Downtime....Hopefully...

Ciaran was free! Well, for now.

Ciaran's uncle had finally gone off his rocker and had made him train almost non-stop this past fortnight. He couldn't understand why. He couldn't see any battles or wars in the future. Calormen was the most of their worries, that he knew of anyways, and even that only took a half dozen soldiers or so do deal with the few rogue Calormens that decided to press their luck. Even the giants were behaving themselves for. (This, in itself, was weird for Ciaran but he thought it a good thing). Atually nos that he was thinking the fact that Narnia and Archenland had been so peaceful since the Battle of the White Witch is what could have made his Uncle fly off the handle. He always noticed that his Uncle needed a good battle or war to keep him happy. Maybe that's what made him go all bonkers or maybe he knew something that Ciaran did not or just missed because he wasn't paying attention.

Ciaran shrugged his shoulders at the thought as he made himself comfortable on the small strip of beach that ran along Glasswater Creek. True it was a mystery that needed to be solved, and he was the curious sort, but right now his Uncle's oddities was something he wasn't in the mood to think about. Right now he just want to relax.

Every muscle in his body was sore. Ciaran also was pretty sure that he was feeling the pain of some muscles that he didn't even knew existed. What was his Uncle thinking of getting him to use a mace? It was ubsurd! He was never going to use one. Especially one that was as awkward as the one his Uncle made him use.

"ARRRRRRGGH!" Ciaran randomly screamed out loud. It was his Uncle that had made him all frustrated and annoyed and yet he couldn't stop thinking about him.

Ciaran needed to find a way to distract himself. Standing up he went to the edge of the water to gaze into it. This water was safe to drink despite all the creatures that dwelled with it he dunk his head in and lifted it out giving it a good shake as he did so. He was then contemplating a swim or a bath when all of no where a large splash that started a good 20 feet away doused him in water.

What the..?! he thought.

Slicking his wet hair back with his hands he kneeled down to take off his boots. He was going to find out what had fallen into the water.

Where had it come from anyway? The sky?

I'LL WEAR SHADES ON SUNLESS DAYS,
AND WHEN THE SUN'S OUT I'LL STAY IN AND SLUMBER. OH, ALL FOR THE SAKE
OF FOOLISH LOVE. CAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HOLD YOU AND FEEL SO HOPELESS
I WILL TAKE MY COFFEE BLACK. NEVER SNACK. HANG WITH THE WOLVES WHO ARE
SHEEPISH. FLOW THROUGH THE VEINS OF TOWN - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A young blonde haired girl sat atop a large black horse. They moved together as one, moving at a slow easy pace. A nice walk. Many would recognize her by her long curly hair, her slender figure and the clothes she wore. For it was inded, Anna Tates, the princess of Archenland. She was out riding, her bow and arrow tucked into her sadle bag just incase she came upon enemy's. Anna was an expert archer, her mother had tuaght her every skil she knew. Her clothes were indeed a little bit dressy to be weraing while riding. But never the less. Anna hardly worried if she would ruin her dresses, she had plently more back at the castle. She smiled to herself, pushing a lone curl form her face. The sun was shining through the few trees that surrounded the area.

Anna was headed to her favorite place in Narnia. Yes, the one she often found comfert in. Glasswater creek was a nice quiet warm place. One of her favorites. She was of course in Narnia with her mother, who had come to visit the Pevensies and the Cair. She loved traveling placese with her mother. Yes, indeed. And she had no reason not to come. With Peter Pevensie around and all. And the other Pevensie's truly felt like her siblings. She continued on towards the creek when a loud yell sounded in her ears. It echoed off the forest trees, making it even louder. Her horse started and she sat deeper in the sadle to cotrol him.

"Shhhh Desperado. Quiet boy. It's alright..." she murmmered, looking around to see where the noise had coem from. Her eyes landed on the creek, not a few strides away. She could see no one around it but Anna was fairly sure that was the direction it had come from. Well hiden from the trees she reached into her bag and pulled her bow out, placing an arrow on the string. SHe wouldnt shoot at whoever it was, no just near enough to scare them and let them know she was here. For she did not yet know if they were friend or foe. Silently she raised the bow to her ear and shot very high, so the arrow soared above the trees and into the creek with a loud splash. She sat back wiating to see what happened.

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STATUS: COMPLETE ?!
TAGGED: CIARAN MACKENZIE?!
LYRICS: FOOLISH LOVE BY RUFUS WAINWRIGHT ?!
TEMPLATE: LEENA. AT CAUTION ?!

Ciaran had his armour off and was down to his leggings and tunic He was just about to dive into the creek to take a swim when something splashed in the middle of the creek. Since he already had his armour off and put safely away from the creek so that it wouldn't rust he decided to see what had hit the creek.

Great, He thought. Just what I needed on my downtime; an investigation.

With his mixed feelings of a piqued curiosity and wanting just to chill on the beach he swam towards the spot where the initial thing had landed. When he didn't see anything floating on the top he took a deep breath and dived. There towards the bottow was an owl with and arrow pierced under right wing. Grabbing the injured bird he swam back to the surface and then to the shore.

He surveyed the bird and the arrow. The arrow was familiar he had seen it before as it was similiar to his arrow make only this one clearly belonged tp royalty.

What was an Arcenland Royalty doing here shooting at random? He wondered nd then he heard the owl weakly speak. "Aslan's mane," Ciaran said aloud as he heard hooves approach.

((ooc: sorry this was on the shorter side my nephew woke froma nightmare and i wanted to at least post something))

I'LL WEAR SHADES ON SUNLESS DAYS,
AND WHEN THE SUN'S OUT I'LL STAY IN AND SLUMBER. OH, ALL FOR THE SAKE
OF FOOLISH LOVE. CAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HOLD YOU AND FEEL SO HOPELESS
I WILL TAKE MY COFFEE BLACK. NEVER SNACK. HANG WITH THE WOLVES WHO ARE
SHEEPISH. FLOW THROUGH THE VEINS OF TOWN - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Anna spied her enemy from behind the trees. Except he didn't look like an enemy. At all. He was a young boy. One who was only in a tunic and leggings. Anna blushed. SHe'd seen it before yes...but it made her feel slightly uncomfertable. She'd not a clue who the boy was, or which group he belonged too. He could be a calorman for all she knew. But she had arrows, he did not. She had teh upper had if fighting took place, becuase she also had a horse. So why not reveal herself? Taking a deep breath she pushed her horse forwards through the trees onto the bank of glasswater creek.

She drew herself up, an arrow to the string pointed at him. "Who are you? And why do you disrupt the peace of the wood around glasswater creek with your yelling?" she asked with a firm voice that showed who was in charge, but not harsh enough to cause anger or fear.

ooc; sorry mine is too!

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[LIST]STATUS: complete?!
TAGGED: cirian mackenzie?!
LYRICS: FOOLISH LOVE BY RUFUS WAINWRIGHT ?!
TEMPLATE: LEENA. AT CAUTION ?!

Ciaran had taken the owl and gently laid it on the sand. He then broke off the end of the arrow and swiftly, but gently, pulled the arrow out of the poor thing. He grabbed a strip of cloth from one of his saddle bags and carefully bandaged the bird up.

What in Aslan's mane, is an Archenland royalty doing shooting arrows at random. They should know by now that there are talking creatures all around Classwater Creek! Ciaran shook his head in frustration. The poor owl could barely hoot out a thanks let alone telling him what its name is. They should know that's it's against the laws of Aslan to injure or kill a talking beast.

Thoroughly frustrated and completely annoyed Ciaran picked up the owl and gently nestled it in Baringr's blanket. He then grabbed his canteen and carefully tried to get some water into the animal. Ciaran did not know that much about animals. He only knew that most animal wounds and sicknesses could be healed or administered to using the same methods as one would use on a human. The only difference was that each creature responded to treatment differently. Ciaran knew how to tell if a human was doing better or worse but he could not be sure about an animals. Ciaran had just managed to get a little down the owl's throat when he heard hooves approaching and then a female voice. A voice he would recognize anywhere as Princess Anna.

Still too annoyed about the owl Ciaran did not even bother to formerly greet the Princess nor did her bother to bow.

"Well, Princess Anna," Ciaran started frustration clear in his voice. "I am Sir Ciaran, a name you should know very well as I am a knight both of Archenland and Narnia. The very lad that served your father and King Lune in the Battle of the White Witch. And, if you must know I was relieving my frustration in a more positive way than hacking some poor tree or animal up." Ciaran continued as he tossed his sword into his hand with one graceful, swift move with his foot. "And you, Your Majesty should not be so airheaded nor hasty with that bow of yours. For you shot down that poor talkingowl into the Creek and I have no idea if it is going to live or not. Do you not know by now that there are talking beasts all around Glasswater Creek and that it is against Aslan's laws to harm or kill a talking beast in anyway?

Ciaran finished with his little speech. Doing his best not to stretch out his sword towards her. He did not want to threaten her nor frighten her in anyway. He just needed to get his point across. And as that was the most he had ever said at once in a very long time he hoped that she would get it.

Ciaran looked over at the owl checking how it was doing hoping that Princess Anna wouldn not condemn him for his burst of outrage. He usually knew how to control his temper but with being angry at his uncle and then this incident it had all come to a boiling point.

Anna was shocked to see the boy as she rode forward through the trees. She pulled her hores up harshly. It let out a soft snort. She sat atop her saddle, staring down at the young man. "Cirian..." she whispered in shock. Her eyes were wide as he spoke to her, not quite disrespectfully but on the verge. She had grown up with the boy, been educated with him until she moved into the castle. She'd not seen him in years. Her eyes became hard as he lashed out again. "Cirian I knew not that it was you. I didn't...recognize you. You've grown since I last saw you." she stated her head raised as she looked down at him. She let her mouth fall open in shock at hsi next words. "Well Sir Cirian, screaming is not exactly positive in my views. And I dont think I hack up trees or beat up on small animals either." she said in a controlled manner. Her eyes widened as she spotted a tiny bird lying on the beach with an arrow through its wing.

So she had shot and owl unintentionally. "Is that...that my arrow? I'll have you know that I did not shoot with any intention to hurt anyone. Merely to frighten whoever was yelling their head off, of couse not knowing it was you." sh regained composure at the end of her tiny speech. She hardly expected him to talk bak to her the Princess of Archenland. But he did. Her temper flared as he threw names and insults at her. "Do not state laws to me Cirian! I of all people know more than you ever will!" she hissed at him, moving her horse forward into the creek where he stood so she was closer to him. "I would watch your tounge if I were you Sir. Do not call me airheaded. I told you I had no intention to shoot the poor bird down. And don't you tell me what Aslan does. I know full well the consequences." she told him, staring at him evenly. Her horse was standing in the slow running creek now.

She thought he'd shut up by now, but as the boy looked up at her evenly, she saw his hand flinch towards his sword. He wouldn't pull it on her, he daren't. None the less, her next instinct she followed. She put an arrow to her string, dropping her reins and keepign control of her horse with her legs, strong and firm. "I suggest you act carefully Cirian."

Ciaran drew in great breaths to calm himself. He had gone too far and he knew it. However, he also knew that there was no way that Anna was going to do anything to him. They had fought constantly growing up; pravctically like siblings. It always seemed to end in some sort of stand off. Him with his sword her with her bow. Neither of them getting no more than a scratch or a bruise for injuries.

So, here it was, seven years later, that they found themselves in the exact same stand off as they were on the last day of school. Lorcan was ten and off to be his uncle's squire, and she, to finally take her place in the castle. She always did fancy that bow. Ciaran thought as the memories continued to play in his head of a simplier time, though the White Witch ruled the land.

Ciaran glared at the princess just for a moment longer, shoved his sword a few inches into the soft sand and ran to the horses side. He then reached up, pulled her off the horse and twirled her around.

"Anna! I could never stay mad at you for long!" Ciaran exclaimed. He had missed her too much.

"After all these years it still feels good to let out my frustrations on you for some reason." Ciaran continued on in a teasing voice.

Ciaran saw Baringr gallop over to come into contact with Anna's horse. As they too were friends. Secretly betting on which on of them would win the fight this time.

"Anna, you remember Baringr, don't you? He was just a pony when you last saw him, i think."

Ciaran took the bow and arrow from Anna just then. He unstrung the bow and then placed both bow and arrow back into the quiver and went to go show Anna that he had removed the arrow and carefully bandaged the bird so that i might yet live.

I'LL WEAR SHADES ON SUNLESS DAYS,
AND WHEN THE SUN'S OUT I'LL STAY IN AND SLUMBER. OH, ALL FOR THE SAKE
OF FOOLISH LOVE. CAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HOLD YOU AND FEEL SO HOPELESS
I WILL TAKE MY COFFEE BLACK. NEVER SNACK. HANG WITH THE WOLVES WHO ARE
SHEEPISH. FLOW THROUGH THE VEINS OF TOWN - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Anna stared at Cirian, her eyes boring into his. But as he dropped his stance a smile came across her lips. When they were younger, they'd often fought. Many squabbles and the ocassional testing of skills. But it had never gotten out of hand. The last time she'd seen her olf friend was when she was ten. And now here she was seventeen. The years had one by too fast. She laughed as he lifted her off her horse twirling her around in the river. She put her hands on his shoulders as he set her down. Her feet and the hem of her dress were wet but she did't care. She never rode in her good clothes anyways.

"Oh Cirian! I've missed you so much!" she laughed gently, huggin im tightly. She had always felt she could trust Cirian he was her only friend who was male that had never trie to kiss her. Though she welcomed when any boy admired her beauty now, at the age of ten she'd thought it ruthless and disgusting, unresponisble. Anna smiled at the young knight. "And mine on you Cirian. I knew you weren't mad at me nor was I at you. I was simply shocked to see you after all these years. What have you been up to?" she asked picking up her dress to she was able to walk the rest of the way out of the river. It would dry in no time.

She let him take her bow and place it back in her quiver full of arrows. She didn't let anyone touch her bow it was one thing she still had left of her blood father Stephan. It had been his mothers, and still after all these years it was in good as shape as ever. But she trusted Cirian with it. She quickly tied up her horses reins on the saddle so he wouldn't trip on them and let it run off with Cirians. "Of course I remember Baringr. The first time I met him he bit my arm!" she laughed softly as she reached the beach. "Thats Desperado by the way. He's my horse, but I didn't get him till about three years ago. A present for my 14th birthday from Lune and mum."[/] she explained sitting down on the beach.

She gazed up at her old friend. How good it was to see him again! [b]"Cy I've missed you so much." she whispered, looking at the owl on the beach with a smile. I tlooked as though it would be ok. She smiled at Cirian and reached out for his hand as she sat on the soft sand.

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[LIST]STATUS: complete?!
TAGGED: cirian mackenzie?!
LYRICS: FOOLISH LOVE BY RUFUS WAINWRIGHT ?!
TEMPLATE: LEENA. AT CAUTION ?!