A Tale of Two Princes

19

~~Hello everyone! I am back with yet another chapter! It is time for some PLOT!! I also want to thank my commenters, because your comments are some of the most awesome things!! I find myself dying of laughter at what some of the things you have to say, it's great! Anyways, I won't keep you waiting!!~~

Mark's P.O.V.

I looked down to the ground as I stood in front of Tim, feeling guilty with how I had treated him while running to save Jack.

"Look, Ti-" I was cut off by him and he brought his head over my shoulder trying to initiate a hug. I chuckled, wrapping my arms around his neck, glad that he understood. Jack was in pain, and I needed to get him away from the humans. I then hopped on Tim's back, realizing I was riding him bareback for the first time in a while. I parted the side of his neck, before grabbing a bit of his hair slightly.

"Hey Tim, we haven't ridden like this in a while, what do you say we rode around a little? It's still early!" Tim let out a content whiny before he started off, not going too fast so hat I would fall off of pull on his mane. We continued riding around for a bit until we came back to the stables. I slid off his back and walked him into his stall, deciding I would groom him today. I quickly got Tim's breakfast for him, and he started to Chow down as I picked his first hoof. I continued until I had done all four, and I then went in and britches his coat, getting all the excess dirt and hair off with an assortment of different brushes. Tim was enjoying himself until I grabbed a damp cloth to wipe his face and his smile grew cold. I looked him dead in the eyes for a moment before I quickly and softly wiped the grime from his face, and moved on to brush his name and tail. I brushed the tangles out and added in a braid or two, as much as Tim disliked it. I learned how to braid hair when I was younger, and I like to add it in Tim's hair when I groom him to poke fun at the stable boys. When they groom Tim, it takes all of them to tie him down and secure him, because Tim only follows me. If anyone else even tried to ride him, it would not end well for them. I finished the braid on his tail and I walked over to the food closet, taking out an applause and giving it to Tim, for waiting patiently.

"You really are a kind person Your Highness!" I turned, in shock at the gentle voice as I touched my ears. There was a girl in a giant blue dress fanning out around her. Her blonde hair was pulled up in intricate layers of braids and light blue bows to match her dress. Her eyes were a cloudy blue, that paled in comparison to Jack's but popped out from her pale face. She held a light pink fan in hand and held it close to her as she fanned herself Ina continuous flutter.

"I mean, you are nice enough to come down and do the dirty work of the stable boys, how Noble of you. Nevertheless, Your Highness, The Royal King and Queen are looking for you in the throne room." She finished off with a smile. Her voice was soft and light, by I could hear the hidden voice of a stuck up girl faintly. But, I couldn't wait and judge this girl, if my parents were calling me this early in the morning it must be of some importance. I sighed, turning to Tim and patting him on the muzzle, saying a silent goodbye before I headed out of the stable with the girl behind me.

"I do so wish they would make a better pathway leading here, my poor dress with be ruined by this mud! And your servants worked so hard on it." She tried to start up a conversation, but her voice was starting to get on my nerves. It was so calm and happy, I could tell she was faking it. But I continued to go up to the castle, until I made it to the side door, cursing my manners for stopping to hold the door for her.

"Your Highness, I was told to bring you to the throne room, but I am terribly lost, would you mind if you showed me?" She looked up, batting her long eyelashes at me and I felt a smirk come to my lips thinking of Jack earlier. It immediately vanished when I remembered he wasn't here.

"Of course, but I must go change first." I used my prince's voice and tried to keep back a scowl because I was being so nice.

"I wouldn't mind waiting outside your room, Your Highness." She sweetly replied and I nodded before leading her around the castle while having a war in my mind. She was too sweet, too nice and something was up. But I couldn't fight the years of conditioning my parents had given me for manners. I made it to my room and turned to her Wich she took as her signal to stop. I then went into my room and shut the door. I closed my eyes and remembered last night and the ball, and I let out a sigh. I had Jack in my world, and it just made leaving him feel worse. I walked over to my bed and plopped down, inhaling the smell of Jack and smiling happily. I say back up and walked to my closet and bathroom, sighing before grabbing my uncomfortable proper clothing and my crown.

Jack's P.O.V.

Ira continued to pull me towards her home, looking down and mumbling incoherently to herself. I sighed, smiling at my friend's daze before I swam ahead and lead her to her home and out of harm's way. Ira didn't even notice, and just swam straight into her home and immediately started pulling potions out. She didn't look at her potions wall while pulling out the specific ingredients, and I was in awe at her skill. I watched as she swam around her cauldron in what could be thought of as a dance as she poured a hint of one liquid in, and then just dropped another bottle while pulling a gift of fur from a bowl and throwing it in as well. The liquid in the cauldron started to nibble, the color changing to a variety of different shades and tints. I started to back up as the water and Ira started to move faster, and I knew what was about to happen. I grabbed the nearest object- a frying pan- and sucked for cover behind it. There was a sudden loud pop and I flinched for the impact. When none came, I looked out to see the potion frozen mid-explosion. With Ira, every potion had a different explosion, with some splatting everywhere and others floating in the water.

"This... is new! Oh, that is cool!!" Ira happily shouted, like a little mermaid getting a new toy.

"Alright then, I think I will be taking my leave now..." I slowly started to swim towards the door before Ira stopped me in my tracks.

"Jack!! This is important! But yes... your right- you are right!! You don't want suspicion to grow as to where you are... but come back soon! " She then started to push me out of the entrance to her home in a hurry and before I knew it she was right back with her potions. She was all excited and I could tell she was going slightly loopy from it.Whatever the case was, I was just going to leave it at that and head back home. As I swam back in the clear blue water, I realized how silent it was. It was comforting, but it seemed much less empty than the loud land, even if it was just the crunch of the land underfoot. I thought back to Mark, and even though I was happy there was still a pain in my heart. After being with him, and being up in his arms and his world it was painful to be so far apart. Nevertheless, I continued on my way back to the palace preparing myself for my parents. I wasn't needed for anything yesterday so no one was looking for me. they all most likely assumed I was with Ira the entire day. It seems like so long ago that I was woken up in the morning to a note from Ira. Soon, the lights from the houses of the village came into below, and I swam over to the edge of the valley. I smiled, looking down at all the mermaid and mermen coming out of their homes to start the day. As amazing as the human world was, I would always hold a fondness for my underwater home. I swam along the top of the valley, trying not to get noticed as I made my way over to the back side of the castle. The homes behind it were usually the last to wake up- I learned this from an early age of wanting to leave the castle- so I just had to follow the shadows and I should get in my room without anyone noticing. I started my decent, staying close to the walls of the valley as they sloped down in a bowl shape and once I hit the first houses I bolted through the town, turning corners with ease and staying low.I Made it to the castle and I stopped with my back against the wall. No one noticed me, so I took a moment to gain my breath back. I then turned and swam to the servant's entrance and quietly slipping in, ready for a nice, peaceful nap.

~~Oh, would you look at that! Things ar happening!! That's all you get for now though, I'll see you in the next update!!~~