Spindle Wood (COMPLETED)

Chapter 59

Logan was stood against the hedge maze, having an incredibly boring conversation with Prince Something-Or-Other of Somewhere. All the boy could talk about was himself and his kingdom, it was dreadful.

"-So I was wondering if you had a sister or anything?" The prince asked. Logan blinked.

"I'm sorry?"

"A sister." He repeated. "You know, Aristal is a very rich kingdom - both economically and culturally - and my kingdom could provide protection. Aristal doesn't honestly have that many natural defences-"

"But we have no reason to." Logan interrupted. He knew it was probably 'not etiquette' but he'd be damned if he was going to let this silly Crown Prince explain his kingdom to him. "We have no near enemies, the closest kingdom is on the other side of a huge forest and even then, they are our allies. My father and King Stephen have been friends for years, it's what this festival is for. We're here to try and find their heir. The people are peaceful enough, if poor, and civil too, if rowdy. We have no need to worry about a revolution and our armies are well-trained, well-fed and well-looked-after so there is no worry for mutiny either." He held back what he knew would be a scoff. "We have no need for outside protection."

The prince blinked at him. "Jesus, you do natter on, don't you?" He asked rudely.

"You prompted it." Logan said, trying not to snap. "Besides, even if we needed your protection, the only two children here are myself and my brother. Since my brother is inheriting the kingdom, it is his right to choose his spouse. As for myself, you'll be ashamed to find out that I already have a betrothed."

The prince rolled his eyes. "God, I pity your wife if you talk this much after marriage."

Something in that sparked something angry in Logan's gut. He drew himself up straighter, lifting his chin. "I think he will find my conversation quite engaging." He snapped, making sure to still keep the polite tone in his voice. "He'll certainly be more intelligent than you."

The prince stared at him, open-mouthed. "Now, if you'll excuse me." Logan said with a small nod before walking away.

He'd barely gotten around the side of the maze before he was pounced upon by his brother.

"You got trapped into conversation with Prince Edin, huh?" Oscar asked, handing him a drink. Logan took it tentatively.

"Don't worry, I handled it."

"Oh?"

Logan gestured with his drink. "He had the impertinence to suggest Aristal was weak and challenged at or inside it's barriers so I politely and intelligently corrected him."

Oscar laughed, grinning around the rim of his glass. "How'd he take it?"

"He made a dig or two at me and I rebutted." Logan explained, almost like he was bored but inside he was fizzing. "He was asking me if we had a sister so I told him that there was only us two and I was already betrothed and you could choose your spouse."

"And I'd never choose him." Oscar said.

"Precisely." Logan allowed himself to smile. "And I left him rather speechless with the fact that my future husband will enjoy my conversation more than him."

Oscar's grin grew. "What was he surprised about? The husband part or the 'actually enjoying your conversation' part?"

Logan rolled his eyes and shoved him. He opened his mouth to reply but something out of the corner of his eye distracted him.

Pat?

Logan choked on nothing and covered his mouth with the back of his hand. "Jesus, Oscar, what's in this?" He asked, passing it off as if his drink had made him splutter.

"Okay, fine, I might've stolen you a smidge of champagne." Oscar admitted. "I thought you deserved it, after holding ten minutes conversation with him."

Logan handed him back the drink. "Yes, no, thanks." He gave Oscar a small, absent-minded pat on the shoulder. "Now, if you'll excuse me..." He left Oscar by the side of the maze, looking rather confused.

Okay, this was different. This was really, really different and very weird.

Getting to the palace had been easy. Sneaking in had been - surprisingly - easier. The guards were all either tired or drunk and they barely glanced at Pat as he passed through.

But now? Where did he go from here?

He'd noticed Logan talking to a boy by the maze, leave him and then get bombarded by his brother. He was going to wait to make himself known but his foot slipped and he nearly fell out of the tree he was in.

Logan must've noticed him because now he was coming over.

"Pat, what are you doing here?" He hissed. Pat scrambled down the tree.

"I came to see you."

"Why?" Logan's tone managed to sound stressed, disappointed and yet somehow fond all at the same time.

Pat pulled the letter out of his pocket and handed it to Logan. "It's a letter I wrote." He explained. "I thought, y'know, you wrote me a letter so... why not, y'know, write one back?"

Logan glanced down at the letter. The ink was bleeding through the rough paper in some places where Pat had scribbled out words and the paper was torn and worn around the edges. Pat realised just how stupid it was.

"I'm sorry." He said. "It seemed like a good idea at the time and-"

"Pat." One word and yet it cut Pat off completely. Logan was almost smiling. "Pat, there's no need to apologise. Thank you." He met Pat's gaze and then he did smile. "Really, thank you."

Pat grinned. He rocked back and forth on his heels, his hands clasped behind his back. He wanted to something but all the bubbly, nervous feelings in his chest seemed to have risen into his throat, making it impossible to say anything.

"Well, I should probably go." He managed to say. "I only really came here to see you and give you that so-"

"Um, why don't you stay?" Logan asked distractedly, shoving the letter in his pocket. "For a dance or... something."

"Lo, I can't dance, you know that."

Logan realised what he'd just said and laughed. "Yes and I never dance. I don't know why I asked that." He shook his head and pushed his glasses up his nose. "But you should stay. I'll miss you, otherwise."

Pat smiled sheepishly. "Lo, I'd love to but I need to get home. Besides, imagine if your betrothed did show up. What would they say?"

Logan took Pat's hand in his own. "I hope," he said slowly, "that they would be very happy for me. That I'd found someone who cares as much about me as I do them."

Pat could feel himself blush. "May I at least kiss your hand before you go?" Logan asked. Pat nodded quickly. Logan bent his head and kissed his hand gently.

Logan straightened up but left his hand in Pat's. Slowly, Pat pulled his hand away. Logan's small smile dampened slightly with sadness.

"I really need to go." Pat repeated, though he made no moves to. His feet seemed rooted to the spot. "I'll see you when I do, I suppose."

Logan nodded once. "Then, I'll see you." He tried to keep his smile up. "Until then."

*looks at this 1,100 word chapter*
... So I got a little carried away.
Bye,
Blaize