Two Princesses

Aarni walked quickly, but casually through the Castle, he didn’t know exactly where he was going, but he knew what he was looking for. With his status as a prince, and now a man, he couldn’t just go anywhere, he especially couldn’t just wander towards women’s rooms, not even the servants dorms, he could have his way with them, but not in their living area, let alone going near the quarters for any noble-woman living in the castle. He had checked the library and dining areas, so he headed outside. Fortunately luck, or fate was on his side, at the stables he heard the voice of his niece, the young princess Tove. He said a quick thank you to the goddess and hurried over, arriving before she could set out on her ride.

“Uncle Aarni!”, the young lady cried out, Aarni and Tove had been close for years, his dramatic nature and love of the old stories had combined to make him a huge hit with his like-minded niece. They had played Princess and dragons, they had fought with wooden swords, hid from Ice Giants, he was easily one of her favorite people and she had long been a bright light of joy and hope as the castle became more political and difficult.

“You want me to ride with you, Tove?”

“Yes please Uncle Aarni!”

He looked to the stable maid, and couldn’t help but notice how pretty she was. “Man, I’m freaking horny all the time now, aren’t I,” he thought to himself. He checked her arm for a bracelet but there wasn’t one, as he asked her if there was a horse he could take out.

The young lady helped him saddle the horse and mount it, and then he took her hand, and asked her name.

“Um, it’s Erna, prince.”

“A beautiful name, thank you for your assistance, I look forward to seeing you again.” The young lady blushed hard, her face matching her bright red hair. Like all the servants, Erna was beautiful, but more than that she was strong and vibrant, she was beautiful even with straw stuck to her dress and the sweat of hard work in the stables glistening on her skin. He winked at her and reluctantly steered the horse away to meet his niece.

“She’s pretty uncle Aarni, are you in love with her?”

“Tove, why would you ask that?”

“I know you like pretty girls Uncle, do you like her? I like her, she’s kind and has red hair. I think she’s secretly a princess, hiding in our castle from her uncle the evil wizard.”

Aarni smiled, “Sounds good, what should we do about it?”

“Well, obviously, we go defeat her evil uncle, then you marry her and live happily ever after.”

Aarni couldn’t help but laugh, but also he felt sad. It wasn’t long ago he still held onto the fantasy of true love and heroism, the last few days had taken a lot of that from him. He thought of Tove’s mother, Yrsa, his brother’s wife. She was from the South, her family, like his, a line of highly respected warriors and leaders. It was the perfect marriage to abate the people’s fears of the amount of foreign influence the kingdom was under. He remembered her fire and spirit when she first came to the castle, the laughter and fun he had with his new sister. With his father’s health fading, and his brother due to ascend to the throne and start taking more wives, he wondered how she was faring. He hadn’t spent any real time with her since shortly after Mariss ascended to Queen and allied with his brother.

Aarni put that all out of his mind, and focused on having fun with his niece. They rode through the dark woods, fought the sorcerer’s minions, even freed a dragon that he had mind-controlled to attack them (Tove would not hear of any dragon being actually bad, they were too pretty to be bad). When they returned to the stable, the sun was already heading toward the horizon.

“I should have known you were late because of your uncle, Tove.”

“Sorry Momma, we were having such fun.”

Yrsa looked at Aarni, her green eyes still held their fire, but there was such worry in them too. Yrsa was still stunning, her olive complexion and jet black hair made her look exotic compared to the average citizen of Mnozimar. The mountains and long winters meant most people were light-skinned and fair haired. A raven-haired beauty like Yrsa was a very pleasant change of pace.

“Thank you, brave sir, for returning the princess to us unharmed.” Yrsa curtseyed, always willing to humor her daughters imagination.

“Him brave? He hid and I had to save the Dragon, he said he didn’t want to get his fancy shirt scorched. He’s lucky I was there or the Wizard would have gotten him and he’d never rescue the Horse-Princess.”

Yrsa looked with curiosity at Aarni, “The Horse-Princess?” she asked as Aarni fought valiantly against a rising blush.

“Yes, momma, she takes such good care of Hilda for me, she has red hair and green eyes like me, so she must be a princess.”

“Aah, I see, I must investigate this hidden princess further, unless you think your uncle is up to rescuing her on his own.”

Tove looked at Aarni, his battle against embarrassment was not going well. “I think he can handle it momma, he had his ascension already, he’s a full prince now, not just a knight.”

“So I’ve heard, but come Tove, we’ve teased your uncle enough. Return Hilda to the Horse-Princess and get washed up.”

As soon as Tove was out of sight, Yrsa laughed and helped Aarni off his horse. “I’m sorry about that, it was just too funny.”

“Thank you,” Aarni said, his face now burning red.

Yrsa hugged him, “Oh please don’t be cross Aarni, you know Tove loves you dearly, she doesn’t mean to embarrass you.” Yrsa held him at arms length, looked him in the eye. “Do you intend to breed the stable-girl Aarni, if so I can help smooth over whatever damage Tove has done.”

Aarni blanched, he couldn't believe his ears. Yrsa and he had been close for years, but had never discussed anything sexual before. The embarrassment was hard to handle, but it did give him an opening he desperately needed.

“Actually, I was hoping you could help me with more than just the stable-girl, sister.” He croaked out nervously

“What do you mean, Aarni?”

“I need a mentor to guide me through the breeding,” he could feel his face reddening all over again, but continued, “I’m not very. . . experienced, and more than just help with the girls,” he looked around and lowered his voice, “I need someone who can help me navigate Mariss’s schemes.”

It was Yrsa’s turn to blush, and she did so beautifully, Aarni had always found her enchanting, but it wasn’t just her looks that endeared her to him, he respected her for her courage and strength. If anyone could stand up to Mariss when needed, it would be Yrsa.

“I. . .” she stammered, her blush deepened, “Oh Aarni, how can I do that for you, I’m your brother’s wife.”

“You know it has to be a royal, and I need someone familiar with life in the castle. My only other option is Mariss, she’s pushing this knowing I don’t have options. I hate to put you in this position, but if Mariss has her way. . .”

Yrsa pulled herself together. “I know, I don’t like this Aarni, but I understand.” She paused for a minute, and Tove came around the corner.

“What are you two doing, bring the horse over so Aarni can kiss the Horse-Princess already, I want to see him finally kiss a girl.”

Yrsa laughed hard, leaning on Aarni for support. Behind Tove the stable-girl blushed herself.

“I’m not a princess, my lady, I just. . . “

“Nonsense,” Tove interrupted, her hands on her hips, the fire in her eyes burning strong and determined. “I’m a princess, and that makes me an expert on princesses, and I say you are also a princess and that Aarni needs to kiss you.”

“Now Tove,” her mother started, but didn’t get the chance to finish. Aarni, realizing he was done for no matter what, decided to lean into Tove’s game.

“Oh most lovely Princess of the noble Horses of the sun-lit valley, I have journeyed through the dark woods, vanquished monsters, and defeated the sorcerer who **** you into hiding, and now I have returned, to humbly ask for a single kiss from your most perfect lips.”

Tove was bouncing she was so excited by her drama being played out in front of her.

Erna looked terrified, the etiquette for servants was so strict, impersonating royalty, even as a game for a child was dangerous.

“Please,” Aarni whispered, “for the princess.”

Erna pulled herself together and stood tall, she did her best to look regal as she replied, “Brave prince, you have saved the day and earned your reward.” She leaned forward to kiss him, Aarni grabbed her waist and pulled her into his chest, giving her as passionate a kiss as he could get away with in front of his sister-in-law and niece.

“See momma, I told you he was in love with her.”

“Yes, yes, come on Tove, we will be late for supper if we don’t hurry.”

“Bye Uncle Aarni, goodbye Horse-Princess,” Tove skipped away, and her mother followed. As they left Aarni realized he didn’t actually get an answer from Yrsa, it was frustrating, but he had more immediate things to deal with.