Prince in Exile

(Iron age media Prompt) The Homesick, for January 17, 2024

The creaking of old work wheels rotated down a soggy, soiled path. Thorns and limps clawed at the ram shackled goblin caravan. Their many outer trinkets were torn or fallen from the overstuffed cart.

Inside, all sorts of things rocked side to side. Jumping with each hard bump. The constant, incoherent rambling of the goblins made it impossible for Aes to sleep. As did her rope bind. She hoped up as another heavy bump caused the wagon to drop.

The heavy landing rearranged the contents a bit. Aes was greeted by a tiny, high-toned yet rugged whimper.

”Mon Cher… Mon Cher!” Aes, groaned and looked up. Her tired eyes examined the poorly lit interior. Just above her wooden cage. A small white mouse was looking down at her from his own little prison. “Ah! You are perfect!” It said Aes raised an brow. “You are what I have been seeking, Yes?”

“What do you want?” Aes said, paying no mind to the volume of her voice; the goblins spoke louder than them both.

“Free me! Ze favor shall be returned!” The mouse said

“How?”

“Ze goblin’s are very stupid. I need only for you to twist…” He reached his little paws outside to the wooden twist latch to show her “GRR…Twist zis! Ah I am not strong enough, like zis! But you!”

Aes grinned and scoffed a bit. Shifting her legs behind herself, to crawl forward on her knees and bound wrists

“Wait!” The mouse said,. Aes looked up with a curious expression. It was quiet as simply looked at her for a moment. “Continue.”

Aes gave the mouse a confused grin, yet dismissed the strange moment. How many odd creature’s had she met in this strange land? Aes slipped her petite hands through the cage though they were bound together she was unable to reach.

“Almost…” She grunted “Can you..” Before she could ask. The little mouse began rocking the cage back and forth to get closer. He leaped from one end to the other with such nimble agility. Aes extended her fingers to grasp the cage. “Got it!”

“Ok, hold on.” She worked her hands as close as she could. The wooden twist lock was worn deeply. It squealed painfully loudly as it came loose.

“Oh oh-oh!” The little mouse springs forth to freedom. “Merci beaucoup!” Aes lost sight of him. She glanced around, hearing his little chattering. She squeaked in surprise as he appeared on her lap.

He was very tiny, even for a mouse. Snow white fur and large black eyes. Little whiskers that curled with his wide range of facial expressions. He stood on his back legs like a human. One hand behind his back and the other at his chest. He gave her a suave look that gave her a slight chuckle.

“Bonjour ma beauté.” He examined her from head to waist. “You are exactly as I imagined! Your eyes are like the ocean and sky have made sweet, sweet love.” He sprung to her shoulders and caressed a lock of her hair. “Your hair is silky as raven feathers and as mysterious as night herself. Your skin is as soft and pale as a new-born cherub! “ His tiny paws stroked the side of her cheek.

Aes leaned back a bit, blinking several times and looking away. Her face was red, a mixture of confusion, embarrassment, and laughter.

“So um…Your uh…Gonna help me get free now?”

“Ah yes-yes-yes!” He hopped on his little mouse limbs down to her wrists. With in seconds, he bit through the binds.

“Thank You!” Aes said, rubbing her chaffed skin. The little mouse had disappeared again. A painful, rusty clicking noise came from within the lock on her cage. It snapped, and the lock opened. The little mouse popped out triumphantly.

Aes grinned and fluttered her eyes in disbelief. "I'm... impressed,” she admitted.

“Tell me your name, my beauty!” The little mouse asked, appearing on her lap once more.

“I’m…call me Aes.” She answered.

“Ah yes! A very fitting name for such a bewitching beauty!” He took her left hand and began to place multiple tiny kisses on it. Aes sucked in her lips, struggling to not laugh. The little hero continued on up to her wrist. Aes gently lifted him up by the back of his neck and pulled him away.

“…And you are?” She asked as he continued to place kisses, unaware he was in the air.

“Ah yes! My closest loved ones call me ‘Gin’.” He flipped free and stood on the back of her hand. He gave her another suave glance as he twirled his whiskers in a circle. “I am a prince!”

“Uh-huh..” Aes responded. Pushing the door to the cage open.

“Banished from my home…” He continued

“mm-hm..” She responded. Examining the door to the gobin’s caravan.

“In search of ze beautiful sorceress…” He gave her a look

“Huh.” She squinted her eyes as half grinned

“…who can break this curse!”

“Cool…sooo anyway.” Aes hopped out. Bundling herself up in her clothes. He watched her with an adoring look. She glanced back. “I’m not a sorceress, sorry.”

“But, you are ze one!”

" ‘Ze’ one what?” She asked, surveying her surroundings.

“Ze Sorceress…with ze long raven hair. Ze ocean blue eyes.”

“There are alot of…” Aes paused, “…then again, this isn’t a place where normal humans are.” She slipped into the woods. Traversing close to the path.

The low, light gray skies provided enough for the young human to see and travel. Her new companion chattered on in his bravado and admiration for her. it was a mixture of amusement and flattery for her. She often rolled her eyes and giggled at what he was saying. She stopped along the way and looked at the horizon.

A wide, ruined structure overlooked the rolling hills. Aes bundled up more from the chill. The roaring waves under the towering cliffs that housed the antiquated ruins. Aes sat down for a moment to rest.

“Such a sight!” Gin said, and gave a chef’s kiss to the scenery. He glanced over at his human companion, who was also taking the sight in. “What is within such a place, zat such a ravishing creature, as yourself , would venture to it?

Aes sighed “A way home…”