Winter

This morning had started bad, well let’s say I was just in a really bad mood. The first face I saw when I opened my eyes was Elaine’s, who was already frantic about the fact that I needed new outfits and to top it of she was shocked that it had to be pants.
I had to calm her down, telling her that this was normal were I came from and that she didn’t need to worry about it. Then she stuck a needle in my leg, which I didn’t appreciate and now I didn’t even had time for breakfast. So here I am on the training field, amongst men, trying to handle a big sword. I know that they are trying not to laugh but it looks utterly ridiculous. The sword is almost bigger then I am, this is just never going to work.
“Aidan, I need a smaller sword.” I had dropped the sword in front of his feet and crossed my arms. I was so frustrated that I couldn’t even muster a small smile. I think that the frown on my face was here to stay the entire day.
“I know milady and I already told Milord.” He told me and this surprised me because I’d never expected him to do something like that for me. “Really, right, well thank you.” I didn’t pick up the sword though because I really was done for today. I turned around and started walking away. “Milady.” I heard him but I didn’t want to react. “WINTER!” That’s when I turned around. John was standing there scolding me and I know I should walk back to my training spot but I really was fed up with this so I just turned back around and walked away, completely ignoring orders.
I was happy that the snow was gone and that the sun was shining because now I could sit down on the grass and just enjoy the peace and quiet, which was exactly what I needed, after a morning like this. I know it wouldn’t last long, as I had ignored John, which meant he would probably send someone to retrieve me and I was correct when I saw Niall coming into view but at least it was Niall so that wouldn’t be frustrating.
“Winter, what the hell were you thinking.” He yelled at me and I was already regretting my thoughts because he actually did look angry. “I was done on that field, I couldn’t even hold the sword Niall!” I yelled back. I almost stomped my feet with this and I know I was sounding like a spoiled brat but come on, give me a freaking break.
“I know love but you can’t ignore direct orders from John, you know that.” I shrugged and lay back down on the grass and just stared at the sky. I heard Niall sigh but he still took a seat next to me. “I told John, that you couldn’t train with a big sword like that and that you will continue as soon as your own sword is done.” I moved my head so I was looking at him and I gave him a thankful smile. “Thank you Niall.” He grabbed my hand and squeezed it gently and pressed a kiss on it.
“You know the only thing I wanted to do this Christmas was celebrating it with my friends, I don’t want to be hear anymore and it’s getting worse everyday, the only time I’m enjoying myself is when I’m with you but other then that I really hate it here.” I mumbled into the sky, that’s when he pulled me up and took me in his arms. “I know how you feel because I feel the same but we can’t just do whatever we want in this era, we have to follow the rules even though they are ridiculous. “I nodded against his shoulder, we kept sitting like this until someone scraped his throat.
We let each other go and turned our attention to James who was watching us closely. “Maybe we can now look for my Lady Blackwood.?” He was right, instead of laying around we should look for the woman. Niall stood up and held his hand for me to grab, which I did and as he helped me to my feet, I saw something dark in James eyes but I could have imagined it. It send a shiver done my spine but I immediately shook it off, there was nothing dark about James.
“Alright were should we start?” I asked James and he acted rude by rolling his eyes at me and I couldn’t help but narrow my eyes at him. “Maybe we should ask around about you house because they all think you are her.” James said and that made sense but it would be weird for me to ask around about my own home but if that was an option we really couldn’t say no.
“Okay, I will ask around in the kitchen.” I mumbled, I turned and wasn’t surprised when Niall walked with me. “I don’t trust him Winter.” I nodded because I know what he meant by that because I was feeling the same thing.
“I know but if he is our ticket out of here, we really don’t have a choice, do we?” I took the stairs down to the kitchen and was surprised when Niall didn’t accompany me, I turned to look at him and he was smiling. “I have to go back and train but I will ask the guards.” He said before disappearing. I walked into the kitchen and wasn’t surprised to see everyone really busy and I was happy about this because it meant that I wasn’t standing out. I grabbed a knife and helped chopping some vegetables. “Can I ask you something?” I asked the girl next to me who immediately nodded yes.
“Can you tell me were the Blackwood’s are living?” I asked without looking up and the girl was quiet for a few seconds and I was afraid she hadn’t heard me correctly. “Yes, It’s two days from here, going north.” I nodded because that really helped. “Thank ye and uhm, do they live in a castle?” I tried again in the hope she would still not recognize me.
“Yes they do, it’s a massive black castle, tucked away in the woods with big walls protecting it.” Apparently it was a scary castle as she sounded afraid. This made me curious because I had never read anything about a black castle. “A black castle you say? How strange.” I walked away and the moment I saw Niall, he walked towards me. “What did you find out?” He asked me. “It’s two days from here and the castle is black.” I told him and he nodded with a thoughtful expression. “Okay, so we have to get there within two weeks.” He was thinking out loud and I kept quiet while he was pacing the room.
“We could ask if we could go on a honeymoon for five days.” I suggested and that made him stop. “That’s a good idea, let’s ask him right away.” He started to pull me along with him and when we entered John’s chamber, he had some company, the girl was half naked and not embarrassed at all. “What can I do for you two?” He asked slightly out of breath, which disgusted me even more.
“We would like to have a honeymoon for at least five days, starting now.” Niall didn’t really ask but I saw John narrow his eyes. “You are not running away are you?” He asked us with suspicion, but that wasn’t it at all but we couldn’t really tell him why we wanted to leave. “Of course not, we’re coming back to help you out but after the war we do want to go back to Ireland.” Niall told him and John nodded thoughtfully. He dismissed us with the wave of his hand and Niall quickly grabbed my hand and pulled me with him before John could change his mind.
We packed some stuff, not too much as we were traveling by horse, which would be a disaster if I couldn’t rise but luckily for me I had lessons when I was a kid. I changed into leather pants, a corset was still required and on top of it I had a loose shirt, which was tucked into my pants. I had boots and a cloak to keep me warm. I was just about done when Niall appeared in the opening of my door.

I joined him and together we walked towards the stables and after readying the horses, we started our journey to Castle Blackwood.

Notes