The office doors were open wide as we walked in.
“My Royal Highness, welcome back. What can I do for you today?” the woman behind the counter asked.
“I’d like to sign in. Is Teddy available for a trail ride?” she asked.
“Let me check who’s signed out and the schedule for the day,” the woman responded, pulling out a large book and calendar. “Teddy, was it?”
“Yes,” the Princess answered. Her impatience with the woman was noticeable in her tone. It was clear she didn’t like having to wait. It wasn’t the receptionist's fault, she was just doing her job, and the Princess had turned up unannounced. I leaned into her side, hoping to quell her impatience.
“Teddy is available,” the woman announced after a few minutes of cross-checking the books.
“Have him prepared with an endurance saddle, please,” the Princess instructed and released me from her hold to sign one of the books on the counter.
“Of course. I’ll get the stablehands to get Teddy ready and bring him to the trailhead.”
“Thank you,” the Princess replied, turning back to me and taking my hand as she led me from the office.
We walked for a few minutes past fields that held horses to the start of a dirt and stone path that I saw led through more fields and into hills.
“This is the start of the trails. The path diverts a few times, and we will take the easiest and shortest of trail routes,” she told me as we waited.
“Okay,” I replied, feeling anxiety build in my stomach.
After a little while of waiting, I heard hooves approaching us.
A large black horse with a white stripe down its nose and big bushy white hair at its hooves was walking toward us.
It was much larger and broader than I expected; its back was taller than me. The Princess walked towards him and took his reins.
“Thank you, Rebecca,” she spoke to the woman that had brought the horse to us, I was surprised she knew her by name, but the woman seemed a similar age to us, and I suspected she was a pureblood vampire.
“No problem, my Highness. Teddy is good to go. Do you require anything further?” Rebecca replied.
“No. Thank you. I will return with Teddy within an hour or so.” Rebecca bowed and left us.
The Princess greeted Teddy, petting him and speaking quietly. She walked him closer to me.
“Percy, this is Teddy,” she introduced me to the horse and waved me forward. “Here, pet him,” she instructed, and I reached out to the horse.
“He’s much taller than I thought,” I commented. The Princess handed me his reins and I panicked. “Wait! What if he runs away?” I asked, even as I accepted the reins.
“He’s tall and strong. Teddy is a Shire horse. He can easily hold our combined weight, and his temperament is peaceful. Perfect for your first riding experience,” she told me as she adjusted the stirrups and ignored my panic.
“Are you ready?” she asked me.
“No,” I answered, feeling like my feet were glued to the ground. She laughed in response.
“Let go of the reins,” she instructed, and I complied. Teddy did not move from his spot. “Now come here,” she continued and pointed directly in front of her. I took a couple of steps toward her. She lifted her hand holding the helmet and put it on my head, checking the fit before fastening the strap under my chin.
“I’m going to pick you up and sit you in the saddle. Hold onto his mane if you must for balance. It’ll be a tight fit in the saddle for both of us, but I’m sure you won’t mind being pressed against me,” she explained. I did not have time to panic or be embarrassed by her words before she grabbed my waist and lifted me quickly up on the saddle. Teddy took a step forward, and I released a small whimper, but otherwise he remained still. The Princess grabbed hold of the saddle, put one foot high up in the stirrup and lifted herself onto the saddle with practised ease, pushing me forward as she did so. She leaned forward, wrapping one arm around my waist and taking the reins with her other hand.
“Walk on,” she called, and Teddy began to walk slowly.
“Wait, no. Ma’am,” I cried, feeling completely off balance and too afraid of hurting the animal to grab at his mane.
“Pet, shh, you’re safe. I’ve got you,” she told me, tightening her arm around my waist. I grabbed hold of her arm around me with both my hands. “Lean back into me. We want to distribute our weight for Teddy’s sake evenly, don’t want him to be uncomfortable,” she commanded and lifted her arm across my chest and pulled me back into her.
The Princess’s calm and firm hold helped to relax me. It wasn’t so bad once I got used to the jostling as Teddy walked. She placed her chin on my shoulder and kissed my cheek.