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A Fanciful Tale: The Prince and the Eagle"Forsooth" cried the Princeas he looked across the yard - for he had sat pondering this way for days. Life had become the same as its self, and the Prince's heart did cry out since the tranquil castle became a prison. None but none could break his mood "I am but one..." he sighed, his only confidant a bird of prey - an eagle. To this saying the eagle tilted its head in silent answer, for was all it could do. The bird while mute was not stupid ’Twas disconcerting to see the Prince so - the answer "What could it be?" his master seemed changed but the same, a most perplexing problem! So from his perch the eagle did fly to the hand of his friend and master, and looking into crazied eyes he searched a ruffle of his wings the question but the Prince did not see as he searched the horizon endlessly. Looking, seeking, the bird watched with vigilance, intelligence, and understanding. Then it happened, a time of enlightenment, a hint of recognition crossed the Prince's face and the bird turned to witness such an event, and so the answer was unfolded - for there was the eagle's mate, wheeling in the turbulence of Spring. The eagle's heart did race ’twas but love - his other half, and at this moment the eagle saw what the Prince was searching for, his friend was only half the man he could be, he sought a mate, a friend, an ally, the rest of him was out there somewhere. So true to his nature the eagle took to the air issuing a screech of farewell, his friend’s search become his own. Spiralling upwards he tried to imagine life without his mate - he could not! Such a revelation made his mission more imperative, nothing could rival his loyalty to the Prince except his love for his mate, and as the castle dwindled from view a Prince could be seen - arms spread in hopeless abandon. Flying to his love the eagle danced a duet of the air, diving, soaring, separate but together in language of body and motion, not of human tongue or guise. He explained his cause and mission, and his love did reply: "Good luck my Prince and farewell I will search also, but for your return most of all!" Parting was never sweet but needs necessitated such action, so onward and upward he did fly scanning all he surveyed; many were the people he did see, strange the lands and heavy its air - still on he flew onwards till landfall he did try - fresh meat and cool water he found, all in abundance - but no love. A restful night passed over yet again to the sky, and so it continued for a score of days with no sign of love in sight the eagle continued, knowing but one way. In another kingdom was found a castle, tall of tower and wide of moat - closed to all but air, so upon a buttress he did alight where soldiers were standing fast to attention - while friendless and empty they stared only a glare did they spare for him, while a hollow gloom filled the air. No laughter or song to be heard ‘cept a sob or two drifting from nowhere, a sound to rend the heart but from whence did it issue? To the nearest window the eagle flew quest still in mind - but curious the castle empty did seem, so from the room to a passage he flew and on to a hall - in all were busts of persons unknown, stately these were to be sure royalty and honour surrounding all. On he fluttered following the elusive sound, one moment tangible, the next gone as a mist, but an eagle is a creature of cunning of deduction and prey - and at last he found a destination. ’Twas but a solitary room, far and hidden in the bowels of the castle hidden from all but light, the door to this room ajar, permitting slight entry for a winged warrior, so to the ground the eagle alighted and walking as a man he did enter. Upon the balcony in a crumpled heap lay a woman with the beauty of a girl, slowly did the eagle intrude - cautious to the end, and at such an approach she turned. "Oh!" was her exclamation of surprise, picking herself from the floor, then wiping a tear from a perfect eye she saw clearly, and a smile touched her face. One look was all it took, the eagle had found his Damsel - as even he found a place in his heart for her. The Princess fed and watered the eagle from her finest bowls - favouring him with words and looks of Love, and he watched entranced and patient as she spoke to him to quiet words of kindness and devotion. It came to be reveiled that some time ago the Princess's father, an evil and greedy man had made a pact with profit in mind, a union of son and daughter, of two Dynasties, a joining of states and bonding of resources, she the unconsulted pawn in a larger game, but the move had not been to her liking the intended groom a vicious and cruel man alone in himself Lust and Profit his love. The Pincess was of greater sensitivity and could not bear such a joining so she had refused the joining and action. For this defiance she gained great wrath, to be banished to a lonely room in the far corner of the castle guarded from all - friend and foe, to live in solitude for such dishonour. And though she did plead and petition no effect was resulted, so her life went on day following day she given all required for life, but for the thing she did crave most the Love of a fellow soul. So the Princess took the eagle to her heart, he became her only friend and confidant. To the eagle it was obvious, what better match could be made either on Earth or under the heavens, a Prince and Princess albeit a King and Queen, now all he could wish was a union, the joining of two souls, a dream to be completed. So now for one last task a poem written for love lay on the table a labour of love for a love unseen, it took but a moment to write and a lifetime to attain, so in his beak the eagle took it and with obvious intention flew to the balcony rail where he sat looking at her, wanting to explain yet tied by his form. The eagle was prevented from saying what he would still a rapport was attained, a sense of knowing, for the Princess with a faint sweet smile and a tear did raise a hand in farewell, yet no bitterness did she show - just simple acceptance, yes, the eagle was a true friend to the end. A ruffle of his wings and the eagle was on his way - leaving the Princess to an empty life, that she knew only too well. The eagle flew as fast as his wings would carry him on and on, a flight of fury and consequence, for he was returning home - back to the fold. The days and countries flew by, the nearer his destination, the faster his flight, only one thing filled the horizon that he could see, a castle standing tall and proud - for home is where the heart is, a Prince’s, to whom a letter of Love was due. Eventually a familiar figure could be seen on a balcony looking out endlessly, and a shout of joy could be heard with a reunion of friends. Upon alighting the rail the Prince perceived the paper in the eagle's beak delivered on the wings of friendship, and curiosity was naturally aroused. As the Prince unfolded the parchment he solemnly read the words of love there on. As the words floated from the pages they wove an enchantment hard to break, capturing his heart so completely, for they were as he - like a mirror, the same yet somehow different, and as the last word was absorbed he craved more but there was only an encore of - Caroline. This one piece of paper was enough to send the Prince hurtling down the stairs, hardly did he notice the eagle there upon smiling as only an eagle could. To the air the eagle took, mission now complete, happy for the Prince - his master, now to his love he would return as he wished the Prince Cupid’s speed. Time passed and the chicks left their nest -
On approaching the castle familiar
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