The Different Prince

It was dark when I awoke. Somehow, the cold didn't seem to bother me. Must be all the fur and feathers. But, that didn't protect me from something much more important. I was very hungry. Now, I was starting on bits of solid food here and there, but I was still fairly reliant on my mother's and Lyra's milk. Plus, this frozen wilderness didn't seen to have any sustenance. And it'd probably be too hard for me to chew anyway.

I got up and began moving. Not in any general direction, just forward as best I could. There was no going back. Not that I didn't want too, but I had no idea how I wound up here in the first place. What happened earlier... yesterday? was still clear in my head. I didn't want to think about it, so I kept walking.

Snow after snow after more snow I passed. Were their hills or valleys? I'm not sure. Everything just blended together. All I knew was that I was getting tired. But I pressed on. Not even a break in the clouds would tell me what stars were overhead. My wings dragged along side of me in a depressing manner.

Eventually light began to come up over the horizon. It silhouetted a hill in the distance. This gave me courage to pick up the pace and make for it. From higher ground I could see so much more. It took forever, as it was much bigger and further away than I had suspected.

I got there all the same and sat down. The view was indeed amazing. For the first time in hours I saw trees. Ancient trees. Monsters as big as skyscrapers. All down in a deep dark valley.

Hungry, I saw the greenery and licked my lips. I needed something in my stomach. I hurried my little loves, practically slipping and sliding down the hill. Nah, I tumbled my way down until I reached the base of the first tree.

I quickly scrambled to all fours and grabbed at the first bush within my reach. It was bitter and my teeth didn't like chewing it, but I was too hungry to listen to them. Swallowing it was like a dozen sharp corn chips slide down my throat. Most of the solid food I had was in a ground up form, more like a mush. Hopefully I wouldn't regret this decision.

* * *

I regretted that decision. Yeah, you saw that coming.

My body was so not ready for just solid food yet. Especially raw. I was curled up tight, hooves on my stomach as I whimpered and moaned something fierce. My stomach gurgled and twitched violently. Tears came to my eyes, and I found myself wishing I was back home. Perhaps mother might have protected me. These thoughts danced in my head as I passed out.

* * *

Dreams were feverish. I think it was about a wheel falling down a cliff and hitting an infinite amount of ledges on the way down. That is to say, it went on forever. Until a noise caught my attention.

How many times was I gonna just wake up? My stomach had settled a bit, but I was still in pain enough to whimper. I looked about for the source of the noise, swiveling my head and ears about in search of the source. It seemed to be coming from up the hill I had just descended.

Fear struck me. Had they followed me? Nevermind what I was thinking before I passed out, if they found a way to follow me, I was not going to let them find me. I just hid behind a tree and tried to quiet my whimpers with a hoof. I listened carefully.

It was the sound of steps. Zigzagging, searching, There was no doubt it was someone searching for me. Tears trickled down my cheeks as I held my breath, calming my whimpers. Not too well. I shook and followed those steps with my ears. They were getting ever closer. There would be no way I could run. Even if I wasn't sick, I'd be caught in an instant.

The steps stopped and it sounded like whoever it was had sat down. I risked a breath and held it again. It was quiet. Too quiet. cliché, I know, but how else can you describe something like this? The tension was almost unbearable.

"My auntie sent me a note saying you had run away, detailing several things, Gold," came the unmistakable voice of Cadance. My heart sank. My cover was blown, yet I still held my breath. "Luna too, she wishes to apologize... I don't think that matters much to you. Not for a while anyway. Maybe someday you'll forgive her."

Not likely.

"I told your mother I would keep an eye out for you," she went on as though it were a normal conversation. "Before their letters arrived, I had sensed something powerful enter my kingdom. At first I had hoped it was Twilight coming for a surprise visit. But, then I realized it had to be you. I waited a bit, so you might calm down. But, seems I should have come sooner. That's not the kind of bush anypony wants to eat."

My stomach rumbled, betraying me.

"You sound like your in pain," she said sympathetically. "Thankfully, it's not a poisonous bush. But, you're not ready for that kind of food yet."

No shit lady. I let out a whimper, I couldn't hold it any longer.

"Please come here, Gold," her voice was much softer now. "I will heal your stomach. I promise I would never harm you."

A few minutes longer and I decided to risk it. I slowly made my way around the great tree trunk until the Alicorn of love came into view. Her violet eyes showed nothing but sincere kindness as I approached. When I got withineach, she gently picked me up and laid on her lap.

"Oh, you poor thing," she frowned at my condition. "A good bath and real bed won't go amiss." Her horn lit up and she laid a hand on my stomach. The gurgling subsided and the pain melted away.

I gave a sigh of relief and hugged her stomach gratefully, she hugged me back. We stayed like that for the longest time until my stomach rumbled. Seemed she had emptied it somehow and now I needed something again.

Way ahead of me, Cadance opened her coat and guided my mouth to a nipple where I began softly nursing. I was less enthusiastic about boobs right now. I just wanted the milk, as much as I could get.

The princess leaned back against the tree and sighed heavily. "I think you could use a change of scenery for a while, Gold. I think your mother and auntie need some time to themselves as well. We all need some time and thought to ourselves."

I stopped nursing for a minute to look up at her. She looked back and smiled maternally. "You really are something special, Gold. I'm going to make sure everyone realizes that."