Chapter 32

The first son they walked up to was a brilliant red chestnut color. He had a white blaze, stockings and stood proud like his father.

"This is Ronan. He is my eldest son and will take my place once my time is up on this earthly plane. He is the bravest and almost as fast as his old man. He requested to be Deacon's steed if it is ok with you, Majesty," Arion told her.

"Yes, of course, that would be great. It is very nice to meet you, Ronan. If I can say so, you are an amazingly beautiful horse," Arriana said in stunned wonder.

The young horse bowed his head to her and said thank for before he trotted off to Deacon. The next horse she met was a shorter and sleeker white mare. She had a black blaze that started on her forehead and ended at her muzzle.

"This is Meria. She is my eldest daughter. She is very wise and clever, perhaps a bit too clever." He turned his head giving his daughter a warning glance before she could even speak.

"Meria, you would be a perfect match for Zoe. Your coat is interesting. I've never seen a white horse with a black blaze," Arriana said to the young filly.
"Thank you, majesty. Yes, it is a rarity that I was blessed with. Dad's mother is white with a black blaze," Meria said.

"You got my grandmother's stubbornness as well, Meria."

"At least someone in this family has some sense like grandmother!"

"Meria, not now," Arion snapped at his daughter.

"It's not my fault you've been too prideful to help before now. Grandmother told you seventeen years ago to do something," she snapped back.

"Meria, we are not discussing this again. If you want to keep it up I'm sending you home."

"Yeah, grandmother would like that."

"It's only because of her that you're even here." He narrowed his eyes, his cue for her to be quiet.

She bowed her head to the young queen while snorting at her father and trotted off to Zoe.

"She will definitely get along with Zoe," Arriana giggled.

"Teenagers. I swear that child will be the death of me. There are some days I think she is even more stubborn than my mother." He shook his head and mane as though he were trying to shake away the thought.

The next horse was a tall, massive creature. He was black as night, like his father with deep blue eyes. Despite his tremendous size, he had incredible kindness in his eyes.

"This beast here is my second eldest son, Maverick. He may look intimidating, but he is as kind and gentle as a puppy," Arion told Arriana.

"You would match perfectly with Barwick. A giant with the heart of a lamb. You are also amazingly handsome and look remarkably like your father." Arriana said in awe.

"Thank you, Queen Arriana. I have been told that I resemble father. I take it as a great compliment." Maverick said.

He bowed his head to Arriana and trotted off towards Barwick.

The fourth and final horse was equally massive as Maverick only he was not black. He was a creamy beige color, the opposite of his twin brother. His eyes were a dark shade of hazel with a bit of feistiness in them.

"This is Maverick's twin brother, Weston. He is a feisty bugger. He is headstrong and loves to be the first to ride into battle."

"Marc is going to love you. He's headstrong too. You are just as handsome as your brothers are. It's quite peculiar that you're a cream color while Maverick is black." Arriana rubbed the large horse's neck.

"Yeah, I've been told I resemble mother more than father. Which I don't mind, she is an incredible leader," he replied, bowing his head to the young queen and joining his rider.

As Arriana and Arion were turning around so they could all discuss the day's events, they heard a small whinny. Wheeling around Arion looked agitated.

"Gayle! What on earth are you doing here child? Your mother must be going crazy with worry!" Arion shouted at a small golden filly.

"I'm sorry, father. I wanted to see if it was true. The queen is really here? And you are going to let her ride you?" The little horse's eyes were wide with delight.

Arriana walked up to her and smiled. She knelt and gave Gayle a scratch on the forehead.

"You sneak away, eh?" she asked.

The young horse put her head down. "Yes, please forgive me."

"It's alright. Go stand with your brothers and sisters young lady. We will discuss this later," Arion said sternly.

Arriana ruffled the filly's little mane that still stood on end and chuckled.

"What's funny?" Gayle asked in a shrill voice.

"You are." Arriana laughed.

"I am?" Gayle asked confused.

"Yeah, you're just too cute and so curious. Are you hungry?" Arriana asked.

Jumping up and down. "Oh yes, yes, yes!"

Laughing harder Arriana ruffled her mane again.

"Alright, how about I go and snatch you a few apples and carrots?"

The filly just nodded her large head and trotted over to her brothers and sisters. After receiving a few disapproving stares from her older siblings, she laid in the grass, munching on the apples and carrots Arriana brought to her.

"Once everyone is ready we will get going to start training," Aroman said.

"Arion?" Arriana asked confused.

"Yes, Queen Arriana?" He replied.

"First, call me Arriana. The whole queen thing is still so weird for me. Second, how do I, um, well, get on?" She furrowed her brow and bit her lip.

"Have you ever ridden horses before?" he asked her.

"Do pony rides at the park count?" She sighed.

"No, sorry those don't count as real riding. You just have to jump up and swing your leg over," he instructed her.

"Wait, you mean there won't be a saddle or anything?" she questioned still confused.

"Arriana we do not wear saddles. Domesticated horses wear saddles.

"Oh, I am sorry Arion. I, I didn't mean to offend you," she stammered.

"You didn't. Here's how you do it, hold onto my mane with your left hand. Yeah, just grab a handful. Don't worry you won't hurt me. Good. Now put your right hand on my back. A little further down. Yeah, that's right. Okay, now jump as high as you can and swing your right leg over. Yeah, there you go! Good job," Arion said, talking Arriana through the process.

"So, what do I hold onto?" Arriana asked.

"My mane," he replied.

"What if I pull too hard? What if I fall off?" Arriana asked, starting to get scared.

"Trust me, majesty and you will be fine," he reassured her.

"Okay," she said, taking a deep breath and swallowing hard.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be. Let's go, Arion!" she managed to squeak out.

They all took off. Trotting at first, Arion quickly broke out into a gallop. The faster he went the more comfortable Arriana became. The trees began to fly past her so fast that they were nothing more than a blur. Her heart slowly returned to her chest and she could breathe normally. She could feel the back of cloak flying out behind her.

"Faster!" she shouted at him

"Yes, ma'am!" Arion shouted back.

He went even faster. For Arriana it was as though she were flying. She held onto his mane with both hands and squeezed her legs around him holding on for dear life. The hood on her cloak flew off her head and her long, honey blonde hair was flowing behind her. She had never felt so alive. She closed her eyes as the wind whipped through her hair. The fresh forest air smelled so good to her. When she opened her eyes she saw a flash of red out of the corner of her right eye. Ronan was catching up to them.