The Lesson

By ABs and Donna

Melissa had been doing a pretty good job of avoiding Brenda's watchful eye. The first day she was in the realm, she had "ditched" her surrogate mother to seek out some VIMs, asking them (in case she got caught) if they could teach her to ride. They all said yes, of course, but repeated what Brenda had said about it being too late in the day.

Melissa had pouted prettily and had gotten quite a lot of sympathetic male nods, and that had made going back to her room a little easier.

The next morning, she repeated her request for riding lessons, but the resulting squabble between the men, all saying they wanted the honor, led Brenda to decide that she should get riding lessons from an outside source. So, after a few calls were made, arrangements were made for someone named Ramirez to meet her at the livery in Maidenhead for her first lesson. Sir Patrise immediately volunteered to escort her into town, and that started another loud *discussion*.

Brenda opened her mouth again, but Melissa's face was already grey with ill humor, and the knights looked like they were going to explode. Rather than risk a lance through her body, the Manor's landlady relented and let the young woman go off to the town with an escort.

They arrived in Maidenhead in a foul mood, all of them. Even Sir Patrise, who was normally of good spirits. Robert Dudley was particularly sharp tempered; he was charming when it mattered, but could easily turn moody. And since he was the riding instructor, he was saw this as a personal affront to his abilities.

Melissa's mood brightened a bit though when she saw her instructor waiting for her, holding a beautiful snow-white mare at his side. He was dressed in 16th century finery, complete with a peacock cloak, and when she approached, he doffed his hand and bowed at the waist, taking her hand to kiss it as he introduced himself and said in his rich, suave voice, "I am at your service, milady."

Watching from the edge of the little arena, the men who had escorted her into town all tightened their jaws. All they needed was more competition, especially from such a lady's man as Ramirez!

In truth, Melissa was not interested in Ramirez the way her escorts *thought* she was. Being a HUGE fan of Highlander, Melissa was just absolutely floored to be in his presence. But she wasn't interested in him the way she was the younger VIMs. Still, their reactions to him gave her the idea to play it up for all it was worth. Could she do much better than to have them all get jealous?

It didn't help the seething emotions of the men any at all to have Ramirez turn in their direction and wink at them before taking Melissa over to her mount.

"This lovely lady is called Downland Love-in-the-Mist, and she is Welsh in origin. Her manners are impeccable, and if you trust me and her, you will find yourself learning to ride in no time." Melissa eyed the little mare, which stood waiting patiently for her with huge, gentle looking brown eyes. On her back was an English saddle, with the stirrups removed.

"How'd I get on the thing?" asked Melissa. "I thought you put your foot in the stirrups?"

"In a few days, you will be vaulting on board her like you had springs in your feet, but for today, I shall give you a leg up." He instructed her, step by step, where to place her hands and how to stand. Reaching down, he took her bent leg in his hand, and on the count of three he had her spring off of her other foot. When she did, it felt like for a moment she was flying, and then to her surprise she was suddenly sitting on the horse! She looked for the reins, but found none. Instead, the mare had a cavason on her head, a long lunge rope attached to it. "Today, milady, you learn balance," he said with an amused smile as she fidgeted in the saddle.

She cast a glance at Dudley, who looked smug. He wouldn't have frightened the dear thing thus!

Seeing the look, Melissa pursed her lips, getting control of her nervousness. After all, the little mare had not moved a muscle. She had just had stood there waiting for a command to move on. And she wasn't even that far off the ground, she noticed, glancing down. Ramirez nodded with approval as she started to relax. With firm but gentle hands, he corrected her body position, and she didn't miss the guys watching on the side almost turning green with envy to see him touch her.

Flashing him the smile she was just starting to appreciate, she said, "Why thank you . . . What should I call you?" Her eyes batted flirtatiously.

"Juan," he chuckled, then went on to explain the balanced seat to her, his hand lightly pushing on her bottom to get it further up in the saddle. She glanced up, half expecting to see one of her knights running into the arena in outrage, but none of them did so. If anything, they were just standing there, wishing it were their hand that had done the honor. Turning her attention back to her teacher, she tried to do as he had told her. He clucked at the mare, and she moved forward in a smooth walk in a small circle around Ramirez. "Place your hands on your hips and search out your point of balance," he called out. It took her a moment, and a couple of wild grabs for the mare's abundant mane, but eventually she made it around several laps with her hands firmly placed on her hips.

She was very proud of herself. She knew she had to learn how to ride on the realm, if she were to get around, but she was mostly asking for lessons so she could get to know her little band of admirers a little better. Brenda's instructions had really annoyed her. But now she was thrilled that she was doing so well! She'd never thought she'd be able to do it!

She was even more proud of herself when she was able to ride with her hands outstretched out to the side, like wings. "Look at me, I'm an airplane!" she squealed, showing off for the watching men. But as she wiggled around in the saddle, she lost her balance and slid off the mare, bouncing on her bottom in the soft sand of the arena.

The mare immediately stopped, looking down at her curiously, as if wondering why she had fallen off. "Now, now, milady," Ramirez chuckled as he reached down to pull her to her feet. "B. A. L. A. N. C. E.," he said, spelling it out. "Lets try that again, shall we?"

Red faced, she started to get back up and found DeBracy, Patrise, and Dudley shoving Ramirez out of the way. In the time her teacher had taken to reach for her, the three men had dismounted and covered the distance between them!

But as much as she enjoyed their attention, she found herself determined to get back on board and do it right this time. "Gentlemen, gentlemen," chided Ramirez with an amused smile to see the three cocky roosters all vie for her favor. "The Lady is perfectly all right. Now, if you don't mind, may we continue the lesson?"

They all looked at her closely, to be sure Ramirez was right about her condition. Dudley boldly admired her bottom as the Immortal helped her into the saddle once more, and his fellow knights gave him odd looks at his temerity.

This time, Melissa paid attention to what she was doing, and easily mastered the movement, along with several others. But when she successfully repeated the gymnastics while the horse moved in a smooth trot around Ramirez, she felt so proud of herself she thought she would burst. "Now, my lady, for a little treat," Ramirez said. He instructed her to hold onto a thick hank of mane, and to her surprise the little mare lifted up into a canter on cue. It felt like she was in a rocking chair! As she went round and round, a huge smile crossed her face. This was fun! It was like the little horse was dancing on air underneath her.

She was elated! Now she wouldn't seem so awkward! A look back at her cheering section made her feel still better, when they seemed to be urging her on!

She was even more elated when she was able to stay upright and balanced as the mare slowed to a walk and then a halt. "Well done, milady," Ramirez said with a bright smile as she slid off and onto the ground, in what she hoped looked like a graceful dismount. "Well done indeed!"

Melissa gave a curtsey that had everyone applauding. She was having such a great time!