| Chapter 19 Nick was putting his shoes on when someone knocked at his door. He got up and walked over, opening it. "Your highness, I'm glad you're awake," the man said. "You speak English," Nick said, somewhat shocked. The man smiled, "Yes. I'm Rowland Newman, chief of security here at the palace, and as of this morning, your personal bodyguard." Nick stepped back, letting the man into his room. "I really don't need a bodyguard," Nick protested. Rowland just smiled at him. Nick looked him over. He had to be in his early forties, very fit. He wore a jumpsuit similar to those worn on the ship, and had a weapon at his side. Nick knew this man wasn't going to be ditched lightly. "I guess I don't have a say in the matter?" he asked. Rowland shook his head, "No, my prince. My orders come from the King himself." "I see. So, do I need to go somewhere?" Nick asked. "The queen would like you to join her for breakfast," Rowland said. Nick smiled, thinking of his mother. He'd known her less than a day, and already he loved her beyond words. He looked at himself in the mirror. He'd put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, not expecting to have to appear in public. "Um, is this OK to wear? I'm not up on what's appropriate around here yet," he asked. Rowland smiled, "Yes, that is alright. We are pretty informal around here most of the time." "Oh good. I really hate those official get ups," Nick commented. Rowland lead the way down a few flights to the formal dining room. Nick walked in, seeing his mother already seated at the other end of the table. "Good morning," she said, "Did you sleep well?" Nick walked over to her and hugged her, "When I finally went to sleep, yes I did." She looked at him, expecting an explanation. "I thought about what you said. I've made my decision," he told her. She nodded as they sat down and several servants brought out their food. Nick waited until they had all retreated back into the kitchen before he went on. "I will stay," he said. The queen sighed in relief, "I know how difficult it must be for you to do that. Thank you Nickolas." He nodded, taking a bite of his food. He still couldn't get over how good everything tasted to him. The two ate in silence for a few moments, then Nick remembered. "Would it be alright if I looked around for a while? I saw someone come into the gates on a unicorn. I'd like to go see it, if it's alright," he asked. His mother smiled, "Of course. You can go anywhere you like." "When can I see the king today?" he asked. The queen sat her fork down and thought for a moment, "Afternoons are better for him. I'll tell him you'll come by." "Thank you. Is there anything that I need to be doing today?" he asked, not sure what would be expected of him. She shook her head, "No, not today. Take a few days, get settled in. I'll bring you into the daily activities in a few days." "So, are you making all the decisions now that...?" he started to ask. His mother sighed, "Not really. It is hard to explain. I'm taking care of a lot of things, but your father still has final say over everything." "Even when he's so sick?" he asked. She nodded, "I know you were raised under different beliefs, so I understand how hard it is for you to grasp. But it must be done this way." He stared at his mother for a moment, studying her face. She was tired, he could see it. It had to be hard on her, trying to do what she could, and watching her husband struggle against this unknown illness. "Are you OK?" he asked, somewhat timidly. LaDonna smiled at her son, seeing his concern. "I am handling it. It's not easy though," she admitted. "Is there anything I can do?" he asked. She shook her head, "You are doing it. You're here, and you're accepting us and yourself for who you are. I'm not so sure, that under the same circumstances I'd be as accepting as you are." Nick laughed, "Well I sorta got my frustrations out before I got here. Ana unfortunately took the brunt of most of it." She smiled, "Ana did send a few reports at first that were .... um colorful to say the least." Nick blushed, remembering several times he'd blown up at her. He wasn't proud of it, but at the time it was the only thing he could do to release his frustration, anger and fear. "I should probably apologize to her," he said. "She understands," his mother told him. Nick glanced at his mother, wondering what exactly she and Ana had discussed. His mother had this knowing look in her eyes, and something mischievous lurked behind her smile. "I get the feeling you know a lot more that you admit to," he chuckled. His mother smiled, "Eat, before it gets cold." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick walked across the courtyard towards the stables. Ana had joined him and Rowland as they left the palace. She and Nick talked quietly with each other, Rowland staying back a few feet. "So how was your first night?" she asked. He smiled, "Good. I couldn't get to sleep though. I guess all the excitement of the day and all." "I had the same problem," she said, looking toward the stables. Nick followed her gaze. Several men were in a round pen, trying to subdue a very upset unicorn. The animal was kicking, bucking, anything it could do to keep the men at bay. "What's going on?" Nick asked. "They are trying to tame it. It was caught in the mountains a few days ago and brought here," Rowland said. Nick stared at the animal. It's coat was pitch black, with a long mane and tail. Its horn was white, and seemed to reflect the suns rays, making it shimmer. "Its scared," he said, looking at Ana, "How do I know that?" She smiled, "It's one of your abilities. You can feel their emotions." Nick looked back at the creature, just as it kicked one of the men completely out of the pen, "And it's hurt," he mumbled, quickening his pace. Ana and Rowland followed Nick to the pen. He didn't ask, he just stepped in with the animal. "Your highness, you shouldn't..." Rowland protested, but Nick quieted him with one look. The men by now had realized Nick was there and bowed to him, still keeping an eye on the unicorn. "Get up, and leave the pen," Nick instructed. No one said a word, they just obeyed. Nick stared at the creature on the other side of the enclosure, it stared back. Nick was overwhelmed with a feeling of pain and fear. The unicorn moved nervously from one foot to another, tossing its head. Nick put his hands up and took a step forward, "It's alright," he said calmly, "No one's going to hurt you." The unicorn whinnied and stepped away from Nick. "I know your hurt. Let me help you," Nick said. The animal stared at him warily, but didn't move when Nick stepped forward again. "That's it, just let me get a little closer," Nick said. The creature lowered its head, still staring at him. "Your highness, be careful," Rowland called, "That's a defensive move. If he comes at you with is head down, he could use his horn to hurt you!" Nick stopped and looked at the unicorn, "You don't want to hurt me do you?" As if the thing understood him, it shook its head, causing Ana to laugh. Rowland had his weapon drawn, aimed at the animal. Nick couldn't see him, but somehow he knew he'd done it. "Put it away Rowland, he's not going to hurt me," he said. "But ..." "Put it away," Nick said again, taking another step in the direction of the creature. Rowland glanced at Ana, not liking this, but did as he was told and put his weapon away. "See, no one wants to hurt you," Nick said, smiling. The unicorn took a step toward Nick, still wary, but also curious. Nick stood still and let the animal come to him, "That's it, now where are you hurt?" He carefully ran his hand down the unicorn's side, up under one of its front legs. He felt a warm liquid on his hand, and pulled it back. His fingers were covered in blood. The unicorn nudged him with its nose, careful of its horn. Nick laughed, "I know it hurts, but we'll get someone to take care of it." He turned to say something to Rowland when the animal stepped up and rested its head on Nick's shoulder, making a noise that almost sounded like a cat purring. Nick reached up and stroked the side of its face, "Do you have a vet here?" Rowland looked confused, "Vet?" "Yeah, um animal doctor?" Nick explained. "Ohh, yes we do," Rowland said. "Get him, he needs stitches," Nick said, showing everyone his hand. Nick played with the unicorn while they waited for the vet. The animal that just moments before no one could lay a hand on, was now following Nick around like a puppy, purring loudly. "What's that noise he's making?" Nick asked. "They do that when they're happy," Ana said. "Oh so like a cat purring huh?" he asked. She nodded, "He likes you." Nick laughed, "I like him too. It's cool how he can understand me." Ana smiled as the vet climbed into the pen. Nick continued to pet the animal as the vet looked him over. "I need him to stretch his leg so I can stitch it," the vet said. Nick looked at the animal, "Can you stretch your leg?" The unicorn cocked its head to the side, like it didn't know what that meant. "Like this," Nick said, stretching one of his legs in front of him. The unicorn stared at him for a moment, then stretched its leg out. Ana stifled a laugh. The two looked rather comical standing side by side with their legs stretched out. The unicorn stretched its head and nudged Nick, knocking him flat on his ass, then proceeded to make a noise that sounded an awful lot like laughter. "Hey!" Nick laughed, getting up and brushing his pants off, "Is he laughing at me?" Ana nodded, afraid if she opened her mouth to say something, the laughter she was holding in would escape. Nick shook his head, laughing, "Alright smarty pants. You think that's funny huh?" The unicorn nodded as the vet finished up. "He will be fine to ride in a few days," he said, gathering his things and leaving the pen. Nick walked over to the side of the pen, "So who's is he?" "Yours," Rowland answered, "He was to be a gift to you once he was tame." "I can't take him. He belongs out there," Nick said, pointing at the mountains. The unicorn pushed him with his nose and purred. "It looks like he'd rather stay here," Ana said. Nick turned to the animal, "You want to stay here?" He nodded. "Alright, but if you want to leave, all you have to do is tell me," Nick said. "Your highness, what would you like to name him?" Rowland asked. Nick thought for a few minutes, "Well he's goofy and seems really happy. Reminds me of Brian, so ... how bout Thomas?" The unicorn nodded, seeming to like his new name. Nick laughed, "Alright, Thomas it is." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nick sat by his fathers bedside, waiting for him to wake up. He seemed weaker today, and Nick glanced at his mother, worry in his eyes. She nodded, acknowledging his concern. Nick sighed, turning his attention back on the man in front of him. He stirred and opened his eyes, a smile forming as soon as he saw Nick. "My son, how long have you been here?" he asked. "Not long," Nick answered, helping him to sit up. The king pulled Nick's shirt sleeve back and looked at his tattoos. Nick seemed embarrassed, knowing that was another thing that only he had on this planet. "Interesting markings. They mean something to you?" his father asked. Nick nodded. "Tell me," the king prodded. Nick proceeded to tell his father the story behind each of his many tattoos, taking his shirt off and pulling his jeans legs up in the process. The king laughed, "Earth sounds like an interesting place." "It is. Maybe when you get better we could go there. I could show you all the great places," Nick said. The king shook his head, "Nickolas, I'm afraid I'm not going to get better." "But you have to. There's so much I want you to tell me about your life, who you are. You have to fight this! I just found you, I can't lose you .... not yet," Nick pleaded, tears welling up in his eyes. The king took Nick's hand and squeezed it, "I don't want to leave you either, but there are some things that even a king cannot control." Nick nodded, biting his lip as a tear rolled down his cheek. "There are things that I need to tell you," his father went on, "Things you must know before you become king." Nick wasn't sure he was ready to hear any of this, but he knew he may not get another chance. "You must watch out for the council. They will test you. They are good men, but sometimes the power of their position clouds their judgment, especially your uncle. Do not be afraid of offending them with your decisions, and do not let them bully you. Do what you feel is right�not with your mind, but with your heart. Most decisions made with the heart turn out to be the right ones," he said. Nick nodded. "I'm sorry that it must be this way," the king told him, "I wished for years with you before you took on this responsibly." "I'll do my best," Nick said. His father smiled at him, "I know you will. You have a kind and fair heart, you will do well. And if you need advice, your mother will help you. Even though our world sees me as the ruler, she has helped me with all my decisions, just as she will help you until you find a queen of your own." Nick wasn't sure why, but he blushed at that statement. The king yawned, and settled back in bed, "We will talk more after I've rested." Nick nodded, still holding his fathers hand, "I'll be here." The king smiled at him once more, then drifted to sleep. Chapter 20 |