Frog Prince

Part 1

"Mycroft! Where are you?  Mycroft!"

The sound of his tutor's voice startled the young prince, causing him to drop the royal orb into the wishing well. "Damn," he cursed.  He had 'borrowed'  the golden orb to practice his kingly walk.  He thought there would  be enough time to put it back before Anthea started looking for him.  She was quicker than his previous tutors.  The others always gave up after the first time he made his observations.  She praised his ability and told him she would teach him how to use it to his benefit when he was king.

He peered into the well, wondering if he would be able to reach it.  All that he saw was murky black water. "Double damn," he muttered.  He look around trying to figure a way to retrieve the orb.

"Looks like you could use some help there, mate."

Mycroft looked down to see a frog peering back at him.

"The proper way to address me is 'Your Royal Highness.' Not, mate." Mycroft stated haughtily. 

"Well la de da." the frog replied sarcastically.

 "Fetch me the orb, Frog."

"No."

"I command it!"

"No."

"You have to.  I gave you a royal command." sputtered the prince.

"I'm not the one who needs it." The frog answered back. "Besides it would do you good to learn some manners, seeing how you're to be king someday."

Mycroft stared at the amphibian.  He was correct.  Kings don't argue, especially with frogs.  The do however, negotiate.  "What will it take for you to fetch the royal orb from the well?" he asked in his most kingly voice. He figured he could promise the slimy creature anything and not do it. Just like his grandfather used to do.

The frog eyed the young man.  He knew he was going to try and back out of what ever he asked.  He had to be shrewd with the deal  It was his last chance.

"Three requests to be named at a later time." the frog answered.

Mycroft looked confused, "Like three wishes?"

"Yep."

The prince though about he could always refuse later if he didn't want to do it. "As long as it brings no harm to the kingdom or my family."

"Give my your word." the amphibian demanded.

"You have my word." answered the prince.

The frog hoped off to get the orb.  What the human didn't know was there was an outlet for the well behind the shrubs.  He could have gotten the thing for himself if he just look around.  All the better for him.

Mycroft watched him go, wondering what he was up to.  When he saw him roll the orb towards him, he was furious.  He could have don it himself.  Now he wouldn't grant the wishes.  He scooped up the ball and with out so much as a thank you, hurried back to the castle.  The small black eyes watched the prince run away.  He smiled. "I'll see you later."

Anthea caught the lad by his shoulder as he ran past her.  He quickly hid the orb behind his back an smiled sweetly at her.

"Lady Anthea."

She narrowed her eyes and glared at her charge. "We have guests for dinner tonight, Highness.  I suggest you get ready."

"Yes, Lady." he gave her a slight bow of the head and started back towards the castle.

"Mycroft." she called after him. "A king never breaks his word. Lest he not be trusted."

She knew.

*****

Dinner was a boring affair.  More so than usual.  The court idiot, Lord Anderson was in attendance.  The meal hadn't even begun and he was already bored to tears.  If Lady Anthea wasn't at the table, he would have left, protocol be damned.  Instead he contented himself with plotting different ways to make Anderson squirm.

He had distracted himself enough that he didn't notice when the footman arrived to speak with the queen.  It wasn't until she call his name that he noticed that something was amiss.

"Yes, Mummy?" asked the young prince.  His mother demanded he address as such.  She wanted him to remember that she was his mother before she was his queen.

"I've been informed that you have a...guest." the queen announced with a some what confused expression.

"I wasn't expecting anyone.  Have them join us any way."  he replied. Thankful for some kind of distraction.

Anthea watch with out comment.  She knew whom the guest was and was surprised that her charge would be willing to meet him in front of his mother and other dignitaries.  She kept her eyes on the prince as the footman carried an emerald green frog on a silver tray into the room. He set it next to the prince.  She hid her smile when his eyes widen at whom his guest was.

Lord Anderson wrinkled his nose in distance. "Is this some kind of prank, Majesty?"

The queen look pointed at her son.  He was not the sort to engage in such activity, so she was curious as to why a frog was seated at the table.

Mycroft regained his composure and calmly replied, "The frog performed a service for the crown. As such, I invited him to dinner at his convenience."

"A service for the crown? A frog?" Anderson asked incredulously. "What could something so small and lowly do for her majesty?"

"It was for the prince.  Unlike some, the prince does not judge his subject by size or species." the frog replied.

The Lord look down his nose at the audacity of being spoken to by a frog.  "Majesty, I request that this reptile be removed.  I'm loosing my appetite."

"I'm an amphibian, not a reptile, you idiot." answered the frog.  Before he could continue, Mycroft injected.

"If your appetite has waned, perhaps it is your who should be excused."

The queen didn't comment but was secretly please with her son.  She didn't care for Lord Anderson either, but she did have to entertain all of her court a least once.  Anderson sputtered but didn't comment when he realized the queen wasn't going to back him up.

Dinner went on with any further interruptions.  Mycroft had requested a silver bowl of water to be place next to the frog, should he need to be refreshed.  It wasn't often that he got to see Lord Anderson mad a fool of in front of his mother. It was his way of saying thank you while rubbing it in the lord's face.

Frog was surprised by the prince's gesture.  He was beginning to  dry out, but hadn't wanted to say anything for fear it would be considered one of his 'requests'.  Anthea smiled into her goblet as she watched the prince and his frog interact.  She knew he had taken the orb and was stunned that he actually did enlist the help of the amphibian to retrieve it. She was shocked that he actually seemed to be keeping his word and appeared to be enjoying the frogs company.  She was glad.  The young prince needed a friend.  Even if it was a frog.