"When Daffodils Begin to Peer"

Chapter Four

--- CHANGE  OF  PERSPECTIVE ---

As was mentioned at the end of the last chapter, this one will be done in third person to shed some light one the knight's perspective, and to really showcase how people see our darling Prince George, which is rather different than how he sees himself.

Once both knights we certain that their dearest prince had fallen asleep, they began to talk, with Sir John initiating the conversation.

"Anthony, how do we prepare to get George ready for this?  He's too fragile, they won't treat him right, I knew my wife for eight years before we even began to consider courting, and it was a rather mutual decision, mind you.  He hasn't even heard the names of these men, he won't know them for days before he is to be wed.  I shall never speak ill of our fair and just king and queen, but they need to consider more options."  He spoke quickly and clipped, the way he spoke naturally.  When they talk to and with George they needed to pronounce every syllable with emphasis because they never wanted to overwhelm him and give him time to absorb all of the information, without missing parts because he couldn't keep up.

"I am astutely aware of this John, it's just that we are too biased for this.  George was raised to trust everyone and anyone, to follow, to not need to stand up for himself.  I too love our fair kingdom, sweet prince, and our dear king and queen, but there should be more time, we need to stop coddling him, for what if his betrothed does not, he could be walked all over, and as long as someone told him that he was a good boy, he would condone it, I can't help but wish to travel with this boy for the rest of the journey that is his life, John.  But we can't, 'tis not our place, and if we do, he shall never be able to anything of the sort on his own, and he deserves that much, he deserves a life full of possibility..."  Anthony too spoke quickly and quietly, he feared waking the dear boy he held in his arms. 

"Your wisdom vexes me so Anthony, though I do see your point.  'Tis his life after all, and we cannot control it for him.  But we can prepare him." 

"Indeed John, indeed." 

"Hmm, but how do we go about enacting such a grandiose change for our dearest, little Prince George?"  Sir John looked at George's sleeping form in Sir Anthony's arms with such care and kindness, but also confusion.  For, what could they really do that would help him, without any doubts and without pushing him beyond his limits?  But then again, who truly knew what his limits were? 

They made idle chatter for the duration of the journey to the other side of the castle, and through the heavily armored sectors to reach George's room.  It was definitely the most secure and protected part of the castle, and George didn't really grasp that, he assumed that everyone had guards protecting their rooms, but not as bad as his room, when in actuality, there was nothing for anyone else. 

Sir Anthony had always questioned this when he was first trained as a knight for the king, as most others, he started with the exterior patrol, and then was moved to indoor patrol, where he learned the rounds and realized that the only room heavily guarded was the room of the youngest prince, who was never seen outside.  Rumors ran through the knighting barracks and during their meals, but Anthony never understood what was so special about George until he was assigned to be one of the personal knights the king wanted for him.  The second that Anthony saw George, he immediately became very protective of him, the beautiful and delicate creature that came skipping out of that room was astounding, sunlight came streaming out of the room behind him, bathing George in a heavenly golden glow.  His soft, pale skin starkly stood out against the dark walls, and his dark green ensemble.  The curls and waves of caramel/bronze locks were playfully messy, and falling into his eyes.  George had been late to the morning meal with his family, so he gave a quick wave to the group of knights, and ran right past, feet sliding as he rounded the corner to fast and crashed into wall.  He laughed and kept going, not slowing down, Anthony felt like an older brother, and while it was not his place, he knew in his heart that he would do anything to protect the little angel who now slept gracefully in his arms. 

It was with that happy memory echoing through Anthony's mind that they arrived at his room.  Not wasting any time, they peel off the outer layers, leaving him only in his cream undershirt and shorts, then they carefully pull the heavy quilts and mountainous comforters around him. 

Lighting the candles on the mantle of his fireplace, they softly closed and locked his door, then the pair set off cracking jokes and walking side by side, friend by friend, to the kitchens for lunch; they were sure to get something to eat, seeing that Sir John's amazing wife was the chef, all John needed to do was ask.

--- Author's Note ---

The next chapter will be back in George's perspective, but I'm going to add other perspective again at some point. But if I do it may or may not be an entire chapter, just to make them longer, etc. I will clearly mark of the perspective changes during a chapter though, so don't worry about that. Sorry this chapter is a lot shorter than the others, it was really just to try something new with my writing, and to provide more backstory on George, and how others see him.  The next chapter will be longer, I promise!!!