Chapter 49

The war lasted two years. Many lives of the Kingdom were stolen in the heat of battle, the governors, though old men, were skilled in the way of war and were able to lead the army of young men they had gathered with knowledge of expertise. However this army was much smaller than that of the Kingdom, and with Blaine as their leader, they were driven forward with the power of passion, love and determination. The Palace was attacked many times, but it and it's content of the King and Prince was heavily guarded and protected. The Kingdom's army marched, battling and fighting its way over four thousand miles through desert and forest until the came to where the governors had been hiding and instructing their men. However there were no men left to guard it when the Kingdom arrived, as the Governors had eventually run out of men to do so. Their rather small fortress was burned to the ground, those trying to escape shot by the skilled bowmen of the kingdom.

Kurt slept for another seven months after Blaine left. On a day that snowed from start to finish, his eyes opened open at midday to find his father by his side and immediately started asking for Blaine. The only problem was, that a week before a note had been delivered to the King containing only a few words that sent Kurt silent for weeks after he'd woken.

Blaine Anderson-MIA from December 3rd

"What's MIA?" Cassy asked, breaking the silence between herself and the Prince. She sat on the edge of his best, combing her fingers through his hair slowly three weeks after Kurt had received the news.

"Missing in action," Kurt mumbled.

No one had the slightest clue in her involvement. The excitement and heavy chatter of Blaine's birthday followed by the panic of the Princes condition, meant no one paid any attention to her leaving the room or her suspicious behaviour.

"So he still might be okay."

Kurt's bottom trembled and he turned to hide his head in her side, "Why was he such an idiot?"

"He just wanted to help."

"Did he say goodbye to you?" Kurt asked, tracing loops on Cassy's leg.

'He just said 'See you later', he was all dressed in full armor and he looked so ready, " Cassy smiled, "He looked invincible. "

"Well he's not. When I first saw him he was just a boney little boy with crazy hair and bleeding cuts on his skin. That same boy lead a war?" Kurt shook his head, "He's an idiot, what was be thinking....what do I do now?"

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The palace remained quiet until the news that the war had been won and the survivors were coming home. The day was cloudy and cold as the remaining slaves set up a rustic looking wooden table, with a simple white cloth and placements. There was still no news of Blaine. Kurt decided to attend the celebrations, but he wore black from head to toe. The King was old, and Kurt was forced to take on many if his Kingly duties as his father spent most of his time sleeping. At the celebrations he made a speech on his fathers behalf, thanking the bravery of those who fought, promising that the kingdom would now be ruled fairly and with the kingdoms people at the heart, and remember those who lost their lives.

At that the solemn group of dwindling survivors rose silently to their feet and bowed their heads, their wives clinging to their beefy arms with tear stricken faces.

"We have all lost people in this feud," Kurt's voice broke, images of a smiling Blaine flashed before his eyes, "But it is important to celebrate the life they lived rather than their deaths. They live in through the eyes of the survivors and of those who loved them," Kurt was really crying now, gripping the table with white knuckles on shaking legs.

Silence fell over the table.

One man who had lost his sight in his left eye during the battle raised his glass proudly above his head, "To Blaine," he announced firmly, "Always our King."

The crowd repeated, taking a sip of ruby red wine. Kurt stared at his, it suddenly looked too much like blood sloshing in the clear glass for him to touch it.

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FOUR YEARS LATER

"Good morning!"

Kurt groaned, pulling the comforter over his head, "No."

A loud sarcastic gasp echoed in the space beside him, "Come on Mr. King, time to get up."

"The King should be able to get up when he wants," was Kurt's mumbled reply.

A pair of arms slipped around him and tugged him close, whispering in his ear, "I'll make breakfast."

Kurt hummed, "Pancakes?"

"With chocolate sauce if you gimmie a kiss."

Kurt turned around in the man's arms, enjoying the comforting scent, and placing a small kiss on his cheek.

The man's skinny arms pulled him closer, "Is that it?"

"Depends how good your sauce is."

The man laughed before pressing his thin pale lips together, "Okay. See you downstairs in fifteen minutes, " he hopped out of bed and skipped out the door in his underwear, calling over his shoulder, "I love you Kurt."

"I love you too Hayes," The king replied, ending in a yawn. He slipped out of bed, stuffed his feet clumsy into his slippers and shuffled across the floor like an old man to the bathroom to brush his teeth.

After getting dressed he made his way downstairs and into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes and stretching out his limbs. The sweet smell of pancakes drifted towards him and awoke his senses like a caressing hand, his dad was sat on the windowsill in a beautiful blue vase with painstakingly fine golden detail. Kurt had chosen here because it meant his dad could still look out over the beautiful scenery of the garden, and the fountain that looked so much like his beloved wife. The King had died a year after the war had been won, comfortable and loved in his sleep. Hayes had been the first Prince to come and offer Kurt his condolences, and Kurt had remembered him from the ball that seemed to have happened a hundred year ago. The two ended up becoming strong friends and were married six months later, and Kurt was crowned King. It was their three year anniversary in a few weeks. Kurt walked over to the vase and traced his finger around the golden topper.

"Good morning Dad," he mumbled.

"Babe, are you okay?" Hayes walked from the kitchen to the dining room.

"Yeah," he gave a long sigh, "I just...miss him."

"Your Dad or Blaine?" Hayes asked, putting his hand comfortingly on Kurt's arm.

"Both," Kurt grumbled, turning into his husbands shoulder....., "I love you too though."

"I know, I love you just as much," Hayes squeezed the King tightly, "Would pancakes cheer you up?"

Kurt smiled and nodded, "Yes please. "

Hayes bowed low to the floor and pulled the chair out for Kurt to sit on, a grin on his face m "Your first course will be out momentarily Sir. "

Kurt rolled his eyes.

After a feast of pancakes, fresh fruit and thick chocolate syrup the two took a walk around the garden, hand in hand and trying to keep warm.

"Will this Winter ever end?" Hayes complained,"it's been four years."

Hayes was a little older than Kurt, he had just turned thirty two but he still looked as young as a teenager. He had light blonde hair, pale skin and luscious hazel eyes. He was incredibly skinny and was very energetic. He wore mostly baggy sweaters with brightly colored skinny jeans and was very quiet around people he doesn't know.

"Do I look old to you?" Kurt replied as though he hadn't heard the question.

"Kurt, you're twenty three, of course not," Hayes frowned.

"I feel old," Kurt grumbled to himself, "I feel...stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread."

"What are you talking about?" Hayes smirked.

"I found a gray hair this morning," Kurt continued, like he wasn't even aware of Hayes presence.

"If was probably just the light. "

"The world has aged me. I feel like it's beaten me to a fragile old man."

Hayes pushed the King suddenly against the gate, "You are not old. You are young and have your whole life ahead of you. The world may not have been kind to you, but you've come out the other side and you should celebrate that."

Kurt let Hayes hands slip around his waist, "Do you love me?"

"Of course, you're my best friend. If I was going to marry anyone it was going to be you, we both decided it was best for us and the Kingdom. "

Kurt chewed his lip, "It hasn't turned into anything else?"

"Why? Do you feel differently?"

Kurt looked at the floor, "I...I don't know."

"Is this because of the kiss thing this morning? Because I was just playing husband, I don't have to do it again. "

Kurt shook his head.

"Do you want me to kiss you?"

Kurt shrugged.

Hayes kissed Kurt's forehead, "I really really care for you. If you ever decided to make this relationship more romantic I'd be willing to try it."

Kurt blushed and nodded, "Okay."

Three weeks past and no more was spoken of the conversation. The two royals found themselves blushing around each other more though, and Hayes had begun to love the beauty of his husband's smile. They sat going through important documents in Kurt's Dad's office, giggling and feeding each other chocolate.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Hello?"

"King Kurt, there is someone asking for you at the gates, should I let them in?"

"Umm, I think it would be safer for me to go to him."

"Would you like me to come?"

Kurt smirked at his husband, "Nice try, we're getting through this today whether you like it or not. "

Hayes slunk down in his chair and picked up more paper, "Fiiine."

"This way Sir."

Kurt noticed a dark figure at the gates as soon as he walked through the doors, the figure jumped up to get a better look at the King and shouted his name.

"Kurt! Kurt!"

Kurt raised an eyebrow, was someone actually calling him by his first name without having to be told?

As he got closer Kurt was able to make out a short hairy figure with a large bushy beard hanging down to his waist, and a thick curly mop of hair on his head. He was filthy in tattered dirty clothes and their were no shoes on his grubby feet. Kurt smiled at the seemingly homeless man.

"Hello, how can I help on you?"

"Kurt?"

"Yes?"

"Oh my God, you have no idea how pleased I am to see your eyes open."

"Umm..."

"Kurt...Kurt, it's me. I'm home. "

Kurt frowned in confusion, "You'll have to forgive me, do we know each other?"

"Baby, it's me. It's Blaine."

A/n: who got the lotr reference? :D