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 Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 12:50 pm
Garrat had shaken his head and actually pet his head. Although the action was a bit surprising, but Nathan took it as Garrat's way of saying that he wasn't angry. Smiling some, the sick prince walked over to the tray of food and picked up a loaf of bread and a cup of tea and handed it to Garrat, "You should eat something. Your hand was cold.." he giggled. The boy didn't take any notice to his knight's recoil or that his action meant anything more. In the past, they had played and done more together, so there seemed nothing wrong with it. Plus, with the boy's recent encounter with Flegel, he assumed Garrat was just fixing his hair.
The food for breakfast looked delectable as usual. But despite the plentiful amount of food before him, Nathaniel went after the parchment paper and took it over to his drawing table with all of his paints and pencils. "...Garrat... if you could have any pet in the world.. what would you want?" he asked. A bit of an odd question. But after the interaction with the bird, he remembered all the other animals in the castle. His father even owned most of the horses.
Of course Nathaniel wanted a pet. But with the options that he was offered, he was allergic to all except a fish in a bowl. And of course, Minerva's cat snuck in and ate it. Although it devastated the boy, he got over it relatively fast. The fish was pretty to look at, but Nathan never could grow any attachment to it because you can't pet or hold a fish. So today, Nathan would attempt to draw whatever Garrat said..
Meanwhile, the family outside were playing and enjoying the lovely boat ride outside, while far in the distance tall dark clouds loomed in the distance. Still, the sun shown brightly and the birds chirped without a care in the world.
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Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 4:39 pm
Garrat was relieved that Nathaniel didn't comment on the pat. Actually, it seemed to have cheered the prince up, so Garrat was rather relieved that he was able to do so.
Taking some bites out of his bread, he pondered what animal he would have liked for a pet. He had never thought of owning a pet, mainly because there would be no time to take care of one. But if he did have one... "Sheep," he answered. He wouldn't mind a sheep. They could be left on their own as long as there were no predators around. Sheep also tended to be quite docile, so he wouldn't have much trouble with them. Garrat wouldn't mind a wolf either. He heard wolves can be quite loyal when trained well. "Perhaps a wolf, instead."
Garrat silently watched Nathaniel, as long as his back was turned, of course. His eyes softened a bit, but only momentarily. What would Nathaniel think if he knew his bodyguard's secret? Would it ruin what little of their friendship they had left? Would he despise him? Garrat didn't want to think about it. He needed to be content as he was now. It was better that way, he was sure.
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Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 7:38 pm
Garrat was already outlining a circle when Garrat gave his initial answer. Raising an eyebrow he looked back at his knight. A sheep? Sheep were domestic creatures meant for their wool and food. Garrat didn't seem to need a pet like that. But then again, Nathan believed that pets should reflect their owners. So because sheep were useful, perhaps that would fit Garrat? Still, thinking about it more, the soldier was much more cunning and reliable than a sheep. Sheep weren't reliable, sure they gave wool and food, but Nathaniel tried to ride one once when he was little and it and ran away... not reliable at all.
Then Garrat changed his answer to a wolf. Just the word already sounded better but it almost didn't quite fit. "Hehe, Nana tells me that wolves are dangerous and come to eat the village children at night. Thats why she doesn't let me go outside at night..." the prince's pencil scraped across the paper. "But all the books I've read about them, says that they are strong and that they need to be in packs in order to survive. So.." he took his charcoal pencil in hand, " you'd need two. So they could keep each other company... sort of like you and me... hehehe.." he laughed and then grew quiet again, his pencil moving on to another sheet of paper as he pulled away from his first drawing of two exquisite wolf heads.
"But I don't think I'm as strong as you are.. " he wasn't very strong at all. "I think ... well... I don't know.." he sighed and started drawing the body of a baby swan, all ugly with down feathers. He remembered of a story he once read about them. Still, Nathan smiled contently.
He began to try and change the subject when nature suddenly did it for him. A huge gust of wind blew across the courtyard and a loud booming of thunder could be heard. The young prince's head whipped around and looked outside. The tall clouds were drawing nearer and grew even darker in the distance. Thunderstorms were especially risky for everyone. Some took them as an omen from God, while Nathaniel thought they would be absolutely wonderful to play in. Of course he hadn't yet, but that certainly wasn't going to stop him from trying.
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Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 9:26 pm
Garrat was about to say something, but the thunder interrupted him. Going to the window, he saw the clouds approaching and noticed the royal family's boat leaving the lake. "Seems that a storm is due tonight," he stated as he closed the window. It wouldn't do to have the cold air chilling Nathaniel right now. If Garrat was to fulfill his promise to the prince, he needed to protect him from extended ailments.
There was still plenty of the day left. Spending it in silence would be unbearably boring, even if Garrat was used to it. Perhaps it couldn't hurt to be a little more talkative for today. "If the storm passes on by tomorrow, what would you like to do?" he asked Nathaniel, turning to look at him with a much less serious expression than usual.
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Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 11:19 pm
Nathaniel had pulled his attention from the window to his knight whom had just shut it. He had asked him a question that couldn't help but make the prince smile with joy and excitement. "Oh! Do you think we could go to the bakery? Oh and out to the country side? Or...-" Nathaniel got up and stumbled over to the closed window and looked out to the lake as the family began to pull in. "I want to go on the boat... And sail to the other side of the lake!" A dreamy look of hope twinkled in Nathaniel's eyes. The boy had never been in the boat before and always wanted to know what was on the other side. Of course, there was a reason why he'd never been on the small row boat with his family. For one thing, Nathan couldn't swim. First time the boy tried swimming, he nearly drowned. And second, because of his near drowning experience, his mother forever forbade him from going on the boat... So the likelihood of them going on row boating was rather slim. They'd need the Queen's approval first.
He happily turned his whole body and steadier himself on Garrat. Then, unexpectedly, he took Garrat's neck in his cold palms and smiled excitedly," Oh wouldn't that be wonderful! I'll be sure to persuade mother and you and I can go together! " the prince had everything already planned out as his pale hands now clung to Garrat's outfit, " It'll be splendid fun, won't it?! We've never been on the lake before. And now that I'm old enough, we can! We could even feed the fish in the lake or the Swans and their babies! Wouldn't that be exciting?"
Nathan was getting himself all worked up, so much so, he even began to cough. It wasnt a serious cough yet, but enough to cause the boy to cover his mouth with his sleeve. "And then, the rest of the day, we should spend outside, soaking in the sun until we can't stand the heat! Haha!" His cheeks were getting a bit warm from all the excitement and jumping about that he was doing. He began coughing a bit stronger this time, but despite having to cover his mouth with his nightgown sleeve, he still smiled, excited.
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Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2014 11:52 pm
Garrat let a small smile cross his face at Nathaniel's excitement, though he was a bit worried about tomorrow. Would Nathaniel be able to bear an entire day outside? The prince did have his healthy days, to be sure, but those days were rare. Perhaps if they were lucky, Nathaniel may have enough fun that his illness won't bother him so much. He might even forget that he gets sick easily. Wouldn't it be nice if he forgot and just enjoyed the day like everyone else?
Patting the prince's back to help him while he coughed, Garrat wondered if they might encounter an animal that wouldn't cause the young man to go into some sort of fit. It was clear that birds did not affect him, but they did not seem to like him either. Or maybe it was just parrots. Or only Flegel. In any case, the guard made his mind to visit the local pet shop while they were out.
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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 3:09 pm
Nathan clung to Garrat a little tighter than before as the coughing began to die down. The wind outside grew stronger as the day pressed on. The prince looked over and returned back to his drawing desk. He picked up the wolf picture and handed it to his knight. Now he really did have pet wolves, even if they were just drawings.
Down the hall, bickering and giggling could be heard along with Flegel's infernal squawking as Hamish and his best friend Richard went to their room. This sort of made Nathan frown and sit back down to finish his drawing an ugly duckling. His siblings had many colleagues and friends. The eldest, Joseph, was even to be married soon. But they were all healthy and could go outside and enjoy their lives. And all the while his best friend and he were always cooped up inside. Although it seemed wrong to think of Garrat as if he was some dog that needed to be walked, Nathan only wished he could give the best for his friend and his silence was just to keep quiet about how he really feels about Nathan's weaknesses. It made him choke a bit but he managed to hold back tears.
Just then, a loud rambunctious knocking came upon Nathaniel's room. "Prince Nathan, is Garrat there?" A woman's voice called from the other side. It was Rosa. She wasn't royalty, but she was Manuerva's best friend. Nathan enjoys her company sometimes but she could even be too much for the sick young boy. She came by mostly when the princess called to play with her, or for when she wanted to "flirt" with other castle guards. The only one she hadn't "gotten with" was Garrat and a new boy. But she really fancied the long haired knight. She'd do anything just to touch the man. Nathaniel would be lying if he said he didn't mind her being around Garrat, but she seemed to really like the knight and she was a good excuse for him to at least enjoy the sun, just a little but by being her escort. "Garrat! Come help me get Manuerva's cat!" She called from outside, knowing better than to just waltz right into Nathan's room.
The prince looked at his caring knight and giggled, wondering if he would want to go with her or not.
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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 7:43 pm
Garrat had to resist the urge to roll his eyes when Rosa came by. That girl just didn't seem to get the hint that the guard wasn't interested in her. Well, he did hear that those who resisted tend to be more appealing to the pursuer. It was an annoying, to be sure, but Garrat did not have the heart to tell her bluntly that he didn't appreciate her pursuits. The girl perhaps meant no harm.
"Did the cat get stuck in a tree again?" the guard asked, hoping that whatever was happening could be solved with a bit of advice. For one thing, he didn't want to leave Nathaniel alone, though he couldn't decide it was because he didn't want the prince to be lonely or he didn't want Nathaniel to get another chance to try to run off again. For another, Garrat didn't feel like getting his face scratched again by that cat. She had been rather irritable as of late.
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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 9:04 pm
Nathan looked at the knight and smiled, "I promise I won't leave.." He spoke meekly. Rosa grinned as she pressed her ear up against the door. "Well she's under a barrel in the stables and Manuerva left for the village and I want to play with her, will you help me?" She asked. She couldn't help but giggle at herself for the plan she had come up with.
Nathaniel gestured to his friend, " Go on... It'll be good to go outside for awhile. You should go... She's pretty " He whispered with a happy smile, that last sort of slipped out. " it'll only take a minute, Garrat" she beckoned again wondering if Garrat would follow her or not.
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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 10:01 pm
"She may be pretty, but..." Garrat whispered back, looking for any excuse to avoid Rosa at least for today, but could not finish his sentence. The woman may be pretty, but, again, Garrat wasn't interested. He would much rather stay with Nathaniel, even if it meant staying indoors all day. Aside from his job, he found the youngest prince to be of more pleasurable company.
"The cat is only under a barrel? Surely you can retrieve her yourself. They aren't that heavy," Garrat told Rosa through the door. It was a bit too odd that she would ask for his help when the only obstacle was a barrel. Then again, it wouldn't be surprising if she didn't want to get her hands dirtied with it, or even go near the stable. It was smelly, after all.
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Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2014 11:44 pm
Then, the unexpected from the women, "Oh, Nathaniel, please convince him. I need his help! Manuerva will return soon and she will wonder where Tibs is! Please!! I need his help just this one time~ Garrat's one of the best in kingdom and I want his help" she begged, folding her hands on the other side of the door. She said that the last time the cat got stuck in a tree.
Nathan's eyes were widened with a raised eyebrow and looked at his companion. It wasnt often when Rosa would play Nathan against Garrat, and usually nothing would come of it. But this time, The boy shrugged his shoulders and looked confused. What if she actually needed help, he couldn't just say no, could he? Nathaniel was about to ask her if the other boys would help her but she beat him to it and declared that Joseph was busy and both Richard and Hamish wouldn't help her...
Of course the second she'd see Garrat, she'd yank him down the stairs and to the stables; not willing to take any no for an answer. But innocent Nathaniel had no idea what she could be planning, " Uhhh.. It'd only be for a short while... You'd be right back, won't you ?" . He asked getting up and leaning Garrat 's arm.
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 12:38 am
Garrat sighed. It seemed nothing was going to convince Rosa to leave. Besides, she already had Nathaniel' support. "Alright, I'll help you get Tibs," he said, opening the door and half-expecting to be dragged off to the stables. He momentarily worried about Nathaniel's safety, but figured the prince would be alright. There had been no suspicious activity as of late, so he should be able to return to find everything in order.
Once they reached the stables, Garrat turned toward Rosa. "Well, which barrel is she in?" There were many there and he didn't want to have to look through all of them. He would much rather return to Nathaniel's side as soon as possible.
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 11:34 am
Nathan waved to his friend as he left with Rosa. When they entered the stables, it just wreaked of hay and oats, the horses that remained in the whinnied at the couple trying to find a missing Tibs. Rosa, brushed some of her luscious red locks out of her face and pointed over to a barrel by a large bail of hay.
She walked over to the barrel and before he could even touch it, she pushed on top of that bail of hay and played it off as she hurt her ankle. She had attempted to make him fall on the bail and thus make him vulnerable to her. "Ohh.. Garrat, I'm so sorry... It's just that, I think the cat got away scratched my leg~" she lied seductively and fell in the hay bail, pretending to faint. "Would you check it for me?" She asked, flashing her sparkling green eyes at him.
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 2:12 pm
Having been caught off guard, Garrat fell on top of the hay and soon found that Rosa was lying next to him, asking him to check her leg. "Perhaps it would be better for you to go to the healer for that," he suggested, averting his eyes. "He would have more knowledge about injuries than I do." It seemed this was another ploy to seduce him, and he really didn't want to bother with it today.
Then Garrat recalled Rosa mentioning that the cat ran off. Or maybe she wasn't in the stables at all. In any case, he just needed to convince Rosa to leave so he could return to Nathan's side. Oh, this was probably going to be the most difficult part. The woman didn't know when to give up.
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Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 2:45 pm
The woman slumped back into the hay bail. She was tired of this game and just wanted Garrat to herself. Finally she acted and drew close to the man, getting upper hand by sitting on top of him, straddling over him. "Garrat, darling. How long are you going to toy with me like this?" Asked, hovering over him.
" The healer doesn't have strapping broad shoulders and a handsome face like you do. No man in their right mind would resist to use your charms. Why you should be thanking me for taking you out that stuffy ol' room.." She prattled.
Back in Nathan's room, he had opened the window again to see if he could watch Garrat and Rosa chasing a cat. But when no such sight was occurring, a different surprise was in store when a little finch flew through his window and landed on top of the wooden over hang over his bed. The prince wasn't about to let the little bird stay in his room. So he began to, foolishly climb up his bedposts and attempt to chase the bird out of the window. Nathan was rather small and light so something breaking wasn't his concern, it was getting down that may end up being a problem.
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