Shepherding, Day 2

I slept better last night than I have in far too long. There was something about the stillness of the pasture that hastened me into sleep. It simply cannot be replicated in the palace, even when the city is quiet. There remains the awareness that someone somewhere is awake, and it cannot help but affect my own wakefulness. Out here, there is none of that. The sheep are asleep, the dog is asleep, and though various insects come awake in the night, their chirring serves rather to soothe than to startle.
It will not be hard for me to fall in love with this place.
I had an early start this morning, with the dog awakening me at dawn by a series of short barks. I leapt out of bed, certain that something had gone wrong. As it happened, though, that was merely his way of waking up the sheep and preparing them to go out into the fields again. I had not realized that was his responsibility, but I am glad he took that task upon himself, as I likely would have slept for some hours longer. It will still be quite some time before I'm adjusted to the new hours. Palace life has made me so soft.
The day with the sheep was a bit slow. I sat and watched them for a while, and when nothing of interest had happened for several hours, I got up and took a walk around the pasture. Boy came with me (I really must find a better name for him). He darted in front of me, and I allowed him to show me the best paths. (Or perhaps they were merely his favorite ones and not necessarily the best. It is hard to tell.) He seemed more resigned to my presence after that, even sitting beside me for a few minutes when we returned to the pasture. I rubbed his ears, and then he darted away, huffing slightly. I'm sure he'll warm up to me soon, though.
I will need some other occupation during my time here. Watching the sheep is hardly exerting. This seems the perfect time to continue my studies of Ancient Delorn. I still remember the basics of the language from secondary school, and it would be intriguing to refresh my memory and go deeper into my studies. I must remember to ask my father for them when Quill comes to check in.
But I am certain that I will enjoy this time. I almost wish I would never need to return to the palace. Is abdication a possibility? (That is a joke. Mostly.)
Needless to say, I certainly won't be one of those princes who wishes an untimely demise upon his father.