Name -- Truly named Prince Zacharias Cecil Tannenbay, yet this RPW is more commonly known as Po.
It is so hard watching him die, and knowing I can do nothing. I know life is precarious, and for anything to survive, others have to die. I know that he must die to balance the world. Yet if I could do anything to save him, I would. My parents do not know of my love for him, they probably will never even know he existed. In a way, that is the cruelty of having royal heritage. My father, the king of our kingdom, would never settle for me loving a peasent, let alone a male. It is so hard watching him slowly fade away, compared to him before, happy, cheerful, and so alive. The hardest part is that the castle healers could save him. I just can't let my parents find me. They would make me marry someone else. I love him. They do not understand. -----Over two and a half years earlier-----Prince Zacharias stood on the merchant docks of the city Tannenbay, his pale hood hiding his face. The cool ocean air gently tugged at his fur, and the salty humidity was slowly drenching the hood. Prince Zacharias sometimes needed to get out of the castle. His parents felt that he might get harmed if he ever left the house, and rarely let him out of their sight. The docks were bustling with other paint wolves each one loading cargo, climbing rigging, or doing something related to ships. Prince Zacharias blinked his gold eyes, pulling the hood even lower. If anyone saw those eyes, it was over for him. They would know he was the prince. That was the last thing he wanted. The golden bands around his wrist clinked slightly as he took a step closer to the water. He went even closer, staring at the deep, sea coloured waves that were lapping against the docks heavy wooden supports when a blue and purple head pierced the surface. A wolf climbed from the water his fur dripping. He gave his body a large shake, sending a spray of water over Prince Zacharias, soaking his hood even more.
“Saph.”
Said the soaked RPW, extending his paw. Prince Zacharias took it, giving it a slight shake. Prince Zacharias, knowing he could not reveal his real name, gave a nickname his sister had called him before she died.
“Po.”
Saph looked at the strange, hooded figure in front of him, then smiled.
-----Six months later-----Po and Saph were running, side by side, their fur streaming behind them. Po's hood was still pulled over his eyes, yet Saph's glinted a soft green in the cool light. The forest around them was red and yellow, the path they were on blanketed by leaves that crunched under their paws. Both canines were smiling in the warm autumn air. The path they were on gradually widened, changing into a clearing. Saph and Po slowed to a stop, admiring the gentle cascade of Amber leaves around them. Saph took a step closer to Po, their sides almost touching.
"Do you believe in magic?"
Po blinked, confused by this sudden question.
"Because, I never did, until I met you." Saph's voice was soft and warm. Po lightly blushed, then murmured,
"This isn't magic, this is true."
"I love you Po."
"I love you more."
Po gently rested his head on Saph's shoulder, the leaves around them softly colours, like a watercolour painting of a smouldering campfire.
-----Three months later-----A winter chill was heavy in the air, and the candles in the street shone brightly, a symbol of light at The Winter Festival. Many masked RPW's spun around, dancing to light music. Po entered the street, his usual hood replaced by a white and gold mask, the shadows cast by the porcelain hiding his eyes, he was still sfe from being discovered. He looked up to see Saph, half his face covered by a sea-blue mask, the other coated with glitter. Amongst the blur of candles, canines and glitter, Saph looked truly enchanting. He began making his way towards Po, and when he reached him, a playful conversation started.
"Hey beautiful."
"Stop talking about yourself."
"But that's what I always do!"
"You either have a huge ego, or are absolutely mad."
"Madly in love."
"It's nice to see you Po."
Looking at the many other couples twirling around, Po offered a hand to Saph.
"Care to dance?"
Saph responded by pulling him into a spin, then leading onto the dance floor.
Their bodies were close as they dipped and spun in the cold night. Many hours after Po and his lover began dancing, the last chords of a song played out, yet Po and Saph still held onto each other. The sparkles had migrated from Saph to Po, and both canines were laughing, eyes filled with joy. Many RPW's had already left, and soon these two were the only ones left in the square. Po sighed, knowing he needed to tell Saph his secret. He couldn't keep it hidden forever, and now, when they were alone would be the best time to tell him.
"Saph?"
"Yes Po?"
"We need to talk."
Saph, sensing something was wrong, awnsered softly.
"I'll listen."
Po walked over to a shadowy corner, gesturing for Saph to follow. Po sighed again, worried what his lovers reaction to this news might be.
"Please Po, what's wrong?"
Po gently took off his mask, gulping back the terror inside. He looked up, making sure his eyes met with Saph's green orbs. Realization visibly dawned on Saph's face, those golden eyes holding so many secrets. Po had not known how Saph would react, yet nothing prepared him for what happened next.
"B- but..." He looked as if Po had punched him, his sea green eyes filled with pain.
"I- I trusted you.... How could you do this....?"
Po blinked in sorrow, not knowing what to say. Saph repeated his earlier woeprds, only this time he was more certain, more forceful, more angry.
"How could you do this! Why did you do this to me Po? No. You are not Po. You never were. You, you are Zacharias. You're the bloody prince!" Saph was spitting, angery tears washing his cheeks.
"Wait! I can explain!" Po's voice was soft.
"Listen to you! So that I will let you weave another web of lies, so you can act like you are no different from me? I never should have trusted you!"
Saph threw his mask to the ground, the fine porcelain mask shattering. Po stood, dumbfounded by Saph's rage. The blue and purple canine turned, running into the night. Po finnaly found his words, yet his love had already slipped into the grasp of night.
"Wait Saph! WAIT! SAPH! COME BACK! I LOVE YOU! I love you... Saph... Please..."
Those were only the first royal tears.
-----two weeks later-----Po's head was swimming. He missed Po so much, yet couldn't bring himself to talk to him.
"Zacharias?"
His thoughts were destroyed by the voice of his mother.
"You seem sad honey."
"I'm fine."
"But, due to you being sad, your father and I arranged a surprise. YOU'RE GETTING MARRIED TOMMOROW MORNING!"
Po stood abrubtly his chair falling behind him. He glared at the queen, then ran from the room.
The street was quite.Po was nearing Saph's house. After knocking on the door, saph emerged, fur dull and cheeks stained with tears.
"It's you."
"I am so, so sorry."
"Sure."
"May I come in?"
Saph stepped aside, and inside his small house, an almost empty bottle of whiskey sat at a grimy tabel, and the wall seemed to have taken a beating.
"What does my highness want to say?"
"Don't call me that."
"Is that all my highness?"
"Saph, I am so so sorry."
Saph remained quite.
"I'm getting married in the morning."
"So you came to gloat."
"That's not what I meant!"
"Then what did you mean?"
"I don't want to get married to her. I don't love her. I love someone else. I love you Saph. I. Love. You." Tears brimmed over in Po's gold eyes, and he took a breath to calm himself.
"I love you to Po, and will until my final breath."
Po hurried his face in Saph's silky side, soaking his fur.
"Run away with me."
"Your getting married in the morning."
"That's a long time away."
"This is my fairy tail."
"Listen to me."
"We can leave now. We'll make it if we run."
-----three months later-----Saph was drenched with sweat, his eyes shut in pain.
"Saph! Can you hear me?"
Amongst the blur of darkness and pain, Saph heard Po's voice. He managed to stutter Po's name, yet his voce was painfully weak.
"Hold on Saph! I'll get someone to help!"
The gray canine ran from the cave they had resided in for almost two months. A village was near, and Po's paws fell into a rythem matching his heart beat.
Soon enough the town neared. Po burst through the doors of the hospital, drenched with sweat.
"I need a healer! Now!"
A scrawny RPW scrambled from the back, her short fur messy and dull. She grabbed a bag of herbs hanging on the wall, then questioned,
"Who needs healing?" Then upon seeing Po's gold eyes, added "My highness." Po wasn't wearing his hood, but that didn't matter.
After what seemed like forever, Saphs violent shudders slowed, and his breathing calmed down.
"I need to talk to my patient alone my highness. If you will..." The healer, Wren, made a gesture toward the caves entrance. Nodding, Po left and once he was well out of earshot, Wren spoke.
"He doesn't know, does he...."
"Knowing would break his heart."
"You have to tell him."
"But..."
"No buts. Tell him once I leave."
"I- Alright. I'll do it."
-----An hour later-----"Po, I need to talk to you."
"What is it! Do you feel sick again? I can go get Wren again!"
"No... That's not needed. No healer can heal this."
His voice cracked with sorrow, and it took all his strength to say,
"I'm dying."
"What? You can't be dying... I love you. You can't..."
"I'm sorry."
"How long have you known?" Po demanded in a voice drowning in terror.
"Before we ran away. I'm sorry Po."
"But... How long do you have?"
"At this point, 24. At best."
"Oh Saph...."
Tears spilled over their cheeks, and Po shook softly.
"Saph, I love you. We can get through this. We have to get through this..."
"Po, don't you see? I'm dying. There is no point to try and save me. Let's just make the last days the greatest."
"No! This is not the end! This can't be the end...."
"You're right. It's the beginning. And I don'obviot it to end. But one day, we all reach here."
-----Two weeks later-----Saph's health had been deteriorating slowly. His once bright coat had dulled, and his eyes were glazed. Po had been doing all he could to help, and he and saph would joke to each other about the least funny of things. It was clear that they were just trying to distract themselves from the obvious, and although it sometimes worked, it showed that Saph had lost part of himself in this battle. Life is a war, and sometimes we must be the soldiers. That was what Saph told him. Sometimes, soldiers lose the war. That is what Po belived.
-----The last day-----Their was something dark about this day. Po knew Saph wouldn't live much longer, and no matter how much he dreaded it, he would have to say goodbye. He walked over to Saph, the smell of sickness heavy in the air. The large purpe and blue wolf's breathing was shallow.
"Po..." His voice was barely a whisper as his lover approached, and he struggled to move closer.
"I think the angels are coming."
"Don't let go Saph. I can't lose you. Please Saph. Please."
A faint smile crossed Saphs face.
"I love you Po. I guess this is the end."
"I'll remember you forever Saph. In my heart, you will I've on, we will be together. You will always be my friend. I'll still think of you when I need a paw upon my shoulder, I know this isn't over. Saph, my love, someday, I'll see you again."
Saph's breath was slowing, and Po slowly began to sing him into death.
Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You’ve come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping
What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home
And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
All souls pass
Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time
Don't say: «We have come now to the end»
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping
What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home
And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West
Tears fell freely from those golden eyes, onto the still body below Po.
"I love you Saph... Goodbye."
-----Three months later-----The absence of Saph was the most noticeable thing that had changed since his death, the other was the new headstone out front, reading:
Sapphire
Lover, Dreamer, Friend
You called it magic
I called it true.
.
