his head while she watched Aldwin ride. It was certain that he and Oswyn had been working together for a while, as they anticipated the other's moves across the field, and worked fluidly with one another, rather than being battling forces.

It definitely took quite a few jumps to get Oswyn to be completely focused, his own excitement causing him to practically throw himself over a few of the jumps. Before long though, the two were hopping about, focused and with a sense of purpose.

After a while, the Aldwin slowed Oswyn down, and allowed him to hang his head low, though he was by no means tired. The two made their way over to Gwendolyn and Peanut, Aldwin's cheeks had turned a light pink from the cool winds, and his hair looked more messy than ever before. Despite his disheveled state, his smile had never been wider.

"I believe that is all for our warm up. Now, you wanted to make a course I believe?" There was a playful glimmer in Aldwin's eyes, a childlike smile that oh so rarely graced his normal stoic features. It was a relief to see someone so young truly act their age despite having such a huge responsibility on their shoulders.