Castle Grounds

It had been a few months since that moment with Royce. Other than that they had corresponded via a few letters. On her morning walk Madeline took a longer route home popping into Glasgow. Noticing a field worker she summoned him, asking him to fetch Royce. Madeline moved out of site to a much more secretive place that only Royce could find her at.

Madeline hugged him back just as tightly. Being in the company of Royce she didn't have to be a princess for couple of hours. I have missed you too my friend. She moved away from their embrace and looked at him. Madeline adored having Royce as her friend he was the first she would go to for advice. I still have my guest she is a very shy lady .

I think she could change things for me. If she is who she says she is then here is a very big question: Why was she kept a secret. Children to the king are never kept a secret, never. I could remain angry or irritated in his presence he had a calming affect on me. That's nice that he has come back to Scotland is he well. They were great times when we were young and all played together. Even then I always had a soft spot for Royce! It never changed all these years and in some way I think he knew but never made it known.

You know what they say dearest Royce it's always the silent ones. In the months of my brothers abscene me and Royce had done well in keeping Scotland afloat. I would hate to think that I had invited a usurper into our lives. If something goes wrong because if her than the fault shall lie solely to me. As I was the only royal here to receive her. And I don't think I could live with that kind of guilt.

I enhaled softly like a feather as his hands touched my shoulders. For just a moment I allowed my hand to wander up to his face as I touched his soft cheek. It was dangerous for me to be around him as I could not-neither did I want to control how I felt. Can I jump on your horse with you Royce. I don't know why I had said it-it was just something I wanted to do with him.

Does you horse have a name Royce. I had a deep passion for horses which came from my younger years. They were such majestic creatures that at times I preferred their company over that of humans. I shall let you choose where we are going. You are master of the horse and a horse answers to it's master. I let my fingers run through the thick mane of the horses hair. The best horses were wild horses and how they run freely in the wild.

I tried to laugh but the wind was blowing in our faces muffling out the sound. I gently patted Derren mane wondering if I could braid a tiny plate in it. Yes I agree let's let the noble horse lead us into the unknown.

It was nice to have a friend like Royce he made up for all the times James couldn't be available to us. I had not seen James in awhile neither had I heard from him. But from what courtiers and the rest of Scotland was saying he was now happy with his French wife. I thought that perhaps it would cool his temper. I was trying to unburden his mind. So, the land of pirates was a nice place to escape that.

I wish I could escape my own issues dear Royce. Marriage was the last thing I was thinking of right now. I hadn't heard from James in a very long time and now that he was back he made no attempt to contact me. It seemed like our so called relationship as siblings were now rather strained. As the horse continued to gallop across the glenn I closed my eye's feeling the wind sweep across my face.