royal_amphibian (royal_amphibian) wrote in into_the_woods, @ 2009-12-15 16:35:00 |
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Entry tags: | xfrog prince - prince, xlittle red riding hood |
Near Miss (tag: Rowan)
It was a perfect day for a ride. The weather was crisp, but not too cold. Too much of a chill in the air would prohibit letting his horse run too far or too fast. An over-warm horse on a cold day was a recipe for an ill mount, and Robin always took great care to treat his animals right. After all, he had a better idea of what they went through than any other person could possibly know.
It was a perfect day for a rid for other reasons as well. Reasons beyond merely the mild weather. While he loved and honored his parents, and truly appreciated their support and attempts at understanding, sometimes they could become a bit smothering. Particularly his mother. Particularly as a full or new moon drew close, and she knew that he was going to transform again. She would begin to fuss over every little thing, from his appearance to what he had for breakfast. In order to keep from snapping at her and possibly hurt her feelings, Robin thought it better that he simply take some time away from the castle.
Though escaping his mother that way had proved a bit challenging this morning too. Really, she was rather clingy at the moment, and Robin was already thinking that perhaps he would spend the night outside the castle and go home tomorrow. He was not such a pampered royal that he did not know how to make camp and care for himself. He could stop at the next village and get some supplies to do just that. Of course, as nice as the weather was, it was still chilly. So perhaps an inn would be a better choice.
But that was something to be decided later. Right now, with a long stretch of quiet road in front of him, and no one else out and about apparently, Robin wanted to let off a little steam. And his horse was more than willing to oblige, so Robin gave him his head and just let him run. The horse was bright, so he had no doubt the animal would stay on the road. Besides, it was straight for a good half mile. What could possibly go wrong?
Apparently quite a bit. Because suddenly the road immediately in front of him was not clear and abandoned. There was a child in the road, wearing one of those hooded cloaks that the young were wrapped in to keep away the cold. Bright red, which is probably what saved her from being mowed down where she stood. The color caught Robin’s eye and he yanked hard on the reins, sending his horse crashing through the brush that lined the road.
It took a moment to get his mount back on the road, and the horse danced a bit, still jittery from the confrontation. So was Robin, honestly. Turning his horse, he rode back to where he’d encountered the child, quickly though not as fast as he had been going. But he needed to make sure the young girl was alright. After swinging down from the saddle, he approached cautiously, hoping that the youngster was not in shock, or worse, injured.
“Are you alright, little one?” he asked in the calm and superior tones of an adult addressing a child, projecting an air of authority and comfort that he hoped would forestall any sort of crying. Robin really disliked it when children cried, though he could not see her face or form clearly enough under the muffling effect of the hooded cloak to know if she was. “You must be more careful when stepping into a road. Did your mother not teach you to look both ways?”