Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2006 15:43:58 -0400 From: m yonge Subject: Eric A Fairy Tale revisited DISCLAIMER: This is a story out the fantasy that is my mind. It is a story that deals with homosexual material. If you live in a jurisdiction that by some law or reason prohibits you from reading this material then please do not read any further. If homosexual material like this offends you then you should stop reading as well.Though frankly if homosexual material offends you I can't understand why you would be here in the first place. The following is a list of other stories that I have written and posted in Nifty.org Title Category Date Joes-Bar Beginnings 07-Nov-02 Brother Pat Adult Youth 07-Nov-02 Arthur and Joe Beginnings 03-Apr-03 Tour Guide Adult Youth 15-Apr-03 Father Greg Adult Youth 15-Apr-03 JeffryandJason Adult Youth 18-Jul-05 Of Gord and John Beginnings 29-Aug-05 Sons of Seth and Cain Celebrity 24-Oct-05 Ham Celebrity 28-Oct-05 Aaron and Zaph Historical 14-Nov-05 What If Adult Friends 09-May-06 What If\Ralph Adult Friends 02-Dec-05 What If\The Reverend Adult Friends 06-Dec-05 What If\ The Gym Adult Friends 07-Apr-06 What If\ The Ranger Base Adult Friends 09-May-06 David and Ike Adult Youth 16-Jun-06 Patrick and the Ghost Historical(& SF/Fantasy) 22-Jun-06 The copyright of this material is mine, subject to the agreement under this website. I trust that you will enjoy reading the stories as much as I have enjoyed writing them. If you have any comments to pass on, I would very much like to have them. You can write me at: myonge@hotmail.com Mike Eric, A Fairy Tale Revisited and then some Chapter 1. A long time ago in a small Duchy in medieval Germany there was a gentleman knight who had been bereft of his dear wife, leaving him to raise his young son by himself. The boy, Eric, was 12 when his dear mother passed away. He had always been close to her and he was not to be consoled for some many days. His father comforted him as best he could but as time passed it seemed as though nothing could bring him back from his grief. It was not unusual for the young lad to find solace in his father's arms and bed at night when he was overtaken by nightmares. The father saw this as nothing more than his young boy needing comfort in his troubled sleep. The boy indeed found real comfort in his father's arms, and would often fall right back to sleep. The boy while studying hard under the tutors his father had hired for him, withdrew into himself more and more. He took to spending his every free hour by himself wandering the fields and spending endless hours beside his mother's tomb staring off into eternity as it were. His father, both out of desperation for his son and to salve his own incredible loneliness took up with a woman of some means who was also widowed. She had two sons one the age of Eric the other two years older. Unfortunately Eric's father didn't take a lot of notice of the disposition of the sons or their mother, but only saw them as company for his dear boy, company that would ease his pain. The woman who was of lesser nobility, much lower than she gave herself credit for, was a haughty woman. She treated Eric's father with the greatest of respect and honour while they courted. It was not long after they were married however that her true character and that of her sons started to come out. She began to treat Eric as something only grudgingly better than the servants. Her husband she treated with total disdain and in a matter of only two years drove him to his grave in sorrow. His step-brothers at best ignored Eric for the most part. At the worst they would make fun of him, play tricks on him and the eldest Wulfgan would take to beating him up if the mood struck him. Eric was 14 when his father remarried. Wulfgan was 16 and very much the dominant of the two brothers. Wilhelm or Willie as he was called was about 6 months Eric's senior. Wulfgan actually didn't play any favourites with the two younger boys. He would punch or kick or be just generally cruel to either of them. As a result Willie and Eric had unconsciously agreed to some sort of non-aggression pact with each other. Willie was just happy finally to have someone share his brother's cruelty with. His only real advantage was that Eric in his families eyes was somewhere below him in status, and so treated him with the same haughty attitude his mother and brother took. The only difference was that it was not done with any violence, physical or otherwise. It seemed as though Willie didn't know how else to act. Sometimes Eric thought he recognised an almost sad look that came over Willie's face when he found himself having to order Eric to do something. After the death of his father, Eric was now truly an orphan. His step mother not a day after his father's funeral had him moved from his room to a small drafty storage room off the kitchen. A short time later she released most of the servants and gave the work to Eric. It was after that, that Wulfgan came into his own. If there was anything he could do to make Eric's life more miserable he would go out of his way to do it and then curse the boy because of having to go out of his way. Eric made it his life's goal to avoid both Wulfgan and his step-mother. He rarely if ever made eye contact with either of them. Since he no longer had time during the day to visit his parents graves he would slip out at night. During the summer it was not unusual for a passerby if he came early enough to see the young man curled up asleep at the foot of the tombstones. On more than one occasion the parish priest had found him there and taken him in to the church for the night. The old priest had always held Eric's family in high esteem and though he didn't know what was going on he surmised that life was anything but pleasant for young Eric. Eric through all this kept his own counsel and even in the confidentiality of the confessional would never divulge what was happening. His father, before he died had taken Eric aside one day and together they had hidden a large sum of gold that his father had kept from his new wife. He mourned for his son but advised him to bide his time and to never reveal the location of the gold to anyone. "My son" he had said "I am so sorry for what I have done to you, but she shall not have it all, there is enough here to take care of you for a long time" he paused as he kissed the boy on the forehead "I am truly sorry. you must never tell your step mother what we have hidden here tonight, neither Willie nor Wulfgan, nor anyone" It was for him when he was old enough to make his own life. It was the one thing that kept him going, that even gave him any pleasure at all. It amused him to see his step mother searching the house for his father's treasure that she knew he must have had. He could even smile to himself after he was beaten to reveal the location of the money that his Step- mother assumed he knew the location of. He never told, he never let on that he even knew about any money. One day he would come into his own and then "She and her litter" would be in the hedgerows begging for food. He was after all the heir to all his father owned. His father had given him a copy of the will, and he was named the sole beneficiary of all that his father possessed. Unfortunately he was not old enough when his father died to take possession, so he had to bide his time. He knew it and he knew that "She" as he had taken to referring to his step-mother as. that "she" knew it too. His miserable condition continued for some three years like this. He was often beaten for the slightest reason or no reason at all. Nothing he did was ever good. Wulfgan finally got married and left the house. There was actually relative peace in the household. Willie with the pressure of his brother gone actually got reasonably civil with Eric. He even helped him on occasion with the firewood or tending to the garden, or animals. But only when "She" was out of the house. It was a bright summer day and Eric was out in garden alone, weeding and thinning the plants. Willie and his Stepmother had been away for several days to visit an ailing relative though due back later that day. "She" had given him enough work to do to keep him busy for a year. As he worked he suddenly heard the sound of horses in the cobble courtyard. Brushing off his hands he walked up to the house. There he was met by several young men in bright livery. the livery of the duke. One of the young men was dressed much finer than the rest, obviously one of the Duke's sons Eric bowed low "My Lord" he greeted the man softly daring not to look up. Prince Richard looked down at the youth before him. About 16 or 17 years of age he thought. But for the rough clothes and dishevelled and dirty appearance he was a goodly looking young man. "I am seeking the master of the house" "Lady Gertrude is not in my Lord but I am Eric son of Sir Robert" Eric replied again in the same subdued voice, not lifting his face. "Then you must be the one that I wish to speak to." Eric waited silently head still bowed. "You own all these land round about?" "Yes my Lord, my father's estate includes 30000 morgan* and the villages of Argenburg and Guttenhoft" "Yes that is correct, are you the only person here then? I have come to ask leave to go ahunting with my fellows in the small forest yonder" the young Lord paused "I understand that some of the best pheasant and partridge" "Yes My Lord I am alone here and on behalf of my Father we would be honoured to have you hunt on our estate" The young duke looked down at the young man before him. If only he would raise his head to look at him. He had seen the young man's face well enough as he had entered the courtyard to greet them, but as soon as the young man had realized who he was, his eyes had been averted to the point that man had bowed his head and refused to look up at him. He must check this man out some other time when he didn't have these dolts with him. His father insisted that he have the "guardians" with him at all times. Men who would teach him how to be a man. Men who would teach him the manly arts and the joys of the young woman. As the youngest son of the Duke, he really had not much to look forward to other then some dreary marriage to some other youngest daughter of some other duke or margrave. The only problem was that he was not interested Yes he must come and visit this young man again. With that the four turned and rode at breakneck speed out of the court and across the pasture land toward the forest. It was only after they had actually left the courtyard that Eric dared raise his head to look after them. The whole exchange had been surreal. The young Duke was as he had been told a very handsome young man. There was that strange stirring in his loins again that he often felt as he thought of things like this. He remembered the first time that he had noticed these strange feelings. It was shortly after his father had died and he had been moved to the kitchen. Wulfgan had come in one afternoon all a sweat from riding with his friends. He demanded a bath be prepared for him. What had happened resulted in both Eric being more abused and persecuted and his never being asked to help with a bath by Wulfgan again. Eric had spent the next half hour running hot and cold water up to Wulf's room. With the last bucket he found Wulfgan was already in the tub. Eric paused, something stirred him right into his privates as he saw the man sitting naked in the tub. Wulfgan ordered him over to pour the last of the water in the tub and then told Eric to wash him, handing him a cloth. Wulfgan leaned back in the tub as Eric carefully started to rubdown the man's chest and belly. His own member he could feel was hard and swollen as he knelt beside the tub. As he washed he suddenly came in contact with what was an enormous "something" Wulgan sat up with a shout and swung his arm to send the startled Eric flying across the room. "You vile creature!!!" he shouted at Eric "Get out of here!!! Don't you ever come near me again!!!" Eric gathered himself up and scurried out of the room. He wasn't sure what he had done that angered his step brother so although he was pretty sure it had to do with him touching his member. But it was clearly not his fault and obviously Wulf had been as aroused as he had been. He came back to himself from his revery as he watched the men ride off. It was a similar feeling that he was having today. Although he had only gotten a glimpse of the man's face he had been in full view of his leg. And the sound of the man's voice. He was aware of the familiar slippery fluid that was flowing from his diminishing member, that fluid that preceeded the climax, that often came to him as he thought about some of the boys he saw in the market place. But back to work he must get. He sighed His stepmother was never concerned about him finding a wife. His only value to her was his service, free labour. It was one of those conveniences that he found in his situation, he was not interested in a woman and he would never be permitted a wife at any rate. So he treated himself when he went to market to enjoy the sights of the other young men there. Later that evening as they sat at dinner in the castle Young Duke Richard asked his father: "Father what do we know about Sir Robert's family and estate?" His father looked up . "Sir Robert?... I don't know of a Sir Rob. oh do you mean down in the valley, villages of Argenburg and the other one. is that the one?" "Yes Father, the pheasant we are eating tonight are from his forest." "You went hunting in his forest?" "Yes Father his son Eric gave us leave" "I was just curious in that the young Eric met us having clearly come from working the fields." Ah yes it is a rather sad story son, Sir Robert died some years ago about 3 now I think. Died of a broken heart I don't wonder. Lady Gertrude. " the old duke shook his head "Not a wise match on his part, did you see her?" "No father Eric the son said she was away" "Humph much to his pleasure no doubt, a most disagreeable woman" the old man huffed. "If he owns such an estate why would he be working in the fields?" the young Duke thought out loud. "No doubt his step mother ." The ate the rest of the meal in silence. Young Duke Richard was formulating a plan around this "interesting" young man. He would go to visit him the next day. Early the next morning he managed to free himself of his "body guards" and set out for the Estate of Sir Robert. The place was quiet as his horse clattered across the courtyard. He dismounted and approaching the great entrance wrapped on the door. Presently a servant opened to him and bowed. "I wished to speak to the son of Sir Robert." A woman's voice was heard from behind the servant. "And who might I ask wishes to speak to the son of Sir Robert?" A tall proud looking woman appeared. She looked the young Duke over before (realizing who he might be) she curtsied slightly and motioned for him to enter "m'lord" she acknowledged. "May I be so bold as to know the reason of your visit" Young Duke Richard, looked at her coolly but decided to for the moment do her the courtesy of responding to her question. After the conversation with his father the night before, he had checked into the household of Lady Gertrude and her sons. They had a history about the Duchey that was less than admirable. She had come by her haughtiness and cruelty honestly as both her mother and father before were much the same. While nothing they did was truly illegal their actions had on more that one occasion come before the Duke, both Richard's father and grandfather before him. So he decided that yes he would respond to her, as briefly as possible and with just a small stir of the spoon as it were to cause to pot to mix up a bit. "My lady yesterday I went hunting in Sir Robert's forest with the permission of his son and I wish to thank Sir Robert's heir himself for a fine time. We were able to procure a handsome brace of pheasant." He made it a point to put the stress and accent on the word "heir" He smiled as her face winced a the word, but continued speaking as though nothing had happened. "Er. well M'Lord, I must see but I believe that the "son" is indisposed to come to the door at present." Lady Gertrude was obviously playing for time. She wanted to talk to Eric before the young duke did. What was he up to yesterday? He had obviously finished more of the work she had given him than she had expected but. when would he have had time to talk to the Duke? "Is he not about then? Perhaps he is in the garden as yesterday? Shall I go an look?" The servant/doorman, knowing that he was risking some severe punishment, spoke up anyway, not looking at the dark look that Lady Gertrude shot at him. "He is about My Lord Richard, he is in the kitchen I believe, shall I tell him you are here?" Richard smiled at the man knowing the risk he was taking. "Yes my good man, I will go with you, lead the way." With that he strode past the astonished Lady and followed the servant into the house. Eric was busy in the kitchen with the cook preparing the evening meal. He was chatting happily with her and was taking a loaf of bread out of the oven when he noticed that the cook had suddenly become quiet. He turned to see the young duke standing in the doorway, with Johan the old doorman standing beside him. "You garden, you bake, is there nothing that you are not able to do?" laughed Richard. Eric carefully set the loaf on the table and bowed before Richard. Johan turned to leave, but Richard stayed him. At the same time Lady Gertrude came rushing in, dismissing both the cook and Johan. "I have come to thank you, Eric is it, for a successful hunt on your land yesterday. We dined on such pheasant as I have never had last night. I have come to ask you to join me this day to ride with me." Richard totally ignored the flustered woman bustling about him. "My Lord, my son Wilhelm is able to ride with you. I know that Eric (there was an unpleasant tone to the way she said the name) is not able to attend you today" Richard did not even acknowledge her presence but looked at Eric for a response. Eric finally had the courage to look up at the man. "I must excuse myself My lord" Richard could see what he thought was a welling up of tears in the young man's eyes. "I am afraid I do not have any suitable clothes to wear, I am ashamed" Lady Gertrude jumped in at that point again. "My Lord my son." Richard cut her off "I don't want to ride with your son!" Then turning back to Eric again with a softer gentle tone "I wish to ride with the son of Sir Robert and I wish to ride with him today" The two man looked into each other's eyes, Eric with a look of terror almost, Richard smiling. They almost did not hear Johan speak up. "My Lady Gertrude, His lordship wishes to ride with Master Eric, surely Wilhelm will not deny him something suitable to wear so that we do not disgrace the house of Sir Robert?" All in the room looked at the lady who for the moment was defeated. She glared furiously at Johan, who knew he was in serious trouble but he had watched his young charge being abused without being able to do anything for much to long. This was his gift to Eric and it would be well worth the price. "It is settled then" said Richard with some finality. To Eric he said, You go and get dressed, and this man (gesturing to Johan) and I will prepare your horse." With that he strode out the kitchen door toward the stables, with Johan happy for the momentary reprieve from his impending "doom", scurrying after him. In the stable they saddled up one of the horses for Eric. Johan making sure to arrange for the best of the riding horses. "Thank you My Lord for your kindness to young Master Eric" Richard eyed the older man, "I thinking sir that you are not going to have an easy day of it for your help" he smiled at Johan, "I thank you" Johan bowed his head with respect. In a very low voice he replied "It will be worth it to see my young master happy for a day my Lord" As they came to the stall of the horse Johan had chosen Richard remarked on the beauty of the animal, "Is this Eric's steed?" he asked "No My Lord, Eric has no horse. This horse belongs to Master Wilhelm. "I see" No more was spoken as they saddled the horse up and took it out into the yard. As they came out into the sunlight Wilhelm strode out of the house dressed to go riding. He had obviously been sent out to confront the duke. "My Lord" he bowed low "I'm afraid that Master Eric has pleaded to be excused, he has taken ill. I will be more than happy to attend ." Richard looked at the grovelling fool before him. He told Wilhelm to hold the horse and not move. Finding out from him where Eric was he ran into the house with Johan running after him, not quite keeping up with him. In the kitchen they heard the sound of a shrill angry voice from another part of the house. The cook looking up motioned toward the main lodging and told Johan where she thought they were. She bowed to Richard as he strode past. They hurried in to the main hall and up the stairs following the sound Lady Gertrude's shrill cursing voice. In what he later discovered to be Wilhelm's dressing room, he saw the Lady with large willow switch beating Eric, and screaming at him in rage. Richard came up behind her and grabbed her arm as it came up, wrenching the switch from her hand. He pushed her aside forcefully enough that she stumbled and fell. He then knelt beside Eric who was backed into a corner trying to protect himself for his step mother's rage. Richard looked back as Johan help Lady Gertrude back to her feet. "My father is Duke of this Duchy Madam, when I come and request the pleasure of one of my subjects to ride with, I do not expect him to be beaten for that request." "Master Eric will ride with me today. Your servant, here who has given you more courtesy than you deserve will not be harmed for his assistance to me. I will find out and you will receive the heavy hand of my father if my order is ignored." "Master Eric may or may not be back tonight, you need not ask after him." "My father will decide what is to become of this estate. and you Madam" That Richard was exceedingly angry was not to be doubted. That Lady Gertrude was having trouble containing her own rage was also not to be ignored either. Turning to Johan, Richard said "Sir I thank you. I will be here tomorrow to ensure that you and cook and the other servants are safe " Then to Eric who was still in his original clothes, he said "Come Master Eric, we will find you something at the palace" With that he strode out. all three men left the room, leaving Lady Gertrude to boil in her rage by herself. Out in the yard Wilhelm was still standing with the horse as ordered. Richard ordered him to help Eric into the saddle. Then he told him to tend to his mother and warned him as he had warned his mother that the servants were not to be harmed. The tone of his voice made it clear that there would be trouble if his order was ignored. The two men rode off together. Eric was in a daze over what had happened. He smiled down at Johan and mouthed a "thank you" to him Johan smiled back up at him and wished him a good day as they rode off. *Morgan - a unit of land measurement: a unit of measurement for land area formerly used in various parts of the world and still in use in South Africa. It is equal in South Africa to just over 0.85 hectare (2 acres.) [Early 17th century. From Dutch and German, with the sense "area of land that can be plowed in a morning."]