June 11, 2013
Sidonie and Eoin The Country Side Mid-Afternoon Meeting the Queen
The estate had been abuzz with activity since Eoin had arrived back home and announced his intentions to attend court. His parents had been particularly excited, thrilled that he had begun to take more than a passing interest in one of the many social expectations that went along with being heir. His mother had prattled on about clothes and gossip and every other little thing, eventually mentioning the Queen and her still empty womb, suggesting he should attempt to fill it. Eoin had rejected the idea on principal, more than a little uncomfortable that his own mother should service the monarch as if he were some sort of stud. After all, had it not been her who had comforted him at the loss of his fiance with the words 'she had a diamond in her hands and yet chose glass'. He had found no ally in his father who had agreed that any attention he received from the Queen would be a boon for the house, possibly setting them above all the others.
Eoin had found the whole thing more than a little repulsive, not at all caring for the idea of being so used when he had only sought to avail himself of the pleasures of court. So instead of continuing to listen to their talk he changed into suitable riding attire and headed down to the stables to take out his favorite hunter, Ambria.
He had no particular destination in mind but he rode her hard out into the country side, letting her run as she clearly hadn't been in his absence. He even let her jump when they came to obstacles, knowing she always gave him more speed when he was good to her. But after so long without a proper run her stamina proved itself to not be what it once was and she began to slow. He believed in being good to his horses so when she slowed near a stream he slipped from her back and walked her to it, allowing her to drink while he rubbed her shoulder and flank around the saddle. It wasn't until the distant sound of hoof-beats drew close that he looked up and when he did he instantly dropped into a low but proper bow. He had seen her image often, and perhaps her face at a distance once or twice, but neither compared to being so close to the real woman.
All he could think now as he awaited acknowledgement was that he was thankful he had remembered to wear the vest with his family colors and crest embroidered on the right side of his chest that day.