"A story? You guys want me to tell you a story?" Shin asked, watching the kids who had gathered at the foot of her chair. Three little heads nodded eagerly, looking up at her and the shinigami couldn't help but sigh. Who could say no to kids after all, especially when they were this cute. She sank back into her large egg chair, crossing her legs and pressing the tips of her fingers together. A story... a story... What story could she tell? She didn't know any decent stories these kids hadn't heard before. She had to make one up on the spot. Already, Lunis had settled by her feet as had Cinnamon. There was no getting out of it.

"Alright, kids." she finally said. "I think I've got just the story!"

--

"Once upon a time, there was a prince who was trapped in the highest room of the tallest tower. He was a lonely ever since he was a little boy and didn't have any friends. No other princes were sent to rescue him from his tower because what sort of prince goes off to save another prince, after all? His tower wasn't all that drab. It was furnished with the finest Persian rugs, full of color and soft to the touch. There was a satin divan by the window covered by soft pillows where the prince would sit and stare out onto the world below. From his tower, he could see everything: from the deep forests to the grassy plains where the sun shone and made the sweet grass sparkle each early morning. His bed was large, larger than any little boy in the land had. He had toys, many toys and there was nothing he could want or need. The tower was warmed by fire in the winter and the large windows were opened in the summer to let the cool breezes in. His clothes were always made to fit and when he grew out of them, there would always be a replacement made in the latest fashions. There was food during every meal and sweet fruit for when he would be hungry. Yes, the little prince was very well taken care of but of course, he longed for something every little boy wished for. He was lonely and longed for a friend.

One day, when the prince was thirteen, a falcon flew into his room. It was much bigger than any falcon. Its eyes were gold and its wings were silver. He looked up at the prince and it was then the prince realized that its wing was injured. He took a scarf from his closet and began to bandage the falcon's wing, taking out the arrow that had gone through it. He sat there with the falcon and laid its head on his lap, stroking it lightly as he tended to the wing. Finally, the falcon awoke and looked up at the prince.

'Thank you, young boy. I was crossing the forests when a hunter's arrow struck me. The last place I could go was this tower.' he said.

The prince merely shook his head and smiled. 'Please.' he replied, helping the falcon up. 'Tell me of the lands you've been to and of the world outside for I have been in this tower all my life and never once heard of anything that goes on outside my tower.'

The falcon nodded, watching the prince with a curious look before starting speak. He told the prince of a faraway forest where he lived, of a magic tower where children learned magic, of a mysterious land across the sea. The prince sighed as he listened to these stories. The falcon could tell by the look on his eyes that there was longing in them. He knew the prince wanted to see these lands and sorely, he wanted to take him away from his tower but the prince said it wasn't time. It was the prince's turn to talk and he told of the kind people who kept him in this tower. The falcon nodded, understanding that the prince was indeed well taken care of. The sun had begun to set and the prince longed to sleep. The falcon tucked his head beneath his wing and watched the prince. 'A cage is still a cage, no matter how well it has been furnished.' he said and went to sleep.

Years passed and the falcon remained with the prince. The prince was truly happy now for he had found what he wanted most: a friend though he longed to see the world beyond the tower. Every day, the falcon would leave in the morning and come back at night with tales of the land.

The prince and the falcon were fast friends and as long as the prince had remained with the falcon, he was allowed to venture out of his tower at night and into the grove near his tower. Here, the cool winds blew and tiny faerie lights fluttered around. “Behold, my prince. This is a magic grove and the people of the earth live here.” He said, perched on the prince’s shoulder. “They are my friends and I have told them plenty about you.”

“You have?” asked the prince.

“I have.” Replied the falcon and led the prince to a small lake. “Come here.”

The prince knelt by the lake with the falcon on his shoulder. He dipped his fingers in the lake’s cool water, enchanted and delighted by it. He was so entranced by the water that he didn’t once notice the figure that sat beside him. “Excuse me.” called a voice.

He jumped in surprise and looked around for the falcon who was now nowhere to be found. Beside him sat a beautiful young maiden. Her eyes were beautifully cobalt blue, as blue as the lake beside him and her hair was a brilliant gold. She smiled at the prince, trying to assure him she meant no hard. “Oh!” the prince said. “I do apologize. Perhaps I have bothered this lake?”

The young maiden laughed. “No. The falcon has told us nymphs much about you and when I saw you near my lake I had to come and see for myself.” She said, smiling back at him. “Would you like me to tell you your fortune?”

Curiously, the prince pulled his legs to his chest and watched as the nymph glanced into the shimmering lake. She nodded, watching the ripples in the water before looking up at him. “I see a young lady in your life very soon.” She said. “But I do apologize. I was not able to see who it was but this young lady will bee the cause of your freedom.” The prince nodded, unsure of what to make of these words.

One day, the falcon spied a carriage coming to the town. In it was the most perfect princess anyone had ever seen. She was young and delicate and when she spoke, everyone listened. They laughed at her jokes and thought she was the most wonderful princess ever. Certainly she was a beautiful creature but the falcon knew about this princess. He knew that deep in her heart, she was not as perfect and beautiful as she had been thought to be. Deep inside, she was a vile hateful creature who thought nothing of others but only of herself. Her kingdom was the saddest place in the world. All her servants had been commanded to call her princess and treat her as if she was a precious jewel. If they refused, they would be put to death. The falcon knew this was why the people of the village treated her as such. He knew they wanted nothing more than to remove her from their quiet little village and the quickest way to do so would be to let her have her way. The princess had come with her guards and had gathered the townspeople in the village square.

The princess smiled at them Though it seemed to be a sweet and grateful smile, the falcon could see the malice in it. ‘Thank you very much. I have heard of your prince and I would like to take him from his tower to live with me as my king.’ She said and took the villager’s hand. ‘Please take me to him. I wish to be wed with him before the week is out’

‘Our prince is in the tower.’ Said one of the villagers. ‘I would be more than happy to take you to him.’ And at these words the falcon flew as fast as he could, hurrying to the tower to warn the prince of the danger that was approaching him in his sanctuary.

The prince was startled when the falcon perched on his windowsill. ‘A princess from another land has come! She wishes to see you and make you her king.’ He said, ruffling his wings.

‘A princess?’ he asked. ‘Perhaps this is the princess the nymph spoke of.’

‘She may be but perhaps we should wait and see...’ The falcon sighed. He looked up and heard a knock at the door. He spread his wings and turned to leave. He didn’t wish to see the princess. Already he was infuriated with her and knew that he would not be able to hold his tongue were they to meet face to face. The prince was confused. He knew the falcon meant well but perhaps he was mistaken about the princess.

The princess came to see the prince day after day. She would tell him of the wonders in her kingdom and the majesty of her palace but never once did she ask about the prince or who he was. Soon, the princess began to speak of marriage. The prince, eager to see a new land and finally have company with him agreed though reluctantly. It felt wrong to him. The falcon hadn’t come to him and he had missed his dear friend. Perhaps he was right. Had he chosen the falcon’s company over a princess who had just come to his tower, offering him an easy way out? At that moment, he realized that he had betrayed his friend and wanted to make things right.

In the courtyard, the princess and her vassals were preparing for the wedding. The prince tarried in his tower, looking out the window where he had met the falcon. From where he stood, he could see the festive banners and the great feast the princess had ordered for their wedding. The villagers looked happy but he could feel that the air was heavy. Were they happy, really, or were they commanded to be happy? A knock on his chamber door drew his attention. “Your highness?” asked a voice who the prince recognized as one of the princess’ vassals. “We’re waiting for you.”

The prince sighed. He had no choice. If his people seemed happy then, perhaps it would be for the best even if it felt wrong. For the first time, he took a step and another and another down the long stone stairs of his tower. It would be his first time out into the world. His guardians stood by the door, awaiting his arrival. With a gracious smile, they took his hand and led him to where the princess waited. For the shortest moment, the prince was blinded by the light. The sun was brilliant and beautiful, bringing color to the world around him. The grass was crisp and green, wet with dew and colored by wildflowers. The grounds were decorated with the colors of the princess’ kingdom. His people watched him with pasted fake smiles as if they tried to be happy for their prince. Above them, the sky was a brilliant blue without a single cloud. As the prince walked on, he stared out but there was no sign of the falcon at all.

This seemed wrong for him, completely wrong, but there was nothing he could do. Words had been said, promises made and now he couldn’t back away from this wedding even though it didn’t make him and his people happy. The prince breathed in and closed his eyes, walking down the aisle to wait for the princess’ march.

Then suddenly, he heard a keening cry that had become all too familiar to him these past few years. He looked up and saw a flash of silver which flew directly to where the princess stood. She screamed and swung her arms wildly as the silver streak attacked her furiously, not once letting up. It charged and spun, twisted and turned around her but never did she catch it. It always flew out of her grasp and away. “Run, prince!” Called the falcon, circling faster and faster around the princess. “Run away! Go to the grove where I have taken you! Once you are there, it shall disappear and no one will be able to follow you!”

The prince ran on. Could the nymph have been wrong? Could her words have been a lie? He ran on but as he ran, he saw his people were cheering. They cheered for him, egged him on and urged him to run. “Run, your highness!” he heard the baker call.

“Run!” Cried the schoolmaster.

“Run! We’ll make sure they never catch you!” Said the fishmonger.

The village people had all come out of their stores and houses to see the wedding but moments ago, they looked fearful and only pretended to be happy. This was now different. They were smiling and laughing, cheering the prince on as he ran from the princess’ guards. The showered the prince with friendly pats as he passed, some ruffled his hair and others cheered. The crowd parted for him and closed in order to stop the guards from following after him. “Thank you, my friends!” the prince called. “Thank you! I shall never forget you!”

Soon, the prince arrived at the grove. He couldn’t run anymore and he was tired. His body was warm and his legs burned with pain. With a cry he fell forward into the fallen leaves and lay there, unable to move. He was now within the safety of the grove and knew no one would be able to follow him here. Suddenly, he felt cool air travel over his body. It seemed to pass through him, as if moving through him and beneath his skin to calm his tired muscles. He was gently moved to rest his head upon someone’s lap. When he breathed in, he took in the fragrance of the forest. A hand stroked his hair and a gentle voice calmed him.

He looked up and looked into the eyes of the nymph who had prophesied his release. “You…” he whispered, reaching up to touch her cheek. “I remember you.”

The nymph smiled and helped him up. Much to the prince’s surprise, his body no longer ached and it felt as if he had just awoken from a deep sleep. He was restored and renewed, refreshed by the cool breeze of the grove and the nymph’s spell. She smiled sadly, touching his hand. “I apologize, oh prince. The falcon told me of what had happened and of the princess who demanded your wedding.” She said. “I do feel I am to blame.”

“Please. Don’t.” the prince said and kissed her hand.

“If it wasn’t for you and the falcon, I would have been wed to that horrible girl for all eternity.”

The nymph looked up at the prince. “Then… do you forgive me?” she asked.

The prince nodded and remembered the moment he had first met the nymph. He remembered how he had been so surprised, never having met such a beautiful creature. “Could it be perhaps that your prophecy was wrong?” he asked.

“My prince?” asked the nymph, wondering what he meant.

“Perhaps you had indeed seen the young girl who was to lead me to my freedom but did not wish to tell me because it was you?” he smiled, touching her hand. At this, the nymph blushed. He had seen right through her. The nymph had seen her face in the prophecy but never spoke for she thought it arrogant of her to tell the prince that she had been the one who wished to save the prince.

He said nothing but kissed the nymph. “Thank you.” He said, whispering. “You came to save me after all. “ The nymph shook her head, blushing deeply as the prince took her hands. The prince had been saved just as she had seen and he would never ever again have to live locked away from the world.