Chapter Text
Prince Fiyero Tigelaar rode through the forest contemplating everything in his life that had brought him to this point. He was headed to Shiz University, which apparently was going to be his last chance at having a normal education before being sent against his will to the Oz Military Academy.
“They really mean it this time, 'Yero,” said his half-brother Felin. “I did my best to convince Father and Armin to give you one last chance, but...”
“I know,” snapped Fiyero, recalling the distinctly uncomfortable meeting with his father and oldest brother after he'd been expelled from his last school. Seeing Felin's surprise at his reaction, Fiyero immediately felt remorse for lashing out at the only one of his five brothers he had anything more than a superficial relationship with. He sighed, “I'm sorry Felin, I shouldn't be taking it out on you. I appreciate it, but I'm afraid it'll only be putting off the inevitable...I just wish I knew what I wanted to do, rather than only what I don't.”
Felin gave Fiyero a rueful smile and clap on the shoulder...wait, when had his baby brother grown so tall?...as they walked out to the courtyard where Feldspur was waiting, saddled and ready for the long ride to Shiz. “I know, don't worry...no offense taken. But they really will send you to the military academy if you get yourself expelled again. Hopefully you'll finally find the...passion, purpose...you've been searching for at Shiz?”
“Or maybe it'll pop up out of the forest as I'm riding by,” replied Fiyero dramatically, making a small leap as he said “pop up”. The brothers laughed, then embraced in farewell before Fiyero mounted up and rode out of the castle gates.
“I guess we're off again,” Fiyero said to Feldspur as they rode away from the castle; the Horse snorted in reply. As they rode Fiyero reflected on his life. Seen from the outside, it looked like it was perfect: he was the youngest son of the ruling family of Winkie country, attractive and well-to-do. He knew how to charm his way into (and out of) trouble. Quick to read a room; good at recognizing and analyzing patterns. He had no problem making friends, but only on a purely superficial level.
And then there were the not-so-perfect private parts of his life. Losing his mother, the king's second wife, before he was ten years old. Her death left him alone and more isolated from his half-brothers than ever due to the age difference between them.
The twins, closest in age to Fiyero but still 6 years older, had each other for companionship and never had any interest in forming bonds with a new stepmother and younger brother. His two oldest brothers, 14 and 16 when he was born, were already away at boarding school and almost never around. His father was too busy ruling the kingdom and preparing his oldest brother to take over after him to pay much attention to his youngest son.
Only his middle brother Felin was of an age where he was still young enough to be educated at home and want to form a relationship with his nearly ten years younger brother. But all too soon he was also sent to boarding school, and Fiyero was left essentially alone with only his mother for companionship. And then suddenly she was gone as well, leaving him to be raised by tutors and servants.
Fiyero sighed, thinking about learning to fit in at a new school yet again. The public persona he'd created of the happy go lucky, charming prince only interested in having a good time with as little effort as possible was the wall he kept around himself for protection...though he was never quite able to articulate exactly what he was protecting himself from. He had good reasons to be wary of others though, as he'd been befriended by too many people who were only interested in his status as a prince rather than the person Fiyero really was.
He thought briefly about abandoning the facade and making a new start as himself at Shiz...but how could he 'be himself' if he didn't know who that would be? He was almost 18 and had no real idea what wanted to do with his life.
The one thing he was sure about was how he had to keep up the appearance of being happy, of being perfect...that had been hammered into him for as long as he could remember. Though--barring catastrophe--there was essentially no chance he'd end up on the throne, he still had to maintain the image of being a respectable member of the royal family.
His tutors had all said he was bright, and he did well in the subjects that intrigued him...but those changed constantly so it looked as though he was interested in everything, and nothing. The threat of being sent to the military academy had been hanging over his head since he'd first started boarding school, after his teachers had noted that he had an aptitude for recognizing patterns and planning strategy. According to them, his constant concern with trying to avoid collateral damage was a weakness he needed to overcome in order to be successful. The thought of making the military his life's purpose filled Fiyero with revulsion.
“You know, you're probably my best...and only...friend.” Feldspur chuffed quietly in reply; the Horse needed no words to let Fiyero know how he felt. Feldspur had been his mother's last birthday gift to him before she died. After her death, Fiyero spent many, many hours curled up in a corner of the stall with the Horse...the sounds and presence of the animals in the stable were more comforting to the bereaved child than his lonely room in the castle.
Soon Fiyero started pouring out his heart to Feldspur: how much he grieved for and missed his mother. How lonely he was, with his father and brothers too busy with their own lives to interact often with the half-orphaned young boy. How afraid he was that he wouldn't live up to their expectations as a member of the royal family.
And what made him most ashamed to admit: how being touched by others still frightened him unless he initiated the contact first. That was due to how strangers had always reacted to the adorable baby and toddler he'd been: grabbing at him, 'joking' that they'd take him home with them. Touching his hair, trying to kiss him...it made him start to hate his appearance since it was what instigated the unwanted contact from others. As he grew older he outgrew the fear, though the aversion occasionally reappeared.
The quiet chuffs and snorts Feldspur made in response to Fiyero's heartfelt confessions made him begin to imagine that the Horse could actually understand what he was saying to him. What a wonderful surprise it was when Feldspur finally trusted young Fiyero enough to talk back to him! It remained their secret, as Animals were already falling under suspicion and worse under the Wizard's regime. Later, Fiyero realized that his mother must have known Feldspur was a Horse, and chose him for that reason.
His mother had always been kind to everyone, even the stepsons who'd made it clear that they didn't consider her or her son family. Fiyero inherited that same sense of kindness and compassion from her, as well as her looks. Sadly that served as yet another difference standing between him and his brothers: Fiyero looked like his mother, gracefully built with light eyes and hair, while his brothers were dark haired and stocky, taking after their father.
To Fiyero's surprise, the inn he'd been told was the halfway point on the journey to Shiz was already coming into view down the road. “Hungry, Feldspur?” he asked.
“More thirsty, but I know you're always hungry. Remember that you can't linger too long if we intend to arrive at Shiz before dark,” the Horse replied.
After arranging for Feldspur's care with the stable boy, Fiyero entered the inn to see about getting a meal for himself. Thankfully, there were only a few other travelers there, so he could eat quickly before they set off again.
The next section of road went through a forest, and they lost the afternoon light faster than either of them expected...which slowed their progress significantly. Soon they were traveling in near darkness, with only light from the full moon filtered through the treetops as illumination.
Fiyero was chatting quietly to Feldspur about how much farther he thought they had to go when suddenly there was a figure on the path ahead of them, walking in the same direction they were traveling. He shouted, “Whoa!” and reined Feldspur in sharply to avoid running down what he could now see was a small woman dressed in dark clothing. She threw herself to the side to avoid them and tumbled to the ground.
Fiyero dismounted quickly. “I did not see her!” Feldspur insisted as Fiyero made his way over to the woman to check if she was all right. She was picking herself up off the ground as he approached her while apologizing.
“So sorry miss, we didn't see you! You must have blended in...” She stood, and turned to face Fiyero.
She was green. And spitting mad.
“...with the foliage.” Fiyero realized that his mouth got ahead of his brain again, and knew immediately that was the wrong thing to say. Thankfully, she didn't seem to be hurt from the fall.
She asked him angrily: “Is this how you go through life, just running amok and trampling over anyone in your path?”
Fiyero turned on the charm and answered “No, sometimes I'm asleep,” and gave her his best flirty smile, hoping to defuse her anger. She really was lovely in her own unusual way, with dark hair and huge eyes behind round glasses. He found himself intrigued by her, though she was showing absolutely no interest in interacting with him at all.
The young woman blew out her breath in exasperation and snapped, “Let's get this over with: No, I am not seasick.”
“Neither am I.”
“No, I did not eat grass as a child.”
“You didn't? I did...”
“And yes, I have always been green.”
“And the defensiveness, is that new?” Fiyero tilted his head and gave her another flirty grin; she held his gaze for a moment, assessing him then huffed, turned and started walking away. He could hear Feldspur behind him laughing as she left.
“We're up for more trampling, may we offer you a ride?” he called after her.
She didn't even look back at them, saying dismissively: “No, thank you. Get stuffed.” She moved down the road, and was quickly out of sight.
Feldspur laughed even more when Fiyero muttered in chagrin, “Looks like we've just been sent packing by that girl...well, I guess there's a first time for everything.”
They continued their journey along the road towards Shiz but did not see the young woman again. As he rode, Fiyero found himself thinking about their encounter once more and suddenly realized that she was hiding behind a facade of her own creation for protection...just like him. He cringed inwardly remembering his insensitive “defensiveness” comment; it was unkind and probably hit her a little too close to home. Fiyero wished he could see her again to apologize.
A short time later, they finally reached Shiz. Since they'd arrived after hours he and Feldspur were put up overnight in temporary lodging; Fiyero's formal University enrollment would occur in the morning.