Fire and Ice

Old Norm

Norman blushed after hearing my words.

"A f-friend?" He repeatedly stuttered.

"Yes of course a friend! We have known each other for years Norman, surely you think of me as a friend too?"

"Well. . . I never thought of you and me as. . . friends. I didn't think you. . .liked me very much." He said hesitantly, looking down at his feet.

"Are you kidding! Of course we are friends Norm!" I cheered, jumping from my bed.
"So will you come?" I asked in all seriousness.

"Why not. It's not like I have anything else to do." He said in a kind hearted way.

My pasted history with Norman:

My connection with Norman started though his father, Simon. Simon was the stable runner for the castle. He tended the horses and the small amount of cattle we own.
His wife, who I believe was named Sally, was a maid under my mother.

Simon was very close to my father. At times my father even treated him like he was his own brother.

Because of this closeness between my father and Simon, Norman and I were then introduced.

When I first met Norman, he was quiet open and exciting. He always loved a good adventure as much as I did. We were two crazy kids. Well that was until. . .his mother's death.

After Sally died, Norman became quite and barely spoke to me. As time went on we grew farther apart because of his silence and because of our different placements in society.

But things became worse.

After about four years after Sally's death his Father passed away too. Simon was sent to help a near by village to gather their cattle for the kingdom. On his way back he was attacked by some bandits wanting to steal the kingdom's cattle.

Simon. . . never made it back home.
Of course this affected Normans behavior even more. He became very upset. . . almost. . . depressed.

Since neither of Normans parents were keeping Norman at the castle, he had no place to go or to get money.

My Father kindly gave him the job as messenger. All Norman had to do was pass along other people's words and stories, not his own sad fairy tale.

Now because of his job change, Norman had to talk to me more which made us more closer. Norman never returned back to his adventurous self I knew so long ago. He was now a nervous fellow that always made me laugh.

I did like the adventurous Norman from back then, but for now I'm ok with my nervous Norm.

~~~

I jumped up and hugged him.
"Thanks, Norman."

I set him free and continued,

"Ok so we leave tomorrow. Will you be ready by then?" I asked looking at him.

"I think so." He said in an anxious tone.

"Then you are dismissed." I said opening my bedroom door for him.

"But Princess. . . I still have my message for you."

"Oh, right." I mumbled, closing the door. "What is this message?"

"It's a message from The Highness Zebastian. He has invited you to his quarters for dinner this evening."

"Oh." What did Uncle Zeref want with me in his chambers? Why couldn't we just eat in the dining hall?

"Thank you, Norm. You may tell him that I except his invitation." I said opening the door once more.

Norman bowed and left the room. I closed the door and flopped onto my bed. I recapped what Norman acted when walking out and entering the room for the second time.

"I'm glad I got to see that side of Norman again." I whispered to myself with a smile.