Ever After

The sky was getting darker and Goldie and Alistair were back in their stables before it was too dark. I didn't know if my father needed me for any important duties since I didn't set foot in the castle after I pushed Rapunzel away. I simply spent the rest of my time lying on the grass, playing with a rose in my hand. I was too much in deep thought. Thinking about how much my life was changing and if it was changing in a good or bad way. I couldn't really tell where my life was headed. My dad continuously tells me one day I was going to be king and rule this kingdom. It scares me. It makes me nervous to think there was going to be so much responsibility in my hands one day. And to make matters worse, I wasn't going to be like the 'average' king. People were expecting me to be strict and call the soldiers to fight in wars and choose if an execution is right for a 'criminal' or not. I wasn't ready for that. I can't even imagine myself doing that.

As I laid on the grass, smiling at the beautiful stars, a twig snapped behind me and my eyes widened. No one rarely comes out here and when they do, they usually address me first. I bit my lip and sat up looking around the large garden, hoping to see maybe Ned or Emry, our newest girl servant that Rapunzel loved dearly. I sighed turning around when nothing came into view, but jumped when a voice soon sounded behind me.

"Hi."

I turned around and my heart nearly plummeted out of my chest. River was standing there with his hands behind his back, smiling down at me and his brown hair falling in his eyes. I looked at his new clothes and I must say, he looked even more beautiful, if that was even possible. I shook my head trying to get those absurd thoughts out and quickly smiled back in return before he started to look at me oddly. "Hello," I replied. "Wanna sit with me?"

He smiled and walked over and sat on the lush grass next to me. I couldn't help but stare at how the moonlight reflected nicely on his flawless skin. He stared at the sky for a few moments before looking over at me. I looked at the rose in my hand and cleared my throat, glancing back up at him. "So, how do you like your room? I know it's such a huge leap from where you were before."

River shook his head, smiling in disbelief and said,"You have no idea. But it's amazing! I never imagine I'd live in a place like this. It's so beautiful here."

"Well, that's great," I murmured. I honestly didn't know what to say. For some reason, I felt that I needed to watch what came out of my mouth so I wouldn't sound like a royal idiot. Because of my nervous actions we sat there in silence for a few moments until I chuckled and looked at River. He raised an eyebrow in question and I smiled. "When Ned was taking you to your room, was he stuttering and doing that fast talking thing?"

River laughed and nodded. "Yes, I barely could understand what he was saying! He's really nice though." I nodded in response, but soon frowned at how stupid I was being. I needed to start a conversation with him. A real one that was more than two sentences long. As I sat there having a battle in my mind, River plucked a blade of grass out of the ground and said,"It's still setting in." He looked over at me. "The fact that I've had a sister all my life. It was a lot to take in."

"I bet. I'm an only child, but I can only imagine going through life thinking it was just you and your parents and no one else. And you just found out this morning so that has to be a major blow to the head," I said smiling.

River laughed and soon smiled at me. "Tell me about yourself. I mean since we are going to be brother's soon. We need to know about each other, right," he asked, shifting a little. His hand brushing against mine in the process, which caused my skin to crawl. Not in the scary way, but more nervous and self-conscious.

"Well, what do you want to know about me, River?"

"Hmm, everything?" he asked, softly.

I smiled and sighed happily, twirling the rose that was still in my hand. "You first."

"But I asked you first. That's not fair," he said.

"But I'm the prince. What I say, goes," I retorted, smirking at him.

"I thought we were supposed to be treating each other like normal soon-to-be brothers," he said, crossing his arms and staring at me with those big blue eyes.

"If you go first, you can sit next to me at dinner," I said, laughing.

"Is that a major accomplishment?" he asked, unfolding his arms and leaning back on them.

"Of course! Who wouldn't want to sit next this amazing person?" I joked, spreading my arms wide.

River laughed and shook his head. "Fine. What do you want to know about me, Auden?" I shivered a little when he said my name in that tone. It came out so smooth and nice.

"Hmm, everything?" I smiled, mimicking him.

"Well, I'm 15. Both of my parents are bakers in my home village and I have a pet cat named Caesar. I really don't think he likes Rapunzel that much," he said, chuckling softly. "Um, Carsen is my best friend. He's been there ever since we were kids. He's like a brother to me. We've done so many things together," he murmured, looking at the sky. I swallowed the lump in my throat and waited for him to continue. He looked back over at me and his soft voice filled the air again. "And I simply do not know how to ride a horse."

I gasped and stared at him. "Are you serious?" When he didn't say anything, but simply stare at me, I closed my mouth and cleared my throat. "Well, I'm gonna have to teach you then."

"No, you don't have to," he said quickly.

"And why not?"

"I don't want to waste your time. Really. I'm fine."

"Waste my time? Never. Besides, we're supposed to be bonding right?"

"R-Right," he replied, looking back at me.

I smiled and picked up the rose in my hand and handed it to him. He stared at it before taking it in his hand and sniffing it. "Usually when I sniff flowers, I never smell anything."

"Me neither," he said laughing, clutching the flower.

"Hey, be careful. Those things can cause a bleeding to your hand," I said, grabbing his hand and inspecting it for cuts. My mind finally came back to reality and I quickly dropped his hand in his lap looking away, feeling myself blush. "I'm sorry about that."

"N-No it's fine," he whispered.

We sat in silence until Ned came tripping out of the castle telling is it was dinner. "Sorry to interrupt, but it's meal time," he said, standing there awkwardly.

I stood up and was about to reach my hand out and help River, but refrained from it. I probably was going a little too overboard as it is. I mean the rose was so random and uncalled for, but I wanted to give it to him anyway.

River walked a little ahead of us, with the rose still in hand. I glanced over at Ned and he nudged my arm. "I'm sorry my prince, but what are you doing?"

"What do you mean Ned?"

He sighed and gave me a weird look. "You know what I'm talking about A-Auden. I just want you to know that you should be c-careful."

"Why are you jumping to conclusions? Can you read my mind? What if I was just being a nice friend to him and not what you're thinking."

Ned sighed and looked away. "I'm sorry for assuming things, sir."

"It's fine," I said frowning. I walked ahead of him and made my way to the dining room. Now that I think about it, I wonder if Ned was watching us the entire time.

Once I made my way to the dining room after washing my hands, I couldn't help but laugh at my father. He was squeezing River in a tight hug. "Welcome to the royal family!"

River's face was red as he was practically being choked in my father's strong hold. "Father, if you keep hugging him like that, he may not make it to the wedding day. Or maybe even tonight's dinner for that matter," I said.

My father grunted before releasing River from his arms. River stumbled back a little and smoothed out his clothes. My father sat down at his place at the table and I walked over to River. "Sorry about him. He's really excited," I whispered, before making my way to my seat.

He simply nodded and was about to make his way to the empty seat next to me, but Rapunzel sat in it and smiled at him. "Come on River! You can sit next to me!"

I bit my lip to keep from frowning. I honestly didn't know what was going through my mind. He's Rapunzel's brother. They should be bonding more than what I've been trying to do. They should be closer to each other. I was just being a block in their way or some sort.

River shyly sat down in the seat next to her and she patted his arm, smiling widely. He smiled at her and then glanced over at me, and I pulled on a smile, signaling that I was okay with the arrangement.

Soon a number of kitchen servants came out with numerous amounts of dishes and cups filled with ale. I honestly didn't like the taste of ale, so I stuck to wine. A servant placed a bowl of soup in front of me and sat a glass of pomegranate wine next to it.

Before we started eating, Rapunzel gasped and picked up the rose River placed on the table. "Aw, where did you get this River? Did you pick it yourself? Or did someone give it to you? A servant girl? Hmmm?"

His face reddened and he glanced over at me and I smiled a little. "Well, I kind of found it outside, you know?"

"Oh yeah. There's always stray flowers everywhere out there. Maybe we have deer picking them Auden," Rapunzel said glancing over at me. She then handed River the rose and leaned over to me. "Are you alright now? No more mood swings?" she whispered.

I quickly nodded and took a sip from my drink. Before Rapunzel could say anything else, my mother filled the air. "River, have you found a maiden yet?"

I coughed, slightly choking on my drink and sat the cup down quickly. "N-Not, not yet Ma'am," River replied. He was clutching the spoon in his hand and nervously stirring the soup.

My father smiled and said,"Still trying to find the right woman eh? Well we can get you one. With my power, we can get you any woman of your desire, son."

"Father, I'm pretty sure he'll find someone when he's ready. He doesn't need your help," I retorted.

"If the King supplies help, they should take it with no questions asked, Auden. You know that," he said, glaring at me from across the table.

"But not everyone wants your help," I replied, as the servants brought the second course of the meal out.

"I was speaking to River in the first place. You should speak when spoken to. Haven't you learned that?"

"Yes, father," I mumbled. I looked over at River and he smiled reassuringly and shrugged. I softly smiled back and looked over at Ned who was bringing in another dish for my mother. He look at me for a few moments before walking back into the kitchen.

Apparently he thinks he's on to something.