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Where the horses are held.

Elise came into the stables and immediately went to her horse and gave him the apple she had. "You like that?" She murmured. She turned to Oliver and grinned. "Want to ride together?" She said as she grabbed Max's saddle.

"Sure." Oliver grinned back at her, opening the gate to Liberty's stall. "Hey girl." he murmured, stroking her long, soft white mane.

Elise saddled up Maximus. She started to lead Maximus out of the stables. "You ready?" She asked Oliver with a smile. Elise pet Max's mane.

Oliver swung himself up onto his tall horse's back. He knew she didn't like saddles, so he tried his hardest not to use them. He smiled and gave Liberty a scratch on the neck. "Yep!"

Elise swung herself up onto Max's back. "Ready?" She asked him. She grinned at Oliver.

Without waiting, Oliver tapped his heels into Liberty's sides a couple of times and took off into the wide, grassy fields ahead of them. A large smile spread across his face as he did so.

Elise squeezed her legs into Max's side and Max raced after Oliver and his horse. Elise caught up with him and grinned. Her hair was in a braid, whipping behind her.

Oliver grinned back. "Race you to the woods!" he challenged. He already knew he wouldn't win--Elise was a much better rider than he was, and he wasn't as heavy so her horse could carry her faster. But that didn't mean he didn't want to try. The race was supposed to be just about fun, anyways.

Elise grinned and Max started to run. They ran to the edge of the forest and stopped. Elise turned Max around and waited for Oliver. Elise grinned and pet Max's mane. She saw Oliver stop. "I win," she said happily. "But I'm guessing you expected that," Elise said, grinning. "After all, I'm better with animals," Elise said with a smirk.

Oliver's chest was heaving, just as Liberty's was, as if he'd done all the running, though he was simply already worn out from training and now holding on to his horse so tightly. "I did," he admitted with a chuckle. "But that's okay. You stick to your horse, I'll stick to my bow."

Elise rolled her eyes. "Why are you so tired?" She asked, grinning. She turned her head and looked at the sunset. She commanded silently for Max to start walking, expecting Destiny to follow.

Oliver turned Liberty to follow Max with a sigh. "Already pretty tired," he admitted. "Plus, when you're heavy like me, it's hard to stay centered on a horse."

Elise laughed. "Oh come on it's not that hard!" Elise told him. "Dad does it all the time," she said, rolling her eyes. "And if you're exhausted you need to go and rest," Elise said gently. "Come on, let's head back," she suggested.

Oliver bit his lip. "No, I don't want to force you to come back with me. Let's keep on." he replied with a smile.

"Are you sure?" She asked, looking at her uncle. "I'm perfectly fine going back if you need to," Elise said, concerned. "We don't have to keep going. You don't have to pretend with me," she said gently.

Oliver shook his head enthusiastically. He would never admit to something that would disappoint those he cared about. "Let's keep doing this. It's nice to just spend time with you." he smiled at his niece.

"You're lying," she said cooly. "You should know not to lie to me," she said simply, sitting up tall. "You should know I can tell when you are," she pointed out. She turned her horse around and looked back at her uncle. "Let's go. Now," she said with a tone that demanded to be obeyed.

Oliver sighed and rolled his eyes mockingly. Then he laughed. "You have your mother's command voice, you know that?"

Elise smiled. "I know. But I'm being serious. Let's head back," she said calmly, but firmly. She waited to see what he was going to say before she headed back. She didn't want to leave him in the dust.

"Oh, alright." Oliver replied, grinning. He turned Liberty around so they were facing the castle once again. Liberty began to walk back, and he looked behind him to see if Elise was following.

Elise followed him and sped up, catching up. She grinned. 'I love getting my way,' she thought. She guided her horse so that he matched Oliver's horse's pace.

They returned to the stables, and Elise bid her uncle goodbye. "Get some rest!" She reminded him. She turned and left after putting her horse back in his stall.