An Heir for the King
Despite his resigned words of the night before, the next morning found the king battling with himself. Standing in the courtyard, watching Sir James prepare Goliath for their journey, he projected misery.
He knew James had to go. This trip was tradition and the people on the border towns relied on it. The knight would gather information from townspeople and city watches to bring back to his king, and eliminate any threats they had been unable to take care of themselves. James would gauge the level of support for the new king, most of these people had never seen him, and answer questions they might have.
Though the postal service Queen Naomi had spent so much improving ran regularly even to the edges of the country, Sir James would carry special messages to the mayors and leaders of the border towns from the king himself.
And, more importantly, the Blessed Protector would spend significant time alone in the country, away from the noise and distraction of others. Time that he needed to refresh and replenish his abilities. It had been known for a hundred years that all who bore that mantle required this time in solitude.
But none of that was making the young king feel any better.
Straightening from checking Goliath's hooves, James gently polished the shining horn. The massive steed was decked out in his finest, black leather trimmed in silver. James himself wore his heavy leather armor over a suit of spun silver that caught the early dawn light and threw it back as a halo.
The annual departure of the Blessed Protector was a day of observance for the castle. The historian, Lady Emily Dee, was planted beside the herb garden, writing as fast as she could, while Lady Tacs strove to capture the moment in pencil, to turn into a portrait later. On the balcony over the kitchen, the one that extended from the throne room, the Herald Vyola stood ready to proclaim the news, which she would do for the rest of the day, throughout the capital city.
Blair had declined to watch from his balcony. It was the custom, but no one said anything, not even the Majestrix, who was there entertaining the visiting kings and other heads of state. Servants passed among them with trays of breakfast foods and the atmosphere was that of a wake; happy, sad, resigned. Blair was the king, if he wanted to start a new custom, then so be it. Instead of joining the other royalty, he sat on the kitchen steps, leaning elbows-on-knees, wearing his rough outdoor clothes, hair falling in his face, trying to be brave, unaware of the concerned glances that most cast upon him when he wasn't looking. The people of his court were gathered on the other side of the yard, watching him with worry, occasionally glancing up at the Majestrix and exchanging concerned looks.
"Sir James came to speak to me last night, before he retired to his chamber." Queen Kim spoke with quiet intensity. "He's worried that the king will be unhappy in his absence."
"How long does he think he will be gone this year?" now Prime Minister Yvonne threw a concerned glance at the knight, who was tying on saddlebags now.
"There was a report of a rogue bear in Wiffita, on the border of Highlander. He will probably have to deal with it. And there will be longer meetings with town councils, to discuss their concerns with the new king. At least a month, possibly two." Lady Margie added.
"We will have to make an effort to keep the king occupied." Yvonne decided.
There was a sudden flutter of movement at the steps and they all watched with expressions of fond exasperation as the lunatic Holly gamboled down and hopped nimbly over the king's head as it rested on his crossed arms. Blair started, and then smiled up at her, his face briefly beautiful in the early sunlight. Holly played with his hair for a minute and he let her, and she gifted him with a rare smile before turning and skipping away, back into the castle. Blair's attention turned again to his love, who was finishing with Goliath. The conversation resumed.
"Actually, I already have something in mind." Queen Kim nodded toward the king again. "I told Sir James that I was concerned about the lack of an heir, and that I was afraid that their extraordinarily close relationship would make it difficult for our young king to take a wife."
"How did he react to that?" Yvonne glanced again at the knight, who was just finishing his preparations.
"He admitted that it would be difficult for him as well, if the king were to take another lover, much less a bride."
Sir James gave Goliath a last pat and stepped away from him.
He turned slowly and faced the stairs. The king stood slowly, arms wrapped around himself, watching through the curtain of his hair.
James nodded at him. Lady Vyola's voice soared above them, carrying across the courtyard, as Captain Banks marched from the stable, a squadron of men forming up behind him, at attention. James turned slowly and met them with a half-bow.
"Let it be known throughout the kingdom of Senad...." Vyola's voice was strong and pure, a voice of impeccable authority. Banks stepped forward, his sword drawn and offered it to James, pommel first.
"The Blessed Protector of His Most Royal Highness King Blair, beloved son of Queen Naomi..."
"When did they add *that* to his title?" Lady Katrina whispered to Lady Denise.
"Now undertakes his annual quest for peace, to travel the borders of our beloved country..."
James accepted the weapon solemnly.
"And leaves King and Kingdon in the care of the Captain of the Guard, Lord Captain Banks of Seventhfloor." Vyola paused before delivering the last line. When she spoke again, everyone but the visiting dignitaries, most of whom had never seen this ceremony, spoke the words with her, creating a chorus.
"Blessed be the King, Blessed be the Kingdom." the words, carried by a hundred and more, rolled across the courtyard like a benediction. And then Blair spoke his part, not loudly enough, most had to strain to hear him.
"Blessed be the Protector." those close enough heard his voice break on the last word, a sob rising that he clamped down on fiercely.
There was a breathless moment of expectation.
"I turn my duty to you." the knight did not smile as he returned the sword to the captain.
"Safe journey, Blessed Protector." Captain Banks said loudly. Behind him the soldiers echoed his words quietly.
"Safe journey."
With a grimace James turned to bow low to the dignitaries gathered on the high balcony, then again to the Queen and her companions. As a courtesy, they all curtsied, none smiling.
Everyone was being very careful *not* to look at the king.
The soldiers parted for the night as he walked to his mount, waiting with well-trained patience in the center of the yard. James swung himself into the saddle of the huge horse and swung Goliath around to face Blair, who didn't move.
Clicking his tongue, James walked Goliath closer to the king, between the corridor of soldiers, until the animal was only a couple of feet away from the stairs Blair stood on.
Catching the king's eyes, James pressed his knees to Goliath's sides and leaned back, signalling him to go down to one knee, bending a forleg and bowing low to the king, who was staring wide-eyed now.
The knight didn't say a word. There was a murmur of appreciation from the assembled crowd.
Then he clucked Goliath back up and turned away, riding out of the square at a decorous walk. The soldiers fell back to form a wider corridor for his exit.
"JAMES! Wait!!"
Halfway across the square, the knight stopped Goliath and whirled him back around, to see the king pelting after him. James leaned over and Blair threw himself into his arms, letting the big knight straighten and pull the king onto the saddle before him, wrapping his own arms around James' broad waist, hiding his face in the crook of James' neck.
"My king?" James asked quietly, shaken by the fierce strength of the king's grip.
"I - I -" Blair stammered, nuzzling in deeper, uncaring of the audience that stared. There was a flurry of quiet worry from them.
"Shh, precious. It's going to be okay." James held him as tightly as the king held James, ignoring the worried glances and comments he was picking up.
"No, it's *not*. I can't, James! I can't bear to be without you." a shudder ran through the smaller man's frame.
"You can because you must." James kissed the soft hair, scenting it deeply. "I will miss you more than breathing." he whispered into the king's ear.
"James." it was a sob. Real tears were threatening.
"There, now." gently the knight pried the king loose and sat him a few inches back. Goliath snorted and shifted, annoyed by this nonsense. "It's okay to cry, love." James took the end of the fine embroidered scarf that was wrapped around the king's neck for warmth, and used it to wipe the tears that had begin falling slowly. "I'll be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, there is much for you to learn, and you have many good teachers here."
"I want *you*." Blair sniffed. Then he met James' loving eyes and took a deep, shaky breath, exhaling slowly.
"There." James encouraged. "You'll be too busy to miss me all the time. I'm sure the Queen and Prime Minister have plans for you."
"Not to mention the Makestrix." Blair managed a small smile. James stroke his face with the scarf again. Blair's hands on his 0stopped him and he watched while the king unwound the scarf and removed it. "Take this, James. Sleep with it on your pillow and think of me."
Crushing the soft linen in his hand, James' smile faltered.
"My king." he whispered.
"I love you." Blair turned and slid from Goliath's back. James leaned down, the scarf clutched in one hand, the fingers of the other tugging at the heavy ring on his pinkie finger. It came free reluctantly and he pressed it to Blair's palm, his bright blue eyes precariously wet.
"Wear this for me." James' words were halting. "Wear it close to your heart and think of me."
Blair brought the hand to his lips and kissed it, eyes closing briefly.
"I love you." he said again.
"My sun, my sky, my life." James sighed. Suddenly he was again aware of their audience. "Do what they want you to, my king." he said seriously. "Know that I understand."
The king glanced around them, blushing fainlty. Simon's men still stood stiffly at attention, and the Queen was studying him skeptically.
"I don't know if I can." he answered James honestly.
"Do what they want while I'm gone so that I do not have to see it." James pressed.
Blair's eyes were sad. he knew what the knight was saying.
"I will, my love."
They remained as they were for another few seconds. Then James pulled his hand away. His eyes caught Blair's once more and he smiled, his gentle smile.
"I'll be back soon." he promised.
"I'll be waiting." Blair brought the ring to his lips and kissed it as James watched.
Clapping his heels to Goliath's sides, James spun the animal on his haunches and thundered out of the courtyard.
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Stirring from his chair -- it was the one from the *room*, he had requested that it be moved to his bedchamber and replaced with another -- the king groaned quietly at the sensation of creaking bones.
It was very late. He had spent the day in solitude, unwilling to face the court with his pain so fresh. But that luxury wouldn't be allowed tomorrow, he knew he needed to get at least some sleep before he was woken at dawn.
Sadly he crawled into his bed, which felt far too big without James, and cold despite the multitude of wrapped rocks Jackie Cee had insisted on filling it with when he refused both her offer of bedwarming and Felice Mar's place beside him as courtesian.
Without James his life felt suddenly cold.
He curled over into ball, clutching a pillow tightly, and fought tears. Suddenly there was a warm weight on his side and a soft rumbling sound filled his ear as something damp and scratchy stroked his neck.
"Keeker." he opened his eyes and sighed, turning over a bit to let the cat get comfortable on his stomach. Green eyes half-lidded in contentment, the animal tucked it's paws neatly under it's chest and rumbled at him. "Well, I appreciate the gesture." Blair smiled a little and raised a hand to rub the tufted ears. "I'm not used to sleeping alone anymore."
The purring got louder and the king realized that he could talk to the cat as much as he wanted.
"It's not just that he's gone, you know." Blair fingered the stretchy gold collar, a souvenir of Keeker's most famous battle, in which he had anihilated a threat to the sanity of everyone in the kingdom, the dreaded gold thong, an insidious form of insanity. "I know what they're going to want me to do while he's gone. How am I supposed to choose? What Lady of the court will want me, knowing that I love him? I'm not even sure I want a child...can I be as good a parent as my mother was?"
The cat purred louder and nudged his hand, which was still playing with the remnants of the thong. He began scratching again, with a small smile.
"I'll just have to do what I have to do." he sighed, shifting to settle deeper into the pillows. "At least I don't have to sleep alone."
Keeker's purr proved an acceptable substitute for James' breathing, and the king slept.
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"You highness!" Lady Denise jumped when the king playfully covered her eyes with his hands from behind, and she stared momentarily, then chuckled with him. "It's before dawn, my king. What are you doing up so early?"
"Trying to enjoy the peace and quiet while there's still some of it left." he reached past her to snag a small loaf of nutbread, then hissed, juggling it from hand to hand.
"It just came from the oven." Lady denise scolded gently. "Here." she offered a cloth that he wapped around one end of the loaf, gingerly taking a bite out of the other, his mouth open as he breathed past it to cool it. "Juice?" she picked up the pitcher and he nodded.
She poured and smiled as he drank and chewed.
"You know you aren't supposed to be down here eating without Shawn, your highness."
"Are you trying to poison me?" his eyes twinkled.
"You may think so when you taste what I have planned for tonight." she teased back. "I'm cooking it for the Macleods. It's a specialty in their homeland."
"Gila preserve me, not *haggis*." Blair groaned. "I'd better eat well now, for I'll surely starve tonight."
He finished the loaf, watching the cook knead the bread dough for the day, and grabbed a couple of pieces of fruit that he stuffed into the pockets of his rough pants.
"Here, take this too." she stopped him with a hand one his arm and offered one of the large mushrooms that were grown in the cavern beneath the stable. Meaty and tender, with an indescribable taste, the king didn't much care where they came from as long as he could eat them. He took it with a grin and made his escape.
"I'd better get to my study before they start looking for me."
He was able to work for almost an hour before there was a knock at the door.
"Your highness?" it was Kathleen, his valet. She'd probably gone into his chamber to wake him.
"Come." he called, setting aside the screen. It was misbehaving, as it sometimes did. He'd have to see that Jackie Doublue took a look at it today, he needed it to mind.
"You had me worried, my'lord." Kathleen looked slightly miffed. "Kathi is preparing your bath and Queen Kim sent Lady Emily Dee with your schedule and you weren't there."
"Is Thordis up and about?"
"She's helping in the kitchen. We're short-handed with all of these guests."
"Most of them will be gone on a couple of days." Blair said. He cleared his desk and left the room. Kathleen fell into step behind him.
"Lady Emily is waiting for you in your chamber. She says that the day will be very busy and hopes you can go over your schedule as soon as possible."
They reached his chamber and he went in, stripping as he did. Kathleen followed, picking up the clothes as he handed them to her. Kathi was standing beside the large tub, scrub sponge and soap in hand.
He stepped into the tub and nodded at Kathleen.
"Send Emily in."
She curtsied and Lady Emily was promptly esconced in the second chair in the room. Everyone who worked close to the king already knew better than to sit in the chair he shared with Sir James.
"Go." he nodded to her when she held up the parchment that his schedule was written on. She read items off in a clear voice while Kathleen scrubbed him.
"Breakfast with the Majestrix. Then meetings with Exfilia, and the Federated Kingdoms. You're scheduled to lunch alone, but it will probably be something quick caught before you have to meet with the other heads of state. A court dinner, and the Queen has requested an audience afterwards. Tomorrow you will meet with anyone that doesn't see you today and finish up any businees that can't be completed today."
"Does everyone who makes a request expect it to be decided on by then?" he stood while Kathi rinsed, pouring water over his slender, muscled body.
"No, your higness. As rulers themselves, they recognize that some things will take longer to decide."
"Good." he stepped from the tub and took the towel from Kathi's hands to dry himself. He wasn't unaware of the surreptitious glances the three women were throwing him. At least they found him attractive, that would make it easier for whomever he did choose. "I need to make one change."
"Yes?" her hand hovered over the page, ready.
"I need at least an hour to myself sometime during the day, before dinner. If I have to postpone a meeting until tomorrow, so be it, but I *need* that time."
"Yes, your highness." she frowned and wrote it in.
"Lady Emily." her head snapped back up. He was standing before her, a small smile on his face as Kathllen efficiently dressed him. "Please, m'lady, no more 'your highness'. A simple m'lord will do."
"If that's what you want, m'lord." she smiled back and he decided that this might not be so bad after all.
Eight hours later, as he dragged himself from another meeting, he decided that he'd been wrong. It was worse than he'd thought. All the other kingdoms had offers to make, advice to give. There were trade negotiations he needed to get up-to-date on, economic issues he hadn't had the chance to study yet, even an offer of marriage one of the Federated kingdoms. It seemed that Lady Kira of D'Nine was willing, as long as her private bodyguard Sir Odo was welcomed with her.
He glanced about and saw, with relief, that the hall was empty. This was the back hall, which led to the back staircase, which in turn led, in a roundabout way, to the wing that housed his chambers.
If he followed it past that turnoff it would take him directly to the stables, and that was were he wanted to go.
The stablemaster was startled to see him. Hands full with a young animal, the master could only nod as the king strode in and began to work his way down the stalls, greeting and getting to know the animals there.
"My mother's mare." he stopped the pet the cream-colored animal that whickered softly at him and nuzzled for a treat. "Dreamer." he crooned her name the way his mother had taught him to speak to horses.
"She'll be put out to pasture this year, your highness, unless you wish to keep her. She's old enough and she's earned her retirement." the master worked the young animal into a stall and joined the king. "I knew you would be here soon and I think I have the right mount for you." he gestured further back into the darkness and Blair folowed, intrigued.
"She's only greenbroke, but I remember that you rode well, you should be able to handle her." the stall door was opened and a very tall mare led out the back door and into the sunlight.
The king gasped in delight.
A pearl grey, the mare's coat shone silver in the sun, her mane and tail glistening white, her horn absolutely shimmering.
"She's beautiful."
"I haven't named her yet. She was only brought in a week ago. Your mother heard of her and sent for her. I think she meant her to replace her mount."
Blair's eyes misted as he stepped up to stroke the beauty's neck. She tossed her head and danced a couple of steps away.
"Lively, isn't she?"
"She'll be a handful."
"She's perfect. You were right. I want to try her." the king waited impatiently as the mare was saddled for him. He swung up carefully, remembering how long it had been since he rode, at least by himself.
The silver mare was only a hand or two shorter than Goliath, but not nearly so massive. She moved smoothly as she danced and he gathered her up, thrilled by her instant response to his commands.
"She's like a summer stream." he beamed. "Moves like water flowing."
"Shall I open the gate?" the stable master asked.
The king nodded. He took his new lady out into the meadow behind the castle, where festivals and competitions were held. It was a huge place, filled with late flowers and tall grasses.
Riding slowly through the quiet peace that hummed with birds and insects, Blair gave his mind a chance to relax.
He thought about James. He'd promised himself that he would take time to do that every day, afraid that he would forget some dear part of his lover. Today he remembered the knight's strong hands. The way they lifted him effortlessly, the roughness of their callouses as they stroked his body, the tenderness in them as they soothed him.
He pulled from his reverie at last and looked up at the sky, judging the time. He'd probably been too long. The mare was contentedly pulling at the clover she had stopped in and it made her unhappy when he pulled her head back up, but she was eager when he put her to a canter and they loped back to the stable -- where Lady Emily waited for him, a frown on her face.
"Isn't she wonderful?" he asked, swinging down and giving the nare a brisk rub on the head. She nudged his chest, almost unbalancing him, and he chuckled, scratching beneath the leather straps of the bridle. "I'm going to call her Ripple."
"She is wonderful." his assistant agreed. "But you are late for a meeting with the MacLeods."
"They are understanding men." Blair allowed the stable master take Ripple from him. "Have nameplates made for her bridle and stall door." he instructed.
"Very good sir. I like it." she was led away and Blair had to return to being the king again.
"Okay." he fell into step with Emily as they walked back to the castle. Briefly he worried about going into the meeting smelling of horse, but both of the MacLeods were sportsmen and riders -- they would understand. "What's the word on Highlander? Are they going to ask for anything that will be difficult to give?"
"Most of our trade with them is in exotic foodstuffs, like the mushrooms and Lady Dallas' chocolates..." she briefed him as they walked.
"So how is our princess?" Blair asked cheerfully, sitting back to sip the excellent wine Sir Connor had brought. It was a long-standing joke throughout the land; if there's a good wine within a hundred miles, Lord Sir Connor would find it. This one was a gift, several dusty bottles that the king planned to save for James' return.
The mild joke brought a smile to Sir Duncan's face and a scrowl to Connor's.
"Ryawan has proven without a doubt that she's every bit as stubborn as both of us." Duncan chuckled. Blair grinned with him. He could call the crown princess of Highlander 'ours' because she was the daughter of Duncan and the executioner, though she'd spent most of her life with her father and uncle. Lady Saraid's life did not lend itself to childrearing, but she hadn't seemed too upset by it.
The larger of the ambassadoors was pulling on a leather strip that was tied around his neck. At the end of it was a locket of beaten silver that he opened carefully and offered to the king. The gesture reminded Blair of the braided loop that now circled his own neck, the ring with Sir James' family crest carved into it lying just beside his heart, warming him.
Blair took what Duncan offered gently and held it close to the candle.
It was a miniature portrait, barely an inch across and maybe an inch and a half tall -- but it caught all of Ryawan's dark beauty and graceful innocence.
"It will just kill us when she leaves." Duncan took it back, accepting the look in Blair's eyes as the compliment she deserved.
"She's not going anywhere." Conor snapped, and Blair gave him a worried glance. The rumor was that the Majestrix herself had tapped Ryawan for an ambassador's post, possibly even here, so the girl would get to know her mother...was the ambassador thinking of defying that order?
Well, it wasn't his problem, in any case, unless Saraid asked him to get involved, which was unlikely. The exectutioner was known for her reticence to become involved in normal everyday matters, even her own.
"I can see why you'd be loathe to let her go." he said softly, then stood, finishing his glass. "I need to freshen up before dinner, may I take my leave from you?"
They stood as he did, exchanging nods of rank before turning away.
"I've heard that your cook is preparing something special tonight." Duncan teased on his way out the door. "You *know* we'll take it as a personal offense if you don't eat it...."
"That is so not fair!" the king scolded as they left, with a groan of laughter. It was obvious that the ambassador wasn't going to let him forget...
He had first met the brothers MacLeod when he was seven. His mother had just returned from a long journey, before his grandfather died, and he'd been pretty much running wild while she was gone.
The stories of the people of Highlander; their long lives, the cruel game they played on a kingdom-wide level, fascinated the boy prince. He'd been expecting at least one bloody challenge during their stay and had been terribly dissapointed when all but one of the visiting party were in Family-phase, as the breaks they took from the game to raise their children were called. Every hundred years they were allowed thirty to marry, have children and raise them until they were ready for the game. Duncan's wife from his previous phase, a Lady Tessa, was gone, but his first child, a brash redhead named Richard, was been with him. Richard had definitely *not* been in Family-phase. But the ambassador had taken to the executioner-in-training and proven to be a romantic fool, which hadn't set well with Blair's dreams of swordfights and bloody duels. But his imagination probably could have withstood even that -- if Duncan hadn't introduced him to *haggis*. The revolting delicacy stripped every ounce of glamour from the Highlanders and Blair had realized, for the first time, they they were only people, despite their lifespan and romantic-seeming games.
It was a realization that had stood him in good stead now, as he met them for the first time as an equal.
A quick cleanup, assisted by Kathleen, and into court dress -- he was running late, so he dashed down the backsteps two at a time and entered the ballroom just as the rest of the court got to their seats. With a wave of his goblet he got things started quickly, wanting to get it over with, suddenly tired and lonely again.
The court noticed that the king ate little, although Denise had provided several delicious options to the haggis.
"I hope he isn't worrying about our conference after dinner." the Prime Mininister said thoughtfully.
"Lady Kathleen reported that she found him in his study before dawn. He's probably exhausted." Queen Kim decided.
"Perhaps that will make it easier for him to agree to my proposal." Majestrix Ann eyed the young king speculatively. "You realize that I am only agreeing to this because you talked me into it." she sounded reserved now.
"Yes, your majesty." Yvonne demurred. "We understand."
"If he won't go along with it you'll have to see him wed."
"He'll agree, as soon as he understands the alternative." Kim said firmly.
Hovering over the table, watching the servers, fretting over the wine and presentation of dishes, the chatelaine Margie also noticed the king's dejection. But she had an idea to cheer him up, and, with a wave, brought Thordis to her side, away from the table she was sharing with several other young women of the court, the ladies Brandy, LauraPeck, Kathy Eff, at loose ends with Sir James gone, Leah and the also somewhat dejected Lady Shea. The table next to them was filled with Lord Paul and Lord Justin and the musicians, Lisa and R'Rain and the Amazon Scholar Arete, all of whom watched with open curiousity as Thordis worked her way around the room to the high table, where the Lady High Punstress sat with the other court members.
Lady Mysti laugh softly at whatever the king's page had to say and stood, her goblet held high. The low noise of voices quieted and the king looked up at her, his eyes questioning, lips pursing thoughtfully.
"It has been many long months since I recieved a dinner challenge." she spoke thoughtfully. "After a minute of thought, I've chosen the topic for the night: *birds*." she paused while people variously frowned, muttered, and figuratively scratched their heads. "As always, the head of the table shall begin, but this night is speacial becuase it is our young king's first attempt at the game." her smile was wide and encouraging.
With a slow shake of his head, Blair took up his own glass and stood, looking over the crowd. He took a sip, his expressive face clearly showing his rapidly turning thoughts.
"Very well." he said with a heavy sigh that sounded defnitely faked. "I suppose that I must play. After all, the king is supposed to be a good sport, and not be *bittern*."
A quick laugh greeted his final word and Blair gestured at Shawn with a grin. Shawn stood and laced his hands behind his head, leaning back thoughtfully.
"Since the king's return to court I have held my tongue about his many childhood escapades. But now I must confess that most of them weren't really his idea, though he got into the most trouble. I know it embarrasses him to hear it, but he was such a sweet child and I bossed him around terribly. You see, Ladies and Lords, our dear king, as a child, was awfully *gull*ible."
A general groan met Shawn's pun. His tablemates showered rolls on his head as he sat, grabbing one of the missiles and tossing it to Lady Arete, who blushed, but stood tall.
"This is much better." Katrina whispered to Margie. "Good idea."
"It's been awhile." the chateliene whispered back as the roll was passed again, this time to Lady Dallas, who made a lewd reference to coming upon the king and Sir James in the courtyard the day before, her comment about Blair's 'eagle eye' obviously meant to tease him about the attention he'd been paying to a particular part of the knight's anatomy. This brought a roar of laughter.
By the time the thread had worked it's way around the room, the roll having become the baton, the puns were getting thin and the laughs louder. The king cracked up along with everyone else as Bard Lisa struggled to work the word 'sparrow' into an amusing story. By the time it got back to the king he was shaking his head in earnest, one hand pushing his loose hair back from his head as he stood again.
"All right, everyone." his grin told them he'd thought of something. "I've decided that I'm going to break a *cardinal* rule tonight; I'm going to admit that I hate Haggis!"
Duncan MacLeod's shout of laughter was more for the announcement than the pun, but it ended the game on a good note and the king did seem to be in a better mood as desert was brought out.
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"Yes, I know why you want to talk to me." Blair sat heavily, his earlier good mood fading as he faced the women he was responsible to. The Majestrix, Queen Kim, and Prime Minister Yvonne all faced him from a semi-circle of chairs before his desk. "I'll father a child for the sake of the kingdom...but I will not take a wife that I cannot love."
"We appreciate your position, Blair." Ann was the only one present who could call him by his name without permission.
"We've come to a compromise that we think will suit both you and the Blessed Protector." Kim added. Yvonne picked up.
"With the recent attempt on your life and your lack of close relatives, you know that the line is in danger. You must have an heir, my king."
"I know." he sighed heavily.
"If you make a good faith effort while Sir James is away, we promise to drop the subject after he returns. If an issue is not forthcoming, then you will try again next year."
"I wanted to accompany him next year." the king's eyes were suddenly wet, but he did not cry.
"You know better, your highness. Until you have 'an heir and a spare', as it is often crudely put, we can't allow you to travel from the castle for weeks on end."
The king lowered his head, hiding his face. When he spoke, his words were harsh and more than a little bit angry.
"I will not choose."
The ladies exchanged glances. They hadn't expected this reaction.
"Then we will choose for you."
"How many?" he blurted out as an afterthought, staring at them, eyes wide.
"Hmmm." the Majestrix took that one, pondered over it. "One lady a week, until Sir James' return."
The king covered his face with a hand and stifled a moan.
"It's not such a terrible thing." Kim reached and stroked his shoulder. "No one will be forced. I promise that they will all come to you willingly."
He nodded once. When he spoke his voice was hoarse.
"When?"
Tomorrow night we will start. The guests will be gone."
"A different chamber." he said, making it an order. "Not the *room* and not my bed."
"Of course, your highness." Yvonne nodded. "Katrina will see to it."
"And I don't want them to talk about it. If one gets pregnant, fine, but I will not be discussed idly."
"They will understand." Kim agreed, the determination on her face making it clear that they *would*.
There was an uncomfortable silence that stretched for long minutes.
"How will you choose?" he asked at last.
"A private lottery among the ladies of the court." Kim suggested.
"We will choose carefully." Yvonne assured him. "Now, you are very tired. Why don't you retire for the night?"
"Thank you. I think I will." Blair stood and walked slowly from the room. Behind him the women commiserated with his obvious misery.
"He needs his mother." the Majestrix sighed.
"He's strong." Yvonne said softly. "He'll adapt."
"He has to." Kim agreed.
Keeker was waiting for Blair when he got to his room. At least Jackie Cee and Felice had taken his instructions to heart, so his chamber was empty, the bed seeming to rise from the floor like an island in a sea of sadness. He fell into it and dreamed a sweet dream of his knight.
*****************************************************************
Sharp pricks into his chest woke him. He gently shifted Keeker so the kneading claws worked into his linen nightshirt, and opened his eyes.
Beside him, on James' pillow, was a single sheet of parchement.
Reaching for it, aware that his hand was shaking, the king pulled it closer and read it in the early morning light.
It was a list of names; all ladies of the court who would be in the lottery for his favors. All of the women of childbearing age were represented on it. Skimming it, he realized that it wasn't so much the idea of sleeping with them, it was that they weren't James. He felt as if he were betraying his lover, his beloved.
But it was what he had to do.
He couldn't go back to sleep, but Keeker's gentle purr and comforting movements allowed him to rest quietly until Kathleen came to wake him.
He noticed the tinge of pink on her cheeks but decided not to ask.
The day was spent in normal pursuits. When he rode out on Ripple ths time his bodyguard Laura was beside him on her chestnut charger. And he added another item to his daily schedule; a training session with Kathy Eff. He would never be able to wield a sword as well as James, but he had the potential to be resonably good, despite his lack of stature.
He knew that the high court members spent the day interviewing the ladies of the court, so he stayed away, hiding in his study when he wasn't out riding or working with Kathy Eff. He ate lunch in the kitchen with Shawn and Justin, seeking the company of men. They didn't mention what was happening, though they of course knew, and Blair was grateful.
It was very late when he emerged from his study. He planned on having a quick - private - bath, and then hunting down Katrina to find out where he was expected to go. But he'd been anticipated. There was a note on his bed and a steaming tub of water by the fire. He waited to read the note after his bath, which he tried to enjoy, but he was too tightly wound and had to give it up. The note was short and to the point.
West tower, top room.
Well, he consoled himself, at least it was private.
*****************************************************************
There were no lights in the tower room. The candle the king carried was burned down and only lit the next step. When the door opened before him he drew in a quick breath and bit the inside of his cheek to keep from saying something stupid.
He followed her into the room, setting the candle on the table in front of the fire.
She sat on the bed and smiled at him, a mischevious twinkle in her eye.
"Your highness." she patted the bed beside her. "I was beginning to think you weren't going to make it."
"I was catching up on the supply lists." he muttered, still standing. There wasn't any furniture in the round room save the table, the large four-poster bed hung with draperies for warmth, and a wardrobe beside the shuttered window. He knew that the tapestries on the walls had been hung there for the comfort of the entourage from Forever, who liked things kept as warm as possible, but now they added to the cave-like atmosphere.
"Far more interesting than anything I could do." now her smile was teasing.
His answering grin was rueful and he sat beside her, not too close, mumbling an apology.
"No, I just wasn't paying attention to the time..."
"I want you to know that I asked for this, your highness." she said softly, humor fading. "When my name was drawn I asked if I could go first. The most important thing to me here is that Sir James keep his place at your side. He's never been happier than since you returned."
"Thank you." he covered her hand on the thick comforter with his own and gave it a squeeze.
"I know that we could raise a child together." her smile returned.
"But...I have to ask." he looked away, unwilling to meet her eyes as he asked the question. "Is it me you really want, or the chance to have my child? I mean, do I..."
"Do you attract me? Your highness, have you looked into a mirror lately?!" now she laughed out loud. "Do you think we throw ourselves at you just for your position?"
"Well, I had wondered..." he could meet her eyes now. "You know I've never done this - with a woman - before."
"You'll do fine. It's not so different." she whispered as he slid his arms around her warmth, letting him take the lead.
And, indeed, he found that it wasn't.
*****************************************************************
The rustle of the tree limbs over his head woke him.
Sir James sat abruptly, night-sighted eyes searching for the familiar form of Goliath, picking the horse's darkness out of the darkness that surrounded him.
Raising his head from his doze, the animal snorted and trotted over, the ground literally shaking as he moved.
James closed his eyes as the great head came to his face and warm clover-scented breath huffed over his skin.
Reaching a shaky hand, he stroked the thick neck, laying his cheek on the hard flat bone of Goliath's broad face.
It had to be this way.
He knew that. It was the only way he could keep the king... *Blair*...as his. By sharing him.
These times alone in the woods served more purpose than letting him adjust his senses in solitude, although no one -- with the possible exception of Captain Banks, who had studied the histories more extensively than any man he knew -- was aware of the second objective; release.
The Blessed Protector needed to lose control. Needed to let his senses sweep over him and carry him away, to drown in them. Purging them, so that he could control them the rest of the time.
But letting go of his senses meant letting go of his emotions.
This had never been a problem before. Even when he was younger and his heart ached for the young man he'd fallen in love with but knew he couldn't have, even then it hadn't been so bad. The emotion had been all his, the pain and bittersweet pleasure still private and hidden.
Now, this time, here alone in the deepest part of the northern forest, he was no longer alone. The memory he carried of Blair was alive and eating at him in his absence.
This time he would suffer the ache of a missing love, not unrequited. Compounded by the knowledge of what his love was doing in his absence.
James stood slowly, gently pushing Goliath's head away. The steed backed a couple of steps but didn't leave his side. James leaned against him to strip off his tight trous, grateful for the solid warmth.
There was more to the charger than anyone else knew. His line could be traced directly back to the first unicorn-horse cross in ancient times. Unicorns were so rare now as to be considered extinct, though James had found evidence of one or two in his time. In the chargers the affinity for virgins had been bred out and deliberately replaced with an attachment for humans with heightened senses...the ones who eventually became the Blessed Protectors as humankind matured. The rest of the breed had been bred for looks, the bloodline diluted until they were just barely smarter-than-average especially pretty horses, but not Goliath's line. Far smarter than any horse, Goliath could, when needed, make a jump in intelligence that was remarkable.
He would watch over the knight during this ordeal. Protect the Protector. As his ancestors had done for generations.
Now naked, Jim sat on his blanket and closed his eyes, folding his legs into a comfortable position. He had no idea where or when he would wake up or what conditon he would be in...but he knew he was safe when Goliath again lowered his great head and nuzzled the bare flesh of the knight's back, radiating heat.
James sighed and repeated the words silently to himself.
"I am relaxed. I am relaxed. I am relaxed..."
The king rolled lazily onto his side and lifted the lady's hand, kissing it gently. She smiled and stroked a lock of hair back from his face.
"I'm going now." he whispered.
She didn't object and he realized that she truly did understand. Brushing a kiss over her brow, he left the chamber and walked the silent hallways, deep in thought.
It hadn't been so bad. Actually, it had been quite nice. She was funny and pretty. A good teacher, willing to tell him what she wanted and encourage him when he did it.
But she wasn't James. And deep in his heart the king felt an ache blossom.
He knew it would grow until his true love returned.
Please, Gila, let him get back before that's all I can feel, he prayed silently.
*****************************************************************
The rest of the week passed peacefully for the kingdom. On the first evening of the new week, Blair sat in contemplation while the rest of the household was at dinner, and considered the sunset, knowing that James would also be watching it from across the miles.
Once, not long after his arrival at the monastery, he had wanted to know what life meant. He'd asked Father Jeremy, read a ton of the gathered books, pestered other students, and found no answer. At last Father Jeremy had taken him to the small town nearbye and walked him through it on a busy day.
People had been going every which way. Some plodding, some walking, some hurrying. Children had dashed past them in packs, giggling, shouting, fighting,laughing. Prents had scolded, encouraged, threatened. Merchants had alternately praised their wares and belittled their competitors. Husbands and wives, girlfriends and beaus, brothers and sisters, whores and clients, they'd all added their bit to the maelstrom.
It had been noisy and dusty and boringly normal.
Blair had stopped asking about the meaning of life, but he'd never understood what Father Jeremy had been trying to tell him that day.
But tonight...sitting on the stairs, wondering if the shipment of grain would come in the next morning like it was scheduled to, hoping that the rain would hold off until the squash and pumpkins ripened, at least another week, remembering Denise's smile when he'd stolen a sweet from the kitchen that morning before taking off on his ride...tonight he understood.
Life was meant to be lived. There was no meaning beyond that.
He felt calmer now, more accepting. Perhaps he wasn't quite ready to be a parent but was anybody really? He'd learn as he went along and just be thankful that he wouldn't have to train his child to fight for his life like a Highlander, born with a sword in his hand and the driving urge to kill in his heart. Thinking like that made him understand why the Majestrix thought it best to get Ryawan Macleod out of the country; half-breeds seldom did well in their great game, the killing urge wasn't strong in them and they often had trouble finishing off their challengers.
He would welcome her here, he decided. It was the right thing to do.
And going back to the tower and doing his duty to another lady of the court was also right, even if the idea still tasted funny in his mouth.
Damn. His back hurt.
There was a foul taste in his mouth.
Turning his head to one side, James spit forcefully, trying to evict whatever had nested behind his teeth. A clump of damp leaves and dirt crumbled out and he gagged, then coughed.
The movement of his chest forced him to sit, painfully pulling himself up to his knees, more leaves and mud sticking to the front of his bare body.
He groaned quietly and then there was warmth beside him as Goliath stood over him, sheltering him. The charger lowered himself laboriously to his knees and lay still, close enough that all James had to do was lean to the side to curl into his warm side, the trailing length of the heavy mane reminding him of Blair's soft curls.
Sore and tired, the Blessed Protector returned to himself and rested beside his mount, comforting himself with memories of his love, and anticipation of their reunion.
*****************************************************************
"M'Lady!" the king stopped in the hall, startled. He had left his newest consort, unable to sleep, so he'd been pacing the back halls, trying to keep his restless fears under control.
The Lady High Insomniac Merry looked him over and frowned.
"Your Highness. I believe you should have taken advantage of my services sooner."
"No, I don't want..." he pased and scolded himself mentally. "Yes, of course, M'Lady. It's been irresponsible of me to continue this way. I have too much to do to be exhausted all the time."
"Then get on with you." she said gently. "I left a potion beside your bed. And you really should consider consulting Jannette or perhaps Jackie Doubleu, just to ease your mind."
"If he's not back soon," the king said softly, "I will."
"Good." Ever-sleepless herself, the Lady breezed down the hall, looking for others in need of her specialized attentions.
In his chamber the king dressed for bed -- he's found it easier to sleep in a night shirt in James' absence -- and drank down the slightly bitter potion that was warming by the fire. Keeker was already in his lace on the bed, and there was a shadow by the fireplace that hunted at the elusive second castle cat. Blair had heard of him, but never actually seen him. As far as he knew, no one else had either, except the lunatic Holly and the village idiot Linda. But it was believed that both those women could see beyond what everyone else could, and it never hurt to be polite. So as he crawled into the bed, one hand reaching to stroke Keeker, the king addressed the enigmatic presence.
"You're always welcome here, Burnaby, I hope you know that. You can join Keeker on the bed or be comfortable by the fire." the king settled into his pillows and watched with satisfaction as the shadow appeared to shift, stretch, and then situate itself closer to the banked heat.
Eyelids sliding down, the potion taking effect, the king let his thoughts wander, focusing on the experiences of the past few weeks. He'd never known that women could be so different and so wonderful. At last he understood why so many had pursued his mother. It hadn't just been her substantial beauty, but her warm and vital nature.
Of the wonderful women he'd spent his time with these past few weeks, he was unable to choose a favorite. They were all so unique, each special in her own way. One liked to laugh and tease. Another was serious. One liked it slow and tender. Another had begged for hard and fast, shown him how much he could like that. Each was special and each memory was to be treasured.
But he was far past ready to have his beloved home beside him.
Keeker snuggled to his chest as the king drifted to sleep.
"Sir James!" the guard at the gate was an elderly man that the Blessed Protector knew well from past visits. He always worked the night shift, once telling the knight that since his wife passed on that he couldn't sleep at night anyhow, so he might as well put it to good use. "We've been expecting you. Have a busy time this year?"
James swung off Goliath and walked with the man, helped him close the gate. He knew that it would have been closed at sunset, but they had been watching for him.
"William." he embraced the man gently. "How are the grandchildren?"
"Well, now there's the thing..." they walked together through the cobbled street. It was a prosperous little town, getting bigger every year. William still lived in the little three-room house he'd built with his own hands for his new bride so many years ago, and James had stayed in his front room every visit for the past ten years. "We'd like you to have a look at the new one...he's driving his mama crazy...won't sleep unless she swaddles him tight, won't eat anything but her milk or boiled water, wakes up and cries at any little sound...."
Goliath trailing right behind him, James listened with increasing interest as William listed many of the traits of an infant Protector. He'd been actively searching for his replacement since he took the title. And he may have found him at last.
"My daughter's husband is a good man, he works on the big pig farm on the other side of town and he grows the best vegetables in the country in his garden..." William chatted on while James squelched his excitement. It could be a false alarm, as had so many others been.
But a successor meant that he could, perhaps, retire to spend his final years at Blair's side, in peace. That was his dream.
*****************************************************************
"Your highness."
The king turned, startled by the interruption. Behind him Lady Wanda made an exasperated noise and swatted his butt.
"Ow!" the king yelped in an undignified maner and rubbed the stinging spot.
"It'll hurt worse if you don't stand still until I get these pins out." the seamstress warned.
"I'll be good." Blair replied with amusing sincerity, and the assistant wardrobe mistress, Lisa, giggled, holding out the pincushion to Wanda.
Blair wanted to shake his head in amusement but feared another dignity-damaging swat. As they had built up his wardrobe over the past few weeks these three women; the Wardrobe Mistress Scarlett and her assistant, the Seamstress Wanda, had proven that royalty was no defense for fidgeting. This was, fortunately, the last fitting for the new clothes, half of which he'd requested -- riding clothes, tough outdoor things, comfortable stuff for indoors -- and half that Queen Kim and Lady Scarlett had gotten together and decided he needed; suits of velvet and fur and long robes for state dinners.
The Lady Thordis looked worried, but she was waiting patiently for him to respond to her.
"I'm sorry, Thor. What did you need to tell me?"
"There's been a message recived, your highness. The Queen and Prime Minister request your presence in the conference room as soon as possible."
This sounded serious.
"Ladies, I need to get out of this." he said, allowing a touch of authority into his tone. They heard it and promptly began working the garment, a heavy velvet coat, off of him, only sticking him once or twice. It always struck him that he could pinpoint -- no pun intended, Lady Mysti, he thought quickly -- the moment he became the king again after someone relaxed around him. But it was necessary.
The Queen and Prime Minister weren't the only ones waiting for him. There was also a woman he didn't know, and the scholar Lady Arete.
"We have a problem, your highness." Kim addressed him and bowed formally. Blair took his seat at the head of the table and wished breifly for James' presence to calm him.
"This arrived today by special courier." Kim handed him a folded parchment. "I took the liberty of reading it, as I usually handle the trade negotiations with the lands across the water." she referred to the seldom-visited country of Conservatia, the only land they could reach by sailing ship. They had begun trading with them only a few years before, and reports of the strange customs and cruel habits there had made the kingdom leery of binding themselves closely to them, so no treaty had ever been offered. A land that practically enslaved its women and punished those who refused to follow their vindictive god was not ruled by people the kingdom of senad felt they could trust.
Opening the letter, Blair read, his eyes growing wide as he tried to interpret the heavy-handed imagery.
"Yes, we had to call the Rhetoritician, Lady Lucy." Kim smiled grimly. "To make sense of it."
Blair looked at her expectantly. She rose and her voice was soothing, calm.
"Basically it says that they can no longer trade with us because we have allowed a 'deviant' to take the throne." she began quoting directly; "It was bad enough when your queen was an unmarried woman of loose morals, but a sexual deviant cannot be allowed to rule any land that contminates ours as yours does."
"Deviant?" the king blinked, confused. "What does that mean, I'm a deviant? I thought deviant was something used to describe something mathmatical or somesuch."
"Apparently in Conservatia, relations between two people of the same sex are illegal, and punishable by death." Yvonne spoke quietly.
"*What?!*" Blair jumped from his seat with shout. Lady Lucy took a nervous step backwards and he hastened to reassure her. "No, m'lady, it's not you. I am just so stunned....how do they choose their mates? Do they deliberately close off any feelings they have for someone close to them because that person is the wrong *sex*? How do their soldiers bond before a battle?" he clamped his mouth shut to stop his babbling and gestured at Lucy to sit. "How long have they felt this way?"
"Apparently always. But they had no proof that we *condoned* -- their word, not mine -- these relationships. One of their ships was in harbor during your challenges and their sailors gossiped extensively. Now we know that they were gathering information on you."
"What do we think they're going to do about it?"
"Besides cutting off trade? I'm not sure." Yvonne said thoughtfully.
"There is some chance that they will attack." Kim sounded angry. "Apparently their belief system requires that they force others to convert to it 'for their own good'."
"I'm still just so shocked." Blair wasn't quite caught up with them yet. "To choose or reject a person based on their sex and not how you feel about them. To condemn a person because of who they *love*!"
"It is almost beyond belief." Yvonne agreed.
"I'll need to think about this." the king said. "First, do we have anyone who's qualified to go over there and listen around a bit?"
"Lady Shea has been restless of late, and she's entirely capable of defending herself in any circumstances. We can put her on a small boat." Kim offered.
"Do it. Make sure she understands that she is only to gather information and not risk herself."
"Of course. Anything else?"
"No, we'll just give it a few days and see what they say. Oh, and we must draft a reply to this. Lady Shea can deliver it."
"No, she cannot. They do not accept women in positions of autrhority unless there is a man supervising her."
"Curiouser and curiouser." the king muttered darkly. "Fine. Send a second ship, with another to deliver our answer."
"Perhaps, your highness, you should wait until tomorrow to compose the reply." Lady Lucy suggested delicately. "You are overwrought now, some time in thought may make the answer more acceptabe to them."
He shook his head and then sighed, rubbing at his eyes with the palms of his hands.
"Yes, you're right. I'll think on it and meet with you after breakfast." the king stood slowly. "M'lady Thor, would you fetch Lady Deb to my chamber?"
"Are you feeling well, your highness? I will send for Legion." Yvonne asked quickly.
"It's just a headache. Legion has many other people to care for, this isn't important enough to bother her with."
"If you say so, your highness."
Blair frowned at the title and then shrugged. Though she didn't always use it, obviously she felt that this was a time and place that she should.
"I'll be fine. Deb can bring me a powder for the headache and I'll catch up on my sleep."
"An excellent idea." Kim proclaimed and Blair knew that Lady Merry had reported his continung use of sleeping potions. The longer Sir James was gone, the harder it became for the young king to sleep without his warmth.
Pray to Gila he comes home soon, Blair told himself as he walked back to his chamber. If we go to war he will be desperately needed.
*****************************************************************
"pssswss. whisper, whisper, rustle. shuffle."
The king rolled restlessly, drifting toward consciousness, hearing soft sounds and hushed whispers.
"Shhhh. Sleep, little one." the deep husky whisper reached through his dreams and soothed him. The king rolled back to his side and curled around a pillow with a sigh, mumbling as he sank again into dreams.
"come back soon James...."
Sunlight streamed through the large window of the chamber, shutters flung wide. Blair sat, remembering his dream with a sad smile, looking around.
He'd slept very late. Damn, he was supposed to have a conference with the court after breakfast. But he'd needed the rest, and his head had finally stopped hurting....his vision came to rest on the chair he shared with James and widened dramatically.
There was a set of clothes draped over the back of the chair.
Not Blair's clothes. Silvery leathers, splashed with mud and caked with road-dust.
"James!" leaping from the bed, the king barely remembered to grab his robe, opening the chamber door even as he shrugged it over his shoulders, pulling it closed and belting it as an afterthought.
Lord Paul was sitting in the chair across the hall from his doorway, softly strumming a lap-harp.
"You Highness." he stood, harp held to his chest. "Sir James said to tell you that he's at the baths, and you're to join him if you like."
"If I *like*?" Blair laughed out loud. Rushing past the young valet, he astonished him with a slap to the shoulder that nearly knocked the taller man down. "Thank you Paul!" the king shouted over his shoulder as he hit the stairs.
Steam rose in a cloud to meet him as Blair turned the corner to the communal baths. They were a collection of hot springs that bubbled up into a part of the cave system that started where the castle met the mountain behind it. Although often used, most people still preferred to bathe at home, and today they were deserted.
"Your highness." James' low voice called from one of the smaller pools, hidden behind an outcropping of rock. "In here."
Knowing his lover had heard his running feet from halls away, Blair dropped his robe at the side of the pool and threw himself into the steaming water. The heat enveloped him and he hissed as he surfaced, James' arms coming around him and pulling him close as the knight stood in the deeper part of the pool, the water coming to Blair's neck.
"James...." Blair murmured, hands skimming the body he knew so well, missed so much, finally coming to rest on the broad shoulders, clutching them for strength. "You're home." with that simple statement he raised his face to meet the sky blue eyes that smiled down at him. James' ring was caught between the press of their bodies.
"I'm home, indeed." Strong arms gathered the king closer, a hand gripped his ass, pressed his pelvis hard to James'. "They said you were tired, so I let you sleep."
"I'm not tired anymore." Blair opened his mouth, tilting his head, inviting. James didn't need more than that, he plundered Blair's mouth hungrily. One hand gripped Blair's asscheek tightly, the other arm wrapped around his slender waist and held him up as the knight tried to mold them into one.
"It's been so *long*!" Blair wailed when James raised his head. The king's fingers were digging into James' shoulders with surprising strength.
"I missed you." James nuzzled Blair's face, rubbing his nose and cheek over the king's skin, drawing a gasp of want. Blair began grinding his hips into James', panting.
"I need you, James. Right now, please, I need you, need this..."
"As you wish, beloved." James' strong square hands turned the king swiftly, leaning him over so that his hands rested on the lip of the pool, cushioned with a folded cloth.
"Now, James, *please*!" Blair spread his legs beneath the water and arched his back, willing James to take him.
"Slow, little one, easy now." one hand on the king's hip to hold him in place, the knight scooped a generous amount of salve from the jar beside the cloth and quickly applying it to the king's vulnerable opening. The water dissolved some of it, but most went into the king and James sank a finger deep into him.
"JAMES!" Blair bucked against the hand. "You, James, I need you, need you now..." he panted and began to thrust onto the finger, his voice catching on a sob as the knight added a second and worked to loosen him. "oh Gila I'm too close I want you so bad..." hearing the borderline hysteria in the king's rising voice, James removed his fingers and entered him in one strong stroke.
The king opened his mouth but no sound came out as he screamed silently. He was filled, surrounded by his protector and there was no breath left for mere words.
James pumped into him steadily, no less eager but slightly more in control of himself. He reached around and used a hand on Blair's chest to pull the king to his feet, his back firm to James' chest, driving his throbbing cock even deeper, bringing another silent scream of pleasure from the younger man.
Struggling for balance, James spread his legs wider and thrust upwards violently, lifting the king from his feet. Now Blair found his voice and loosed it in a scream that bounced off the walls of the cave. Blair's hands reached blindly back, found and clutched James' hips, clinging with all of his strength as the knight thrust again, and again, each time lifting the king and driving in deeper than before.
Stopping for a bare second, James shifted his position and got his pelvis further under his love, thrusting again and this time his cock hit that spot, the one he'd never found before, deep inside his lover, the one that made the king scream and shudder violently as he poured his essence into the water they stood in.
With a groan Blair slumped in James' arms and the knight fought for control, found it, captured it, and stopped all movement, standing still, holding the king tenderly to him, waiting for him to recover as James drew great whooping breaths, trying to fill lungs that didn't care if he ever breathed again, just wanted him to move again.
"Uhnn." Blair moaned. James' hand went to his softened cock and cradled it, caressing delicately, bringing a fresh surge of aorusal. The room reeked of sex and hunger, the scent almost overwhelming the knight.
"James...?" the king whispered, head lolling back on the knight's shoulder, curls clinging to both of them with a life of their own.
"beloved..." James snuffled into that hair and tried to still the quivering of his body.
"Are we finished?" there was a return of tension to Blair's body, subtle shiver.
"No, my king. We'll never be finished." taking an earlobe into his mouth and suckling it as he spoke.
"*Good*." the king shifted, feeling James' hardness buried deep within him. "You're a part of me now, my knight." he groaned as James moved his hips, a gentle undulation.
"Always, my king." With calloused fingers James tilted Blair's face so he could reach his mouth. Fusing their lips together he began to move again.
The king hardened fully and renewed his grip on James' hips.
"Harder, James. Fill me." he begged as they gasped for breath before their mouths locked again.
"Yes, beloved." James moaned. "Yes, fill you with my seed... hot inside you, deep inside you."
His words brought a groan to the king's lips that bubbled out at the edges of their kiss.
Sir James was past all limits of his restraint, had surpassed them when he stopped to wait for Blair's recovery. Now all he could do was thrust mindlessly, his tongue searching Blair's mouth for the taste of him, his body striving for that goal he could almost see...the king brought one hand from James' hip and closed it around his own shaft, stroking fiercely in time with James' lunges. When he felt the heat gather and tighten his groin again he let it go with a bellow of satisfaction, his ass muscles tightening around James' cock with such force that the knight fell forward, his legs spasming from the force of his orgasm. He managed to get one hand out and caught himself, the king an inch away from the rocks, and they leaned, gasping. There was nothing to say after that. When they had recovered their breath they gently washed each other and went back to the king's chamber to curl up together in the big bed and cuddle for the afternoon. Blair told James about the women he'd loved and how it had made him feel. James told Blair about his journey, who he had seen, what he had done. Together they discussed the situation with Conservatia, and, eventually, they made love again, this time the king taking James slowly and tenderly.
"I want to go into the city with you." Blair told James as they rested again. "The inkeepers are feeling neglected. Lady Karen sent a message asking if I disliked their hospitality. It was signed by Jen and Jody as well."
The knight chuckled, the sound making his chest rumble beneath Blair's cheek. Blair kissed him, pressing his lips hard to the smooth skin.
"Lady Karen and her compatriots are not shy about chasing business. She knows me well enough."
"Then we will go in one night?" Blair raised his head and was rewarded with a soft kiss.
"Whenever you like, my king."
"Hmmm." snuggling back down the smaller man luxuriated in the feel of James' strong arms around him. "Soon, or they'll come after us, I'm sure." he grinned
When they showed up for the communal dinner there was a smattering of applause that made Blair blush. He left James at his post by the door with a sweet kiss.
"You look better, your highness." Yvonne observed with a twinkle in her eye.
"Did I look bad before?" he teased back.
"Lonely, perhaps."
"I'll never be lonely again." the king threw a glance over at James, standing stiffly at attention.
"Well, we have good news for you." Legion spoke from a place beside Katrina. "It's official as of this morning. You're going to be a father."
Blair wasn't aware of James' sudden concern as the knight turned to stare at him. He was too busy trying to breathe.
"Your highness?" Legion was next to him instantly, but he waved her away.
"That...that's wonderful." he managed to get out. "I guess I just wasn't expecting..."
"What, you thought it wouldn't work?" Kim teased.
"I'll want to talk to her...make sure she knows that I want to be a part of this, as much as she'll let me..."
"She will be thrilled to share this with you, your highness. With both of you."
The king sat back in his chair, meeting James' eyes. He knew the knight had heard the anouncement. James allowed himself a small smile that the king returned. Then he switched his attention back to the Queen and the court, who were discussing contingency plans for dealing with Conservatia.
The meaning of life, he mused privately. James will understand what I mean.
