Blue Blood

Ceremony

"Yes, it is today." I mumble through a fake smile. His head must be filled with black holes because he is so dense! I repeatedly told him that it was today and every time I did he said 'oh sure thing' or 'oh I won't forget' well you did Rody, I gave you one thing to remember and you blew it. Grr.

"Oh sweet, what do you think it will be like?"

DO YOU EVER DO YOUR RESEARCH!? THIS IS A BIG DEAL!

"Well, it will be difficult that's for sure," I say not even trying to smile anymore.

His eyes stay on me as if asking me to continue. I sigh.

"There are four parts but you won't know when they happen only when they are completed with a blast of light in the sky as a signal; they can be decided to be in any order,"

I glance at him to make sure he's paying attention. He is, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"The segments are courage, loyalty, humility and sacrifice,"

"That sounds vague."

"It's supposed to. Every royal's journey is different. Different beasts, different weather, different companions, etc."

We turn a corner as he breathes out a 'wow.'

"So I won't be alone?" He asks with big eyes.

"No, you will not be alone but that could be a bad thing."

"How so?"

I clear my throat, "Well your companion may be a crook or a criminal, hell it could even be a wild dog-"

"I like dogs." He interrupts skipping gleefully.

I smile and shake my head, " The point is that they could betray you. I just hope that you'll return."

"Of course I'll return! You think I would leave you?" He gasps offended.

My heart melts at those kind words and I laugh hardily.

" No, I would hope you wouldn't. Do you remember how to hunt and gather?"

"Yep."

"Create shelter?"

"Yep."

"Make fire?"

"Yep."

"Dance?" I say trying to catch him off guard.

He steps in front of me and starts to do some weird hand movements and jumps around.

"What do you think?"

"Clearly not."

We laugh for a good while until Rody snorts and then we laugh more. His laugh to anyone else might be annoyingly or un-gentlemen-like but to me it's like a choir of angels even if it does resembles a boar in heat.

Our laughing dies down just as we make it to the large doors of the throne room. I open the large oak door a crack and peak inside.

"Is everything ready?" Rody asks fidgeting.

"Nearly, are you ready?"

His face contorts into a struggling smile before he nearly knocks me over with a big bear hug. My eyes widened in shock. I could be hung for embracing the prince in such a way.

He nuzzles his face closer to my neck as he stands on the tip of his toes. I hear a sniffle and my heart wavers. I haven't seen him cry in years and when he did he always hid away to cry not rush to cry on someone.

"No *sniff* I don't want to leave you, what will I do out there without you?" He mumbles weakly.

I glance around me searching for any viewers to the embrace but there are none. Cautiously and awkwardly I wrap my arms around his small frame and try to think of something inspirational to say.

"In every persons life, a time comes where they must be ready even though don't feel ready themselves. This is your time,"

He lifts his head sadly to face me as tears drip down his face. I can't help but hold him a little tighter.

"Do not worry, I will always be there, if not in person then in spirit." I wipe a tear from his face and he rests his head on my chest.

"Besides, when you come home I'll be waiting and you'll have all the sticky buns you want and I'll even put on a mighty joust just for you."

He giggles and wipes his face, letting go from the hug to my dismay; that was my first hug in years.

I grab my clean handkerchief and gently wipe his face as he giggles and sniffs.

"You may keep this if you wish, like a parting present."

He smiles and takes it without question. A horn blares inside the throne room signaling it's time. Rody takes a deep breath and looks to me for reassurance. I nod with a determined smile and open the doors.

It's chaos as we enter. Everyone cheers and screams as trumpets and horns blare to life. Some people throw flowers or gifts as we walk side by side down the aisle. King Orion smiles with pride as we approach the throne. It's beautiful. I stop at the stairs as Roman goes to the top to speak with his father. The room goes deadly quiet as the mighty king begins his speech.

"Today is not just some ordinary day," his voice booms as he rests his hand firmly on Romans shoulder.

"It is my only sons sixteenth birthday and the day you will set out on a grand quest."

The crowd cheers as Rody flashes me a nervous yet big smile in which I return. To anyone else he'd look confident but I know him too well, he's barely holding it together. King Orion looks at me as well and smiles kindly. I first met him when his hair was all blue but with time gray lines have begun to form in the shining sea of hair.

He looks to Roman with so much pride it looks like he might weep but of course he wouldn't, he needs to be strong for his people. The room becomes silent and he resumes his speech.

"Your mother would be so proud to see you today," he rests a hand on Romans cheek with sorrow but his smile never wavering.

"But enough with these formality's and lets get on with it, how you say." Rody giggles lightly and everyone follows suit. Here it comes, who will be his companion.

"It is my proud honor to say that you will be taking a journey to prove your loyalty, courage, humility and sacrifice that you will surely thrive from; but of course you won't be journeying it alone,"

Please let it be something good, Abel or Ogma, they are good soldiers, kind and tough or maybe a strong horse! Oh please tell me he still remembers how to ride a horse.

"Fate has decided who your companion will be and it is my great honor to announce that, that companion will be,"

My heart is beating out of my chest! The room is silent as he reaches to the air as a golden feather falls gracefully.

Please, please be someone useful that will keep him safe please, please, please!

He grabs the feather gently between his fingers and reads it silently. A smile spreads across his face. Oh thank god it must be-

"Magnus, protector of the prince!"

My heart stops. Rody is practically jumping for joy, everyone is cheering with so much strength yet I can barely hear a thing. I try to move but I can't. Frozen. I'll be joining him. I think I'm gonna vomit.