Enchanted Tale

ETJ&P 2

Due to the events that happened, I was drained of all energy. My crying had made me weak so I had fallen asleep over my dead brother. I still sought comfort from him even though I knew he was gone. I was only nine years old. How was I supposed to take care of myself.

"Father?" I heard someone shout through my deep sleep. "Father come quick!" I heard again.

The ground started to shake and I was awoken to a boy looking me straight in the face.

I was too weak to move, but he scared me.

"Phillip, get away from there!" A manlier voice demanded. He getting off of his horse coming towards me.

"Father he's alive!" The boy said, as the man stood over me and my brother.

"My God." The man said in disbelief. "Sir Edgar!" He called.

"Yes, Sire?" Another man on a horse answered.

"Get my son away from here and get a cloth of some kind to wrap this body in so we can take him to a cemetery."

"Yes, Sire."

Through my hazy trance, I saw the very shiny crown sitting on this man's head. He was the King!

"Are you alright, son?" He asked me.

I tried to form words but I couldn't say anything.

"Is he going to be okay, Father?" The boy asked.

"Yes, my son. We'll take care of him."

-

The King's men had to pry me off of my brother's body. I couldn't bring myself to depart from David. It hurt too much. But when we made it to the castle, the King promised me that he would put David in a place where he can rest in peace. That made me feel better.

David was buried in a small hill by the King's family cemetery. I never could've imagined that this would be his final resting place.

The King had kept true to his word. His maids cleaned me up and dressed me in the Prince's clothes. Nothing fancy, but the fabric was soft against my skin compared to the itchy, heavy material I wear on a regular basis. They fed me food that I have never tasted before. I had feasted on chicken, roasts, corn, and bread, and a variety of cakes, and other sweets. I was basically in heaven.

After all of that, I sat at my brother's grave wishing I could go back and save him some how. If only he could experience this life with me. He deserved it more than I. He was the one who took care of me. He got the money, he paid for the meals, he even found the most comfortable places to sleep. I should be the one in this grave, not him.

The sun was setting and the sky was a beautiful mix of orange, yellow, and red. Somehow, I felt that it was a message from my brother telling me that he was okay. They laid a stone for him but didn't put a name on it. I still hadn't said a word to anyone, not even to tell them his name. I was too scared. If I said the wrong thing, they could tear me away from this heaven. They could throw me back into the nightmare of being a sweeper. I couldn't let that happen. David asked me to create a better life for myself, and this was the only way I knew how.

"Are you ever going to tell us your name...? Or should I make one up for you?" It was the Prince.

I looked at him but then turned back to my brother's stone.

"You know... you can stay out here as long as you like but he's not coming back. Well... maybe as a ghost if you're lucky."

I just ignored him.

"He can haunt you at night. Grab you by your toes from under your bed!" He said grabbing my shoulders.

"Stop it!" I demanded.

"You can speak!" He said, amazed.

"Go away!" I shouted.

"Sorry mate, but you're stuck with me now. You should probably stick with me now that you don't have him, though." He said.

I hated being reminded of that.

"Prince Phillip." He introduced. I still hadn't turned to him. I had my back towards him and he spoke behind me.

I then heard him gasp. "I know what I'm going to call you!"

I slightly turned my head.

"Ducky!" He proclaimed. "Your name is Ducky because how you follow your dead brother wherever he goes!"

"My name is Jack." I said as a matter of factly.

"No, no. I like Ducky better. It suits you."

I had no interest in amusing this boy. I just stayed quiet regretting saying anything to him.

"So how about it, Ducky. Would you like to join me on an adventure?"

"What adventure?" I asked.

"Well, long long ago one of my ancestors had hidden treasure somewhere in the castle. I've been trying to find it for ages now but obviously I've come up short. I would really like it if you'd help me find it."

I slightly became interested in what he had to say but I hadn't moved a muscle.

"We can split the prize..." He said in a sing song-y voice.

He had won me over. I stood and turned completely around to face him. He was about my height but I was just barely taller than him. He looked at me with a prideful smile.

"Alright I'll help you." I said.

"Excellent."