Chapter 3 : Hello my name is ….
Ambrose Gale was a smart kid with a free spirit and too much curiosity. Unlike his sister though, he knew how to control this curiosity of his, so most of the children at the Palace thought that he was boring and geeky. However in his eyes it was important to listen to rules, because rules gave him a feeling of organization and security. He didn't expect though that he would soon meet a boy who would teach him how to break one or two rules now and then.
Only a few hours ago his twin sister Ozma had arrived at his door with a red face and completely out of breath. She told him about the new family that had arrived at the palace and the three kids that they had brought with them. One of them, a boy with the silly name Wyatt Cain jr., was around their age and according to his sister he sure would be able to drag Ambrose out of his little prison. Ambrose didn't want to hear any of this, his books were much more interesting and new families arrived almost every day. The thought of a boy around their age didn't leave his mind though. Barely anyone in the palace was around their age and if Ambrose liked to admit it or not he was sure of one thing: He needed a friend.
That's why he was now walking through the long corridors of the palace that all looked alike, to find the boy that his sister had told him about. That was also why he was completely lost in thought and didn't notice that said boy was walking through the same corridor than him, not paying any attention to his surroundings as well so it came that both were completely surprised when they banged into each other.
"Ouch! I´m sorry I should look where I go, I wasn't paying attention," the little prince answered and rubbed his forehead. The boy in front of him did the same, but after the flinch that indicated his pain, was gone his features softened and he looked back at him before saying his apologies in return.
"I should pay more attention to my surroundings as well but I was too mesmerized by this book that the Princess Ozma gave me," the boy answered and pulled out a little booklet from under his bum. Ambrose eyes lit up when he saw the book, it was one of his favorites and it told the story of Oz after their great grandmother had found a way to return to it.
"Can't say that I blame you this is one of my favorites," he said in return while he helped the other boy to stand up.
"You're one of the new children, right? My sister told me that you and your family arrived a few hours ago," he added while the boy brushed over his trousers. When he heard that Ambrose had asked him a question, he raised his head again but only nodded in response.
It didn't look like their friendship had a good start but Ambrose didn't want to give up. The boy liked the same book as him and if there was one thing that Ambrose loved it was books. Maybe the boy was just shy, he was shy himself from time to time but desperate times call for desperate measures like his father used to say over and over again.
"Why didn't you stay in the company of my sister and the other children?" Ambrose asked in true curiosity and hoped that the boy would finally give him an answer.
"They don't like me, I'm too small and too young they said. Your sister wanted to be nice and gave me the book. She said that I could read while they play. My brother ran off with an eleven annuals old boy and my sister stayed with the princess. Maybe they're right I'm always too small for everything." Only now Ambrose could see that the boy had been crying and that his cheeks were red and puffy. Sometimes he was a real klutz, no wonder that the boy didn't want to talk.
"I'm sorry, I don't know if that will help but they think that I´m too young too. They never want to play with me but I also don't want to play with my younger sisters all the time so most of the time I´m pretty alone." The boy didn't look much happier indeed but after a sniff he didn't stay silent, like Ambrose had assumed, but talked with him.
"My family said that I would make new friends in no time, looks like that was a lie. Your sister introduced me to everyone but none of them wanted to be my friend," the boy said and the tears came back quickly.
"She didn't introduce you to me, I live at the palace as well…we could be friends." The boy looked like he and Ambrose were in the same boat and like he did need someone to talk to and to play with. The young prince only hoped that he would be the right guy for it. Another sniff and the boy smiled for the first time.
"Do you like the history of OZ? I have many different books about it, I could show you around my room and then you can still decide if you want to be my friend or not." Ambrose now smiled at him as well and his little gesture seemed to encourage the boy for he took Ambrose outstretched hand and followed him.
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The rooms of the prince were much bigger than Wyatt's, but like his own, or the ones of his siblings, it didn't have a snobby interior. The walls were covered with bookshelves, rather than wallpaper and the air smelled of paper and ink. The bed was standing in a separate room so that the boy had more space for a table that was filled with complicated looking doodles and a board with even more doodles on it.
With fascination Wyatt observed the toys and gadgets that were in the room, in a almost persnickety order. The highlight of the room though seemed to be the huge window, with a bench underneath that the prince seemed to use for hours of reading sessions.
"The books about the history of Oz are right here, wait I will fetch one and we can read it together if you want." The prince rushed to the bookshelf that was closest to the door while Wyatt walked towards the window in some kind of fascinated trance. The view outside stole all of Wyatt's breath as he saw that underneath lay a huge and majestic garden with an ocean of flowers, a little sea, a fountain …. and a huge stable! Never would he have imagined that something so beautiful existed in the rather cold Central City.
"You have horses?" Wyatt's joy resonated in his voice that was much more high-pitched now and he seemed to take the prince by surprise as this one arrived at the window, with his beloved book in hand.
"Yes ...we have...plenty of 'em. Do you want to go and visit them?" He asked and for a second Wyatt thought that the prince was disappointed that they wouldn't read the book now.
"Oh yes please ...please ...please ... I love horses, my uncle is a horse breeder." The sparkle in his eyes seemed to be contagious for the prince now looked happier again. With a smile on his face he took Wyatt's hand and together they rushed into the garden and to the stables. When Wyatt smelled the fresh hay and the horses he felt much better and suddenly at peace again. The prince observed him with a surprising look but Wyatt only shrugged with his shoulders.
"I told you, I love horses," he exclaimed and then it was silent for a moment.
"Well if that's so I need to introduce you to someone," the prince answered and they walked to the last box of the stable. Inside stood a little Shetland pony with beautiful black fur and a white star on its forehead.
"This is Cornelius. Mother says that I´m too small for a horse so she introduced me to Cornelius. When I'm not reading I'm here at the stables and take care of him. He is mine but I would like to share him with you until we find a furry friend for you."
Wyatt's eyes went wide when he looked at the pony, back at the prince and at the pony again. He couldn't believe what he was hearing but the boy seemed to be more than serious. With his mouth wide open he stared at the prince for just a few more seconds, before he approached the box and held out a hand to stroke the fur of Cornelius.
"You would do that for me?" He couldn't believe that his voice was so silent but he didn't want to cry again.
"Sure we're friends now, remember?" the prince answered and now they both had to laugh.
"I don't even know your name, I only know that you're the prince," Wyatt said shyly.
"And you are the first one who doesn't treat me like a prince, I like that. My name is Ambrose Gale. You can call my Ambrose, since I haven't found a nickname that suits my liking or have enough friends to give me one," the prince answered in return and outstretched his hand again.
"Hello my name is Wyatt Cain Jr., nice to meet you." And as their hands touched they both knew that a new friendship was born at one of the most uncommon places.
A.N : Actually there is not much to say about this chapter. If Cain and Ambrose act far too old for their age you honestly have to tell me because I wasn't quite sure if they act like they are beyond 5 and 6 annuals. Besides that I hope you enjoyed this Chapter . More to come on Wednesday .