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#prince hal x female!reader
lady-rose-moon · 2 years
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Beautiful, as always || Prince Hal || 18+ || Kinktober 2022 ||
Part of my Kinktober Masterlist that you can find ~here~
My main Masterlist can be found ~~here~~
Summary: the King is asleep but you aren't, so you experiment.
Warnings: nipple play, fingering f!receiving, King Hal
A/N: I will not be writing in Shakespearean. I love his works but that language is dead for a reason 😂
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The King of England had been quiet for the last few days, backlogged with meetings and visits down into the town. You scarcely saw your husband until he appeared in your bed at the end of the night and even then, he did not indulge your sinful thoughts.
You had known the King when he had just been Hal, a wayward Prince typically found in the taverns with a woman in his lap and a gay smile on his face. The young prince had respected you, never once touched you in a way you did not allow, and always listened to you. You were the one that brought him back to the palace whenever he was too drunk to get home himself.
Now, the man was a King. Shortly after the passing of his father, Henry the Fourth, Hal had become King Henry the fifth and he was secured on the throne with you as his wife, as his Queen. Every time he felt out of depth, you stepped in with a hand on his shoulder to guide him through it.
Tonight was just like any other night, Hal was in bed and you were wide awake with the insatiable feeling of lust trailing through your mind. Tiredly, you turned to your husband and admired his form.
The King never slept clothed when you were in residence at Windsor Castle, his body was always bare for you to see when you slept beside him. The King was certainly built for battle, the scars of his other ventures onto the field of war elegantly painted over his body like a mural of respect.
You shuffled a little closer to the King, hoping to catch a glimpse of more of his god-like body. You had been married to him for a grand total of two years now and yet you were still very intrigued by every detail of his features.
Slowly, you raised your hand and began to caress his chest, lingering over the small scars that were scattered across his chest from likely nicks from chainmail and the catch of armour. Your nails descended to his nipples, rounded and perfectly pebbled from the chilly air of early autumn. With patience, you scraped your nails over the buds and watched as your king groaned in his sleep but did not rouse.
Spurred on by the reaction, you scraped again, a little harder, enough to leave red scratches in your wake for him to see. The result was another groan escaping your king but he merely turned onto his back and resumed sleep.
You waited a moment before leaning down and securing your lips around the soft skin of his nipple, flicking your lip against the nub as Hal sighed above you. Your hand trailed to the neglected nipple and your thumb rubbed it gently, causing an airy moan to lift out of Hal's throat and his eyes to open, taking in the sight of you latched onto his nipple.
"Good morning," the King drawled, his fingers slowly tracing up your back as he observed you, "what has brought this on?"
You pulled away from his nipple and whispered softly, "I have missed you, my King, two long weeks have passed without us sharing ourselves thus."
Hal hummed and agreed before watching you play with his nipple and your mouth return to the other, releasing a moan to spur you on. "You are a vision, my true love," the King whispered, his hand snaking down to between your legs, one finger sliding easily into your entrance, instantly coated with the warmth of your arousal, "you could have just told me."
You whined at the feeling of his finger sliding easily into your dripping cunt but you carried on working the King's nipple, the stimulation from your whining causing the King to moan again and sink another finger into you. With every flick of your tongue against the hardened pebble of his nipple, his fingers drove deeper into your wanton folds.
"God," the King swore, his head relaxing back against the soft pillows on his side of the bed, "I should leave you waiting more often."
You glared at him and yet, broke when another finger was inserted into you, thrusting into your core hard as Hal became desperate for the alluring sensation you had shown him that he could feel through his nipples.
A coil began to grow in the pit of your stomach as his fingers worked you so you began to suckle on him harder, twirling the nipple in your mouth, biting it between your teeth before pulling back and letting go, allowing the nipple to return to its natural state and earn a desperate moan to leave the King's throat.
His thumb met your clit and you moaned with excitement at the feeling of the stimulation on your swollen bud as you worked his own sensitive nipple. You cried out in pleasure as the king's fingers continued to thrust into your desperate cunt.
"M-My K-King!" you panted, your eyes rolling and your attention to his nipple decreasing with the length of time it took for your orgasm to reach you.
"No," the King muttered, lifting your head with his other hand and glaring at you in the eyes, his beautiful ocean blues giving off the aura of the powerful king that he was, authoritative over everyone and yet, so perfectly equal to you, "you will continue to pleasure me while you cum, understood?"
You nodded weakly and continued to suckle desperately on his nipple, biting and pulling, watching as the King's head pressed deeper into the pillow and his cock strained underneath the blankets. He sighed with satisfaction when you bit down on his nipple as your orgasm crashed through you, your body tensing and moans stimulating his pebbled nipple.
"That's it," the King sighed with a smile, gently caressing your hair and pulling you off his nipple, "my amazing Queen."
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Hope you enjoyed!
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@lokisgoodgirl @lokisninerealms @evelyn-kingsley @slpnbty2001 @jennyggggrrr @hahaha12123445 @ozymdias @holdmytesseract @itsybitchylittlewitchy @lovingchoices14 @xorpsbane @huntress-artemiss @muddyorbs @nerdy-fangirl-65
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Last Updated: 2024-02-02
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Disclaimer: I am not the author of these stories, just sharing my favourite Prince Hal/Henry V stories. Find the authors' links below. If you want your work removed, message me privately.
Legend: 〔E〕 ⇢ Erotic/Steamy | 〔F〕 ⇢ Fluff | 〔A〕 ⇢ Angst/Hurt 〔M〕 ⇢ Minor Angst/Hurt | 〔C〕 ⇢ Comfort | ♥︎ ⇢ Established Relationship | 𑁍 ⇢ Pregnancy/Children | 🚫 ⇢ Content Warning
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✠ Claimed│Prt. II│Prt. III by yespolkadotkitty • 18+ • 〔E᜶M〕 • 🚫 •
Summary: When an unknown man claims ownership of your home, you determine the best course of action is to gain his favour by using your feminine wiles.
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✠ Arise Fair Sun by smolvenger • 〔F〕 •
Summary: "One night, Henry appears under your balcony to confess his feelings to you."
✠ Army of King Henry V, the by frostbitten-written • 18+ • 〔E᜶C〕 • ♥︎ •
Summary: "King Henry V will be departing for battle on the morrow. He and his queen share one last night of passion, with hopes of conceiving"
✠ Her Prince│Prt. II by omgrachwrites • 〔F᜶A〕 •
Summary: "The man that comes to visit you at your woodland cottage —the man that you're falling in love with —is a mystery. When you discover what he's hiding from you, it turns your... world upside down."
✠ Nursing the Prince by smolvenger • 〔F〕 •
Summary: "You tend to Prince Hal's wounds after the Battle of Shrewsbury."
✠ Prince and the Servant, the│Prt. II by angelkurenai • 〔F〕 •
Summary:
✠ Queen's Abduction, the by smolvenger • 16+ • 〔A᜶C〕 • 🚫 •
Summary: "Shortly after your secret marriage to the king of England, Henry V, a nefarious villain abducts you to be his..."
✠ Second Floor, the by shiningloki • 18+ • 〔E᜶F〕 • ♥︎ •
Summary: "Prince Hal has been visiting the ale house for as long as he could remember. He met you there —a woman employed by the tavern to pleasure its customers. After taking you for the night, Hal [demands you] be reserved for his personal use only... Six months later, Hal [returns after leaving for war three weeks early] later to indulge in [you], but this time, he has come with a shocking revelation."
✠ Shy by high-functioning-lokipath • 〔F〕 •
Summary: "[Like] many nights, Hal finds himself in the Eastcheap taverns… [However,] this night, he notices something different — or rather, someone. Blending into the background... [you keep your] head down... as [you clean] up... occasionally [you glance] their way, meeting his eyes a few times but never lingering in his gaze. [So] as any cocky, self-assured Prince would do, he saunters over to [you], his head held high... with a charming smirk painted on his lips."
✠ Tavern Prince by smolvenger • 〔F〕 •
Summary: "You are shocked and unhappy to find out you are betrothed to notorious rake, Prince Hal. But one evening, he sneaks you into the Boar's Head Tavern... and your mind about him starts to change."
✠ Used Goods│Prt. II by smolvenger • 〔F᜶A〕 • ♥︎ • 🚫 •
Summary: "While betrothed to... Hal. But The Law of Contract states that you must be a virgin to marry into royalty. You are not; you didn't choose to...and to escape arrest and treason, you must seek the Prince and tell him your dark secret of being sexually abused as a child. Is the betrothal over? How will Hal react?"
✠ Wedding of the King, the by smolvenger • 16+ • 〔F᜶C〕 • 🚫 •
Summary: "Henry consents to an arranged marriage to [you, a noble woman]. He is enthusiastic about [the marriage] upon meeting [you]. [Nevertheless,] as the wedding day arrives, he learns that [you are] not."
✠ Wordless by megthemewlingquim • 18+ • 〔E〕 • ♥︎ •
Summary:
✠ You Will Be Mine by five-miles-over • 〔E〕 • 🚫 •
Summary: Hal takes a special interest in one of the palace servants.
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✠ Beautiful by angelkurenai • 〔F〕 •
✠ Beautiful as Always by lady-rose-moon • 18+ • 〔E〕 • ♥︎ •
✠ Fairytale by five-miles-over • 〔F〕 •
✠ Fight by angelkurenai • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ • 𑁍 •
✠ His Queen by smolvenger • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •
✠ Prince Charming by jewels2876 • 〔F〕 •
✠ Shamless by megthemewlingquim • 18+ • 〔C〕 • ♥︎ •
✠ Waking Through the Forest by high-functioning-lokipath • 〔F〕 • ♥︎ •
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See Also: Navigation || Prince Hal/Henry V Master Index
See Also: @angelkurenai || @five-miles-over || @frostbitten-written || @high-functioning-lokipath || @jewels2876 || @lady-rose-moon || @megthemewlingquim || @omgrachwrites || @shiningloki || @smolvenger || @yespolkadotkitty ||
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Presume Not That I Am What I Once Was - The King (2019)
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Pairing: Prince Hal/Henry V x female!reader
Description: You and Hal fall for each other as both of your realities come crashing down, all at once.
Word count: 801
Warnings: mentions of sex, female anatomy and allusion to pregnancy, supporting character death (?)
A/N: Hiii! Long author’s note warning. It’s been so long since I’ve posted on here. Of course the first fic I write on return is about the love of my life, Prince Hal. Now, for the record, I will always, ALWAYS see Tom Hiddleston as Hal. Full stop. #HollowCrownSuperiority. But yesterday, I was looking at scenes from The King (with which I take great issue, but we aren’t ready for that conversation) and the visuals (read: Timmy’s face) were giving way too much for me not to be inspired to write about such a complex, clever, and conflicted character. Soooooo here’s 800-ish words about our beloved prodigal son/wayward prince turned King of England. Oh, also, right below here is *probably* my favorite Shakespeare monologue. Very revealing (and confounding) of Hal, and what made me fall in love with this character. <3
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Henry IV Act I, Scene ii
PRINCE
I know you all, and will awhile uphold The unyoked humor of your idleness. Yet herein will I imitate the sun, Who doth permit the base contagious clouds To smother up his beauty from the world, That, when he please again to be himself, Being wanted, he may be more wondered at By breaking through the foul and ugly mists Of vapors that did seem to strangle him. If all the year were playing holidays, To sport would be as tedious as to work, But when they seldom come, they wished-for come, And nothing pleaseth but rare accidents. So when this loose behavior I throw off And pay the debt I never promisèd, By how much better than my word I am, By so much shall I falsify men’s hopes; And, like bright metal on a sullen ground, My reformation, glitt’ring o’er my fault, Shall show more goodly and attract more eyes Than that which hath no foil to set it off.
You didn’t know it would be the last time. The last time you would hear the voice he never used around anyone else but you, tender, caring, adoring. The last time you would see him grin like he did when he was too far gone from drink, euphorically gleeful. The last time you would ever be able to touch him. Here, he wasn’t the Prince of Wales; he was Hal.
You weren’t expecting to feel the way you did about him. The way your heart beat faster each time he swaggered into the Boar’s Head Inn. The knot in the pit of your stomach when you’d come downstairs to find Sibyl perched on the prince’s lap with his hand ‘round her waist. You kept your eye trained on him every night, gambling and singing and fucking the night away.
At first, it was just like any other lay with the drunken, unkempt men that passed their time here. Just bodies moving together. Over time he visited Sibyl less and less, and wasted no time pulling you upstairs. He would stay the whole night and hold onto you in his sleep.
He wasn’t expecting to traipse around Eastcheap only for his mind to wander back to you. Back to the conversations you two shared in that Spartan single-room apartment after it was all over, the both of you laying entangled atop sweat-soaked sheets. He loved watching you gaze at him in the candlelight as he murmured tales of his antics with Falstaff and Poins, almost always punctuated with the faint grunts, cries, and rhythmic banging and rocking from all around, a prelude to another round of lovemaking.
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It was the night after his father, Henry IV, had succumbed to the pox. Hal wasn’t gentle this time. He fucked hard, the rocking making you nauseous at one point, not that he would have noticed because he had kept his eyes closed the whole time. You wondered what was going on in his head. You wondered when you would summon the strength to tell him. Hal thrusted and thrusted, but it was all for naught. His moans turned to whimpers. He collapsed beside you; head buried in the crook of your neck as he broke into a sob. 
“Hey, hey,” you said, turning to him and pulling him into you, your hand cradling the back of his head. His breath came out in warm huffs and tears seeped onto your breast.
“My father...” Hal mumbled. You pulled his face up to yours, thumbs wiping the tears from his bloodshot eyes. He looked tragically beautiful. While you cursed yourself for what was to come, Hal replayed his words to his father’s councilors. Know now that you will be watched over by an altogether different king. Hal assumed – no, he knew – his father saw him as nothing but a royal pain. His thoughts were interrupted by your quiet groan. You winced and looked down, hand to your lower stomach. Hal’s eyes followed. You hadn’t meant to let out a sound, jerking your hand back down to the bed. In fact, you had been good at hiding it. Or so you thought. Your eyes traveled slowly back up and you met your lover’s gaze. You’d never seen so many thoughts go on behind someone’s eyes, grief, trepidation, yearning, remorse… You held each other as hard as you had the very first time, a goodbye of sorts. But that was the thing about goodbyes, endings – no one ever shared them for the same reason. 
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Snow fell the day Hal became King Henry V of England. The Abbey bells rang out around London. Your hand slid to your belly instinctively and gazed at the city from your window, just barely making out the palace in the distance.
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smolvenger · 7 months
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A Court of Mischief and Purpose Chapter Seven (Loki x fem! Reader, Hiddlesverse A Court of Thorns and Roses Crossover AU)
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Word Count: 9K
Series Summary: Inspired by A Court of Thorns and Roses with the Tom Hiddleston characters. As you lay dying of consumption, You make a deal with Loki to heal you in exchange for staying with him every month. You are whisked to a world full of magic...and danger.
Warnings: Discussions of cheating (Not Loki, he'd never) and sex and death.
A03//My Ko-Fi//My Etsy Shop//Masterlist//Wattpad
Taglist: @evelyn-kingsley @jennyggggrrr @five-miles-over @fictive-sl0th @ladycamillewrites @villainousshakespeare @holdmytesseract @eleniblue @twhxhck @lokisgoodgirl @lovelysizzlingbluebird @raqnarokr @holymultiplefandomsbatman @michelleleewise @wolfsmom1 @cheekyscamp @mochie85 @muddyorbsblr @fandxmslxt69 (can't believe I almost forgot to tag you! But now tumblr is functioning and I can tag you🫡!)
Chapter One//Chapter Two//Chapter Three//Chapter Four//Chapter Five//Chapter Six
The next week, it was announced that Lady Sif agreed to train you. 
You had butterflies in your stomach walking into the room on the training room. It was normally used for Asgard’s soldiers and guards, but anyone was free to have it when needed. Loki’s clever lies to his parents were that he wanted the mortal guests to take advantage of the opportunities of exercise here to pass the time. He was with you when you walked out for one-on-one training with Lady Sif. Hal and Robert were the ones behind. Jonathan was going to go through the city to gather information about Grendel. Thomas had to be in his workshop, studying the designs of daggers. 
It shouldn’t have been a surprise to see another woman rechecking her gear and clothes on the floor. One who wasn't you. In your sportswear, you suddenly felt incredibly overdressed. Her shirt had such short sleeves! You could see all of her arms and she was wearing trousers! Leather ones with daggers sheathed at the sides! But was still every bit as beautiful if she wore a gown. Pale skin and long dark hair with piercing, blue eyes. She could have been Loki’s long-lost sister. 
Sister…you remembered the Prophet’s words. The blue skin and red eyes…why…he was a “son”? But no- now was not the time to ask. Especially as training was starting to begin. 
 She put strands of cloth around her hands. They looked like fingerless gloves, the kind that Jonathan and Robert would make when they sparred. She flexed her white fingers and checked the tightness. She muttered something and then looked up at you.
“Oh! Are you-”
“I am Y/N, it is nice to meet you,” you introduced with a curtsy out of habit.
“Why, dear Sif! Glad you are here!” Loki greeted.
“Of course! Why wouldn’t I be?” she asked. The Trickster god gave another of his theatrical gestures towards her. 
“This is the enchanting Sif. She was the first-ever female warrior here in Asgard! When they all said maidens could not fight- she was the first to prove them wrong!” Loki boasted.
Sif flared her nostrils, but she kept a half-smile.
“Eh, give or take a few thousand years,” she replied. 
She turned to the two others, cocking an eyebrow.
“And who are these men?” she asked.
Loki gestured to the guests.
“Why- this is his grace, Prince Hal…”
Hal made a gallant bow.
“And this- this is Robert Laing…” Loki continued.
“Oh- Doctor! Doctor Laing- Earned the degree ,” he said with a lick of his lips. He adjusted his tie on his suit. He could wear one since he was not training now. 
Sif dropped her smile.
“Oh- and how do those studies prove you’re better than anyone else?” she questioned him.
“Just wait until you’re the one bleeding out half to death,” Laing retorted with his grin still on her.
Sif shot him a glare.
“I don’t bleed. I make others bleed,” she replied.
There was a sudden chill in the room. Robert backed down and Hal chewed the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. 
“Hmm- we have talked quite a bit. Well,  let’s begin-” she announced. “Get a practice sword.”
In the corner, there were wooden poles and then there were normal swords. You nodded and grabbed a pole that was stationed and ready. 
“No, Y/N! The ones with blades!” she requested.
Oh dear. That’s different. You had yet to try fighting with actual swords. You nervously took one and got it out, unsheathing it with a schliiiiiiick sound. You swallowed heavily as Sif easily grabbed the one next to you. You weighed it in your hand, watching the end of that blade and how many lives, even your own, could be ended with it. 
“I see the look on your face. Do you want to be a warrior? You must learn to fight with a real weapon. You have to be ready, Y/N.” she said.
“Alright…it’s only new…” you said though it was only half your voice.
You walked out into the middle of the floor. The three men stood by the sides with some chairs to watch you both. Hal, the expert on swords too, watched with an examining eye. Robert folded his arms. Loki rested a hand on his chin as he folded his arms. 
“Alright now parry-” Sif ordered.
You parried- moving the sword forward as she threw hers down in a heartbeat. You jumped a little from the impact. There was the sharp sound of the blades colliding that rang through your ears.
“Decent. Now don’t think too hard mortal lady- just act,” Sif instructed. 
She thrust her sword forward. You managed to block it by raising yours impulsively. She was fast and aggressive. When you tried to move forward she would find a weak point and raise it to you. Then you would jump back. You kept fleeing from her, dodging her. Blocking her constant, attacks, your feet shuffling further back. Would she even give you a second to attack her?  You backed up from her constant parries. Her attacks were forward and your defenses backward until your back foot grazed a wall. It then hit you- she has backed you into a corner.
“I’m not sure if you’re training or if Lady Sif wants another fight to win!” Robert quipped. 
Sif’s eyes turned towards the doctor, gritting her bared teeth. 
In a swift second, Sif reached into the side of her pants. She pulled out a small dagger. She looked at Robert and hurled it towards him. The three ducked out of the way. As Robert moved, it landed on the wall next to him, barely grazing his cheek. His eyes were wide and his face pink- as if he couldn’t tell if he hated this or actually secretly enjoyed it. 
You tried to wiggle out, think of a next move as Sif was distracted. Then- a feeling hit you. An odd feeling.
You could sense her. Sense her movement. Sense the movement of everyone. You felt their footprints- where they were. You could sense how many swords and poles were nearby. Everyone’s heartbeat. The other dagger in Sif’s pocket. The guards outside the door. You could feel the feet shuffling in the halls in the next room. As if you were asleep and now awake. You felt your head spin a little and put your free hand to your forehead.
“Sif, I feel…I feel a little odd…” you remarked. 
Her feet rumbled as you sensed her right before you and raised her sword in your direction. 
“Now- Y/N…what do you do?” she asked, raising your sword. It was right before your face. You backed further up to the wall. 
“I…I don’t know!” you confessed.
Sif kept her eyes on you and her sword still pointed at you. You tried to swipe hers away, but she countered it and thrust again forward. You raised the sword up to block it. She pushed forward and you backward. The blades slicing against each other. 
“Come on- focus. Hesitation is when the enemy will gut you open-”
“I really don’t!”  you cried.
“Come on! What’s your first instinct, mortal?!” Sif urged.
You couldn’t think straight. Only the humiliation of your defeat weighing on you. And the hotness of the room, the smells, and the rumbling of feet as someone walked in the next hall. It was too much, too much. In a wave of emotion, you pushed your sword in front of you to her on impulse with a slight shout. Sif snorted, raising an eyebrow at the weapon you stabbed forward.
You felt everything get white hot inside you. The feeling began at the top of your head and waved down to your hands- then to the sword
“Decent, but-”
It happened in a matter of seconds- so fast, you barely processed it. 
Fire shot out. It shot out of your hands and through the sword until it blazed before Sif. 
Sif let out a scream of surprise and backed off. Her sword jumped out of her hands and skittered across the floor. Still, the fire kept burning, blazing. Everyone jumped at the sight of it.
“Why…what…what is this?! What is going on?” Sif cried. The fire added another thing of heat to the room and its crackling was the only sound for a second. 
It then stopped. But the air still felt scorched and warm. It smelt of sulfur. When you checked the sword, it was partially burnt. You dropped it and checked your hands. Little twinges of flame jumped from it. But your skin was unhurt. Then they slowed down and they were as normal, the small star winking at you. 
“I…I don’t know- I don’t. I’m sorry, Sif.” you explained. 
Sif regained her composure. 
“The enemy is surprised, that’s good. Now what do you do- Y/N!? The enemy is surprised and unarmed. Don’t hesitate!”
As you thrust the partially burnt sword forward, Sif jumped back. Her eyes went to the sword she dropped. She reached for it.
With a bit of shock, you felt that sensation again- focusing on that little practice sword of Sif’s. The white-hot buzzing. Something else poured out - almost like a breath. A whiff of energy.
The sword skittered across the floor, unmoved. Far from Sif.
 There was utter silence for a second. The men all stood up with astonished looks on their face. Sif dropped her jaw and turned to you.
“Loki- is this another trick?” she asked.
He shook his head and shrugged.
“No…it seems as if…this was none other than our dear Mortal ladies doing…and there’s only one explanation….magic,” he answered, eyes scanning over every detail of the room and the sword. 
You felt dizzy again. You set aside your sword, feeling everyone’s eyes on you, making you uneasy.
“I’m so sorry but it’s…it’s never…never happened before…” you blubbered out. Now the source of all the attention. Like a child called out for trouble in school before her entire class.
Sif urged the men to come over. 
“Training is done. Please get the queen- she has something in her. It needs to be checked. Now!” she demanded. 
At once, all of you hurried to Frigga in her chambers. She was enjoying the view from her balcony when she turned her head. 
“Mother- hurry- we must talk! About our mortal girl-” Loki insisted.
She walked inside and sat down gracefully on a chair. In brief, all of you told her of what happened.
“Why…magic? Our Y/N?” she gasped.
You nodded. She then reached forward and took your hands. She studied the star marks, tracing them with her finger, her eyes bulging wide as she really took it in. She then turned upward, her eyebrows crossed. Her voice dropped to a sharp, strict tone. 
“Loki…there is only one spell that leaves a mark like that. Why is Y/N here? Not just out of the goodness of your heart? How did you meet her? Was she hurt or sick?” she asked. 
“Yes. Dying, in fact.” Loki reported. 
Frigga’s lips tightened.
“And you used that spell?” she asked.
“Yes, I did.” the prince admitted. 
“My son, did you read everything the book said about it.”
Loki shrugged. He put on his uneasy, half-laughing smile where only part of a chuckle escaped.
“Only the parts that were important!”
She gave him a stern look.  
“That I…thought were important,” Loki admitted. Smile dropping, he folded his hands and looked down, red with embarrassment. For no child was immune to a scolding from their mother, even gods. 
“Including the bargain to seal it?” she asked.
“Yes, mother.”
She let out a deep sigh. Then she walked to her bookshelf. She got out a large, ancient book bound in worn, tan leather. She moved it to her desk and flipped through the pages. Finding what she was looking for, she stopped at one. She read quietly for a minute and then looked at you. 
“You have Prince Loki to thank for this, Y/N. This spell…since the magic must go inside the person to heal them, it never leaves. In short, you now have magic, my dear,” she announced.
“Oh…oh dear god!” you gasped, moving a hand to your mouth. Glad at least flames did not burst out to burn your face. 
“Why, I do like to be called a dear, thank you,” Loki smirked. You gave him a look.
“This is not a joking matter!” you retorted to him.
Frigga folded her hands. Sif, Hal, and Robert all stood watching like they were the audience of a rather suspenseful play.
“Anything else? Other than what happened at training?” the queen questioned.
“I…I’ve had dreams of the future- possible futures…” you explained. 
Your mind drifted back to Stella. The dream you had of her future suicide attempt.  You did everything you could you took comfort in one fact. She made you a promise and Stella would always honor her promises. You wrote to her regularly as you did your parents, sending Thomas to deliver the letters and head back. Like she said, if she was engaged, you would know. Her letters were not of proposals, definitely, not of any men she had her eye on. They were of the ordinary daily life- visits, occasional dances, farmers with their crops, fishermen with their fish, the most tantalizing piece of news that a small town could offer. She was wise not to discuss what was happening at church with you. But no engagements, at least not for her. Perhaps her tragic future was avoided by now. 
Frigga checked the book and tapped her finger on the page. 
“It says right there- visions of the possible futures. Occasional-usually in dreams. And have you ever sensed someone near you- far away? Sensed everything around you? Their actions?”
You nodded.
“Yes. It happened today with Sif,” you confirmed.
Frigga looked at her son and then back at you. 
“Have voices appeared in your head?” she asked.
“One specific voice,” you answered. “Loki’s.”
“I’m not surprised. Do you hear her thoughts too?” she asked Loki.
He folded his arms and lifted his chin a little.
“As clearly as I hear your words, Mother. Even when I was in Asgard and she in Midgard,” he answered.
Frigga turned a page, her finger gliding down as she found a paragraph.
“Here it is listed- the thoughts of the one who cast the spell and the one healed are linked in their minds….” she read aloud. 
She scanned the rest of it, then closed the book. But she went to you, touching your cheek sweetly. 
“It could be worse. But this is a mere symptom of the spell. You will learn how to live with it.” she said.
“How? I don’t want to…to…hurt anyone!” you replied.
Frigga softened her face at your words.
“Oh, of course not! Do not blame yourself! No one has been hurt! You see…”
Her eyes turned to Loki with a small smile.
“My son should be the one to help you,” she suggested. 
Loki’s jaw dropped and he took a step forward.
“Help her? You’re the expert on magic- why can’t you do it?” he asked.
“My dear boy, you were the one who chose to do the spell on her. And you will face the consequences for it rather than running away,” she explained.
He put his hands on his hips and he opened his mouth to say something, then he closed. Frigga kept a smile as she looked between the two of you. Loki swallowed his Adam’s apple bobbing. You exchanged a look, then he turned to her. 
“Alright- then…then I will,” he said. 
Frigga clapped her hands together with a smile. 
“Good- begin tomorrow with the mind reading. It can be done to where two can speak to each other seamlessly would rather it be clear than disruptive. Now-dear Lady Sif, Hal, Robert- I am so sorry I haven’t spoken with all of you. I’ve been busy. How are all of you? Let’s call for some wine and a little bite to eat before dinner as we all chat, shall we?” 
─── ・ 。゚☆: *.☽ .* :☆゚. ───
It was when you woke up the next morning that it hit you. You were no longer some ordinary “mortal” woman. No- now you had powers! To think, if you could go back in time and tell yourself as a child, what would she think! Not to mention, what would everyone back home think of a woman who actually had powers by accident? Oh, they would all scream in terror if a flame shot out of your hands. Secretly, you were thrilled. As if winning some luck of the draw. 
You walked outside to the gardens. It was right at the start of the afternoon when the sun was the most warm. It wasn’t usually when you liked to walk outside due to the heat, but you wanted to test your newfound abilities. To see if you could figure anything out. You decided to head There was a middle valley in the palace garden grounds. A small grassy part amidst some hydrangea bushes with no trees for shade. 
There were many things you expected to walk into the garden to see. The buds open. Gardeners digging holes. Little bugs about the dirt. Pleasant, familiar, comfortable things. 
You weren’t expecting to see a naked man. 
Pale, and muscular with ripped abdominals and strong biceps despite his lean frame lying down on a bench. A towel on his head and a book over his crotch. They were the only thing on him. 
Ripped with shock, you let out a scream on instinct. To your increased horror, he got up the book shifted. You let out another shout and shielded your eyes with your arm. You thought you would see…that part of a man on your wedding night! Not unwarned and unwanted in a garden! 
But he scrambled up and set the towel and book over the most offending part of his body. When you peeked up, his hair had a redder sheen, and though he was in the sun he was pale. But you had to admit you did like the sight of all the muscles on him.
“Hello there!” Robert nervously chuckled. 
“What on earth are you doing?!” you cried. Your eyes trying very hard to focus on his face. 
“Uh- I just- I’m sunbathing! And I fell asleep!”
“People-people really sunbathe in the future in their free time?!” you questioned. 
“Well, uh, yes,” Robert replied.
“Bare naked as a babe?!” 
“Also yes.”
“Have you gone mad, Robert!?” you cried.
“Not for a month!”
You took a step back, Robert noting the look on your face. He blushed with embarrassment. 
“I am so immediately sorry, Y/N. I didn’t know you would be here! I’ll try to keep it in my room. I’ll talk to Loki. Ask him to conjure a-a-a-sun tan machine or something.” he tried to compromise. His feet started to shuffle to the bushes as if he were Adam after devouring the apple. 
“People make machines for sun tans?!” you asked.
“Oh, they do! I’ll tell you- my- my robe is near this rose bush-give me a minute…”
He leaned in and got it. You turned away as he put the white, cloth robe over himself. The electricity of the shock still running through you.
“Alright, Y/N, I’m decent!” he announced. 
You turned around. Robert tied a knot of the cloth around his waist.
“Sunbathing naked?! Goodness-and did you say…are you sure you’re not still mad?!” you cried.
Robert froze. The joking smile on his face dropped from the embarrassed, cheeky smile. 
“I’m not,” he replied sternly. 
He took a step towards you, his voice serious. 
“Please, don’t bring it up with the others. I don’t like other people discussing it.”
Shame flooded your system. 
“Oh-I…I am so sorry…I…I didn’t know…” you apologized, feeling your shoulders slump.
 He gathered the towel and book in his hands. 
“Well…now you do…Y/N, I….I…I’ll go to my room now,” the no-longer-madman said as he walked out. 
─── ・ 。゚☆: *.☽ .* :☆゚. ───
Loki did not take you at once into either the indoor or outdoor training grounds. Instead, both of you merely went to a table in a dining hall. He plopped down, his smile never leaving his face as he looked at you. You were dressed in a white day dress with little pink dots all over it, moving your skirt as always so you could sit down on the chair. No one else was around to witness this, only the two of you. 
“Well then- to start. Let’s practice the whole thought business!” he announced. 
“Aren’t you scared I will scorch the table?” you asked.
He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms with a shrug.
“Why should it be? Tables can be replaced, but not you. And I’ve been able to access your own thoughts quite easily for a while. We both know that by now. You should learn how to send them and block mine. Unless you want to hear my voice in your ears to lull you to sweet dreams at night. I will be happy to oblige.”
You gave him a scowl.
“You’re a scoundrel,” you responded.
“Always have been and will be,” he replied with a smile. 
You looked forward at him. You folded your hands on your lap. It was a nice dining hall. Right near an open balcony with tall columns of marble around you. The bright sunlight shone down as it overlooked the skyline of Asgard.
“All right- I’m going to send my thoughts out. To you. I will make them clear.” Loki announced.
Then there was nothing. You heard nothing. You felt the rustle of the bustle on the back of your skirt as you leaned back in the chair. 
With a deep breath, you heard Loki’s voice in your head.
“Hello there, Y/N. It’s another lovely day here in Asgard. Wouldn’t it funny if I snipped off a bit of Sif’s hair when she isn’t looking!”
“Don’t do that! It’s mean! And she will scream at you!” you thought back.
He made a gesture with his hands and spoke out loud. 
“There you go! That’s far better! You hear mine- I hear yours!” he announced. “All because you let me in, my dear. I read it in the book.”
“What else did it say?” you asked, moving your hands to touch the table. It was long and wooden, carved with ancient runes. You nervously traced one with your fingernail.��
“Your thoughts are an instrument one can never stop playing. Only you may play them loudly or quietly. But one can muffle out the music of another., Y/N. Now- try to block out my thoughts to you.”
With a deep breath,  you clenched your body. Willing the invisible thoughts of his to not enter your own head.
“Not working.” Loki’s voice replied in your head.
You let out a huff of air through your nostrils.
“How does one block it?” you questioned him. 
Loki slightly tucked his chin. 
“Hmmm, yes, I see how stiff you are holding yourself, your body. And this time I know it’s not because of this ‘bustle’ thing.  Blocking does not mean bracing oneself- body or mind. Think of it like…like a shield…try to put a shield out. Imagine one. And relax a little.” he guided.
You imagined a shield. You saw many among the guards of Asgard. Tall, circular, and bronze. You imagined it up against you, protecting you, bundling up inside it. Warm and safe. Loki let out another small breath. He sat forward on the chair, leaning an elbow on it. His hand touching his chin and grinning. You braced for his voice in your head again. 
But the shield worked. You didn’t hear one of his. There was nothing. Finally! Your physical training was slow, but at least that was one thing you could get right!
You imagined lowering it down. Sure enough, there were thoughts of
“Y/N, the dress you have on today looks quite lovely, especially when the sunlight hits it.”
A little flutter began in your stomach. You couldn’t give into his flatter, no. You sent out another one, looking into his blue eyes. One of a pair of many you learned to get used to. 
“Trying to recover yourself over the remark about my breasts?” you thought back. 
He dropped his smile, lowering his head.
“I apologize. I knew it would rile you- get you to fight back.”
“Thank you for acknowledging that, Loki. You have quite the presumptuous nature- I’ve figured that out so far.”
Then there was no reply. You heard no thoughts. You tried to send something out to him, but there was nothing for a minute. Then two. Then three. You blinked and tried to send it out.
“Loki? Loki-what-”
He waved open with his hands and spoke aloud. 
“See, Y/N- now my shield was up. Let’s try this little back and forth, shall we?” he asked.
It went on like tennis. It was shaky- but at least you had a hand at it. It was a start.
─── ・ 。゚☆: *.☽ .* :☆゚. ───
The day came to announce the heir. It was all heralded that morning so quickly, that there wasn’t time to process it. It was the gatekeeper, Heimdall, who resounded it out before the city balcony. All of you standing in the back room as he looked down upon the people. Heimdall smiled at them and then announced with his rich, sonorous voice to all. 
“Odin has named Thor as his heir! Prepare for the ceremony later today at sunset!”
When you looked for Loki, he immediately left the room. Thor smiled wide before servants ushered him out the other door. 
There was so much bustle, servants running to and fro, platters of food delivered from the kitchen, your head spun. And Thor was never seen to discuss this. And not Loki either. It wasn’t that you didn’t want Thor to be happy. But…you knew today was going to be hard for the younger brother. Yes, Loki was cheeky and arrogant and flirted to get what he wanted and fond of getting into trouble- but you had to admit…you felt bad for him today.
The ceremony began as promised at sunset. You were astounded to see so many people about to watch.  To think this many people lived in Asgard! Were they gods too? Mortals like you who just lived in a different world? Curiosity bubbled inside you. You were just used to your plain little life in a plain little town where every house was white and you saw the same faces daily. But here- there was life. Excitement. Not even London, you imagined, had this much of a crowd for anything. They crowded around. They gathered around the large, open space before the throne with a walkway.
Everyone dressed for the occasion. Odin wore his silver armor and winged helmet, his eye patch seemed to gleam like a jewel. Frigga was beautiful in her golden dress, with a smile on her face. Loki stood in his deep green with his large, horned helmet. You were in your own russet velvet dress for parties. Jonathan wore his blue suit and Robert his grey one. Hal was dashing in dark velvet, his curls combed back. Thomas was in his black suit, the bronze chain of a pocket watch sticking out across his stomach. Sif herself remained in her armor but was placed to stand near the throne with the other Asgardian warriors.
“Let us now raise a cheer for my son- your future king, Thor!!” Odin announced.
Thor was brought down on a chariot, wielding a large hammer. His large red cape and long blonde hair flew in the wind. He had a giant smile as he showed it his hammer. The crowd roared for their future king. Everyone was smiling. Everyone…except the younger brother of the future king. 
You looked over at Loki. His hands folded before him, the usually mischievous gleam in his eyes dimmed. He seemed far away, small, and alone. 
“Loki…how are you? What are you thinking? You can tell me…” you sent your thoughts out.
There was no response.
You couldn’t bother with Hal and Sif trying to outdrink each other at the banquet after. Robert kept trying to flirt with her and she told him to bother off, only she didn’t say the word “bother.” The doctor backed away, hands up in defense. Thomas and Jonathan sat next to each other at the meal. It was hardly a wonder so many Asgardian women made their eyes toward the two handsome men. Many maids offered to refill their goblets with batting eyelashes. Jonathan was polite to them, but never seemed to return their attention. Thomas was a different matter, however. He was smiling, chatting, and charming all of them. Thor was at the center, telling stories and laughing as people lauded their upcoming ruler. 
 But you had no interest in the celebration going on in the hall. There was one gentleman in green who was missing from all this.
You felt your sensation again. Despite the rumble of everyone’s food digesting, you felt Loki’s presence. Locating him easily.  So you got up, going to the stone walkway in the next room. The cool air of the night washing over you. Seeing Loki in a marble corner, staring out at the city. He only looked out at the window at the starry sky and two moons shining through the window. He jumped a little when he turned and saw you.
“I’m not surprised….” he said.
“But it’s still disappointing…” you acknowledged. 
He let out a deep breath. You heard Thor’s large laughter from the other end of the hall. God of Thunder suited him- everything about him was thunderous. 
“I’m so sorry, Loki…you would have made a decent king,” you tried to console.
He arched up a dark eyebrow.
“Really? Me?” Loki asked. He seemed surprised, not like the other side of him that would say he knew. He turned around to look you in the eye.
You nodded. 
“Yes- you would have. You took pity on a dying woman and offered to heal her. You comforted her when her heart was broken. You’re teaching me how to control my magic. You’re planning a quest to defeat a villain to protect others. You…you sent Hal after me. And I hear Robert had...”
You stopped your words. You suddenly remembered Robert asked you not to discuss the time he went mad. 
“A…a hard time…” you finished.
Loki gestured with you to walk back to the dining hall. His eyes drifted towards the Baronet in black smiling as a maid refilled his jug for the third time.
“Oh, if you think Robert had a hard time, wait until you find out where Thomas came from,” he replied. 
‘Thomas?” you asked. 
From the smile, you saw Thomas pull out a small contraption for the maid. It was a music box that could fit in the pocket. The maid turned the knob, grinning to reveal its trickling tune. The maid laughed in delight. One would never guess he ever had a “hard time” at any point in his life. 
You turned your focus back to Loki.
“But you are suffering too. Don’t let Odin or a throne determine your worth. We all appreciate you,” you said. 
There was some music in the back and people raised their goblets. Many gulped it down and threw it on the floor, crying “Another!” You jumped a little at the sound of so many cups crashing on the floor at once. 
“Appreciation won’t make me a hero…or Thor’s equal…” he replied as he walked off. 
─── ・ 。゚☆: *.☽ .* :☆゚. ───
You couldn’t fall asleep that night. Your heart was still breaking from the last line with Loki. He felt invisible. Unwanted. And it felt like there was nothing you could do about it. Wasn’t there a compromise? Why couldn’t there be two kings or couldn’t the kingdom be divided? 
Then there were the thoughts that shot out of you. Thoughts you tried to stifle. Memories you tried to stifle. But stifling them only made them stronger when they arrived. Memories of home. The letters, the field, the white shirt, the-
No, you had to distract yourself. Not dwell. It would only make you miserable. It looks like you would have to ask for the sleeping potion again. You got out of bed, wrapping a pink shawl around your nightgown for warmth, out you went into the halls. Perhaps it would be in the kitchens or you could ask a servant. Your bare feet touched the cold stone beneath, making you shiver. 
Then- there was a noise. A shuffling. Your powerful sensing was warning you. Someone was up-about. You turned around to look. No one. As you kept walking, you kept swearing you heard footsteps. Then a breath. 
There was someone up and close by. Awake. It wasn’t a servant.
Oh no- could it be a spy from Grendel!? You were going to scream, use what you could. Try to move something- you feel someone there. You felt your hands grip your shawl tighter. You were unarmed- could you somehow summon flames again? Make something move? Frantically looking around, frozen with fear.
Before you could even budge, out from the darkness, Jonathan Pine appeared. He put a hand before you to silence the idea of a scream. He put a hand before his face to shush you.
Like…like…like he would, like what Will would do- no! Y/N, don’t dwell on him. It’s over! you thought. The thought then slipped away in a second. You felt yourself relax knowing it was not a spy from Grendel.
“Shhh- Y/N! It’s okay! I’m here!” Jonathan whispered.
“You scared me to death!” you hissed back, placing a hand over your slowing heart.
“I’m sorry. It’s part of my duties.” Jonathan explained. 
“Duties?!” you asked, with a tilt of your head.
“Remember, I’m Loki’s spymaster. I am again- so very sorry about the scare. I’ll make it up to you. Let me take you downstairs- get you something to drink. Does that sound nice?” he asked.
“Yes, yes it does, Jonathan.”
Down you went to the kitchens of Asgard. They weren’t accustomed to tea as much. But they did have wine. And still whole bottles of the special wine that was made for the banquet today. He located two glasses and poured you both some of the red liquid. He handed it over to you.
“How did you become Loki’s spymaster? I’m curious…” you asked.
He paused. He leaned back against the counter, the glass in one hand. 
“I…I’ve never talked about it much…but…I’ll tell you,” he said.
He set down his glass on the counter and then turned to look right at you. 
“Y/N- you know I’m a soldier…” he began.
“Yes, I do,” you recalled. 
You took a sip of the Asgardian wine-rich and dry in its flavor. Jonathan left his abandoned. You his lips tightened, and then in took in a slow breath. His voice was soft, earnest. 
“I never had a family all of my life. I lost my parents. Grew up drifting in foster homes around England. The army at least was stable. It felt like I had a permanent family of my own. At first. But…but…the things I’ve seen…the things I was ordered to do…it was too much.”
He shook his short, blonde head.
“After it was done, I had to honorably leave the military. Start anew. I ended up living in Cairo, Egypt.”
“Egypt?! That sounds incredible!” you cut in. How different and far from England! It must have been hot, but he would have seen the pyramids every day!
He bobbed his head in acknowledgment. His eyes soft at your brief excitement.
“It was, Y/N. I worked at a hotel for their night shifts. Then was promoted to manager. That at least gave me something stable. A routine. It was a hotel owned by a gentleman named Freddie Hamid. Then one night…there was a woman who checked in. And this woman was his mistress…”
He looked at your face to observe your reaction. Back home, such things weren’t discussed so openly. But you swallowed the little bit of shock. 
Jonathan’s features softened. And his voice became softer, sweeter.
“Her name was Sophie…but her real name was Samira. She liked expensive clothes and coffee. She drank when she was stressed. She was chatty. She had a dog she carried everywhere. She loved to flirt with the staff- even me.”
This was far different, far more vulnerable and tender than you have ever seen Jonathan.
“Did you love her?” you asked.
After a pause, he answered.
“Yes. Yes, I did. I loved her. And she loved me too. Just for that brief time, I loved her.”
“Brief? How come?” you asked. 
There was one possible explanation for why. And it wasn’t good. There was a sudden heaviness in the air as he paused. He wrapped his arms around himself and looked down on the floor. Then back at you as he continued. 
“Sophie had documents with her. She handed it to me to make copies, but I saw them. Proof that Freddie and his friend, Richard Roper, had access to weapons. Destructive, powerful weapons. Bombs that would wipe out entire cities. Weapons only the army should own. So I alerted the authorities. Freddie found out and beat Sophie… I discovered he and his men were capable of doing more. She was in danger. Now that it was out, she was a target. They were going to kill her- because of something I did. I begged her forgiveness, and she said she would have reported it had she been braver. She asked me for help.  So…I hid her. Took her somewhere far away…made sure she was safe…I wanted to whisk her far away. To England…”
He hunched his shoulders.
“Those authorities said she would never be safe in England. That Roper had friends there. That returning her to the hotel was the best option. To curb suspicion. She returned with her head high, confident, and smiling as she checked into her suite. I went to work. I carried about my shift like normal. Then I got word from someone…she was in danger. But when I ran into the room…it was too late….there was…was…she was killed-her blood everywhere…”
A hand flew over your mouth.
“Poor Sophie!” you gasped. 
“It never left me. She never left me. She always haunted me…and she always might. The fact I brought her to death, I…I did…She would…would blame me, she probably did in her last moments…”
“But she told you herself that she didn’t resent you for the documents! That she would do the same as you! I…I don’t know if she would…you didn’t beat her like…like her….like Freddie! You were kind to her. You tried to protect her!” you commented, trying to comfort him.
He gripped the edge of the counter, his knuckles turning white. 
“Then one day…the British authorities spoke to me. Asked me to help in an operation to bring Roper and his allies down. So…I decided to become a spy to avenge her.”
 It was hard, I won’t bore you with the details. But to be brief,  I did it. I infiltrated him. Brought him down. I killed Freddie myself- drowned him in his own pool.”
You felt your eyes widen.
“I caught Roper and destroyed his stock. Caught him red-handed and brought him to the government. He ended up in jail, executed for his crimes.”
“How is it you managed to defeat Roper?” you asked.
You found that he smiled, both with his eyes and his smile. It was a smooth, handsome smile. He was elegant so easily and naturally. 
“Sheer determination and thorough thinking. That is what will get you through anything, Y/N.”
He put his hands in his pockets.
“And after that, it was done… Loki arrived to me. Told me that he was a copy of me from another timeline, another life. Asked me to be a spy for him. Fight Grendel with him. I had no home. No family. Not even a woman. Not since…since Sophie, no. Nothing to return to…so I have nothing to lose. That’s why I’m here- where I can be useful.” 
You cupped your wine glass with both hands.
“That’s quite a story, Jonathan!” you remarked. 
You took a step closer. His eyes were still glossy from mentioning her again.
“Jonathan…if Sophie were here…I think she’d be proud of you. For what you did. For avenging her…now that it’s done, and if she can’t be here for you…she’d want you to be at peace,” you consoled him.
His blue eyes shone a little bit, his chest rising and falling with his breaths. 
“Thank you, Y/N. If we survive, I hope I can be. I want to live a normal, peaceful life after this. No battles. No bloodshed. Just a quiet, normal life. I want to become a husband. A father. And not worry about anyone getting killed- just love my wife. Love my child. And pour all that love so they will never have to suffer what I did.”
A hand flew over your heart, and you felt your lips curve to a smile.
“That’s beautiful…I hope you do. If we’re careful…that could be your life, I know it.” you said.
He went back and got his wine glass, taking a careful sip. He kept it in his hand as he escorted you back to your room. Finishing your drink, and reflecting on Jonathan’s story, you fell right asleep.
─── ・ 。゚☆: *.☽ .* :☆゚. ───
Two days later, Loki brought you again to that wide training ground on the inside. He made no mention of the ceremony. In fact, there was a bounce in his step as you went with him into that room with just you two.
“Alright YN-let’s practice those other little gifts of yours! Starting with the sensing and tossing things around with your pretty little head!” he announced.
You rolled up your sleeves. He pointed at a red X that appeared on the floor with his magic. 
“Stay put on this,” he required.
You stepped over it. He conjured a wooden pole and set it several feet before you on the ground. 
“Now- move it without touching it,” he instructed. 
You concentrated on the pole. Squinted hard. Your body clenched- but nothing happened. Move little pole, please, come on, move- just an inch, please, please please- you urged silently.
Loki raised up a finger and your glance moved up to meet him.
“Ah, I see. You’re trying to force it! Sometimes forcing it will result in nothing- just allow it happen. As you are- breathe into it!” he advised.
You relaxed your body and returned your focus to the pole. Not losing sight of it, but you released your hand to your sides. It began to twitch a little.
Move, you merely thought.
It rolled right to you like a blast of wind. You caught it with your foot, rolling it carefully. You felt yourself smile in triumph. Loki raised an eyebrow, and he smiled.
“Not bad- now turn around, Y/N,” he instructed. 
You went around and to your shock, you saw Loki again staying right by a wall. A green door appeared on the wall that wasn’t there before. You turned your head to confirm  Loki there behind you- but another Loki in front of you! You didn’t hear him run, but you turned around. There were two of them?!?!
“You have a twin brother?” you asked nervously. 
“Oh no- my magic can make duplicates,” he explained.
One could imagine the sorts of trouble he could get into with that trick! The duplicate Loki gestured to the door and you stepped towards it. 
“Now- what do you sense is behind that door?” the duplicate asked,, his smooth, baritone ringing across the room. 
You did sense something behind it. You could see its outline in your mind. It was tall, thin, and long in shape. It had a sharp point and a handle. Then a picture in your head emerged.
“It’s a…a…a sword,” you answered. 
“That is right. The door is locked. Unlock and open it. Then get the sword,” he challenged you.
You concentrated on the doorknob. Relaxing your body and looking at nothing else. It fidgeted. It shook. But it didn’t open. You tried again, but it failed again. Letting out a huff of frustration, you then looked at the keyhole- sensing how it was kept locked. How the gears were turned to seal it. 
“Now- unlock,” you requested.
The little gears turned and there was a click. Then the door squeaked open. It revealed a dark room with no furniture or decorations. The light from the training room poured out to it- revealing the sword right on the floor before you. 
“Now wield the sword near you without touching it!” you heard the duplicate instruct. 
You concentrated, poking at it with your mind. Bringing it to move. Yet it did not. It stayed there. Dull and solid. When you really willed, it budged forward. Then it stayed put. 
“Dammit!” you cursed beneath your breath. “Just move to me!”
The light from the windows shining through stopped as if someone drew a curtain over them. Turning, you felt the frustration boiling in you as more grey clouds covered the sky. And out of nowhere for an idyllic, sunny day! The god looked up with an easy smile, laughter in his voice.
“Well, Y/N- you definitely did that! IT didn’t move the sword, but it did move the natural elements! Another effect you may thank me for!”
You felt yourself unclench, your shoulders lowering. The clouds rolled away quickly and there was sunshine again. You saw how if you focused on the light shining on the floor. Curiosity crept inside you. When you willed it, the light stretched towards your feet. Like the waves of the ocean when it would cradle and creep softly right before your toes.
“So your mother taught you?” you asked him.
The duplicate vanished into a bit of golden mist. You turned around to Loki and walked closer to him. He nodded his raven head. 
“Yes, she did, since I was small. I remember she’d start with little tricks. Like…like this one here…”
He opened his hand and out came little fireworks. Bright flashes of red, pink, yellow, and blue flying up and exploding into beautiful sparkles from over his hand. You gasped, admiring the bright colors. It was so sweet, so delicate, so lovely. So unlike the portrait of the devious trickster god who called himself anything but a wanted hero. 
“Loki, that’s beautiful!” you exclaimed, smiling in delight. 
He gave you a smile back. You admired the show as it went on and then it faded away. He folded his palm. 
“It’s all a matter of practice- and it will be like swimming to you soon,” he said. 
“I just hope so. It will have to be if I’m to fight Grendel….” you sighed.
“You will- just give yourself time.”
“Do we have time?” was something you wanted to ask. But you did not. You merely focused again on the sword, trying to get it to slide to you. It did not. 
─── ・ 。゚☆: *.☽ .* :☆゚. ───
It was a nice rhythmic routine of your new life in Asgard- training so much in both body and magic. Even if it meant you were almost, always a little sore. Dining with these new people you had to call friends. Even Sif, despite her intense training sessions and sarcastic remarks every time she spoke. There was no report of any progress on Grendel. No news was good news, as the saying goes. It just left you more time to be prepared. It was hard to believe a month had passed by. In fact, you could hardly believe it when Thomas arrived one morning at breakfast.
“Forgive the intrusion, Miss Y/N, but I came to get your mail from home. Your parents begged me to send this over to you,” the baronet announced, handing you a letter. You opened it and read aloud. 
“Dear Y/N,
We have not seen you in a long time. Please return home. Just for a little.
All our love,
Your mother and father.”
You folded it in your hands. It was Loki and his variants who sat a the table, all looking at you dumbfounded.
“Do you think you can visit back, my lady? I wonder if you still are sad concerning your betrothal,” Hal said.
“I don’t know if I can bear it alone….” you commented. The others looked at you and each other.
“I doubt I would be much welcome after that wedding fiasco,” Loki commented.
Jonathan stood up from his table. 
“I will go with her. Y/N will not have to face it alone…” he volunteered.
You gave him a thanks as both of you beheld the portal to take you back. Trusting that you could alert Loki with your mind when you were ready to return. Just a bit of magic, the flash of rainbow colors bursting over you and the spy.
In a second, you both were right at the front door of your home. You knocked and were let in immediately. Sitting in the living room having an uneasy tea. They passed a plate of biscuits to Jonathan. He took a bite, keeping an uneasy smile on his face. A few crumbs fell on his pants which he wiped off. You felt your parents staring at the clothes from his time. Suppressing questions out of politeness. You only had one bite of your own biscuit, which tasted stale and bland. Looking over, you saw that the flowers in the vase on the table in the kitchen hadn’t changed since the would-be wedding. Shriveled, wilted, and dead.
“Now….Y/N, what is going on?” your mother asked.
“I am staying in Asgard. There is a great threat. A villain- he’s trying to invade. We are doing what we can to defeat him,” you explained plain and simple.
“When will you return home? Please, Y/N,” she begged.
“I don’t know, mama. Not for a while. This concerns all of our future, if not our safety. I…I wish I could…but I promised I would help them. And I will. I’m learning how to fight-”
“To fight!” cried your mother.
“Yes, and we have a clue on how to take care of it. Loki needs all the help he can get…”
Their frowns deepened at the sound of his name. Then your father leaned forward, his plate and tea untouched.
“Y/N- you are about to marry Reverend Ransome. We have to pick a new date already,” he said.
You set down your tea, feeling your hold on the saucer turn to a grip. Your breathing became sharp and your hands shook as the cup rumbled on the saucer. You set it down, but the shaking continued. Jonathan took out a hand of yours and held it in comfort.
“Mother, Father…I cannot be a vicar’s wife. Not anymore.” 
Your mother blinked rapidly.
“But Y/N- you love him so much and you’ve loved him for years. You told us yourself.  And he loves you!”
Your father looked down on you. His voice deep and serious. 
“I remember the day he asked permission to marry you. You should have seen him, Y/N. Heard his words then. I gave him my consent immediately. You should see how the reverend is now- hear how his sermons are lately. He’s eager for you to return. He misses you. He would run right here now if it wasn’t for his errands today!”
Yes, you forgot to ask him what errands he is doing. The bastard is probably pleasuring Cora against a tree again by now. Why hasn’t the bastard asked her to marry him yet and put us all out of our misery? I delivered that letter- plain and simple. He couldn’t miss it in his own stupid church. He must have read what it said… you thought bitterly. 
Your senses reached out to the woods. It confirmed what you thought happened in the past. You could sense the bodies. His fingers reached up. Then out. Could sense it when he brought it to his mouth and licked off the inside of Cora.
‘Cora, Cora- how perfect for her name. The first bit rhymes with ‘whore’ and begins with the same letter as ‘cunt,’’ your thoughts bit back impulsively. You swallowed the thought back.  
But you looked down into your cup on the tea tray. Fighting the urge to cry, your breathing even faster.
“I have…ended things with him,” you explained.
Your parents nearly jumped out of their seats.
“Ended things! Y/N- consider your future! A stable life with such a good, moral man who loves you! Why?!”
You gripped the arms of the couch with your free hand, Jonathan held you back from standing up. You saw his lips move, to contain getting involved. Only to support you. You felt your heart pick up and your throat tighten. You decided to make the explanation quick and simple. 
“Will slept with Mrs. Seaborne while betrothed to me. That was why”
Your father squinted his eyes, his nostrils flaring. 
“Y/N- Sarah gave her handmaiden to Jacob. It’s not noble for a wife to be upset when this happens. Your duty is to forgive him and make him happy,” he said. 
You glared at your father. Jonathan’s hand broke off from you as you stood up, raising your voice and meeting them where you stood. 
“Papa, Will had and consummated an affair. He kissed, wooed, and made love to another woman while engaged to marry me. He has broken my trust and crossed a line. It’s in the very Bible he studies and preaches not to do this- and he did anyway. Even as I was sick and dying, he preferred satiating his lust than comforting me. Is that who you want as your son-in-law? Or your rector? Don’t tell me he won’t do it after we’re married. I don’t trust him to. He has crossed a line once- and once is enough! I will not and cannot marry a man like that! And don’t tell me it’s my duty to let it go and be some perfect vicar’s wife! I will not make myself pure when he cannot be pure himself! I will not make myself into a perfect, pristine doll all for him to throw away for another!” 
There was silence. Only the ticking of the grandfather clock. Your mother put a hand to her mouth.
“Y/N…do you realize the scandal even the rumor of this would cause?” she asked hoarsely.
You had no time to respond, the door burst open. In were none other than Mr. and Mrs. Harris, and a neighbor, Mr. Brown. Everyone shot up out of their seats, even Jonathan.
“Please! Mr. Y/L/N! Where is she?” Mrs. Harris asked, her eyes full of tears.
“Who?” asked your father.
Their eyes turned to you. Mr. Brown’s face turned red as if he was about to explode onto you.
“Miss Harris has vanished. We fear the worst- a kidnapping. This is no doubt your daughter’s fault!” he said.
He pointed a finger at you. His voice was heavy with venom. 
“The Trickster’s God’s Whore,” he spat.
You felt sick again. 
“Stella’s gone missing. Where does he have her- where does Loki have Stella?!” Mrs. Harris pleaded, her lips quivering as tears twisted her face and fell down her cheeks.
“Another one to spoil her virtue to pleasure him?! The Trickster God has one- Why isn’t one enough?” Mr. Brown sneered.
“Please everyone- she is not in Asgard,” Jonathan reasoned, putting his hands out to calm everyone down. 
“What! Stella! Missing!” you urged. You went to her parents.
Mrs. Harris burst into heartrending sobs and her husband half embraced you. His blue eyes, just like his daughters, still looked at you with careful suspicion, but not outright hate as his neighbor. 
“Gone since this morning. We were out visiting, taking care of business. Her brothers were off at work. Her little sister was with a friend. Stella was left home alone. She told us she intended to stay today- letters to write. Our neighbors said they heard her screaming. When they rushed in, the house and her room were a mess…and she was gone.”
“Please, Y/N,  she must be with you. Talking of the place you are when we asked her, this Asgard! Every time since you visited! The Trickster god must have enchanted her!” Mrs. Harris fretted.
“Why would Loki do that?” you blurted. “No! I swear to you- as someone who friend of your family-Jonathan is right! Stella isn’t in Asgard! If she was, I would know!” 
The mother began to wring her hands. Then she brought out a scrap of paper from the pocket of her dress.
“But she…she must be enchanted…and abducted…why else would she leave a  scrap of paper behind with nonsense on it!” Mrs. Harris wailed.
“Nonsense? What nonsense? What’s on the paper?” you asked.
She handed you the scarp of paper. It was big and lined, written in a hurry. As if she was grabbed while writing it. But it was Stella’s handwriting. You exchanged too many letters to know it was her hand.
 There was only one word on it. But one word was enough.
It read: 
“GRENDEL.”
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friskynotebook · 2 years
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Help Me Say Goodbye
Obi-Wan Kenobi x Asian plus size f!reader
A professor!Obi x librarian!reader modern!AU
cw: mentions of death, mentions of mourning, food, age gap
Summary: A very self-indulgent AU one shot for this AU series, where Obi-Wan comforts the reader after she learns the Phantom of the Opera is closing on Broadway.
A note on the Asian rep in this ‘verse: In this modern AU, the reader is written to be Asian, plus-sized, and female/AFAB. The amount of Asian representation will vary in the different instalments—some will be based heavily in the reader’s culture, others will not. The reader’s culture is based on my own experiences as a mixed-race Chinese woman and is not meant to represent the vast array of Asian cultures.
I also want to give a special shout out to @obiknights and her work Borrowing Privileges—it’s one of my favourite professor!Obi fics and it’s inspired my own AU. Thank you for your talent and friendship, Brit ❤️
The title, naturally, comes from the song "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" from The Phantom of the Opera. You can listen to Sierra Boggess's phenomenal version here.
Also on AO3!
Chinatown AU masterlist
You bit back a sigh as you felt your water bottle press against your arm again.
“Obi, I’m fine.”
“Dear one, you haven’t had any water in hours. I’m worried you’ll become dehydrated,” Obi-Wan hummed, brushing the fingers on his free hand against your soft purple shirt.
“I probably already am dehydrated,” you mumbled absently, scrolling through your theatre Twitter group chats.
He raised a brow. “That’s not any better, you know that, right?”
You let the sigh from earlier out. Leaning closer to Obi-Wan, you took the water bottle and had a few generous sips.
“Good,” he praised, moving his hand to your hair.
“It’s just—Phantom’s been on Broadway for almost 35 years, Obi-Wan! I never thought it would close. I mean, I knew someday it would have to close, but it’s such an institution! A classic! An icon of Broadway!”
Obi-Wan nodded along, having heard this rant from you more than a few times already.
“And it’s the last production of Phantom to have Hal Prince’s original staging and direction! It’s a spectacle, Obi! You remember, right?”
“Yes, dove. I do remember,” he cooed, tactfully not mentioning how he’s watched the show with you more times than he can count.
“It’s just—there’s nothing like it on Broadway and when it’s gone, it’s gone! Sure there’ll be a revival, but you just know Cameron Mackintosh will bring back the bastardized, scaled-down touring version, like he did with the UK production.” You shook your head, filled with indignation.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” he soothed. “We can’t predict the future.”
“But we can see what he did in London, Obi!” You sat up, rushing to your bedroom.
“Where are you going?”
“Checking to see how much black I have for my heavy mourning period,” you called back.
“Darling, the show isn’t even closing until February. Surely you don’t need to worry about that just yet.”
You let out another deep sigh. “I suppose you’re right.”
“You suppose?” You could hear the teasing tone in his rich accented voice.
You decided on a whim to change from your t-shirt and sweatpants to a long black nightgown before returning to the couch with your boyfriend.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake,” he said when he saw your new outfit, though there was no real heat behind the words. “You really are dramatic.”
You plopped down next to him. “If it makes you feel any better, I’ll be in heavy mourning for a year when you die, as well. I’ll even wear a black veil at your funeral.”
“A full year of all black? That sounds so depressing, my sweet.” Obi-Wan wrapped an arm around your shoulders and gently pushed his bowl of grapes closer to you on the coffee table. “Surely only a month would suffice.”
You pretended to consider the proposal, popping a couple of grapes in your mouth for his sake. “Fine. One month of heavy mourning and 11 months of light mourning. Sound fair?”
“What’s light mourning?”
“Wearing grey, white, beige, browns, in addition to the black. Absolutely no bright colors.”
He chuckled softly. You were both still teasing, but you could see the hint of pain in his eyes. Though he enjoyed indulging your true crime habit, you knew it distressed him to think about death in relation to you, even if it was only your reaction to his hypothetical passing. “Perhaps we could propose one color for you to wear. In my honor.”
“Hmm . . . How about blue? For your eyes.”
Those eyes crinkled in a way that always made your heart stop. “Sounds perfect, my starlight.”
You leaned up to kiss his cheek, then settled so you were lying down with your back against his chest, continuing your doom scrolling.
You could feel the concern radiating off him, one arm hugging your chest and the other trailing your side. “How about this—if you turn off your laptop for the night, I’ll order in Wendy’s and we can watch the 25th anniversary production again.”
Your face lit up. “We’ve never watched it three times in one day!”
He laughed, happy to see you finally smile. “Well, there’s a first time for everything, isn’t there, little one?”
No-pressure tags (please message me if you want to be added or removed!): @obiknights @wickedscribbles
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basketofkithes · 2 years
Text
Request here!
Hi, I’m T. I wanted to start writing fanfiction for people so here I am! I know what its like to request something and it takes forever to someone to actually write it so I’ll try my best to do every single one I get! Please dont plagiarize, critique or translate my work. There  is a sample of my writing below inspired by this photo of Timothee Chalamet.  
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I’ll write for the characters of his I’m familar with including: Elio perlman, Billy mitman, Kyle Schleible, Daniel Middleton, Zeffirelli, Gatsby, Prince Hal and Paul Atreides.  Timothee Chalamet x Female Reader
Salty Kisses 
Summary: The two of you are at the beach and competitively have a water gun fight with a group of strangers on opposing sides. Though you eventually end up getting distracted by eachother.  Warnings: None
Squawking seagulls would flock over your group frequently, their elongated shadows casting across the golden sand. They were almost like vultures waiting to snatch up some 5-year old's ice cream and then fly away before the poor kid even acknowledged it was gone. Though if the seagull hadn't got to it surely the beaming sun would have.
The sun was something you were grateful for, not only because you needed it to live but also because it seemed to enhance the beauty of the things around you. It’d make bland sand turn into golden particles that’d grant you flight and a simple fruit juice look like it carried the universe within its seemingly insignificant plastic encasement. This made you wonder what you’d look like in such light.
 “You're not even gonna spare me because I’m your girlfriend?!” You sputtered, tasting nothing but salt. The two of you had been invited to a water gun fight because there was a shortage of players. The couple who approached you said the two of you seemed like “great company”, this puzzled you because the two of you were just intensely debating on whether or not there were more doors or wheels in the world. Nevertheless, you two were not going to say no to fun.
 “In war such labels are irrelevant! Surrender or further be drenched!” He spat the words with artificial aggression, the long vein in his neck protruding outwards. His tough expression was repetitively broken by even the smallest of smiles.
“Never!” As soon as the word left your mouth he was on your trail once again, you scrambled in the opposite direction towards the water. The small waves slapped at the skin on your thighs fiercely as you awaited your opponent's arrival. He stood at the shore what would be menacingly if it wasn't for the goofy grin on his face.“You're really gonna make me get my shorts wet?!” His curls squandered beautifully in the summer breeze. He squinted when the sunlight directly hit his face, giving it a celestial glow.
“Is that really the reason you're not coming in? Or are you just scared?!”
 “Is that a challenge?!”
“Maybe.” You shrugged, watching him contemplate between the two choices. He ultimately chose to enter the water, wading through it hastily. The two of you stood directly in front of each other, fingers resting on the triggers of your water guns. Though they were there, it didn't seem either of you had the intention of pushing it. He stepped closer, smiling down at you. Water droplets fell from his tresses, trailing down his face and dripping off his chin. Often they’d fall to wet your cheeks. You turned your head to look at the burning horizon of titian. There was that sun doing its work.
His hand came to rest under your chin, turning your head back to him. You noticed his gaze linger where yours had just been. “Isn't it beautiful?” His eyes flicked back to you, he nodded and leaned in. Your lips grazed one another's, you rested your hands on his clammy chest and he shut his eyes, smiling into the kiss. Your lips pulled him in. His grasp had slipped on his gun, leading to it splashing in the water below you. Droplets of saltwater slid down your legs.
 You parted. “Mon amour…” He muttered, when he leaned in for another you pushed him back. “Wha..what’re you teasing me for?” He huffed, following your gaze back to the shoreline. There idly stood one of your teammates. “It's getting dark so we’re heading to a party, it's just off a little to the side of the beach! You guys could come too if you want.`` They shrugged. “Yeah, we’re coming!” You turned away from Timothee, giving your teammate a nod. “We are?” He raised his eyebrows and peeked over your shoulder to observe your expression. “We are! I know you can dance, I’ve seen you, Timmy.” You rolled your hips and jutted your shoulders, imitating his moves.
 He laughed and slung an arm over your shoulders, you did the same. “I dont dance like that Y/N.” 
“You do too!”
“No, I dontttt…” You retrieved his water gun from the water and he pressed his face into your wet hair. “Whatever, come on, we might miss the alcoholic drinks!” You took a step forward and he lazily did the same. The two of you continued to stagger and stumble to shore, almost falling numerous times. 
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I’LL LOVE YOU IN EVERY LIFE WE LIVE—CHAPTER I
Chapter I: Creation Myth
(CAIUS MARTIUS CORIOLANUS, ADAM, PRINCE HAL/KING HENRY V, WILLIAM BUXTON, JAMES NICHOLLS, JAMES CONRAD, JONATHAN PINE & LOKI X READER)
Soulmates who meet in every life they live, they know without really knowing, that they belong together. Whether in the heat of battle or kneeling before the king; separated by time and death and other people, they always find one another. Love is the one thing they know for certain, even if they cannot be together, even if they are only together for the briefest moment. There will always be another life in which they will meet.
This Chapter: Religious context and background.
18+ READERS ONLY
WARNINGS: angst, smut (vaginal sex, fingering, oral—male & female receiving), character death (implied & described), violence, language
Playlist
In the Christian religion, it is said that God created Adam from the clay of the Earth, so that man would always have a connection to it. He took a rib from Adam’s own chest to create Eve—the love of his life. They lived in peace together, until the fall of man. They remained together for the rest of their hundred year lives, bearing children that would populate a desolate planet. According to the Bible, Adam and Eve made this place our home.
In our religion, Adam and Eve were created similarly from the dust of the Earth and Adam’s own breastbone, but instead of residing together in Eden, our god put the lovers on opposite ends of the Earth, so that they might find one another, and grow in that journey. While we have a deep connection to the Earth that we were formed from, our souls return to a place of pure light, to rejoin our soulmate before we are born again. Over the millenia, a couple may be reborn hundreds of times, connecting in life for many years or a brief moment. We may take more from the journey itself than our relationship with that person, but we are sure to meet them at least once—to touch hands and know, if only for a moment, that soulmates exist.
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smolbeandrabbles · 4 years
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Hail To The King -  Henry IV & Reader (The King)
There’s absolutely zero ‘X’ to be had here. & To be used for platonic relationships #AppreciateThePlatonics
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Author’s Note: 🎉🎉YES. I freakin’ DID.🎉🎉 Something else will have to come along and be freakin’ SPECTACULAR to stop this from being my movie of the year. Honestly, everyone involved in this movie should be super proud of themselves. This is an absolute gem. And I’m sure I’ll be raving about it for years to come... AND. If there’s one thing I love, it’s a good song. Especially when it fits the source material! Hail To The King - Avenged Sevenfold
Disclaimer: I do not own any of this apart from the words, which I wrote with mine own hand. I will not take away from the fantastic job David and Joel did. Also, seen as Shakespeare pretty much wrote fanfiction of history... this is like... fanfiction of fanfiction (of fanfiction?) Premise: As the King’s Guard it is your duty to protect him from anything. And you’ve done that well over the number of years you have served. There’s just one problem, what happens when you come face to face with the one thing you can’t protect him from...?
Words: 5371
Warnings: swearing / If you’ve not seen the movie and know nothing of the plays then... uh... spoilers!
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Royal flames will carve a path in chaos Bringing daylight to the night Death is riding in to town with armor... Blood is spilled while holding keys to the throne... No mercy from the edge of the blade Dare escape and learn the price to be paid Let the water flow in shades of red now Arrows black out all the light Death is riding in to town with armor They come to grant you your rights
There's a taste of fear When the henchmen call Iron fist to tame them Iron fist to claim it all Hail to the King Hail to the one Kneel to the crown Stand in the sun Hail to the King ---
If you’d ever bothered to trace your family history back, you wouldn’t have been surprised if there was a long line of you that had ended up in the service of whatever royal family was going. You had followed your father, and his father before him, and his before him… All in an array of vastly different roles – sure – but all in direct service to the King. Only difference here was you were female – and happened to have the most physical occupation of them all. King’s Guard. It had probably made sense when he was younger and getting himself into trouble – or dragging you half way across the country onto battlefields for his father and cousin. When you were more friends than anything else… But… When he became King? Shirked was the idea that he should have a woman defend him. But, apparently his thought process was quite the opposite; what kind of woman were you if you were the one charged with defending his life at every moment? Formidable. Worthy of being at his side.  And you were glad for it. You held his confidence, his council and were damn well needed when the realm started their many rebellions – that was before you counted assassination attempts. So when distain was still noted, but had considerably died down, you though you might be owed apologies. Or at least a thank you. No such luck from most of his other advisors. But you didn’t much care for them; you were much more invested now in his children. With his daughters now married into foreign families you had little opportunity to see them. But his four sons, who still liked to practice their swordsmanship, and on occasion treat you like you were still in your twenties and they were still under ten, were fast growing into tough young men of their own. With many responsibilities. Thomas was the one who had taken to this with the most resolve, that was immediately recognisable – and now he too was council to his father. John and Humphrey were content to rest on their laurels, and that made sense – they were likely to never inherit the crown, and you knew that if ever called to such service they would jump at the chance. …Then there was Hal… “Where is that boy of mine-??!” You were snapped from your deep thought, huddled sitting on the wooden steps, by the voice of your King. “Likely in town...” you tipped your head back, eyeing him curiously, he could only be talking about his eldest with a tone like that... “Would you like me to go get him?” It was as much your duty to know the whereabouts of those boys at all times. Henry already looked weary at the notion; “Is that your job?” “Not really.” You stood, brushing yourself down; “But sometimes I do like taking a walk...” He sat back for a second to regard you; “I’ll permit it, but hurry straight back.” You gave a nod of agreement “Your Majesty.” You turned with a smile “Oh-! And Y/N?” “Yes?” You twisted once more, now backing out of the throne room; “Knock some sense into him, would you?!” You gave a laugh “Even when they were younger I always thought it was easier said than done... I’ll see what I can do!” ** You didn’t have to stroll that far and had barely made it out of the castle grounds before you ran into him, looking about as worse for wear as you expected these days. But he was in the company of a man you didn’t recognise; causing your thumb to loosen your blade from its sheath; “Eastcheap no good for tonight then?” Hal sent his eyes heavenward, usually he’d take your snark and give you attitude of his own with amusement. Now it didn’t matter what you said, or how, it would simply be taken as another bout of chiding from his father. Hal essentially saw you as an extension of him now – and he had little patience for either. “…No.” “Well then you best get back inside and cleaned up. I shouldn’t like to send you to your father straight away, but he was asking after you…” and there it was… Hal sighed as if this would be a great effort on his part; “Fine.” You turned you attention from the prince to his companion and drew your eyes up and down him for some explanation. “And you are-!?” “Y/N…” You shot Hal a look to silence him.  “Falstaff, M’Lady…” It was a name you recognised… a seasoned warrior from a previous Kings reign. Although, he didn’t exactly look like that anymore. You wondered where Hal may have dug him up from. But could already jump to obvious conclusions. You folded your arms. “Oh, so you’re the bad influence.” His eyes flicked around the castle walls but didn’t meet your face; “I... don’t know how I feel about being called that.” You turned to Hal, still standing there awkwardly; “Don’t look at me, I’m not the one you answer to, get inside...” “But-!” “Get inside!!” You jerked your thumb over your shoulder, never one for liking repeating yourself.  He sighed, eyes downcast and trudged past you into the castle.  You shook your head and turned back to his companion, who was staring at your armour;  “And who exactly are you?” You folded your arms, eyebrow raised; “That’s a joke right? And not a very funny one...” you walked down the steps to effectively get up in his face - it worked well enough for him to take a pace back “You certainly look like a bad influence.” He smirked gently; “What, and you’re the good one?” You gave a shrug “I’m not here to be either - but seen as he appears a little wayward from time to time I do like to attempt a bit of steering... God knows what would happen if I didn’t.” He surveyed you again; “You’re King’s guard.” “Correct.” “Will you be Hal’s too?”  Part of you wanted to scoff, first it would have to happen – and tension in this family was high enough; “Unless he removes me from service...” you narrowed your eyes at the notion though, “But if I was you, I would have care how I spoke.” One too many strange men appearing on castle grounds got a girl wise to these things. He bent to examine your weaponry “Why? Would you run that through me?” You rolled your shoulders in a shrug; “I can think of worse things to do with my time...” “Surely all that is heavy? Don’t you take a break?”  You raised an eyebrow “It’s... my job.” Not as heavy as the weight of the Kingdom I should think, in its current state. “I see, is that it? Stand around like that all day.” “Occasionally I train Hal and his siblings in combat - which they will obviously need if things continue the way they are. And I advise, on occasion...” you placed your hands on your hips; what it was to him however was beyond you. Still, he nodded his head to the gate that his friend had just disappeared through. “You gonna advise the kid too?” You scoffed this time; “Ha-! Well I’d certainly give him a lot better advice than you.” He gave another smirk “we’ll see about that.”
**
As you expected the ill-feeling continued, and eventually Hal stopped coming around all together. You weren’t exactly surprised, and neither was Henry, which you were glad of. He wasn’t all as delusional as they would call him. However, your King was getting wise to his own mortality. He’d survived a few illnesses so far – but now he was getting older they were getting harder to fight. And today as you looked over the palace gardens his musings caught your attention; “I must call him back.” You were torn between his health as a priority and the knowledge that before something really awful happened, their relationship should be allowed to mend; “Will seeing him not strain you?” “Don’t you ever get tired of telling me what to do?” “I get worried.” You slid off the stone ledge you were sat on, “Now more than ever...” “Mortal life is such...” You lowered your head; “...But I did not expect it to be so sudden... this is my duty, what do I do without you...?” “Continue on.” “If your heir allows it.” “Why should he not?” “I don’t know... children have a funny way of looking at things...” You only began to walk as he did, and slow... you had never been more alert in your entire life - not even when you used to ride the battlefield together and his very life depended on yours. When enemies and weapons surrounded you.
But this was the second time in your life you had felt powerless to stop something. And the first was with his wife. You adored her too, and essentially became her Queens guard. Retaking that oath on their wedding day. It had happened similarly... how were you supposed to protect him from something like this...  And now enemies were on all sides too, what with the addition of Henry Percy to the rebellions. You should have dispatched him yourself over that dinner. You could reprimand yourself over that one later though… Still, in honesty, who would morn beside his father-!? Would you simply be fighting a losing battle? But you couldn’t give up - not on a man that meant so much to you.
*** Similar discussion rolled around again a week later, whilst you were waiting for the servants to finish dressing him one morning. You were the only one in this castle looped into everything. What Henry didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him – what the advisors weren’t telling you, you would gain from those in Henry’s inner most circle – the 4 or 5 of you that held his closest confidence. There was something in your demeanor that made you perfect to stand by his side and defend him, as well as make the right connections to have all the information at your disposal at any one time. Anyone who needed to know it would know in due time. Kindness paid you well, but being quiet and unassuming was twice as powerful. 
“I must speak to Hal, don’t you think? Before this gets worse.” This time your answer was different, if Henry were to listen to reason, he would do it now; “I do believe that wouldn’t go amiss.” He nodded, turning to let them smooth out his cloak ready for another communal day listening to very boring stories where you would try not to roll your eyes. You used to give each other similar looks of distain back in his younger days... Now Henry seemed to make snap judgments that didn’t make him very popular; and it was your duty to stand and listen and accept it. Having said that, if he turned to anyone, it was still to you. “I will summon him, then, lay down the rules. How I expect my succession to go.” “If I may, he only needs some straight and narrow. And giving it to him as laid down should help him with that…” you gave a nod of approval to his suggestion “Firm but fair.” He was giving you that look again that meant you didn’t necessarily believe in your suggestion “…Y/N… The truth from you now.” He dipped his head but kept those piercing blue eyes on you. You breathed a heavy sigh; “…Go easy on the firm…” You gave a gentle smile “…I believe the fair will be what he needs most.” ***
As the meeting was adjourned you allowed yourself to lower your head into your hands; oh, Lord above what have you done? Clearly whatever you had said days previously had gone over his head, been forgotten, or someone else in this room had put other notions in his head. You glared at his row of ‘advisors’ – you could make a fair few guesses. If only you were just allowed to go around and take them all out without some yelling treason and getting you killed. You ground your teeth and excused yourself from your King for a moment. “Tell me this wasn’t someone else’s idea?” Thomas gave a shrug “…I… Cannot say I knew it was coming. But neither can I say it’s a surprise.” “Whether that be Hal or the battle?” “Oh. The battle was set… Why?” “Would you like me to accompany you?” He politely shook his head; “Your place is at my fathers side.” “I know that, but he’s hardly about to fight a war is he…” “You may stay, if I need you I will send for you…” Thomas was always your favourite, you didn’t like the idea that he was about to walk into this on his fathers orders “…You promise?” “I promise.” “Well then you best keep it, if you are to succeed him, then I would expect you to already be utilizing me.” He gave a smile at that, and a confident nod; “Perhaps I shall see you on the battlefield?” You reflected his warm smile with your own; “Until such a time, Thomas! I wish you luck!” It wasn’t so hard to catch Henry after talking quickly to Thomas and even less hard to get him to usher all his other bickering advisors away; “When I said talk to Hal, that isn’t exactly what I had in mind!!” “...What? Do you believe me to have lapsed in judgement...?” “He is your son! I would just expect that...” You held your tongue at the look he was giving you “That boy is no son of mine, do you think he cares? He would sooner see me dead than come to my heed - and he said it himself, he does not seek the crown of England.” You tried to not look so hurt; what had caused such a rift... you had your own ideas... Hal had always been the wayward unruly one... but the eldest. You always thought he would come back, and perhaps he would have. But both he and his father shared a similar distaste for one another’s company that had never really healed. Not even now, when Henry, like it or not was a dead man walking.
 **
  Things declined, and fast. It wasn’t like you could say one day he was fine and the next he wasn’t, he’d been ailing for a while - but you expected it to draw itself out a little longer... but when hour two of you sitting in the throne room alone rolled around you knew something was wrong. And you knew he’d long since lost the strength to wander alone; so he wouldn’t be in any of the places you would have usually found him pondering life. You decided you’d rather be in trouble for not being here when he arrived than leaving anything too late.  And you were right; although when you got to his bedchamber only his doctor was still present. You stood in the doorway patiently, and he spotted you, whispering something to your King he came over; “I fear we are at the end...” It was like getting stabbed through the heart with your own sword, and as expected you couldn’t hold the dread from your voice; “...Is there nothing...” “Y/N I have done all I can... I know this is particular hard on y-” “You have NO idea how hard this is for me!” You spat back a little more venomously than you really meant. You were angry, confused, scared, upset.  Henry had always laughed and told you your face was too emotional, and you always pushed him and told him you were his emotional support. At least you could actually roll your eyes when someone came to him with something stupid. Not that you were supposed to, but sometimes needs must. The doctor looked more than a little taken aback, so your expression softened and you lowered your eyes “Forgive me this is just... after losing her I... I thought I would lose my life before he did...” “Have you not done your job amicably well if he is dying like this?” “In agony? When I cannot do anything? Should the King’s Guard really outlive their King?”  You were met with a silence, before the doctor turned to Henry again; “He will need rest... but you may stay...” “How long...?” “Little more than a week, I wouldn’t hope to expect that...” You swallowed back your tears, and he lay a hand on your arm; “...Y/N... I am sorry...” “...Are preparations made... is no one going to...” “What are preparations now? After Thomas-” You shot him another look “So we need to debate over Hal, now?” “Y/N... until he-” “For goodnessake...” You shook your head; fine. If his other advisors won’t say it, you would. Your smile was a thin line; “Thank you Doctor... I’ll take it from here...”
Those were some of the hardest steps you’d ever had to take, which you thought was pretty pathetic on your part. He’s your King dammit! It doesn’t matter for how much longer, he is NOW! It’s YOUR job to be his strength, while he still has some of his own... But he was your whole life, your whole world, your best friend. And if there was something to go through, you’d probably been through it together. And for all the talk of you supposedly saving his life, you couldn’t count the number of times he’d saved yours. Your eyes flicked to the castle grounds visible from the window, and you were glad they hadn’t left it dark in here. Though if they had you’d have done something about it. Always the rebellious one. You sat on the edge of his bed and sighed gently... if this really was it then you’d never get to walk with him anywhere again, let alone out there. You were starting to wish you’d savoured yesterday that little more. It wasn’t long before his hand took yours, and you were forced to smile. His voice was weak but held that amusement that let you know he wasn’t truly done yet. “...Never thought you’d have to see me like this...” You shook your head, eyes still on the scenery “...this is you we’re talking about... I’ve seen much worse.” He managed a chuckle; “Oh! About to get a collective embarrassing life story, am I?” “I’ll spare you that, your Grace.” “Oh. The honour is mine...”  You laughed, despite the circumstances... “But in seriousness... we do need to talk about what happens next.” “Hal?” Your nod was barely there, unless he was about to offer up a second suggestion; “Who else?” There was a grumble and Henry withdrew his hand, which made you look back to him; “...I didn’t wish to see you lose any of them before your own life... but we can’t pretend it didn’t happen... Henry if you don’t name an heir there will be chaos... even if Hal is the more obvious choice... I don’t trust-” anyone! He sighed; “You never have.” “No. With good reason! Everyone here is here for themselves...” “And you aren’t?” “Thought it might be obvious by my title...” I’m here for you. You folded your arms “And if I have to tell you some home truths, so be it. I’m not afraid to do so.” “...Do you think he’s ready?” “I think he’ll be different.” “That wasn’t an answer to my question.” “How can anyone be ready? I’m not ready, and I’ve been preparing for what happens if I don’t do my job for 20 years-!” “You cannot shield me from this one...” “And how do you think THAT makes me feel-!?” There was sudden silence at the way you’d raised your voice and you sighed again “Forgive me, I...”
His hand reached out again and this time he brushed away the single tear that had escaped; “Do not waste your tears on me... crying is all but useless.” Your voice was barely above a whisper as it graduated to despair; “What am I supposed to do without you..?” “I told you. You will do your duty. And you better damn well do it good - that boy will need it.” You blinked a few times, allowing for a pause worthy of the significance, and raised an eyebrow; “Is that you agreeing with me on this one-!?” He chuckled again, “Come now; I don’t often disagree with your judgement.” “This is a major judgement...” you took his hands back in yours “Henry, it needs to be your decision and they all need to hear you say it...” “And they will, even if it’s the last thing I say...” You sighed gently again with a nod, despite your frustration, even now he wasn’t willing to mend fences. Well. You don’t know why you expected it. “May I stay?” “You may...” he closed his eyes again “... That way you can tell everyone else to leave.” You couldn’t help but grin, even though he couldn’t see it; oh you’d only wanted to do THAT from the second you’d been appointed... You left his bed, and settled in a chair, relaxing; “With pleasure..!” You ended up reading, head propped up in your hand and sword braced against the wall. It wasn’t something you had much occasion to do these days, and you for once gained your enjoyment from being absorbed in books, and not parrying in the courtyard with adolescent males who still hadn’t figured out a way to beat you yet that didn’t involve foul play. You smiled absentmindedly at the memory as you read on; no prizes for guessing which member of the family you ought to be thanking for that. Your eyes flicked up as he murmured something, and everything stilled for a moment. He murmured it again – a little louder but barely enough for you to catch it; you placed a marker in the book and slid it from your knee – leaning forward and focusing on him. It sounded like a string of nonsense – and you realised that he must be lost in dreaming. That didn’t make your approach any less curious. You stopped just short as he mumbled again; “…Mary…" Oh… Henry…  You crouched beside him, lacing your fingers with his. He repeated her name a little louder now, and his fingers closed around yours tighter – as if desperate not to let go. His calling of her more urgent. You bit your lip gently, and attempted to calm him with gentle hushed tones of your own. And all at once you knew. He would have her back, he would get to see her again. You knitted your eyebrows together – was it fair to keep him here, to pray to God few more precious hours as much as you did, when all he’d wanted since she’d died was to see her again? It was like everything was being forced into perspective – and when he relaxed you dropped your hand from his and looked Heavenwards. He was your everything. But you should be thinking about his everything… ‘Forgive me…’ ** Every morning since then you’d been the first one to his room. For a start, there was no way you were letting anyone else beat you to the King’s side, and you wanted to pay damn close attention to the kinds of poison they might be whispering. On occasion you would simply make sure your sword hit something as you moved, to keep them in line. Your concern now was them leading him to something when he had very little effort to fight it off. He’d already made some rash decisions when he was completely lucid... some of the people that came to him had good points-! Even if they went about it the wrong way...  
But, people had been calling him delusional for a little while and you weren’t having that, or anything else, happen now. So you watched them all with a particular form of glower. You’d only left his side to rest. Not that you got much of that done either - pacing the halls outside your room instead. You would wait in his, but, you had to at least act like life may go on. It wouldn’t. You would be just as delusional for thinking so... This morning however, was worse than all the rest. You took the steps 3 at a time and walked that corridor as briskly as you had any other day. But as you turned into his room you knew something was badly wrong. And that made you sprint the rest of the way, to your knees.  His breathing was laboured, and even in taking his hand there was no strength left.  “Henry...” He barely opened his eyes to you; “Y/N...” His voice was just as weak. And for the first time since he’d been bed bound, you didn’t want to cry. Some kind of amicable strength overcame you. “Save your words, My King... I shall gather everyone...” you knew he knew too.  A shiver ran through him that you also didn’t like. Just stay alive... please until Hal is here... stay alive...  You stood, and were about to turn and run from the room once more, but something stopped you. You reached down gently, and tucked his dark hair away from his face. Then you bent - and pressed a short kiss to his forehead. It wasn’t enough, but it was what you needed to say.
** You didn’t know if you were supposed to be running quite this fast in mail; and your sword occasionally banging into you caused a dull pain, but you didn’t care. Everyone you could think that would need to be there you roused from sleep, or any other mundane task they might be doing, in order to be by his side. And by the time you got back they were ready to administer last rights.
You stood in the centre of that room and surveyed it, a slow smooth circle until you were facing him again. Everyone was solemn and quiet. And there wasn’t anyone missing to be doing the task, either. You were about to raise the noise level; “Where is Hal?” “...Why would...” “Are you serious?! Without putting too finer point on it - we will need a new King. An heir to the throne of England. We can’t exactly have the first choice can we - where is Hal!?” “The King has not named Hal as the success-” “Are you JOKING!” You took an intimidating step forward, “Who else, pray tell, will sit on the Throne of England??! Would you like to call the Scots? The Welsh? The French? Hal is the heir and Henry’s eldest son...” “This King has not-” “RETRIEVE HAL FROM TOWN. One of you! NOW!” There was another silence like they weren’t going to heed your words. But within it a second weaker voice; “Hal...” You all turned at the sound of your King “...He must... you must...” You turned to them all with a sharp look; “I believe that is deceleration enough - one of you GO-!”
To be honest if your look was going to do anything it would well have murdered them on the spot, but it didn’t - so William was the one to volunteer to go. And you at least gave him a glum smile of thanks, before taking a deep breath and nodding to the Archbishop. It was time. Like it or not. And you didn’t.
***
You couldn’t stay, you should have been in that room but you couldn’t bare it. Watching his heart break over Mary was one thing too many even now; having him watch yours do the same wasn’t something you could do to him as he died. Instead you stood outside, one foot up against the wall. Your thoughts both equally merciful and selfish. Let it be quick and have him suffer no more... let him linger a while I’m not ready yet... But you weren’t even there, would it matter now. There was sudden screaming from the entrance way that made you look up; “Where is the monster!?” You sighed, Oh...Hal... You were right, fences could never be mended... would they be even now? All you could really be glad of was that he came.
Hal paused as he wheeled around the corner and caught sight of you. And composed himself, solemnly, you wouldn’t trust to hope he would be doing it for any reason other than you. Hal and yourself had never had any reason to not get along, other than the man you served. His walk slowed a little but he understood the urgency. His nod to you meant a great deal more than he would realise. You smiled gently at his interactions. He was like you, maybe that’s what Henry saw that he didn’t like. You weren’t opposed to the shakeup. You and he were two sides of the same coin - Hal and you would become the same side - there would be a lack of balance there - but you had discipline and your nature suited you to your job. There was a point where Henry liked that. Maybe he just didn’t want to see it in his own son. Either way, he was never blaming you for it.
**
You weren’t sure you had ever felt like this. Hollow emptiness, maybe, but it hurt so bad. You’d had weeks and months of this and you all knew what was coming. And yet... When it happened it was unbearable. There was sudden shuffling... and you knew everyone was dropping to Hal’s feet. You were still stood outside. They accepted because why? Because he had said so as he died? Because it was the only way? - if Hal relieved you from duty you could stick around. If he didn’t, you had a feeling he would need you more than his father did. Discord from the outside was naught like fighting something from within. Enemies on all sides once more. In a different way... You were aware of your tears this time and decided that this once you were allowed to not keep them at bay. You were conscious of Hal’s exit from the room and pulled yourself away from the wall. He paused, and turned to you. You took a breath, knowing you were duty bound to kneel to your King. And you would - but before you could even take the step he held his hand out. “You do not need to-” “It would be improper of me to not-” Hal was incredibly soft spoken, and that tone would serve him well; “Y/N - given your standing with my father, I would not have you submit in such a way before I am truly crowned...” he paused, and tilted his head, he saw those tears. And yet you should still be getting down on your knees... “...You will stay... in office?” You opened your mouth, but what to say, of course you would accept, and Henry had asked it of you. But did you risk looking too eager, everyone else would likely be forced, and yet he was giving you the choice. You countered; “If you would wish me to... and permit me to... I will stay.” He nodded in agreement “You are my Kings Guard.” “As you are my King.” There was a clear decision in that sentence that flickered across your face and Hal’s eyes at the sentiment. “...That is agreeable. You served my father well. I am of mind enough to know you shall do the same for me.”  You gave a nod, Henry V... that’s what he would be... your second, and your second term in such an office. You could only hope not to outlive this one, and that he would reign for many a year. You bowed instead, low, so low you might as well have knelt. And when you stood again you were smiling. All hail a new era - maybe one England desperately needed.
“Hail to the King.”
---
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@dennismitchell @happyskywhale @wltz-bby #MendoTagSquad.
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andyzer0 · 7 years
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Fate Arthurian Apocrypha
Arthurian Legend Apocrypha
Having some fun with the less "canon" Arthurian Legends.  Heck if I know what to give "power levels" for these characters.  Would appreciate much help.
The following are considered "honorary" Knights of the Round Table; most like Alternate Universe versions, like Proto Arthur.
Prince Valiant (Princess Valiance)
Saber Class
Origin: Newspaper Comics - Hal Foster
Exiled as a girl from her native land of Thule, Prince Valiant grew up in the vast fens of fifth century Britain before discovering her calling and destiny as a knight of King Arthur’s storied Round Table.  Wields the Singing Sword, sister to Excalibur.
Nasu-ification:  Genderswap:  Princess Valiance comes from a timeline where court of King Arthur did not fall; which makes things awkward to the more guilt-ridden of the knights.  May have inherited the throne of Camelot after her timeline Mordred was defeated.
Relations with other Servants:  Gets along best with Sir Tristam and Sir Gawain.   Val is well known as a "neutral" party; she doesn't take sides with any disputes in the Round Table itself.  Mordred is very jealous because she perceives Valiance as a "rival" to Altria's affections and as a rival to being the heir of the throne.  Archer Gilgamesh will occasinally make snide comments about copies.
Noble Phantasm: The Singing Sword - Sonic Attack with the chance of charming, regardless of male or female.
Jason Blood (Etrigan) Berserker Class Origin: DC Comics
Description:  A knight of the Round Table; he feels he failed Camelot (Which makes him fit in just fine.).  Merlin bound him to the Demon Etrigan as a means of controlling the demon; and as a means of penance for Jason.
Nasu-ification:  Jason Blood was Merlin's first attempt to counter Solomon.  Creating his own Demon Pillar, he bound a mass of spirits to the knight.
Skills:
Mad Exhancement -  Rhyming Demon.   Etrigan will bellow everything he says in rhymes.  Similar to Spartacus's use of metaphors; sometimes nonsensical.  It can be very difficult to understand what he is saying.
Noble Phantasm -   "Gone Form Of Man".  Jason can fight as a lesser Saber; but by chanting Merlin's rhyme; becomes Etrigan.  
Relations with other Servants: He sympathizes with Berserker Lancelot.  He and Mordred find each other frustrating; Mordred annoyed at his cynicism; Jason dislikes Mordred's lack of remorse.  Mephistopheles is constantly sucking up to his fellow "Demon" and tries to "tempt" Jason to becoming Etrigan more often.  Both Jason and Etrigan find this wearying.
Pip Master of None Class (no pluses, no minuses, to anything.) Origin: Grailquest by JH Brennan
Pip is a "farmboy / farmgirl" who operated as a backup knight by Merlin, powered by the "Net Spell", combining the minds of all readers of the "Grailquest" books into a single gestalt. They are armed with "Excalibur Jr." an attempt by Merlin to copy the sword.  It didn't quite work, but it's a decent magic sword; with the ability to talk.  (Which it does, too much.)
Nasu-ification:  Pip is a homunculus created by Merlin in order to perform "wetwork" against enemies of Arthur's court that it would be too costly to engage directly.  Because typically, homunculi tend to go crazy (or expect pesky things like equal rights); Merlin came up with a solution of using a network of minds from the ether, to be sent home when their task is finished.   Becoming a Servant was just treated by Pip as just more of the same.
Skills:
Luck Stone -  A+ Luck due to a blessing from The Lady of the Lake herself.
The Dreaded 14 -   Battle Continuation, 3 times
Relations with other Servants:  
The other knights don't quite know how to deal with Pip; sometimes placing them in the same category as Mysterious Heroine X and X Alter.  Pip themselves get along with everyone; having encountered nearly every genre known to man; and has in fact met many of the Greek Heroes personally.
Pip is of indeterminate gender; they are male and female and neither.  This is not "sexy" or "overwhelmingly cute" like Astolfo or D'eon; but this doesn't stop some from trying to "pretty them up."   These efforts are doomed to being "funny."  Excalibur Jr will get into arguments with Gilgamesh.
Noble Phantasm: Master of None: Can randomly become a different Class in one fight; for good or bad.  
Hazel Archer Class Origin: Sword in the Stone by Disney, 4chan.
Hazel was a squirrel that met Saber Lily when Merlin was teaching her valuable life lessons through transformations.  Through a fluke magical accident, became human when Merlin was changing himself and Altria back.   He's VERY loyal to Altria, and as a result; a VERY DIFFERENT timeline occured; where Altria and Guienevere never married.  Details on this timeline are difficult to get; as Hazel is disinterested in anything that isn't Saber Lily.  Is incredibly innocent; has a loose concept of clothing or personal space. (But it's never creepy)
Nasu-ification: Genderswap. Hazel looks exactly like a young Emiya Shirou; due to Quantum Memetics; similar to how Nero looks exactly like Altria.  (Nero argues it is the other way around.)
Skills: Rescued from Fate - a buff that Hazel can give to Saber Lily's Caliburn; the sword having never rejected Altria in Hazel's timeline; making it temporarily greater than Excalibur.  Both Hazel and Lily Saber must be present for this buff.
Nut Avalanche -  AOE.
Relations with other Servants:  Archer Emiya and both Illya will stare; but refuse to comment.  Hazel only really cares about Saber Lily; he doesn't care at all about current Altria.  He gets along with Tamano and Atalantea; but has a rivalry with Medea.
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Last Updated: 2023-12-23
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Disclaimer: I am not the author of these stories, just sharing my favourite Prince Hal/Henry V stories. Find the authors' links below. If you want your work removed, message me privately.
Legend: 〔E〕 ⇢ Erotic/Steamy | 〔F〕 ⇢ Fluff | 〔A〕 ⇢ Angst/Hurt 〔M〕 ⇢ Minor Angst/Hurt | 〔C〕 ⇢ Comfort | ♥︎ ⇢ Established Relationship | 𑁍 ⇢ Pregnancy/Children | 🚫 ⇢ Content Warning
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❆ Twelve Days of Christmas│Prt. II│Prt. III│Prt. IV│Prt. V│Prt. VI│Prt. VII│Prt. VIII│ by smolvenger • 18+ • 〔F᜶A᜶C〕 • ♥︎ •
Summary: "You must face your first royal holiday celebration —the Twelve days from Christmas to Epiphany —for your first time as the bride and queen of the new, young King Henry V, a man you were arranged to marry, a man you hardly know."
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❆ Green Sleeves by just-the-hiddles • 18+ • 〔E᜶F〕 •
Summary: "Hal should be at the royal residence for the holiday but is instead at a local inn with Falstaff and Poins. He has his eyes on you."
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See Also: Navigation || Prince Hal/Henry V Master Index
Authors: @just-the-hiddles || @smolvenger ||
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Last Updated: 2024-01-17
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Main
Prince Hal/Henry V x Reader
Seasonal
Prince Hal/Henry V x Reader: Winter Edition
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See Also: Navigation || Private T.B.R.
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smolvenger · 1 year
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The Twelve Days Chapter Five (Henry V x Fem! reader miniseries)
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Summary: Your family betrothed you to the notorious Prince Hal- now newly crowned as King Henry V. As December ends and January begins, you must face your first Twelve Days of Christmas celebration not only as a Queen but as a wife to a man you are only beginning to know and bed.
Previous Parts: One//Two//Three//Four
Chapter Word Count: 4K
Warnings: Mentions of sex, pregnancy, childbirth, and the fear of cheating are discussed. (Henry/Hal NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER cheats on Reader at any point in the fic bc he's a good guy), Y/N is a jealous and angry girlie and gets a moment of Female Rage(TM). Some angst but then some hurt/comfort and then a very fluffy ending. References to the original text of Henry V, specifically the last scene in Act V. Attempts at historical accuracy and Shakespearean cursing.
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The Ninth Day
According to Sumptuary laws, you were the only person in England allowed to wear purple or gold. You hoped the silk dress, adorned in your favorite of the two colors, would make you look more official. You wanted to step in more at today’s court session. Henry used to tell you that you were a queen now, it was time to step into the power of that position. You only hoped you were ready for it and would make the right choices. If not, you could at least advise Henry on anything just from being a silent observer. Just as the neck turned the head, you could turn the king of England for anything if you tried. Perhaps. He had even arranged for a chair by his throne so you did not have to stay standing for hours.
“We thank our allies in Spain for their generous gifts for New Year's, forgiving any lateness,” Henry announced.
The Spanish ambassador dipped his head and then stepped out. Then another courtier, the Earl of Westmoreland, stepped forward.
“My king,” he greeted with a bow.
“And what does Westmoreland have for our person?” Henry asked.
“We have heard of the consummation of the royal marriage-“
Embarrassment shot through your being for such private matters (concerning your body as well!) to be publicly discussed with every person in court. It was an uncomfortable truth though- your sole purpose of being brought here, the one and only crucial job you had to do was to give the king a legitimate son to carry on his family’s reign on the throne. And there was only one act that, unless you were the Holy Virgin Herself, would guarantee that would happen.
You shot your eyes down to your hands folded on your lap, your ears feeling hot. The Earl of Westmoreland continued.
“We are grateful that her grace has done her duty to the crown and we must make preparations for the pregnancy…”
You looked at Henry and he at you. His cheeks were a bit pink with embarrassment yet his face remained calm, if not a flash of a wicked, Prince Hal-like smile.
“It’s too soon to tell, according to the physicians. But…”
Your husband turned to you.
“If she should think she is with child, she shall contact the physician and inform us, yes?”
“Yes, I shall,” you replied.
The Earl of Westmoreland nodded and then brought forth a scroll of parchment that he opened up.
“Wonderful! Once she is pregnant, we will have the best physicians. Though already it is advised that for the sake of the child, once she is pregnant, you shall lie in separate beds and do not perform your marital duties to each other.”
You questioned if that was true. Part of you sighed on the inside. The joys of the marriage bed were something you were just discovering. That you could feel such mad desire for your husband’s body and go through the process of intimacy until you found that addictive state of ecstasy would be something to be missed. Henry himself, if you had to be blunt with your feelings, was a skilled lover...
Lover. You turned to look at him in that thought in your head. Lover- the first part of that word- love. Already, was it too soon? Was it his kindness? Was it bedding him? Perhaps, perhaps by now, you felt that maybe-yes….you were starting to fall in lo-
“And the king shall take a mistress once the queen is pregnant!” Westmoreland announced.
Your head bolted forward to him. The word rang in your head yet you felt you were underwater.
“Excuse me…what did you say?” you asked.
“I said, his highness, the king, shall take a misteress once the queen is pregnant. That way, he shall have someone to satisfy him until after the child is delivered. We must make sure, after all, the king is happy enough to rule wisely… the needs of the king come first!”
Needs?!?! You thought.
You froze. You felt as if you were kicked in the stomach by a mule. Your hands clenched and tightened where they lay. Your jaw hung in mid-air.
Months ago, you admitted that kings kept mistresses. It was natural. Your place would be the wife only for the purpose of risking your life to deliver a healthy male heir and he would choose to fool around with whoever he wanted. At first, before your wedding, you regarded this thought with mere annoyed acceptance.
Now it was different. It felt even worse than when you tried to overhear Henry talking with your ladies. You kept still, feeling your shoulders creep up. Knowing that after all this was for the king- not you.
You looked over at Henry. Honestly, You dreaded seeing the lascivious smile of a man who could take what he wanted and enjoy it all without consequence. But he was frozen. His mouth was in a somber frown and his jaw seemed tight. His face was stone and his oceanic eyes were the size of tennis balls. You couldn’t guess what he was feeling or thinking. Then his eyes looked towards you. In the ducts of your eyes, there were quiet tears.
"Written here is a list of women we consider would make most wonderful misteresses for the king..."
Could you be Queen Y/N the Kind-Hearted at this? Could you smile and say it was fine? That you cared more for your husband than for yourself- glad he was at least happy? Could you swallow back your heartbreak, your envy, your anger? Many queens had. Many queens did. But why…why did this have to be?
The Earl would not shut up.
“We have several options of mistresses for you, your highness- We shall have you meet with them soon enough. And if her beauty pleases you, my lord, then we can select one to be ready when the time comes Some husbands have offered their wives to you, even, in order to gain your favor in return.”
The image, the picture of Henry…and a mistress. Henry, who made a sacred covenant to be your husband. To have and hold until only death did you part, for richer, poorer, sickness, health. After he refused to have the court eyewitness the wedding night and refused to force himself on you. To allow your wish to assist in charity to the common folk on Christmas day. After he gave you a little flower, as well as the very necklace you were wearing right now and the companionship of a kitten to keep you company in your lonely hours after you confided a personal anecdote of a family pet you missed from home. To have him bring your family here for the Twelfth Night so you could see them. Who didn't consider you as his plaything, but as...as a person. To how he cared as much for your pleasure as he did for his and despite voicing how badly he desired you... yet controlled himself until you said yes to him…
Was all of that for nothing?
You could almost already see her- more beautiful than you could ever hope to be. Someone better, with all the qualities you lacked times ten and with hardly a flaw. The image of this perfect, flawless, desirable woman grabbing your husband’s face and kissing him- as you lay in your rooms with a child in your stomach fearing that you or your baby would die in this process and the immense pain of bringing this child forth! You again pictured her grabbing your husband- your husband’s!- shirt to kiss him deeper, undoing his pants, lifting her skirt with a smile as you... and all as you lay in a quiet dark room, bleeding, dying slowly and painfully and alone....and in another place would be this lady with your husband kissing him and removing his clothes and hers and…and…and…
You had had enough. You could not let this happen. You could not smile and care only for his happiness and not your own. That because he was a man with a cock his own "needs" trumped your well-being and peace of mind. No, no, you could not take this. Not one bit. You couldn’t just stand there and let this happen anymore.
You stood up at once. Taking in a shaky breath, fighting back the urge to scream or cry in front of everyone, you held your arms. You spoke with authority, biting back the urge to yell, and glared directly into the eyes of Westmoreland.
“Sir, I must tell you…this shall not be so!” you commanded.
Eyes turned on you. You folded your arms in front of you to ground yourself. There was a point in your anger that you hit a silence, the quiet center of a storm. You had the power to punish this man and by God, you were going to use it.
You stared down at him with every bit of contempt you could fathom.
“What, your majesty! I-“ he babbled.
“How dare you even suggest such a thing, and in my presence no less!” you replied down at him. You made sure your features were still cool, yet firm.
“You must understand, that..."
You brushed him off with your hand as you walked forward.
“Oh, I understand completely what you just said. But listen to your queen- I will not tolerate this.”
You took a moment, and turned around to the rest of the court, raising your voice enough that each would hear you. You were glad that your dress was long enough that it hid your shaking legs, despite the volume of your voice.
“ From now on, listen to my declaration…if you or any other makes such an offer, man or woman- if I as much as hear of one lady being offered to the royal bed- whoever offered her and she herself as well will be sent to the tower…”
Your eyes turned to meet Westmoreland.
“If I must drag you both there myself by your hair.”
He dropped the scroll and scrambled to get it up. Once you both locked eyes again, you let yourself a small smile at the gruesome image you started to describe.
“Then, the day you are found guilty of this, you will both face execution by fire- not hanging, not beheading- the fire. Slowly. Painfully. Until each flame burns every bit of your flesh to the bone. And I will be there to watch it.”
You took a deep breath. Westmoreland’s hands dropped to his side, letting the scroll crash on the floor again, and there was a slight shake at his knees.
Good, you thought.
“And that goes for any and all involved in the idea of a mistress…is that clear?!?” you announced.
“But if his highness, the king, has needs as a..a... a man…” he began to protest.
“I shall tell you, he already has a mistress-me!" you argued.
You took another breath in. Then you stepped forward, quietly speaking with as much power and as much venom as you could muster.
“I will not tolerate even the idea of a misteress on pain of death. Do you hear your queen? Do you respect her word, or would you like to be the first to experience the consequence of displeasing me? Would you enjoy dying by fire? Is that clear?”
He looked up at you and then nodded frantically.
“Yes, your majesty!”
“I can be merciful. Beg for forgiveness from me, and you will have it. But you nor any other person will ever attempt to make this offer again as long as my husband and I both live- do you understand!” you said.
“Yes, please!” he cried.
“Fall on your knees and beg!” you hissed softly, pointing to the ground.
He then fell on his knees and put both hands on the floor, muttering, mumbling, and begging for forgiveness. You walked a step closer. You gestured for him to raise his head. Then you picked up the scroll. Despite curiosity, you would not look at the list of names of possible women to soil your marriage bed- and threw it at Westmoreland. He caught it, but remained speechless.
“Then…then I spare your life. Go and never speak of this again.”
Henry quietly walked forward and placed a hand on your shoulder. You jumped a little at the touch and then looked up at him. You set a glare in his eyes, despite his tall height, despite the crown on his head, there was one on yours too. He then spoke.
“I will confirm my wife’s wishes and we will adhere to them. I will not have a mistress during my reign. If I must be celibate when she is with child, so be it.”
You went back to sit on the chair. Your pulse was racing as if you managed to successfully escape a bear, and yet part of you was upright like the creature would roar and attack you again at any minute.
“Then…let us continue with the court,” you suggested.
Your mind could not rid of that picture of Henry with a mistress. You didn't speak a word for the rest of that meeting. You weren't even paying the least bit of attention. Once the court was dismissed, Henry turned to you. He opened his mouth to speak quietly.
“I…”
“I need some time alone…” you interrupted, turning your head away and waving him off with your hand.
You picked up your skirts and walked forward quickly, not looking back or left or right, a few ladies in waiting sprinting to keep up with you. Your pulse was racing. Only a few tears full down the ducts of your eyes yet you kept your own gaze forward until you finally reached your private quarters. Once you were inside, there were a few ladies in waiting to enjoy listening to one play the harp as they were organizing your correspondence.
“Your highness!” one greeted.
They all dipped into a bow. You folded your hands and looked down at them. It would not be fair to yell at them, to take out your anger on innocent women who were not present at what happened- and at what almost happened.
“How fares your grace? Shall we walk in the gardens next?” another asked.
You shook your head. Now the tears were starting to fall.
“I ask that you all leave me alone for the next hour and a half. You are not allowed in until then. And inform the guards that no one- I repeat no one- is allowed in until then!”
“Your grace? What is it…what ails her majesty? Are there tears?” one asked.
Your face crumbled as you nodded your head. You wiped one off with your hand as you raised your voice to be official.
“This is not a request- your queen orders you all to leave!”
They scattered out like rabbits. Finally, alone, you threw yourself on the bed like you did as an adolescent and began to sob. Finally, letting out those tears, that vulnerability, getting over it- yet…your body felt as if it happened, yet nothing did yet…Your own mind was spinning as you let yourself cry, grateful for the privacy. Since being queen, were you ever completely alone for an hour? You couldn’t even recall.
Sir Gwaine hopped from his spot on the window. You heard the shuffle as he leaped onto the bed and the weight of his little paws making their way and then poking at you. He meowed sweetly, giving you a touch of his little, pink nose. You held him and he purred in response. You kissed him and cuddled him. Animals were indeed far superior to men, you thought. You let yourself cry some more- ugly, gaping, hiccupping sobs.
You gave him a kiss on the head as you let him go and continued, curling in a ball on the bed and letting out as much crying as you could. Sir Gwaine stayed by, still standing. Then he stretched and his eyes went to a corner. He let a certain, loud, and bright “meow! Meow!”
Tis odd, you thought. He only meows like that when there’s someone walking into the room…unless...
God’s blood, no.
Your head turned around and in surprise, you saw Henry. He wasn't wearing his crown and his hands were in front of him, reaching as if to touch you.
“Y/N…”
You shot to sit up, still feeling the tearstains on your face.
“How did you get in here?!” you asked angrily.
“The guards refused to let me in, but I know all the rooms and passages to crawl through! I can’t tell you how many times I crept out and away from my father’s eye…” he explained.
He took a step forward.
“Y/N, I-“
Still in that anger, you removed your shoe and flung it towards his head. Despite his tall height, Henry ducked out of the way of the shoe.
“IF you-“
You flung the other shoe at his face.
“-Ever- “
You threw a pillow at him. He began to back off.
“-Have-”
The next pillow. It landed on his face.
“-a mistress- “
Another pillow.
“-I will- “
The next pillow came at him, which he dodged.
“-Kill you-“
Then the next one. Another dodge.
“-BOTH!”
Sir Gwaine fled to hide beneath the bed. You stood up from the bed and your arm reached to get another only to realize those were the only pillows. Henry, seeing you were unarmed for the second, darted up to you and grabbed your arms, forcing you to look him in the eye.
“Y/N- I won’t! Didn't you hear me back there?!? I won’t ever have a mistress!” he cried back.
There was a pause. From the concerned eyes and lowered jaw, brows lowered to where they crinkled his lids, he…he…he seemed…earnest. It was too good to be true.
You began to cry again. Again, that aftershock of hearing that announcement and at the same time, the emotion flooding you of it not happening. Of avoiding it, when it had been so close! His grip on your arms softened. You flung your arms around his neck- but not to strangle him- to embrace him. You dipped your face to his chest and let yourself cry into it and he held you for a bit and let you, a hand touching your back. Then he managed to scoop you into his arms- one under your legs and the other on your back, lifting you up. You paused from the crying, feeling his strength, the air beneath your feet as if you weighed nothing and were floating in midair. He carried you to the bed and placed you on there as he joined you to hold you tight. You curled up on his chest, he kept rubbing your back.
“You fear…you fear my infidelity, don't you?” he whispered.
You sniffled, feeling your nose run from all the sobbing. Like a child, you wiped it with your sleeve, even if it was the nice, silken one. Then you looked into his eyes again, they seemed dim despite their piercing blue color.
“Yes, Hal, yes- I do! I was just terrified…that there was some lady who was better, more beautiful, someone who had everything I lacked that I…that I…that I wasn’t good enough for you…” you vented.
You hitched your breath. A thought chilled you and made your stomach watery with realization.
“Has…has there been…been another woman in your bed since…since…” you questioned.
“No, not since we were betrothed!”
There was a pause. He looked down at you, shifting you so your heads lay on the pillows- forcing you to look each other in the eye. He clutched both of your hands.
“ Y/N, there hasn’t been any other woman. And there won’t be any other woman. I wouldn’t want to break your heart. Nor risk your wrath either…”
He let out a smile and one of his half laughs that were so genuine, so human, so…so Henry…
“I think you made every person in court say their prayers! I’m even proud of you! You were a true queen, today!”
You took in a deep inhale and you let yourself smile. He traced the edge of your cheek gently.
“There are many maidens in our kingdom, but I swear I only kept my eyes on you. May I confide something to you, Y/N?”
You nodded.
“I never was good at talking to women anyway. Much less wooing them. You know I’m a terrible dancer and for the life of me, I cannot think of pretty, flowery verses. If we courted before we were betrothed and you didn't know who I was, you'd think I was a farmer instead! I am a man of plain speaking…so I will be plain and by default, I’ll always be faithful to you.”
You smiled at the sentence. But then it dropped.
“Henry, you do understand that I could at least be exiled for treason if I am unfaithful to you…” you explained.
“I do…” he confirmed.
“So of course I never allowed any other man into my bed…there’s been none for me either…and I won’t.” you confessed.
You touched his face and he leaned into it.
“I’m glad…” he commented.
You sniffled and wiped off your own tears. The urge to cry had melted away.
“We made oaths before God and the law to each other…as well as the court. We might as well keep them,” he said.
“Yes, we will…” you muttered.
You noticed out the corner of your eye that Sir Gwaine returned from under the bed, tail low and nose forward. He let out another meow right as there was a knock on the door.
“Your grace…the hour and a half are done!” a lady announced from beyond the door.
Henry shot up. He turned to you.
“Shall you keep my secret about the passageways?” he begged.
“Of course!”
He began to leave, you at his heels. He then revealed his secret that one wall hid a door. As he opened it, you practically pushed him through. But he kept a hand to prevent you from fully closing it.
“I will ask of you anon?” he asked.
“Yes, you may…”
“Your grace!” the lady's voice rang.
You turned your head and replied loudly.
“You may enter!”
Turning back to him, you began to close the door. Just before he vanished, he whispered.
“Farewell, Y/N.”
“Farewell, Henry.”
You closed and stood before it innocuously as the other ladies returned, cleaning up the pillows on the floor without question.
------------------------------------------------------------------
The Tenth Day
You saw him the next morning. You saw him eat quietly. You still felt raw from the crying yesterday and kept quiet even as his brothers and your family chatted. Plates had long since been emptied. Henry looked among the party and cleared his throat.
“I feel I am in need of some fresher air…” Henry announced.
The others turned their heads. Henry looked at you where you sat next to him.
“My lady, would you like to accompany me?” he asked.
"Yes," you responded demurely.
He raised an eyebrow.
“I trust it is my lady’s will….” he prodded.
“My lord, it is indeed,” you answered.
He turned to your parents and his brothers.
“Come, we all shall!” he invited.
The chairs squeaked as everyone got up. Henry stood and offered you an arm. You held onto it, keeping it at his side and feeling its warmth, its solidity. Henry’s page was at the door to give him his red cloak and gloves to keep warm as were your ladies to bundle you up. Once in your cloaks, again, Henry offered you his arm. Again, you accepted it. They followed the both of you outside, keeping at a steady distance. The sun was shining, it was a little warmer than normal for January. The pretty snow around the gardens had melted and there was nothing but depressing, dark mush and sad, dead plants.
“It should snow, then it would feel like winter,” you sighed.
A smile broke on Henry’s face. He looked out among the plants.
“Nay, I say it is Spring.” He said.
Blinking, you looked up at him.
“Spring? Why Spring?” you asked.
He paused in your steps. Your family and his came to a halt behind you. Then he took his gloved hands to clasp both of yours and raised it to his chin, and then spoke, looking at you with that same grin.
“Because the loveliest flower in England is right beside me and therefore, for me, it is spring.”
He then brought your hands and kissed first the left one and then the right one. You felt your own pulse pick up and despite the chill, your body became warm. You gave into his charm, a slight giggle escaping you as you covered your mouth once your hand was released and enjoyed the sensation of his lips on each hand. Your parents and his brothers gave each other a look at the scene and smiled.
You hadn't had a nicer walk in ages.
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