The Guardian of The Lamb

Sneaking Out

Tino woke up in the middle of the night to see that Berwald had fallen asleep in the chair next to him. The giant was still just as scary in his sleep, but he guessed that's what made him a good guard. His eye was caught by the shimmering light falling from the glass balcony doors. He slowly stood up and opened said doors to see that the silver moon was full. It looked huge and closer then ever. His eyes glistened and he smiled brightly. He glanced at Berwald and closed the doors. He then snuck out of the room to go look at the moon. He slipped down the stairs and out to the grassy field of flowers.

The moon light shimmered across the dew speckled field. The world seemed to sparkle in the young Fin's eyes. He sat in the grass and felt the soft tiny flowers while he stared up at the diamond freckled sky. It was so rare for him to see the outside, but he loved everything about it. The castle was warm, but it was musty and thick. The out doors was clean and soothing. The Finnish Prince picked tiny flowers and started to create a reef. He heard foot prints behind him but he ignored them trying to take in the last breaths of the moon before he was taken away.

He expected a hand to pull him up but instead a thick blanket fell onto his back. He looked up to see the tall swede and he screeched a bit in terror. The tall male sat down beside the petit Prince.

"Pr'tty." He said looking up at the moon.

The swede could feel the dew seeping threw his clothes and he knew the same was happening to the sickly Prince. So he picked the boy up startling him but then placing him in his lap.

"Ber?" The little fin said embarrassed.

"The grass is wet." He said simply.

At first the little prince was a bit frightened but then he aloud himself to calm down.

"Ber, why doesn't pa let me go outside?" He asked holding the blanket close.

"He's jus' worried." Berwald answered.

"You don't get mad when I go outside.... Are you not worried?" He said a bit afraid of the answer.

Berwald wanted to say that he was worried and that he was important to him. But he couldn't bring himself to say it. Instead he only said.

"I'll always protect you."

Tino looked up to the glaring eyes unable to read them. He sighed.

"You always say that."

"It's true." The Swede nodded.

"I know, that's why father hired you." The little Fin sighed.

The swede was a bit surprised by the young boys out burst.

"I'm to week to take care of myself," he said with a big smile. "I'm glad my father got you to take care of me."

Berwald's heart shook, what the child said was sad yet he smiled?

"Y're strong." Berwald said.

Tino's eyes fluttered and he looked up at the massive serious swede.

"M-me?" He stuttered.

"Y's you, the strongest of all."

Ber stopped and looked down at the lamb like boy. His violet eyes were glazed like the water from the moons shine.

"Stronger then me." The swede blushed.

"Then you?!" The fin was full of disbelief. "No no no, Berwald, there's no way I'm stronger then you!"

"But you are." Berwald put his pointer finger on the boys chest. "Strongest h're."

The Fin laughed when his skin was tickled by the large male.

"That's cheesy." He giggled.

Berwald blushed and looked away. "It is...." He admitted

Tino reached over to his flower reef he had made and placed it on Berwald's head.

"Am I pr'tty?" The swede asked.

Timo looked up at the glaring scary male and bit his lip afraid to answer.

"Well...."

"The pr'ttiest." The swede decided.

Tino giggled again and looked out to the moon.

"Ber, what's the moon made of?" He asked.

"Cheese." Berwald said nodding his head.

"What?! No it isn't!"

"No, it is a man." He said more serious.

"A man?" Fin said bewildered.

"The man in the moon, name is Màni."

"Wooooow." The Fin marvelled. "Màni is so lucky."

"Mm?"

"He's got all that space and he gets to move all over the world! I wish I could be the man in the moon!"

"Big responsibility." The large Guardian reminded.

"I know.... But maybe so is being a king." Tino said a bit more shuddery.

"Y' wanna be king?"

The little Finnish Prince thought it over. Then he shook his head.

"I don't think so? Maybe when I'm bigger and stronger!" He said with confidence. "Bigger then Ber!"

Berwald let out a small "humph." In an attempt of an awkward laugh. "I believe ya."

The fin looked up with confidence and excitement. Then he rested in the Giants lap curling in the warm blanket.

"I'll be like the man in the moon."