I am posting this on behalf of my 10 year old daughter, since she doesn't have an account yet. She really loves Wingfeather, recently discovered fanfiction, and has been enjoying reading many of yours! She wanted to write her own unique fanfiction, so she wrote this story based on the footnote in chapter 25 of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. Enjoy!
The Cats of Torrboro
By Elizabeth
Thorn the Torr was the prince of Torrboro. He was about twelve years old when this story takes place. Now Thorn’s father hated cats. Thorn had never seen a kitten in his life - his father had banished them all. His father had taught him about cats, making them sound as evil as possible. Thorn thought it was unjust to have them banished and secretly vowed to allow cats in Torrboro as soon as he was king.
One day, Thorn’s friend, Burr, came running up to Thorn.
“Thorn!” he said in a husky voice, “You gotta see this!” He took off running toward his house. He opened his closet door, and there, on the floor, were two frightened little kittens.
“Ma won’t lemme keep pets in the house, but you can keep ’em!”
Thorn was astonished.
“Me? Don’t you know my father!?”
Burr nodded. “Hide ’em in the closet!”
“The servants will find ’em!”
“Tell ’em to stay out!”
Thorn sighed. “Gimme a basket.”
Burr ran across the room and picked up a willow basket with a satin cushion inside. Thorn gently lifted the kittens into the basket. Burr ran to the kitchen and came back with a dish towel. Thorn put the towel across the basket and picked it up. He walked toward the palace. He met his father on the way to his room.
“Thorn.” That was all his father ever said to him. All he did with Thorn was nod or say his name to acknowledge him. Thorn raced to his room and placed the kittens on his bed. He scratched the kittens’ heads. Thorn didn’t know what kittens ate, but he knew they drank cream. He wanted to take good care of the kittens, but he didn’t know how. One of the kittens mewed. Loudly.
“Shush!” Thorn put the kittens in his closet and ran to the kitchen. He grabbed two bottles of cream and rushed to his room. Percy, the servant, was cleaning his closet.
“Thorn. Did you bring,” he lowered his voice. “Kittens into your room?”
Thorn nodded. “Well, I did.”
Percy’s eyes narrowed.
“But don’t tell Papa! Burr wanted me to keep the kittens, so when I’m king, kittens will be allowed.”
Percy rubbed his chin. “Are you wanting to risk the lives of the last kittens in Torrboro?”
“If you help me, I won’t need to! You’re the sneakiest sneaky servant in the castle!”
Percy nodded. “Fine. If it is needed, I’ll bring you cat food, and some cream.”
Thorn smiled. “Thanks, Percy!”
Percy left the room. Thorn poured the cream into a dish and pushed it toward the kittens.
Percy was a Hollish man with very few muscles. Skrean pirates had captured him and sold him to Alexander the Torr. Alexander (Thorn’s father) freed him, and Percy decided to stay in Skree to work in castle.
(A few days later)
Thorn handed the kittens’ cream dish to Percy. Percy smiled.
“You’re doing a good deed. It just isn’t fair that these kittens should die under the wrath of your father. Have you named the kittens? I could certainly commission collars from the smith.”
“How about Paws and Zack?”
“Of course.” Percy’s deep voice was honest. Thorn knew Percy was truly trying to help. Thorn tickled the female kitten’s head. He had named her Paws. The male’s name was Zack. A few days later, Percy came to Thorn and tossed him two golden tags. Thorn read the names on the tags. They read ‘Zack’ and ‘Paws’. The tags were attached to satin collars. Thorn put the collars on Zack and Paws and then slid a dish of cream across the floor to the two kittens.
“They are very sweet. Very playful.” Thorn said. Percy nodded.
“They seem to be young, but I’ve never seen such playfulness. I’d advise you to raise them the best you can.”
Thorn nodded. “I’ll raise ’em best I can. This one and her friend.” Thorn didn’t know what was to come, but he wanted to make them happy.
Suddenly, a servant rushed into the room. “Your father just died from a serious accident,” he said in a thick accent. “You may be only twelve, but you’re king.”
Thorn stood up. “Shall I make my first act as king?” His voice was steady and even. He had been waiting for this his whole life and he was ready.
“Come out to the square.”
Thorn gathered the two kittens. He walked onto the terrace of the town square.
“My first act as king,” he said in a loud voice, “Is to make kittens legal again!”
Thorn held up the kittens. “These kittens are not illegal anymore!”
The next one only needs edited! - Elizabeth