(no subject)

[eastofthemoon]

I wrote this for the prompt challenge over at ameliazellove I realized it's been awhile since I wrote any drabbles with my Slayers kids, so I couldn't resist once I got this idea. ^_^

Genre: Comedy/Family
Concept: Prince Phil, Zel, father and son-in-law bonding.
Rating: No more than PG
Summary: Zelgadis and Phil attempt to teach Zack about horse back riding.



Zack glared, refusing to move from his hiding spot behind the tree. "I'm not doing it. It's too high."

Zelgadis sighed, folding his arms. "Zack, I know you're scared, but you need to learn this."

Zack frowned. "No, I don't. I don't need to ride a horse!"

Zelgadis narrowed his eyes. "And how do you plan on traveling from place to place? You can't always ride in a carriage."

"I'll walk!" Zack protested. "Isn't that what you did?"

Zelgadis shook his head, feeling quite tired. "I did, but if I could have afforded a horse I would have gotten one."

There was a suddenly a sharp whiney from the stable. Phil gently coaxed the horse outside. "Now, now, Valiant. There's no need to be fussy."

He looked down to Zack and back to Zelgadis. "No progress I'm assuming?"

Zelgadis nodded. "He's scared he's going to fall off."

Phill sighed, handed the reins to Zelgadis and knelt down. "Now, Zack, I know you're frightened, but I can assure there's noting to be afraid of."

Zack looked up to the horse that was nibbling at the grass. He gulped. "But what if he runs off with me?"

"Zack," Zelgadis replied, attempting to suppress his frustration. "That's not going to happen."

Phil coughed. "Actually, we can't promise that won't ever happened." He stroked this chin. "In fact the chances of it are higher since he's a Seyrune prince."

Zelgadis twitched. "Phil, that's not helping."

Zack blinked. "Why is that Grandpa?"

Phil laughed. "Our family has a strange habit of crashing into our future spouses. In fact, it was due to a runaway horse that I met your grandmother."

Zelgadis stopped his scowling and frowned. He had to admit he was curious now as well.

Phil continued. "It was during my traveling days in my youth. I was riding my horse in the country side in Zefielia, when suddenly my horse was spooked by a loud explosion."

"What caused the explosion?" Zelgadis asked.

Phil shut his eyes in thought. "To this day I don't know, but I had heard rumors it was possibly caused by a hot tempered sorceress who was attacking a group of thieves. Anyway, my horse began to run a madman. I had lost total control and it was impossible for me to stop him."

Zack sat down. "So, what did you do?"

"Nothing, before I had a chance to think of a plan, my horse came across a small village and halted in front of the gate." He sighed contently in the memory. "I flipped over and landed right smack into a tomato patch. I was rather dazed, but when I opened my eyes, I saw a beautiful young woman leaning over me."

Zelgadis blinked surprised. "Amelia's mother?" Amelia had told him her mother had been a commoner, however he didn't realize she and Phil had such a strange meeting.

Phil nodded contently.

Zack grinned. "Let me guess, it was love at first sight."

Phil shook his head. "Oh no, she was furious. I had ruined the tomato crop she had planned to sell at market. She demanded I pay her for the damage." He laughed. "But do to giving all the money I had to an orphanage at the last village I didn't have a copper coin on me."

Zelgadis leaned against Valiant, struggling not to fall over. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Naturally, I stayed and worked to pay her back," Phil continued. "Overtime, we grew fond of each other and when it was time for me to go, she decided to accompany me. She claimed it was because she was convinced I would get myself killed with she wasn't around." His eyes soften. "She turned out to be quite a talented sorceress. Those were some of my favorite memories."

"And then you got married?" Zack asked.

Phil laughed, as he patted Zack on the shoulder. "Not quite that fast, but we did in due time." Phil rose to his feet. "The point is Zack is if it weren't for my horse I never would have met her." He winked at him. "It would mean a lot to me if you could at least try."

Zack frowned and looked to the horse. "I guess I could do it, but only for you grandpa."

Phil laughed. "That's my grandson! How about you go get the saddle?"

Zack nodded and dashed off to retrieve the saddle hanging off the stable wall.

Zelgadis looked to Phil. "Nice work."

Phild folded his arms. "To be fair, I was terrified of horses when I was Zack's age. To treat that kind of fear you just need to find the proper motivation."

"And if that doesn't work?"

"I believe bribery is a good solution."

Zelgadis laughed. "Was that story really how you meet your wife?"

Phil grinned. "The part of it being a family tradition? No. However, unbelievable as it may be it is true. I realize it's not nearly as dignified as smashing through a window to defeat evil copies."

Zelgadis gave a half smile. "No, but there are worst ways. Did I ever tell you how I met Zolf and Rodimus?"

The two began their chat as Zack hurried back with the saddle.

Comments

[snapdragon76.livejournal.com]

Awww, this is cute!!

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Adorable3!

"Zelgadis stopped his scowling and frowned. He had to admit he was curious now as well."

I TOTALLY pictured Zel lifting an eyebrow.

[pip25.livejournal.com]

Nice one. :D I can totally see that happen to Phil, complete with randomly giving all his money away. XD
(You might want to think of alternative ways to reference Zack and Zelgadiss though. Their names were all over the fic, which is especially noticeable when you have so much dialogue.)

[auriga]

Ahaha, that was so cute! I love the take on Phil's meeting with his wife, and how devious he was at the end. >D