Pet of the Peacock Prince
By Princess Thil Galel
I DO NOT OWN
Thank you
R&R
Please enjoy!
Nothing much to say this time. Just one thing. The whole first half is a scene I've been planning to do since the beginning, is was suppose to be something small but significant. However, I must have let the idea sit in my brain too long, because it got BIG.
And now for my 'thank you's: jozs001, Autobot NightFury, eld mcm, Gin Kaminari Of The AzureSky, snapeissexy, and SilentHuntress95.
Promise of the Sun
Three weeks had past since the fight between father and son. Three weeks since they had last spoken. Three weeks since a single slap had brought about a cold shoulder from Lady Hera towards her husband. Three weeks since Lang had been nearly stabbed to death. And three weeks since the prince had received a letter from his long lost childhood friend.
Shen stood at his window one early morning. The sun itself had yet to rise and greet him through the pane of glass. But the prince simply couldn't sleep. Laying about in bed-even in the middle of the night-had begun to bother him. Even after he'd swallowed heaven knows how many packets of that foul tasting medicine the Soothsayer had poured down his throat, his chest cold still persisted. The winter chill only aggravated his symptoms.
He'd awoke coughing for the fourth time that night, fighting for each breath as he stumbled out of bed. The noise had aroused the slumbering human at the foot of his bed every time. Three of those four times, Amalthea had managed to calm him enough that the coughs had subsided fairly quickly. She'd sat on the edge of his bed and quietly talked the prince back to sleep. The last time, however, he'd simply given up on any attempt at sleep for the remainder of the night. He had failed to coax Amalthea into going back to sleep, and now she huddled by the fireplace with a blanket wrapped snuggly around her.
She looked up from the flames she'd finally finished building and turned to the sullen peacock. "Aren't you cold, Shen?" she asked "Maybe you should come sit by the fire."
Shen blinked out of his daze. "Hmm?" he hummed "Oh, yes. Of course." He crossed the cold floor to the hearth, a shiver crawling up his spine. The peacock settled on a cushion beside the human and let the warmth of the fire wash over him. He stared blankly into the flames, his tired eyes blinking slowly in the golden light. A wet cough erupted from his sore throat, choking him with a sharp pain in his chest.
A hand suddenly began rubbing soothing circles between his shoulder blades and a second gently resting on his chest. When the fit subsided, Shen looked down to the hand and over at Amalthea. She smiled warmly as she pulled the blanket off her shoulders and draped it over his own. "You need this more than I do." she said.
"Says the one without fur or feathers to keep warm." he replied with a strained voice as he wrapped the blanket tighter around himself. Some of Amalthea's warmth still remained in it's folds, and her scent clung to the fabric. Shen glanced at her through the corner of his eye. She wore a dark green sleeping robe, which she snuggled into against the chill. "You know," he murmured "The seamstress did an amazing job on your wardrobe."
She gave him a pointed look "I still can't believe you had so many clothes made-not to mention the fact that you went behind my back and had her make an outfit in every color of the rainbow." she said, then shook her head with a smile "All I needed was a couple of gis and a few pairs of kus. And they didn't have to be such expensive silks either, hemp or cotton would have worked just as well."
Shen snorted "Oh yes," he joked "Just as well if you're a peasant."
Amalthea rested her elbow on her knee and placed her chin in her hand "Which you forget that I am." she retorted.
The prince rolled his eyes "Not when you live under my roof you're not." he replied smuggly. He coughed again and tugged the blanket tighter. "I apologize for waking you and keeping you up, Amalthea. This accursed cold is driving me insane-bad enough it won't let me sleep, but now it's keeping you awake at night as well."
Amalthea shook her head with a smile "It's alright, you're not doing it on purpose and I've gone through worse." she said. When she noticed the fire had begun to burn out, she effortlessly tossed another log into the hearth. The flames licked over the dry wood like orange and red tongues.
They sat together in silence for several minutes, the shadows surrounding them held at bay by the fire's light. It was a comfortable silence, one in which they simply shared each other's presence. Over the past few weeks, Shen and Amalthea had grown closer. The human still had her closed off moments, but she was open for the most part. Since Lang finally received a clean bill of health the three had continued playing any number of odd games, and that had helped a great deal where Amalthea was concerned. Add the fact that her grandfather was around to talk to her after so many years, and the woman had almost become a completely different person. And the prince found that he rather liked this new side of Amalthea. He felt like he was finally seeing the real lady underneath the traumatized human he'd first met.
It was Shen who inevitably broke the quiet atmosphere. "What exactly did you mean, when you said you've been through worse?" he asked "Did your brother get extremely ill at some point? With all the stories you've told us, I honestly wouldn't be surprised."
But to his astonishment, she shook her head. "No, Teshin wasn't the one who got sick-it was me." she replied "And I didn't just get sick." The peacock turned his curious gaze on the human, she had his full attention. Seeing the unspoken question in his expression, she continued. "When I was eight years old, I went out to slide on the ice with Teshin and my father." she began "It had been an unusually warm winter that year-it was still really cold, mind you-but too warm for that time of year. We were at the river, running towards the shore and sliding out onto the ice before pulling ourselves back in to do it all over again."
She paused briefly, a memory flickering in her mind's eye. "I was running really fast that last turn, and I slid so far out I almost made it to the other side altogether." she murmured, almost like she was in a trance "But before I touched solid ground again, the ice gave underneath me. I remember how the water rushed up towards me, how dark it was when the river swallowed me, and the way the current grabbed me and started dragging me away. Then there was only the cold and empty blackness."
Shen's eyes widened. Amalthea had fallen through the ice of a frozen river? "What happened after you fell in?" he asked, almost breathless with wonder.
"Father ran ahead of where I was in the current and smashed his way through the ice." she replied "Thats the part I don't remember. Teshin told me my lips had turned blue and I'd stopped breathing. Father forced the water out of my lungs and ran home with me. I developed hypothermia, then pneumonia after that, and a flu soon afterwards."
Shen huffed softly "It would seem we've been in the same boat." he said, and cast her a sideways glance "So then I'm guessing you don't much care for ice or snow or the cold after your experience?"
Surprisingly, she smiled "Actually, I don't mind the cold, or the ice and snow." she said "In fact, winter is still my favorite season. When it gets cold you get to build a fire, and when you build a fire you get to sit by it with the people you love." Her smile faltered, however, as she stared back into the flames. "Although, the only person I've ever shared a fire with that way is Teshin. Mother and Father share it with each other, and sometimes I can't help but wish I had someone special to sit by the fire with-like they have with each other, you know?"
The prince nodded slowly. Yes, he knew what she meant. Ever since that one day years ago when he'd seen his parents sharing a tender moment together as he'd peeked through the cracked door. His father had murmured comforting words to his mother after she'd received news of her sister's death. Then he'd taken her into his wings with a loving kiss. It had been a deep, almost unsettling, urge to fill a hole in his heart that he hadn't even known exisited up until that moment. When he'd confronted his Nanna about the 'funny hurting in his chest' she'd sat him down and told him that his heart wanted to find his true love.
It went without saying that he hadn't understood. The Soothsayer hadn't been much help, she'd only said he would just have to be patient and one day he'd meet a nice peahen who'd make him feel all warm inside. Shen hadn't wanted to be patient then, but after a time he'd simply convinced himself that no peahen would ever want to be on his wing. After all, what girl would want a leucistic peacock?
Shen suddenly felt something brush his side, and he glanced down. Amalthea had somehow scooted closer to him while he'd been lost in thought. And now he felt her shivering through the blanket, even though she was barely touching him. The peacock chuckled as he tossed part of the blanket over her shoulder. He wrapped his wing around her waist, pulling her against his side before she could react. She let out a yelp in surprise, that only made Shen chuckle even more. But when she shot him a look, he managed to swallow it back. Although he wasn't able to hide the obvious humor in his voice. "I thought you might be cold," he chortled "So I was going to share the cover with you."
She casually pressed her elbow against his ribcage with a threatening glint in her eyes. "Be very greatful that I don't hit you." she said, smirking in good humor. The peacock snorted in response. Amalthea tugged the blanket further over her shoulder and snuggled into Shen's side.
Remaining as calm as he could with his heart suddenly pounding in his chest and his stomach doing a strange flip-flop, Shen shifted position slightly so Amalthea could lean more comfortably into contour of his body. Seemingly unconsciously, she did just as he expected and rested her head against his neck. His heart rate went through the roof. Shen was certain Amalthea could hear how loud his pulse was, how could she not when it was roaring in his ears? And if she didn't hear it, he had no doubt she could feel it. All he'd been focused on was making her comfortable, he had no idea why he was stressing out.
But when he finally let his mind wander, he wished he hadn't. What came out of his mouth was the absolute last thing he ever wanted to say.
"Do you...miss your family, Amalthea?"
He wanted to slap himself.
She was silent for a moment, her brows knitted together. When she finally spoke, there was a hesitancy in her tone. "Yes, I do miss them. They're my family, after all, and I love them with all my heart." she said "But I don't miss them the same way that I did before."
Shen paused, completely frozen in astonishment. "Y-you mean you...don't miss them as much?" he asked cautiously "What, um, changed? You know, when did you start to notice that you, uh, didn't...miss them so badly?"
Amalthea shrugged, her shoulder brushing his chest. "It's not that I don't miss them as much. I just miss them...in a different way." she said "At first all I wanted was to go home-most likely because I wasn't free to do so. But after I came here, and met my grandpa again, I started thinking."
When she didn't continue, Shen decided to gently probe for an answer. "And what exactly did you start thinking about?"
She snuggled a little closer and pulled her knees up to rest her arms on them. "Well, Grandpa sent a messenger bird back home with a letter to let everyone know I'm alright, so theres no reason to run back immediately." she murmured "But then that got me thinking about my life. I'm old enough that I should think about spreading my wings-no pun intended."
"Old enough to-I thought your brother was older than you!" Shen stated "How can he still be living comfortably at home with your parents, and yet you want to move out?"
"It's different than what you're thinking." she said "You have to remember that I've lived in a cage all my life-not just when I was kidnapped. I've never set foot outside that valley, and was never go to be able to. But Teshin could go anywhere, because he'd fit in." She turned her almost pleading eyes on the peacock. "Do you know what it's like, Shen? To have so many barriers all around you, just because of what you are?"
Little did Amalthea realize, she'd hit the nail on the head. Shen knew exactly the feelings she'd described. His color was a barrier. His health another. He'd been labeled at birth as a bad omen-as an infant, who'd never done anything wrong. His crest lowered as his thoughts turned sullen, and he stared at the floor. Amalthea gently forced him to look at her. "I've been here for nearly a month, and not once have I seen this person everyone fears. All I see is Shen." she said softly "What I've always wanted is to be free-to be who I am, and not be held back by what others think or see. I want to be part of the world, and I think you feel that way too."
He smirked half-heartedly. "It amazes me how much we have in common, Amalthea." he said "We were born worlds apart, and yet we're closer than I am with my parents." She smirked, and playfully bumped him. He chuckled and plucked at a stray lock of hair with his beak. Amalthea squeaked in surprise, and the sound caused both of them to laugh.
Shen happened to glance out the window he had previously occupied. The first hint of pre-dawn light was beginning to glow in the cloud-dotted sky. A sudden idea hit him like a brick, and a grin split across his face. "Amalthea," he said "You want to see something?"
She blinked in surprise, but then smiled. "Sure," she said "What did you have in mind?"
The peacock leaped to his feet and pulled her along with him. Grabbing hold of her hand, Shen ran out his chamber door and dragged Amalthea behind him. "Shen," she gasped as she stumbled after the prince "Where are you going-whats the rush?"
He laughed as he tugged her up the stairs. "We have to hurry or we'll miss it!" he exclaimed, not bothering to keep his voice down as they ran through the slumbering tower. "Believe me, it's beautiful-you'll be glad I didn't let you miss it!" He let out a breathy laugh, the mad dash up several flights of stairs while dragging a stumbling human was beginning to take it's toll. "I can't believe it," he panted "You've been here for three weeks-and I never thought to show you this! Gods, I could slap myself for such stupidity!"
"But where?" Amalthea huffed, laughing at his enthusiasm even as she tried to catch her breath. "What are you babbling about?"
"This!"
They had climbed all the way to the top of the tower, and Shen threw open a hatch leading to the roof. He pulled her up the ladder and out onto the shingles. The peacock tugged her over to one of the golden flame-shaped spires protruding from the tower. Releasing her hand, he fearlessly lept out onto the very tip of the spire. She swallowed hard past the lump in her throat when she glanced over the edge. "Alright then, I'll bite." she said in a trembling voice "What did you want to show me?"
The prince gave a grand sweep of his wing towards the horizon. Her gaze followed the gesture, and a gasp escaped her lips. The blazing gold orb of the sun was rising out of a pink and scarlet ocean filled with orange crested waves. The lightening sky was the palest shade of purple. The normally white clouds had changed, now they were wrapped in ribbons of fire and dusted with the purple of the lingering night as it faded into nothingness. Never in her life had Amalthea seen a sunrise like this one. She didn't know what made it so grand-the sun itself, the shimmering sea, the color-streaked clouds.
Her eyes turned to the white peacock perched on the spire, the colors of the light spilling onto his plumage. The sun wrapped him in a halo of gold as he turned slight to her. "Didn't I tell you?" he said, glowing with a pride brighter than the sunlight "This is the famous sunrise of Gongmen City. There is no other like it in the world. And I find this to be the best place to witness it."
At that moment, Amalthea knew that Shen was more beautiful than any other peacock. Both inside, and especially outside. "It really is beautiful." she murmured "I'm glad you decided to share this with me."
The peacock smiled as he turned back to the rising sun. The early morning breeze teased over his feathers, and he breathed in deeply, filling his lungs with the crisp winter air. "You know, it's mornings like this that make me think of that old story." he sighed "Remember, the one I read to you a few days ago?"
"The Tale of the Phoenix?" asked Amalthea "What does it remind you of?"
His ruby eyes sparkled in the sunlight as he watched over the city he would one day rule. "The Promise of the Sun." he stated "We haven't gotten to that part yet, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it. The Promise of the Sun is the vow the phoenix made to the Lady of the Earth. That with each sunrise that came he would remain by her side and protect her." A serious expression overcame his features as he tucked his wings into his sleeves. He turned on his perch to fulling face the human as she stood barefooted on the palace roof. "Amalthea, what you said earlier is true. I know exactly how you feel about your freedom to be who you are." he said "No one should have to be something they're not, or be judged by who they are."
Shen lept from his perch and landed beside the shivering human. He gently placed his wing on her shoulder. "You and I are very much alike, Amalthea." he said "I've never met someone who could understand my plight as much as you. And that is why I wish to offer you my protection. As long as you remain here, I shall keep you safe."
Amalthea opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out. Even if she could sympathize with him, why would he pledge himself to her wellbeing? A second try found her voice. "Shen, you don't have to do this." she said "I'm nothing worth risking yourself for."
He smirked down at her "You might not see it, Amalthea, but you are a very rare person. And I don't mean because you're human." he said "As a prince, I'm very familiar with all types of people, but I have never come across one like you. I want you to freely experience the world. And I won't let anyone, or anything, stand in your way."
The human frowned at him in confusion. "But I don't understand." she said "Why? Why go through all this trouble?"
Shen chuckled as he headed towards the hatch. "Because we are very much alike, as I stated before." he said "We are spirits akin. And besides, we are friends. Are we not?"
Without another word, the peacock disappeared inside.
O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O
That afternoon, Amalthea sipped on her mug of tea as servants came and went from Shen's room with his luggage. She sat on his bed, trying to stay out of the way as the peacock tirelessly directed the help on what to pack, what to pack it in, and where to take it. Several rabbits removed and folded his clothes and passed them to the sheep to have them packed away. The packed clothing was taken to the antelopes by the door to be cataloged, then handed over to the gorillas to be carried down the stairs and finally given to the wolves to be loaded on the carts. It was a lengthy process, if one mistake was made everything would have to be done all over again. Amalthea couldn't help but marvel at how easily Shen kept control of the nearly chaotic situation with little difficulty.
If a problem arose, he quickly stomped it out. If there was some sort of confusion, he immediately set it right. He made everything seem so effortless, she could swear the peacock could do it in his sleep. Shen let out a satisfied sigh when the last of his things left the room "And that takes care of that." he commented and tucked his wings into his sleeves.
Amalthea giggled behind her tea. "That was impressive, Shen." she said "Gongmen City is blessed to have you as it's heir."
The prince snorted "Keeping a packing operation running smoothly is one thing," he replied "But running a kingdom is something completely different." He scanned over his list, checking things off as he worked his way down to the bottom. "Now, lets see..." he murmured to himself "We've got your things packed, Nanna has her things, Lang should be finishing up any time now, and that was the last of my luggage. I think thats everything. We should be ready to leave as soon as my parents give the word."
"Then why don't we head down to the carts?" suggested Amalthea. She hopped off the bed and followed Shen down the stairs. Servants rushed about, preparing for the royal family's departure. The wolves were on high alert, a large number were accompanying the peacocks to Xiangyang City. Extra measures were being taken to defend the palace by those remaining, and to protect the royals by those making the journey.
As the two exited the palace, loud arguing voices could be heard. Glancing about, Shen spotted Lang. The wolf's fangs were bared in an angry snarl, his ears pinned flat against his head, and his hackles raised threateningly. Standing before him was the snow leopard student, Tai Lung-who was clearly the source of the problem. "Listen cat, I don't care if you're Master Shifu's grandpappy!" the Wolf Boss spat sarcasticly "You either ride with the crates or you walk like the rest of us. But there is no way in this dynasty you're riding with the lords and ladies!"
The feline let out a low growl, the sound reverberating deep within his muscular chest. "Who are you to order me around, filthy dog!" Tai Lung challanged, he stabbed a sharp claw into Lang's chest "Last time I check, lowly boot-licking servant mutts like you, didn't make the rules, and-"
"And last time I checked, my family and I make the rules." interrupted Shen, his feathers fluffed out slightly in irritation. The snow leopard turned with a snarl, but it died in his throat when he came face to face with the prince. The peacock's crest was nearly flattened as he glared holes through the feline's head. He stalked towards the cat threateningly, his crimson eyes held dancing flames. Tai Lung may have been taller and more muscular, but Shen had an extremely dangerous air about him-one that had the surrounding wolves slowly edging away from the leucistic prince. "I shall only tell you this once, peasant, so listen well." said the prince in a low voice. He couldn't have sounded more furious even if he'd yelled at the top of his lungs. "Lang is the alpha of the wolf pack. He is also my right hand and I trust him with my life-where as I don't trust you as far as I could throw you. You will be taking orders from this 'lowly' servant because he serves me, and I make the rules. All my demands go directly to him, and therefore, he gives them to you."
As quickly as the anger had come, it was gone, and the prince smiled smuggly at the cat. "I'm just so glad we had this talk, Tai Lung." he said and tucked his wings in his sleeves in a relaxed manner "Now that we've gotten all this fuss settled I don't want to hear of it again, is that clear?" The snow leopard's ears flattened and his tail lashed about, but he gave a curt nod. Shen smirked and casually returned it with the slightest dip of his head. "Good. You're dismissed." Grinding his teeth together, the feline stalked away with clenched knuckles-shoving aside several wolves as he left.
Lang continued to glare at the feline's retreating form. Shen rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Well, now that thats taken care of," he said to the wolf "I'm going to see whats taking my parents. Keep an eye out of Nanna, she should be on her way. And look after Amalthea for me." When the wolf pressed a fist to his palm, the peacock headed back inside.
The Boss Wolf looked at the other wolves, who were standing around with confused expressions. Lang flattened his ears "What are you all gawking at?" he snapped "Shows over, now get back to work!" They scattered like ants, rushing about to finish loading the carts.
Amalthea smirked "Looks like someone's got things under control." she commented.
He chuckled and folded his arms over his chest. "Yeah, I guess. They're good guys, they just need some guidence is all." he replied. He gave her a side-ways look "So, are you sure you're ready for this?"
Her brows knitted together "What do you mean?" she asked "Ready for what?"
Lang vaguely gestured towards the carts and the royal sedan with a hand, wincing ever so slightly when the motion aggravated the newly formed scar on his side. "This trip." he said "It'll take a few days to get to Xiangyang City, and it'll be rough going when we get to the mountain pass. Besides, I don't think King Azure will let you ride with Shen-no matter what the prince says."
"I'll be fine, Lang." she reassured him "You worry too much."
His muzzle scrunched slightly when he frowned at her. "I worry just enough." he said gruffly, then his expression softened "I'm only trying to look out for you. I've been on trips like this before. Theres bandits and assassins, mudslides and avalanches, and the long, long days of nearly non-stop walking. So again I'll ask. Are you sure you're ready for this?"
Amalthea placed her hands on the curves of her hips with a roll of her eyes. "Yes, Lang, I'll be okay." she said "I can take care of myself pretty well, and besides, I've got you watching my back." She playfully punched his shoulder and smirked. The wolf returned it with a smile. A strange look stole across his face, like he had suddenly remembered something important. He reached around his back and removed something from his belt. The wolf took Amalthea's hand and placed a sheathed knife in her palm. She looked at it in confusion. "Lang, whats this?"
"Open it." he said simply.
Giving the wolf a raised eyebrow, she did as he asked and slid the knife free. A gasp of wonder escaped her. Upon pulling the dagger from it's black sheath, Amalthea found herself holding a pearl knife. The handle was black like the sheath and had golden wolves on either side. It's pearl blade gleamed in a rainbow of colors in the light, and it was then that she noticed what was on the blade. She'd learned to read a little chinese-mostly just commonly used characters, one of which she recognized. "'Gongmen City'." she read.
Lang rolled his eyes with a smirk "That side says 'Made in Gongmen City'. Nothing special." he chortled and turned the blade over in her hand "Try reading that side." The human scrunched her nose in concentration, trying to decipher the hidden message. Upon seeing her struggle, Lang read aloud "It says 'If you mess with the wolf, you get the fangs'. This knife's been passed down through my family for generations, One of my ancestors made it with his own hands. He gave it to his son when he became a guard at the palace-the first of my family to start my pack. Every alpha passes this knife on to his son, to protect him and help him protect the royal family."
"Wow," breathed Amalthea "Thats quite the history, and such a beautiful knife." She sheathed the dagger and held it out to the wolf. But when he held up his hands and made no move to take it back, Amalthea's eyes widened. "No," she said sternly "Lang don't you dare-no!"
But he only shook his head and pushed the knife away. "Oh yes. You're keeping it on your person at all times while we're on this trip-that includes after we reach Xiangyang." he said firmly. Upon seeing her expression, he added "Look, I don't expect you to keep it forever if that makes you uncomfortable, but I do expect you to do as I said and hold on to it until we get back. I'm only thinking about your safety, after all."
"But what about your safety?" she countered, thrusting the dagger back towards him "Need I remind you that you've just finished recovering from a stab to the ribs? Whats going to happen if you get into trouble again-which we both know you will-and you don't have this on you?"
The wolf shifted his hands to his hips and gave her a hard look, possibly one he used on stubborn wolves that weren't minding him. But when she didn't back down, he huffed and let his arms flop to his sides. "Good gods, this girl is as stubborn as Shen." he mumbled under his breath. "Did you ever stop to think if I even use it? Because I rarely do. Thats part of the reason I gave it to you. Now if we were talking about my hammer, I'd break somebody's arm just for picking it up." Amalthea faltered slight under that arguement, and Lang noticed with smug satisfaction. He pushed the sheathed dagger to her until it rested against her chest. "Besides, if you have it with you, it's kinda like I'm right there protecting you myself, ain't it?"
She couldn't find the heart to turn down his offer after that statement-especially when he immediately began giving her the puppy face. His eyes getting big and watery looking, his lower lip poking out and beginning to quiver. His ears flopping back as he clapsed his hands together in a begging position and gave the most pitiful whimper imaginable. Gods, he was playing dirty! She folded her arms defiantly, but in the end, she couldn't keep a straight face. "Fine!" she said exasperatedly "I give already, I'll keep the knife. Just stop with the face!"
He laughed victoriously "Nobody can stand up to the face." he commented "You lost before we even started."
Her response was a punch in his gut.
Amalthea tucked the knife into her blue waist skirt as the wolf rubbed his offended midsection. "Ow, Thea, you hit hard." he complained with a smirk. She'd hit his armour and he hadn't felt a thing. And she knew it too.
She rubbed her throbbing hand and glared at him with a grin. "Sleep with one eye open, Lang." she said with a devilish chuckle "Because I'm going to get you back."
"I'd love to see you try." he replied. The human waved him off and walked past him. "Hey!" he called after her "Where on earth do you think you're going?"
"To tell Grandpa good-bye!" she yelled over her shoulder, and under her breath she added "And to make sure Tai Lung doesn't break something."
O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O
Shen knocked at his parents' door. "Enter!" came his mother's voice. The prince slid the door open and stepped inside. A few richly decorated trunks sat by the door. The queen peahen looked between the twin she-wolves as they held up two robes for her to inspect. "Hmm," hummed Hera, tapping her beak with a feather. "Oh, I just don't know. Shen deary, what do you think-which one should I take, the red or the orange." The prince opened his mouth to answer, but the queen gasped. "Oh, you know what, you're already wearing orange. That settles it then, I'll take the orange one, Rin." The she-wolf nodded and began folding the garment.
The peahen sighed happily "I'm so glad when things work out." she murmured, and turned to her son "Now, what did you need, dear?"
The prince waited several second to make sure she wouldn't start talking again. When she remained silent, he finally spoke. "I came to see what was taking you and Father so long." he said "I thought you'd be ready to go by now." The queen suddenly glanced down, and quickly turned away. She was nervous, that much Shen knew. The peahen could be as solid as a brick while speaking at a council or to any number of delegates from all across china. But when it came to Shen, his father, and the Soothsayer, she was an open book. "Mother, what aren't you telling me?"
Hera turned to the white peacock, her doe-brown eyes held guilt in their mahogany depths. But as she started to explain, Shen's father walked in behind him. His onyx eyes lit up when the young peacock turned to him. "Ah, Shen, good. I was just going to come looking for you." he said. He held a decorative box in his wing and a gleam in his eyes.
"And you were coming to find me...why?" asked Shen, eyeing the box with wary suspicion.
Azure opened the lid and presented it's contents to his son. Shen leaned closer to peer into the box. Inside lay a circle of some of the softest leather the white prince had ever seen. On the outside was a length of gold chain, connected to the leather by several gold hoops, the largest of which sat on the front with a ruby drop dangling from it. All in all, it was beautiful. Fine gold, leather made by the most skilled hands, and a perfect gemstone.
"Like it?" asked the king.
The prince nodded "What's it for?"
"For your pet, of course." he chortled, and gave the box to his son "Make sure you get this on it before we leave."
Shen glanced down at the box and quickly back at his father "Pardon me, but what did you say?" he asked incredulously, his crest flattening "Are you telling me that this is a collar?"
The king looked at his son with confusion "Well, yes, what did you think is was for-your mother?" he said "If you're concerned about it irritating it's neck scar don't worry, I had the best leather in china used to make it."
The white peacock slammed the lid shut "Thats not what bothers me." he said "Amalthea doesn't need a collar, and I shan't put one on her either. I appreciate the thought, Father, but no thank you."
Shen offered the box to the older peacock. But the king pushed it back towards his son with a stern look. "Either put the collar on your pet, or it stays here locked in your room." he said firmly "Your choice, Shen."
The white prince looked to his mother, and saw the apologetic look in her eyes. She had known, and hadn't had the heart to tell him. Shen breathed out through his nostrils in frustration. He quickly regained his composure and faced his father with a mask of indifference. "As you wish, Father." he said in a monotone voice, showing no emotion whatsoever "I shall have it on her before we leave."
Azure smiled and place a wing on his son's shoulder with an affectionate squeeze. "I'm glad, and I'm sure we'll all have a joyous time." he said, and gave Shen a pat on the back "Now, why don't you go take care of this little matter, hmm? Your mother and I shall be down shortly."
Shen dipped his head and brushed past his father. The box in his grasp seemed to grow heavier with ever step he took. A knot formed in the pit of his stomach, and his throat felt raw. How was Amalthea going to take this?
He was about to find out. As he stepped outside, he saw her walking towards the carts with the Grand Master. The two were talking quietly together, the old tortoise seemed to be giving her words of wisdom or some such thing. She nodded and wrapped her arms around him. He chuckled as he returned her embrace, stroking her back tenderly before releasing her. Tai Lung came up behind them. He too shared a few words with Oogway before walking Amalthea back to the carts.
The human spotted him, and a smile came to her lips. Shen swallowed past a sudden lump in his throat, the feeling of dread growing. Taking a deep breath, he walked up to her. "How are your parents?" she asked "Almost ready?"
No words would come, no matter how hard he tried to force them out. What could he say? 'My father wants you to wear a collar, how do you feel about leather?' He'd even slap himself.
When he didn't reply, Amalthea frowned. "Shen," she asked "Are you alright?"
His grip on the box tightened. He finally found his voice, but he could only say one thing. "Please, don't hate me." he murmured. As swiftly as he could, Shen took out the collar and buckled it on Amalthea's neck.