There were very few times in Blaines life where he had woken up and not known where he was. The first instance included the morning after the warlocks had ravaged his home and he had blinked his eyes open in a dark and dreary cave surrounded by dragons he didnt know, his parents and brother nowhere to be seen. The third was when he woke up screaming in a soft bed, as sunlight streamed in through a high window. The door promptly slammed open, revealing a tired and panicking Kurt. He rushed toward him and Blaine had to force himself not to flinch at the too fast movement, breathing heavy and making his chest flare in pain. "Shh shh its okay, youre safe its alright." Kurt placated him, strong fingers combing through his hair.

Shaking violently Blaine instinctually curled himself into a ball, letting Kurts gentle hands pet through his hair and down his back as he desperately wished he couldnt see the blank and lifeless faces of his kinsfolk behind his eyelids every time he blinked. He gritted his teeth, and huffed, his warm breath making Kurt laugh softly, a sound that wouldve made him smile had it felt like he never would again. "Where are we?" He asked quietly as Kurt placed soft kisses along his shoulder blades, the sensation unwittingly calming. "Were in the mountains, with the Boann and Arianrhod. You were out for a long time but what happened attracted a lot of attention, fae from the green city arrived but two days after. We travelled here, where fae and dragon live side by side. The Boann are the best healers of my kind!"

Kurts last made Blaine smile. "Your kind" He said musingly "Theyve been teaching you their ways. Youre one of their own." Fondness made his heart feel a little lighter.

"Thats not all." Kurt smiled back, happy but for the solemn midnight blue of his eyes that hinted at some long lost sorrow. "My mother was from here. There are a few who remember her, they were her friends in childhood. They didnt know she married though."

"Thats wonderful Kurt." Blaine said and kissed him, fleetingly but still full of warmth and love.

"I know it doesnt matter much now, what with everything thats happened..."

"No Kurt no. Just because war is on the horizon does not mean this was unimportant. Your roots, loved ones and happiness are even more important now. They are the light, they are hope."

"Howd you get so wise?" Kurt grinned, wrapping Blaine back up in his arms, trying not to linger on Blaines flinch. "Umm that made sense to you? I just say things and hope they sound good."

"Nice to know you put thought into your dirty talk." Kurt teased and Blaine snorted into his arm, content to pretend that chaos didnt lurk beyond the circle of his embrace.

.oO0Oo.

Blaine didnt leave the room with the high window and soft bed until 3 days after he had woken. He was in little pain, considering both Kurt and the fae of Boann had worked their magic, so to speak, whilst he had been unconscious. His guilt at doing nothing, not helping to prepare almost forced him out but he started to panic as soon as his hand touched the door handle. He was more scared than he had ever been in his life. He had had to fight for his life and his own anger and hatred for those who had so grotesquely imprisoned and tortured his kind was terrifying. It was almost as if the being he had become on that night wasnt him at all. He hardly slept and when he did he had night terrors. Sounds and sights of that night echoed from the corners of the small room he had confined himself to, over and over again until he was a wreck, screaming until his voice was hoarse.

The only solace he had was Kurt and the small crevice in his mind reserved for a future he was unlikely to live to see. A world of bright light and colour, where he lived in a house much like those in the Green City, with Kurt and the twins, happy, warm, safe.

He couldnt hide however. Cabin fever set in and the more he thought the worse he got until the anger and pain boiled up beneath his skin and he ripped the door from its hinges. Fae and dragon kind alike stopped and stared as he emerged from the doorway, Kurt following close behind. Blaine drew himself up to full height, ignoring the part of himself screaming at him to turn tail and lock himself away. He clenched his trembling hands into fists, a futile attempt to stop their shaking. Stepping out into the corridor was like being able to breathe again, his footsteps steady and echoing loudly in the vast stone corridor. "Kurt?" He asked quietly. "Do you know the way to the Elders antechamber?" Kurt tangled their fingers together as they walked. "Of course." He said proudly "Ive been learning healing there with Danu."

That made Blaine freeze. "Youre being taught by Danu? Kurt, thats incredible. Shes one of the faes most powerful healers and notoriously selective of her students. It seems youve grown from strength to strength during my absence."

"Thank you." Kurt replied, smiling proudly. "Ive been training to fight as well. Ill need to know now more so then ever." Kurts mention of the impending war bought the events of several days prior back to the forefront of Blaines mind. Barely suppressing his shaking, he asked Kurt once again to lead him to the antechamber, dreading his part in a conflict that stole those he cherished most from him.

.oO0Oo.

"How dare you!" A booming voice echoed through the grand hall as Kurt and Blaine approached, watching an argument unfold as they passed under the ancient, intricately carved arches. "We agreed that if it ever came to this conscription was not an option. We will not sacrifice our peoples autonomy, as far as we were concerned that is what makes us free, no matter what the warlocks may bring."

"Autonomy means nothing when they hold your brethren in chains and enchantments Liber, bewitching you to slaughter your own until you die of exhaustion!" Snarled the Elder as she descended the stone steps, characteristic of every Elders antechamber. "Youre a fool Mania, if you think this war can be won by numbers alone. Warlocks have no interest in attrition. Rudianos would see his entire nation suffer and die just as long as he accomplished what he desired most!" Liber countered, so angry that he made the torches that lined the walls flare dangerously.

"To call me a fool is to demonstrate your own foolhardy nature. Why, you have been so naive and self concerned that you have failed to even acknowledge the presence of our guests!" Manias tone turned light, as if to mock Liber, her fae counterpart, whilst also greeting Kurt and Blaine. "Taliesin! What a wonder it is to see you back at full strength. You really are quite something, not many could have navigated such a heated battle so skilfully." Blaine bowed as was customary. "Thank you Elder Mania, yours and Libers hospitality and kindness is much appreciated but Im sure there is a lot to discuss."

"All in due course Taliesin!" Mania stalled, much to Libers annoyance. "Weve heard so much about you and Kurt. Weve been dying to hear the story of how you two met!"

"I fail to see how the younglings fling is any concern of ours." Liber added scathingly.

"fling?!-"

"Liber!"

"OUR WORLD IS AT WAR!" Blaine screamed, his voice booming and commanding as it echoed through the vast hall. His hands began to shake but his voice never wavered. "Now I realise its not my place to tell Elders what to do but by all means fuck tradition and pleasantries at this point." The others stood silently watching, the Elders having enough decency to look at least a little shamefaced. "Do not ever speak ill of my relationship with Kurt again. I consider him my soulmate and Ill be more than happy than to familiarise you with what happens when you insult him or what we have if its to happen again."

Blaines voice was low and somewhat threatening but the thing that struck Kurt the most was that he was speaking in Kurts native tongue and not his own, proving that every word was for his benefit as much as it was for the Elders. Kurt smiled and although he didnt receive one in return he knew that Blaine was aware he understood.

"As for that ‘heated battle? It was a blood bath. I killed and I watched them die. Our enemies and our kin." Kurt wanted to protest but Blaines eyes blazed with rage as he bellowed at the bickering Elders. Kurt knew to stay away, hovering cautiously in the background, despite how it pained him to see Blaine shoulder so much guilt. The gravity of the situation was demonstrated by the fact that Blaine had never before spoken to an Elder in any other way than that which could be described as soft spoken and courteous. Blaines respect for so called leaders was dwindling, he loved his people, would defend those he loved at all cost but his part in bloodshed had changed him. He was perfectly aware of what he was capable, he was no longer the weak younger brother to a Milaukan Elder-in-training. He was the centre of a conflict, one he had worked hard to prevent but had seemingly been the one to push it over the precipice and into chaos.

If there was one thing Blaine had never shied away from, it was responsibility. His duty was to the world, to his people and all others. He would not be answering to the whims of Elders any longer. Silence resounded after Blaines outburst and the Elders wouldve been outrage had not every word Blaine had spoken been true. They had received word that the warlock forces were mobilising, they had but two days before the world was plagued with fire and death. They needed to be ready. "Peace is no longer an option." Blaine called in his native tongue as he turned on his heel striding toward the doors, Kurt following in his wake. "The moment they cross the border into the southern domains, theyll strike. We need to be ready, or all shall burn."