Okay, so this is a bit of a silly/humorous story I wrote for a prompt from M/M's Monday Madness over at LJ. Credit goes to AriadneO for posting the original prompt! Thank you!
The prompt was basically Mary and Matthew ride an elephant! So, that's basically what happens, but I hope in a funny, not too silly or out of character way. Hope you enjoy!
A Ride on the Wild Side
Part 1
Mary looked up at the giant elephant standing beside her. It was at least three times as tall as she was and she couldn't help but wrinkle up her nose in disgust. The smell emanating from the animal was not at all pleasant and neither was the sight of the pile of rotten food sitting beside it. The chunky, grey legs were as thick as pillars and Mary could quite easily walk underneath the great animal without bending her head, if she so desired, which she didn't, of course. The large trunk, almost as thick as the legs, suddenly swished downwards and it was only a strong arm around her waist that pulled her out of the way in time. The wide, grey and very wrinkly trunk just brushed past her as it made its way to the rotting pile of what looked like potatoes and took a large portion, dripping water and soggy food remains along with it. A few drops fell on her beautiful new sky blue dress and she jumped back further to avoid any more filthy splashes.
As she heard a chuckle beside her, Mary looked at her husband and narrowed her eyes in warning. Of all the things he had to choose for their honeymoon, it would be this, wouldn't it! Still, as Matthew had insisted when Mary first turned her nose up at the idea, they had gone to Thailand as she had wanted, they had been to see the pretty beaches and the magnificent buildings, as she had wanted. They had gone to see the beautiful scenery and majestic forests, as she had wanted. In fact, every day of their honeymoon they had done exactly what Mary had wanted, though Matthew certainly had not put up much argument for the contrary. Now, it seemed, he was getting his own back. An elephant ride! Of all the things he had to choose an elephant ride!
At Mary's glare, Matthew at least had the sense to stop chuckling and drop his arm from around her waist, but his teasing smile still remained and it only served to increase Mary's annoyance. She let her eyes fall once more on the giant animal and craned her neck to see the face past the brim of her hat. The ears were remarkably small for such a large animal and they shook about as the animal happily munched away on its sodden potatoes, splashing more drops of filthy water over her pristine new outfit.
Crinkling her nose even more, Mary commented dryly, "Its ears are very small." As if it had heard her and been offended, the giant suddenly let out a great bellow from deep within its trunk and Mary jumped back in surprise, banging right into Matthew and stepping into something that squashed under her toes. She looked down to see her beautiful satin boots marked by slushy vegetables that had fallen from the main pile. Matthew took the opportunity to wrap his arm around her neck and chuckle again in her ear. "I don't think it likes you very much, my dear."
Mary glared up at the animal, who seemed to be completely oblivious to them once more, though Mary was little fooled by its innocent demeanour, and then whirled around to glower at her husband in contempt. "They are much smaller than I have seen in pictures!"
"Those must be African elephants, Mary. Asian elephants have much smaller ears in comparison."
Mary's reply was to roll her eyes at her husband, trust him to know the reason! Stepping away from Matthew, she turned around to face the giant beast once more, narrowing her eyes at it, trying to make it out; challenging it to defy her. It did not seem to appreciate her challenging and domineering attitude much, for it suddenly surged forwards, swinging its giant leg towards her. It was only the strong arm that returned around her waist to pull her backwards that prevented her from being quite knocked over.
"Are you quite sure it is safe, Matthew dear." Mary asked, trying to keep her voice calm after the sudden disaster only just averted.
"Of course, my dear," Matthew replied, the smirk only growing on his lips and, despite her glare falling on him again, his arm still remained around her waist. "I would not suggest it if it was not, would I?"
The innocence in his tone did not fool her one moment and she narrowed her eyes further at him to show she was not at all convinced.
"If it is too undignified for you, Lady Mary, you could always wait here whilst I ride." Matthew offered, but the playful challenge in his tone was not missed by her, especially not as, at the same time, he drew her towards him and whispered it in her ear.
Ignoring the shiver that ran down her spine at his lips tickling her ear, Mary pulled away from him, took a few steps back from the giant elephant before her and, mustering every ounce of her good breeding and eloquence, she took on her haughtiest demeanour and gave the elephant a look of defiance. She was Lady Mary Crawley and she was not about to be defeated by a stupid, large elephant!
"No my dear, it is not undignified for a Lady. Have not elephants been used for centuries by the kings of this land?" She gave him her best, bright smile and pushed down the fear that crept into her mind as she looked at the animal and the very rickety looking seat perched atop his back. "I am simply concerned for the safety of my dear husband."
That earned her a cheeky grin and he stepped towards her, beaming. "Well as you have no reason to fear for my safety, let us not waste any more time. Which of these two great beasts would you like to ride?"
Mary looked at the one standing before her, it was surely the larger of the two, for the one to the left of them was a good foot or two shorter and did not look anywhere near as imposing. Also, Mary felt she had rather a personal matter to settle with this one before her, for it had tried to knock her down twice already!
"I will ride this one, Matthew, and you can ride the smaller one."
"Are you sure, Mary? This one is awfully big."
Mary just glared her answer and stepped towards the giant, looking him directly in the eye in challenge. "Of course! Now, how does one get on these things."
Hope you enjoyed reading it. There'll be a couple more chapters on their way.
