Fic: The Crane, Part 4
Oooh, I have such an abundance of yummy comments to reply to, and promise to tackle them soon! But this thing latched onto my brain like an alien parasite as soon as I came home, and you know how that is.
After this post, I'll go back and edit the title in, since it won't be a spoiler anymore, but for the moment, it's just Part Four of That Whatsit.
*****
4.
Mitsukuni drew up short, and a sob broke from his throat. Where his beloved friend Prince Takashi had stood, a tall, grey-feathered crane now stared back at him. The crane had a white breast, and black-tipped wings, but its fathomless dark eyes and quiet solemn air were unmistakably Takashi's.
"Forgive me...I didn't know. Oh, Takashi, I'm so sorry..."
The princes' companions rushed into action, checking their surroundings for the old woman, but there was no sign of her. The crane bent its long slender neck to inspect its feet, and then ruffled out its wings, looking first at one, and then the other.
"What ever will we do? How are we to change you back?"
The crane folded its wings back down, settling the feathers with a rustle, and looked placidly back at the now-weeping prince.
Mitsukuni knew it was his fault, that he had brought this on Takashi, and was stricken to realize that in the bargain had lost not only his friend, but the one person he depended upon most for counsel, and comfort.
The prince was inconsolable, but with persistent urging, his other companions convinced him they might seek help elsewhere. They were only a few hours from the farm where Haruhi lived. Perhaps, they suggested, she might have some knowledge of this old woman, or know a way they could find her and get her to undo what she had done.
Since Takashi's horse was swiftest, one of the men took it off at top speed, back to the farm to fetch the girl. It was decided that the rest of the party would follow up behind, coaxing the crane along, and meet up with Haruhi somewhere in between.
It soon became clear that the crane had no wish to approach the horses, but it would follow Mitsukuni. So the prince walked, and the crane stalked and occasionally flapped along beside him, while the other man led the extra horses. It was slow going, and they traveled for a long time, without making it very far, when the first rider, with Haruhi hanging on for dear life in back, finally galloped into view.
"Something wrong with the cake?" was the first thing she asked, wobbling about after dismounting. And then she saw the crane, and frowned. "Hm."
Mitsukuni frantically explained the incident with the old woman, how Takashi was turned into a crane, and that they desperately needed her help.
"Ah, that witch," said Haruhi, frowning harder. "How bothersome. I forgot to warn you about her."
"You know her? Please, do you know where we can find her?"
"I don't know her, just the stories," said Haruhi. "She makes mischief with people's wishes, and then disappears. Nobody's ever seen her more than once." She cocked her head at the crane. "He's quite a handsome bird. Though I don't expect he wants to stay one. Have you thought about consulting a fortune-teller?"
The prince shook his head, looking baffled. "How would that help?"
"Well. You made a wish, right? And the witch did....something, so it can be granted. She didn't change his Highness for no reason. I'll bet that when he's back to his own shape, the wish you made will be granted. It's in his fortune, now."
"That sounds terribly complicated, for Takashi. I'm sorry I wished anything at all."
"That's why I should have warned you. I do apologize."
"No," Mitsukuni hung his head, sighing. "It was my fault entirely. I was selfish, and wouldn't listen to what he wanted."
Haruhi regarded the crane steadily. "Maybe you should take him to a marsh. Isn't that where cranes like to live? Maybe he'd be happy there."
"But....his home is in the castle. We've been away a long time, surely he must miss it."
"You're probably right. But cranes don't really belong in castles. So your wish probably won't come true, if you take him there."
"Oh. I didn't think about that. I really don't care about my wish anymore. But I guess it's too late to take it back now, isn't it. We have to see it through."
"Looks that way," said Haruhi, venturing a sympathetic pat on the prince's shoulder. "Sorry."
Mitsukuni gave another empty-sounding sigh, and looked woefully between the crane and the girl. "I'm sorry too. I was going ask permission to court you, when I returned home. But I fear that can't happen now. I must devote myself to righting the wrong I have done, and restoring Takashi. I'm terribly, terribly sorry. I was looking forward to us becoming friends."
Haruhi peered at him, astonished, before taking pity on the prince's evident grief. "Well. Don't feel too badly. Harvest season starts any day, and I'll have my hands much too full to socialize. So it's just as well. Best of luck, getting his Highness sorted out."
"Thank you," Mitsukuni answered, drawing himself up. "I suppose you need to be getting home now, yes? I'm sorry for troubling you, but thank you for your advice. If there's anything you ever need, you only have to send word to the castle. I am very much in your debt."
Haruhi nodded, though she looked skeptical about ever requiring royal intervention for anything. "I'll keep that in mind."
**
It was one of their companions, who reminded Prince Mitsukuni of the old country estate to the west. Once a quiet retreat for the royal family, the place had gone unvisited for quite a long time. Only the devoted old caretaker--formerly the castle's head groundskeeper--dwelt there now, enjoying his peaceful retirement, and keeping an eye on the house and property.
As their companion mentioned, the estate had an impressive marsh, which had long ago served as a fish and game preserve for the King and his visitors to sport in. Surely, they thought, this could be a suitable place to take the crane, until that old woman's curse could be broken. The crane could have the run of the house, and the grounds, if he so wished. And more importantly, he wouldn't have to endure the stares and crowding, which would surely surround him back at the castle.
"It's not that I'm ashamed of you, Takashi," Prince Mitsukuni explained to the crane. "What happened to you is entirely my responsibility, and I'll freely admit it to anyone, if you wish. But I know you like your privacy, and you never liked being pestered by gossip. So until you're restored, I think it's best if we take up residence in the country, and keep this to ourselves. If you wish to accuse or punish me afterward, I will receive your judgment, and make whatever restitution you demand."
The crane could not speak, obviously. It gave no outward sign of opinion about the prince's plans at all. It only looked at Mitsukuni, with the same patient forbearance Takashi had always shown, and when Mitsukuni set off for the western estate, it followed him.
The companion who had fetched Haruhi from the farm had been instructed to take her back, and then return to the castle and give word that the two princes were safely back in the kingdom, but were prolonging their trip for a last adventure in the countryside. Since it was known that Prince Mitsukuni would be assuming the throne in half a year's time, it would seem natural that he would wish to make the most of his remaining freedom, and the men generally agreed that no one would question their story.
The estate to the west was not terribly far off, but the remaining parties' progress was slow at first. The crane had yet to show any inclination toward flight, and Mitsukuni concluded it was because Takashi himself had never flown, and hadn't yet discovered how to work the wings he'd been given. He could not walk as fast as the men or the horses, and when he fell behind, was forced to flap his wings and run to catch up. But after awhile, it became plain that this tired him out, and Mitsukuni cast about for a better solution.
At the end of the day, on the outskirts of a small town, they came upon a man driving an empty wooden cart. Mitsukuni straightaway hailed the fellow, and offered such a handsome sum for the cart, that the man offered to throw his horse and cap into the bargain as well. Mitsukuni thanked the man warmly, but said they were plenty well-stocked on horses, and though the man's cap was certainly very fine, it seemed to suit him much better than it would anyone else.
Once the man was off on the back of his own horse, cap tilted to a jaunty angle and a tidy sum of gold jingling in his pocket, the prince and his companion harnessed up the prince's horse, and tempted the crane into the cart by offering it crumbs of bread.
"This will be a much nicer way to travel," Mitsukuni explained. "Cranes weren't meant for long walks, after all, and I'm sure your feet must be sore by now."
It was clear the crane didn't trust the cart, from the way it fluffed all its feathers, and kept looking warily over the sides, to the ground rolling past below it. The ride was too bumpy for it to stand, and if it folded its legs and sat, the sides of the cart blocked its view.
Finally, with a dissatisfied and grumpy demeanor, the crane clambered and flapped its way up to the cart's driving seat, next to Mitsukuni, who had to duck the buffeting of wings, as it got settled. But he certainly didn't complain, considering that Takashi was likely far more uncomfortable than him, and it was all his fault, anyway.
*****
Next Part
After this post, I'll go back and edit the title in, since it won't be a spoiler anymore, but for the moment, it's just Part Four of That Whatsit.
*****
4.
Mitsukuni drew up short, and a sob broke from his throat. Where his beloved friend Prince Takashi had stood, a tall, grey-feathered crane now stared back at him. The crane had a white breast, and black-tipped wings, but its fathomless dark eyes and quiet solemn air were unmistakably Takashi's.
"Forgive me...I didn't know. Oh, Takashi, I'm so sorry..."
The princes' companions rushed into action, checking their surroundings for the old woman, but there was no sign of her. The crane bent its long slender neck to inspect its feet, and then ruffled out its wings, looking first at one, and then the other.
"What ever will we do? How are we to change you back?"
The crane folded its wings back down, settling the feathers with a rustle, and looked placidly back at the now-weeping prince.
Mitsukuni knew it was his fault, that he had brought this on Takashi, and was stricken to realize that in the bargain had lost not only his friend, but the one person he depended upon most for counsel, and comfort.
The prince was inconsolable, but with persistent urging, his other companions convinced him they might seek help elsewhere. They were only a few hours from the farm where Haruhi lived. Perhaps, they suggested, she might have some knowledge of this old woman, or know a way they could find her and get her to undo what she had done.
Since Takashi's horse was swiftest, one of the men took it off at top speed, back to the farm to fetch the girl. It was decided that the rest of the party would follow up behind, coaxing the crane along, and meet up with Haruhi somewhere in between.
It soon became clear that the crane had no wish to approach the horses, but it would follow Mitsukuni. So the prince walked, and the crane stalked and occasionally flapped along beside him, while the other man led the extra horses. It was slow going, and they traveled for a long time, without making it very far, when the first rider, with Haruhi hanging on for dear life in back, finally galloped into view.
"Something wrong with the cake?" was the first thing she asked, wobbling about after dismounting. And then she saw the crane, and frowned. "Hm."
Mitsukuni frantically explained the incident with the old woman, how Takashi was turned into a crane, and that they desperately needed her help.
"Ah, that witch," said Haruhi, frowning harder. "How bothersome. I forgot to warn you about her."
"You know her? Please, do you know where we can find her?"
"I don't know her, just the stories," said Haruhi. "She makes mischief with people's wishes, and then disappears. Nobody's ever seen her more than once." She cocked her head at the crane. "He's quite a handsome bird. Though I don't expect he wants to stay one. Have you thought about consulting a fortune-teller?"
The prince shook his head, looking baffled. "How would that help?"
"Well. You made a wish, right? And the witch did....something, so it can be granted. She didn't change his Highness for no reason. I'll bet that when he's back to his own shape, the wish you made will be granted. It's in his fortune, now."
"That sounds terribly complicated, for Takashi. I'm sorry I wished anything at all."
"That's why I should have warned you. I do apologize."
"No," Mitsukuni hung his head, sighing. "It was my fault entirely. I was selfish, and wouldn't listen to what he wanted."
Haruhi regarded the crane steadily. "Maybe you should take him to a marsh. Isn't that where cranes like to live? Maybe he'd be happy there."
"But....his home is in the castle. We've been away a long time, surely he must miss it."
"You're probably right. But cranes don't really belong in castles. So your wish probably won't come true, if you take him there."
"Oh. I didn't think about that. I really don't care about my wish anymore. But I guess it's too late to take it back now, isn't it. We have to see it through."
"Looks that way," said Haruhi, venturing a sympathetic pat on the prince's shoulder. "Sorry."
Mitsukuni gave another empty-sounding sigh, and looked woefully between the crane and the girl. "I'm sorry too. I was going ask permission to court you, when I returned home. But I fear that can't happen now. I must devote myself to righting the wrong I have done, and restoring Takashi. I'm terribly, terribly sorry. I was looking forward to us becoming friends."
Haruhi peered at him, astonished, before taking pity on the prince's evident grief. "Well. Don't feel too badly. Harvest season starts any day, and I'll have my hands much too full to socialize. So it's just as well. Best of luck, getting his Highness sorted out."
"Thank you," Mitsukuni answered, drawing himself up. "I suppose you need to be getting home now, yes? I'm sorry for troubling you, but thank you for your advice. If there's anything you ever need, you only have to send word to the castle. I am very much in your debt."
Haruhi nodded, though she looked skeptical about ever requiring royal intervention for anything. "I'll keep that in mind."
**
It was one of their companions, who reminded Prince Mitsukuni of the old country estate to the west. Once a quiet retreat for the royal family, the place had gone unvisited for quite a long time. Only the devoted old caretaker--formerly the castle's head groundskeeper--dwelt there now, enjoying his peaceful retirement, and keeping an eye on the house and property.
As their companion mentioned, the estate had an impressive marsh, which had long ago served as a fish and game preserve for the King and his visitors to sport in. Surely, they thought, this could be a suitable place to take the crane, until that old woman's curse could be broken. The crane could have the run of the house, and the grounds, if he so wished. And more importantly, he wouldn't have to endure the stares and crowding, which would surely surround him back at the castle.
"It's not that I'm ashamed of you, Takashi," Prince Mitsukuni explained to the crane. "What happened to you is entirely my responsibility, and I'll freely admit it to anyone, if you wish. But I know you like your privacy, and you never liked being pestered by gossip. So until you're restored, I think it's best if we take up residence in the country, and keep this to ourselves. If you wish to accuse or punish me afterward, I will receive your judgment, and make whatever restitution you demand."
The crane could not speak, obviously. It gave no outward sign of opinion about the prince's plans at all. It only looked at Mitsukuni, with the same patient forbearance Takashi had always shown, and when Mitsukuni set off for the western estate, it followed him.
The companion who had fetched Haruhi from the farm had been instructed to take her back, and then return to the castle and give word that the two princes were safely back in the kingdom, but were prolonging their trip for a last adventure in the countryside. Since it was known that Prince Mitsukuni would be assuming the throne in half a year's time, it would seem natural that he would wish to make the most of his remaining freedom, and the men generally agreed that no one would question their story.
The estate to the west was not terribly far off, but the remaining parties' progress was slow at first. The crane had yet to show any inclination toward flight, and Mitsukuni concluded it was because Takashi himself had never flown, and hadn't yet discovered how to work the wings he'd been given. He could not walk as fast as the men or the horses, and when he fell behind, was forced to flap his wings and run to catch up. But after awhile, it became plain that this tired him out, and Mitsukuni cast about for a better solution.
At the end of the day, on the outskirts of a small town, they came upon a man driving an empty wooden cart. Mitsukuni straightaway hailed the fellow, and offered such a handsome sum for the cart, that the man offered to throw his horse and cap into the bargain as well. Mitsukuni thanked the man warmly, but said they were plenty well-stocked on horses, and though the man's cap was certainly very fine, it seemed to suit him much better than it would anyone else.
Once the man was off on the back of his own horse, cap tilted to a jaunty angle and a tidy sum of gold jingling in his pocket, the prince and his companion harnessed up the prince's horse, and tempted the crane into the cart by offering it crumbs of bread.
"This will be a much nicer way to travel," Mitsukuni explained. "Cranes weren't meant for long walks, after all, and I'm sure your feet must be sore by now."
It was clear the crane didn't trust the cart, from the way it fluffed all its feathers, and kept looking warily over the sides, to the ground rolling past below it. The ride was too bumpy for it to stand, and if it folded its legs and sat, the sides of the cart blocked its view.
Finally, with a dissatisfied and grumpy demeanor, the crane clambered and flapped its way up to the cart's driving seat, next to Mitsukuni, who had to duck the buffeting of wings, as it got settled. But he certainly didn't complain, considering that Takashi was likely far more uncomfortable than him, and it was all his fault, anyway.
*****
Next Part