Part 5

Inner Reflection | home

The caravan leader was eager to be away from the palace. He whipped the draft horses into motion the moment JC had settled himself on the wagon seat. Now the two men and their empty caravan rolled towards Iiawah. "Glad to be going home, highness?" the driver asked. JC made no response. What could he say? The driver went on regardless of his silence. "Aye, I would be, too. This is a strange place. All anyone talks about is some sort of prophecy." JC marveled silently that the man had not connected him to the gossip, but he made no attempt to enlighten him. The conversation throughout the journey home was constant but one-sided.

By the time the caravan arrived at JC's own palace he'd managed to work up the energy to present at least a front of relief and happiness. His father and the blatantly insincere courtiers bought the act. Justin, on the other hand, drew him aside after interminable welcomes and the requisite celebratory banquet.

"Jace," Justin began, concerned. JC winced because the last person to call him that had been Lance. Justin's frown deepened. "Jace, was it that bad? Father may be satisfied that you're well, but *I'm* not."

"It wasn't bad at all," JC hurried to assure him. "I was...well taken care of." He had to swallow past the lump in his throat. Lance had taken care of him...

"You're not acting all right," Justin persisted stubbornly. "Tell me what's wrong. What happened? Please?" But JC held firm. The less he thought of Lance, he reasoned, the less it would hurt.

Despite his resolve, everything reminded him of his lover. JC found himself unable to flirt with the women at court, even to maintain his cover, as he had done before. It felt unfaithful to Lance, despite his certainty that the other man would understand the necessity. He sat for hours in church staring at one of the stained glass windows because he abruptly realized it was the exact same shade as Lance's eyes. When he had to excuse himself in the middle of a banquet simply because they were serving Lance's favorite dish Justin came after him and, cornering him in his suite, refused to back down without an explanation.

JC sighed and lay on his back on his bed. Justin sat cross-legged beside him. "When I was first taken," JC began, "they locked me in the top room of a tower they'd never made use of. The left me in the cell, bound hand and foot, half naked, with no bedding and no food. Perhaps a maid would have been assigned to provide for me, but that's not the way it turned out.

"I learned later that the King's younger brother, Lance, had seen me brought in and was curious. He asked his brother if he could see me. The King refused. So Lance got out of there before the guards could be warned to keep him out of the tower. He ran up to see who I was." JC smiled, remembering the argument that followed and how Lance had been, he later learned, thrilled with his 'punishment'. "The King got angry at his disobedience and thought to punish him by assigning him to take care of me."

JC paused for a moment, finding his next words. "Justin, you should see him. Lance, that is. He's gorgeous. Beautiful. I forgot I 'd been kidnapped when I saw him. And so gentle, even with a prisoner... I asked him to stay, to talk awhile. Maybe the thought crossed my mind once or twice to use his trust to escape, but by the time the opportunity came I didn't want to leave. There was a moment when I had to choose - freedom or Lance. I didn't hesitate." JC sat up then, needing to see his brother's reaction. "I fell in love with him, Justin. And he fell for me. There are no taboos against such things there. It was...incredible. My last week of 'captivity' was not captivity at all. I slept with Lance in his bed and we made love every night." He smiled, remembering. "Some mornings, too. The people at court accepted me as one of their own and teased us affectionately. At least one bard is composing a song about Lance and I," JC chuckled at that thought.

"So why did you come home?" Justin asked quietly, hoping not to fracture the good mood JC had developed. To no avail. JC's face fell, his heartache showing clearly.

"What could I have told Father that he would have accepted? He'd never believe I wanted to stay. He paid the ransom - to refuse to return me could have been an act of war, and Tropria can't afford to risk that. I couldn't stay. A prophecy prevented Lance from leaving with me." JC was silent for a long time. "I promised him I'd come back," he whispered finally. "I don't know how to keep that promise."

Justin could say nothing in consolation. They could only sit, and think. JC surrendered himself to memories of Lance and wondered if the memories of a week could carry him through a lifetime. He doubted it.

"Winter solstice is in a week."

"I know, J. Father will have a wife for me by then."

Justin spoke his next words reluctantly but with determination. He whispered, because what he said was probably treason. "You're not father's only son, Jace. If you were to just leave, he'd not be without an heir. The ransom agreement is fulfilled and past. You'd be going on your own initiative. No responsibility would fall on Tropria. Just go."

"Just go," JC murmured wonderingly.

"Just go," Justin confirmed, "and go fast. You'd be followed, but father couldn't make you leave against your will if you were under the protection of the Troprian royal family."

There was a long silence. "Justin," JC said at last, "when I go, they'll come to you to find out where I've run to. Tell them. I don't want you in trouble."

The next morning he was gone. King Chasez noticed his absence almost immediately, as JC was supposed to attend a formal breakfast with one of the women being considered as his wife. Suspecting JC of oversleeping, the King sent a runner to his son's quarters. They were found virtually ransacked. Closer examination revealed that all the necessities of travel had been taken. A horse was missing from the stable, though none of the stable boys reported readying one. As JC had predicted, King Chasez went almost at once to Justin for answers.

"Where has he gone?" The King demanded angrily. "He can't just up and go riding without considering his duties-"

"JC hasn't gone pleasure riding," Justin interrupted, covering his pleasure at his father's astonishment.

"He hasn't gone out riding for a day or a week. JC is *gone*. He's left. He has no intention of returning."

"Why?" the King asked, honestly bewildered.

Justin sighed. "Haven't you noticed how desperately unhappy JC has been lately, father? There are things about him that you don't understand, that he's never been able to tell you. Trust me when I tell you he's happier where he's going."

"Justin," the King's expression was dark, "tell me where he's gone. He will explain himself to my satisfaction or he will return."

"Tropria, father. He's gone back to Tropria."

JC knew he was being followed. He didn't know how he knew, but he could feel his father on his heels. The feeling rushed JC, made him reluctant to stop for anything. He ate in the saddle. He didn't sleep, but rode through the night. Despite this, he was certain his pursuers were gaining on him. He'd not thought to bring a second mount, and his first was growing weary at the unrelenting pace. JC reached the border certain that he would be caught that day.

Tired, his hope and excitement running dry, JC stopped at an inn just over the border. "Will you be needing room for the night?" the innkeeper asked, it being the middle of the day.

JC hesitated. "How many days hard travel is it from here to the palace?" he couldn't resist asking.

The innkeeper gave him an odd look, but answered. "Two, sir."

So close. JC could almost feel Lance calling him, though there was no way Lance could know he was coming. "I don't suppose you have a horse for sale?" he asked futilely, knowing his own would never survive a ride as hard as he'd have to take it.

Another odd look. "Might I ask your name, sir?"

Confused, JC gave it. "Prince JC Chasez, of Iiawah."

The innkeeper broke into a broad grin. "There's a horse for *you*, highness. I've heard the story. Prince Lance is pining away for you. Whoever is chasing you, they'll not catch you before you reach him. Any inn along the road will aid you."

To JC's amazement, it was true. When the fresh horse began to founder the next inn provided a new mount. When at last the palace appeared on the horizon his mount was moving almost without JC's direction. He was too exhausted to really guide the horse.

He must have been identified long before he approached, for the palace gates swung open for him. The horse stopped of its own accord. At that moment Lance burst into the courtyard. JC practically fell from the saddle into Lance's arms. "I promised," he murmured, smiling, and fell asleep right there.

When JC woke it was as if the past few weeks had never happened. He lay in Lance's bed, Lance stretched out beside him. If his muscles didn't ache so sharply he'd have thought it all a bad dream. He shifted a little and Lance rolled over and threw an arm across him. JC smiled a little. "It's all right, love," he murmured. "I'm not going anywhere." Lance muttered something sleepily and curled closer to JC.

The page that entered the room hours later found them both asleep. Reluctantly, he woke the peacefully resting princes with a few words. Lance sat up first. The page waited until JC had roused himself before delivering his message. "My apologies for waking you, highness," he bowed to each of them, "but Prince Chasez's father has arrived. He seeks his son and is rather...irate."

Lance cast an inquiring glance at his lover. "I didn't exactly have his blessing when I left," JC said dryly. "I up and disappeared in the middle of the night."

"We had better go talk to him," Lance sighed, and motioned for the page to leave. When they were alone he added, "I'm not letting you go a second time, Jace."

"I'm not leaving a second time," JC responded.

When the two of them entered the courtyard they found JC's father, Chris, Justin and a score of men-at-arms. They were arrayed facing each other, as if along battle lines. JC and Lance moved to stand next to King Kirkpatrick. King Chasez reddened at the silent declaration. "I don't know what you've done to my son," he barked at Chris, "but you will return him to me or-"

"King Kirkpatrick has done nothing," JC interrupted. "*I* chose to leave Iiawah. *I* chose to come here. *I* choose to stay."

"I'm your King as well as your father," King Chasez changed tack, "and if I command you to return, you will either return willingly or you will be charged with treason."

"I've granted JC sanctuary," Chris said, though JC had not actually requested it.

"*Why* are you so set on staying?" JC's father demanded at last.

"I want to be with my lover," JC said simply, though his heart was racing, and took Lance's hand in his own to make the meaning of the statement unmistakable. King Chasez's jaw dropped. No one said anything for a long moment. JC's people were shocked. Lance's simply didn't see what more needed to be said.

Finally, King Chasez found his voice. "You...tolerate *this*?" he asked Chris incredulously.

"What's there to 'tolerate'?" Chris asked, shrugging. "My brother is in love. The prophecy is satisfied. The people are happy, he is happy, I'm happy. I fail to see the problem."

King Chasez could only stare. Eventually he turned his gaze once more on his son. "If you refused to give up this...farce and return home," he said slowly, obviously playing his trump card, "I will be forced to disown you as heir. The crown will go to Justin after me."

JC squeezed Lance's hand in reassurance. Then he twisted off the heir ring he'd worn all his life, took two steps forward and placed it in Justin's outstretched palm. "Rule well, brother," JC said, smiling and without regret.

Defeated, King Chasez could do nothing but leave.

JC and Lance, of course, lived happily ever after.


	Inner Reflection \| home back to A Tale of Two Princes Part 5 The caravan leader was eager to be away from the palace. He whipped the draft horses into motion the moment JC had settled himself on the wagon seat. Now the two men and their empty caravan rolled towards Iiawah. "Glad to be going home, highness?" the driver asked. JC made no response. What could he say? The driver went on regardless of his silence. "Aye, I would be, too. This is a strange place. All anyone talks about is some sort of prophecy." JC marveled silently that the man had not connected him to the gossip, but he made no attempt to enlighten him. The conversation throughout the journey home was constant but one-sided. By the time the caravan arrived at JC's own palace he'd managed to work up the energy to present at least a front of relief and happiness. His father and the blatantly insincere courtiers bought the act. Justin, on the other hand, drew him aside after interminable welcomes and the requisite celebratory banquet. "Jace," Justin began, concerned. JC winced because the last person to call him that had been Lance. Justin's frown deepened. "Jace, was it that bad? Father may be satisfied that you're well, but I'm not." "It wasn't bad at all," JC hurried to assure him. "I was...well taken care of." He had to swallow past the lump in his throat. Lance had taken care of him... "You're not acting all right," Justin persisted stubbornly. "Tell me what's wrong. What happened? Please?" But JC held firm. The less he thought of Lance, he reasoned, the less it would hurt. Despite his resolve, everything reminded him of his lover. JC found himself unable to flirt with the women at court, even to maintain his cover, as he had done before. It felt unfaithful to Lance, despite his certainty that the other man would understand the necessity. He sat for hours in church staring at one of the stained glass windows because he abruptly realized it was the exact same shade as Lance's eyes. When he had to excuse himself in the middle of a banquet simply because they were serving Lance's favorite dish Justin came after him and, cornering him in his suite, refused to back down without an explanation. JC sighed and lay on his back on his bed. Justin sat cross-legged beside him. "When I was first taken," JC began, "they locked me in the top room of a tower they'd never made use of. The left me in the cell, bound hand and foot, half naked, with no bedding and no food. Perhaps a maid would have been assigned to provide for me, but that's not the way it turned out. "I learned later that the King's younger brother, Lance, had seen me brought in and was curious. He asked his brother if he could see me. The King refused. So Lance got out of there before the guards could be warned to keep him out of the tower. He ran up to see who I was." JC smiled, remembering the argument that followed and how Lance had been, he later learned, thrilled with his 'punishment'. "The King got angry at his disobedience and thought to punish him by assigning him to take care of me." JC paused for a moment, finding his next words. "Justin, you should see him. Lance, that is. He's gorgeous. Beautiful. I forgot I 'd been kidnapped when I saw him. And so gentle, even with a prisoner... I asked him to stay, to talk awhile. Maybe the thought crossed my mind once or twice to use his trust to escape, but by the time the opportunity came I didn't want to leave. There was a moment when I had to choose - freedom or Lance. I didn't hesitate." JC sat up then, needing to see his brother's reaction. "I fell in love with him, Justin. And he fell for me. There are no taboos against such things there. It was...incredible. My last week of 'captivity' was not captivity at all. I slept with Lance in his bed and we made love every night." He smiled, remembering. "Some mornings, too. The people at court accepted me as one of their own and teased us affectionately. At least one bard is composing a song about Lance and I," JC chuckled at that thought. "So why did you come home?" Justin asked quietly, hoping not to fracture the good mood JC had developed. To no avail. JC's face fell, his heartache showing clearly. "What could I have told Father that he would have accepted? He'd never believe I wanted to stay. He paid the ransom - to refuse to return me could have been an act of war, and Tropria can't afford to risk that. I couldn't stay. A prophecy prevented Lance from leaving with me." JC was silent for a long time. "I promised him I'd come back," he whispered finally. "I don't know how to keep that promise." Justin could say nothing in consolation. They could only sit, and think. JC surrendered himself to memories of Lance and wondered if the memories of a week could carry him through a lifetime. He doubted it. "Winter solstice is in a week." "I know, J. Father will have a wife for me by then." Justin spoke his next words reluctantly but with determination. He whispered, because what he said was probably treason. "You're not father's only son, Jace. If you were to just leave, he'd not be without an heir. The ransom agreement is fulfilled and past. You'd be going on your own initiative. No responsibility would fall on Tropria. Just go." "Just go," JC murmured wonderingly. "Just go," Justin confirmed, "and go fast. You'd be followed, but father couldn't make you leave against your will if you were under the protection of the Troprian royal family." There was a long silence. "Justin," JC said at last, "when I go, they'll come to you to find out where I've run to. Tell them. I don't want you in trouble." "Okay, Jace. Okay." *** The next morning he was gone. King Chasez noticed his absence almost immediately, as JC was supposed to attend a formal breakfast with one of the women being considered as his wife. Suspecting JC of oversleeping, the King sent a runner to his son's quarters. They were found virtually ransacked. Closer examination revealed that all the necessities of travel had been taken. A horse was missing from the stable, though none of the stable boys reported readying one. As JC had predicted, King Chasez went almost at once to Justin for answers. "Where has he gone?" The King demanded angrily. "He can't just up and go riding without considering his duties-" "JC hasn't gone pleasure riding," Justin interrupted, covering his pleasure at his father's astonishment. "What?" "He hasn't gone out riding for a day or a week. JC is gone. He's left. He has no intention of returning." "Why?" the King asked, honestly bewildered. Justin sighed. "Haven't you noticed how desperately unhappy JC has been lately, father? There are things about him that you don't understand, that he's never been able to tell you. Trust me when I tell you he's happier where he's going." "Justin," the King's expression was dark, "tell me where he's gone. He will explain himself to my satisfaction or he will return." "Tropria, father. He's gone back to Tropria." *** JC knew he was being followed. He didn't know how he knew, but he could feel his father on his heels. The feeling rushed JC, made him reluctant to stop for anything. He ate in the saddle. He didn't sleep, but rode through the night. Despite this, he was certain his pursuers were gaining on him. He'd not thought to bring a second mount, and his first was growing weary at the unrelenting pace. JC reached the border certain that he would be caught that day. Tired, his hope and excitement running dry, JC stopped at an inn just over the border. "Will you be needing room for the night?" the innkeeper asked, it being the middle of the day. JC hesitated. "How many days hard travel is it from here to the palace?" he couldn't resist asking. The innkeeper gave him an odd look, but answered. "Two, sir." So close. JC could almost feel Lance calling him, though there was no way Lance could know he was coming. "I don't suppose you have a horse for sale?" he asked futilely, knowing his own would never survive a ride as hard as he'd have to take it. Another odd look. "Might I ask your name, sir?" Confused, JC gave it. "Prince JC Chasez, of Iiawah." The innkeeper broke into a broad grin. "There's a horse for you, highness. I've heard the story. Prince Lance is pining away for you. Whoever is chasing you, they'll not catch you before you reach him. Any inn along the road will aid you." To JC's amazement, it was true. When the fresh horse began to founder the next inn provided a new mount. When at last the palace appeared on the horizon his mount was moving almost without JC's direction. He was too exhausted to really guide the horse. He must have been identified long before he approached, for the palace gates swung open for him. The horse stopped of its own accord. At that moment Lance burst into the courtyard. JC practically fell from the saddle into Lance's arms. "I promised," he murmured, smiling, and fell asleep right there. When JC woke it was as if the past few weeks had never happened. He lay in Lance's bed, Lance stretched out beside him. If his muscles didn't ache so sharply he'd have thought it all a bad dream. He shifted a little and Lance rolled over and threw an arm across him. JC smiled a little. "It's all right, love," he murmured. "I'm not going anywhere." Lance muttered something sleepily and curled closer to JC. The page that entered the room hours later found them both asleep. Reluctantly, he woke the peacefully resting princes with a few words. Lance sat up first. The page waited until JC had roused himself before delivering his message. "My apologies for waking you, highness," he bowed to each of them, "but Prince Chasez's father has arrived. He seeks his son and is rather...irate." Lance cast an inquiring glance at his lover. "I didn't exactly have his blessing when I left," JC said dryly. "I up and disappeared in the middle of the night." "We had better go talk to him," Lance sighed, and motioned for the page to leave. When they were alone he added, "I'm not letting you go a second time, Jace." "I'm not leaving a second time," JC responded. When the two of them entered the courtyard they found JC's father, Chris, Justin and a score of men-at-arms. They were arrayed facing each other, as if along battle lines. JC and Lance moved to stand next to King Kirkpatrick. King Chasez reddened at the silent declaration. "I don't know what you've done to my son," he barked at Chris, "but you will return him to me or-" "King Kirkpatrick has done nothing," JC interrupted. "I chose to leave Iiawah. I chose to come here. I choose to stay." "I'm your King as well as your father," King Chasez changed tack, "and if I command you to return, you will either return willingly or you will be charged with treason." "I've granted JC sanctuary," Chris said, though JC had not actually requested it. "Why are you so set on staying?" JC's father demanded at last. "I want to be with my lover," JC said simply, though his heart was racing, and took Lance's hand in his own to make the meaning of the statement unmistakable. King Chasez's jaw dropped. No one said anything for a long moment. JC's people were shocked. Lance's simply didn't see what more needed to be said. Finally, King Chasez found his voice. "You...tolerate this?" he asked Chris incredulously. "What's there to 'tolerate'?" Chris asked, shrugging. "My brother is in love. The prophecy is satisfied. The people are happy, he is happy, I'm happy. I fail to see the problem." King Chasez could only stare. Eventually he turned his gaze once more on his son. "If you refused to give up this...farce and return home," he said slowly, obviously playing his trump card, "I will be forced to disown you as heir. The crown will go to Justin after me." JC squeezed Lance's hand in reassurance. Then he twisted off the heir ring he'd worn all his life, took two steps forward and placed it in Justin's outstretched palm. "Rule well, brother," JC said, smiling and without regret. Defeated, King Chasez could do nothing but leave. JC and Lance, of course, lived happily ever after. --The End--