April showers was right.

Ella had been cooped up in the castle for ages studying and because of all the rain, she wasn't able to wander the grounds comfortably during breaks like she'd wanted to. Plus the stormy weather made Ella's arthritis act up. At least that's what she thought it had to be. Old age and all, she wasn't an expert but she'd heard enough of Gran's complaints to make an educated guess.

Today wasn't one of those rainy days, though. It was a bit cloudy but otherwise pleasant and that meant Ella was going to tuck her textbooks away and take advantage. And so the eighteen year old pulled on a light jacket and made her way down to the Black Lake. She figured it'd be a nice place to go and think. ...Or not think. ...Yeah, definitely not think.

Once there, Ella quietly made her way onto the dock. She wanded down a ways before slowly lying on her stomach, face just peeking over the edge of the dock so she could see into the water below. This was nice. Quiet and nice and just what she needed right now.

Man, she was going to miss this.