I had to restart my computer ten times today, because of all the blasted Adobe Acrobat updatesc
Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*
Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks
Chapter 3
The next day, or whatever it was, when Sir Sidney came to take him away, he very politely said that perhaps he would cede the crown in favor of one of his brothers. Sir Sidney nodded, and said that it was good that he would defer to his betters, but that disobeying the Kingfs law carried harsh punishment, and slid a dagger between his ribs.
Needless to say, he quickly scrapped that plan.
Now, he cloud-watched and tried to ignore the shouts from below. He needed a few minutes to rest and think before he had to go to the castle again. Hopefully, he would not die, but then, who knew?
Still, he could not stay on the hill forever. Whatfs that you say? The Kingfs dead and hefs named me as his Heir? Why yes Ifd love to go to the Palace with youc.
Of course, things did not go as planned this time. Since he had foregone the dressing up, being dragged into the room amidst a fanfare of trumpets, the Queen was as rude as ever.
gWe should kill him.h She said.
Red paled. gToo many people have seen me.h
gMaybe, maybe not.h She spoke, and then the last thing he felt was Brunofs sword chopping his head off.
Red sighed. He had failed four times in succession. What was he missing? There had to be something wrong. Had he missed a step? If so, then why was he still straggling along here? What did he need?
Perhaps it had something to do with his missing father?
It was worth a try.
So as he walked down the hill and listened or Sir Sidneyfs speech again, he told his mother that he couldnft leave without saying good-bye to his father.
Sir Sidney stamped his foot and huffed angrily, but it was all for naught. Besides, Red was no longer interested in acting pleasantly towards this man. After all, he was rude!
It was a pity though. He had not yet met the other counselors (if his father had any) and making a bad impression on Sir Sidney while he was going to be future king, wellc
Perhaps he could fire him later if he proved too annoying?
His father soon came running from the bog, and Red blinked as he was swept up in a hug. It was not at all what he had expected. The man was broad chested and smelled of moss, but was not at all unpleasant.
He almost felt sad, or at least his character did. He hastily blinked his tears away and said no more.
gNow,h His Father said, as they invited Sir Sidney inside for a cup of tea – he declined with a proud sniff – sitting down, gItfs been so long. It feels like just yesterday that you were brought to us, just a little bundle all wrapped up in a blanketch
Red nodded, feeling a bit melted himself.
gThe midwife said that you were the child of a servant girl who had died in childbirth.h
Red frowned, but motioned for his father to go on. He wondered a bit, why it all felt so realistic but paid it no mind.
His Father lowered his voice. gAs your birth mother had no other relatives at court, your aunt Erika, who was the kingfs gardener, suggested to the King that we might take you in. The king knew that at court your life would be in danger because the queen was obviously not pleased by the idea of your competing with her own children.h
Well, that was interesting. Red filed the note away for further reference as his mother chimed in with a statement of her own.
gAlso, the queen taught her children to only love her. They do not even c get along with each other. Of course, this is all rumor.h She added hastily.
Red filed that remark away also, amazed that he had not thought to take this path sooner. Why had he been so eager to go to court?
Well, now it was done.
His father glanced out the window at Sidney, who was yawning as he sniffed his scented handkerchief hard. gThe midwife who brought you to us also brought something else, Red.h
gReally?h Red asked. He leaned forwards slightly, determined not to lose a word of the conversation.
gYes.h his father said. gA ring.h
A ring?
gA magic ring.h His mother added excitedly.
Well! That was good to know. He had assumed it was some keepsake to prove himself as king, but this sounded much more interesting and useful.
Besides, if all he had was a normal ring, Lugia knew what Queen Phoebe might do. Steal it? Kill him and then take it from his dead body?
He shuddered.
Perhaps that was the reasonc a magic ring would be useful. Red wondered what it would do. Perhaps he could fly with it, or turn invisible, orc.
gWhat kind of magic does it do?h
gShe didnft say.h His father shook his head. gShe only said that she would give it to you if you were ever summoned to court.h
gLike now?h
gYes.h His father gave him another hug, and that seemed to be the end of the conversation. His mother handed him a slightly squashy packet of sandwiches, and he promised to send for them when he became king.
gBut where is the midwife?h He asked, just as he and Sir Sidney were about to ride away. His father slapped his head.
gI knew I had forgotten something. Here.h
Before Red knew what was happening, something cold and hard had been pressed into his hand. Sir Sidney glared at him impatiently, but his father frowned.
gHefs your new king now, little man. Stop pressuring him.h He thundered.
Red almost gasped in amazement as Sidney suddenly became very quiet, with a eYes, Your Highness, would you like help mounting?f to him. He supposed it was probably because of the size difference. His father was a head taller and several times broader than the painted twig Sidney was.
It was only after they had ridden away when he realized that his father had given him the ring, and secondly, that he had no idea what type of magic it did.
Oh dear.
End Chapter
Completed 8/17/06
I have no idea why I keep referring to Red as eherf, reallyc.