with a smile && a {SONG} [open]

[ferdinand]

The forest was most lovely today. The birds were singing, their lovely melodies carrying through the place. The sun shone brightly through the trees, its rays bathing the forest floor in a warm glow. The animals of the forest scurried about, going about their lives as usual. In the distance, among all these sounds, the clip-clop of a horse's hooves could be heard against the beaten path. Atop the magnificent steed rode a handsome youth.

Prince Ferdinand was enjoying a leisurely ride through the forest. He and Snow White had only been married a week now, and both were adjusting most comfortably to being husband and wife. Snow White was back at the castle baking, something her prince had found was a favorite past time of hers. He smiled at the thought of his bride and continued down the path.

It was soon Ferdinand came upon a clearing. It was filled with the most beautiful wildflowers. The Prince dismounted Kaiser (for that was the stallion's name) and went into the clearing. He decided he'd pick a bouquet for Snow White, to surprise her. As he gathered flowers in his arms, he began to gaily sing a tune he'd sung many a time before.

"One song, I have but one song..."

[/b][/center]

[woodlore]

A shadow loomed over Prince Ferdinand. Unlike the shadow that once loomed over Snow White, which turned out to be the shadow of the huntsman, the shadow that loomed over the good prince was a bear.

Fortunately, this bear, upon closer examination, didn't appear to be threatening. In fact, this bear did something very nonthreatening: he, too, gathered flowers. He brought the flora to his face and, with his big, black nose, took a large whiff of the flowers and exhaled happily.

The bear casually noticed Ferdinand and gave a small salute. He apparently said good morning, but it was more of a chirpy growl than a vocalization.

[ferdinand]

As the Prince sang happily and his bouquet grew in size, his eyes lifted to see a shadow on the trees. He gasped and dropped the flowers. Ferdinand placed a hand on his sword as he stood hastily, spinning around to see what was there with him.

He sighed with relief with he saw it was nothing but a bear. The bear seemed to be one of the kind woodland creatures, and actually began to pluck flowers himself. The bear brought them to his nose and sniffed them, seeming quite taken with their delightful aroma.

By this time, Ferdinand's hand had returned limply to his side. The bear gave the boy a quick salute, as if he was wishing him good morning. Ferdinand waved lightly back. "Why, hello there! What brings you here?" the Prince said kindly. He loved animals just as much as Snow White did, and would never do anything to hurt them.

[woodlore]

The bear's smile widened, and his constantly fidgeted as he pointed to the gorgeous flowers that surrounded them. He obviously responded to the noble prince vocally, but he seemed to speak the language of the bear; not any kind of language spoken by humans.

Still carrying the flowers he picked, the bear squeezed the stems together with his great strength and this, comically, formed a perfect and gorgeous bouquet. He again closed his eyes and sniffed the flowers, but he didn't expect to inhale a bumblebee.

After unwittingly inhaling the bee, the bear, whose eyes were now wide open with shock, grabbed his nose with his free paw, which stretched and squashed because of the bee trying to fly out. The bear sneezed harshly, which propelled the bee like a bullet out of the gun. The force of the sneeze threw the bear to the ground, and his bouquet of flowers was torn to petals. He sniffed and examined his bouquet, which was now nothing more than unsightly stems. He looked to the prince and sighed in annoyance.

[ferdinand]

Ferdinand smiled warmly at the bear as the creature gestured towards the flowers in response to his question. "Ah! So you too have come to pick flowers! Tis a most wonderful past-time, isn't it?" he said.

As the Prince bent down to pick up the flowers he'd dropped in his surprise, he saw the bear bring his own pickings together to form a lovely bouquet. Ferdinand stood with his own bouquet, marveling at the bear's work. The bear had chosen such beautiful flowers. They formed a plethora of colors.

Ferdinand continued to smile as the bear lifted the bouquet to his snout and smelled. He then noticed the bear begin to have a horrible reaction. The Prince's eyes went wide as the creature began to swing at his nose. The poor thing! There was something flying about in the bear's nose. The bear then sneezed, letting out a small bee who seemed quite relieved to get out.

The boy ran to the creature's side after it fell to the ground, quite worried for its condition. He found the bear was alright, having not been stung by the bee. Ferdinand couldn't help but sigh with relief. "I'm most glad you're alright. You took quite the fall there, my friend." He then noticed how the bear sighed at him in annoyance.

Ferdinand looked around them. The bear's sneeze had destroyed its bouquet. He looked back compassionately to the creature. "You can have mine if you like. I can always pick more." He offered his hand. "But first, let's get off you off the ground, shall we? I'm sure you don't like it down there."

[woodlore]

The bear smiled his trademark dopey smile and nodded. "Haa." Although an adult bear was obviously quite heavy, this bear did most of the work arising to his feet, but he did extend a paw to the prince for a little assistance. Back on his hind legs, the bear scraped off flower petals from his fur with his claws.

***

"Humphrey?" a voice called out. "Oh, dear, oh, dear," complained the little ranger, J. Audubon Woodlore. "He's past the boundary lines. What am I going to do with that silly bear?" The pudgy ranger shook his head and continued his search. He was about five minutes away from Ferdinand and Humphrey.

[ferdinand]

Someone who saw a teenage boy helping up a bear might think it a strange sight. But to Ferdinand, it only came natural that he help others, be they animal or human. He smiled as the bear agreed to his offer and took his hand. The Prince did his best to help the creature up, though it was a hard task indeed.

When the bear was up to his feet, Ferdinand gathered his bouquet together and held it out to the creature. "As promised, you may have my bouquet. I'll pick more." he said kindly. It was then that the boy heard a voice not far from them.

He couldn't really make out what was being said, but the Prince wasn't going to take any chances. He'd no idea if who was coming was friend or foe, and with the thieves and bandits who inhabited the forest, how could he be so trusting? Handing the bouquet to the bear, Ferdinand unsheathed his sword and made ready. Should they who approached the two be friend, he'd sheath it. Should they be foe, he'd be ready to fight.

With one hand on his sword, the Prince brought a finger to his lips as he looked at the bear. "Shhh." Ferdinand said, telling they should be silent as they waited.

[woodlore]

The bear smiled widely and clapped his paws several times when the good prince gave him the bouquet as a gift. The bear gently took the flowers from the human, taking care to not inadvertently scratch the prince with his claws.

The bear noticed the distant voice simultaneously with the prince. He looked to Ferdinand's face and nodded in agreement, keeping quiet. The bear seemed slightly worried about who was approaching, which was highly ironic considering that a bear could easily take on most anything else in the forest. Unless it was a hunter, with a gun, or a similarly nasty weapon. Then that would be very scary for the bear.

Eventually, the stout Ranger Woodlore stepped from a thicket, his patience growing thin. He began to call, but he changed his tone mid-sentence. "Humphrey, where ar--there you are! Good heavens, Humphrey, you had me worried!"

Humphrey shrugged and smiled nervously. "Haa."

(OOC: Photos of Ferdinand Magellan and John James Audubon abound! Gotta love April Fool's pranks, eh?)

[ferdinand]

(OOC: Definintely! XDDD)

(IC:) It made Ferdinand very happy to see how cheerful the bear was upon receiving the flowers. This creature was truly a gentle soul, further supporting the Prince's belief that he'd nothing to fear. As for him, he'd pick another bouquet for his beloved. There were plenty of flowers, and it would take little time at all.

It was soon after this that Ferdinand and the bear heard the voice in the distance. The boy had unsheathed his weapon and bade the bear to do as he did, to keep quiet. He was prepared to defend not only himself, but the bear as well. Well known were the tales of Ferdinand being the finest German swordsman, despite being only 16 years old.

The sound of footsteps came nearer and nearer, and as the Prince began to lift his sword, a rather plump man wearing strange clothing and spectacles emerged through the bushes. From first glance, the man didn't look threatening. In fact, he spoke most kindly!

The bear's name was apparently "Humphrey." Ferdinand thought it a rather nice name, and it made him glad to know the creature had one. Humphrey seemed a bit nervous around the man. The Prince sheathed his sword and spoke generously.

"Good Sir! Hold anything against this kind creature. He's been in my company this whole time, helping me pick flowers for my dear wife."

[woodlore]

The pudgy ranger's face visibly eased. "Is that true?" After a slight hop he quickly walked to Humphrey and the prince. "Flowers, hmm?" His bespectacled eyes examined the bouquet.

Humphrey grinned and clearly offered Woodlore the bouquet. The ranger was taken aback by this, and seemed initially confused. "Humphrey, is that... for me?" The bear nodded happily, and the ranger smiled warmly. "Why, thank you, Humphrey! That was sweet!" Humphrey bowed his hat, and the ranger patted the bear's top. "I appreciate that."

Now holding the bouquet, the ranger turned his attention to the prince. "Thank you for looking after him. I was worried because he left Brownstone's boundary, so he could have been fair game to hunters." Humphrey hadn't realized this, and he panicked, but for once the ranger was not willing to scold the bear (it must've been the bouquet).

Woodlore sniffed his flowers and exhaled, much like his bear. "These are beautiful flowers! Your wife should love a bouquet, too, Mr...?" The ranger hadn't recognized the German prince.

[ferdinand]

The Prince nodded to Woodlore's question. "Yes, it's most true." he said kindly, looking over at Humphrey. He saw the plump man walk briskly to them and examine the bouquet Humphrey held in his paws. When the bear offered the flowers to the ranger, Woodlore questioned whether they were for him or not. Humphrey nodded, and the man took them from the bear's paws and thanked him for the gift.

How wonderful it made Ferdinand feel to see the peaceful exchange between the two friends. He'd hoped this wouldn't turn into anything more negative. If it had, he would've stepped in immediately. Woodlore then turned his attention to the boy and thanked him as well. He explained that Humphrey had escaped the boundaries of some place called "Brownstone." Was that another kingdom?

"You're most welcome, Sir. It would pain me to see Humphrey harmed in any way. He's a truly gentle soul; I can tell." Ferdinand said. After the ranger sniffed the bouquet, he commented that Ferdinand's wife should indeed like some as well, but couldn't finish his sentence because he didn't know the boy's name.

Removing his hat, the Prince bowed ever so gracefully. "I, am Prince Ferdinand." he said, then resuming a standing position. "This is my kingdom, which I rule with my fair Snow White." "Who might you be?" he asked.

[woodlore]

Woodlore fidgeted so rapidly, his glasses nearly fell from his nose. He straightened it and stuttered. "P--Prince Ferdinand?! Oh, dear!" With his free hand he immediately snatched his small hat from his large head and pressed it against his chest. As if that wasn't enough, the little ranger bowed politely. "Forgive me, Your Highness! I must stay in Brownstone National Park too much!"

Humphrey looked at the prince again, then stepped beside Woodlore and bowed similarly, although he kept a perpetual grin.

[ferdinand]

After Ferdinand introduced himself and asked the plump newcomer his name, the man seemed to become quite nervous. The boy's expression became one of worry. He found it most embarrassing when people reacted this way to the fact he was royalty.

Woodlore fidgeted and reached for his hat in a hasty matter, putting it to his chest and asking for the boy's forgiveness. Humphrey followed suit, though he kept a goofy grin on his face. Ferdinand raised in his hand in the air, motioning them to stop. "Please, friends! You needn't treat me so specially. I humbly ask that you both think of me as a normal person."

Not only was the Prince kind, he was also quite modest and humble. It worried him so to see others act so afraid of him because he was a prince. Ferdinand wished others to feel comfortable in his presence, and feel as if they were his equal. "Now," he said with a chuckle, "would you tell me your name, kind Sir?"

[woodlore]

"Very well, Your Majesty. Or... Prince Ferdinand," Woodlore replied while straightening his back. He placed his hat back on his pear-shaped head and replied, "I am J. Audubon Woodlore, the ranger of Brownstone National Park." He smiled and nodded, but he quickly grew worried. "Oh, my goodness! That's where we should be right now!" He looked up to the bear. "Ready, Humphrey?"

The bear, now standing straight again, nodded.

[ferdinand]

"You needn't be so formal." Ferdinand said kindly. "Just plain 'Ferdinand' will suffice."

The ranger agreed and straightened out his posture, and, after replacing his strange looking hat upon his head, introduced himself as "J. Audubon Woodlore," keeper of that strange place he'd mentioned before. The Prince nodded. "Then I welcome you to my kingdom, Sir Woodlore." Ferdinand had never heard of a "ranger" before, so he believed Woodlore to be a knight instead.

A neighing from nearby caused the boy to turn his head, seeing Kaiser becoming restless. He strode over to the horse and patted his neck. "There, there, old friend. Everything's alright." The horse snorted and resumed a peaceful manner.

It was while Ferdinand was attending Kaiser that Woodlore said he and Humphrey should be at the Park. The Prince turned to them and frowned. "Must you leave so soon? It's been the greatest pleasure to meet you both, and I would consider it an honor if you both wished to come with me to my castle, if only for a little while. My wife is quite the cook, you know." He hoped they'd take up his offer.

[woodlore]

"Sir Woodlore?" the flattered ranger repeated to himself. "Hehe, say! That's not bad!" He returned his undivided attention to the prince, examined him for a moment, and then looked at his watch. "Oh, dear." Even though he said those two words, which are usually associated with grief, the ranger had a large grin on his face. He showed his watch to Humphrey. The bear couldn't tell time, but he examined it anyway. "Just look, Humphrey!" said Woodlore. "By the time we arrive back to the park, we'll close for the day!" He looked to the bear's face. "Do you know what that means?"

The bear looked to the plump man's face and nodded his head, but instantly shook his head. "Ahh."

Woodlore chuckled and looked to the prince. "It means we can accept Prince--I mean--Ferdinand's invitation!"

Ecstatic, Humphrey rapidly clapped his paws and shimmied his feet.

[ferdinand]

Indeed, Prince Ferdinand thought Woodlore an aged and noble knight. The only thing that struck him odd was that Woodlore wasn't dressed in the clothes of a noble or wearing armor. As unusual looking as Woodlore's clothing looked, it appeared to Ferdinand as the clothing of a commoner. Why would a noble wish to dress themselves in such a lowly manner?

The boy shrugged and watched as the ranger showed Humphrey a strange device. As the Prince peered at it, it resembled a sun-dial encased in glass and metal. Never before had Ferdinand seen a sun-dial so small, either. He wondered if these were things commonplace in Woodlore's kingdom.

Woodlore mentioned something about the Park being closed for the day, then laughed lightly and said he and Humphrey could accept Ferdinand's invitation. The boy smiled. "Excellent!" he exclaimed. "Then we should make haste, for Snow White will be wondering where I've been for so long." He chuckled at his words and went over to Kaiser. Saddling the horse up, he mounted and rode it over to where Woodlore was standing. "You may ride with me if you wish, noble Sir." he said.

He then looked sadly at Humphrey. "But I'm afraid Humphrey will have to walk, for my steed can't certainly carry a bear. My dearest apologies, my friend."

[woodlore]

"D'awww," Humphrey pouted.

"Now, now, Humphrey," Woodlore comforted the bear by patting his chest. "It's only natural for a bear to walk alone. Besides, you did wander off. It's only fair I get to ride the pony," the ranger said with feigned childness. With assistance from the bear, Woodlore managed to comfortably sit on Kaiser's saddle. Smiled down to Ferdinand; although Audubon was overweight, he appeared to be a perfectly game nature man. "Thank you, Ferdinand! This will be fun!"

Humphrey would walk alongside Ferdinand, towering over the prince in height.

[ferdinand]

The boy felt sorry for Humphrey as the bear became upset. "I truly am sorry." Ferdinand said with sympathy. He really did wish Kaiser could carry all three of them, but anyone knew that was physically impossible for the stallion.

Woodlore tried to comfort the bear by telling him not only was it natural for a bear to walk by itself, but also that because he disobeyed him, it was only fair that the ranger got to ride. Ferdinand said nothing to this, only smiled and was about to try to help Woodlore onto Kaiser's back when Humphrey easily lifted the man behind the Prince. When Woodlore was situated, he thanked Ferdinand and said how fun it was going to be.

"You're most welcome, Sir Woodlore." the boy replied warmly. "Be sure you hold on tight, for the way to my castle is quite difficult." This was because Ferdinand's castle, Schloss Schneewitchen (it translates as "Snow White's castle), was situated on the top of a mountain. A winding road led to its gates, but the path was thin and the way steep. One false move could send a man plummeting to their death.

"Now..." The Prince tugged on the stallion's crimson reigns. "Onward, Kaiser!" The horse neighed and began to trot down the beaten path through the forest. Humphrey walked alongside them, dwarfing not only Kaiser, but also Ferdinand and Woodlore. It didn't take long for them to leave the forest, and soon, they were riding through the beautiful countryside.

While they rode, Ferdinand pointed with a finger to the mountains. "As you can see, we're not far from my home." On top of a high mountain was a beautiful castle surrounded by clouds. It looked like something from a storybook. This was to be expected, considering the Prince and his wife were from a fairy-tale themselves.

[woodlore]

The ranger, straddling the noble prince's equally noble steed, enjoyed every minute of the trip. It was nice to ride a horse again after a long time; to take in the beautiful sights that surrounded them. Although he was initially plagued with worry about Brownstone, he convinced himself that some of the more obedient bears would keep on the lookout for any suspicious activity. Maybe even lock up the office...

When Ferdinand pointed to the distant castle, Woodlore removed his glasses, cleaned the lenses with haste, and placed the spectacles back on his bulbous nose. Just as he thought--the castle was simply beautiful. "Say!" exclaimed the ranger. "That's beautiful! It's certainly more pleasing to the eye than the ranger's lodge, isn't it, Humphrey?" He leered to the bear.

Humphrey, still walking, nodded in agreement. But he thought over his answer and, in an attempt to not offend the ranger, shook his head. But then to avoid offending Ferdinand, he nodded again. "Uh-huh!" The bear was just as enthralled by the castle. Were they really going there...? It looked like heaven. Now, if it only had a buffet of delicious fish stretching a mile long, it would be heaven.

[ferdinand]

The way to Ferdinand's castle was indeed a lovely trip. The German countryside was beautiful, full of rolling hills and flowery meadows. The peasants toiling in their fields looked up and greeted their ruler. The Prince smiled at them and waved with a free hand as he, Woodlore, and Humphrey passed by.

As they continued down the unpaved road, Ferdinand had pointed to his castle in the mountains. Woodlore remarked how beautiful the castle was, then asked Humphrey if he thought it more beautiful than the ranger's lodge. Ferdinand guessed this must have been Woodlore's castle. "Isn't it?" the boy said.

Though Humphrey nodded in agreement, the Prince could tell he wasn't all that interested. Ferdinand laughed. "A feast is waiting upon my return." He thought that might spark the bear's interest. By the time he'd finished speaking, they were already at the base of the mountain that led up to the castle.

"We're almost there!" he said. He then looked to Humphrey. "My friend, be sure you watch your footing. The way up can be quite treacherous." With that, they began to ascend.

[woodlore]

Humphrey's interest was indeed sparked at the mentioning of a feast. A bear stereotypically had a large appetite, and Humphrey's was no exception. His tongue dropped out of his mouth and his mouth watered at the mentioning of a feast. Now he really couldn't wait to reach the castle!

"Oh, yes," Woodlore said in response to Ferdinand's comment about the treacherous home stretch. The ranger could plainly see the possible hazards, and he decided to also emphasize this to the bear. "Humphrey, be very careful!"

Humphrey looked to the humans and nodded. How bad could it be?

[ferdinand]

Ferdinand couldn't help but chuckle at Humphrey's reaction. He'd known that would cheer the bear up. It pained him to see Humphrey unhappy. The bear's anticipation was evident on his face. The Prince smiled, then whipped Kaiser's reigns. The stallion began to trot faster as they went up the mountain.

Woodlore agreed with the youth and also warned Humphrey to be careful. The bear seemed to agree. It didn't take long for them to reach the castle. Ferdinand stopped Kaiser in front of the castle and when the sentries called out to see who it was, the Prince announced his presence. "Tis' I! Prince Ferdinand!" he called out. The sentries quickly let down the large wooden door and the group crossed the drawbridge and into the spacious courtyard.

The door was closed behind them and the group was greeted by Ferdinand's attendants. "Good day to you as well, friends." the youth said kindly. The Prince dismounted and helped Woodlore down. After that, he handed Kaiser over to the stable boy. As the horse and stable boy trotted off, Ferdinand turned to his new friends.

"This is my home." he said. "I suspect it will be supper time very soon. Would you care to look around while we wait?" he asked.

[woodlore]

"Why, certainly!" Woodlore responded.

Humphrey had jolted when the door was closed behind him, and he snapped his gaze to it.

Woodlore didn't notice, as he was drawn to everything about the castle. It was simply lavish and beautiful--truly fitting for a king. "This is a humble abode, isn't it?" The little ranger chuckled.