Archive of Our Own

Walking out onto the castle wall right over the gatehouse, Anthony the First, High King of the Realm and Emperor through the Glory of God the Almighty, smiled down at his enemy.

It was an appropriately sunny day, only some feather clouds dusting the bright blue sky, to accept the defeat of one of his Kingdom's worst enemies. Or at least that would be written into the tombs hidden away under the castle.

Steven Rogers, the most feared Warlord and enemy of the Crown, stood before the castle gates. His famous sword and shield were left with two of his Lieutenants about a few hundred meters further down the road. 

They didn’t need to be closer to make it abundantly clear that they looked as bad as their leader did. Or that they weren’t happy to be here.

Forcing himself to keep standing upright and not just lean forward onto the castle wall to laugh down at the once so proud man, Tony, as he liked to be called by three people in his trust, cleared his throat.

“Who did this to you?” Biting back the I want to thank them was hard, but what his people needed right now was a strong King, a leader that showed foresight and mercy. 

Even if, as far as the people knew, they had worked with the killer of the late High King and High Queen of the Realm. Even if they were rumored to have killed the late Truchsess, Obidiah Stane.

Rogers, his head held high, despite the deep cut obvious on his temple, glared up at his High King. 

“I had nowhere else to go...Your Majesty.” 

That, of course, was more than obvious. There was no good reason for Rogers and his traitors to the Crown to come here but one. A bigger threat. 

Something he had alluded to in his message, sent about two weeks ago, begging for shelter for his people because of a bigger enemy to all of them.

Only a year before, Tony would have laughed in the messenger's face, telling them to go to hell. Now… now it confirmed some of his greatest fears. It was also confirmed by communications found in Obi’s chambers and castle. It had been proved by the people attacking Tony’s carriage and almost succeeding in killing him. 

While captive with them, he’d seen their symbol. It had been the same symbol, drawn immaculately on the bottom part of the letter delivered by their mouthy messenger. An octopus head with eight reaching arms.

Whatever had happened, most likely they had either fallen into the bad graces of Hydra or they hadn’t been working with them and had been attacked by them as they tried to broaden their territories. Either way, not they were on the run.

“You and yours are enemies to the Crown. Enemies to the High King and the people of the Realm. Why should I grant you mercy?”

Roger’s bright blue eyes were still looking at him, almost bearing down into them, as he lowered his head, going down onto his knees.

“Do with me what you wish, Your Majesty. I beg of you to show mercy to my people. We have women and children with us. Scholars and healers. They have never wronged you or anyone in the Realm.” 

“Your Majesty, you can’t consider that.” Lord Mueller said, stepping closer to Tony. “These are your enemies, Your Majesty. The Killers of Lord Stane. You need to-”

“If I remember correctly, Lord Mueller, the Crown rests on my head.” Looking back at the disgustingly opportunistic man, Tony had to keep his expression in check when he saw the fake devotion on that back stabber’s face.

“Of course, Your Majesty. I am a humble servant and-”

Turning back towards the scene in front of his castle gates, Tony looked over to the two lieutenants. A woman with flaming red hair and the mouthy messenger. Their stance was proud. Desperate.

They were too far away to see their expressions but Tony knew what his two confidants would think if he would ever degrade himself like this for his people. 

A mixture of pride, fear and righteous rage.

“The High King will show mercy to all people under the Crown’s reign. Do not misunderstand, Rogers. You will be punished for your crimes. Your people will be punished if they act against the Crown and the people of the Realm. The High King, although merciful by the Grace of the Almighty, will not allow harm to come to its people.”

Rogers, who although kneeling with his head bowed, had still held himself taught, had kept a graceful pose as well as he could. Now, he crumbled, the last of his posture failing him. Sitting back up onto his haunches, Rogers looked back up at Tony, his expression changed to pained relief. 

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” 

There was real feeling in those words. It sounded like Tony’s words had sounded when Rhodey found him in the wilderness. 

But this was not for Rogers, who hadn’t asked for anything for himself. This was just for the small group of people that stood behind his two Lieutenants. 

“Bring him and his Lieutenants into the dungeon. Take the people to the quarters.” Looking over his right shoulder, both Pepper and Rhodey nodded their acceptance. 

“Let this day be known as one of mercy and as a new beginning of peace in the Realm.” Turning on the spot, Tony forced himself to keep a level step. To not rush. Walking down the cold castle halls, he ignored the servants bowing along his way.

“Your Majesty!” 

Ignoring the yell, Tony walked through the doors into his chambers, trusting his personal guard to keep everyone away. 

Inside of the room stood Jarvis, his posture straight enough to hurt Tony’s back, with his normal blank, professional expression. But the old servant couldn’t hide the twinkle in his eyes from Tony.

“Everything ready?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.” Jarvis bowed his head. “Might I add, Your Majesty, her late High Queen would have been proud of Your Highness.”

“Thanks, Jay. If anyone needs me-”

“You’re inaccessible. Might I bring you tea down to your workroom?” He asked, helping Tony out of the jewelry that he’d forced Tony to put on.

“Yes, do that and tell-”

“Lady Potts to take care of the new subjects, especially the children and women. Of course, Sir. I shall also tell Lieutenant Rhodes to keep an eye out for our guests in the cells.” Placing the jewelry to the side to put away safely later, he helped loosen his rigid tunic.

“You’re the best, Jay.” Smiling one of the rare honest smiles at the old man, Tony threw one of the thicker wool coats over his undershirt before opening one of the secret tunnels.

“I’m well aware, Your Highness.” Jarvis’ said, a smile dancing over his voice. 

-o0o-

“If His Highness isn’t going to move his royal bottom upstairs this instance, I will kick it.”

“Honey Bear-”

“Now, Tony.” Lieutenant Rhodes, Head of the High Kings Army and personal guard hissed. “The royals are getting restless. Stone and Hammer are already warmongering. If-”

“I’m on my way.” Tony said, fastening one of the last screws. 

“I don’t see movement, Your Majesty.” 

“Hey, let me-”

“And just in case you might be wondering, Rogers’ lieutenants are behaving themselves - if you don’t count Barton mouthing off constantly and Romanov breaking the hand of one of the guards.” 

“What?” Turning around, Tony met Rhodey’s eyes. 

“A wandering hand, I might add. I have sent him to our physician and told him to report for a reprimand later.”

“Good.” Pushing himself off, Tony knew, it would take at least half an hour to clean himself up and redress him so that he would be presentable - or at least how the court defined it.

“Did Romanov get compensation?”

“Not yet. I thought it would be a good opening into your discussion with her.” Rhodey said, his arms still crossed in front of his chest. “If only half of the stories I heard about her are correct, we need every advantage we can get.”

Rhodey had to be kissed by a prophet’s blessing.

Both Romanov and Barton had been courtly. Romanov said to his face she’d known what she was risking by following Roger’s into the enemy's camp and obviously not believing Tony, when he promised her she wouldn’t be touched against her will again. 

Aside from that, she’d been tight lipped, only repeating what had been in the letter and saying, Rogers was the only one with the answers.

Barton was quipping again, not being outright disrespectful but dancing rather masterfully on the edge. If Tony hadn’t needed to at least appear affronted and strict, he’d loved to fire back. 

“What about Steve?” Barton had asked when Tony had already been half out of the door. 

“What about him?” Tony had asked, turning back to him. Romanov hadn’t asked the question but Tony had basically seen it slip through a few times.

“What will- Will Your Majesty's mercy extend to him as well?” Barton asked, not nodding at his spacious cell equipped with a straw bed, a table and a chair. It was probably more than he had while out as a warrior for the warlord's cause.

“Let me ask you, Barton, should My Majesty’s mercy include a man who has been part of the murder of the late High King and High Queen? Should My Majesty’s mercy reach even the man who has killed the late Truchsess? What would Rogers do to the High King, if His Highness was in his power?” 

“Steve would show mercy to everyone, no matter what rumors there were about the person. Even the High King.” Barton said, his voice having dropped some of his nonchalance. “There is no proof I can offer you, Your Highness, but believe someone who has stood by his side for a decade, Steve would show mercy.” 

“Explain then, Barton, how a merciful man is risking his most trusted loyalists to be tortured to death by keeping all information that has been promised to the Crown to himself.”

“You misunderstand, Your Majesty.” Barton, who’d kept kneeling with his head bowed, Rhodey standing watch over him with a drawn sword, looked up at Tony at that, his eyes sharp and far too intelligent for just a soldier from the farlands. 

“Steve has told Nat and me everything. He ordered us to spill everything and save ourselves. We decided against it, though. Steve is a good man. An honorable man.”

The unlike Your Majesty wasn’t said, but hung heavy in the air.

Just a year ago, Tony would have listened to bad advisors. He would have ordered a beheading. Would have made an example out of Barton to make sure the Crown was respected. 

Which was the reason they were here right now, in the middle of the night with only Rhodey around and the most trusted of the King’s guards to make sure no one would learn of what they were talking about.

“Be careful, Barton, We wouldn’t want to think you were disrespecting the Crown now, would We?” 

“Of course not, Your Majesty. I’m under strict orders to be respectful.” Barton said, his expression neutral. 

“Good thing then, you can follow some orders.” 

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Turning again and walking out of the cell, Tony didn’t wait for Rhodey to catch up with him.

“Your Majesty shouldn’t have let him talk to Your Majesty like that.” Rhodey hissed, as soon as he was right behind Tony.

“And what? Let you run him through with his sword?”

“Put him on the stocks for a day.” Rhodey hissed back. “Your Highness can’t appear weak.”

“Careful there, Honey Bear, you start to sound like Obi.”

“Tones.” Rhodey put his gauntleted hand on his shoulder and turned him. Here, in one of the secret tunnels between the normal cells and the higher security ones, was no one to overhear them.

“Mueller, Stane and Hammer are already scheming. Your people are worried. The last year brought so much change it frightens them.”

“I don’t care, Rhodey. I’ve finally learned of all my failures. I am not going to go back to them to soften a transition for my people who fear mercy because they have only ever known punishment.”

“I know, Tones, and I recommend you for it, you know I do, but you need to be seen as strong. You need to be seen as capable. I know you are. I know you love your people. Let them have a little more time to get to know who you really are. Cleanse your council before or they will see your mercy as weakness.”

Looking into Rhodey’s eyes, full of trust, worry and love for a King who would still have years ahead of himself to prove he was worthy of someone like Rhodey, Tony nodded. 

“I know. In front of courtiers I would- I know, Rhodey.”

And he did know. He might just not follow through.

Stepping into an enemy’s cell, Tony had been taught how to act. To gloat and attack at every possible opportunity. 

Today - or rather tonight, as the clock had just passed three in the morning - he walked in, with just Rhodey in front of him.

Rogers, who obviously had been asleep, had sat up straight when the thick wooden door had been opened, a frown on his face as he watched Rhodey, which fell into shock before disappearing altogether when he saw Tony. 

Jumping off of his straw bed and kneeling down immediately, with his head bowed, Rogers kept his body straight as Tony, casually, drew the chair away from the table and sat on it. Hard wood, without a cushion, but clean.

And more luxury than an enemy of the crown was worth. Or at least that would have been his father’s words.

“I have questions.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Steve’s voice barely betrayed that he would have been asleep just a few minutes prior. 

“Explain to me, how someone, who has been described as honorable and merciful himself, would keep all of the information to himself and expose his most trusted to torture.”

Rogers froze. 

If he contradicted Tony, he risked to increase the torture of his loyalists and for them to be punished for disobeying an agreed upon term. Not to speak of disobeying the Crown itself by staying loyal to himself over the Crown.

If he used the information, he would be lying to the Crown itself and risked being punished for it, if it was a lie. He also risked being made an example for trying to negotiate better terms for himself after swearing to give all information freely.

“Barton and Romanov seem to think a great deal of you, Rogers. Even now they don’t denounce you.” 

Rogers didn’t move aside from his hands clawing a little more into his pants.

“Is that the mercy you asked of the Crown? Is that the mercy you wish to be granted to your people?”

Bowing down even lower, Rogers shook his head. “Please, Your Majesty, don’t fault my people for this. I’ve cared for them as if they were of my blood. It isn’t easy to turn your back on family. They know who they are indebted to now, though. They are good people and will be good subjects to you, Your Highness.”

In Tony’s humble experience, it seemed that most people would be able to turn their back on family fairly easily. Aside from those chosen members of his family.

“Does this plea include Romanov and Barton, then? And if so, why didn’t you grant them the knowledge they needed to honor our agreement?”

Roger’s kept himself low to the ground, almost but not yet pressing his forehead to the surprisingly clean cell floor. 

“Your silence leads me to suspect that they lied to the Crown. Lied to the High King when he graced them with his presence to give them one last chance.” 

Roger’s flinched, it was a small flinch, but noticeable enough to promise an immense mental anguish. 

“Look up and tell me to my face, Rogers, what did you tell your loyalists to tell me?”

For a minute, nothing happened, until Rogers sat back onto his hunches, his hands clawed into his legs. There was devastation and pride edged into his expression. And love.

“I told them to sell me out, Your Majesty. To tell everything they could. I fought with them by my side for over a decade. I would give my life for them as they would give theirs for me. I will answer all your questions, will draw you maps and give you all the information I have. I swore that on the lives of my people. I beg you to spare my lieutenants. They did this not to deceive you but to save my life. I beg you to allow me to carry their punishments.” Bowing forward again, he pressed his forehead to the cold stone. 

Looking away from the hunched figure towards Rhodey, Tony saw the same understanding in his brother’s eyes as he felt. 

“Start then.”

-o0o- 

It had been three weeks since they had accepted the small group of people, Rogers, Barton and Romanov into their castle. 

By now, Rogers had most likely spilled everything, and was still being questioned by Rhodey regularly. He’d also begged to be allowed to write his lieutenants a message. They read it and afterwards answered questions themselves. It, of course, had also carried a secret message, but Tony wasn’t worried. It had been the only line of communication and Rogers believed wholeheartedly that this had been his only way of saving the lives of his loyalists.

No matter what he might be as well, he was also loyal to his people. 

It was the only reason he had degraded himself like this. Had risked being tortured to death by his sworn enemy.

Pepper and Jarvis, and some of their trusted servants, had also learned more from Roger’s people. As Tony had thought, they had been attacked by Hydra and two thirds of their people had been slain. Among those people had been most of the warriors of the camp and also Barnes, Rogers’ right hand man.

The few that had been able to run, had hidden themselves and then been led by a barely alive Rogers to safety. 

Their physician, a man called Banner, had said it was a testimony to Rogers’ will that he’d survived. 

Having met with the man every other night to learn more, Tony had to admit he understood what Banner meant by that. Rogers had a will of iron.

The far more concerning news, of course, was that Hydra had overthrown the land in the west and was now reaching with their tentacles over to the Realm. 

Having left the last council meeting after not being able to stomach any more of the stupidity the Lords spouted, Tony had stolen himself away to his personal smithy, at the outskirts of the castle. 

It was well hidden and the townspeople knew that it didn’t serve customers so it was rather surprising for Tony, when he turned around, to grab another hammer, to see a child standing inside of the half opened door. 

In all honesty, Tony hadn't even known the door was still able to be opened, since it hadn’t in years - and he sure as hell hadn’t asked anyone to maintain it. 

“Oh, I’m sorry.” The child said, although his voice was too deep for that of a child. He was most likely already on the threshold to become a man.

“Who are you?”

“Oh, I- Peter.” Peter said, stepping from one foot to the other. “I’m sorry, Sir, I didn’t mean to- I always wanted to learn blacksmithery and… I was just curious. I’m sorry.” He bowed his head, his hands wringing themselves in front of his stomach. 

Tony would never be able to explain accurately how it happened that Peter stayed and be taught by him. In fact, he was still surprised that it had happened at all. 

Peter was a surprisingly smart young man, explaining that Banner and his aunt had been teaching him everything they knew, but that neither of them had known anything about medal work. 

It wasn’t a surprise to Tony that Peter didn’t recognize him. How would he, when Tony was covered in soot and not wearing his insignia. When Peter was one of the people who had come here with Rogers and never seen High King Anthony the First. 

They had been in the works of finalizing a shield when Jarvis had walked in on them.

“Your-” He’d cut himself off, his eyes jumping to Peter, who had frozen with a hammer held high above his head, staring at Jarvis, who was, of course, dressed as the personal steward to the High King was supposed to be dressed.

“Oh, Sir Jarvis.” Tony said, turning around so that Peter wouldn’t see the look he threw at the older man. “What can I do for you?”

“Your Highness asks you to come with me immediately.”

“Yes, of course, Sir Jarvis.” Turning to Peter, he saw the worry in the young man’s eyes. “Don’t worry, Peter. I’ll be here the day after tomorrow, alright? Come and I’ll teach you a little more about metal work.”

“Yes, Sir, thank you!” Sounded enthusiastic again, bowing first to Tony, before also bowing to Jarvis and then storming out of the door. 

“Did you tell him this place is a secret, Your Majesty?”

Looking back at the old servant, Tony knew he was done for.

-o0o-

“Your Majesty.” Rogers bowed down in front of him. 

It had been seven weeks and by now Rogers, as well as Romanov and Barton were awake in the hours between two and five in the morning, when Tony liked to visit them, even if the regularity had dropped off a little. 

“Stand up, Rogers.”

Standing up from his bow, Rogers kept his expression neutral, even if the spark of surprise was still more than obvious in his eyes.

“There has been a raid of one of the Hydra hideouts you described. We found something there that I believe is of great value to you.”

Tony knew this was a stupid idea. He knew, if he was just a bit more of a strategist, he would use this. Not to torture anyone, just to bind Rogers and his loyalists closer to him.

Instead he wouldn’t. He would show real mercy for once. 

Would do what he would want to be done for him, if this was about Rhodey.

“I can’t imagine-” Rogers started, but Tony wouldn’t dance around the subject. Not tonight.

“The Crown’s soldiers found someone who claimed to be James Barnes.”

Rogers’ paled, drastically. Taking a step back, he reached one hand out and held himself upright on the table.

“Banner just confirmed it. He is gravely injured but alive.”

Staring up at him, Rogers clearly had difficulty processing that information. 

“He’s alive?” It was less than a whisper but Tony could read the words on the other man’s lips.

“Yes.”

Slumping down to his knees, Rogers, who had held it together even when being told his loyalists had been tortured, who had held to the last shreds of his pride close, broke down in tears.

Glancing at Rhodey, there was approval in his brother’s eyes. Either for Tony, giving the man the relief Rhodey had craved for almost three months when Tony had been taken, or for Rogers, who showed the same emotion Rhodey had felt when he’d found Tony.

“Thank you.” Rogers forced out of his throat. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” 

“You should thank Sir Rhodes, he did all the heavy lifting.”

Looking up, tears still falling from his eyes, Steve looked up at Rhodey. “Thank you, Lieutenant. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Swallowing, Tony knew he should at least keep that bargaining chip back… although he would later argue that he’d done it for bargaining reasons, in the moment, all Tony saw, was Rhodey, back when he’d found him, and wanting to grant another person the relief he and his brother had felt then. 

“Do you want to see him?”

Rogers froze again, his blue eyes widening, and swaying slightly on the spot where he was kneeling.

“I’m not setting you free, but if you want to see him, I will grant it, if you swear to follow Rhodes back into this cell and not try to speak to anyone.”

Still staring at him, Rogers took another moment to nod. “I swear, Your Highness. I will not talk to anyone, I will not try to flee, if I am able to see Bucky.”

Nodding towards Rhodes, he stepped to the side. 

Taking out a jute bag, he handed it over to Rogers, who didn’t even hesitate to put it over his head.

Tony, of course, couldn’t follow them to see the reunion, but Rhodey told him after, that the rumors were right. Barnes and Rogers were as close as brothers could be.

Peter, who was still learning under his aunt and Banner whenever he wasn’t assisting Tony in his forge, was there too, and told the lot, that he would ask Edward , the personal smithy of the High King, to please make an arm for Bucky, to replace the one he lost to Hydra.

Rhodey, the traitor, had laughed while saying that, still teasing Tony for having an apprentice, whenever he wasn’t scolding him for the stupidity of letting someone, who just a few years later would have been a soldier in the warlords army against him, anywhere near him with tools in a hidden place without his personal guards.

Neither he nor Pepper were very impressed with it. Even if both of them liked the boy. Then again, there was no way you could dislike Peter.

“Oh yeah? How are they planning to pay for it?” Tony asked, an eyebrow raised.

“Peter is willing to work it off.”

“That would take him half his life.”

“Yes.”

“That kid is killing me.”

“If he does, I am sure he has a good reason, Edward.” 

Rolling his eyes, Tony was about to walk out, to meet his horrendous council members, when Rhodey stopped him.

“One more thing, Tones, Rogers didn’t say one word. Not to Barnes or any of the others. He didn’t answer any questions, not even letting them finish the questions.”

“You like him.”

“He is honorable.”

“You like him.”

“He is honorable.”

“Admit it, you like him.”

“You still visit him two or three nights a week, Your Majesty, even if he barely has any new things to tell you at all.” Rhodey said, crossing his arms in front of his chest. “We both know he is honorable and even with the danger of making myself a traitor, you are the first in a long line of High Kings of this land who deserve to be called the same.”

That, indeed, was high treason. It was also the truth. At least the part that all of Tony’s noble ancestors were a bunch of megalomaniac bastards.

“I fear very few people would agree with that.”

“Yes, because the one half profited under the other High Kings and the other half is still too afraid of you, Your Majesty.”

In an unusual show of affection, Rhodey leaned forward, pressing his forehead to Tony’s. “The time will come when I can see you as the King you were born to be.” 

-o0o- 

Almost as if to belie Rhodey, Tony took four days to go back to Rogers’ cell. 

In the meantime, Peter had begged Edward to do something for Bucky with some basic claw. Edward had told him to come up with a design of a hand and he would help Peter make it.

Pepper and Jarvis were still laughing at him. 

He also had Rhodey tell Barton and Romanov about Barnes, learning through that that Romanov and Barnes were betrothed, an information no one had shared before. 

Although truth be told, they also hadn’t asked for it.

Going to Barnes’ bed, Tony had asked him if he wanted to be in a cell himself with daily visits from Romanov or with his people and visits once a week. He chose the cell, to be moved into the cell right beside Romanov’s. 

Banner, now, was not to be left alone with Barnes, therefore Jarvis assisted him and Peter on their daily check-ups with Barnes.

Today, Tony was earlier than most nights, the clock had barely struck midnight when Rhodey opened the cell door for them - and no, that had nothing to do with the fact that he hadn’t seen Rogers for four days.

“Your Majesty!" Rogers jumped off of his cod, throwing himself on his knees in front of Tony, head bowed.

“Thank you, Your Highness. I… I can’t express my gratitude. You saved my brother. I’ve seen some of my people and they are happy and well-fed. I am forever in your debt.” He bowed even lower. “I know it means nothing from me, but I offer you my sword and shield, Your Highness. As long as you lead the land with grace and mercy, I will defend it with my last breath, if you allow it.”

Staring at the kneeling man, Tony bit down on the first response on his lips hearing the condition the ex-warlord had woven into his words.

It stung. Even if it made sense. 

Tony, by now, had understood that every action a man did, was born out of reason. The reason might be insane to anyone else, but every action a person did, was for a reason that made sense in their own mind. 

Rogers, as much as any of the others of his people, had had a reason to become a warlord and oppose the Crown. 

By now, Tony had learned about the devastation the late High King Howard’s neglect and cruelty had brought to the province of Brookland, where Rogers and Barnes hailed from. 

He’d learned even more about the cruelty done to the people far away from the capitol. 

Therefore the question was not how could they rebel against the Crown. The question was, how could they not?

“Be aware, Rogers, that what you said could be understood as high treason.”

“I know, Your Majesty, but you allowed me to see enough of your character through your actions for me to believe, you will not kill me for my honesty.” Rogers moved, looking up from where he knelt at Tony’s feet.

Instead of a taunt or anything else, there was an open smile on his lips, that took years off his face.

“I believe you will be a great High King, Your Majesty. I would be honored to serve under you.”

“You mean your words?”

“With all my heart, Your Highness.”

Watching the bright blue eyes for a moment longer, Tony knew there had to be a catch. And if there wasn’t a trap laid by Rogers, it still was a disaster to happen.

“Sir Rhodes.”

“Barnes was moved to a cell.”

Roger’s face fell.

“Right beside Romanov. His Majesty granted him the right to either stay with his people and only see his betrothed once a week or move into a cell and see her every day.”

Rogers relaxed. “She told you?” There was real awe in his voice.

“Her reaction was obvious.” Rhodey answered, and having heard the tale before, Tony had to agree. “She didn’t deny my conclusion though.”

“I… She is fine?”

“Yes. Barton is fine as well.” Moving forward, Tony sat down on the chair Steve had already prepared for him.

“I… I don’t understand.”

“You just told me, you would serve me because you believe me to be a great King, Rogers. Did you mean that while believing I had tortured your people?”

“I… It would have been your right, Your Highness.”

“Oh my right would have been to have you lot drawn and quartered.” Tony leaned forward, a smile he only ever showed to his council members now on his lips. “In fact, after getting all the information I needed, it would have made my life so much easier to do what my council members have begged me to do.”

“Why haven’t you then, Your Majesty?” Rogers asked. There was something in his voice that Tony would have picked as eagerness, if he wouldn’t know that couldn’t be it.

“For one, the life of the Crown’s people, which you and your people have pledged yourself to be, are under its protection.” Looking into the blue eyes, Tony all but dared Rogers to ask for the other reason.

Instead, Rogers just nodded. “Anything else I can do for Your Highness?”

“Not right now.” Standing up, Tony walked over to the door, looking back at the still kneeling soldier. “The Crown will remember your pledge. Pray it will never come that far. 

Of course, the Almighty would test Tony’s resolve now, that he stood for something. 

-o0o-

“Sir Edward, look!”

“It’s-” Sighing, because the kid was not to learn that it wasn’t Sir Edward, just Edward - in fact it was His Royal Highness, not that Tony had told him but that was beside the point. Turning towards the apprentice, who was holding up a metal arm, Tony couldn’t help but smile. 

It was a little crude in some places, but the important part, the part where it would have to be fastened to Barnes’ shoulder, was smooth. 

Tony had also shown Peter how to mix metals to reduce the weight of the arm. 

“That looks good Petey, let me see.” Walking over to the kid, bouncing on his feet, Tony kept his smile back, letting his hands wander over the almost smooth metal. 

“It’s good. You should show it to him.”

“Will you come with? I’m sure if we ask Sir Jarvis, he will make an exception!”

“Peter-”

“Please, Bucky wants to thank you as well.”

Barnes, very much to the pleasure of everyone in the castle - at least of those who knew about him - had made a steady recovery.

“He doesn’t need to thank me. You made the arm.”

Peter, who was devoted, kind and friendly to a fault, raised a critical eyebrow. 

“Sir Edward, you taught me everything and oversaw everything I did. You did at least as much as I did and that is before you taught me.”

“May that as it be, Peter, but-”

“Please?”  

Swallowing, Tony stared at Peter and his most likely demonic puppy dog eyes.

“May wants to meet you too, to thank you, Sir Edward.”

“Petey-”

Before he could come up with a good enough lie - something that got rather difficult around the kid even if Tony normally could lie with the best of them - the door to the secret tunnel was pushed open hard enough to bang against the stone wall to its side.

“Your Highness!”

“Rhodey, what-” Before he could finish that sentence though, Rhodey was already on him, grabbing his shoulder, his eyes running through the cluttered smithery. Dismissing Peter as a threat immediately. 

“Your castle is under attack. I don’t-”

“Who?” Ripping himself free from the stone grip, Tony rushed over to where he had hid a sword and a few daggers. He might not enjoy fighting but that didn’t mean he couldn’t do it.”

“Hydra, Sire.”

Turning around and meeting his brother’s eyes, Tony knew someone had betrayed him. Again. 

“Hydra?” Peter’s voice was weak, fear loud in it.

Turning to the kid, Tony reached out to him, but it was that moment that Peter put everything else into context.

Throwing himself to his knees, Peter started to stammer some excuses, but they didn’t have time for that now.

“Peter!” Grabbing the kid’s shoulder, Tony forced him to sit up and look into his eyes. “Peter, you need to follow my command.”

“Yes, Sir Ed- I mean Your High-”

“Get up.” Helping the kid to his feet, Tony pushed him forward into the direction of the tunnel.”

“Where are Pepper and Jarvis?”

“They are currently barricading your chambers, hiding away the most sacred insigniants.”

As if Tony gave a rat’s ass about that.

“Who can we trust?”

“Your guard has been infiltrated, Sire.” Rhodey hissed, hatred and shaming mixing in his voice. “Half of the ones I still trust are waiting on us. The other half is protecting the people of-”

“May!” Peter cried out, turning around, his expression even paler than before.

“We’ll get to her kid, move.” Tony said, pushing him forward, when he hesitated. “Have they already reached the cells?”

“Tones, you-”

“Have they, Rhodey?”

“No, but-”

Changing directions by pushing Peter down another secret tunnel, Tony ignored the cursing behind him.

They had barely stepped out of the tunnel when something shook the castle walls.

“So they found the trap under the throne.” There was a sick satisfaction worming itself through Tony’s chest.

“Move.” Rhodey hissed from behind, pushing Tony to the side and rushing to the locked cell door. “They will all be hanged and burned.” He muttered under his breath.

Tony decided to not comment on that, even if it was his decision. Then again, they had become traitors to the Crown.

And even though that might not be as merciful, he wouldn’t care.

As the soldiers had taken the keys with them, Tony instructed both Rhodey and Peter to push the door from the bottom up. It was a mechanism that was only possible from the outside, where a bar had been nailed across the door. It pushed the door clean of its hinges.

Letting the heavy wooden door fall to the side, Tony was faced with Barton, who had broken the chair, using one of its legs as a club, raised high.

“Your Highness, what- Peter!” 

Faster than Tony could even look, Clint had rushed forward, grabbing Peter and pushing him behind himself.

“What is the meaning of this?” The messenger had never before sounded this dangerous.

“The castle is under the attack of Hydra and Sir Edward is His Royal Highness and I don’t know where May is or-”

“Petey.” Clint held his hand back to the kid. “Slow down. Hydra attacked?”

“Apparently you and yours are not the traitors to the Crown that should be locked in here.” Tony said, looking at Barton. “Rogers pledged his loyalty to me. What about you?”

“If I hear Steve say that, I’ll pledge my loyalty and will follow your command.”

“Of course.” There had been nothing else Tony had expected.

Rushing to Romanov’s cell, Tony was not really surprised, but still unhappy to see her cell door open, the chair also destroyed and all four legs taken.

“Nat!” Clint called out, before any of them could stop him.

“Here!” Romanov yelled back. Out of Barnes’ cell, of course.

The man was sitting on the edge of the bed, Romanov standing right beside him, her eyes glaring at Tony the second she saw Peter.

“Who?”

“Hydra.”

Hissing, she grabbed Barnes' uninjured shoulder and hoisted him up.

“You need to leave, Your Highness.” She said, her voice cold.

“And leave my people to those bastards? No.” Stepping forward, he glanced at Barnes before meeting the green eyes of one of the best assassins if even half of the tales about her were true.

“Roger’s claimed his loyalty to me.”

“I will follow his example after hearing it from his lips.”

Rhodey, still protecting their backs, huffed. Tony did not comment.

“Me too.” Barnes said, meeting Tony’s eyes for a moment before bowing his head. “Although I am indebted to you, Your Highness.”

“You can pay the Crown back after we have survived this.”

A crooked smile made it to Barnes’ lips. “As you wish, Your Highness.”

“There! That’s the proper response.” Tony said, although it lost some of its impact as he was already rushing out of the room again, dragging Peter behind him.

Reaching Roger’s cell took another secret tunnel and a few more minutes. When they did, the door was already opened and three men were in the cell. One was standing, the remnants of the table in his hands, one leg as a club and the tabletop as a crude shield. 

The two other men, bearing the Crown’s uniform, were lying dead at his feet.

“Your Highness.” Rogers’ lowered his weapons when he recognized Peter.

“What-”

“No time, Steve-o. Did you pledge your loyalty to the King?” Barton asked, pushing into the cell.

“Clint!”

“Yes or no, Steve, the castle is under attack by Hydra.”

Rogers froze for one heartbeat, before his expression became that of a warrior. Full of determination and a deadly focus.

Kneeling down in the debris and between the corpses, Rogers looked up at Tony, who was still in his smithing gear, soot covering his clothes and skin and bowed his head.

“I pledge my shield and sword to you, Your Majesty. Please allow me to fight in your name and smight your enemies at your pleasure.”

Inhaling slowly, Tony let go of Peter’s arm before he took the last few steps, ignoring the dead bodies, too. Placing his hand on the crown of Rogers’ blond head he exhaled.

“I accept your pledge, Steve Rogers, to fight in the Crown’s name, to protect the Crown’s people and destroy its enemies.”

“Great, do we have to kneel down, too?” Barnes asked, which not only shattered the moment, something far more intimate and meaningful than all the knighting ceremonies Tony had been a part of combined. Aside, maybe, from the one where his father had been forced to knight Rhodey.

Rogers’ head had snapped up, dislodging Tony’s hand.

It was meaningless. Still, even with his castle under attack, Tony missed the body warmth immediately. 

“Bucky!”

“Can’t let you be stupid on your own, can I?”

“Surviving first, reunion later.” Romanov cut in, before gracefully going down to one knee. “I pledge my shield and sword to you, Your Majesty. Please allow me to fight in your name and smight your enemies at your pleasure.” She repeated, her eyes never leaving Tony’s.

“I pledge my shield and sword to you, Your Majesty. Please allow me to fight in your name and smight your enemies at your pleasure.” Clint said. He, too, had gone down to one knee. “Although I do prefer to use a bow and arrows.”

Before being able to say anything, Barnes made a pained sound, but that didn’t hinder him from going down to his knees as well. “I pledge my sword to you, Your Majesty, if you’ll have a cripple.” There was real pain behind the crooked smile.

“I accept all of your pledges.”

“Your Highness-” Peter started but Tony, faster even than he would have believed to be able to move, had snapped around, one finger raised at the kid. 

“No! You’re already my apprentice, Peter. You do not pledge yourself for war. Your talents lie elsewhere.”

Opening his mouth as if to contradict Tony, he never found out whether or not Peter would actually contradict the High King to his soot smeared face, as Rogers interjected.

“Apprentice?”

“Wait, you are the one teaching Peter how to build my arm?” Barnes asked.

Turning back to Rhodey, who showed something that was far too close to humor in Tony’s taste, he raised his chin. 

Rhodey’s expression changed immediately. 

The both of them had changing from being brothers to High King and Knight down to a fine art.

“We need to get you to safety, Your Majesty.”

“No. We have to get the people to safety.”

“Your Majesty-”

“This is not a discussion.”

“If we lose you, Stone is the next in line.” Rhodey said, taking a step closer. “If you die, Tones, all the people will suffer even greater than they did under Howard.”

Glaring at his brother, Tony wanted to order him to shut up. But Rhodey was right. What they had heard out of Lord Stone’s lands was… troublesome, as Jarvis had put it, while glowering down at the report. 

Up until now, they hadn’t had any proof, hadn’t had any victims or witnesses coming forward aside from the spies Tony had planted among his servants. 

Still, Tony had started to apply more pressure, even if slowly, the nooze had started to tighten around Tiberius Stone.

“I should have known Stone would drop low enough to work even with Hydra.” 

“We didn’t have any information about that.” Rhodey said, while placing one of his gauntleted hands on his shoulder. “You need to save your people, Tones. Run.”

Staring into his brother’s eyes, Tony hesitated. He didn’t want to run. His life wasn’t worth more than that of any of his people. 

But in his blood was power. It was the thing that would give Stone the power to abuse the people of the Crown if he became High King.

“Don’t you dare die on me.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Rhodey moved forward, pressing his forehead to Tony’s for just a moment. A promise and a goodbye.

Moving back, all the masks slipped back into place and he let his eyes wander over the witnesses in the room.

By now they had gotten to their feet again, hefting their makeshift weapons.

“Rogers, protect Your Highness with your life and get him to safety, or by the Almighty I will find you wherever you hide and be it the underworld, to make you pay.”

Rogers, hesitated, before he bowed his head. “Yes, Sir Rhodes.”

“Stevie-”

“Sir Rhodes is now our commander.” Rogers looked over to his inner circle. “I’ll see you when the sun rises again. All of you.”

It was an oath and a threat in equal measures. 

Tony just hoped it would come true.

-o0o-

Having supplied the warlord and his most trusted with the best of Tony’s private weapons chamber had to offer, he, Rogers and Peter had broken away from the others to use one of the secret tunnels to flee out of the castle.

Every step further away from his people, away from Pepper, Jarvis and Rhodey, got harder and harder the further he rushed down the narrow tunnel.

He’d decided on this rough one, as it had never been finalized. If Stone had knowledge of the inner workings of the tunnel system, he’d know there were two that would even bring them out of the city walls and that were safer to rush through because the ground had been paved.

What Tony hadn’t had anticipated was how outdated Stone’s information would be.

Seeing a shimmer of a torch light, Tony’s brain took a second too long to realize what that meant. It was a second too long.

When he slowed his rush, the noise they had made had already been far too loud to hide their coming, even if he’d stopped himself and his companions before stepping out of the sharp curve into the wider part of a connecting tunnel.

“Come out, Anthony. I would so enjoy having you be hunted down like a rat but seeing you die shall make my day even better.” Stone called out.

Looking back, he saw fear on Peter’s expression and a professional mask on Rogers’. 

Leaning closer, while holding out the torch to the side, he pressed his lips to Peter’s ear.

“You stay here. No matter what you hear, you stay right here until you can save yourself. Keep to your left and follow the rougher tunnels. Always keep left.”

“Anthony, come out, come out. Try at least to show some decorum, will you?”

Pushing one of his daggers into Peter’s hands, Tony nodded towards Rogers, who nodded as well. 

It was a tight fit, but he was able to push past Peter and then follow Tony out of the smaller tunnel into the opening. 

Stone was surrounded by eight soldiers, two of his personal guards, showing his symbol, where the six others were displaying the Hydra seal, more than obvious through the flickering torchlight.

“Oh this is just too amusing.” Stone said, smiling mockingly. “The great Anthony the First, High King of the Realm and you have disguised yourself as a peasant to flee.” He glanced over to Steve, who had been giving all necessary amenities and plain clothes as their prisoner. “And you didn’t even take your pet Rhodes with you. That loyalty of yours apparently isn’t worth as much as you proclaim.” 

“What would you know of loyalty, Tiberius?” Tony asked, at least half of his brain power focussing on making a spectacle to protect Peter, still hidden in the tunnel.

“I advise you to ask your father about that when you meet him in the underworld.” Stone gloated, before turning towards one of the Hydra soldiers. “Kill them. Cut the King’s head off, I want to put it on a pike in the throne room.”

Glaring at Stone, Tony raised his chin. He wasn’t about to die without a fight and neither was Rogers.

Grabbing one dagger he’d kept, Tony ignored the belittling laugh from Stone. 

Rogers, stepping right beside him, had a dagger in one hand and his sword in the other, his eyes fixed on his opponents. “Stay behind me, Your Majesty.”

Tony never had the time to answer, as Rogers leaped forward, killing the two Hydra soldiers closest to him before they seemed to realize the brought shouldered man in the plain clothes was attacking them.

“What-” Stone started, but Tony, seeing his chance, threw himself forward, narrowly missing one of the soldiers in front of the traitorous Lord and rammed his dagger right between Stone’s ribs. 

Not chancing it, Tony ripped the blade back, to face the fight - just a moment too slow. 

A searing hot pain shot through his side and he wrenched himself to the side, his grip tightening on his own dagger. In front of him was one of the Stone soldiers.

“The Crown-” Tony never managed to finish that sentence, as Rogers rammed his sword right through the chest of the soldier, before turning his focus and blade back to the two last Hydra soldiers who were still standing.

Facing the last of the Stone soldier’s, Tony pressed his left hand to his bleeding side.

"Surrender now, soldier, or you will die a traitor like your Lord did.”

The soldier let go of his sword, and knelt down.

“Mercy, Your Majesty, I-”

But Tony was already focussing back on the fight to the side. Rogers had managed to injure one of the soldiers, who was now staying back, his sword arm hanging limp to the side.

“Surrender soldier, you-”

“Hail Hydra.” The soldier growled, his hate filled eye focussed on Tony as he jumped over the body of the first Stone soldier.

Going with the motion, Tony thrust the dagger upwards as he was taken down by the soldier, the flimsy armor almost crushing him beneath, even though the dagger went right into the soldier’s stomach, drenching Tony with hot blood.

“Your Majesty!” Rogers yelled, even though there was still the sound of a fight.

Trying to move, Tony realized he was literally caught between a rock and a hard place. His good arm was trapped between himself and the soldier, who, although dying, was still moving, still trying to inflict as much damage on Tony as he could.

“Hydra will-”

Tony would never find out what Hydra would, as two slim arms moved forward, grabbing the soldier from behind and ripped him back.

“Your Highness.” Peter stammered, his eyes on Tony, his face far too pale in the flickering light of the torch.

“Peter-” He wheezed, trying to tell the kid to hide, when Rogers stepped around him, kneeling down beside Tony.

“Your Majesty, what-”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine.”

Meeting the blue eyes, Tony forced a smile on his lips. “That’s also treason, Rogers.”

“The truth can’t be treason under a good King, Your Majesty.” Steve murmured, his hands wandering over Tony’s body and finding the still bleeding wound.

“Peter.” 

The kid moved, ripping off his overshirt and pressing it to Tony’s side.

“You’re going to be okay, Your Majesty, right, Steve?”

“Yes.” The former warlord put a reassuring hand on Peter’s shoulder. “I need to find Bruce, though.”

“No, we-”

“You promised to save your people, Your Majesty.” Rogers said, his voice warmer than Tony had ever heard it before. “You need to live for that. Let me honor my pledge.” 

Looking into the blue eyes and watching the warm smile, Tony couldn’t do much more than nod.

-o0o-

Rushing down the corridors, Tony looked over his shoulder, hoping against hope that he wasn’t still followed.

Almost running the last steps, he barely stopped in front of the oak door to hammer his hand against it.

“What the-” Rogers started when he opened the door, his eyes widening when he saw Tony.

Pushing past the Knight, Tony pushed the door closed behind him. Looking up at Steve’s blue eyes, he faltered.

“I… I had nowhere else to go.”

Steve, who had looked worried, now raised an eyebrow. “This is your castle, Your Majesty.”

“I know that but apparently no one else does! You should go out there and tell them!”

“Who are you running from, then?” Steve asked, waving for Tony to get further into his quarters.

“Bruce. If you’d listen to him, I’m still on death’s doorstep.”

“If I recall correctly, you did reinjure yourself yesterday, didn’t you?”

“Peter is a dirty liar, I-” Tony’s rant was stopped by a melodic laugh. A laugh he was chasing like a drowning man chased air.

“I’ll offer your refuge then… Tony.” There was still some uncertainty in the other man’s voice, but the happy smile betrayed his elation. 

“You’re too gracious, Sir Steve.” Sitting down on the chair he often used when visiting - not that he was visiting often or anything. Just everytime when he did visit, Steve had a chair for him. 

“It is a trait highly valued by the King I serve.”

Tony met the blue eyes and tried to not blush. But how could he not when Steve looked at him this… adoring. 

“Must be a good King then.”

“He is.”

Swallowing, Tony had no words to answer the conviction.

“There is nothing more important in my book.” Steve leaned forward, now, there was something else in his eyes, something daring, something determined. “Be it peasant or King, a man is judged by his actions, and my King does what is right.” 

There was a moment of silence, only interrupted by the crackling of the wood in the fireplace.

“Always?”

Steve nodded. “Always.”

Leaning forward, too, Tony pressed his lips to Steve’s feeling the warm breath hit his lips moments before Steve pressed forward, hungry for more, as if he was starving for Tony’s lips. 

Gasping a breath what felt like hours later, Tony leaned back, knowing full well his cheeks were flaming red now, probably mirroring the excitement on Steve’s expression.

This might be a bad idea, might start another uprising against him, if people found out he was in love with a former warlord.

Then again, last time he did something that provoked the enemies in his court, he allowed said warlord into his castle walls and that, Tony had to admit, had been one of his best ideas he ever had.