Theo
Checking on the poor boy in the closet, Theo was informed that he had eaten and that he would not finish his book till tomorrow. The boy also informed him that he would leave the book here next to Theo's bed so that the lie could be maintained. After agreeing he left his room to head to the palace grounds. Reaching the door to leave the palace, his luck did not hold out. His brothers appeared at the exit, spotted him and decided that he could only be thinking about Astrid.
"She will never go for you, so don't get in our way. One of us will make her queen and you will be thrown out to live on the streets." Feeling like Theo was trespassing on his territory Carsten shoved Theo's shoulder.
"Of course I am thinking of Astrid. I am a brainless idiot.... I haven't ever met her." Theo thought rolling his eyes Theo tried to slip past them out the door. Despite his effort the other two boys grabbed his arms to hold him in place, giving him the usual; A bruised stomach and a dizzy spell, then depositing him in a heap at the nearest wall for the servants to pick up like trash. Theo had received this at least 4 times a week since he was 7. He had found ways around it, but quickly learned that if he didn't take the first lashing the next one was twice as rough. Also, no matter how hard you try there is only one exit out of his room so even if he tried to sneak out they could be right there waiting. Lying on the floor for a bit, he just breathed and thought about all the details of running away. He had tried it once, running away. The thought of his mom alone in this horrible place brought him back.
After a good long while he stood up, and walked out side. It was a beautiful day. Well, in the sky it was. On the grounds; the grass was all burnt, yellow or black, and the shrubs looked like bare sticks pretending to be tiny trees. The only green in the entire place was off in the distance; a single large apple tree. With a plaque inscribed from his mom, "The apple will fall from the tree, and with it new hope." Then in his moms 'secret language;' "To the man I hope to bare, may your reign one day be like this tree."
Back when she planted it she had hoped Theo would one day become real. She has this weird "prophesy" from her home about a man who would one day rule the whole planet of Elios. No one believes its me. Every one thinks its my cousin in the blue kingdom." Theo thought all about when she gave him the tree. "One day," she said, "all the grass in this place, all the shrubs, all the beauty will be gone accept this tree. That is what kind of King I hope you to be." Back then Theo actually believed he could become king. He had seen himself as family to these people, but that was before the King found out about him.
At the top of the tree he found a ripe apple. He picked it and chuckled to himself. The apple was small, too small. It could have easily been eaten in a single bite. That being said, its taste was amazing. Sitting at the top of the tree he could see the village. It too looked like the castle grounds, not burnt , but grey... Dead.
The few times that Theo had snuck over to the village it made him appreciate his life a lot more. The people were dying. He had tried to help, but the people found out that he returned to the castle each night and despised him for it. They all thought that he had a nice life in the palace. "To be honest it was better than they were doing." He thought to himself. "I don't blame them one bit."
Watching the town was out of the question as there wasn't any hustle or bustle. There was, however, a messenger boy on his way back to the castle. Riding up the main street, people watched as he passed. He waved as he rushed past Theo. Theo, realizing that it was his servants younger brother, waived back. Theo continued to watch the boy leap off his horse and run up the steps. Not 5 minutes later he was back out on his horse riding away with a smile on his face. Passing Theo, he waived again, and rode back down the main street. He turned onto an off road, probably headed home.
"He was in a happy mood." Theo noted to himself. "Lucky..." Theo hopped down from his tree to return for dinner, having missed lunch due to his beat down. He was starving.
Dinner wasn't anything fancy. The same conversation happened. The only difference was that Astrid was arriving in two days. Theo finished his food and went to his room, then let the servant boy know he saw his brother and was in a good mood. The boy ran home after Theo said he didn't need his help.
Theo opened his window and looked out at the night sky. It was so clear out. Looking out towards the plain with all of the tents, he could see a large fire and tiny dots hopping about. He wondered if it was a party or if someone's tent had been lit on fire. After chuckling a little at the thought of a bunch of people freaking out running around trying to put the fire out. He picked up his sketch book and drew his vision. There was a large tent on fire and a bunch of ants freaking out running around with buckets of water. One ant had a light beer in his hand, unaware that this wasn't a party.
As the night went on Theo became convinced that it was, in fact, a party and wondered why the troop would be celebrating. The last party he had was his 6th birthday and the last party he attended was his eldest brother being designated crown prince of Lorelei, our kingdom.
Finishing up his drawing, he hid his book and pencil and took one last look at the party, longing to be there. Then he laid down on his bed and stared at the celling for a some time. Hearing someone come in, he closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep. It was always his Mom. She would have a dream about him, freak out and need to make sure he was ok. "They happen often as a parent" She would always tell him.
Making sure her son was actually in bed, the queen hurried away as quietly as possible. The last time she was caught her son told her she didn't need to worry. He wouldn't leave her here in this horrible place. She felt justified in checking on him, remembering a few times where the king tried to sell him or kill him. She shivered. She had to remember that she had just checked on him and he was really in his bed.
Theo laid on his side for a while, staring at his barren walls, before sleep caressed his mind.
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A fire tore across the grass of the kings gardens. Bushes and hedges melted upon the arrival of the flames. Bowing to the sheer force of the heat wave, flowers sagged and swayed. A woman ran across the flames to a tree where she quickly watered the grounds around the tree. Realizing the woman was his mother, Theo ran to her. Instead of actually moving, though, the dream faded and a large bonfire was the center piece to a massive party. Every one danced and swayed to the music. Couples spun in circles around the flames. The colors of every one swirled and slowed.. or sped up to a blur of just color and shapes. On the other side of the fire walking away from the party was a lone girl petting a white wolf. She seemed cold as she walked back to her home. Well, either cold or sad.