Rhys

Rhys was waiting for me when I got to the pool the next day. I approached silently, shy. My instincts were telling me to run, but my heart was telling me to stay. It was the first time i had ignored my instincts, because they were what kept me alive. But my curiosity overcame my fear.

Rhys smiled when he saw me, and i found myself smiling back shyly.

"I'm glad you came." he said. "I was up all night wondering about you. Where do you come from, how have you lived out here, how do you have wings?" I turned scarlet at his questions. I was pleasantly surprised that he seemed so interested in me, and who i was.

"I don't really know where I'm from." I said quietly. "All i remember is living in the forest. And it's fairly easy to live out here when you know how to survive."

"And your wings?" Rhys asked when I paused. "Are they some sort of spell?" I shook my head.

"They've been there since I was born." I explained. Rhys opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it. He shook his head, smiling.

"Amazing." He said. "And you fought off a bear. I don't know any women brave enough or smart enough to do that."

I blushed at the praise. It was an unexpected reaction, and I decided I didn't like the way my face heated up when Rhys talked to me. I sat down on the rock and folded my wings into a comfortable position.

"I have some questions for you too." I said. I had been up all night as well, pondering the millions of questions running through my head. I blushed when I asked the first one that had come to mind.

"Why didn't you attack me yesterday. I've heard that humans kill creatures like me, or imprison them or.." i shuddered slightly. "cut off my wings and make me a normal human. But you're being kind to me. Why?"

Rhys looked slightly taken aback by my questions. "Why would i do any of those things?" He asked, shocked.

I shrugged. "I heard that some humans don't like difference, so they destroy it." I didn't mention that the reason i was alone was because my human parents had abandoned me when i was a baby because of my wings.

"well, I won't deny that there are humans who would do those things, but you saved my life." Rhys said. "I wouldn't have lasted very long against that bear. Knives are not my strength."

"So why did you meet me here today?" I wondered.

"I was curious." Rhys said. "My turn to ask questions."

For the next few hours we talked, asking questions back and forth, and even laughing a little. I learned that he was a Prince, although that meant very little to me, since there was no rulers except the nymphs in the forest, and that he was on a Royal Procession with the court, touring the kingdom. I had known that the forest i lived on was considered to be property of King James, but his rules did not apply to me, who didn't exist to him. Rhys was shocked when i told him this.

"To disobey the kings laws can sometimes be punishable by death." He warned me. If he ever caught you..."

"I have wings and can fly." I pointed out. "I'm certain that the fact that I live on his land would be on the bottom of his list of charges against me." Rhys didn't say anything to that, and i continued asking him questions.

"Well, I'm my father's first son, but for all he cares I don't exist." Rhys said. "I'm a failure. I can fight, but I'd rather read or write than fight. My entire family is fighters, ever since my great-grandfather-" he stopped suddenly. "Anyway, I'm the let down of the entire royal court. I can fight, but I'm a real wuss who can't get his head out of his books."

"Why would anyone want to fight when they don't have to?" I asked. "If I could survive without fighting, my life would be so much better."

Rhys shrugged. "I suppose it's for prestige and fame." he said. "to prove that you can beat someone in a fight and that you shouldn't be messed with. For power."

"Power?" I asked. "What is power if you flaunt it?" i wondered aloud. Rhys shrugged.

"But enough of me, I still have questions about you." And so the interrogation continued. I barely heard the footsteps coming through the trees. When I finally noticed them, i jumped up, surprised.

"Human!" I hissed, and jumped into a nearby tree. Rhys stood up and started to fill his canteen in the spring. Before long a man came into a view. He was tall but young, not much older than Rhys. He peered at Rhys, a mingled look of curiosity and suspicion.

"Prince?" He asked. His voice was rough and harsh, and it made me wince. "Prince Rhys, are you there?"

"Yes, i am here." Rhys answered. "What is it, Daren?"

"Your father is worried." Daren answered. "He wonders why you have taken so long in getting water." The suspicion was back.

"I was admiring the forest." Rhys lied. "It is quite beautiful."

"Ah, yes." Daren scoffed. He smirked, and i realized what Rhys had said about himself was true. "Well, when you are finished looking at flowers, dinner is ready. Unless you prefer to graze peacefully like a deer." His tone was mocking.

"Be careful, Daren." Rhys growled. "I still fight better than you." Daren snarled but didn't say anything. He turned and stormed back in the direction of the camp. I came out of my tree when I was sure he was gone.

"He was pleasant." I commented dryly. Rhys laughed.

"Of all my tormentors, Daren is the worst." He said. "He isn't afraid to insult me in front of people, because he knows that i won't fight back, even though he knows that i would win. And everyone agrees with him."

"Why don't you fight back?" I asked. "If it would prove that you are just as good as him..."

"It would prove that i'm just like him." Rhys explained. "I don't want to sink to his level. Even though it can be a pain, i don't mind being different."

I thought about that, and then nodded. "Anyways," he continued, "I should be getting back. Now that Daren knows i'm here, he's probably making up some story about me talking to squirrels or something."

"Will you be back tomorrow?" I asked. I couldn't deny that i wanted to see him again.

Rhys grinned. "If you will, yes." He said. "I'll see you then."

He turned and left, and i flew home, my heart soaring along with me.

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