The Prince Forth & The Pauper by ARIE78 (Completed)

1. Troubles of a Prince

A sigh echoed through the room. Forth stood staring out of the window, his mind wandering with his eyes along the familiar cobble stone roads and pathways. Familiar only by sight however, making him sigh again as he turned around. He sat down on his four poster bed, holding onto one of the wooden columns, his fingers tracing down the ornate carvings that encircled it. He let go of the column, flopping back onto the bed and sighed once again. He played with the lace cuffs on his shirt before growling and standing up. He paced along the room. He was so bored, sitting in this castle every day. He must know every single section of the castle back to front by now and so at this very moment could think of nothing to do.

A crash sounded outside, drawing Forth’s attention. He smirked, knowing all too well that there was only one person who could make that much noise outside his room. He walked over and opened the door, before placing his hands on his hip and shaking his head. “Ming, do you have to be so~ clumsy?”

A helmeted head turned towards Forth’s voice and a muffled voice came through. “Shut u- I mean, uhh...” Ming’s hands came up, pulling the helmet off his head and shaking his hair out of his face. He stood up from the floor where he’d crashed headfirst into an ornamental piece of armour in the corridor. He looked around him at the mess he’d caused, frowning, the helmet still under one arm as he turned to assess the damage.

Forth laughed openly at the look on his friends face. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll get a servant to clear it up.” Forth came out into the corridor properly and looked down one end to see a few nosy servants who had come to investigate the sound. He noticed an older maid who had worked there for a long time push through them, a broom already to hand, showing how normal an occurrence this was for the household. Forth motioned the women to come closer before returning to his room, leaving the door open.

The woman walked closer, sighing exasperatedly, the other newer maids walking behind her. “Well, at least you didn’t break anything this time.” Ming winced at the comment but bowed. “Thanks for all your hard work.” He grabbed his things from amongst the wreckage and walked into Forth’s room, closing the door behind him. “Thanks, my lord.”

Forth smirked, his back towards Ming, looking through some documents on his desk. “Jeez, why do I have such a clumsy squire?” He straightened up, a perplexed frown on his face. “In fact, why do I have a squire at all? I’m not a knight.” He shrugged before continuing to go through the paperwork in front of him.

Ming walked forwards, trying not to be hurt by Forth’s words, knowing that he was just taking out his frustration on him. “Don’t say that, my lord. You said we were friends before, didn’t you?” Ming looked over at Forth, who had tensed up. “My lord?”

“How can I be friends with someone who can’t even call me by my name?!” Forth slammed his fist down on to the desk, sending the paperwork scattering and fluttering on to the floor. He turned around, breathing heavily and was about to continue when his anger deflated under Ming’s hurt expression. He looked away quickly, feeling guilty and turned again towards the window. “I’m sorry. I’m not angry at you. I’m just sick of being cooped up in here. It feels like my father thinks I’m fragile.” He glared out of the window. “Just because I can’t fight like my brother August doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be able to look after myself.” He looked back at Ming out of the corner of his eye. “I shouldn’t have taken it out on you. I’m sorry.”

Ming smiled kindly at Forth. “It’s alright, my lor-uhh...” He looked down for a second his hand going to his chin while he thought. “My lord Forth?” Without moving his head, he looked back up at Forth gauging his reaction.

Forth grinned back. “It’s a start.” He shook his head and bent down, starting to pick up the papers that had fallen.

“I’ll do that.” Ming walked forwards, placing what he’d brought with him on the desk before continuing to pick up the papers. “And I feel the need to defend your father, his majesty. He’s just looking out for you. He thinks you’d be better in the management of the kingdom...” He flicked the pages he’d picked up as he stood and placed them in a neat pile on the desk. “...than out there learning to fight which you have no aptitude for.” He winced at the accidental slight he’d just made. “But you have me to look after you, anyway.” He grinned up at Forth; one hand behind his head, hoping Forth wouldn’t get angry.