Chapter IV, Death

"Is there anything I can do for your father?" Aelfric asked the next evening as dinner was wrapping up. "Make him something for pain, or try to cure what ails him?"

"You could try as the previous sorcerer did, but I believe the effort would be in vain." Nicolaus stated. Once again seeming a bit sad. His father was his only immediate family left. He had lost his mother many years ago.

Alefric looked into it almost instantly. The moment he returned to his tower he pulled out books and notes and more. He stayed up all night pouring though old books and scrolls. He had an idea, reverse aging. The king was dying of old age, and he could give him some more time. Maybe 10-15 years, by what he found. He created an elixir. He needed to try it, to figure out the right dosage. He set out an amount that would either age him down 3 years or 10 years for wither 3 days or 10 days, in one of those orders. He wrote a note to someone, just incase. "To whomever finds this, I was trying to make an elixir for the king. I will age down temporarily. If I am too young, this should only last 3 - 10 days, hopefully." Aelfric took it, and felt no different. Darning it all, he went to bed.

In the morning a servant came to bring Aelfric his breakfast and found a small child in place of the sorcerer. The servant couldn't read so they hadn't been able to read the note. They quickly went to alert the king. "Your highness...there is a child in the sorcerer's tower...". The servant handed him the note they'd found. This confused the prince and he looked into it. Aelfric must have turned himself into a child...confirmed by the adorable child exploring the room.

"Aelfric?" Nicolaus questioned. Aelfric jumped a little. His night shirt hung loose on his small frame, and his hair fell into his eyes. "W-where is Master?" he asked in a small shaky voice, "Who are you? What happened to me!?"

Apparently in this reversed state Aelfric had lost some memories. Nicolaus wasn't sure what to do. Did he lie to try and make things easier while Aelfric was in this state? Or did he try to explain the truth as best he could to a child? Regardless it was difficult. Finally he settled on lying. It was only temporary.

"I am Prince Wendel. Nicolaus' older brother." He lied. Hoping Aelfric didn't remember that Nicolaus had been the only royal child.

"I didn't know Nic had a brother..." Aelfric said, believing the white lie. "Where is master and .... what happened to me? I... remember playing with Nic and then... something bad happened..."

"I was away. Training." He replied. "You hit your head when you were playing with him and needed to be treated. Your master went searching for ingredients for medicine. Nicolaus has taken ill and needs to be treated. You can't see him until he gets better." That seemed plausible and would take a few days right?

"No no, that's not right something really bad happened." Aelfric insisted "I want master!" he was getting upset stomped a little foot.

"You'll just have to wait." Nicolaus stated. "Now how about breakfast?" He suggested hoping to take the young one's mind off of the fact that neither his master nor his friend were here at the time. Aelfric, pouting still, asked, "Are we having scones and.... hot coco?"

"Yes, of course." He had the servants change what they had brought for breakfast. Originally Nicolaus had had them bring more bland foods as he had requested earlier. But Aelfric's taste had been much different when he was a child, he'd like sweets then. Aelfric smelled his scones, "It seems like I haven't had scones in forever!" he said happily. He ate several of them with the greed only children could cover. "Do I have lessons today?" Aelfric asked, "Can I go outside and play? Can you play with me?"

Nicolaus chuckled watching Aelfric devour the scones. Making a bit of a mess to. "I think a day of play would be fine. I might be able to make some time." He smiled. Glad to see Aelfric wanted to spend time with him. Aelfric smiled and giggled. After a few moments of thought, "Where are my cloths? All these must be master's they're much too big." Clothes were a problem he hadn't anticipated. There had to be something Aelfric could wear. He only managed to find servant attire, but they were only going to play. They would most likely get dirty.

Aelfric put on the simple tunic and trousers without question. "I'm ready, your highness!" Aelfric call, bouncing down the stairs to meet the prince. They went to one of the places that had been their favorite to play in, the garden. The river may bring back terrible memories but the garden didn't have any, and the flowers were still in bloom right now. Aelfric loved flowers and could name every plant and blade of grass. He smelled the roses, gently touching them. "Why does it fell like I haven't seen flowers in such a long time...." Aelfric said a little sadly, "Can we play a game?" he asked

"What would you like to play?" Nicolaus asked curiously. There were many games they used to play a children. Some he could remember the name of. They had made some up as they went along. "Hide and seek?" Aelfric asked, giggling It had always been his favorite. The child sorcerer gave no chance for the prince to answer, he ran off, "You count to 100, no peeking!!!"

"How about 20?" One hundred seemed like a long time to count. Regardless he turned away and began to count. Aelfric found a hiding spot under some shrubs. He stifled a giggle, but not good enough. Nicolaus found him quickly. The boy squealed, and erupted in more laughter as the prince tickled him. Wendel reminded him so much of Nicolaus. That made sense, they were brothers after all. They ate lunch outside and played until it was dark. It was the perfect late summer day. Before dinner, Aelfric had a bath. He was very tired and when they were finished with dinner, he brought a story book to Wendel, "Can you read to me?"

Nicolaus smiled and was more than happy to read the book. He attempted to give everyone different voices and give it his best effort. This was the Aelfric he remembered, the Aelfric that he should have stayed, but he was taken from this. Nicolaus had to help him get back to a happier state. Aelfric snuggled up into the prince's side and fell asleep towards the end of the story. The perfect ending to the perfect day. He felt himself lifted and carried to his window seat / bed and felt his kitty cat toy placed in his arms. He felt safe, and loved. Why did that make him sad? Why did he feel like he'd forgotten how that felt? Aelfric had bad dreams. Dreams of a cold dark tower, of iron fetters and chains, of being hurt badly. He whimpered in his sleep.

The prince left Aelfric to rest. While he was happy and glad the day had been so fun for them both, Nicolaus was tired. The child had so much energy. He finished some work, bathed and then went to bed. The next day was spend much in the same way with playing and games and spending time together, but the following day, he was a bit busy and couldn't put off the meetings.

Aelfric felt alone. He understood why Wendel couldn't play with him, but didn't like it. However, he still played in the garden by himself, then he wandered around the castle. He was turned out of many places by guards and nobles. He went back to the room Wendel was in and waited by the door, falling asleep in an alcove.

Once he was finished with his princely duties for the day Nicolaus headed towards his chambers and spotted a tiny blonde child asleep in the alcove. Nicolaus felt bad and scooped the boy up gently to carry him to bed. It was little trouble considering how small Aelfric was now. Aelfric woke up while being carried. He smiled and hugged Wendel. "I wanted to play when you were finished. Can we still play? It's not that late...." Aelfric was cut off by a servant rushing towards them, "Your highness.... your father, the King is...." The concern on her face and the tone of her voice indicated it was grave. Was it time? "I'm sorry Aelfric, I need to go. Some other time. Alright?" He didn't wait for an answer before heading to his father's chambers. Aelfric was led back to his tower by a servant. He was confused. He wanted Wendel to read to him. The servant couldn't read. Aelfric read alone and fell asleep with the book in his hands.

The castle apothecary only confirmed Nicolaus' fears. Though he had known this was a long time coming and braced himself for it it hurt no less. The king was dying. He spoke to his son, his final words. "Though my reign ends tonight, Nicolaus, I hold no fear about passing the crown to you. You have proved yourself time and time again." More words were exchanged and soon the kings hand went cold and limp in his sons.