It was not a good day to be in the vicinity of Amber Castle. Outside, a winter storm was raging; rain, hail, wind, thunder and lightning assailed any foolhardy enough to venture outside. Within the Castle, Gerard's mood was a match for the weather without. No, it was not a good day to be in Amber Castle, especially for furniture.
Lorelei looked up as another loud "Crash" thundered through the halls. "Oh dear", she murmured to her pupils, "I wonder how much furniture will survive this rampage. Perhaps he needs a distraction". Quickly writing a short note, she said "Random, would you be dear, and take this to your brother Gerard? I think it will keep him distracted for a while".
"Certainly, Lorelei" replied Random, eagerly. Quickly glancing at the note, he burst out laughing, exclaiming "Oh, that's so wicked! It'll keep him occupied for hours" he chortled, rushing out to deliver the message.
When he was gone, Lorelei murmured "I do hope Gerard will be gentle with
him".
It didn't take the young prince long to find his elder brother; the sound of smashing furniture provided ample guidance for him. Approaching Gerard warily, Random said "Brother, I bring you an urgent message." "From Lorelei" he added, holding out the note.
Eyeing his young brother with suspicion, Gerard muttered "Random, this had better not be another of your tricks".
"Oh, no, brother, it is from Lorelei. Honestly" Random replied.
"Mmm" said Gerard, doubtfully, taking the note. Reading the top side of the sheet, he saw the words "Please read other side". Glaring at Random, certain of what he would find, he turned the sheet over, to find the same words on the other side. Angrily crumpling the paper into a very small ball, he bellowed "Random, you sneaky little cur". He reached out to grab his tormenter.
Fortunately for Random, he was able to evade Gerard's grasp. "But it
*is* from Lorelei" he pleaded. Gerard was not convinced. "This is just
the sort of juvenile trick you enjoy, isn't it, you dog? And to try to
involve Lorelei in your misdeeds is beyond any civilised standards of
behaviour. Come back here, Random, and take your well-deserved beating
like a man" bellowed Gerard, as young Random took to his heels.
Later, somewhat bruised and battered, Random poured out his tale of woe to Lorelei. "And he just wouldn't believe that the note was from you" he concluded plaintively. "He was convinced that I was trying to poke fun at him".
"Oh dear" said Lorelei. "Some of those bruises do look rather tender, dear. You say he thought that the note was you're idea? I wonder what could possibly have given him that idea? It's not as though you are in the habit of teasing him, is it?"
"No, of course not" muttered Random, uncertainly. "Well, not all that often, anyway". He paused in thought, then continued "Do you mean that because I have done that sort of thing before, he just assumed that I was doing it again?" he finally asked. "That's not fair".
"No, I don't suppose that it is fair" said Lorelei, gently. "But I'm afraid that it is human nature, to believe the worst of someone who has been unkind to you in the past. Perhaps there's a lesson there somewhere. But I'm too tired at the moment to work out what it is. Perhaps you could think about it, and let me know if you manage to work it out".
When she was once again alone, Lorelei thought "Is that young man really destined to be King of Amber? Golan seems to think so, but I wonder. I suppose all anyone can do is try to mend his ways, teach him that all actions have consequences. Perhaps, if he'll let it, today will be a start in the right direction."