Zane
Zane
Length: One-shot
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Rating: G
Summary: A short story of a guy going on a journey to find what he doesn't have in life. Cheesy school assignment!
His name was Zane. He was no lord, nor was he a son of a lord. He had no riches, and he was not extremely powerful, yet he was loved, he was known and loved throughout the kingdom, and maybe even the one over, as the most thoughtful of all.
Some wondered how he remained so kind even after the death of his parents. Some blamed the young girl that was always by his side, Charlotte, was it? Others believed that prince Malcolm was at fault, always spoiling him. Although Malcolm was like an older brother to the lad. The two had known each other from a very young age.
Although he was loved, and did not have very many enemies, he felt something has been missing. He did not know why but, he felt that the most important thing in life hadn't quite happened to him yet. He slept on the thought, and he knew exactly what he would do.
"I am going to go on a journey, Charlotte." She was always the first to know when he decided anything.
"When did you decide that?" she asked. She wasn't particularly worried about his sudden proclamation. She had had heard stranger things come from his mouth.
"Last night. Something has been bothering me lately, and I'm hoping to find the answer." Charlotte merely continued her work. The nonchalant expression on her face told him she had approved of his small wish. He smiled at her retreating back, and ran off to the home of his dear friend, Malcolm.
Charlotte walked merrily to where Zane stood. Her blue eyes shone brightly as she walked up to him and caught him in a bone crushing embrace. She let him go after he let out a grunt of protest. She giggled as she watched him rub the spot her arm had been just a while before.
"Good luck, Zane! And come back soon!" she said enthusiastically. She knew he'd be back, but she had to tell him she knew as well. She gave him a smile and a quick peck on the cheek. Zane blushed the slightest bit, unknown to his young female friend.
As Charlotte gave her final goodbyes, a tall young man came up to boy. Zane's green eyes lit up at the sight of the man. The prince gave the lad his blessings, most probably. He had also whispered something so soft only the two could hear, them the man burst out laughing at the beet red face of the boy.
Zane waved goodbye to his friends, heading towards the woods.
"That's strange… milord, did Zane tell you where he was headed?"
"Hmm, yes he did." He hadn't answered her question. He liked to pick on her that way, only her of course. She did except him to be their next king, he was a great leader, very generous. But she disliked the fact that he'd always play with her that way.
"Where is he going milord?"
"To the western woods of course. Did you not see him heading that way? Oh how the young lad has grown" he dabbed his eyes with an invisible handkerchief, oblivious to the pale face of the young lass beside him.
The view was exquisite to say the least; it was much like one of those paintings from Malcolm's castle walls back home. The lush green glen was surrounded by silvery mountains that touched the sky. The midmorning sun seamed to make the lake glow as its waves splashed almost silently on the damp banks. The sound of falling water was heard in the distance, and he could see the mist from a nearby waterfall hanging over the tall pines and willows. Lying down on the emerald grass, he watched the white clouds float by before fully closing his eyes. He heard rustling and hooves thumping- from a deer most likely- in the nearby trees. Taking in a breath he could taste the air on his mouth, along with the distinct flavor of freshly chopped mint.
The image of his dear friend Charlotte had seeped its way into his head, she would have loved to see this place, and he wished he could share this with her. He slowly drifted off to sleep, hearing strange murmurs from the shrubs behind him.
He woke to the wind whistling voices into his ears. Sitting up and rubbing his eyes, he realized that I was already evening. He wondered what had caused him to sleep this long. He remembered having a dream of him and Charlotte when they were young. He truly loved those times.
Suddenly he caught a glimpse of something beside him. Catching only the remaining tread of a silken robe he followed the strange figure through the forest.
At the base of the mountain was a small pond, a waterfall fell from high in the mountain. And there in the middle of the lake was a creature, that he knew was much too beautiful to be human. Its crimson eyes were great contrast to its pale green skin, and they were focused on him.
It opened its mouth, and out came a shrill voice. The creature's eyes flared as it spoke in a tongue he had yet to learn. His feet were rooted on the ground where he stood, he watched in horror as the creature proceeded towards him. It was so close to him now, that its long hair brushed against his cheek. She extended the hand, as if to touch his cheek, but stopped halfway. Its eyes shifted to a spot behind him, but he was too terrified to move. Another voice piped up from behind him, talking in the same tongue as the creature, but this voice sounded more like soft little chimes. The being nodded as the voice drowned out. It turned around and slowly disappeared into the mist of the fall.
He felt a gentle tug on his sleeve. Cautiously turning around, he found Charlotte. He awed at how different she had seemed. Just as he had opened his mouth to comment, she put a silent finger to his lips, and instead merely pulled him along beside her.
"You won't tell anyone, will you?" she asked as they neared the lake.
"About what?"
"About what you saw back there." He shook his head before asking what she had done. "You can't tell anyone this either, alright?" he nodded "the thing you saw back there was a nymph, a fairie-being, she was mad at you for entering her territory. I'm also past fairie-being." She looked up to him with fear of his reaction, but all that was there was awe.
"Why didn't you tell me before?" he asked her. She shrugged her shoulders, as she dipped her feet in the cool water. He was her blond hair hid her face from view, and realized the answer to his thoughts, the element he had lacked. The affection of a loved one. The affection of Charlotte, one that was of more than friends.
He strode up to where she stood. She looked up at his form in curiosity. He carefully placed her loose hair behind her ear; her eyes followed the movement as far as it could. He leaned in closer to her, their eyes fixed on each other. They both felt it, the sparks when their lips brushed together. Zane moved away from her, mumbling a small sorry, and turning his head away. She caught his cheek with her palm and turned him to face her. She smiled at the worried expression on his face, saying it was okay, and tenderly pressing her lips to his.
When they came back home hand in hand, every one guessed what happened (well most parts anyways.). Martha, Charlotte's mother, was overjoyed that the two had finally settled their feelings. Prince Malcolm had claimed that he had known it would happen all along, it was serendipity, fate.
And what is to happen to our new couple? Well they lived happily ever after of course. Together from the beginning, and hopefully, till a ripe old age.
A/N: I hate this story --; I had lots of restrictions when i was writing this...