The Forgotten Sea

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Gherrick gave her a laugh.
"I'm also a prince, don't you forget! One day I'll have the power to force you to forgive me! Then I won't have to grovel and dance!" he teased.

[GoblinFae]

"What makes you think you could bend me to your will? Perhaps I would rather chose death first to submission." The twinkle in her eyes indicated though how unserious she was being. "Don't know why you're complaining anyway," Aurora continued. "We both know you enjoy it."

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"Death?" Gherrick laughed. "But certainly you'd know I'd imprison you and torture you forever," he continued with his teasings. "And torturing.." he went on, fingers wriggling about in a threatening manner. "By hours full of tickling!!!!!" And without much more warning, his wriggling fingers snapped out like a viper, aiming for all of her vulnerable spots.

[GoblinFae]

Aurora rolled her eyes already guessing at what her prescribed torture would be before he even mentioned it.  She had a half a heartbeat to attempt to recoil from the prince before he was lunging at her and effectively catching her in all her most ticklish spots.

"Gherrick no!" She screamed through her laughter. "You can't do this. Noooooooo!"

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"Oh, but I can, I can!" the man cackled playfully. "No one escapes the wrath of the Prince!"

"Oh, no one?" came a familiar voice, as Gherrick halted suddenly and jerked his head away from Aurora.

"Mom!" And he took a step back, dawning a sheepish smile. "It's not what it looks like..."

"Oh?" she asked, calmly strolling towards the pair of them, giving her son a coy smile. "Then what was it?"

"It... was.... um..." the prince went on, blue eyes searching about before he pointed to Aurora suddenly, "She started it!" And he put his hands up, affirmatively. "I did the tickling in self defense!"

With a raising of her brows, she looked unconvincingly from her son over to Aurora.
"And what's your take on this story, Aurora?" she asked, still smiling, but keeping her cool.

[GoblinFae]

A sigh of relief escaped her as the young woman was able to compose herself and once more catch her breath. She took great delight in seeing her friend so cowed though on the outside she expressed nothing but shock and surprise.

"On the contrary," she declared, "it was I whose feelings were as bruised as my knees. He begged my forgiveness but refused to pay the price. Just when I was starting to bend and accept his apology he attacked me further and now has the audacity to blame me when it was quite obvious there was no means by which I could fend off such an onslaught. Forgive me Queen Mother but do not let the little prince lead you astray with such falsehoods!"

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Turning her cool gaze from Aurora, she looked over at Gherrick and raised a single brow.

"And what does my Prince have to say for himself?" she went on, arms folded over her chest.

Gherrick was still at a lose of words, staring at both his mother and friend before a grin twisted upon his face.
"Guilty as charged?" And he hoped his boyish grin might sway his mother, but suddenly her sharp finger nipped and took hold of his ear.
"OUCH! OWE! MOOOooOOoOM!" Gherrick wailed, grabbing for her hand but not daring to pull it away- for fear she might actually yank his ear clean off!

"Princes do not act like uncivilized apes, Gherrick. I think it's best time you come inside. Clearly being out int he sun all day has made rotten your brains and manners." And she tsked as her son groaned and wriggled beneath her ear pinch.
It was then the Queen looked back to Aurora.

"Is there anything I can have my son do to make it up to you? After all, a prince without humility would be a terrible prince for all."

And Gherrick peered over at his friend, wincing as his ear hurt ever so much from the pinching hold that it was actually bringing some tears to the young prince's eyes.

[GoblinFae]

"I believe you are quite right in that our young prince here does indeed need to relearn some humility. Perhaps if you find it a fitting punishment Queen Mother might I suggest a day of serving? If that is too much than maybe this evening at the very least? I believe it would do him some good to not only work for once but to understand how his work affects others so that in the future he will before mindful of how he treats those below him whom he is meant to serve as their future king."

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"I agree. Gherrick is too rambunctious for his own good! Very well, then it is decided..." And the queen turned to her son with a smirk.
"From now on until the sun has set, you must help your friend out no matter the cost, understand?"

Gherrick just stared at his mother, before laughing through a sigh.
"Until the sun sets?" He raised his brows. "Really?" He glanced over at Aurora, and shook his head. "But what about her? She ruined my nap..."

"Napping are we? Perhaps I should extend this servitude until the morning?" his mother went on, staring down her nose at her son as Gherrick shook his head.

"No, no! I... I think just this evening, is enough!" And he turned to Aurora and saluted. "So I am at your disposal, my lady." And he bowed to her. "What is it that you desire?" And he tried to sound OH so suave when he delivered that line.

[GoblinFae]

Aurora's eyes lit up with the mischievousness of youth that always meant someone was in for some of her brand of trouble. She knew Gherrick would recognize it and let him sweat a bit before moving a step closer to him and lifting her arms.

"Up now if you please," came her sweet request that did not match the cat-ate-the-canary grin that quickly spread across her face.

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Her grin wasn't without the matching pair that was tugging across Gherrick's lips, but the prince tried to keep it back before he murmured, "As you wish."

And before she could protest, he suddenly hefted her up bridal style and began to walk off with her.

[GoblinFae]

His smile though faint, did not go unnoticed. Aurora laughed lightly while wrapping her arms about the prince's neck. She swung her legs about gleefully while giving him a light squeeze. "To the kitchen, if you will," she directed him as if a wagon driver. "I do believe you promised me some treats, now."

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"Whatever the maiden wishes," he said, trying to sound oh so 'princely' as he whisked her away, through the halls and to the kitchen, where, partially out of breath, he stood wth her still in his arms and shifted her weight about.

"Here... you are... my lady," he said between pants. "What is it that you desire now? Some cake? Tart-pudding? Kiss-kiss cookies?" And the last part he had to throw in there, just to add the icing tot he cake and to be shamefully flirtatious- since 'kiss-kiss cookies' were normally baked in honor of lovers.

But hey- as a prince, he could have (or try to make.. as the case may be) whatever he wanted! Or well... er... whatever she wanted, as he suddenly found himself with a 'ball and chain'.

[GoblinFae]

While the mention of such a treat made her blush, Aurora was determined not to be one-upped. Leaning in, she placed a soft kiss to Gherrick's cheek before whispering teasingly in his ear. "Is there something you're wanting to tell me princeling?"

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Gherrick tensed at the unexpected kiss. And his face went beet red. Leave it to Aurora to make the prince all riled up.

"Well, yeah!" he went on with a laugh. "You sure weigh a lot. Maybe we should reconsider these treats and put you on a diet?"

[GoblinFae]

She cuffed him grumpily upside his head, letting her fists rain down upon his back and shoulders as an outraged howl escaped her throat. "Gherrick! Aren't you in enough trouble already?! Perhaps my servant is in need of some punishment given his unruly attitude."

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At that response, the young prince beamed.
"Trouble? Can a young man really be in too much trouble?"

[GoblinFae]

"He can with such big ears," Aurora teased even as she ceased her smacks and turned to tugging on said ears, albeit gently enough not to cause him too much pain and suffering. "Food, my servant! I have not forgotten the task set to you!"

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"Hey!" he gave her a puppy dog pout. "My ears aren't that big!" And at her reminder, his beaming smile returned.
"Yes, food, but you never did answer my question, My lady! For there are many choices of food to be had!"

[GoblinFae]

Aurora nodded her head sagely. "You're right. They're bigger! But, first things first you can put me down gently on the stool right there while I have a think. As tempting as kiss-kiss cookies are I think I would prefer something richer and fuller tasting. Then again, perhaps that is asking too much of my little servant. I would hate to see the kitchen set on fire."