(Thank you. I found it all by myself with Google curtsy)
Eleanor emerged and shut the door to her room behind her. "Let's go," she said eagerly. Of all the things to do, she had to choose to ride horses on the day her legs were the sorest they'd ever been. But you're riding horses with Thomas, she told herself.
Thomas gave a soft smile and nodded, offering his arm as he did every time he escorted her somewhere. Though the thought of her needing a little help because of last night briefly crossed his mind. Not that he would ever mention it.
Eleanor slipped her slender arm through his and paced down the hall with her chin slightly lifted. She was gaining more confidence despite the ache between her thighs. Surprisingly, it wasn't as noticeable anymore.
Thomas smiled again, briefly, at her more assured posture before forcing himself to resume a neutral expression that was typical of any guard.
Eleanor approached the gate that lead out to the stables. "I've asked for my horse to be prepared," she said quietly to the guard at the door.
He essentially ignored her, quiet and meek by her guard's side, and the man looked to Thomas for confirmation to proceed.
The Queen couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
“Get moving.” Thomas said firmly, giving the other guard a stern look and a sharp nod to get on with it. He wasn't going to waste his time with this since the other man wasn't worth it. Though he wished he could reassure the Queen.
Eleanor's eyes shone briefly, but it was quickly gone. The guard was already moving to give orders to the stable boy to prepare the horses for the queen and her guard. Once that was done, he returned to his original post, gave a nod to Thomas, then gave the queen a very quick up-and-down. It was so quick, it was almost indistinguishable.
Thomas’s scowl at the guard deepened at the guard's disrespectful action. But decided not to say anything about it at the moment. Letting out a frustrated sigh, he nodded more politely at Eleanor and walked with her toward the stables.
Eleanor stiffened uncomfortably as they walked. She didn't say a word until the stable boy rounded the corner, leading a caramel-colored horse behind him. Her face broke into an uncontrollable grin, and she reached for the reins. "Hello," she murmured excitedly while stroking her horse's mane.
Thomas raised a concerned brow at how tense Eleanor was but let himself relax, for now, when their horses were brought out. He was barely able to hold back a chuckle at how she lit up as she saw the animal as he took the reins of his own dappled-grey stallion. “Are you ready, my Queen?” he asked, offering to help her into the saddle.
"Yes," Eleanor replied, placing her small hand in his and appreciating his help getting up onto her horse. Once she was in the saddle and ready, she sighed with relief. Thank the gods she hadn't embarrassed herself by falling off or being incompetent with even getting on. "Shall we be off?" she asked, looking over to see if Thomas had mounted his steed yet.
Once he was sure that she was safely on her horse, he quickly mounted his in a practiced fluid motion and nodded at her question. “Lead the way, your Majesty.” he said, giving her a brief warm smile. Fortunately, everyone else seemed to miss it.
Everyone except Eleanor, who had to bite the inside of her lip to keep from giving him a similar response in return. The space in between her legs ached, but she ignored it as she spurred her horse out of the stables and toward the path that horses took. It looped around the scenic castle grounds, which was just the distraction the queen needed for the day.
Thomas didn't wait for more than a second after Eleanor took off before following. It had been a while since he's ridden for enjoyment and not as part of his job. But this… This was sure to be fun.
Eleanor couldn't resist the grin that spread on her face as the wind took her hair off her shoulders and blew it back as she rode. The air smelled sweet and fresh, much more enjoyable compared to the dingy, musty smell that most of the castle's hallways emanated. She even let out a small laugh as she urged her horse around a bend in the trail, glancing over her shoulder just briefly to see if her guard was keeping up.
Thomas let himself smile a little as he heard her soft laugh and spurred his horse to walk beside hers.
Eleanor noted his action and slowed her horse down to match his pace. A few seconds of silence passed between them before the queen was sure they were out of earshot from any other guards. "I love riding," she said quietly. "It's been my favorite thing to do since I arrived here."
Thomas nodded slightly, keeping up the posture of a guard, but he was smiling a little more. “It is very nice.” he agreed softly. “I haven't been riding as much as I would like but I do enjoy it when I get the chance.”
Eleanor nodded and directed her gaze up to the castle's ramparts. "I feel as though I'm caged here," she mumbled. "Riding has been the only thing that has made me feel free." The queen cast a look over her shoulder and offered a small smile. "Until I met you, I suppose."
Thomas did his best to fight back the blush her words brought to his face, nodding a little. “I… You are not the only one who has felt trapped here.” he assured her in a whisper. “But I'm glad that you have found some relief from that with me.”
Eleanor tried not to smile too much. The guards on their posts always watched her like a hawk during her rides. It was like they suspected if, given the chance, she would run. But instead, she sat up straighter in her saddle and nodded subtly. "And I hope, if I may be able, I can provide the same relief to you, Thomas."
Thomas manages to keep his face from giving away anything to the other guards but his eyes sparkle with warmth as he looks at Eleanor. “You have.” he assured as he brings his horse closer in step with hers.
The queen dipped her head ever so slightly and studied his face in the daylight. “I’m glad,” she replied, cutting herself off while another guard on a horse came around the bend heading towards them.
He came riding at the pair rather aggressively, causing Eleanor’s horse to startle and rear up slightly. She gasped quietly and tightened her grip on the reins, so she didn’t fall off. What a sight that would be, she thought while her horse settled down. A queen, face-first on the ground because she couldn't control her own horse.
She patted the brown mane and breathed a quiet sigh of relief that she hadn’t embarrassed herself before looking at the guard who was now stopped in front of them.
"What is the meaning of this?" she demanded, trying to sound as royal as she possibly could.
(I know I kind of threw this in, but would you want to be the other guard?)
(it's ok. I can do that.)
As Eleanor’s horse reacted, Thomas was just as quick to help grab the reins to keep it steady. But he let go once the Queen had it under control. The other guard was actually Thomas’s captain and a personal favorite of the King. Which unfortunately meant that Thomas couldn't do anything.
“The King wants to see you.” the captain said simply.
(Ahhh, stop that’s literally perfect! You’re the best! :))
Eleanor shot a brief look of gratitude toward Thomas before turning her attention toward the guard. His words stilled her instantly and sent cold sparks through her body.
“What for?” she asked, trying to look unfazed by the simple request.