Rune

Amrunela paused as she heard what her best friend had said. He was not wrong, just looking at their parents would give anyone the desire to experience something like that. She and Jaekel had never really discussed any dreams they had of the future, but as they were eighteen, she acknowledged that it was not that odd. She decided that once she grew interested in a boy, she would ask Jaekel for advice.

Growing curious, she asked him, "Can you try to tell my fortune?" She laughed, "I am a bit curious as to what the man I will fall in love with will be like."

She noticed an odd look on Jaekel's face for a second before it vanished, and he let out a slightly awkward laugh. "What would you like to know about him?"

"So you can?"

"Rune, I have all sorts of dreams, I have a pretty good idea about your future," He rolled his eyes, "Just never really talked about it before as you were too young, and well, honestly I kinda think that knowing your future would take out the fun in discovering it."

"How young was I?" When he did not answer she shook her head, "Well, what does he look like, I would rather like to be able to know instantly the one I was going to end up with…"

Jaekel rolled his eyes at her, "I ain't going to describe him in detail to you… it would take some of the fun out of falling in love for you."

She looked at him, "Are you speaking from experience there?"

Jaekel gave her a side eyed glance, "What do you think?"

"Alright," She decided to take his word for it. Jaekel was incredibly wise for his age. If he suggested it was better not to tell her, he was probably right. She let out a sigh, sometimes it was difficult having a best friend who was almost always right. "Anything you will tell me, though," She pleaded.

"Well, I guess I can tell you that he will dedicate his entire life to you. He might not be the best man in the world but he will love you wholeheartedly. And there may be ups and downs to your love life for a while but everything will end up okay. You will be married by the time you turn twenty-one. Anything else you absolutely want to know?"

"Will I realize immediately when I meet him?"

"Oh, Rune, no I do not think so. It may take you a while." He laughed his eyes crinkling as he did so. "Like a very, very long time. Don't worry though, your love life will never be too difficult, at least from what I have seen."

He was laughing about her question, mirth evident on his face. She punched his shoulder lightly, grinning as she did so. She felt happiness deep inside of her, glad that this prince was her best friend.

They fell into a comfortable silence together. Jaekel had a soft smile on his face. They made it out to the courtyard and Amrunela looked around her in satisfaction. She had always loved the flowers that were planted nearby the castle she had grown up in.

Jaekel got an impish look on his face, "Race you to the juniper tree, Rune." And without waiting for her response he took off.

Amrunela shook her head at his childishness but took off after him, glad that she was wearing a half tunic instead of a gown. Much easier to move around in, though most ladies did not wear them. But as a sorceress helping the Court Sorcerer it was sometimes necessary for her to move around quickly and unencumbered so no one ever dared breathe a word of complaint.

Both of them were fast runners but he had a head start, and slightly longer legs. By the time she reached the tree he had already scrambled up its branches and was grinning at her.

She loved seeing her best friend like this, acting like a normal kid instead of a boy forced to grow up beyond his years. She peered up at him and smiled, "Are princes supposed to climb trees?"

"Why wouldn't they? Everyone needs some time to be themselves, the trick is knowing when to spend leisure time and when to be working."

She laughed and climbed up after him, sitting beside of him. "Not everyone would agree with that…"

"Well, I very much doubt anyone wants a madman as king, so I need moments where I can be normal." It came out as a murmur, but it made her heart feel heavy. She reached out her hands and pulled him into a hug.