A Prince's Promise Chapter 3: Months of Friendship, Day of Love

by Ali'yah, Grade 8

Day after day, the Princes met in the very same forest grove, growing closer and closer as the months passed. Soon the frost was upon them. Silver (of course) was perfectly camouflaged in the snowfall, and the clokes they wore grew thicker and thicker. Shadow grew so fond of the other he would cover the stone they would rest upon with a small blanket each night before the snow, so they wouldn't be too cold from the harsh winter. Ironically enough in the harshness, they began holding hands, huddling closer under their cloaks, smiling at the thought of one another, and singing love songs randomly without knowing so.

"Forever hold this heart I will give to you~ Forever I will live for you~" The lyrics echoed in the grand halls of the palace of Crimson Blood. "Oh~ who's the lucky lady, sire?" Rouge teased, watching Shadow's muzzle slowly redden out of embarrassment, "I haven't the faintest idea as to what you're on about, woman." He disputed, not realizing he had been singing. "Oh, come on, cheer up. I know you've got the hots for someone. So spill! Who is it? Is it Miena? Fiona? Rosie? Who!?" She suddenly stepped back in realization, gasping, "Is it ME!?" "I don't have eyes or a heart on anyone. Now leave me alone!!". Rouge rolled her eyes, obviously not believing what he was saying "Then why were you singing a love song from Mr.Romio the hedgehog?" "I was?" Shadow asked, embarrassed and genuinely curious. "Oh wow! You've got it BAD!" "Got what?" "The case of L-O-V-E~! Looks like good old Cupid struck ya with a whole bundle of arrows~!" With red cheeks, the prince retorted, "Doesn't a kitten, namely my sister, need a manicure or something?!" Rouge laughed and hung back as Shadow ran off into the woods, for it was almost noon.

"I'm an Angel with a shotgun! Fighting till the war's won! I don't care if heaven won't take me back!" A rustling in the bushes suddenly startled the prince of Starlight, making him stop mid-sentence, "Oh, it's just you. I thought someone had found out about our friendship." He beamed at Shadow, giving him a warm hug, easily making his day. Shadow chuckled, hugged back, and wondered to himself why he wanted to be in this position forever, why he wanted to deeply inhale the other prince's sweet scent, why he even thought that the other smelled nice in the first place! "People think I'm in love with someone." "Huh? Why? Have you been singing random stuff?" “How did you know!?"Shadow blurted, surprised by Silvers apparent mind reading. "Cause I've been singing!" Both princes were giggling all of the sudden, wearing confused looks upon their faces, both questioning the other about who they liked. But the truth was, neither knew who their hearts were pointing to. Yet. "Well, when you figure it out. I hope it won't get in the way of our friendship!" "Nothing will." Bright smiles, laughter, jokes, and games filled the afternoon once again. But when Silver got home, he was greeted with a heart-chilling surprise.

"We're going to the kingdom of Crimson Blood?! Why?!" "Well, you see son. We need some way to ensure peace between our kingdoms, so you, my sweet little boy, have been betrothed to Princess Blaze of Crimson Blood." Silver almost lost his mind right then and there. He was going into the other kingdom that he's been asking Shadow about for months! But then again, he would have to be likable for his betrothed fiancee and in-laws. 'Why does my heart hurt at the thought of Shadow being my brother in law?' He wondered, trying to piece together the emotions of an average teenager.

"Why do I have to be there for Blaze to meet her new suiter?" Shadow asked, shoving his spoon back into the lumpy pudding. "This one isn't just a suiter. He'll be your brother in law. Do not raise your tempures, but I have betrothed him and your sister!" Blaze spit out her tea in surprise, almost killing her meal entirely when standing up. "YOU ARRANGED A MARRIAGE FOR ME WITH SOMEONE I DON'T KNOW?!??!?!?!" "And who is this he?" Shadow griped, very sceptical of his father's plans. Black Doom silenced his children, and simply concluded, "You'll see. He and his parents should be here soon."

Shadow sat upon his throne, bored out of his mind, staring at the entrance of the room. Yawning, he asked for a chair, and when he was provided with one, he kicked up his feet onto the chair, and prepared for a long needed slumber. Rouge, on the other hand, couldn’t sit still, yelling at anyone that come close to her. Black Doom simply sat how a royale must, but still couldn’t stop himself from staring at the raisin cake in celebration. And then suddenly, the Energy Kings voice flooded the room after being released by the door, announcing "Hello, your other-majesty. I hope I'm on time. I am the king you contacted, Sonic. May I present my son, prince Silver of the kingdom of Starlight, in hopes of an alliance can be arranged by having my son wed your daughter, Blaze, Princess of Crimson Blood." Shadow's ears flicked as he heard this, eyes darted forward, and almost gasped when he saw his ears weren't deceiving him. "Hello, Princess Blaze. It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance. I only hope you feel the same." His words were acted well, and almost seemed sincere rather than shallow as they were. Somehow, Blaze seemed to see right through and played along, "Greetings to you as well, Prince Silver. Feelings are mutual as you hoped. Father, I think the best way to get to know my betrothed is to speak with him alone, perhaps in the castle gardens?" "What a pleasant idea. Go ahead, Blaze." "If you could please come with me, Silver." Blaze instructed as she walked toward the garden. She flicked her tail at Shadow, the common signal for her brother to follow. "I should get back to my studies." Shadow didn't wait for his father to reply and obeyed his sister's request.

Deep within the Black rose gardens, the lavender princess addressed them, "I can't do this. I know something is going on between you two, I just haven't figured out what. And there is no way in hell I'm marrying little Mr.Voice Cracks! So, you two are gonna tell me what's going on and how you know each other!" The princes looked at her with surprise, "We don't know each other!" Was the joined response she reserved. "Well, aren't you two bad liers. You're the reason my brother has been sneaking out of the castle every day! I've seen you two in the forest!" Blushes spread across the muzzles of our hedgehogs, making even the sight of roses and tulips not make them feel better. "Why didn't you tell father then?" Blaze began laughing, satisfied by their response. "Because I just found out! I didn't see anything at all! I just made you think I did to see if my suspicions were correct! And they were! Something is going on between you two!" Silver was so embarrassed and confused that it was hard to control his own emotions at that moment. Tears fell from his golden eyes, making his feet carry him out of the garden and back into the throne room. Blaze cursed under her breath, and followed close behind, "Wait! Silver! Come on! I didn't mean it like that!" Rouge pleaded. Black Doom looked down at the teenagers thoughtfully, and boomed, "I know! The best way to forgive whatever was said is to have a masquerade ball. It shall be held tonight from midnight to sunrise!" "Fabulous idea, my fellow king!” Sonic agreed, looking forward to the official treaty. “Come, son. Amy, we should be getting home so we'll be well-rested for tonight! Back to the chariot."

The ballroom was packed with seditions of both kingdoms, everyone wearing their most impressive clothing and even more impressive mask.(for once in the kingdom of Crimson) Delightful foods were served, and people danced to the most talented musicians of the different kingdoms. For hours the festivities were held together by pure magic, until the band's singer Mina the Mongoose addressed the crowd, stepping up to the mike and declaring,"Tell me, people, does this party rock or what?!" after a roar of approval from the fans she continued, "Alright, we're gonna take it down a notch, so everyone grab your sweethearts for a little slow dance." Everyone soon found who they came with, except for our beloved hedgehog, who dressed as a woman in the restroom without his parents' knowledge. "May I have this dance miss?" A deep voice sounded behind him. He turned and silently took the man's hand with a slight nod. "Why'd you dress as a woman, Starlight?" The man asked teasingly, "So I wouldn't have to dance with your sister, Ms. Shades. She's scary." Now that it was clear the princes knew it was the other, Shadow chuckled in amusement, "She's not that bad once you live with her your whole life." "Heh, true." Mina began to sing a slow love song to match the calm piano that had been playing for a moment.

"Heart beats fast

Colors and promises

How to be brave

How can I love when I'm afraid to fall

But watching you stand alone

All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow

One step closer

I have died every day, waiting for you

Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more

Time stands still

Beauty in all she is

I will be brave

I will not let anything, take away

What's standing in front of me

Every breath, every hour has come to this

One step closer

I have died every day, waiting for you

Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed, I would find you

Time has brought your heart to me, I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more

One step closer

One step closer

I have died every day, waiting for you

Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed, I would find you

Time has brought your heart to me, I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more~" (Original Lyrics by: Christina Perri)

In the middle of the ending chores, Silver tripped on his dress, making him fall forward, connecting lips with the other prince accidentally. Shadow was beyond surprised and nearly popped out of his fur as a strike of crimson flashed across his muzzle. Silver quickly got up, cheeks blood red, and stammered, "Oh sweet lord! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it!" Shadow placed his hand on the other's waist and a finger upon his lips, "Don't speak. It's fine. I think I kinda liked it, and I think my sister was right. Something is going on between us." Pulling Silver closer and reconnecting their lips was a quick but not rejected maneuver. Finally, seeing the truth in the words Shadow spoke, and enjoying the tender feeling of the kiss, Silver submitted, closing his eyes and wrapping his arms around Shadow's neck, kissing back gently. It seemed as if the world had frozen at that moment, nothing else mattered, just the two of them locked together in a passionate embrace. When lips disconnected to allow the breath to enter, golden eyes were locked onto the crimson ones of his equal and warm smiles spread across the blushed faces. "Well, that was..." "Nice." Silver finished, "I was going to say incredible, but 'nice' works too." Chuckles from both males ensured that their moment was, in fact, ‘nice’.

When the party was nearly over, Silver changed back into the suit he had came in, and let Blaze walk him out to his chariot, "I saw you two kiss you know. And the really nice red and gold dress you were wearing." Silver gulped, "You did?" This amused Blaze, who giggled in response and said, "Yup! And I just wanted to say congratulations. I can see that your love for each other is strong, that's why I'll help you out. Next time we see each other, our parents will expect that we’ll be in love, so let's fight instead so you don't have to marry me." "Thank you.”Silver affirmed. “See you soon. Please tell him I'll see him at sundown. I'm gonna try sneaking out this time, I'm sick of the noon thing." Blaze bowed to the prince as his parents walked up and into the chariot, "I will. Bye Silver." "Bye Blaze." Sonic smiled at him as the chariot started moving, "You two are getting along now I see?~" He teased. Silver replied calmly, "Something like that."