Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers is a writing challenge hosted by Priceless Joy. It involves writing a piece of fiction from the given photo prompt in around 75-150 words – give or take 25 words. If you’d like to join in with the challenge, follow the above link to see what to do. The challenge runs from Tuesday to Tuesday every week.
Here is this week’s prompt, kindly provided by Joy Pixley. Thank you, Joy!
And this is my story:
Nighttime Adventure
Urging him to silence, Edeline clasped Robert’s small hand as they crept down the dimly-lit stairs. It had been easy to persuade the boy to join her on a nighttime adventure. Even little princes loved adventures.
She smiled to herself, imagining Jerald’s face when he realised his son was gone. She’d been careful with her plans, so no one could have guessed. And tonight, when they snored like hogs after too much banqueting wine, those plans would be fulfilled.
‘See, our transport awaits,’ she said, as they left the palace grounds. Excited, Robert sped ahead… just as King Jerald stepped out of the carriage and guards seized Edeline’s arms.
‘No sister, you will not be holding my son to ransom! I’ve known of your lover’s desire for my throne for some time and I’ve paid trusted retainers to become my eyes and ears. Besides, Robert chatters incessantly to our loyal old nurse…
‘Enjoy your adventure in my dungeon with your lover,’ he added, hoisting Robert onto his shoulders. ‘The rats will keep you company’.
Word Count: 174
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Millie Thom 
An unexpected twist! Love it.
Thank you, Deb. I’m really glad you liked it! 😃
Mistakes were made that night.
Yes, you’re right. My bets would be on the little prince’s chatter to his nurse, but it could be any of the king’s ‘eyes and ears’. Thanks, Fred.
DELICIOUS!
Thanks, Abby. Sorry for the late reply. I must have missed your comment first-time round. 🙂
King Jerald is one smart King! So glad he was able to stop her kidnapping and save the Prince! Wonderful story, Millie!
Thanks PJ! Yes, Jerald was a very wise king.
Hope you have a nice relaxing time over the next two weeks, PJ. If you’re going away have a great time! 🙂
Thank you Millie! I sure do appreciate that!!
Oh well done Millie, best laid plans, enjoyed your take on this image.
Hi Michael. Yes, even the very best laid plans can go awry! Hope you’re enjoying a lovely spring over there. Autumn is just creeping up on us in my part of the world. 😃
Every day is a good day Millie, its 8.15am Friday, beautifully sunny, you wouldn’t be dead for quids… 🙂
Absolutely agree! Life is just too precious to miss a single moment of it. Your spring morning sounds wonderful. We’ve been having a few misty-moisty ones here, which brighten up into lovely warm, autumnal days. All the seasons are amazing. 😃
Oh my, Edeline sure underestimated her brother that time, which it sounds like she’ll regret! Great twists!
Thanks, Joy. Yes, I wanted to show family intrigue and betrayal in this one, for some strange reason. That staircase made me think of betrayal and/ or escape. It’s a great photo, and it lends itself to so many different stories. I read your note about the tower earlier. What a fantastic place to visit!.
It’s almost 11.30 here now, so I’ll be reading your story and a few others tomorrow. 😃
Great story! Turns out kidnapping King’s heirs might not end well.
Well, it’s not something I’d like to make a living out of, that’s for sure! For a start, rats and I really don’t agree. Lol 😃
Not quite the adventure she was hoping for. Excellent, like a plot from The Tudors or Wolf Hall.
I was thinking the same thing!!
Thanks, Joy. Many of my stories tend to veer towards the historical, even though I set out intending to write something contemporary. I’ll try to write something more ‘modern’ next time. 🙂
No no, don’t change! I like you this way 😂
Ha ha. If I tried writing something different, it would probably still end up historical. 🙂 Thanks again, Joy.
Her nefarious plan is thwarted. I love the way you showed little kids will do almost anything if they think it’s a fun game.
Thanks Ali! Yes, having had six of the little tykes, I know a thing or two about what they think is ‘fun’. 🙂 Mind You, I was also a kid myself in a far distant lifetime. 🙂
Oh I really enjoyed reading this.
I am glad she was caught, kids ehhh.
Thanks, Chioma. 🙂 I couldn’t allow her to kidnap the little prince, so she had to be caught ‘in the act’.
Good!
I love Joy’s picture and what you did with it Millie. Great story and I love the ending!
It’s a great picture, and Joy’s a great writer! The picture lends itself to so many possible stories. I actually wrote two, quite different stories for this prompt, but went for this one in the end. I might post the other next week when I’m on holiday in Iceland. 🙂 Thank you, Antonia.
You should post it, I would love to read it. Wow, have a great time!
Eeep what a twist! Great writing, Millie 🙂
Thank you, Jade! I’m really glad you liked it. 🙂
Gotcha! 🙂 And Robert’s incessant chattering helped! 🙂 Great tale!
Thank you! Few children can keep secrets for long. 🙂
Eeek, off to the dungeon for you! Nooooo 😉 Great tale!
Thanks, Christy! Dungeon’s are definitely not places to spend too much time in. Lol 🙂
oh geez. what a twist!!! great job! 🙂
Thank you, Rose! I’m really pleased you like it. 🙂
You’re welcome! 🙂
Love it.
Thank you, Galit! 🙂
Very nice – A lot like a fairy tale 🙂
Yes, I can see why you say that. So many fairy tales are set in castles or palaces. Thanks, Dahlia. 🙂
🙂
Wonderfully unexpected 🙂
Thank you, Morgan. 🙂
Loving those castle intrigues!! Seems like there should be more!!
So many dastardly deeds can happen in an old castle. Intrigue seems to ooze from the cold, stone walls. Lol Thank you so much Cybele. Yes, I think there could be a lot of backstory to this scene, as well a continuation of it. I wish I had time to write it! 🙂
one day!
Very good. A lesson from King Jerald to all kidnapers.
Two human rats now keeping company with four legged rats, good story.
Thank you, Michael. Your comment sums up the situation.
Quite unexpected… company with rats – love it !
You gave a very good change(twist) to your story. At first, it looked as if they were getting away and then it just turned around and were caught red handed. Perfect story.
Thanks you! I don’t know about ‘perfect’ but the prompt of all those stairs immediately made me think of some kind of escape or sneaking out. Funny how we work on our initial ideas. 🙂
True and I like the way one can expand the first impression of a situation!
Throughly enjoyed reading this flash fiction, Millie. This one did surprise me. Always hoping that they get away.
Thanks Amanda. I couldn’t let them kidnap the little prince. Lol. This scene strikes me as one that could come into the middle of a longer story. There really should be some story leading up to it, and a continuation to see how things play out.
That would be fun to read
You never know, I might just get round to writing it – if I ever finish my trilogy!
I’ll try to pop over to see your Monday’s Mystery Photo as soon as I can, Amanda. It’s getting late here now and I’ve spent all night just responding to comments. I didn’t take my laptop to Iceland because I knew I wouldn’t have time to sit and blog. We only had a few days there, which wasn’t enough to see everything we would have liked. Like you, I’d love to go back sometime.
I was wondering how your trip went. It sounds fun even if it was a tad short! At least now you know you like the place and can plan for a longer trip, perhaps.
love this!!! very interesting… i look forward to more!!
check out my mountain camping post- https://courtneylivin.wordpress.com/2016/10/23/blue-bear-mountain/