Chapter Text
The wind whips through the air, sending a howl coursing through the otherwise quiet night. It should be raining soon. Anyone with any sense would already be inside, safe and warm and away from the coming storm.
Except for two lone figures, working their way through the darkness. The man pushes his way forward, past the force of the wind trying to blow him back. The bundle in his arms shivers and snuggles closer to him and the man sighs, wrapping his cloak tighter around him.
He just has a little further to go. He can see the lights of the town getting closer, their pale gold light shining like a beacon, beckoning him forward.
“Just a little further,” the man whispers. “We’re almost there, and then we can get you warmed up.”
A hard shiver racks the boy's body, the words stuttering out past his lips. “Okay, Dad.”
He hates that they had to move again, but it had been the only way to keep his son safe. He just hopes this will be the last time.
As he looks up at the blue banner with a dragon on it blowing against the wind, he feels an unusual sense of hope. Maybe things will be different here.
“We’re going to be okay, Christopher,” he says, pressing a kiss to his son's forehead. For the first time in a long time he believes it.
Eddie’s spent most of his life traveling. Every time he thinks he’s found a place to settle, something happens and he has to pack up and move on. First with his parents leaving him with his grandmother when they found out about his magic, and then so often after that that Eddie has lost count. He knows his grandmother only wanted to protect him. So much about magic was and still is misunderstood.
It’s the reason he’s kept moving on. Some would say running, but Eddie doesn’t like to think of it like that. Instead, he tells Christopher they’re simply going on another adventure. Though he admits it does get tiring. Part of him yearns for a place to settle. He’s hoping Hartfyre will be that place.
The kingdom and the people are special. That much he knows. He’s been here a year, working under the king, and more specifically the prince, as one of his knights. Or more especially trying to reign the prince in, as the king would say.
By now, Eddie would be thinking of moving on. But something about this place makes him want to stay. He likes the kingdom and the people. As does Christopher. He feels safe here. He wants to believe he truly is, and that it’s not simply wishful thinking. So he stays and works on trying to build a life for himself and Christopher.
Eddie wakes with the sun. It's not uncommon. His body has been trained that way since he was a boy. It's something that used to drive his parents crazy.
Now the only person it bothers is his son when he wants to sleep in.
Luckily now he has Carla, a wonderful teacher and healer. He met her his first day in the kingdom as he'd searched for a place to stay. She'd taken one look at him and Christopher and had beckoned him over.
While he's usually wary of strangers, something about the woman's kind face but no nonsense attitude had put him at ease. It had still taken him almost a week before he felt comfortable enough to leave Christopher alone with her.
He only did it then at her instance that he needed to find work.
Which is how he found himself serving as a knight of the kingdom. Of course Eddie had to go and prove himself as heroic and saved Prince Evan from an attempt on his life. After that the king had insisted Eddie work more closely to the prince. At first it made him uneasy. He's supposed to be keeping his head down and keeping Christopher safe. He didn't see how working for the prince was the best way to do that. But Carla had insisted that Prince Evan was exactly what he needed.
He hates how much she wound up being right.
It's late morning when Eddie approaches the prince's room. They had training scheduled early, but to no one's surprise the prince hadn't made it.
He rarely graces them with his presence at morning training, though Eddie has been trying to get him to come around. It hasn't been easy. But Eddie's not one to give up.
Something that amuses the other knights that have been in the prince's service longer than Eddie has.
Eddie knocks loudly on the door, "Prince Evan?"
"Go away!"
Eddie sighs and tries the door. It's not locked. The prince is far too trusting. Eddie walks into the room, closing the door behind him, and looks down at the lump on the bed.
"Your highness, you have training this morning, or did you forget?"
"Didn't forget," comes the muffled reply. "It's too early for training."
"Morning is the best time for training," Eddie reminds him. "It's good to get a few hours in before midday when it gets too hot."
"Fine," the prince says. "Then you train for me."
"I'm a knight, not your servant," Eddie reminds him.
Eddie doesn't have to see the prince to know he's rolling his eyes. "Yes, but knights serve the kingdom. I'm the prince of this kingdom. Hence, you serve me. Or don't you want to do your duties, Sir Eddie?"
"Of course I do," Eddie says, only feeling a little disgruntled by Prince Evan's behavior. He's grown used to it by now. "But I can't train for you, sire."
There's a sigh from the bed before the prince's head appears. Even this early, with his eyes bleary and hair a mess, he still looks handsome. Not that Eddie notices that sort of thing.
"Haven't I told you just to call me Buck?" he complains. "I hate all those formalities."
"You are the prince," Eddie says. "Formalities sort of come with the title."
Buck sighs and throws his covers back. Eddie quickly looks away upon realizing he's naked. He moves over to the wardrobe in the corner and grabs a tunic and a pair of trousers for the prince.
"Here," he says, tossing the clothes to Buck. He catches him flailing for the items in the mirror and smirks to himself, before looking away again.
"And here I thought these duties were beneath you," Buck teases as he throws his shirt on, followed by his trousers.
He strides towards him, an almost arrogant swagger in his step. When Eddie first met Buck he was sure he was going to be like most other spoiled princes he’s seen in his travels. From the outside he might be. With his short, almost curly blonde hair and his blue eyes that hold a hint of mischief. And while he is aware of his status, and the talks of him being the handsomest prince in the land, it doesn’t go to his head. Anyone that spends any amount of time around Buck can see he’s more than just a prince. He has a heart of gold and would do anything to protect his people.
"Well, we can't have you running around the castle naked," Eddie says, breaking himself out of his thoughts. "The king might catch an early death."
"I'm sure he's used to me by now," Buck says.
Eddie has no doubt. King Bobby can be a stern man but he loves his son. He loves both of his children. Buck just happens to be a little more restless and impulsive than his sister Maddie. Something that keeps the king, and those in charge of Buck's safety, on their toes.
"What's on my agenda today?" Buck asks him.
When Eddie first joined his service he hadn't had a clue what the princes day looked like outside of training. Now he makes a point to have his schedule memorized.
"Well you missed training," Eddie says, earning a snort from the prince. "But you can still make it to breakfast with your father and sister if you want. Or..."
"We're eating," Buck says, cutting him off. "You know I can't do anything without eating first." He's not wrong. Buck gives a huff of annoyance and grabs Eddie by the shoulder. "You can look at me. I'm not some blushing virgin that needs their modesty."
Another thing Eddie is all too aware of. He's seen Buck wooing his conquests. He's also seen some of them left in tears when they realize the prince has no intention of marrying them. Some but not all. Most know of what to expect when they take the prince's offer.
Not that he's made many lately. Eddie frowns at the realization. When they first met there was rarely a morning that someone wasn't sneaking out of the prince's chambers. Now he can't remember the last time that happened.
“Please tell me a haircut is on my agenda today,” Buck says suddenly. “My hair has been getting too long, according to Maddie.”
Eddie shakes his head. Buck’s hair is far from long. If anything, it’s cut closer to his head than most lords in the kingdom choose to wear it. It looks good, in Eddie’s opinion. Different. Which fits Buck in so many ways. “Your hair looks fine, Buck.”
“Fine isn’t good,” Buck argues.
“But it’s better than bad,” Eddie counters. “Besides, I’ve heard your curls are the talk of the kingdom.”
Buck shoves him lightly in the arm, “They are not. If anyone’s hair is the talk of the kingdom, it is yours Sir Eddie.”
“Doubtful.”
Eddie holds his breath when Buck’s hand comes up and brushes back the hair from his face. “It’s true. These long, glorious locks are the envy of many lords and villagers alike, and even a few of the ladies.”
Eddie’s not sure what to say to that. It’s hard to focus with the way Buck is looking at him, as if nothing else exists outside of them. It’s not common. Buck has always been very attentive to whoever he is speaking to. But never like this, at least that he’s seen.
“It is just hair,” Eddie says finally.
Buck smiles, “If it was just hair, you would have cut it by now.”
And that is true. It is a minor inconvenience sometimes, especially during training and on the hot summer days when it seems to stick to his skin. But Christopher says he likes it, and that’s what matters.
What also matters is getting Buck back on track. Eddie had planned to talk to him before Buck brought up his hair. It would be easy to let it go. To just not ask. But as Buck’s friend, Eddie can’t do that. He tries to figure out the way to broach the subject as Buck puts on his boots and leads him towards the door.
"Have you been feeling alright, sire?" At the prince's pointed look, Eddie sighs. " Buck ."
"Of course," Buck says, throwing an arm across his shoulders as they make their way down the hall. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Eddie doesn't know how to approach the subject. It's not his business what the prince gets up to. Except they have become friends, and Eddie worries. "You haven't had anyone visiting your chambers lately. Which isn't my business, of course. I was just wondering if you're okay."
"I am," Buck says. When Eddie glances at him, he's chewing his lip in thought. He stops suddenly, turning to face Eddie. "In a way, I have become ill."
"Do you need me to fetch a physician?"
Buck smiles, but it's not his usual wide grin. It's something smaller. Sadder, even. "I'm afraid there's nothing they can do."
Eddie feels his heart clench at the thought of something seriously being wrong with Buck. "What is it? Can I help?"
Buck steps closer and Eddie swallows, realizing he's now backed against the cool stone wall. "I'm in love, Eddie."
Eddie stops breathing for a moment. A thousand feelings warring through him. Buck is in love. Eddie doesn't know why that hurts him more than Buck taking all those people to bed.
Except he does, and that's something he hasn't been wanting to think about. Eddie wants to ask who. He tries to think of who could have stolen the prince's heart right out from under him. Not that it was ever his to take.
"Why don't you tell them?" Eddie asks instead.
Buck sighs and brushes his fingers across the skin just above Eddie's collar. "I've been trying, but either they do not feel the same way, or they cannot see how much I love them."
"Maybe they don't think someone as amazing as you could love them."
Buck looks up at him, his blue eyes meeting Eddie's own. "I wish he could. He's more wonderful and amazing than I could ever hope to be. I fell for him the first time I ever saw him in the training yard, barking orders to the younger knights. He took his helmet off and pushed his long locks back from his face. When he looked my way I knew I had to know him. And now I do."
"And you love him," Eddie whispers. His head is spinning. Both at Buck's words and his proximity. He remembers the first time he saw the prince, standing at his open window, his blond hair a mess and a wide smile on his face as he looked down at the grounds.
"I do," Buck answers softly. "I don't think I'll ever love anyone the way I love y…"
The door behind them slams open and Buck steps back with a sigh. He mutters something to himself that Eddie doesn't catch and turns towards the door. Eddie closes his eyes for a moment and leans his head back against the wall.
"We were wondering if you were going to join us, Evan."
“You know he loves his sleep more than anything else,” Eddie manages to get out.
He opens his eyes to find Maddie smiling as she looks between them. “Oh I don’t know about that. I can think of one thing he loves more than sleep.”
“Food?”
Maddie rolls her eyes and turns away with a sigh. “Boys.”
Buck starts to follow her before stopping inside the room. He turns his head to look back at where Eddie is still leaning against the wall. “Are you coming?”
“Can you not manage to feed yourself, your highness?” Eddie teases, even as he pushes off the wall and follows behind Buck.
“Oh shut up,” Buck grins. “We both know you’re also grumpy if you haven’t had your breakfast.”
It’s true, though it’s rare that Eddie leaves without eating. He usually has breakfast with Christopher. Except this morning Chris hadn’t wanted to get out of bed, and Eddie had decided to let him sleep in. Which meant he’d wound up skipping breakfast in his haste to get to the training field for some early drills. Something he is regretting now that he can smell the delicious food on the table. He’d never think to impose on the king though, no matter how comfortable Buck might be with sharing his food.
Buck sits down and starts filling his plate with various meats and cheeses, every now and then glancing back at Eddie. Once he’s satisfied he turns to his father. “Father, can you please tell Sir Eddie to join us? We both know he won’t do it on his own, and I doubt he ate today if he was up as early as I think he was.”
The king looks at Eddie over his glass. “Is this true, sir?”
Eddie could easily deny it, and stand there behind Buck, watching as they eat their delicious meal and pretending that he’s not starving. Before he met Buck, he probably would have. Then again, no one but Buck would probably have put him in this situation.
“He hasn’t eaten,” Carlos, a fellow knight and one of his best friends, says. “I saw him leaving his house as soon as the sun was up and going to the fields.”
Or maybe he’s his former best friend.
“Then by all means join us,” King Bobby says, gesturing to the empty seats at the table. “Both of you. I can’t have my two best knights fainting from hunger.”
Buck uses his foot to scoot out the chair next to his and grins as Eddie takes his seat. “Don’t worry, Sir Eddie. If you were to faint, I’d catch you.”
“You’d actually have to show up at training to do that,” Eddie quips.
He realizes too late that he’d just spoken so casually to the prince in front of his king, who looks between them for a moment before throwing his head back in joyous laughter. “It’s about time someone calls you on your behavior, son.”
“You do all the time father,” Buck reminds him.
“Ah yes, but I know by now you barely hear what I tell you,” the king says. “You and your sister are both stubborn and strong willed. I don’t know where you got it from.”
“Queen Athena,” Maddie says and smiles. “Where is she this morning?”
“She’s visiting a neighboring village with Lady Hen and Lady Karen,” he tells her. “She should be back within the week”
“Good,” Maddie says. “I have important matters to discuss with her.”
“Something you can’t talk with your own father about?”
Maddie’s eyes drift to Buck and she smirks. “Oh it would bore you father.”
The king sighs, “And probably give me a headache.”
Buck doesn’t seem to realize they’re talking about him. He’s too focused on stuffing food into his mouth to pay much attention to anything else. Eddie feels a nudge in his right arm and turns his head to find Carlos watching him. He raises an eyebrow and nods his head in Buck’s direction.
“You’re in love with that?”
Eddie’s eyes widen at the same time Buck inhales sharply. His face is red as he sputters, food flying out of his mouth as he tries to swallow the big bite he must have taken just before. “You’re in love?”
Eddie has to fight down the desire to put his face in his hands. Especially when Carlos takes the opportunity to speak. “Oh yes, Sir Eddie is very much in love.”
“With this meal,” Eddie says, shooting a glare at Carlos before turning back to Buck. “It’s delicious.” Eddie makes a point of taking a bite of the ham that’s on his plate. “Yes, it’s very good.”
“You don’t even like ham,” Buck points out.
“It’s grown on me,” Eddie says, and takes another bite just to prove his point.
“Much like other things,” Carlos mutters.
“Shut up and eat your breakfast,” Eddie tells him.
Eddie is just finishing his food when the door opens, to reveal Sir Howie and Sir Michael hurrying into the room. They both bow, before Sir Howie (or Sir Chimney as he’s fondly called by all that know him) addresses the king. “Apologies for interrupting your meal, sire. But visitors from Glossdale have just arrived and you need to receive them.”
“Of course,” Bobby says, pushing his chair back and rising to his feet. Everyone seated rises with him, and he waves them off. “Please, finish your meals. Buck? Maddie? I will need me to join me in the hall when you’re done.”
“Of course, father.”
“I didn’t know we were having visitors,” Buck muses, watching as his father leaves the room.
“Neither did I,” Maddie says, face thoughtful. “Especially from Glossdale. They usually send word.”
“Something must have happened,” Eddie says.
“We should get to the hall,” Buck says, turning to Eddie. “I’ll need you with me.”
“Prince Evan!” They turn at the sound of Sir Michael’s voice. “You and your knights need to leave the kingdom at once.”
Buck frowns, “But I’m meant to meet my father.”
“It’s his orders sire,” Michael says. “Take your sister with you.”
“Has something happened?” Eddie asks, immediately on the alert. It’s not like King Bobby to send his son away like this. Especially not before greeting any visiting nobles.
“Not yet,” Michael says, obviously choosing his words carefully. “He just knows how restless Prince Evan has been lately, and believes some fresh air can do you all good.”
Buck still doesn’t seem convinced. Eddie can’t blame him. If there’s a danger to the kingdom, they need to know. Neither one of them would feel comfortable leaving the kingdom, and people they love, when there’s a possible threat.
“I need to speak with my father,” Buck insists.
“I’ll come with you,” Eddie tells him.
“As you wish, sire,” Michael says, bowing as Buck strides past.
Michael grabs Eddie’s arm before he can follow. “Whatever happens, get the prince and princess to safety.”
“Is there something I should know?” Eddie questions.
“There is no threat,” Michael assures him. “I’d tell you if I knew anything. I know what you have to lose, Eddie. It’s just...”
“What?”
“The lord has a daughter,” Michael sighs.
“Oh.”
“Yes, and we know how well that went last time.”
“And the king would rather avoid another scene,” Eddie guesses.
“Exactly.”
“Why not just tell the prince that?”
“Oh please,” Maddie says. Eddie had assumed she’d followed after her brother. Clearly not. “You know Buck would take immediate offense to any insinuation that he’d cause a scene.”
“But he also dislikes being a pawn,” Eddie reminds her.
“Yes, I know my brother wants to marry for love,” she says, looking at him pointedly. “As do I. Our father has done his best to see to our wishes. We have Queen Athena to thank for that as well.”
“I will not!”
They all turn at the sudden shout from the hall. Eddie grimaces when the door bangs open and Buck comes storming out. He doesn’t look happy. He spots Eddie and points a finger at him. “Come. We’re going for a ride.”
“Evan!” Bobby shouts after him. “Evan, get back here at once!”
Rather than listening to his father, Buck takes off at a brisk pace down the hall, no doubt heading for the stables. Maddie is quick to follow, along with Sir Chimney. Eddie is about to follow them when Bobby storms out of the room.
“Where has my son gone?”
“I believe he’s taking that chance at air that you suggested, sire,” Sir Michael tells him.
Bobby narrows his eyes, before sighing and running a hand down his face. “Probably for the best.” He looks at Eddie and Carlos. “You two go with him. Make sure he stays out of trouble.”
“We’ll do our best, sire,” Eddie assures him.
“I suppose that’s all anyone can do,” the king says, though he’s smiling now. “I’ll try my best to fix things here. Luckily he didn’t insult this one as much as the last one.”
“No tears this time?”
“No. She looked a little relieved, actually.”
Eddie ducks his head to hide his smile. “I should go find the prince.”
“Yes, you should,” Bobby says. “It’s probably for the best to keep him away for a few days. Until our visitors are gone.”
Eddie nods, “Of course, sire.”
He doesn’t like the thought of leaving Christopher for that long. But he knows he’ll be in good hands with Carla. Still, he turns to Michael once the king has left them. “If you could check in on my home while I’m away and make sure it’s in order.”
“Of course,” Michael says, nodding his head in understanding. “I’ll make sure everything is safe and taken care of.”
“Thank you.” Eddie turns to Carlos at the doors to the castle. “Have someone ready a bag for the prince. I need to go home before we leave. I can catch up if Buck is insistent on leaving.”
“You know he’s going to wait on you,” Carlos tells him. “He always does. But I’ll make sure your horse is ready.”
“Thank you.”
Eddie walks home as quickly as he can without drawing attention to himself, making sure to say hello to anyone that greets him. He smiles when he walks in and sees Christopher at the table, a piece of parchment in front of him.
“What are you drawing today, son?” Eddie asks, kneeling down next to him.
“A dragon,” Christopher says.
Eddie looks at the picture and nods, “That is one fierce looking dragon.”
“It’s not done yet, Dad.”
“Well then it will be even fiercer when it is finished,” Eddie tells him. “I can’t wait to see it when I get back.”
Christopher frowns and lowers his quill. “You’re leaving?”
“I am,” Eddie sighs, and runs a hand through his hair. “Only for a few days. When I’m back, we’ll do something special. Okay?”
“Okay.”
Eddie stands and goes to Carla. She’s standing by the window chopping some lettuce. “Are you going to be okay with him?”
“Of course I am,” Carla says, waving him off. “That boy and I have a routine ourselves. We’ll be fine.”
“Either way, I asked Sir Michael to check in on you while I’m gone if you need anything, even if it is a break.”
Carla smiles fondly at him and pats his cheek, “We’ll be okay, Eddie.”
Eddie knows they will be. He trusts Carla with Christopher more than anyone else. It’s the only reason he feels safe leaving him here with her. Not that it makes it any easier to leave. He loves his son. He’ll always worry about him.
Still, Eddie packs his bag quickly, knowing the others are waiting for him, and walks back over to Christopher. He leans down and kisses the top of his head. “I’ll see you soon. Be good for Carla, okay?”
“I will,” Christopher says. “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too, son.”
It’s never easy walking out the door, even in the morning when he knows he’ll be back to put Christopher to sleep. It’s still time away from his son. He tells himself he does it because he’s working to ensure they live in a kingdom that he can be safe. So that one day he can live a life free of fear. Where he can just be a kid and be happy.
“Ready?” Buck asks him once he’s joined them outside the stables.
Eddie looks down the road towards his house, and takes a deep breath and nods. “I am.”