The Majesty of Choice

Stolen

"So what was an elf doing all the way on the other side of the forest at this time of night anyway?" Gerard asks, after probably about ten minutes of walking, and only small talk guiding their way.

"I was sort of trying to make myself disappear for a little while," Pete says.

"Why is that?" Gerard questions.

"Well, the Royal Guard were doing their rounds," Pete says, as if this is an answer to the question.

Gerard's not sure why, but he doesn't trust Pete. It's not that he seems untrustworthy, it's just that this whole adventure is too important for Gerard to let anyone gain his trust so easily. He needs to be absolutely sure, and he's known Pete for ten minutes, while he's known Patrick for over ten years. It's easier for him to trust Patrick.

Patrick however, he trusts Pete, quite an opposition to Gerard's thinking. Patrick doesn't know why, but it's hard to look at this man and see anything but ease and trustworthiness. Patrick thinks the best of people though, he always has, so his judgment may not be as correct.

"I don't follow," Gerard says to Pete.

"Well," Pete says, "this isn't something you could understand. My people are like cattle to the race of men. We serve only as slaves in the eyes of those higher up. I'm afraid that if I had stayed in town the last few nights, I might have been rounded up and shipped off to the castle as a fool."

"Oh," Gerard says. He's all for equal rights but it hadn't occurred to him that this elf, who looks so like an ordinary man, aside from his pointed ears, could be considered so inferior in the eyes of his fellow man. He's cast as the villain in this scenario, and even though it's not Gerard's hand that makes this so, it's the sins of his kind that perpetuate it. Pete is an elf. In this kingdom, elves are slaves. Pete is, and will always be, considered a potential slave.

"I'm sorry," Patrick says when Gerard doesn't say anything.

"It is not the fault of any one man. Save maybe the royal family."

"It's Edgar," Gerard corrects. "I doubt the Prince has the capacity in him to understand what exactly slavery entails."

"Here you go again," Patrick says, rolling his eyes.

"I'm missing something?" Pete asks.

"Gerard has a thing for the Prince," Patrick says.

"Would you stop telling people that!" Gerard groans. "I don't. Not anymore. I knew him once, for a day."

"Two days," Patrick corrects.

"You met him?" Pete asks, looking excited at the very idea of it.

"Yes," Gerard says, "he's perfectly ordinary, and ignorant. I don't think highly of him."

"You think highly of his face," Patrick jokes, and Gerard punches him in the arm, harder than usual.

"Oh my, I have heard a word or two on his good looks," Pete says, "but I never expected them to be that hypnotic."

"Let it go you two!" Gerard groans. "I barely even know you and already you're starting to get on my bad side."

"I apologize," Pete says, "but we have an hour or two to fill with conversation. Town is not so close that we can walk in silence. Tell me why it is that you find yourselves here in the first place? Why is it that you seek Giantville of all places?"

"I'm trying to find someone," Gerard says.

"Why?"

"I'd like to know the same thing," Patrick says.