At the bottom of the stairwell, finally, Elwin bent down and the prince climbed off his back. He handed him the walking stick that he had tucked under his arm. The two of them remained in the shadows for a long moment.

Elwin reached out and touched Prin's face, and in the darkness he could feel a smile there. Elwin smiled back, and placed Prin's hand on his own face so he could feel it.

He was a little afraid. The most nerving wracking part was still to come (would it always feel this way, from here on out?), but they were really doing it. Really getting out.

Elwin had planned for a route of least resistance. He had first thought of going through the kitchen, but his parents would be there, so there was always a chance that he would be stopped. And they would surely get overexcited about Prin being with him, if they managed to notice the two of them at all in their bustling breakfast preparations.

So, he had dismissed that idea, and decided to go through the ball room which should be unused and empty at the moment.

Still, there was the matter of getting there.

In this, they caught a little bit of a lucky break. Elwin knew the guard stationed nearby, and he was a laid back sort of fellow.

Elwin put his hand out behind him in a hold back gesture. “Wait here a minute.”

He casually walked out of the stairwell towards the guard.

“Hey!” He said. “How are you?”

The guard, who's name Elwin would be damned if he could remember, raised an eyebrow at Elwin. “How much time you got?” He was a middle aged, mustached man who looked like he would rather be approximately anywhere else. Or fishing.

Elwin forced a small chuckle, reminding himself repeatedly in his head to try and be normal, though even by striking up a conversation he seemed to be stepping out of his normal bounds. “Half asleep probably huh? Me too. Me too.”

“Mmm hmm.” the guard’s eyes were already glazing over with disinterest. But that was good, that was okay, it was better than suspicion anyway.

“You know what we need? Some breakfast, and coffee.” Elwin said, trying to keep it soooo casual. “Why don't you go get us some? I'll watch your spot for you.”

The guard opened his mouth to speak, and before he could even get a word out, Elwin was so sure that he would tell him to go get it himself that he preempted the words before they were even spoken.

“If I went and got 'em my mom would give me a hard time. She works in the kitchen? Or she might even put me to work.” Elwin said, pulling a long suffering face. “You, she would just give it to. Come on, why not? It's so quiet right now, since people haven't woken up yet.” By people of course, he meant people of importance, unlike present company. “No one will even notice you stepped away.”

“Really want that cup of coffee don't ya?” The guard smirked. “Up all night?”

“Was I being that obvious?” Elwin asked.

“Okay, alright, but you're going to owe me one.” The guard said. “When I ask you for a favor, you're going to do it.”

“Sure.” Elwin felt something awkward in the atmosphere, like the guard was going to ask him for something he didn't want to do, and he already had in mind what that something would be. It didn't matter though, since they would be long gone before ever seeing him again. Probably.

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The guard waved at him dismissively as he walked away toward the kitchen.

Elwin figured the errand wouldn't take long, so they had to hurry. He turned back to the stairwell and pulled Prin's cloak hood up to at least partially conceal his face. Elwin couldn't decide which would look odder, Prin walking around downstairs? Or a cloaked mystery figure walking around? He just had to pick one and go with it because they didn’t have time.

Luckily at this pre-dawn hour there weren't a lot of people around, mainly just staff, and they were busy working. Elwin waited just a beat for the coast to be clear, before taking the prince's hand and leading him down the corridor.

Prin tripped and started to go down, but Elwin caught him in time.

“Sorry.” Prin whispered. He looked up at Elwin with a face full of nervous excitement. Sparkling eyes and a little smile that flickered here and there like a firefly.

“It's my fault. I was going too fast and pulling you along.” Elwin set him back on his feet. “Take my arm.”

Prin held onto his arm, and they walked at a steady, but slower pace to the ballroom.

“This is where we're leaving from?” The prince looked around, taking in the huge room with the long table at the far side.

“It's completely empty in here.” Elwin pointed out. “This room is only used for special occasions.”

“Wow.” Prin said. “It's so big.”

“That door leads to the kitchen.” Elwin pointed. “And this, this door, goes outside. In fact, it was the door the witch came in through. Hmm, I didn't think about that until just now. I guess it's kind of fitting or something. For us to leave this way.”

Elwin left Prin's side and went to the door. He figured it might take both hands to push the heavy door open. He pushed, and nothing moved. Maybe it was pull, instead? Yes, come to think of it, the door had opened inward, toward the party.

Elwin pulled on the door with all his might. It didn't even move in its frame.

Prin came closer, leaning on his walking stick for support. The two of them examined the door top to bottom, looking for a bolt or latch, or a lock.

“Perhaps it's bolted on the outside?” Prin suggested.

Elwin had not even considered this as a possibility. He groaned. “Why would they do that?”

“To keep us in.” Prin deadpanned. “We will never escape.”

“I think you're kidding, but it's really not funny.” Elwin said. “Since that's exactly what we're trying to do.”

The prince grinned at him. “Everything will be okay. How about we try a window?”

The door was flanked by floor to ceiling windows that were covered by thick tapestry curtains. Elwin doubted very seriously that they could be opened. But in truth, he hadn't even noticed them there until Prin said something.

Elwin lifted the edge of the dark brown and green curtain and slipped in behind it. It was dark in there, and he wished he had a candle. That would be a fire hazard he guessed. There was a dull grey light outside, not really enough to render any assistance.

He felt around, seeing with his hands if there was a latch or hinge of any sort, but no luck, it didn't appear that they were meant to open, or if so, had been sealed shut at some point.

Elwin was about to leave it alone and tell Prin they would have to try a different room, when the curtain lifted and Prin joined him.

“Peek-a-boo.” Prin said impishly. “I see you.”

Elwin couldn't help but laugh, though he kept it quiet as best he could. “I'm sorry, these don't even open. We'll have to try elsewhere.”

“It's amazing! The curtains are so thick I couldn't even tell anyone was behind them.” the prince said. He held the curtain back with his cane and used the meager light to look the window over. “You're right. Hmm.”

Suddenly, he dropped the curtain and used the heavy wooden walking stick to break the window. “Looks like it's open now.” he said mildly.

Elwin was shocked at this. Prin had surprised him again, which seemed to be something that was happening a lot lately.

“Don't worry, they can afford to replace it.” Prin teased, just as the sound of heavy footsteps entered the room.

Elwin grabbed him and pulled him close, shrinking against the mostly still intact window. They couldn't get out without the further noise and movement of breaking the glass the rest of the way.

He felt a finger against his lips.

“Shhh, no one can see us.”

Elwin wasn't sure if he heard the words or simply felt them against his ear. He remained still, hoping to all the gods that Prin was right. A soft curl of Prin's hair brushed his face, causing him a brief welcome distraction from the hammer pounding of his heart.