The Foolish Prince

Once upon a time there was a young, brash, and spoiled elven prince whose parents left their home to join the royal court, bequeathing their lands and estate to him. One day, a traveller arrived at the gates of his castle. The foolish prince ordered his soldiers to turn the traveller away, but they refused his order, and instead escorted the man into the prince's audience chamber.
The man was old and gnarled, like an ancient tree, and wore furs and a tattered suit of leather armour. The man introduced himself as a bard from Lordaeon and requested food and shelter for the night. The prince refused and personally threw the bard out of the castle, mocking him the entire way.
Months passed until the day that the prince found his castle besieged by the Amani. The prince sent messengers to nearby estates, requesting help, but they were refused. When the walls of the castle fell, the prince and his retainers fled into the forest. There, they came upon a group of off-duty Farstriders lounging by the riverbank and asked for shelter. The Farstriders also refused him. Finally, days later, the prince and his few remaining retainers arrived at Silvermoon. Falling to his knees at his parents' feet, the young prince said, "Forgive me, I could not hold your castle when none would come to my aid."
His father looked down upon him, then turned his back, saying, "I have no son. My son died the day he refused hospitality and lost the respect of the entire kingdom."
Category:Story