The Last Dance (2)

Chapter 2 - Birthdays and Bulls-eye's

As I approached the yard I could hear the sounds of chattering boys and laughing girls all up for their morning practice. I swung by the stables where I'd left my equipment and shouted a hello to the stableman Erik.

"Mornin' to you too Miss Chalot, off to the archery range I see."

"I sure am, can't start slacking if I want to keep up with the boys."

"Them's the one's that should be worryin' Miss, no aim as deadly as yours."

I smiled, touched, and turned to leave when he stopped me again.

"Now wait Miss, I knew I be forgetting something, a very Happy Birthday to ye, that a new bow you got?"

I beamed at him "Thank-you, and yes, it's an early gift from Mother, I'm dying to try it out."

"I won't keep ye then, be sure to show 'em boys what a lady can do."

"Don't worry Erik, I always do."

I grinned and headed off towards the target boards passing the jousting yard and outdoor practice court on the way. Various other stable hands and people of court wished me a Happy Birthday. I smiled my thanks to them all and ran the last few feet when I saw Lily and Mira leaning against the fence. "Celia!" they yelled in unison. I laughed as I was caught up in their hugs.

"Finally, your nineteen," Exclaimed Mira.

Lily chimed in immediately "How does it feel, do you feel older? Wiser?"

I laughed, "I feel just the same as I did yesterday and the day before, do I look any different?"

"Nope, same old Cee, looking ready to kick butt as always" laughed Lily.

"Ohh but with a nicer bow!" Mira yanked the bow from my grasp and ran her hands along it. "Beautiful, who from?"

"My Mother, she surprised me with it this morning."

"Well, lets see what you can do with it then" she said while holding the bow out to me. I smiled, feeling my adrenaline shoot up as I hopped over the fence and accepted my bow.

Lily and Mira choose to run to the gate instead of jumping the fence like I had and soon joined me with their own bows in hand. We lined up each facing our own targets. I pulled back the string on my bow a few times, getting a feel for the elastic before fitting an arrow. I glanced over at Lily who nodded and counted to three.

We loosened at the same time. Mira's arrow overshoot and flew over the target, Lily hit the second ring, and I smiled in triumph as my arrow flew straight and true into the red circle in the middle. Bulls-eye. We turned around at the sound of clapping.

Prince Johnathan was leaning against the fence looking bored while his friends, David and Luke clapped enthusiastically. I smiled at them and they jumped over the fence to join us.

"Impressive shot Cee," David said giving me a friendly clap on the shoulder.

Luke swept me a flamboyant bow. "I yield from now my Lady, remind me never to challenge you to archery or the men will lose what little respect for me they have," He said with a smile.

I laughed and ruffled his hair. "You know I'd be happy to let you win if it was a matter of saving your pride," I teased.

"I'll be calling you on that!" He said with a grin. Luke turned his attention to Mira and Lily sweeping them another grand bow. "Ladies."

By this time John had reluctantly decided to heave himself over the fence and make his way over. I braced myself for whatever he would say determined not to let him ruin my day when David cut in.

"Happy Birthday by the way Celia," He said with a smile.

Luke turned around and threw a hand across my shoulders. "Yes, welcome to adulthood, but before you get too excited there's really no perks involved. You would have done better to stay 18," He said matter-of-factly.

David started laughing. "She hardly had a choice."

"Now now boys play nice" Mira chimed in, "Cee's the last one of us to turn nineteen, and in two months we'll all be presented at the High Ball together" she said enthusiastically. My smile faltered for a minute and John choose that moment to speak up.

"If you ask me she could use a couple more years" He drawled, "It'll take at least that long for her to learn how to be a REAL lady" He finished with a smirk.

I took a deep breathe determined not to lose my temper. "Well, it's a good thing no one asked you then," I replied coolly.

David turned to me with a wink before John could say anything else. "Don't worry Cee, you're lady enough for me."

Luke tugged me to his side. "Sorry David, I call dibs."

"What? You can't call dibs, Cee! Tell him you like me better."

I laughed and pulled back to stand between Mira and Lily who were giggling helplessly while John looked on annoyed.

"Don't worry boys, there's enough of me for both of you."

"If you're done throwing yourself at MY friends--" John started to say before David clapped his hand over his mouth.

"I think this would be our cue to leave," He said before dragging a fuming Johnathan away.

"Ladies," Luke said, tipping a fake hat towards us. We all promptly mimed him a curtsy before he dashed off to help David with the Prince.

We waited until they were well away before bursting into another round of giggles

"Oh those boys' are such teases!" Mira said. Lily nodded her head in agreement. "I pity their having to deal with the Prince after this."

"Don't worry Lil', they know how to handle him, which is more then I can say for anyone else"

We picked up our discarded bows and got ready to fire again.

After about half an hour I decided to call it quits and waved goodbye to Mira and Lily. Heading back towards the stable I ran into one of the Castle maids.

"Millie! How are you?"

"Good my Lady, and Happy Birthday"

"Thanks, and please Millie, call me Celia, Any court gossip?"

She laughed "Not yet my Lady, but the day is young."

Growing up in the Castle I learned fast that the staff were the best company, they always seemed to know everything that went on, always knew the latest court gossip and scandals, and were always happy to keep you company.

"Millie can you take my bow up to my rooms for me?"

"Of course Lady--I mean Celia"

While it was fairly easy getting the staff to feel comfortable and friendly around me, getting them to drop the 'Lady' title was a losing battle.

I walked into the stable and headed towards Coriolis. She was a beautiful bay mare who I'd had since she was a filly. I pulled an apple out of my pocket to give her while I pulled down her tack and saddled up.

I glanced over at the other stalls and noticed that Shadow, the Prince's mount was missing and hoped I wouldn't run into him on the trails.

"Will ye be needin' an escort Miss?"

I turned around to see Erik leaning over the rail.

"No, I'm just taking the usual trail; I should be back in a few hours at the most."

I led Coriolis out of the stall and mounted up, heading for the trail through Grovet Woods. As soon as I passed the first line of trees I felt more relaxed.

The archery had helped to lessen my tension, but what I really needed was to be on my own for a bit. It was a peaceful day, all the sounds from the castle grounds disappeared until all you could hear was the sounds of birds and the steady beat of hoofs against the ground. To me it was the most soothing sound in the world.

After cantering around for a bit along the trail I found my usual mark off the road, the pine tree that grew crooked trying to catch the sun's rays. I smiled and tied Coriolis' reins to the tree knowing she had plenty to graze on.

I took a brief look around making sure I was alone, pushed aside a leafy branch and slipped through the hole in the trees. Coming out I set my eyes on my favourite clearing. It wasn't anything spectacular, just a nice private glade surrounded by wild flowers. My favourite part about it was the weeping willow tree right in the middle, so out of place, I always wondered how it grew here.

I sighed contentedly and sat on the convenient knot from the roots laying my head back against the trunk. I had just opened the book I brought when a twig snapping caught my attention. I leaped up annoyed that I hadn't thought to bring a weapon when I heard the rough swear that followed and narrowed my eyes at the opening I'd just come in from.

I knew that voice anywhere.

With a showering of needles John fell into the clearing, barely managing to keep upright. He looked up at me with a smirk and, completely ignoring my glare, began walking around the clearing.

"So, this is where you always disappear off to, and here I'd hoped it would be something interesting like a raging love affair, but of course you're too boring to ever do anything fun like that"

I walked over to him, trying to control my anger.

"How did you find me here?" I demanded.

He raised an eyebrow at me. "I followed you obviously."

"That's not possible, the path was empty, I checked!"

"Not well enough," He smirked. I glared at him again and tapped my foot impatiently waiting for the real answer.

He rolled his eyes "Fine, I was walking Shadow up the path and saw you just before you slipped though, convenient eh?"

I huffed and turned away "Well now that you've seen it you can GO AWAY, and STAY away!'

"Not so fast, I just got here." He came up from behind me and snatched the book from my hands.

"Even worse then I thought, you came out here to read!"

"So? There's nothing more attractive than intelligence."

"Like you'd know," he said with a scoff.

"Give it back John."

"Say please," he teased holding it up out of reach.

I was about to get angry when I remembered the advice Anna had given me a few years ago

*

"Well look at you Cee, you look like a women!"

"Don't SAY that Anna, I don't want to be a.. Ugh.. Woman"

She laughed at my expression "Why not? It's an excellent weapon you know"

I looked at her in confusion "What do you mean a weapon?"

"Always remember Cee, boys are all the same, flutter your eyelashes, take a deep breath and they're all yours!"

"I still don't get it"

"Don't worry, you will"

*

I smiled, now seemed like as good a time as any to try out Anna's advice. I stepped up close to John until we were only inches apart and looked up at him with a pout. He stumbled back looking confused and flustered. I fought to hide a smile; looks like Anna knew what she was talking about.

I stepped up to him again, taking a deep breath and holding it in. His gaze flickered down and back up to my face trying to figure out what I was doing "Please?" I whispered.

His eyes widened in shock and he lowered his hand unconsciously. I snatched the book back as soon as it was close and smirked up at him.

"Thanks."

I turned around and heard him clearing his throat, and then he was right behind me.

"Hey, when'd you turn into a girl Cece?" I rolled my eyes, generously ignoring the use of his childhood nickname for me and turned back around to find us face to face. We both took a startled step back. Weird I thought, his face didn't have his usual condescending expression, just curiosity.

"It's called growing up John."

"Huh." I raised my eyebrow waiting for the snarky comment but it didn't come so I turned back again and walked over to the willow tree.

I sat down and saw that John was still in the same spot with a puzzled look on his face. It took a minute for him to realize I was staring.

"Right, well, err, I'll just go then." He walked abruptly to the entrance and turned around one last time before leaving, giving me a confused look.

"Happy Birthday then, uh, bye."

I frowned; maybe Anna's advice had worked a little too well. I shook my head and opened my book.