Icemark Drabble Challenge
Prompt #2: Love
Prince Charlemagne Athelstan Redrought Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshield, Prince Regent of the Exiles, Shadow of the Storm, walked confidently down the hall of the palace of his love the now Sultan of the Desert People, Mekhmet Nasrid. It had been seven years since the two had gone to Sharley's homeland, the Icemark, to defend it from the Polypontian Empire and to send its army back where it came from for good.
A year after their victory Sharley had finally started admitting to himself that he felt more than just friendship for the desert prince. He had journeyed to the land of the Desert People to visit his friend, but he had been nervous and jittery, confused about what he should do about his feelings. Mekhmet had finally cornered him one night a week into his visit, and Sharley had confessed his feelings, head down, eyes averted, assured his friend would want nothing more to do with him.
There had been silence, and Sharley was beginning to walk out when Mekhmet had grabbed him and pulled Sharley to him in a fierce kiss, declaring 'Finally!' From that day the Prince declared his intention to court Sharley, which was accepted once an agreement was worked out with Mekhmet's cousin Azizah, who agreed to bear a child by Sharley, so that he and Mekhmet would have an heir with the royal blood of the houses of Nasrid and Lindenshield.
And here they were, six years after Mekhmet and Sharley's declarations of love, five years after their bonding, and three years after the birth of their son and heir, Altair (flying eagle, a reference to his sister Cressida's warrior name of Striking Eagle) Cerdic (after his fallen brother) Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshield-Nasrid. Sharley snapped out of his daydream when he heard little Altair call to him. He picked up the young prince, laughing at his happy chattering, and continued down the hall towards his and Mekhmet's shared quarters.
He smiled as the door opened and Mekhmet poked his head out, his smile brightening as he caught sight of his son and husband. He embraced Sharley, kissing him soundly and pecking his son on the forehead to the toddler's delighted squeals. Sharley gently brushed Mekhmet's hair from his face, the dark tresses longer and beginning to curl, and gave Mekhmet such a look of love he could swear he felt his heart meting.
The two of them had been blessed to find each other, each being quite pessimistic of ever finding the one, of finding true, unconditional love. But the day that a young Sharley had traveled to the desert seeking allies for his people was a day Mekhmet blessed above all others, thanking the One for bringing him his life and love.