AN: Wow! I am absolutely blown away by the number of people who put this on alert! I really hope I don't disappoint. If I don't, please let me know. A review a day keeps the author writing..ay. yeah we'll go with that.

A huge thanks to my two beautiful and courageous betas Kim and Lauren, who I was about to call Kauren.

Pronunciation: "Jotunn" is pronounced "yo- ton" with the "ton" sounding like the end of button. It's Norse. I didn't make this shit up ;-)

The Wolf of Alyr

~2~

The Last Day

Kurt was bent low over his work, the bright orange glow of the heated silver burning into his vision. Sweat trickled slowly down his nose and, as he wiped it away with his shoulder, he could feel his muscles protest the movement. His focus was completely centered on forging the piece of silver until it bent into just the right shape.

It had taken Kurt a long time before he returned to the wall. It was difficult enough getting over his own fear of being caught, but he'd also had to get past his father who'd punished him as soon as he'd gotten home that day for not arriving as soon as the bells sounded.

He put Kurt to work, keeping him busy dealing with customers, and running errands. Kurt never tried to explain what had happened. He was certain it would only get him in more trouble. It was weeks before he was finally able to slip away.

When he reached the wall he found that the crack had been left untouched and he took it as a good sign that it had never been discovered in the first place. He squeezed through it once more and went in search of Blaine.

He'd spent ages, looking up into all the trees and whispering out Blaine's name. He realized that Blaine must be inside, but there was no way he was going in to search for him. So he decided to just wait. He stayed in the garden as the hours went by marked by the slow march of the sun across the sky. It wasn't until he was about to give up and head home that he heard his own name shouted from across the sea of flowers.

"Kurt!" And there was Blaine running to him. Kurt ran too and their bodies crashed together and they hugged each other tight. Then Blaine pulled away and pouted at Kurt. "I thought you were never coming back."

"I'm sorry," said Kurt, "I wanted to come. I swear."

Blaine looked down, kicking the grass a bit, looking as though he was deciding whether to forgive Kurt. "Well, you're here now...so it's okay." Blaine held out his hand and looked up at Kurt with a little smirk. Kurt smiled back and took his hand.

As soon as their fingers locked Blaine's smile grew back into the goofy grin Kurt knew from before. "Come on," he said. "You showed me the city. Now it's my turn to show you the castle!" Before Kurt could even think of all the ways this could end badly Blaine was dragging him back towards one of the servant doors.

Kurt couldn't help but smile wide as he remembered that day that happened a little less than five years before. It filled him and made him feel warm and strong as he worked. The memory of that day and a thousand other days with Blaine filled his mind, each one as beautiful and silvery bright as the pendant he was forging beneath his hands.

Birds were beginning to sing by the time Kurt stood and stretched his sore body, his stiff joints popping after being hunched over the entire night. Slowly, he dragged his feet to his small room and threw off his dirty work clothes before grabbing a wet cloth from the basin by his bed and pressing it to the back of his neck. The water was cold against his flushed skin, making him sigh in relief. It felt so nice. He guided the cloth gently along his skin, shivering pleasantly as it cooled him down. He made another pass with the cloth, this time scrubbing until he was clean. He pulled on some trousers before reaching for his best blue tunic and pulling that on as well. Then he tied on his boots, his belt, and threw a light cloak around his shoulders. As usual he also put on a couple of his own iron bracelets, taking a moment to admire them on his pale skin before heading back to fire where his most recent creation waited. He wrapped the pendant in soft clean cloth before slipping it inside the pouch on his belt.

The city was already coming to life as Kurt stepped outside his door and made his way through the streets. Shops were opening, taking advantage of the first fingers of light creeping over the horizon. When Kurt was younger he would take a much different path to get to Blaine which involved the back alleys and winding his way up the side of the mountain to find the crack in the wall. But the old crack had long since been discovered and repaired so Kurt had to be much more clever about getting inside the castle walls. The task became much harder when the Jotunn started attacking Aldyr. Kurt had never seen a Jotunn himself, but he heard many stories passed on from travelers and soldiers. He also heard about them from Blaine whose family members had also gone off to fight them.

They were tall, Blaine had said, like giants. They were also incredibly strong and had skin the color of sun bleached bones. They'd come from the mountains without warning and in huge armies they conquered city after city forcing the people of Aldyr under their control. Blaine told Kurt countless tales about how his brothers, cousins, and uncles had gone to free those cities, fighting the Jotunn as best as they could. This went on for years. Many times Blaine's father, the King had tried to find Jotunheim, the giant's city, but it was too well hidden. Countless times they looked and each time the scouts came back unsuccessful, or didn't come back at all. People in the markets and the taverns began to joke with bitter laughs that Jotunheim was so impossible to find that it might as well lay east of the sun, and west of the moon.

When Kurt had told this joke to Blaine he'd scoffed. "No place is impossible to find. My father will do it. And the Jotunn will be done for." Kurt wasn't so sure, but he didn't argue out load. It's true, that so far the king and his armies had managed to keep the Jotunn from taking over all of Aldyr, but from the stories the city people told it sounded like the giants were far stronger than any Human army. It was taking all their resources just to fend them off so how could they ever hope to find Jotunheim?

Kurt walked along the water heading toward the high street which would take him towards the main gates of the castle. As he crossed the main bridge he caught sight of the sky through the rooftops and stopped a moment to stare. It was gorgeous. The horizon glowed so deeply orange it was almost red. He drank in the stunning colors for a moment and took a long breath of the morning air before continuing with a smile. He picked up his pace and it wasn't much longer until he reached the high street. Getting inside the castle walls meant stowing away with someone. Fortunately a card loaded with barrels was passing and he quickly squeezed himself into a space where he'd be hidden. The city was bustling now so he was able to do this without being noticed.

Ten minutes later, Kurt was sneaking through the low lit passages of castle, long since capable of remaining unseen, and into the room of the sleeping prince. Kurt removed his cloak and belt, placing them on a dark sturdy chair before approaching the massive bed where Blaine's form was buried beneath the blankets.

He crawled up the bed carefully, minding Blaine's splayed limbs, and leaned over where Blaine's head poked out of the bed sheets. His short curls were mussed and his lips were slightly parted, letting out slow sighs of breath. Kurt also noticed how his long eyelashes fanned across his cheek as he slept on. Kurt couldn't help but think Blaine was beautiful. He'd thought so for a long time, though, it was only recently that the thought made his stomach skip and his cheeks feel warm.

He tried not to think about this as he lowered himself over Blaine as carefully as he could manage so his lips barely brushed against the sleeping boy's ear.

"Wake up!" he shouted before pulling back just in time to avoid getting clocked by Blaine who sat up like a shot, his eyes as big as saucers. Kurt dissolved into giggles at the sight and he let himself fall back onto the bed as he laughed at Blaine.

"Kurt!" Blaine cried as soon as he realized what happened. "Kurt! That's not funny. You're going to make me deaf!" Kurt continued to laugh. "It's not funny!"

"Yes it is," Kurt sputtered. But he hushed his laughing and looked up at Blaine, concerned that he'd really upset him. Blaine was scowling at him, but Kurt noticed the way the corner of this mouth twitched upward meaning he was fighting not to laugh as well. The sight made Kurt bubble with laughter again.

"Stop laughing!" Blaine ordered in an attempt to stay cross.

"Make me," Kurt challenged.

"I will! I'll make you pay even if I have to drag you to the dungeon myself."

"I'd like to see you try."

They locked eyes then and in a split second Kurt was leaping off the bed with Blaine right on his heels. They raced around the room, Kurt throwing chairs behind him and anything else he could find to keep Blaine from catching him. Their laughter rang off the walls as Blaine finally tackled him to the floor where they wrestled for control. Blaine managed to get his arms around Kurt's waist and begin to drag him towards his chamber door.

"No! No! I won't go!" Kurt cried as he struggled to get away.

"You've crossed me for the last time, blacksmith. You're to be chained with the rats."

"No! Never!" Blaine continued to carry Kurt towards the door. "I won't give you your present!"

Blaine let go of Kurt, who collapsed to the floor with an "oomph."

"You brought me a present?" he asked, suddenly all eagerness and puppy eyes.

"Of course I did. But I guess you won't get it now."

"Kuuuuuuuurt," Blaine whined, dropping to his knees next to Kurt. "Kurt, I want to see my present. I deserve it. You've ruined my ear forever. I'll be deaf forever."

"You are not deaf."

"Kuuurt, pleaase."

Kurt looked at Blaine and quickly gave in. He got up off the floor to find the chair where he'd left his things. He pulled the gift from inside his pouch and brought it over to the end of the bed. Blaine followed and sat cross legged, his eyes trained on the cloth in Kurt's hands. Kurt teased Blaine by unfolding the cloth slowly and carefully so that by the time in was open he was nearly bursting with curiosity.

And then his eyes shone as he saw what had been hidden inside.

"Kurt," he gasped in amazement. "But it's not...it's not iron..."

"Silver," Kurt said.

"How did you manage to get silver?"

Kurt just shrugged. Blaine didn't need to know how much Kurt had worked and saved over the year to buy the special material. He knew Blaine would have been just as happy with the iron Kurt usually used, but he'd wanted this gift to stand out. From the way Blaine was looking down at it Kurt knew he'd succeeded.

It wasn't very large, fitting easily in the palm of Kurt's hand. But the work was intricate. The silver had been bent and twisted into smooth knots which formed the shape of a four pointed star. Blaine took the pendant and carefully placed its silver chain around his neck. Kurt swelled with pride.

"Thank you, Kurt," he said sincerely. He looked up and his eyes were warm and bright making Kurt's stomach do a familiar back flip.

"Happy birthday, Blaine," he uttered softly. They sat like that for a moment just smiling when suddenly they heard footsteps approaching. They both acted without thought, Kurt skidding under the bed as Blaine quickly stuffed Kurt's things out of sight. The blankets hung low over the side of the bed so that Kurt was completely hidden, but it also meant he couldn't see a single thing either. He could only listen as the door opened and Blaine's feet shuffled to face it.

"Blaine, what in the world was all that noise?"

"I was just playing, Nana." Kurt could hear Blaine's Nana huff like she normally did when she found Blaine's room a mess. But there was a tremor that was unmistakable even in that tiny sound. "Nana, what's wrong?"

"Blaine, you have to stop acting like a child. You're thirteen now. You can no longer do whatever you like. You have to study and train to be a man. And from now on, I won't be your Nana anymore. You're much too big. And besides you'll have your tutors to care for you now." She let out a little sob. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm just going to miss you Blaine."

"But Nana-"

"Oh Blaine, don't give me that look. You have five brothers who all did the same thing. Did you think you'd be exempt? From now on, you'll get straight up in the morning and go to the chapel. You won't even need me." There was silence for a while. Then Nana spoke again. "It''ll be alright. You'll see me sometimes. And if you work hard, Blaine, you'll become a great man. I'm sure you could even be a hero. All of Aldyr will adore you and all the ladies will be dying to be the woman you marry."

"Thank you," Blaine's voice sounded hoarse.

"Now, get dressed quickly and go meet William in the Chapel. Don't you dare dally, Blaine." A pause, then, "Be good. Work hard. Good luck."

Kurt listened to the footsteps as they carried Nana back out the door and forced himself to count to twenty, like he normally did, before he emerged from beneath the bed.

Blaine was sitting a few feet away in a chair. He was hunched with his head in his hands. Kurt approached slowly. Where before his insides had all been butterflies, now all he felt was a heavy lump.

"Blaine?" Kurt's voice barely more than a whisper. He didn't look up and Kurt knelt in front of his chair, placing a nervous hand on his knee. Blaine moved his own hand over Kurt's. He squeezed Kurt's fingers gently and then finally looked up at him with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "I guess I better go," he said.

Kurt was at a loss to say anything. He was torn. He always knew that this was the life Blaine was born to and he knew they both were getting older and had to face their responsibilities. Kurt's father reminded him of that every day. Yet they both had ignored this for as long as possible, knowing that growing up meant their days spent together were over. It meant they would have to drift apart.

"I'm sorry, Kurt. I didn't realize it would be today. I...don't know how..." He didn't finish but Kurt understood. Everything was changing, starting today.

"Hey," Kurt said, determined to be cheerful, "It'll be okay. We'll figure something out. I'm not going to let this be the end of us, I promise."

Blaine's eyes crinkled as Kurt coaxed a real smile out of him and he tugged Kurt up by the hand into a hug. "You're right," he said. "I want you to be right."

"I am," Kurt assured for Blaine's benefit. "Don't you dare say goodbye." They pulled away enough for their foreheads to rest against each other. Being so close, Kurt could see his own eyes reflected in Blaine's. He could feel Blaine's breath and for the space of a moment Kurt wondered what it would be like to press his lips against Blaine's. Then Blaine's eyes flickered down and Kurt's heart thudded. Was Blaine thinking the same thing?

There was heavy knocking on the door. Kurt leapt about two feet in the air and scrambled back towards the bed.

"Blaine! What did I say?" Nana's voice came through the door. "Chapel. Now."

"I'm coming!" Blaine shouted back, rushing to his wardrobe to change. Kurt turned away while Blaine pulled on fresh clothes and turned back when he heard Blaine's feet, now clad in heavy boots, approaching him. Things seemed to be normal again. The moment was over. "I'll see you soon, Kurt."

"Yes, you will," Kurt said, returning Blaine's smile. He watched Blaine leave, careful to stay out of view from the door. Then he sighed and looked around the room. He wasn't eager to leave so he spent time straightening things up, righting chairs that had been thrown, straightening rugs, and making Blaine's bed. He did everything slowly, letting his hands really feel everything he touched, bidding tiny goodbyes to his childhood. Whatever he might have told Blaine, Kurt didn't truly believe things could ever be the same as before. Blaine would spend every waking moment on his training now. Kurt could only be a distraction.

When he couldn't stand it anymore, he snuck back through the castle. After he reached the courtyard he descended a narrow flight of steps and emerged in the garden. It was the same garden he'd met Blaine in, and it was also the source for countless memories.

They'd spent so many days out here, running through the hedges. They'd layed in the flowerbeds, the petals tickling their faces while Blaine taught Kurt every song his Nana sang to him as a child. Kurt taught Blaine how to use the bow and arrow and they practiced together getting better and better as the years went on. Blaine had attempted to teach Kurt about tree climbing, but Kurt had never quite overcome his fear of heights. Kurt could always force himself up into the tree, but once there he always found it hard to move a single muscle without Blaine to guide him. Eventually he simply resolved to keep his feet on the ground while Blaine traversed the tree tops.

Kurt wandered the garden, each memory leaving him with a bitter taste until he found Blaine's favorite climbing tree. He placed his hand on the bark enjoying its rough texture on his skin. He knew he should be heading back down to the city. It was not wise for him to remain without Blaine, but he couldn't move yet. He couldn't face the future yet.

Kurt sat on the ground, leaned back against the tree and stretched his legs out in the grass. The sun was beating down on him making warm and sleepy. He'd been up all night and right now sleep seemed like such a nice escape from reality. His head lolled and his eyelids shut.

Kurt walked into the chapel and found Blaine buried in a book. He reached his hand out and Blaine turned when he felt Kurt's touch on his shoulder. He immediately rose and lifted Kurt into his arms. Kurt clung close as Blaine brought him to bed where they fell together, intertwined. And then Blaine was kissing Kurt. He pressed a deep kiss to his lips before planting another warm kiss on his cheek. Then another one on his neck.

"Blaine," Kurt whimpered.

But their bliss was interrupted by the ringing of bells. They'd been discovered! Kurt clung to Blaine as the bells crashed against his eardrums. Blaine was slipping away. He'd never get to see Blaine again! And the bells were so loud! Kurt felt the sound vibrating all through his body.

He was in the garden. He'd been there all along. The dream disappeared swiftly, but the bells remained as Kurt blinked his eyes open. Suddenly, Kurt realized what he was hearing and he sprung to his feet. It was the alarm bells, but why were they ringing? He rushed through the garden heading for the main courtyard of the castle desperate to know what was happening.

He ducked into an archway and could hear another sound join the bells. It was a loud booming. He reached the courtyard and saw that it was filled with soldiers. All eyes were on the main gate that lead into the city. The massive door shook with each boom. They were under attack.