Chapter 4:

Shadow's Beginning

Prince Shadow was born to hedgehogs Queen Debbie and King Gerald. Ever since his birth, Shadow was defiant and grumpy. His nannies and tutors had more trouble with him than all the other princes and princesses they'd ever worked for. Shadow would only comply when given a direct order from his mother and father, and that would be very grudgingly done.

The only time Shadow ever seemed to be happy was with his sister Maria, who was the complete opposite of him. She did have a stubborn streak, though and was very good at lying for Shadow so he would escape punishment. He would take her outside the castle and they'd play games in the forest, swim in the streams and climb trees. Maria's nanny couldn't figure out how Maria's clothes were so dirty when Maria herself was squeaky clean. Of course Maria bathed herself before anyone was the wiser.

Shadow's mother's coloring was purple and yellow, while his father was gold and bronze. Maria was a pretty yellow hedgehog who frequently wore blue. Her eyes were a soft grass green. Shadow looked like none of them, and king Jerold threatened to find his real family, meaning the monkeys in the trees, and send him back to them. He said that since Shadow loved being outside so much, he must surely be a monkey, and would fit right in. Shadow grumbled and mumbled as usual, but in some way, he felt that was a compliment of his skills and left off being troublesome for a few days.

The only lessons Shadow studied diligently for were his music lessons. He had a handsomely carved lap harp made of alder wood and strung with the finest sinew. The harp was carved with a leaping dragon with vines curling around its legs. Shadow tuned his harp fastidiously and played it with skillful fingers.

Shadow's singing teacher, Mr. Florence, had no trouble putting Shadow through his paces. Shadow sang in a mellifluous, husky baritone that left everyone entranced. No one had any doubt that that if he weren't a prince, Shadow could go far with his music. Alas, singing and music was frowned upon in high society. Music was only for musicians and bards to play. Princes were to know how to play and sing, but not in public, depending on the audience. Shadow was to be talented, if not in music, than in archery or sword play which he also enjoyed.

Armed with this knowledge, Shadow took his harp to the forest and played only for himself and Maria. Gradually however, Maria started going out on her own, which made Shadow immensely pleased. He gave her a kit of food, water, and other supplies though just in case and carved her a walking stick.

"You worry too much," said Maria, though she was thankful.

"I don't want anything bad to happen to you," Shadow replied. "You're my little sister."

"I'm almost twelve," declared Maria.

Shadow gazed at her intently and Maria's half-joking pout morphed into a serious expression. She nodded at Shadow and gave him a hug. She slung her bag of supplies over her shoulder and waved.

"I'll be careful Shadow," she called. "I promise."

Shadow watched Maria for a few weeks, but nothing major ever happened to her. She seemed to have a way with other animals unlike themselves and now always carried more healing salves and herbs than Shadow had initially packed for her. Shadow smiled approvingly and stopped watching her.

As the weeks turned into months, Shadow and Maria's parents grew to notice that Maria was becoming a woman. They intensified her lessons in courtly dances, tea serving, polite conversation and all the rest princesses should know. They added a touch of politics, but not as much as Shadow was receiving. Shadow found he enjoyed the politics lessons more than he thought. His father stressed the importance of Shadow becoming a kingly man, while his mother told both of them it was time to put their childish ways behind them.

"You're no longer a little princess, Maria," said Queen Debbie. "You will make a queen for someone one day. You must learn to be graceful, stately, and knowledgeable, though not enough the women of the court will think you boring."

"Why can't I stay here?" asked Maria. "I can rule with Shadow."

"Shadow will be finding a wife soon," said Debbie. "She needs all her space to be queen. She won't want little sisters to bother her and undermine her methods. That spawns treason."

That made both Shadow and Maria very upset. Under cover of darkness, they both snuck out and met in the forest. Shadow hugged Maria and told her he would always love her and that he would always need her around. They sat together in the branches of a large oak and talked until the sun began to rise.

"I would never throw you away," said Shadow. "When… If you get married, I expect you to visit every month. If your husband doesn't let you, I will come visit you and see if he treats you well. If he doesn't…"

"Wouldn't I be able to choose who I marry?" Maria queried. "I don't want to marry some stuck up king who doesn't like me."

"Are you calling me stuck up?" asked Shadow fondly.

"No," said Maria. "I just want to meet someone who cares about me."

"I'll do my best to find you someone like that," Shadow said softly, combing his fingers through Maria's hair. "I want to meet someone who cares about me too. Even if she's not a courtly woman, that makes no difference to me. She could be a commoner for all I care."

"Um Shadow?" asked Maria, peering at him quizzically. "If you can't find a woman who's… Who can deal with you, what then?"

"Then I don't marry," said Shadow simply. "I hand the kingdom over to you and that will be that. Our parents won't last forever. After they die, well, we can run the kingdom however we want. Of course that's within reason, or the people might revolt."

They both thought on that for a moment. It was true, and a little saddening to think of. None of them were that close to their parents, but they still would miss them if they were gone. Shadow and Maria climbed down the tree and walked back to the palace, Shadow pondering over a certain blue hedgehog he'd seen just a few days ago.

"I hope that fox was worth it," Shadow thought. "I think he was, though. I should check again tomorrow. It's been a few days since I've seen either of them. Sonic's face though, when she saw those strawberries… She looked so heartbroken, but was able to muster up a smile, even if it was a small one. I wonder what happened to make her so upset. I must find out."