AU: In a fire that claimed the Kingdom of Auxilium, Prince Samuel lost everything and became just a boy. In the aftermath Princess Rachel became betrothed to Prince Jesse. A union that promised peace, but few knew the truth. Those that did know would rather pick up arms than let the marriage happen . A boy will once again become a prince and the Kingdom of Auxilium will rise again.

Fire and Ice

"Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice."

-Robert Frost

"You will ride with him through the night." William Schuester, King of Dralith, founded in the west, informed one of his kingsguards as he handed him a three-year-old blond haired boy bundled in black furs. "No one must know of him. Once in my kingdom, find Lord Russel to house him and present him as boon to my eldest son for his fifth nameday."

"If I may ask, Your Majesty," Ser Blaine, his youngest and yet his most trusted knight, inquired. Will nodded his consent. "Why let him live when his survival can bring ruin to your kingdome?" He shifted the sleeping boy in his arms as his hands grabbed the reins of the horse.

"He is the only way I can atone for the sin I have helped commit tonight." Will turned to look at the flames that licked the heavens as it engulfed the once prosperous Kingdom of Auxilium. The cries of woman and children were now silent. The blood that had been spilled was now seeping into the snow. It won't be long for the snow to fall and stop the flames, but by then the damage would already be done. All that will remain are scorched buildings. An entire kingdom decimated within a night. "When all else falls he will rise." He turned to his knight. "Make haste and may the Gods watch over you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." He inclined his head before signaling the horse to begin its journey to the west.

Will felt nauseated as he watched the flames, may the Gods and Animas of Old forgive his treachery.

"I knew this was coming. Fear can make even the wisest of men commit the most heinous of crimes. My only consolation is that it will be by your sword and you will do the right thing." The once King's voice echoed in his mind.

It was not until much later after slaying the King did Will know what he meant about doing the right thing. It came in the form of a blond haired boy. The blood on his hands was still wet as he turned to walk back to his men.

Hiram Berry, the King of Basilicus founded in the east, waited for him. Their gazes met, guilt shined like a beacon, and he quickly looked away. The Queen's blood stained his hands. "He is waiting."

Will fought back a frown at the thought of having to cross paths with Dustin St. James, King of Oceliri founded in the south. The strongest king in the land, with forces far bigger than both the west and east combined. The north had been the only ones that could oppose them, even though their forces were smaller in numbers. They had something the other kingdoms did not and in doing so, sparked fear across the land… "After our meeting we will be able to go our own way?"

"That is the plan," Hiram said as they both made their way passed their men and toward Dustin.

Two Years Later

William sat in his throne facing his court. His wife, Queen Emma, sat on his right; at his left sat his eldest son Prince Noah and beside him sat his second son Prince Jake. The celebration for his eldest son's fifth nameday was beginning with his court and common people presenting their gifts to his heir. His gaze focused intently on the double doors when a new name was announced, only to feel disappointment flood him when it was not who he was waiting for.

"Lord Russel Fabray."

This time when the doors opened, Will felt the air rush out of his lungs as a blond haired man walked in with his two blonde haired children. One was a boy with emerald eyes that had not changed in the past twenty four full moons. He had only seen them once and remembered how vivid they were, how they seemed to blaze with green fire and peer into one's soul. The boy bowed before straightening. He seemed to mature since last he laid eyes on him, his posture straight and erect—like any lord's son. His eyes shined with determination as he met his gaze boldly. How ironic Will found it that the boy still had the markings of a prince.

His gaze traveled to the hand that held the boy's before traveling to the owner's. The blonde girl appeared a tad bit shy, but that only added to her beauty. A hair ornament, that took the form a flower, with emerald gems held a lock of blonde hair on her left side, the rest of it came down in waves and ending a little below her shoulders. She had curtsied when the boy had bowed and a hesitant smile had curved on her lips just showing the potential of what a full blown smile could be. The girl was a beauty at such a young age and Will had no doubt that she would continue to grow even more as she aged. Even so the girl was still too young to be introduced to court, which could only mean one thing. Will knew what Lord Russel had planned and if that was the price for him housing the boy then he would gladly pay it.

"King William and Queen Emma, I present to Prince Noah my son Sam Fabray as a boon. He is well trained with the sword and will lay his life on the line to protect his prince. I also present my daughter Quinn Fabray as a gift."

Emma went tense beside him, but smiled nonetheless. William and his wife both knew that they would have to accept both children for a gift couldn't be returned and so Noah would have to marry Quinn. It wasn't a bad match; the Fabray family was one of the most prosperous along with the Lopez family. Noah was originally supposed to marry a princess, but so far only one has been born and she is promised to the Prince of Oceliri. Apart from the princess, there were only two other candidates that Emma would consider: one was Quinn Fabray and the other Santana Lopez. They had hoped they would not have to choose until Noah was much older and understood what was going on.

Noah stood up from his seat and walked down the steps before his mother or father could protest. He stopped right in front of Quinn and grabbed her hand gently. He bowed slightly as he brought it up to his lips and placed a kiss on it. "You are beautiful."

A blush coated her cheeks as she stammered a response. "Th-thank you, Your Highness."

He did not let go her hand as he turned to face her father. "I thank you, Lord Russel, for giving me such a wonderful gift. I will treasure her always."

"Noah," Emma called gently from her seat. "Do you know what this means?"

"I get to have her."

"Yes, but she will be your betrothed from this day onwards."

"Betrothed?" He met Sam's gaze as if asking him to specify.

"She will be your queen, Your Highness," Sam answered, his voice echoing through the silent room.

"My Queen…" Noah met Quinn's gaze. "Would you like to be my Queen?"

Quinn didn't have a choice in the matter, but it meant a lot to her that he had asked. He was the second person to ask, next to her older brother Sam. "Yes, I would like that immensely." The Prince appeared to be a nice boy and he has only been sweet to her so far. She could only hope that he will continue treating her this nicely and maybe one day she will grow to love him.

"Then it's settled," Noah grinned. "You will be my Queen." He looked at Sam. "I want you to protect her like you will me and in exchange, I will offer you my friendship until the day I die."

The Prince had caught Sam off guard. Looking after his younger sister had never been option. Sam would do anything to make sure she was safe and happy, but for the Prince to also care for his sister's well being earned his respect. Then there was also the fact the Prince offered him friendship when Sam expected nothing. "I will not fail you," he bowed.

Will felt his wife's hand grasp his, but it did little to stop old wounds from opening. His son had no idea how his words cut him and made him proud at the same time. Watching them was like looking into the past and so he will pray to the Old Gods and the New that their friendship will have a different ending. "Don't let history repeat itself." That Noah will never have to decide between the survival of his kingdom and alliances made out of friendship. To never have his hands stained with the blood of someone he once considered a brother.

Three Years Later

"Noah!"

Noah looked away from Quinn to see his younger brother drowning in the middle of a river. He shot up to his feet as if the hounds of the seven hells were at his heels. "You idiot!" he yelled angry and frightened as he reached the water. He didn't bother to take any clothes off as he jumped in to rescue his brother. It wasn't until he was struggling with the current that he realized what a bad idea it was.

"Noah!" Jake yelled once more before another rough current hit and took him under.

"Jake!" Noah broke to the surface but couldn't see his brother. "Jake!" He yelled once more before the current took him under as well. His lungs burned from the lack of oxygen. He desperately fought against the current to get to the surface. The corners of his eyes darkened the longer he stayed under. "I have to find Jake…" A hand grabbed his shirt roughly and yanked him up. Air rushed into Noah's lungs, causing him to choke. "Sam," he gasped. "Help Jake…"

Sam handed the Prince off to Quinn before running back into the water.

Noah turned weakly in Quinn arms gasping for air. "I must be hallucinating." He thought as he watched Sam running over the water to where his younger brother had last been spotted. He crouched down and reached into the water pulling out an unconscious Jake.

Sam nervously held the younger boy. "He's not breathing!" He ran back to the shore to where Quinn and Noah were.

The closer he got Noah could see the panic. "Something is wrong," he told Quinn hoarsely as he struggled to sit up. "What's wrong?"

"He's not breathing." Sam quickly placed Jake on the ground.

"I'll go get help." Quinn scrambled to her feet and ran back to the castle.

He paid her no attention as he opened the young prince's mouth and pinched his nose.

Noah numbly watched as Sam took a deep breath before pressing his lips against Jake's forcing air into his lungs. He placed both his hands over Jake's heart and mimicked the beating of his own heart as he pressed down—trying to restart the young prince's heart. He repeated the same process after pumping three times.

Jake coughed water into Sam's face and quickly rolled to the side as he vomited the rest of the liquid from his lungs. Sam wiped his face with a slight smile as he watched Puck crawl to his younger brother and rubbed circles on his back—trying to soothe him as he trembled from the aftermath. "Noah…" Jake whispered weakly as he curled on the floor closer to his older brother.

"It's going to be fine." Noah placed Jake's head on his lap and ran his hand through his hair like their mother did when she consoled them.

"I was so scared…I thought I was gonna die."

"I was, too," Noah admitted even at a young age he knew his younger brother didn't need him to be brave. He needed him to be understanding. "I was scared of losing you, but Sam came and he saved you," he explained as he saw his brother cry.

"He did?" Jake lifted his head to see Sam watching them silently. "Thank you."

"There's no need for you to thank me, Prince Jake." He moved closer to them. "You need your rest."

He nodded before looking at Noah. "Thank you for coming for me."

"Anytime." He promised and watched as Jake's eyes slid closed. Seconds later the boy's snores broke through the silence. Noah couldn't help but smile. "Thank you."

"You do—"

"Not as my guard, but as my friend," Noah cut him off. "I don't have that many friends as it is and you're the only boy that I have as a friend."

"What about Prince Jesse and Prince Hunter?"

"Do not mention them to me ever again," Puck glared at him. "The moment I become King, I will forbid them from ever stepping on my land again," he vowed with vengeance.

Sam bit back a smile, they both shared a dislike for the two princes ever since Prince Jesse had taken a liking toward Quinn and made his interest known even though he is betrothed to Princess Rachel. The matter only worsened when Prince Hunter encouraged his older brother to pursue her and it ended when Puck announced to the court of his engagement to Quinn without consulting his parents. It had not been announced before, but the court had known since word spread that Lord Russel Fabray had presented his daughter as a gift to the Prince. The King and Queen had planned to announce it in Noah's three-and-ten nameday. Noah was grounded the following day and forced to remain in his room the entire day only being let out to bid farewell to the King Dustin, his wife Queen Terry and both Princes.

"I would agree with you, Your Highness, but I must ask that you reconsider for your friend Princess Rachel will be married to him in the future. If you deny him then you also deny her."

"Drat!" Puck growled. "Why does she have to marry such a pompous ass?"

Sam shrugged for he had no response. He did not know what to make of the Princess except that she seemed to be sweet and clever girl. She had arrived with her family two days ago and already had the King and Queen wrapped around her finger. Sam knew that if it was not for her being betrothed to Prince Jesse they would have had asked her for Noah. He was not worried about what could have been between them for Noah was promised to his sister and Rachel to another and that is all that mattered. Although Sam felt sympathy for the Princess to be destined to marry such a foul creature and he knew she held no affections for her future husband. Jake had asked about it after retelling the story of what happened between Noah and her betrothed. She did not seem hurt or bothered that her husband to be was already looking for other girls.

"He can have his mistresses, the more he leaves me the better I will be." Was her sassy reply and that was the first time he saw a piece of her fiery spirit.

The second time had been when Noah had jealously thrown a mud ball at her for spending too much time with Quinn. When he complained to his mother, Queen Emma informed him of girls having to spend time without boys. Noah did not like that response at all and Sam had followed him not knowing what he had planned. By the time he put two and two together Noah had already hit the Princess with a mud ball. The shock in her gaze had Sam moving toward her, he made a move to try wiping the skirt of her dress with his handkerchief, but she moved away. He knew what she was going to do before her hands touched the mud. He could have stopped her, but what Noah did was uncalled for. He could not reprimand the Prince, but the Princess—if she wished—could get even with him without getting punished.

Just as Quinn voiced her disappointment of Noah, Rachel sneaked behind him and threw a mud ball at the back of his neck. Jake howled with laughter and Sam couldn't stop the slight curve on his lips when the Princess grinned at the shocked Prince. In her gaze echoed amusement and satisfaction. Noah will have to think twice before crossing the Princess again. She had glanced at him and met his gaze. She mouthed a thank you knowing that he could have stopped her since he was the Prince's Guard, but didn't.

"She didn't choose him." Sam looked away from the Prince as a frown threatened to show. The thought of her having to marry that little git of a prince did not sit well with him. She deserved to be happy like his sister. She deserved to marry someone that could make her smile.

"Her parents are blind."

Their conversation was cut short when the King, Queen, the kingsguard, and the royal physician showed up with Quinn.

"Jake! Noah!" Will quickly dismounted his horse and ran to his children. When Quinn informed him of what happened Will was in disbelief and quickly snapped out of it when his wife summoned for the royal physician. He followed by summoning a few of his men to ride with him and his wife.

"Dad." Noah looked at his father, worried. "We are fine. Sam saved us."

"But Ja—"

"Sam got him to breathe again."

Will looked at Sam once again feeling grateful to the boy. It never failed to amaze him how this boy, he had taken everything for him, helped protect his family. He owed him so much. "Thank you," he said as his wife came to kneel by them.

She grabbed Jake into her arms, crying faintly when she felt him breathing. "Thank the Gods."

"Mommy," Jake said sleepily as he awakened in her arms.

"I am here, sweetie."

His eyes closed again as he snuggled in her arms.

Emma touched Noah's face gently. "Are you well?"

"Yes, Mother."

"You are not lying to me?"

"I would not dream of doing so at this moment, Mother."

Emma kissed his forehead before looking at Sam. "You are a gift sent by the Gods. Thank you for saving my sons."

"You do not need to thank me, Your Majesties," he bowed. "I am to protect and serve Prince Noah and Prince Jake, who is very precious to him. If I am to fail then I do not deserve to live."

"Sam," Noah scolded him.

"Then you must value your life." Will placed his hand on his shoulder signaling the boy to rise.

"Not mine," Sam met his gaze. "I value theirs."

It was not the first time Will was tempted to fall to his knees and beg this boy to forgive him. He had the fierce protectiveness of his father, but also the gentleness of his mother that shined through when he was around his younger sister, Noah and Jake, but now he could see it with Princess Rachel. Life was cruel indeed.

The bittersweet smile that curved on the King's lips aroused his curiosity and Sam bit his tongue to keep from asking, why is it that his eyes showed sadness when they lay upon him? He worried if his presence hurts his King and that is the last thing he wants to do.

"You should value yours as well," Will whispered to him. "To the entire world you are one person, but to one person you are their entire world."

Sam looked at him with wide eyes that were filled with wonder. This was the first time his King spoke to him in such a way. "Maybe I do not hurt him."

The King turned away for he felt that he did not deserve to be gaze upon such a way, especially not from him. "Let us return back to the castle."

Sam watched as Emma went with Jake. Will had gone to pick up his eldest son only for the boy to shake his head before glancing at Quinn. He ruffled his son's hair in understanding before mounting his horse. "Do not take long."

Quinn went to help Noah, who shook his head and got up on his own. He held out his hand to her and she took it with a smile.

"They look adorable, do they not?"

Sam looked at Princess Rachel, alarmed for the first time noticing that she had arrived with Quinn and the royal court. "Shall we?" he asked politely, presenting her his elbow.

"Thank you." Her hand grabbed his arm lightly. "I heard about your heroic act."

"I wouldn't consider it heroic. I was only doing my job."

"Not only are you a hero, but you are modest as well."

Sam glanced at her, amused.

"Father said 'that humans are self centered beings' that when our life is placed in danger we think only for ourselves," she shook her head. "I do not believe that and you, Ser Sam, have proven me right."

"I am not a Ser."

"You are now since I have dubbed you my champion."

Sam didn't know how to react with the girl. He was stuck between wanting to laugh or smile and neither of them seemed right for the occasion. "…It is an honor," he said truthfully. He thought this day would only get worse after having to run an errand for Noah only to return to see Quinn crying out as both the Princes drowned. The fear he felt had frozen him in his spot for a moment until he heard Noah cry out for Jake. The desperation in his voice triggered the protectiveness Sam had formed over the last three years when it came to the Princes. Something in him awakened, it coursed through his veins and allowed him to run over the water by forming ice wherever he stepped.

This rare occurrence had only happened once when Quinn had almost burned her hand. His hand shot out over the fire, creating a small layer of ice and gave him enough time to pull her hand away. After that first time, Quinn promised not to tell anyone and Sam had thought it was a onetime thing until now…what was happening with him?

"I will make sure to give you a token for being my champion."

"That is not necessary, Your Highness."

"You are right, but I would like to." She looked at him. "Would that be okay?"

"If that is what you wish." He met her gaze.

Her laughter filled the air around them and a small smiled curved on Sam's lips. "I am asking you, what you want."

"But what I want doesn't matter."

"To me it does. That is why I am asking."

"Oh…that would be nice."

"Then I will make sure to give it to you tomorrow right before I leave," she smiled at him.

Sam couldn't explain why his face felt considerably warm or why his heart began to pound in an unsettling matter.

True to her word, the next day before departing she graced him with a white handkerchief that had her family crest of a phoenix sewed on it. "To my champion, may you continue to fight valiantly and prove me right."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Sam bowed to her gratefully; he will cherish her token and do his best to make her proud. "I will not fail you."

"I do not think that it is possible for you to do so."

Her words caught him off guard and his face heated up once more in her presence. It wasn't until she said her farewell to Noah, Jake, and Quinn did the older Prince elbow him. "Make sure that Prince Jesse does not find out about his betrothed's sudden interest in you," he jibed.

"There is nothing for him to be worried about. Princess Rachel is not interested in me in any form."

"Could have fooled me with her talk about you being her champion and you not letting her down."

Sam frowned as he watched the royal carriage pull away with Princess Rachel in it.

Neither knew that the next time they will meet, would be years from then and nothing would be the same.

AN: I would like to give a huge shout out to my beta MissBreePhoenix, who puts up with my random updating and beginning new fics without warning. She's beyond amazing! I would also like to give her a huge thank you for helping me choose the cover for this fic. =D

Yes I know I still have like four other fics to finish and that's not including DAT. But I blame Game of Thrones. That show is amazing and addicting! I remember reading the first book two years ago and I still have to catch up in both book and TV series verse. *cough* *cough* Back to the subject at hand. Fire and Ice is an original story that I have been planning on writing for the past three years. But it's also something I have been pushing back because I didn't know how to really get started on it. It wasn't until two years ago that I decided to make it into an EvanBerry fic and see where it goes. I would be able to get more a visual on how it will go and I can develop and cover any plot holes that may show when I write the original version. With that in mind I planned for this to my last multi-chapter EvanBerry fic after I finished the others I have posted, but after watching Game of Thrones I became inspired again… (*_*) I had to sit down and begin writing. After almost two years of struggling to find a way to begin this tale, this came into existence. I'm pretty excited for it and I hope you are too! So I ask that you take a chance and join me in this new journey that has me excited as well as nervous because this is something new. With that said please review and tell me what you think. I will really appreciate it and if you have any question don't hesitate to ask. I will answer them as best as possible without spoiling the plot. (^_^)

AN 2: Due to Cory's passing I had to make some necessary change to this fic because it did not feel right having him as the antagonist, so now I have him playing another role as for what that role is we'll have to wait and see until it gets revealed. ;)