#2: Goddard

Disclaimer: [insert standard disclaimer here]

I'm quite fond of many of my OCs. Goddard's a particular favorite.

This oneshot was written in one go a couple months back.

Summary: Prince Goddard was known for being both a warrior and a diplomat. He worked to be both...but why?

As a child, Goddard was the quietest of the three young Barclyan siblings. Harlan daily charged about the castle yelling at the top of his lungs, while the Princess Gerarda shrieked almost every time she woke up when she was a baby and didn't change much as she grew.

The king favored his eldest son. The queen doted on her daughter. The men of the court alternately cheered for and guffawed over the antics of Harlan. The women of the court gossiped about and pampered Gerarda.

"Prince Goddard is a timid little thing, isn't he?"

"Poor dear; you barely know he's there half the time!"

Most people paid the middle royal child little heed as he slipped quietly from one day to another, his parents included. Goddard really didn't mind all that much.

Because Goddard had an uncle.

Dallin was King Dalbert's twin brother. He was unmarried and had no children to call own, which was lucky for Goddard.

Because he knew he was his uncle's favorite.

He was five when his uncle told him so directly. And though he truly didn't mind being second or third best in his parents' eyes, it was nice to be somebody's favorite.

"Why doesn't my father love me as much as he loves Harlan?"

"Because you are nothing like him, and Dalbert likes people who are similar to him."

It was Dallin who first taught Goddard to ride a horse. It was Dallin who first suggested he learn how to read and write more than just the basics. It was Dallin who first put a practice sword in the young prince's hand.

It soon became apparent that Goddard was good with horses. He was a decent reader as well. He showed signs of brilliance with the sword.

He was seven before Dalbert noticed. On the one hand, this made him happy because finally he and Harlan were on equal standing regarding something. On the other hand, it upset him because it meant his father and uncle would begin arguing about him.

Because he knew his father and uncle didn't like each other.

"I should be the one to continue his training, not you!"
"Why the interest now, brother? Why do you care now?"

Dalbert and Dallin compromised by training Goddard and Harlan together. Emotionally, it was difficult for everyone. Goddard tried to make up for it by being the best he could possibly be. To please both men.

His mother didn't like Dallin, either; she hardly ever spoke to him. Goddard was nine, almost ten, when things came to a head.

"Why do you spend so much time with your uncle, dear?"

"Because I'm his favorite."

His father told him he was no longer allowed to spend time alone with his uncle. He cried and pleaded, but received nothing but several hard blows in response. Then the king made sure that Dallin was out of the castle as much as possible, often at his own smaller castle miles away, surrounded by a young apple orchard.

"You can't do this, Father!"

"Shut up, you ungrateful brat! I am the king and you will obey me!"

That didn't stop Goddard from sneaking in visits with his uncle whenever possible. Dallin seemed glad to humor him, but any mention of the king or queen would cast a shadow of fury over his face. Goddard tried to ignore the seeping anger that slowly filled his teacher and mentor as the months went by. He tried to be perfect for his parents and his uncle as well, to keep everyone happy.

It didn't work as he would have liked.

"Why do my parents hate you, Uncle? Is it something to do with me?"

"It has everything and nothing to do with you."

Goddard was eleven, almost twelve when Dallin died in battle. Harlan was the only person who even tried to comfort him, albeit clumsily. Later, the brothers grew closer. Eventually they and their little sister banded together, becoming the companions the older generation had not.

"Your brother's not a bad sort, Goddard. He's loud and impulsive, which is why you will be important to him."

"Because I'm not like him or Father. I'm more like you. I think before I act."

"Hmm…yes. Exactly."

Goddard was thirteen when the queen died. In the months that followed, he heard whispers about the castle, whispers that he almost didn't want to understand. Words about "secret lovers" and "Dallin" and "unfaithfulness" and "nothing's certain".

"What do you suppose they're talking about, Harlan?"

"Does it matter? Here, want to practice with the spears now?"

Goddard was seventeen when the king, while drunk, called him a bastard.

When he asked about it later, only his Aunt Gytha was anywhere near honest with him.

"Is it true?"

"No one's sure."

Prince Goddard was quieter than both his siblings. Yet he was brilliant in combat, like his brother. Also, he was clever in affairs of state, like his sister. He worked to be able to be warrior and diplomat both. He felt as if he had to be everything.

Because he knew there was every chance he was nothing.

My mind goes weird places when I'm examining character motivations. :p