Who's It Going To Be?

Chapter 10

*Elsa*

It is our last day at the Palace. The time really has flown. I pack my stuff and decide to enjoy the beautiful palace garden for the last time.

I nod at the guards and take a seat by the water fountain.

I'm lost in my own thoughts when I hear someone say, "hi there, stranger."

"Fitz?" I ask, surprised while he pulls up a chair beside me

"I had a feeling I would find you out here."

"Then you know me well," I retort

We sit in silence for a few moments before Fitz sighs. "You know I got used to you all being here. It's going to be lonely without you. All of you."

"Yeah, we humans get used to things too easily sometimes," I reply, "it can be our greatest strength. Or weakness"

"I forgot how deep you could sometimes be"

I reach out and squeeze Fitz's hand, "I'm going to miss you," while feeling like I said that too many times.

He squeezes back, "I'm going to miss you too."

"Do you want me to gag?"

Fitz and I jump, and I turn my head to see Biana.

"I came to say goodbye to my brother," she raises a dark brow, "but I see he's busy."

"Why don't you join us" I suggest, "it's nice out here."

"Okay," she says, setting a chair down near Fitz.

"So glad you invited me too," Tam says. He's been spending most of his time around Biana. I guess anyone can find love.

"I also would like to join in the sentimental goodbyes," Alvar expresses

All too soon, it was time to leave.

~~

*Prince Henry*

I watch from the shadows. Like I always do. I may be the Prince, but no one pays me much attention. My Father was always more focused, Melonie, and now more than ever. No one ever notices or cares what I am up to unless it somehow affects them.

Even Tacolm.

I watch him now, as he sits in his usual spot outside. I blink. Blink again. Did I see what I thought I saw?

I always wondered about his seemingly unusual obsession with his raven. And the almost human look in the bird's eye.

Well, now I know that, somehow, it is human.

Before my very eyes, the raven transformed into a man—one who looks to be in his late 20s and well-fed.

"You can come out now," Tacolm says, and it takes me a moment to realize he is talking to me.

Unafraid, I step into the light.

"Won't you join me, Prince Henry?" He invites me over, and I decide to take the bait

"So," I choose to speak first, "were you ever going to tell me about.."

"Brutus," he finishes, "I would like you to meet Brutus."

"Hello," Brutus's voice squeaks, and he clears it, "it is nice to finally meet you properly."

No one says anything until Tacolm asks, "have those children left yet?"

"I believe they did a couple of hours ago," I reply, "did you hear what happened to that boy?"

"No," he says carefully, "what are you referring to?"

"They found one of the boys in a fainted state outside the door to your office, "care to explain?"

"That is most interesting," Tacolm says, stroking his beard.

Most interesting indeed.