They reached the castle the next day, after stopping outside the palace gates in a nearby barn for Kate to prepare to present herself before the prince. After everything they’d gone through on the rough journey to finally arrive here, enough of her belongings survived to make her fit to be seen. She dressed herself in a stunning dark blue gown, with silver jewelry and a silver cloak over top it all. She messed with her hair, trying to get it into a tight bun, but found it too knotty to do anything with without a brush, which was in the bag she dropped in the river. Frustrated, she gave up and tried to mount her stallion. She’d forgotten in those two weeks, however, how to mount sidesaddle with a dress on. Embarrassed, she called for Tarin who was waiting outside. “Um, can you give me a leg-up?” she asked uncomfortably. He came to her side, and tossed her gently into the saddle. She thanked him, and fixed the wrinkles in her dress and gown, laying them smoothly over her horse’s back. “I guess…I guess I’m ready,” she said nervously, looking down at Tarin.

He went ahead and announced her arrival to the guards at the causeway, and they opened two large wooden gates into the fortress. “Are you scared?” Tarin asked as they waited for the gates to open.

Her voice trembled, “Bloody terrified.”

“Don’t be.” The simplicity and calmness behind his voice comforted Kate. She closed her eyes and breathed in before spurring her black stallion onward. Tarin followed, leading the pack horse with her bags, and feeling terribly out of place. Kerry was nothing like his quiet village.

Before he realized it, Kate had stopped and before them stood the prince and most of his court. Tarin promptly put on the brakes to avoid crashing into the Friesian’s hind end. Kate acted like the perfect fiancé throughout the entire welcoming ceremony. Afterwards, the much older Prince Amos announced there would be a feast that night to celebrate Kate’s arrival. A servant came forth to show Kate to her room, so she dismounted and gave her stallion to a stable boy standing nearby. Tarin began to quickly unpack her belongings, and struggled to keep up with the servant leading Kate down a long corridor inside the castle. She glanced several times behind her, giving Tarin an apologetic look. Something didn’t feel right, now that she was here.

They arrived at her quarters, a beautiful suite draped in beautiful, vibrant fabrics. Kate shooed the servant out of the room, and Tarin set the bags down near her huge bed. She stood facing Tarin directly, and said, “Well then, that’s that.”

“Ay, that it is,” he chuckled, looking at the ground nervously.

“Will I see you again?” Kate asked inquisitively.

Tarin sighed, “Why would you? It’s quite a journey getting here. You know that.”

She nodded her head sadly. “Thank you. For tolerating me, and bringing me h—“ She stopped.

He looked up. “Bringing you home?”

She nodded, and began to cry quietly to herself. Tarin stepped towards her, and consoled her, “Hey, it’ll become your home. You’ll learn to like it here. I promise.”

Kate breathed in deeply, and sniffled. “I do hope so.” She wiped her tears away. “Tarin, I’m sorry I yelled at you earlier, in the forest. I hope you know—“

“I know you’re not some bratty royal, Kate. You’re much better, lass,” he said. He took up her hand, placed a gentle kiss on it, and galloped home the easy way on his simple minded pack horse.