It was early morning when she awoke excited she was finally ten and six today.  Gavin promised he would take her to go to a festival celebrating Beltaine. There would be troubadours, music and dancing.

She immediately put her robe on and bolted out the door towards Gavins chamber. With a brief knock she waited for him to answer. Biting her lips impatiently she stood there.  Not wanting to wait any longer she pushed open his door.

Slowly she entered the dark chamber and looked around. The little morning light gave a low glow for her to see his large frame in bed. She padded over to his side and she looked at his large frame, he was intimidatingly large and muscular. His skin was bare beneath the sheets. She felt a confusing feeling looking at him this way. His bare muscular back faced her.

Nervously she gently nudged his warm back.

"M'lord, wake up." she shook him.

He did not move.

With a sigh she nudged him harder. He groaned with a snort then turned on his back.

Her eyes looked at his face and she stared at if for a minute. He was very handsome. Nothing mared his image. She caught a  glimpse of his muscular chest and taut stomach to the edge where the blanket hung low on his hips. Her eyes slowly roamed over him.

Again that unusual feeling came this time,  it quickened her heart. She immediately shook her head.

Determined to wake him. She shook him again.

"M'lord, please wake up." she sighed.

With a moan he opened his eyes slowly and looked at her.

Silently he watched her fidget at his serious glare for waking him up.

She lowere her gaze.

"You promised to take me to the festival today." she spoke softly.

He moaned with a sigh wiping his face, trying to shake the sleep from his eyes.

He watched her give a sullen pout.

"You forgot ?" she asked.

For a silent moment he watched her eyes lower sadly at the thought that he forgot his promise.

" No little one, I did not forget, " he pointed out.

Sitting up he leaned on his pillows and gave a sleepy half grin.

"It is just very early," he added with a yawn.

"We will leave after we break our fast." he said.

With a wide smile that beamed from ear to ear,  before she knew what she was doing, excited she gave him a  warm embrace.

Time paused.

Her soft embrace awoke something in him. A gush of her sweet scent tickled his senses. Of their own will his hand caressed her back lightly.

His eyes met the twinkle in her eyes as she lowered her lips and kissed him on his cheek and it immediately quickened his heart.

Before he could gather his whits, she skipped softly out of his room.

He squeezed his eyes shut angry at his bodies reaction to her embrace.
You liked it, admit it.

With a curse, he brushed away the wicked thoughts clouding his mind.

It was an innocent act of gratitude nothing else he reminded himself.

With a groan he tossed his covers aside and stood to get dressed.

******

Naan chattered with so much happiness while getting her ready for the day. She  was so impatient that Naan  had to pull her back to her chair to finish combing her hair.

Taking one last look at herself in the mirror she saw Gavin at her door. She looked up at him and walked towards him. Silently he offered his arm to her.

"I thank you for this," she said softly, giving him a beautiful smile.

Gavin responded with a nod and smile that warmed her heart.

*******

After their breakfast, together they strolled out towards the stables where horses were waiting. Helping her mount her horse he signaled the few escorts of security to follow. They rode out the gates side by side into lush green pasture. Realizing to herself as they went deeper into the woods that she has never seen the beautiful scenery this far in the day.

He saw her eyes light up at the sight of birds flying nearby chirping and taking in the sight before her as if she was seeing all of this for the first time.

They finally arrived into town and were greeted by juggling and music.

He dismounted quickly then went to help her down.  All the music and cheers of the towns people engaging in the festivities called her closer.

With his permission he watched as Megan one of the servant girls from the keep come close and asked Brienna to join her.

He watched from afar how they all danced and giggled. It was the happiest he has ever seen her.

Over the year she changed he noticed. She seldom got in to any trouble. She was maturing before his eyes and it unnerved him.

The day led to games and more dancing. Ever so often she would look his way and waved. With a smile he waved back.

His men on his orders spread out to make sure all was safe.

The sun began to wane and little by little the younger children were ushered away by their mothers. The nights festivities beckoned more for the young woman and men. Slowly she walked towards her horse looking back at the bonfire being lit in the clearing as the music continued.

"Why can we not stay?" Giggling she skipped towards Gavin holding on to his arms.

Panting she stood before him.

Smiling down at her giddy look. Her hazel eyes held a light that he could not explain.

"Tis time we leave, it is no time for a young lass to be out at this hour. Specially during this night." He tapped her nose.

Glancing at him sideways she skeptically questioned his decision.

Breathing in for a moment...he hesitated about explaining that the nights festival was all about unabashed sexual promiscuity and how the maidens and lads would go off frolicking in the woods to assuage their sexual needs.

The thought of her doing that very same thing did not sit well with him.

Clearing his throat he gave her the only excuse that could come to his mind.

"Tis dangerous, marauders, cut throats and drunkards would be around, surely not safe for a young maiden." his heart thumped at such a lie.

Before she could question him she was quickly lifted above her horse onto its saddle. With one last glance at the bonfire that was being built she turned and followed an awaiting Gavin and they road off towards the keep.

******

Pulling up to the gates he waved to the tower guard as they rode in. Slowing down his horse he sat and watched the stable boy come near to grab the reins to Brienna's horse. Turning her head towards him she noticed that he stopped at the entrance gate. She pulled lightly on the reins that stopped the horse and stable boy.

"Are you not coming m'lord? Is something wrong? She asked.

With a smirk, he nodded.

Dismounting his horse, he decided it was best to walk her through the entrance of the greathall.

Naan greeted them at the door with a smile.

"My child did you have a good time?"

Nodding with a smile Brienna  walked towards her as Gavin followed them to the steps.

He spoke to Naan and told her to take care of Brienna.

Puzzled Brienna  looked at the both of them. Turning on his heel he walked back out the front door.

Walking together up the stairs, Naan walked with her to her chamber.

As she helped her undress Brienna turned to look at Naan.

"Naan, Where is Lord Gavin going?

And where is everyone?

Silently Naan walked with her to the side of the bed where she pulled the blanket aside and fluffed the pillow..

"You my child must be abed, everyone one is out and about," Naan said.

Laying Brienna back she busied herself tucking her in and ignoring her now pouty look.

"But I would like to go," Before she could continue to protest Naan clucked and wagged her finger.

"Nay my child, such festivities are not for ye."

With no further details or explanations. Naan quickly blew out the candle at Brienna's bedside and bid her good night a gentle kiss on the head and walked out the chamber. After hearing the soft click of the closing door, Brienna layed awake thinking back to the large fire that was built before they were leaving.

Curiosity was getting the best of her and she was not happy they were not explaining what was so special about this evening that she could not go.

The thoughts rolled in her head as she continued to stare into the dark ceiling. Her eyes grew heavy waiting and laying there.

The night grew further and she was falling into a deep sleep when a light snicker and giggle came from the other side of her door. Rubbing her eyes she quickly blinked to look around. Again the giggling came and two familiar voices whispered enough to hear some of what they were saying.

"Mags, hurry before they leave us," the familiar voice of Anne rushed.

"Wait I must retrieve my cloak," Mags whispered.

Standing at the door Brienna  hesitated then slowly pulled open her door.

She met the startled eyes of Anne.

Quickly Brienna begged her to hush putting her finger to her lips.

Anne walked closer towards her, looked down both ways of the corridor.

"Mi'lady what are you doing up?" Anne whispered.

Licking her lips quickly she breathed out.

"Are you leaving for the bonfire?" Brienna looked at the shocked stare of Anne.

Fumbling for an explanation as to where she was going uneased her not only because it was her mistress she was answering but, because she was too young to know of what the nights affair was about.

"Aye, mistress." She answered carefully

"Good, I want to go along," Brienna  quickly blurted out.

Shaking her head in disbelief at the request. Anne began to stammer.

"But, m'lady you can not."

"Tis not proper, your only a child," Anne whispered.

"I am ten and six, girls of nobility are married at my age," she corrected.

Anne stood in awe at Brienna's determined request. It was no secret that she was a difficult girl to deal with yet sweet in appearance and no doubt nature but, she had her stubborn ways that got her in to her share of trouble.

"So you will help me?" Brienna impatiently begged.

Baffled and not able to reply her silence was taken as a yes. In that instant Mags appeared at the door startling them both.

Surprised to see them both she was quickly pulled into the room.

"Are you mad Anne?, The both of you have gone mad. Lord Gavin would surely have us punished," Mags whispered  in disbelief.

Shaking her head to assure them, Brienna blurted.

"Nay, no one will ever know, I swear it," she promised.

Looking at eachother Mags looked for Anne to disagree in this impossible plan that could surely get them the guillotine.

"Look I can go in disguise " she gently tugged at Mags cloak.

"No one will know tis I."

"It will only be a quick visit and I will return immediately," Brienna clasped her hands together in a soft plea.

They both sensed she was not going  to give up this madness. Worried glances looked at each other over then back at Brienna.

They slowly gave into her plea but, warned her and gave her rules before they helped her get dress. Mags stood watch for the guards in the hall.

With little effort on the watch and security they were able to sneak out the hall into the bailey.

Waving to the tower guard they quickly walked out over the bridge.

Stopping ahead they began to fix Brienna' cloak.

"Now remember m'lady you stay close, do not show your face or speak. Here Mags has agreed to return you within the hour"

They looked up at the moon and Starry night.

Giddy with excitement and intrigue of the unknown she followed behind the two.

"We are for sure going to hell for  this," Anne's worried murmur caught Brienna's ear.

With a soft giggle she continued to follow them.